Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The man is looking back at the crouching silhouette.

Its owner seems exhausted, having a hand gripping painfully his chest, some ribs under his large shirt far too pronounced in his own taste, but that hasn’t changed, during those previous years, if it hadn’t worsened.

Such a petty way to refuse… his help, his… rule.

The man crouches down, too, and gives an empathetic smile over his mask.

His little brother turns his head, avoiding his gaze.
Maybe it’s an attempt of a spat that he has just heard, there.

And maybe his lonely pesky brother is dehydrated, from all that running.

He really has become senseless, hasn’t he ?

The man sighs as he feels the broken thing at his feet jolt from the touch of his own firm fingers gripping his jaw.

He prolongs the touch a bit longer, forcing eye contact.

If only he could understand.

His little brother. His pathetic, only surviving relative.

He cares, he does.

It is just that his tiny brother isn’t putting any effort in his part, and that he has, as a consequence, the need to do the entirety of the effort.

He remembered the times where his brother genuinely smiled at him, with a beam that brought such warmth and light, and that put the most powerful stars in the universe to shame.

But now, the hateful stares are so used that they have grown… almost- yes, boring.

And the man knows he will do it as many times as he needs it.
He loves his little brother, and he can’t afford- him, his weakness, to be turned against him.

Anyone knowing of his existence would oh so easily abduct or kill him, induce tortures only for the sake of vengeance, or some other insignificant thing. That is the painful way his brother could be used to hurt him.

And he is the older brother, and so needs to protect him.
It is only normal.

The man watches with a neutral glare the eyes of his baby brother, who gives such a deviant stare back.

The man known as All for One only chides him back a little, kindly so.

« Doing another foolish excursion, little brother ? »

The man sees the crouching boy try to stand up. All for One dissuades him of doing so, by putting his other free hand on the shoulder of this sickly looking man.

He would only do something stupid, and hurt himself with too brash movements.

His little brother really needs to eat. It can’t continue like this.

He expects his little brother to say something along the lines of « I’ll never stop trying », or « someday a true Hero will put a stop to you », but instead, nothing comes.

It is strange how silent his brother stays under his gaze. Their eyes continue fixing each other, until his little brother averts his eyes, managing to get his chin out of his gentle grip.

That… is new.

And somehow refreshing.

He keeps staring at the weak body of his brother, that seems to desperately need help, and who only seems to pout, his eyes fixed on something meaningless on his right side, avoiding him, the main shadow towering the frail body of the paled eyed child.

The man tilts his head, and only sees the tears rolling down his brother’s cheeks as he is about to help him getting up.

That stops his movement, and the man can only keep watching as his little brother crouches in a ball, defeated, and chokes on sobs and sobs.

All for One takes the man’s body in his arms, hugging him warmly, maybe… trying to give some support in his own way, and probably failing.

It does not mean he should not try.

The tears seem to sag, for an unknown reason.
And the limbs of his brother turn slowly limp, maybe... relaxing, though there is still an ineluctable tension inside of them.

It… is refreshing.

What a nice and interesting change of pace.

The man caresses his brother’s curls, and gets up, putting slowly down his brother at his side, only grabbing his arm in a gentle but firm way, guiding and poised.

He hears only one last broken sob as it dies down.

His little brother has said simply nothing since he has found him.

Where has his fire gone ? Where are the pointless jests, attempts at daunting insults, and meaningless resistance, voiced by weak yet unending protestations ?

Maybe it should be worrying, but All for One can only have a tired smile as he feels the exhausted body of his brother lean on him.

It is a first.

He must really have been tired, or cold, (with how sickly it is, it wouldn’t be a surprise) as the temperatures have recently dropped, and that his brother decided to evade his needed presence in his current place of staying at an unpleasant hour.

And his pathetic small brother did escape at night, for a very odd reason.
Truly ridiculous, that he does not even take correctly care of his own self, at his age. He should have at least considered the temperatures, rather than doing such a rash move, that didn’t loose its own pointlessness.

« Let’s go back, and get you some food. You… are frozen, poor little thing ! »

The younger man doesn’t even react at his theatrics, and his eyes stay fixed away from him, evading.

He removes his black fluttering coat and puts it on the fragile shoulders of his brother.

He seems to have still some deviance in his eyes, but it is somehow dull as his shaking diminishes.

His brother once more says nothing, and averts his eyes on the ground.

The man only puts firmly his arm back around the body of his brother, always helpful, and begins to walk him back home, slowly, so not to tire him more than he already is.

The walk back is silent, but for once his brother uses him as a support, instead of pushing and pulling in every possible direction opposed to him.

It- is, refreshing.

…

Once inside, safe from the outside world, the ambient air having an insistent warmness that has always been so, his fragile brother faints out of exhaustion as soon as he is put down on a couch.

The older brother quietly snorts inadvertently, as he had wanted to ‘discuss’, and chide his younger relative for his actions, in a long unending speech, that would only one day make him change his opinions.

The man brings his brother to his bed, and puts him under several thick but very soft sheets.

The trembling stops soon enough, and he somehow finds himself smiling with a certain satisfaction in the fleeting corner of his lips.

Maybe things are… changing.

It sure is… refreshing.

****

Chapter Text

He is in his study when he hears the weak insistent knocking of the door leading to his brother’s apartments.

He had finished the other night his little brother’s examination, and decided that he would need a couple of cocktails of vitamins, besides his usual medicine.
He had not hurt himself more than usual in his bi-weekly escapes, so that had been quite good news. Only a few scraps had needed bandages, but that was a very small price to pay compared to times where his brother had been recklessly savage.
Aah, at that time, his influence hadn’t been at its state of today, and his pesky little brother had surely thought that he could have managed to escape and never be seen again, maybe in another country.
Such a ridiculous thought to have, today.

The shattered window had also been replaced by a harder one, but it was only a quickly done necessity. His connections are only useful, there, and one of the few followers he had had been so eager to help, too.

It had been a simple deed done.

Removing the too heavy objects, including the little radio that were one of the very rare luxuries that his brother asked and that he let his brother have, had been easily done as the little brother in question had been sound asleep, unmoving as he kept ‘cleaning’ the mess he had done.
He would only, eitherway, pretend that it was a part of his brother’s « punishment ».

But he knew that his brother would accept it quickly enough. His foolishness did need some helpful corrections, and at worst, giving back the objects that his brother had during long times requested would appear as a kindness, and maybe prove to him that he could be merciful and kind, if he acted accordingly.

Though the knocking on the door is insistent.

The door is locked, as always, and he only sighs as he gets up, wondering what could possibly be going in the mind of his brother for him to do such an action.

And when he opens it, he sees his brother, his face- maybe shocked, surprised ?

His little brother steps back, apprehensive.

All for One smiles gently back.

« And in what honour do you require my humble presence ? »

His little brother, his bangs barely hiding his eyes, falls back on his posterior.

He extends a hand, so to help him get up.

It is not taken, of course, and his brother only backs away, fearfully, and he only hears muttered back :

« N-nothing, it- it was stupid. »

His brother difficultly gets up, and finishes by saying :

« S-sorry for having bothered you. I- Sorry. »

The man tilts his head.

« Have you eaten yet ? »

The sickly boy shakes his head with hesitation.

« It is probably cold now, do not bother. I’ll bring something warm later, little brother. »

The younger man seems to nod with an edge that is so foreign. Different, some would say.

All for One closes the door, and puts once more the locking code in the keypad.

The locking wooshing noise echoes in the room, and the man leaves with a carnivorous beam on his lips.

He- he is changing.

The steps are light and happy, almost excited for the events to come.

***

When he brings back hot Katsudon in a plate, he is welcomed by the sight of his little brother hiding in his sheets.

The stare he seems to give is almost apprehensive.

« Katsudon, your favourite, little brother. I cooked it, I hope I got the taste right. I am still a little bit rough. »

The young man does not answer.

He only takes the plate, his arms weak, and brings the brewage tentatively to his lips.

It’s- the first time since he has seen his brother eat since- a long time. And- in front of him, of that.

His mask almost cracks at that precise moment. Such an intensive emotion can only have such a reaction to the state of his mind.

« Tell me, do you have any queries ? I am in a good mood despite your disastrous attempts from yesterday. I could bring you some new comic-books, if that’s what you wish. »

He does have his empire to run, and the government seems to have started seeing him as a threat, which is both rewarding and bothering, for obvious reasons.

It does not mean that he shouldn’t take time for his family.

And then his brother answers.

« I- I’d like to help. I- no, no it’s- you wouldn’t-

The man almost spews the alcoholised drink he had been sipping out of surprise.

He looks with veiled astonishment towards his little brother who seems to find his plate extremely interesting. Such a fragile little thing.

« No, go ahead. I am all ears, brother of mine. »

The younger man seems to grimace.

« You- you’re- stop being overprotective. I- I can’t live like that, you know it, and I can’t-

Of course it would be around those lines. Though progress is progress.

Maybe this new development could be made profitable.

« How am I supposed to- to feel- helpful, or- or having a purpose, if- if all I can do is- being here, and- and doing absolutely nothing as so much happens outside ? »

All for One smiles at the difficultly said words.

Oh, what an adorable charade.

He must really miss his radio, the only point of contact he has with the outside world.

« You need to heal, little sickly brother. You can barely manage to stand,-

« Th-that’s because I didn’t eat. I- if you let me do something actually productive, I- I could- I would do it, and- and stop this- this-

« This tantrum of yours ? »

His little brother difficultly gulps down.

Logical. He has trouble coming to terms with evident facts.
He would come to see things his way, eventually. This is just a small step in that direction.

And he wouldn’t then need to force him to stay in his protection.

It is a pleasant thought, and the man decides that this effort of his brother should be rewarded.

He interrupts the pregnant silence that had begun with a calm and kind voice.

« And how do you want to ‘help’, then, brother ? »

His brother squirms uncomfortably in his sheets.

He seems to force himself to take another gulp of his brewage.

The man gives back an encouraging smile.

« I- » begins the coarse voice of his brother, « need to occupy myself with- with real activities. A-anything that you find bothering to do, I- I could do it . »

All for One doesn’t bother hiding his light chuckle.

« Very well, then. I’ll find something that will keep you occupied. Something serious, of course. »

He obviously doesn’t want to belittle his fragile only relative left.
He cares about his family, it is the least he can do.

His brother takes another difficult gulp of his Katsudon, and All for One smiles sweetly back at him.

A content smirk appears on his lips as he leaves.

***

Chapter Text

His little brother hasn’t tried any sort of escape attempts since two weeks ago.

It- is undoubtedly progress.

And he eats, maybe little, but he does eat.

It makes his allies and underlings find him extremely amiable, and maybe fearful for their lives.

Oh, but little do they know.

It is a grand moment.

He has even begun searching for a suitable quirk for his little brother.

He… might eventually come to need it.

Anything to protect him.

And it would be an ample reward given back, that is sure.

…

Maybe encouraging him more to develop on his own, correctly guided, might be an excellent prerogative.

It had always worked when they were younger, the praise making his pesky little brother beam with all his teeth, and lighten the little that was his life, back then, for a brief instant.

He distractedly wonders if he could find back those smiles, as he forces a criminal on his knees, and forces the man to break down in tears as a shoulder is dislocated.

Hmm.

Maybe he might.

He does not hear the man under him pledge his life or plead with all his heart for his survival.

He realizes later that it wasn’t such a great loss, as he prefers loyalty gained through any other thing than death threats.

It is a normal day at work, and he can’t refrain himself from being eager to return home, as the day ends at a late hour, his little brother probably waiting for him, maybe not apprehensively, for once.

Yes, the individuals that are so glad to serve him do question things, with an unusual incomprehension. But those are terrified people that are not his brother, so he does suppose that he does not manage to somehow care, looking back at things.

He only comes back home, a fluttering smile on his lips, happy, happy, for this turn of events.

***

« D-don’t you think it’d be a better idea to get rid of the Yakuza, instead ? People would then see you less as a criminal organization and maybe give you heroic ideals », says hesitantly the voice.

The man behind the name of All for One can only pleasantly notice that his brother of his has gained a few pounds, and is not just ribs and skin, now.

He does take without protestations his medicine, now, and finishes almost all his meals.

He has been putting some effort, and even if the man does begin to think that it might be a stratagem to get him to put his guard down, it cannot help the gladness that comes each time he hears the voice of his brother, communicating with him with something that is not hateful glares.

It seems like such a long time ago, looking back, though it has been just three weeks.

And as much as his brother stays too idealistic, it cannot and will not stay a bother ; as it can have its charm, if he doesn’t mold him in the righter direction, with time.

He smiles empathetically back at the naive proposition.

« Oh, we could, and that would surely make the lambda citizen think better of us », he pretends to admit. « But, I would say that the lambda citizen in question has already a mild opinion of what this organization of mine does, and that the Symbol I represent is only seen by fear for the ignorant ‘powerless’ fool, but with admiration for the ones that are in the deep of the action. »

His brother seems to frown at this.

How adorable.

« But- couldn’t you convince them ? Show, that people with those ‘superpowers’ are not bad, and that it is just a normal but abrupt evolution of the human race ? »

The man chuckles back at the affirmation.

« Well, let’s say that I agree. Let’s pretend that I accept this daring proposition, and that I put it into practice. What do you think would happen ? »

His little brother seems to be lost in profound thoughts.

He somehow begins to lowly mutter, and All for One smiles sweetly back at this.

Ah, how he cherishes those conversations.

They really do brighten his day.

And then his little brother looks back at him, not with his so usual fear, but with determination fuelling him.

« People will see ! You can make things right, I- I mean you, have the power to do good ! You- if you wanted, could put an end to this discrimination, you would just need, to make understand--

« Little brother. »

The pale eyes seem to freeze, and look at him with that apprehensive stare.

It can’t do.

It won’t do.

He lightly chuckles to lighten the pressure that may or may not have appeared in the room.

« Aaah, brother. It is as always, not so simple. You will see once you come on actual terrain », he says poisedly, with a voice that sounds like a promise (and yes, he can see clearly as the day the surprise in the eyes of his little brother). « But, I can promise you, that if I attacked those Yakuzas, the government, which is weak and barely standing, would find this as an opportunity to reaffirm their own power. They will encourage this behaviour by any means, seeing two powerful opposing forces fighting each other. And the surviving one, weakened, would then be attacked full force. Though I need to admit that tanks can’t do much against my accumulated power, or the ones of some of my underlings and associates. »

His brother seems to stare at him, before looking back to the pieces of meat that have been put in his plate.

They are of fine quality, and his digestive system should manage to stomach them.
It is the end of the times of Soups, and he supposes that as much as it is nostalgic, his little brother has had probably enough of them.

Eating something truly solid must be a relief for him. At least he hopes it gives him some push to continue on this path.

His brother seems to finally have put behind him this first tantrum of his.

It can only be good news.

He smiles back at his brother who puts a piece of meat and a veggie in his mouth, and chews slowly.

It appears that he has paid rapt attention to every word he says.

It is pleasant. To have him listening.

Though he smiles once more, thinking about when this pesky little brother will drop the mask, and shows his true colours.

Even if the masquerade is pleasing, the time will probably come where it will sting too much as his brother shows more of his unending ‘resistance’.

He only hopes that his brother will see reason after this small backstabbing of his.

He can wait. He always had.

Showing unending patience is the only answer to the stubbornness of his brother.

It is only a game of who will last more.

He sees his brother looking towards him, his eyes raised in his direction, with an expression that seems difficultly readable.

All for One smiles back, and ruffles his brother’s curls before he leaves, locking the room behind him with the plates, empty of all food.

**

Chapter Text

It has now been two months since the charade has lasted.

It leaves a strange taste on the man’s mouth, as he clearly expected his brother not to last this long.

...His smiles have even become warm, with time.

He had even ‘tested’ him, bringing him outside, doing needed walks for his health, tasting fresh air, (but having obviously engulfed him with too many scarves and coats for it to be physically possible), and he had, curiously enough, not even broken the illusion he had put in place, not looking towards shady alleys, as if he was not trying to escape anymore.

He had even managed to have a conversation with him, which had been even more surprising, if not incredibly pleasing.

His little brother and him had looked at the sunset, and he had had to, surprisingly, send a message to the ‘eager hands’ which always seemed to so loyally help him, that their presence wasn’t in fact, needed.

Little brother in question had asked him what the text he was sending was about, but he had dismissed him with a hand, telling him not to worry.

…

And his brother’s idealistic reports on different situations were a sweet thing to read, in the morning.

A bit like a sweet cube of sugar accompanying his coffee, when he woke up early.

He would probably never tell him for which reason he needed those reports, but ah, if his brother thought he was useful, he wouldn’t tell him how, if it hurt him with that truthful truth.

...And he somehow managed to need them. It brought him smiles, and the persuasion that his brother wasn’t yet ready, indeed, for the cruel harsh world.

Maybe in a bit more time.

In due time, it would all come fine together.

…

And he had eventually maybe begun an open war against the Yakuzas.

Maybe his reputation needed a bit of softening.

Who knew.

And his brother was getting better. He managed to walk around more and more, his apartments seeming too small.

Maybe he’d bring him some training tools so his fragile brother built up some strength.

Maybe he deserved it.

This illusion was very well done. He didn’t think his brother had it in him.

…

Maybe it deserved a few rewards.

…

And that quirk he had stolen from that Yakuza seemed so suitable to his brother’s needs.

…

It would wait.

He needed patience.

That was all he needed.

***

His little brother enters his study with careful steps, bringing hesitantly a few written reports in his hands.

It is a new development, than to let him wander freely in those walls.

The only thing he had asked back, is that he never tried to use this as an opportunity to flee by the front door, but that didn’t change from his usual grounding rules.

After all, he knew that if he wanted to go on a walk, he only needed to ask.

This fragile trust shouldn’t be broken.

He only hoped his little brother would follow that advice.

...And the careful steps stop a bit behind him, still somehow awkward in his presence when he seems occupied, and his brother maybe feeling like a bother.

And it is not, so he redirects his face away from his load of work and his computer.

« Is it your reports ? Please, do leave them on the corner of the desk, I’ll look over them later. »

Silence answers, and he sees his brother put them down, his arms somehow managing to lift the weigh of thin pages of paper.

His brother apparently seems to want to ask him something.

Interesting, and it will be heard.

“Yes ? » he asks, his voice gentle towards his brother who seems severely unsecure of what he is about to declare; and it is an unusual thing for the posed determination his brother usually shows.

« I- I was- wonde- no, no, it’s- it’s stupid I- »

All for One sighs back.

He wouldn’t be lacking confidence, would he ?

« Let me be judge of that, you know that I am impartial in all situations. »

It does not seem to comfort his brother, and he can only frown at that.

He still seems to manage to find the strength to open his mouth.

« I- was wondering if you’d think that dialogue with the government would be possible. I- I mean pleaselistentowhatIhavetosay, but maybe you c-could form an alliance so to calm things down and make things go b-back to normal ? »

The man tilts his head, and is about to reply what was going to be his obvious considerate answer when the younger boy cuts him off, his words messy and somewhat panicky.

« I-I’ve read the few new amendments they made, and- and there’s progress done with the ‘powered’ people, and potential solutions to be found. Th-they just need someone that could put it back together, and help them put an end to the climate of chaos, and it- would be the best solution if we want to truly avoid any more losses-

The incessant blabbering continues so and so on, and the man only proves his infinite skills of patience by listening through it all.

Some points are interesting, such as the loops his adorable little brother seems to have found. The rest… sadly enough, is innocent thoughts over something that his brother does not seem to have yet grasped.

Maybe he should keep it that way. His brother really somehow manages to give him back hope into humanity.

...And yet, he can’t manage to think that he should not correct that attitude, knowing that it could only do him wrongs, if he continued on this dangerous path.

His brother really is an idealistic individual, and he could be so easily swayed by anyone beliefs. And he can’t let that happen, as it is his duty, as a brother.

...He’d rather have his brother swayed in his own beliefs, still, than anyone else’s. That is why he is here. That is why he keeps him close, and that strategy does seem to have borne its fruits so far.

He takes his time to answer, as his brother seems to have closed his eyes, awaiting his judgement.

« I do not think an alliance with the government is the wisest of moves. You see, once they stop having a use for the tool I’d become in their hands, they’ll dispose of me, once things are back in their control. That, is simply putting it. And don’t you think that the system from before wasn’t already corrupted ? The new development that those ‘powers’ are and the reaction of the citizens are only results of the symptoms of what the system already was. A hazarduous number of people of all backgrounds suddenly develops true power. It causes different reactions, of course. Here, we get the opportunity to build something new. When the fruit is corrupted, it is better to cut it out. I hope that you understand that. »

His brother seems to be fixing the ground, maybe meditating that answer.

Ah, such an idealistic fool.

And then, his eyes meet his own back.

It surprises him for a few seconds.
The fire in them surprises him, yes. He had truly not expected it.

“So what are you going to do about it, brother ? »

The denomination ‘brother’. Such a sweet thing coming from him to use.

He really has changed.

All for One then muses on his possible answer.

It takes a bit of time, and he meditates, watching nervousness grow in the figure of his brother, who starts slightly fidgeting, maybe uncomfortable for having to stay standing so long. And the man couldn’t possibly know, as he is the one sitting, one leg over the other, his eyes fixed, deep in thought.

And then a curious thought comes, rapid as a ghost.

« I think, that maybe, you could do something on it. Mhh. Maybe you are right. It might be a good possibility than to try to form… an alliance. What if you took care of it ? »

It is the ideal thing to occupy him. And idealistic fools are what are running rampant in the government. The current should go greatly between them and his… only relative left.

...Should he really let his baby brother take his first steps so soon ? Should he really… trust him ?

The way his eyebrows rise at this are not an indication about any treachery being cooked up in his mind.

...Maybe this will be the final push to force him to show his true colours.

Maybe this will do the trick.

The man cheerfully smiles back at his pesky little brother.

« Yes, yes, that must surprise you. Let’s just say… that it is a test, of sorts. I read your reports, and in some of them, you do have good analytical skills. You could do great, ni-chan. »

His brother’s face seems to redden under the praise.

A tentative smile answers him.

Like the ones in the good old times.

« B-but didn’t you tell me that- they would dispose of you once you stopped being useful ? »

He smiles back at his innocent tiny, brother.

« I can find many uses for myself. That won’t be a problem. And, all people do need some change, eventually, in their lives. Life is movement. So let’s not stay dead, shall we ? »

That, and the fact that his plans are going nicely so far.

The Yakuza have been successfully reduced to too thin numbers to really be a problem, and his brother was right on that intuition of his, the public does have a better opinion of them, now.

Some call them ‘vigilantes’, now.

Amusing.

Besides the fact that his losses had been important enough, but not as much as he had expected them to be.

And too, the official government had stayed inactive, strangely but not too surprisingly enough.

They really had trouble in their own ranks, hadn’t they?

Hm.

The next plan, may be to induce in a false sense of security this government, and throw a ‘coup’, or rather, maybe, blowing up essential zones in curious ‘accidents’.

Becoming Royalty does seem tempting, but he’d never dare to plan so far ahead of time.

...Yet he can’t see well his brother taking it well.

Should he really allow that much freedom, already ?

It does seem too soon.

Or maybe he could put a tracker on him, and a few ‘listening’ devices that he has recently found a few generous providers of, thanks to his battle against those Yakuza.

His organization is seen more and more like the bigger fish, in the Underground, and he is far too happy to agree.

Maybe he should eat up the smaller ones, make sure of everyone’s allegiances, so that no… accidents happen out of his control.

Ah, he’ll just add those precautions and make some trusted underlings follow him.

It would do.

His brother is currently smiling back to him.

« I- I am so glad », he says, with a beam that seems so innocent that it gives him the urge to refuse to let him go, itistoosoon, and he is after all just a fool, an easily feasible pawn, but instead, he only says :

« ...I hope it becomes a constructive experience. Enjoy it, little brother. »

Enjoy it.

Ah, what a fool he had been.

***

Chapter Text

The report is clear as the day.

It… somehow clenches his heart.

This ’helping hand’ had been far too lenient not to write every single detail, exactly like he had asked, and now, he only managed to see through the lines.

His pesky little brother had met up with a woman, an independent vigilante, somehow involved with the government, and they seemed to have both talked, passionately, about their opinions over a coffee in a cosy small bar he had ‘advised’, as he personally knew the owner, who had promised him discretion.

Everything should have gone fine.

The listening devices were placed at the correct and expected table, a few observers outside in case any... exteriorities intervened, or tried to attack his brother, and so every different charted course had been planned, carefully laid out, in case of any- any technical issue.

Besides only one, that he only realized now, as he read the facts.

It seemed far too much like a date in his taste.

His eyes burnt a bit from reading the same lines for the fourth or fiftieth time, but he somehow failed to see the ‘she leaned forward and whispered something in his ear’ in anything that wasn’t a romantic light.

They had oftenly talked in each other’s ears, an-d that, was a throughly... undoubtfully suspicious matter. If not deranging.

Oh, maybe the ‘they laughed both at a joke about pineapples’ didn’t help, too.

Or was it the ‘the moment where they paid addition was awkward in the way that they both insisted to pay, all the while giving each other rebarbarative compliments, making only the « Code Little Bird » redden heavily’ ?

It made him want to find a ‘superpower’ to return back in time, and never send his brother on real terrain.

He hadn’t been ready.

He wasn’t ready.

If his brother began to get attached-

And no, that had been ineluctable to happen, as people that shared the same opinions did tend to unite under the same flag, but-

but he’d only have preferred that his brother hadn’t begun to get attached in that way.

Of course, the not so fools of the government had sent a woman when they heard of him wanting to induce a first contact.

Had he pronounced a ‘he’ in any of the phone calls that he had made for this single appointment ?

Had it been a result of his fault ?

He’d never wished more for his brother to be queer, for once.

Oh, how this development could have been avoided, then.

What- a mistake.

He bit his lip.

Could he dispose of the woman before any long term relationships began ?

No, no, it would impede with his plans, especially if he wanted to make the adversary camp fall in that one false sense of security.

Maybe a conversation with his brother ?

Maybe that, would be enough.

Or… maybe he could use the new affections of his brother against him ?

Had that woman already become the weakness of his little pesky brother ?

But it needed to be solved, and quickly so.

Love did that thing to people that gave them so much foolish courage.

He couldn’t afford his brother to show any sort of opposition against him.

All- all this progress, couldn’t be lost.

It couldn’t.

There was only one thing to do.

To tear the seeds out before they planted themselves in his fragile brother’s heart.

…

One conversation would do.

***

Chapter Text

« Y-yes, brother ? You asked to see me ? »

The man was tapping with a pencil on the table of his desk, his eyes on the screen of his computer, his mouth in an impassive pout.

« I did », he answered, displacing his gaze away from his work, and looking in the eyes of his brother.

He seemed to- shiver under his gaze.

Oh, his mistake. His mask had briefly fallen as he had stayed concentrated for too long.

The neutral expression came immediately back, and he smiled thinly at his brother so to avoid making him too… ‘fearful’.

He seemed to gulp down, before voicing his worries.

« Is- an-anything troubling you ? »

Ah, such a sweet, innocent question.
Yes, he couldn’t afford his brother to be influenced by any idealistic vigilantes who somehow seemed to agree with his own idealistic thoughts.

« Hm, yes, and no. What if you told me of your little meeting of yours, instead ? »

His brother’s eyes seemed to show that he seemed comforted by the idea of not being the cause of his previous… slips. Oh, did he know he was in trouble, then ?

Probably not.

Of course he wouldn’t.

« Y-yeah, sure ! » he began, a poor attempt of a smile thrown in his direction. Hm, his brother had done better, before. More exactly two days ago as they ate breakfast, his brother beaming and almost… proud that he had not been lying when he said he read his reports.

And yes, he read them all.
It was something he couldn’t miss, in those days.

« It- it was a very nice experience. The representative I met… was an interesting person ! She- brought some interesting points about what was happening currently on the political scene », he continued.

The man amusedly mused over the pineapple joke’s disparity.

« She seemed to also agree that some of the higher ups were too at complete odds with the actual situation, and- you were right on that point, big brother. There- there is still progress to be made. »

Of course he had been right. What an obvious thing to say.

« But- however if- if they left the scene and- retired, they could be replaced by younger people, and- maybe it could be a… an opportunity for you to come into power ? »

His brother seemed not to manage to hide his grimace at that.

Ha, of course he would be ‘scared’ of him getting nearer to more power.

Or was it because he thought he would ‘dispose’ of those pesky politicians by other means ?

Because he certainly would.

« Hm, that is an interesting perspective. Any ideas if they may or may not have any plans to the thought of backstabbing us ? »

The eyes of his little brother rounded out of surprise.

« B-backstabbing us ? No- sh- they wouldn’t. It’s- they believe we could bring peace faster, as- as you did help much with- the Yakuza, even if most footage was- lost, if what I heard from her- t-them is true. But I- I mean it’s pretty certain, that they wouldn’t try any thing of that sort ! »

The younger man had begun to gesticulate animatedly as his short discourse continued.

Amusing.

And what a naive fool, too.

The pretty eyes of that woman must have really done their trick.

« Oh, but my small, adorable and innocent little brother », he began, voice… neutral. (his little brother though seemed to freeze at that). « I received some… comforting proofs of their actual thoughts on this little story. And backstabbing, it is, I am afraid. »

He watched the awaited reaction of his little brother.

Because yes, he needed to undermine that trust he had for them, first of all.

Remind him kindly of who really was on his side, always.

He pleasantly smiled as he saw his brother genuinely frown.

Simply adorable.

And his eyes looked up, then, with his usual determination in them.

« B-but brother ! Maybe we- we could convince them of- of not doing th-

« Aaaah, yes. When plans are begun in advance, I do not stop their current progress because my adversary has been ‘nice’. It is a shame, but it seems that your first experience won’t bring you much. I hope you enjoyed it, though. »

His pale eyes rounded at the realization of the implications of that sentence.

« Yes, I know what you are going to tell me, but no, it would be a waste of time for you. I’ll find some other mission that you will come to do. »

And then his upper lip seemed to thinly wobble, eyes still fixed in his.

« B-but w-wait, no, I- I mean, it- » began the mess of his panicked little brother’s thoughts.

He pleasantly smiled back.

Little brother in question seemed to grimace back at his so generously given smile.

« It- it would be far too suspicious ! I can’t- just come once and never after ! Th-they would notice something isn’t normal, and- and it could- become a dead give-a-way on what you have found ! »

He sighed at the somehow reasoned thoughts of the slightly shaking man in front of him.

« It does bring a good point, but, I do not see the use of exposing yourself more to them. Especially if they found out about your actual blood relation with me. It is not safe for you, and you know this. »

The panicked eyes of his brother met him again.

« I- I mayhavepromisedtocomebackandit it would be suspicious t-too suspicious if I- did not and-

All for One raised his eyebrows.

« You did… what ? »

His little brother seemed to difficultly gulp down.

« I… I know it sounds stupid now but I- I promised we would meet up again to- to talk, I had said it- l-lowly and not-in-a-seductive manner-and- and it would raise suspicions, and I am sorry I didn’t know of their backstabbing from before it would have avoided- avoided all of this- I am so sorry- I- I-

He put a calming hand over his brother’s shoulder, who had just closed his eyes as he… apparently began to panic ?

What was this ?

He forced his little brother in a hug, hushing him lowly as the beginnings of the panic attack were adverted.

His brother’s body turned slowly limp, and he began to slowly ruffle his hair as he helped him sit down in the only sitting place available in the room.

His breath seemed to calm, and he only saw him biting his lips, his eyes almost having tears at their corners.

Oh.

Shame, it was.

He gently smiled back.

« It’s fine, little brother. It’s all right. You’ll meet up with the government’s representative two or three other times before you cut communication with them. Your replacement won’t come until then. Don’t worry. It is fine. »

His brother seemed to bit his lips as he seemed to refuse to acknowledge him, eyes fixed on the screen of his own computer.

He waited before gently taking his jaw, and imposing eye contact.

His little brother seemed to jerk from the physical touch, maybe almost surprised.

His widening eyes met his, and the man smiled back as he prodded his cheek.

He really had begun to look healthier.

He only seemed to lack fewer pounds than the normal amount, but otherwise, he seemed all right.

Everything was going according to plan. Perfect.

His little brother didn’t need to know that those precious infos he had received from his ‘helpful hands’ did not actually exist, but ah, that was just a detail lost in the mass of movements.

And the future betrayals seemed far too obvious not for them to never exist. No written pieces were really needed, here.

Though when he looked back at his brother, he could somehow be surprised, yes when he looked back, that he had actually managed to prolong his ‘freeing’ experience.

Hm.

He supposed the heart talked first with his brother.

He would congratulate him later, for having successfully managed to persuade him to let him keep going to his dates, with that obviously pretty woman that he may or may not have developped a crush on.

He apparently should be more careful and suspicious with his brother. He did seem to have the basics of manipulation at the back of his head.

Oh, maybe that was his influence finally doing its work.

By any means, it was mostly good news.

***

Chapter Text

It is the ruffling in his study that surprises him, first.

Because there wouldn’t be a- a robber here, would there ?

His mind starts to race about what could have happened and how it is impossible, as he has guards keeping each of his possessions safe.

His first thought is worry if not panic, on what could have happened to his brother, who he knows, suddenly, defenseless. Has the person had a power that makes them somehow invisible, or makes infiltrations easily feasible ? How did he not see this coming, it is obvious that such things would exist, how did he not- take precautions when it came to these type of situations ?

Maybe- maybe it isn't a robber, but rather a- traitor in his ranks? Maybe even one of the guards or worse--

There is no way anyone could possibly enter, and he knows it as he runs towards the source of the sound, where he discovers the door, picklocked, and a sudden distinct lack of noise.

It seems terrified.

Absolutely silent.

And the man smiles, a thin crazed smirk on his lips, as he opens the door.

Whatever may be the meaning of this…

And All for One freezes.

Oh.

He can see his eyes, his poor terrified eyes.

As they should be.

He moves forward, and does not let this fragile man do a single movement, as he pins him down, forcing maybe too softly the body on the ground with some of his powers, as some objects fall along on the ground, too. Maybe some of them break upon impact. Only his little brother does not, he muses.

No blood appears, as he is far too used at being careful with his fragile, fragile possessions.

Dust, splinters and small debris are littered around them. So little, and easily cleanable.

His voice is neutral. It should be odd.

« When have you learned to pick locks, little brother ? » is the one question that echoes.

And yet, he shouldn’t be surprised.

The masquerade could only last this long.

He smiles as his pesky, pesky, pesky little brother averts his gaze.

A hand grabs his chin, and guides the eyes towards his own.

« Answer me, please, when I ask you a question. It would only be polite. »

The pale eyes meet his back.

And the poor, terrorized voice, answers :

« I- I learned a few days back. W-with a lot of practice. »

And then the gaze of the man follows where the eyes of his little brother are leading, and he stares in that direction, his eyes meeting the sight of his opened laptop.

There is an USB stick shoved back, as if someone had not managed to grab it as their trembling hands shook too much; before pathetically hiding.

« May I know why ? » echoes in the room.

And he stares back in the pale eyes.

And suddenly, they have such a fire in them.

« Y-you- you lied ! I- wanted to be sure, and- and two days ago, I- I use the tools that- that I had, and- and I searched on your laptop, and- you- I didn’t find proofs of their future betrayal, but- but the ones of you planning th-

« And who might have given you those tools ? »

The eyes seem to spit back wildfire.

And no voice answers.

So he repeats. He needs patience. He only needs patience.

« Who did give you those so dangerous tools ? »

The man does not answer.

Oh.

That can’t do.

He forces him to get up, and puts him down on the chair he usually uses.

He crouches in front of him.

And he gives a gentle smile.

« Very well. Let’s start from the start. What if you explained to me how it all came to this ? I only wish to understand. »

His brother only seems to look at his side, limp. His pale eyes seem lost, probably thinking that this, this, may be a nightmare.

The poor little thing only wants to wake up.

He grabs gently his chin, and caresses his wild curls.

Ah, they have really grown. A haircut would be needed, but it does go well with his spirit, this hairstyle.

Fleeing. Hiding behind. Evading.

Maybe he will cut the hair only once things come clear.

« I have all the time », he replies to the non-existent answer. « And please, do me the pleasure of explaining. Please, little brother. I’ll understand, and I only want to discuss. »

And somehow at that the firey eyes come back on him.

« You- you only want to discuss ? You- you barely listen to me, I see it in your eyes, each time I talk ! Don’t- pretend, you- you lie, lie far too well and-

« And who might have told you that ? »

« NO ONE ! » his brother almost screams. « No one did ! It- is far too obvious, and I’m not stupid, I am not, and- and you always- overlook everything, you- I had my suspicions that you had put something to listen to the conversations I had- and- and you made someone observe us ! What COULD be POSSIBLY WRONG WI-

« Tschh, tchh tchhh. Calm down. It was only the first time, and I see I should have put this one security longer. »

He takes his brother in his arms, and waits for the outburst to die down.

« What else ? », the man inquires.

« Wh-what else ? Wh-what do you mean, what else ? You- kept it on your laptop, the- the recording logs- I was- so- so right to- to have- I- I mean how could you, you didn’t hav-

« Oh, tell me. what were you so right of doing ? »

The eyes he sees have a panicked edge.

« N-nothi- not to trust you ! I- was ri-

« Non-sense », he interrupts, « I know you have the smarts to do something smarter than that. You are quite the challenger when it comes to find new ways to escape, it is obvious that you found some way to pass through the recording devices. What was it ? It peaks my interest. »

The Younger man in between his arms seems to begin to tremble a bit.

« N-no. No. I- »

He affectionately rubs his own hand against the top of his head.

He hears the desperate low screech, which could be more defined as a quiet whimper.

Oh, really, is he going to cry, now ?

Poor thing.

He massages the top of his curls, slowly, doing small circles with his fingers.

It does not seem to calm his brother for an odd reason.

Maybe he should find a power that does that. To calm someone nerves.

But would he really have the heart to use it on his poor little brother ?

« How did you do it ? » he replies in a soothing voice.

He hears the sob, tearing almost his heart at how sorry it sounds.

« I… wrote on paper in order to communicate. I… read it in a comic book, where the main character did it because he knew he was being listened to and- and followed. I- »

« Good, very good. You used your own knowledge to overcome possible obstacles. It was a smart move. I am proud of you. »

He feels the body of his brother jolt, from surprise maybe. His eyes keep staring in his, and there is incomprehension, there.

He slowly hushes him.

« St-stop. Lea-leave me alone ! » he seems to scream. It is only lowly said. His heart probably can’t keep up, can it ? He is after all, a far too sickly weak being.

He forces once more his little brother down on the chair, after deciding against it as he does not stop wiggling in his grip. The push and pull movements sure are a bother.

His little brother founds himself forced on his knees, on the ground, as he warmly hugs him once more, immobilising him.

« Shhhhhhshhsh. Don’t worry, it will be fine. »

The body between his arms seems to stop moving for a simple instant, and he only sees the terrified eyes of his brother which do not seem to understand.

Was he expecting… violence ? Insults ? Cruel taunts, or mental torture ?

Ah, but how could he.

He cares about his little brother. No matter how much he might sometimes be an imbecile of a fool.

His irresistible fool of a brother.

Made into a pawn against him in less than three meetings.

And wasn’t the last one coming in… what, seven or six days ?

He smiles affectionately back.

He hopes it vehicules his thoughts well enough.

How he cares.

How he will do anything to help him, to keep him safe, as he is the only ones who truly cares about his wellbeing.

Sometimes, even his little brother forgets about his own.

That’s why he is here.

And yes, this betrayal stings.

But he cannot be strongheaded and judgemental when it comes to him.

His little brother would so easily be broken.

It will be far too easy to do, and so, so difficult to undo.

Ah, he only only, only needs, needs, patience.

It is the only thing he needs, right now.

His eyes are not hard as he pushes the head of his brother in his chest.

He does not think too much of this, as he needs to keep a cool and clear mind in order to avoid doing something he would come to regret.

« Y-you’re grip-pping too hard, st-stop, release me, it- it hur- I c-an'-t brea-th- breathe ! » says the thing that wakes him up from his torpor.

Oh, how- what a slip.

He releases the pressure he had put in his hands, and watches as he sees the panicked eyes of his brother.

« Calm down, I am sorry. I was truly lost in thought. I hope you do forgive me. »

His mask will not. Break. Now.

He smiles apologizedly back, and ruffles once more the curls of his brother.

They really are soft.

His brother doesn’t answer. His eyes are fearful.

Did he miscalculate ?

What a mistake.

« Now now, I hope you do understand that I want to have this little story of yours. Tell me all from the beginning. Please. I need it. I really need it, little brother. »

His little brother only gulps down difficultly, as he seems to feel the dry taste in his mouth.

« I- I- », he begins, more than a mutter than anything.

All for One encouragingly smiles back.

And then the man tugs suddenly back, before pushing him with all his forces.

Contact is lost, and he sees his brother, having fallen on his back, looking towards him, with a hostile look.

« I faked it all along. I never managed to escape, and- and you broke me, big brother. You- you’re a monster, and- and I thought I could- I thought I could just make you change, if I sacrificed some of my believes and of- of myself, and- and it seemed to work, and you seemed so happy with- with what was happening, and then you- you almost listened to me, and you- were giving me- m-more freedom that I ever had ! And- and you ruined it, you ruined it all, because inside, you can’t seem to see me as an independant human being ! You’d hate to see me meet other people, you’d hate to see me happy with other people that are not you, and- and in the end, what you want, is not to see me happy. What you want is- someone dependant of you, you need it like a disease, and- and I REFUSE to be that person ! I refuse to- to be denied of my rights, you- you’re a monster. You’re a monster. And- and I hate you. You broke me. And I h-hate you, I-I really do. »

And the man known as All for One stares back emptily at the small little broken thing at his feet.

He is such a poor little thing. Confused. He does not understand that he only does all of this for him.

It might take time, but he can’t… let other people manipulate him.

It would be so easily done.

And someone seems to already have messed with his brain, and- and he will need to maybe- talk with him longer, do- do much, maybe give more… or less freedom ? Wh-what should he do, he- things can still go back to how they were just before, and-

« D-don’t look at me like this. Y-you’re not seeing me. Please- just leave me alone. » his small little brother says, as he seems to crawl backwards on his back, only stopped by a wall.

And All for One only looks blankly, emptily in front of him.

He can’t let things stay this way.

It’d- it would only- make it worse, for later.

He needs to act now.

He- needs to talk. Now that the wound is fresh.

Otherwise he’s not sure he’ll survive it.

He takes a step forward, and sees his brother jerk at that.

It’s not what he wants.

He still takes other step forward, as he can’t- let some weak feelings get in the way of- of his relationship with his little brother.

He stops only a meter away from him, and sits down in front of him.

They need to talk.

He smiles desperately back at his small brother, who seems to be hiding his face with his hands and knees.

Everything can still work out.

No, everything will work out, in the end.

Yes.

That’s what is going to happen.

He just needs to force himself to do some things that are not… pleasant, first.

And so he talks.

« Tell me, little brother of mine. Who… did the first move ? You, or them ? Or should I say you, or her ? »

That seems to wake him up. The mention of someone he has a light affection with.

The young fool will probably defend her and her security, and probably the one of her relatives, so he can probably push that button as many times as he wants if he wants to get an answer.

« I- I did. The first conversation we have… it’s as in the recordings. I- I guess we- we did talk… f-friendly together, less than in a formal way. An-and- I. I. »

All for One waits for the limp body in front of him to answer.

He needs time. Only time.

« And at the second one, I- I knew I had little time, and f-few meetings left, so- so with my suspicions, I wrote- I wrote down some sentences that seemed essential to make, w-with a pen I took fro-m the ones I used, h-here. And- and I learned th-hat I managed to multi-task… fairly easily, too. I- I. I-

« What did you write ? »

His little brother is still hiding his face in his hands and behind his curls.

It is only a slight complication that unables him to read his facial expressions, but the shaking of his voice is already a dead give away.

« I- I said th- not that I was a relative of yours. It- it wouldn’t have put me in a good light. I- I told that I- didn’t have a power, and th-that I had access to information- and that I had my suspicions over your- your agenda. And- and she seemed to- to doubt that fact, first, and not me, but- she said she wouldn’t talk of it to the ones that were in charge of her and of her operation, as- as she didn’t want this first contact going badly and- and cause the death of- casualties if it turned in a disaster. »

And the man tilts his head at that.

And snorts.

« Oh, do not lie to me. I am sure you convinced her of that. You little sunshine that wants everyone to be happy. You, didn’t want that first contact to go badly. And, you still had your doubts. And maybe a part of you may have been hurt of the needed treatment I gave you »

His little brother seems not to move at that.

The shaking of his legs stops, and he sees his brother look at him, his eyes burning, that same fire from before.

« I. Did. What I had to do. And- and I talked much, and I wrote much, and she promised me to bring some- some tools for the next time. »

Lies, probably. His little brother seems to only want to save that lady of his heart.

But- still, his mind is not clear, now. He- he needs to- calm a bit, and- he’ll give the benefit of the doubt to his little, little, brother.

« And I suppose, that those chocolates of hers, were… hidding those tools ? »

But it is impossible, he had made sure to search them thoroughly as- as he feared the poisonning, and the box had been replaced by another one - just in case- there may- may have been-

« It- it was a distraction. It was a smaller box, w-with the minimal amount of picking tools, and- and I put it under my coat and- and with all the scarves, no one noticed it. »

Oh.

The man smiled with all his teeth.

« Ah, you sure are smart, little brother, when you want. You sure are crafty. It makes my heart shine with prid-

« D-don’t berate me. I- it’s the least I want to hear right now. »

The man only stares back.

Right.

His little brother isn’t in the mood of this, right now.

It’s- not the same as before, i-is it ?

« Then continue. What did you do, next ? »

And his brother does not seem to notice that this small technique of his has worked, and that now, he won’t probably put a resistance against communication.

It does warm his heart.

« I- you left during the day, so it- gave me time to practice. I really didn’t know how- how to use it, but there was the tiny manual, but- but even, I still- raged a bit as it didn’t work. And I had- five days before the next meeting, so- so it was a bit of stress, and- and-

« Did you manage to do it before the third meeting ? »

His brother nod s .

« I… I did. And- and I was so happy. And then I entered, and I- used your lapto-

« How did you get the password ? »

His brother gulp s down at that.

And he then answer s .

« I- I saw you once turn it on in front of me. You- were talking about something you took at heart, and- and it gave me the- the opportunity to see you type it. A-and-

« And what exactly didn’t meet your expectations in the few non-encyrpted files that I had ? »

His brother seems to grimace, then.

Is he realizing that this is more of an interrofation than anything ?

Oh, to no matter.

Yes, to no matter.

« I- saw a few mails -you had left the password registered in advance-, and- and they talked about a thing y-you were preparing- about b-blowing up the- the actual House of Concillors ! I- I didn’t wa-nt to believe it, and I searched a bit- anything that would- make you look less guilty, but I- found no files talking about- about those messages you had interceded, and I couldn’t just give you the benefice of the doubt, s-so I- I assumed-

« And didn’t you think that it was a retaliation of the actions they were going to do ? »

He sees the mouth of his brother grimace.

« D-don’t lie to me. Th-they were not going- to attack you. Y-you- you never wanted an alliance. Y-ou never did. Y-you wanted to betray from the start, and feel cunning, as if y-

« They are going to backstab us. Who… who brainwashed you ? Was it the lovely eyes of this ‘representative’ of yours that managed to blind you so much ? »

His little brother freezes at that.

He- seems terrified, but not for himself.

Wise of him to think as such.

And All for One is going to appreciate showing this little ‘trump card’ of his.

« Oh, don’t worry. I know how much Love can blind young men, or young boys. I am sure she repprocicates the thought. »

« D-don’t- don’t use- this against me. P-please. Don’t. Go that far. Y-you-

He hears a sob, then.

A small sob, barely retained.

Has he crossed his boundaries ?

Hmm, maybe he has.

But his brother won’t understand, at least not yet.

With time.

Yes, with time.

« Hey, hey, little brother of mine. Don’t worry. You know I’d never dare do such thing. Of course, it will… depend of you, might I say ? Though I do need to admit that I do not like forcing you with actual threats, little brother. »

...And those pale eyes are so harsh.

« Wh-what ? You prefer manipulating me w-with emotions ? Or- or belittl-

« And tell me, who gave the USB stick, first ? »

Cutting off in such a way his brother is a smart move. It is.

I-f he can’t voice- his- his declarations, it- it can mean they never did exist, can’t it ?

« N-NO, I- Sh-she did, but- but it was because I said of what I found, and- and they- would have want actual proof, a-nd-

« I… am quite sorry for you, brother. To get… so easily manipulated. Your heart really is your weakness, isn’t it ? »

His brother seems to grimace violently at that.

« It- it was NOT manipulation, you-you’re taking things out of context ! Y-you always d-

« And after, I am the one that is a horrible monster. Your opinion is biaised, little br-

« You have power and use it for EVIL ! You- you could make things better, but- but you're only searching more and more power, always, as if it would solve each of your problems ! You’ve gone mad, mad with power, and- and I can’t see the big brother I used to h-

« Dear, little brother », he interrupts.

The boy under him freezes, as he gets up.

He turns a fingers towards the sky.

« I, want you to admit, that you did betray me. Say it. »

His brother seems to look at him, incomprehension ever present, and something doubtful on his face.

«I… I did betray you. And- and I can’t regret it. »

All for One bitterly smiles back.

O-oh, his mask has faintly fissured. He should correct that immediately.

B-but this. This… this is the first step. The first step forwards, back in the right direction. 

« Very well. Now, tell me, why you think they wanted your precious help, coming from you, my poor, innocent little brother. »

And his eyes seem once more with so much enlightened determination.

« I could give information. I had it. And- and they thought you were a danger, and- and I- I don’t want you to make people suffer- and- and die, just because of your crave of power. I- I don’t want to be a part of this. So- so I did what was right. »

Oh, but what a fool.

He should help him, and he will.

If he is broken, he won’t fight against him, will he ?

« That, is a good analysis. But, you seem to be missing an important point. What, would they do to you, after you gave them all that information, in that so kind USB stick ? »

His brother sighs with something amused in his voice. Is it a snort ?

« They were going to extract me. It was putting into practice the policy of witness protection, basically. »

And the man smiles back.

« And why do you think they were so elated at the idea of helping you escape ? »

His brother frowns back.

He doesn’t know where he is going.

Of course, he doesn’t know where he is going. Such a bright, innocent fool.

He wouldn’t survive in the world, alone.

« There is only one reason to that, little brother. An easy one. Quick, think. I am sure you can make me proud. »

And at that, his brother seems to think.

But even after a few seconds, even after a few minutes, he hasn’t found a thing, of course. His- his bright little mind has its limits, and that is evident.

And All for One gives an empathetic smile.

« Oh, it is simple. Very simple. For the same reason they would rather help you than not sabotage me, little brother. You. Are. Powerless.  »

And there, his brother doesn’t react, first.

And then he shakes his head.

Repeats a few ‘no-no’s.

Adorable.

Simply, adorable.

« Consider the two meanings, little brother. You, do not hold any sort of true power. You are no threat. You are a pretty story to them, and one that goes in accord to their ideals. You work leniently for an organization shady for all its crimes, powerful in its own rights, and you, you, from the inside, see the corruption of this one. It is a proof of how right they are. »

His brother seems to show his teeth, maybe inadvertently.

« And then » he says, a finger raised, once more, « the second meaning. »

He marks a pause.

« You, do not have any power. No peculiarity, no monstruosity or difference from the mass that would make your existence horrific, for them. You are, in fact, perfect. Perfectly perfect. An exemple of bravery, escaping the discrimination of the ones having ‘powers’. And I am so glad you didn’t tell them your connection to me, and that that young daring and beauutiful vigilante has absolutely no idea of how montruous you consider your own big brother to be. You could have been turned in so much worse, against me. »

And the man smiles back at the crouching figure.

« But I need to admit, that thanks to you, a new opportunity has arised. »

His younger idiotic brother looks up, with something that is obviously fear.

He looks at him, tenderly, and throws his best practiced smile.

It does wonders.

« You, little brother, are going to give them that lovely USB stick, as promised. You won’t miss your last date. I will give you that, you deserve it.»

His brother’s eyes look inside of his, and- yes, they seem lacking comprehension, but understanding that something bad is going to be said, and that it’ll have disastruous consequences.

« But of course, little brother. It will all be fake. All the infos they’ll get, will be falsified. All of their troops, will come to the wrong places, at the right moment. »

He beams with all his teeth.

« Aaah, I need to thank you, really. You are going to help me deliver the finishing move, in all truth. »

And his brother is about to open his mouth, about to say something, something pointless, absolutely pointless, and of course, he interrupts him, as he has nothing of true value to say.

« But I can understand your reticency, so I’ll give you something, as to thank you for your valuable and useful service. »

He puts a hand on the head of his poor, pathetic, brother.

« This, is your payment, brother. »

And at that, a high scream follows.

It is pained, it is tearful, it should break his heart.

But it will be fine, this way.

His brother is now a freak, too.

His brother has recevied his payment for his dutiful work.

And the scream continues, until it dies down, and his brother, exhausted, falls back.

He hopes he has broken his poor, fragile, brother.

He hears a shattered cry.

He smiles back.

Ruffles the hair of his adorable little brother.

And he kneels down, at his side.

« Yes, this is your payment », he says. « Have a good use of it, won’t you ? »

Chapter Text

…

…

…

It’s been now one day since…

…

It’s been one day.

His… his poor little brother has been utterly silent.

Whenever he came.

Only silence answered him back.

…

He does look a bit sick.

Poor thing.

…

Maybe he has fallen... sick er.

The man had started noticing a pattern, when it came to… gifting quirks.

Some ‘ individuals started… turning into quite “deranging” paintings, their body convulsing and strings of saliva falling out of their mouths as their eyes seemed absent of any sort of intelligence, as if they were high on... ecstasy.

The man behind the name of All for One does slightly think that he acted… perhaps exaggeratedly.

It does seem like a possibility.

He certainly should have taken… a softer approach.

He wasn’t thinking clearly, and so did a brash move.

It is understandable.

…

He’ll be careful to any symptoms.

If it ever comes to it, he’ll remove his… his gift back. Though maybe… maybe his little brother would be more compliant if he was to fall into a state close the ones of those “incomprehensible accidents”.

…

No.

He doesn’t want his little brother to look at him with that sort of emptiness.

It is not that sort of tameness he wants from him.

He wants the bright genuine smiles full of admiration.

The same as the ones from when they were so young.

The man stops just in front of the heavy metallic reinforced door of the vault’s entrance.

…

It’s been the fiftieth time today, if he’s not wrong in his trust towards the validity of his memory.

Of course he’s not, so it is indeed the fiftieth time he is in front of that door.

…

So far, he only entered twenty-four times.

During half of them, he just stood numbly in front of the crouching figure of his brother, not knowing what to say to him, and staying as a consequence silent, just in front of him, his little fragile brother, who seemed unmoving and uncomfortable on the too hard ground, and pretending not to be so.

Poor little thing he was.

...He did bring many heavy sheets after that. He was surely cold, and he… he needed that help.

His little brother always needed his help.

He remembered when they were younger, and when he always came to him when he had any trouble with his maths’ homework.

That had transformed into unending bickering coming from himself, mocking gently his brother’s inability to do any thing on his own.

…

And so, he had brought blankets to his brother that probably didn’t know how to ask him what he needed. It… it was probably slightly slightly “awkward” for him, and considerate in his own part to think so.

That had happened the thirteenth time he came, if he was correct.

His brother hadn’t said anything back.

He probably had trouble adapting to his new environment.

He could understand that.

With time, he would get used to it.

…

It would take time. For his little brother to smile back.

It really broke his heart to hear through the camera his broken quiet whimpers.

...And whenever he came, he never got to hear them. They quieted down, and he was left with deafening silence as an answer.

How was he supposed to comfort him if… if he refused any sort of communication? Or showing any open expression of his own distress?

…

It would take time.

For now, he was happy to receive the little acknowledgements he had heard so far.

...His brother did have a slightly… shocked and somewhat surprised expression over his face when a ‘familiar’ box of chocolates was pushed slowly in his direction, poking him a bit, and waking him up from his previous daze.

The man thought he had almost caught the slightly appearing start of a bitter smile.

...He only got back a quick “thank you”.

… It would take time.

And he had been quite happy to see his brother start picking one chocolate of the box, just soon after he left the… new slightly dark room.

He had seemed to take the box of those chocolated luxuries close, in his arms, and once more struggle to make a bitter sob disappear.

He held them for a long time, purposelessly, as using it as a support, a mental one, as it was that precious ‘gift’ from his beloved.

That vigilante with those so powerful convictions.

He would take care of it after his little “stunt” of his happened.

…

He wasn’t jealous that his brother seemed far more glad to hug a romantic box of delicacies than… his older kind brother.

He was fine with the fact that his brother thought he found emotional support from a box gifted to him by that gracious vigilante.

It was fine, he had after all replaced the box by another one, back then, looking the exact same, but still, one of his, because of his fear of that so called “poisoning”.

…

Technically, his baby brother was finding support from a gift coming from him, and not from that vigilante.

Technically, his little brother had hugged a gift coming from him, and even appreciated having it back.

It was alright.

If it helped him, he would give any box of chocolates back.

He had seemed so genuinely happy with it.

Anything for his sick little brother.

He… he still deserved his ‘love’, even after this expected betrayal of his.

Especially after this little betrayal of his.

He needed all the support he could get, to remember that he could trust him, after all.

That he was there, and that he was patient enough to understand it all.

That he was there, no matter what.

Because he cared.

…

And it was his fault in part, after all.

He had expected the betrayal.

He should have been better prepared.

He should have been more prepared for the mental part of himself that wouldn’t want to agree on this possibility, after all the time where his brother had… played his part, and so well at that.

Or so his brother said.

But in truth, he knew the reality of the situation.

His little brother was too stubborn, a bit like himself, to admit that he was sometimes in the wrong.

He probably didn’t want to admit that he had started to slightly see things his way.

After all the discussions they had had, he had been always careful to explain everything thoroughly, explaining each point with examples, arguments, and deeply done research.

He always had answered his questions.

…

And his little brother had always been so eager to ask back something. So… so ready to learn.

He knew that at first it was mostly to find counter-arguments and that prove that his vision was wrong.

And yet, slowly, he had seen his brother look at him differently, and ask deeper questions, which tones and flavours had grandly changed through their debates.

…

And he had seen it.

His little brother grimace against his own self, full of self-disgust, when he thought that his elder brother wasn’t looking.

And some other times, he had noticed the slight change in the written reports that he asked each new day over a theme not concerning any of his current affairs and actions (as it would cloud his vision of the actual situation, the reports still having too much saccharine in them.)

His vision of what was happening had been changing, slowly, but surely.

His brother would never admit it.

Yet, it remained a fact.

His brother had been slowly changing, aligning with his vision, and that, that, alone, had clouded his judgement when it came to the betrayal he had been expecting.

…

But hadn’t all of this… been a test to push him to show his colours?

…

Maybe he had hoped… deep inside, that his little brother wouldn’t be so… so reckless.

It was all that vigilante’s fault.

Love made people do such crazy things.

And here, it concerned his little brother in- in such a manner.

His sickly brother’s judgement had been clouded by the blossoms of love, too.

It… it made him want to…

…

…

to…

All for One turned the handle of the vault’s door.

For the twenty-fifth time for today.

He couldn’t… procrastinate that much.

He needed to build back the kind of relationship he had had with his brother.

And it wouldn’t happen on its own, and certainly not coming from his brother, as of now.

They were probably both… too stubborn for their own good.

He needed to be here for him in those difficult times.

Letting time go and wounds heal for both, on their own, would only make their angers simmer.

It was not any good.

That was the reason why he was now in front of the now several centimetres thick opened metallic door.

Light entered the dark space, and he advanced towards the slightly deep darkness, turning on the lights, and so enlightening the room with the unique source of pale brightness that was currently available.

All for One sighed tiredly, and let the wheeled small table follow behind him.

A forced tired chortle escaped his mouth.

“I… bring more powerful lamps. I- can understand it must be a bit dark, if not… dull.”

He looked back at the form hidden in the various layers of sheets, and felt silence once more answer him back.

He stood immobile for a few seconds, staring back at the probably hidden face where the eyes of his brother were.

His little brother didn’t seem to motion anywhere, or anything, so he started disposing the various lanterns around the room, trying his best to pretend to be busy, finishing quickly the chore, and hoping avoiding being awkward in any way.

He admired his hard work for a few instants, turning on the small bulbs of light that were each cutely coloured lanterns, and that gave shades of red and warm gold over the previous pale white from before.

Hopefully it would be less depressing, that way.

He looked back at the absolutely still form of his brother, and saw it stay unmoving under his gaze.

…

Such a… shame.

He would do anything to only get a small fledging of conversation, but he could understand for now that he would… need time for himself, even though-

…

He looked back at the wheeled table, and approached, taking it in his grip and making it advance towards his brother’s bed.

It was a metallic rustic thing, that he’d… probably replace.

It had been so quickly done.

…

“I bring food, a soup you can drink with a straw. So that you don’t have… much to do. Please.”

His brother didn’t answer anything back.

It wasn’t what he… wanted.

He kept going, and stopped just at the side of his small little brother, who was absolutely immobile.

Probably pretending to be dead.

Though that technique wouldn’t work.

His brother then did brutally flinch when he placed the cup between his arms, hidden between layers of thick sheets.

…

It sincerely hurt.

Than to know that his… only acquaintance left had such-

-regards and reactions towards him.

…

He stopped any movements towards his brother, and chose a corner of the bed, where he sat down, patiently, and sighed, holding carefully the small stack of comic books in his hands.

…

He didn’t hear any slurping noises coming from his brother.

To no matter.

…

He opened the first comic book, and contemplated the first page.

…

He started reading it outloud.

The intonations, the theatricality of it all.

…

It did have a nice ring to it.

And as the lines came and went, it came easy, and he felt his own self relax.

It reminded him of when they were smaller, and of when his little brother often asked him help for trivial things that he found stupid, such as reading stories, or comic books.

It… was a nice thing.

Lines came and went, his heart feeling less heavy, lines coming, going, flowing through his mouth as he could almost feel the atmosphere shown by that silly comic book.

Living it, in a way.

His mind forgetting for a bit those hurtful hurtful hurtful events.

…

He supposed that he could understand if his little brother cringed a bit.

He was a bit rough with the voice of the female characters.

That, was a sad reality.

That his brother didn’t seem to appreciate… much.

Ah, well there was still progress to be made.

Theatricality was always a thing to be upgraded.

And emotions, and their shown expressions, the gestures, all gave a certain aspect to it, a new added reality to that simple comic book.

Such an art to always be improved.

This was a welcome training, of sorts.

A very silly thing to do.

…

Somewhat enjoyable.

...And then he got the reaction he was awaiting from his brother.

He had put his both hands over his ears.

And he heard the protesting groan.

So lowly said, but still heard.

All for One took it for an encouragement.

And it kept going and going, and he heard the cup being put back on the small wheeled table, before more depreciating groans kept appearing in the room.

He numbered five of them so far.

It was mostly getting hard and harder to hide the growing smile on his lips, hidden behind the mask of his theatricality.

So much for a good presentation.

He supposed that he may have been exaggerating the expressions and voices of the characters by a… tiny bit.

Nothing that would hurt.

Too much.

And pages were turned and turned, and his little brother, at his side, seemed to fall in a deeper and deeper state of depression.

He caught the pillow that was thrown his way with one hand, the other still holding the comic book while his voice never wavered once.

“... iderMan, thank you once more for saving me!” he told with all his soul and mind poured in it.

“...And now the Hero looks once more at the one girl he knows, an unsaid secret over his lips because it is after all a girl he loves, but cannot say it, for oh so many reasons. ‘It’s nothing for a cute girl!’ the Hero bickers back, a smile barely hidden under his mask. ‘Until next time, Ma- uh pretty lady!’ is what is finally said. The girl, with a perplexing expression, says back ‘wait, how do you know my na-?’, but it is too late, as the hero has propelled his own self on higher grounds, hiding so his identity, but who really knows for how long, in all truth.”

The desperate plead of his brother seems indeed desperate.

“...And so finishes our first issue of this daily month”, he announces with a clear and limpid voice, with the seriousness and tonality of a TV presentor.

There is something at the edge of his own voice, and he realizes it is eagerness.

He closes the book, a fleeting smile over his lips.

And he meets back the eyes of his brother, who has just the strangest expression he may have ever seen.

Still, he doesn’t seem to want to talk any word back.

That obliges him grandly to put some matter into the conversation.

Not that it bothers him, with the sort of smile he has harboured after all of this… nice little play.

“And of one, little brother”, he announces.

“Three to go”, he finishes.

It sounds like a penality sentence to his brother, probably.

He sees back his eyes.

Somewhat disgusted.

Somewhat still so hurt understandably enough , rough and undeniably never trusting.

“I hate you”, he says back.

All for One smiles.

“Still”, he simply says, “three to go.”

Chapter Text

He doesn’t knock nor announce his arrival in any way.

The door opens, and the entirety of its mass being moved is the only premonition of his arrival.

The small wheeled table follows behind.

There is a bigger pile of comic books over it.

A few new boardgames.

…

Yes, his little brother is going to want to play.

He’ll be alright.

They’ll soon start doing things back together.

Maybe he- he could one day bring him to an attraction park?

He remembered after all the times his little brother had dreamily been drooling in front of roller coaster themed videogames.

He had always been… such a nerd.

…

Yes, he would enjoy it.

...But was his heart strong enough for it… yet?

All for One smiled emptily.

He beamed with all his teeth as he entered the somewhat dim room.

There weren’t probably enough lanterns.

...Should he make his brother personalize them?

Maybe he would like some creative activities.

He’d probably ask one for his own self, it could be used as a heart-warming trinket to put on his frigid noble wooded desk.

...He’d ask for it.

The idea of the childish trinket somewhat was growing like a pleasant parasite of an idea at the back of his mind.

…

Yes, he probably and certainly would propose a blooming of idea.

There was so many things they could do together.

And even, it wouldn’t bother him if it was his brother that did the silly funny activities while he kept on… working.

He’d just like to be there, in the same spacious living-room, while his brother cut papers, stuck with sticky glue shiny glitter, and made to him the biggest smiles.

It reminded him of when they were both young, as they were both together in the same room, himself doing his homework and other other advanced exercises, while his- his little brother kept amusing himself with the creative activities, and then turned towards him, with a timid expression, asking for praiseful praise, after bringing to him a somewhat horrid drawing that he would describe as beautiful.

Ah, that praise.

He had never denied that to his little brother.

There was currently a box of colourful pens on the wheeled surface following him.

It- it would- maybe- comfort him in a- a way--

There was nothing to add to that, and so he advanced forward in the dim pretty lights.

He looked blankly at his brother, who was once again rolled in the blankets, pretending to be asleep, once more.

It was around… noon, so even with the most obvious lack of time beacons, he knew his little brother couldn’t be anything but ready and awake.

…

He had seen after all this little brother of his practice some gymnastic while he thought no one was there, watching.

Doing squats.

Some sports.

Trying his best to keep the thin muscles he had.

…

At least he was somewhat taking care of his own health.

It was a… good beginning.

…

…

The man behind the name of All for One had kept staring at the immobile form of his brother since ten minutes.

Waiting for him to unfreeze.

Of his own will.

It wasn’t like he… wasn’t being considerate, here.

He was letting his little brother the time to… recognize and acknowledge him.

…

Another five minutes would be good enough.

His little brother really knew how to… pretend his little play.

His chest keeping rising and falling rhythmically and peacefully.

Still hidden in the burrito of blankets his little brother had probably made before.

All for One blinked once more.

And tilted his head as his brother kept being unmoving, perfectly immobile besides his calm breathing, which then became close to a tidal wave as a hurt cough echoed in the room, causing the shifting of the limp form, which sluggishly turned on itself.

…

Oh.

Oh.

Silly himself, he… he had been sleeping.

His little brother truly have been asleep, and he had been…

Doubting him.

How… how silly of him.

…

Maybe he should wake him up, now.

His sleeping schedule would be all over the place, and it would be for… the best.

It would be for the best.

That was the reason why he approached the side of the bed, and looked at the form just at his right side.

He watched as the drowsy movements of his brother were once more made, revealing slightly a few curls of pale hair.

All for One stared.

…

He gently started removing a part of the blankets, revealing a larger part of his face, which was dully put and hiding further in a pillow.

He softly put the few curls masking his little brother’s face in a chaotic manner behind his ear, and took a longer glance at the peaceful expression his small brother seemed to bear.

His comatose acquaintance seemed so calm and peaceful, here.

His closed eyes seemed to move slightly, as if maybe his little brother was… dreaming.

Oh, he was dreaming.

…

Quite peacefully.

There was only a light strain over his eyebrows, only a small torment from having- done “regretful” actions?

Then his brother suddenly shifted again, turning then his back once again on him.

The blankets were almost nearly pulled away from his grip, and he could only watch as the sluggish and clumsy movements were made.

Ah, well.

He might as well wake his smaller acquaintance up.

He did need to take care of his own self, and so… eat, between others.

…

He did the logical thing.

He took slightly firmer the border of all the blankets, making his grip near inescapable.

And he pulled in one grand movement, harshly;

Making all the warm blankets disappear from his brother’s safe ‘nest’.

The protesting lethargic groan came almost immediately.

All for One smiled as he put the blankets back at the bottom of the bedpost.

He would settle them back later on.

And All for One smiled again as he saw his brother start trying to slowly open his eyes, his hands lazily trying to find back the presence of warm.

Another soft weak groan echoed.

All for One tilted his head.

And smiled back.

His brother opened his eyes half lidded, still somewhat drowsy, but quickly coming back to his senses.

And his little brother crouched back in a ball as his conscious scrapped away from his dream.

He hoped at least it hadn’t been a nightmare.

Hopefully.

And his little brother’s dubious a nd not hateful stare came back.

He seemed to open his mouth, as about to say something, but the man took his responsibility not to let him voice the obvious protest about the blankets being given back sooner than likely.

“Well good morning, little brother. Or should I say… good afternoon? You are quite the heavy sleeper, or so it seems.”

At those words, his little brother closed back his mouth.

Ah, so he had indeed answered the questions that his little brother had seemed to be about to say.

How cute.

And well, he should get to the point.

His poor brother’s nerves were probably far too exhausted at this point.

He should be more careful not to stress him more.

His little brother had, after all, one last ‘job’ to do.

He could only help him in that perspective.

He walked backwards, and approached the wheeled table, before coming back with his precious goods.

The table had a platter disposed over it, where a cloche serving dish hid the content of the most consistent meal.

He hoped his little brother would enjoy it.

The only fact that his brother had not touched a single drop of the soup from… yesterday, was still putting him grandly on edge.

He poked it forwards, towards just at the side of his little brother.

“It’s a burger. I thought you’d appreciate some… sort of different food. You didn’t seem to like the soup yesterday,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “And it is a thing you once wanted to try! I mean, if it is what you still want, you can go right ahead.”

He saw the eyes of his brother reappearing from where they had started hiding, between knees and other more numerous curls, and smiled in a weird manner back at the sight, even though there was so- so much strange anger inside of them.

“Why- why the amends”, appeared clear yet still somewhat drowsily in the room.

All for One smiled back.

He took his time to answer after having sat down on the bed.

There wasn’t enough space, it was a shame.

It forced him to settle at the farther side from the bedpost, where his little brother was currently slightly crouching.

…

He didn’t want to seem invasive after all.

It was only a shame.

He looked back at the evading, hurt what had he done eyes of his little brother, and calmly stated:

“It’s… not amends. It’s… apologies, in a way. I… I am sorry.”

His little brother didn’t meet back his gaze.

His fragile acquaintance was about to open his mouth with that expression in the corner of his eyes, when he interrupted him with quickly and fast said words.

“I- Listen, please, I know I- I believe I messed up, I messed up terribly, two days ago. I… I’m so sorry, I never intended- I-”

All for One took his time to hesitate to find his words.

“I really trusted you. And- and you made me act rashly, and- and I shouldn’t have. I know I really lost your trust on this, and that you lost mine, and that- that we may never be able to rebuild what had been re-found. I just want to tell you that I never was happier than when you… you made those efforts of yours. And I believe that we won’t ever reach that state again, and it saddens me so… so greatly.”

His little brother seemed to grip harshly his sheets.

Hm.

He took his own head between his hands, and defeatedly rubbed his face, imaging the entirety of his frustration and so deep sadness.

“I- I just wish I could go back when- when we were smaller. It- it was all so simple, and we were kids, and we were just small and happy.”

He heard a dry chortle from the hiding figure in between the sheets.

“ Yeah. It was simpler. You weren’t planning world domination. Or were you?”

A ll for One smiled behind his mask.

Touché.

He looked back and chortled dryly back.

“Aah, I believe I wasn’t the one truly obsessed with becoming a hero. Or was I?”

He praised himself after seeing the fluttering reddening of his brother’s cheeks.

“Shut up. Don’t change subject. We were kids. And- when was the time when your protectiveness began to appear? Was it when you first started seeing me sick, or seeing me stand up for my own self?”

All for One mused over that fact.

To tell the only truth, when he remembered his… parents bringing back a crying bundle, ‘home’, he had taken it for an utter nuisance.

That train of thought had lasted only three seconds, if he was correct.

He had seen it so… small, babbling, red, demanding, and had wondered how long would it take for it to grow up and stop crying all the time.

Then it grew, and the- the dependence of that small being had always stuck to him.

A bit like a parasitic being that somehow had grown under his skin.

And the sweet smiles.

That one trust.

That blinded trust towards him and the entirety of his being.

The guidance sometimes and always asked, as they grew.

The awkward moments when puberty came.

All of it.

Yes, that was an excellent question.

When was it that he had started caring?

The answer was obvious, but he thought his brother wouldn’t take it.

Maybe later.

He could only hope that this would change.

They had time.

They had all the time they could get, right now.

“I think it… it was because you started being sick. The medicine was sure a bother to find. I sometimes went through numerous different drugstores just to find the right samples. The time and effort had to transform in that, you’d believe that, wouldn’t you?”

The figure stayed immobile.

Until it did not.

All for One smiled as he saw his little brother remove the cloche serving dish and take then in his hands the burger, the meat still hot and… very digestible.

It reminded him that he hadn’t eaten since… two days.

…

He saw a droplet of sauce slowly falling over the tender bread, and soon to splatter on the sheets.

It wouldn’t do.

He motioned towards his brother, seeing him tense up as he approached.

That, saddened him grandly.

He took a towel, and placed it around his brother’s neck, the younger frail man only quivering away as he felt the accidental light touches.

He chided with a few condescending “tschh tsch”, and was glad to see that his brother hadn’t unclenched his hands out of stress and made fall his lunch over his own bed.

It was good news.

And as he smiled pleasantly back, with a kind edge over his lips, he saw the stare coming from his little brother.

Oh.

So still a bit too soon to act so closely, he supposed.

And then he talked.

“L-leave. I- I don’t want you to watch me eating. Please, leave.”

All for One looked blandly back.

He failed to “hide” the part of him that was hurt.

He didn’t need to try very much, that was all natural.

It hurt.

And it would take time.

“As… as you wish, little brother”, he said, voice empty and limp.

He would give it.

It wouldn’t be an issue.

He was truly hurt as he left, steps quick, and a tenseness in his limbs that was noticeable to the human eye.

The door closed, a bland “I’ll come back when you’ve finished” left in the air.

The door closed, steps were made, away.

And All for One smiled as he felt natural light over his skin.

All would be fine.

There was no other option.

Chapter Text

All for one had been a busy man for the past ten hours.

Brotherless hours, were he had forbidden himself to get more distracted.

There was so much to be done after those recent news that his little brother had so openly brought.

And some preparing for the backstabbing to be done, too.

Ah, yes.

So many decoys and small little surprises to be given.

His personal workshops had never been busier than of now, and neither had his « engineers » been so restless, coffee being their most substantial feeding resource as of now.

Food was a frugality, and he didn’t know if it was out of a voluntary effort not to pass time on that time-wasting needed option, or only out of the simpler action of forgetting that simple chore.

It reminded him that he had finally eaten for the first time in forty-eight hours since his brother’s obvious betrayal.

He had been eaten a... burger, cooked by the same chief that had prepared very gladly his brother’s.

…

And he had eaten it at the same time as his brother, watching through the monitor screen, as his brother ate with much will his meal.

It had been like… a family dinner of sorts.

Eating « together » that way.

…

His little brother was very endearing, if he ignored all the… mistakes he seemed to have repeatedly done.

Watching him eat his food with such… determination and harshness, eyes full of… restlessness, reminded him of how easily manipulated his little brother could be, and even by strangers, at that.

He would need to be careful, for what was coming in less than three days.

…

Ah, and maybe he should indeed make his brother have some time beacons, so to put back together his sleeping schedule.

And maybe he needed to stop lying to him about what the current time was, too.

…

When he had brought the burger to his little brother, it had after all been almost night.

…

He couldn’t afford after all of his brother to be too sleep deprived once he went at his promised last date, in two days.

A date where he would give the USB stick containing all the very truthful informations over the attacks that his followers would do.

It was going to be his little brother’s last redeeming action that he had to do, so to “prove” that he was, indeed, worthy of that trust that was so needed between the two of them.

His job was only to convince his brother of that fact during those two remaining days, as much as preparing the plans of his little “surprises”.

And while his engineers built, too, the mine of fake informations and the files replacing the ones of the original USB stick, he only had his graceful and benevolent association and little brother to take care of.

…

Many efforts would be needed in that endeavour.

He didn’t know which one would cause him the grander pain.

That was the spirit he had as he entered once again the vault his brother had been put in for his… sleeping needs.

And yet again, his little brother was asleep.

He removed the empty plate his little brother had… very obediently eaten.

Getting outside the vault, closing it again, waiting for the clicks to appear in the air, just before walking calmly to the kitchen of this facility, cement harsh under his strong footsteps.

He put the plate in the sink, and started rolling up the sleeves of his suit, making sure not to stain any white fabric.

It would be a shame after all.

The plate in his hands, the pouring water over it, he let some droplets of soap fall over the ceramic plate.

And repeatedly rubb ed it with a clean soaped clothe .

…

He didn’t stop for fifteen minutes, waiting for every single ghost of a stain to disappear, as he would not allow any single thing besides perfection.

The reflection of the plate finally looked back at him, letting him see his eyes, and… the--

-quite the tiredness in them.

The man kept staring at the impeccably white and pearlish surface.

His eyes surely reflected nothing else than tiredness in them.

There was nothing to comment on that.

…

…

The plate was finally perfectly cleansed from any rests, and he removed the final too large bubbles that had accumulated and in the sink, and on the plate, with the helpful aid of a thin trail of water.

The soapy bubbles had after all almost spilled over the sink.

It would have been a shame.

He let a stronger trail of water remove any remnants of bubbly liquids, and finally rubbed it with a clean towel.

He took one last longer sight at the now cleared plate, left to wonder nothing at all through the reflections that were not appearing over it.

All for One smiled.

He smiled, and then let a chortle appear in the clear air of the room, before taking another towel to remove any humidity on his arms and hands.

He then took the plate, admired it once last instant, and put it in the dishwasher before leaving.

…

His steps echoed through the hall.

He looked towards the grey white that the walls let appear, and let his mind evade from reality, and back to wonder.

His steps went and went, perhaps slowed down by doors, or perhaps not, until they finally stopped, in front of the vault.

He entered it once again.

The pale dim lights of the colourful lanterns welcomed him.

As the sight of his asleep acquaintance did, too.

Such a restful sleep.

It broke his heart than to wake him up so brutally, as his so peaceful face was only being from time to time transformed by anguished expressions.

…

Ah, well, it needed to be done.

He sat on the side of the bed where his brother’s head occupied a part of that space, and displaced slightly the form of his now curled up brother, letting his hand remain calm and limp in the air.

His hand then cupped his brother’s face, the other taking him by the back of his neck as he placed him in a better position, his little brother’s upper body now laying on his lap.

The motions seemed to slightly dooze him off.

His eyes were half-lidded as he watched his little brother slowly open his heavy eyelids.

Then their pupils met each other s , himself watching from afar, fifty centimetres over his, the long eye-contact finally waking him up, his eyes tiredly fluttering open.

His throat seemed to emit a few gargled noise s of surprise.

And All for One only made one of his hands rest on his little acquaintance’s chest, poised as the expected pushing force arrived.

His little brother fell back on his lap, his gaze from under his own taking the full image of those… hatred-filled eyes.

Ah, cute.

One hand came and pinched his cheek, provoking another perturbed pout from the defenceless thing between his arms.

“Hello there”, he announced with a calm voice, watching closely any changes in his brother’s facial muscles laying just under him.

Some scorn could be seen.

All for One smiled more.

At least he wasn’t hiding it anymore.

He caressed his cheek, slowly, until removing a wild strand of air that had found its way through his brother’s face, and putting it gently behind his left ear.

It finally produced a reaction from his little adorable brother.

“Don’t… d-

“What? Take care of you? Why wouldn’t I?” he interrupted, giving a kind smile back.

His little brother seemed to grimace at that, his head still laying on his lap, and looking towards him, the only current direction he could look at, by any means.

One of his hands was after all maintaining that position, still with a very gently grip so not to hurt him in any way.

“I… am a grown person, and- and you know it, you’re just-

All for One’s kind continuous smile seemed to deter the voicing of his opinions.

Something akin to internal pain appeared on his brother’s face.

Open hurt in his eyes.

Oh.

Probably a miscalculation in his part, wasn’t it?

His brother did need to deduce a few things with his bright mind of his.

“Listen”, he exclaimed as he interrupted the current torment happening in his brother’s head, “you know that I care, and deeply so. You are… sick, have gotten better, but it is a fickle progress from what I’ve seen from your recent actions, and you know too that I wouldn’t bear the sight of you being injured.”

His little brother’s eyes closed at that as he very briefly bit his own lip.

All for One leniently looked at him.

“...But I know it’s hard on you, very hard, actually. And I also know that you won’t bear being in such a restrained place very long, and that would be very counter-productive from me.”

His little brother’s eyes seemed to have reopened, doubtful and distrustful as ever.

Ah, but with time, he would change that.

With time, anything was possible.

His little brother would trust him as he once did.

Hopefully enough, that is.

Of course he would.

All for One smiled as he prepared his mouth to announce those few words.

Yes, he indeed smiled.

His hand slowly caressed his face, doing small circles over him, tranquillizing his own-self more than the bundle of mess that was currently under him.

He let one of his fingers trail and trace his defined features.

Such a… fragile thing.

He couldn’t do less than try his best to protect him, couldn’t he?

Ah, of course he could.

And he had always liked jobs well done.

And he smiled one last time after fondling a bit with his brother’s cheeks.

“I want nothing more than to see you free, little brother. And I want nothing more than to see you happy too, little bird.”

His brother seemed… then to have a face showing how he wasn’t understanding where this was going.

“But for that to be possible, I’ll need… to trust you, or rather, have a proof of… your trust.”

All for One messed a bit more with his curls.

He had… always appreciated some… human contact.

He cupped his little brother’s chin, and then helped him to sit correctly on his bed, holding his arm in a firm grip, and making him then lean partly on his shoulder, forcing his brother to turn his head in an awkward angle if he wanted to have eye contact.

All for One started massaging his shoulders, as his brother’s chest sagged on his own.

His head came over his little brother’s, barely putting any pressure on his long wild pale curls.

“And… I’ll need that little proof. But… don’t worry. That test will happen later, and of that will depend if I let you go, on your own, even… living in a small apartment by your own terms.”

His little brother seemed to tense under him.

Freeze, even.

He tried to turn his face so to face him, but couldn’t because of his own positioning.

“B-but- what? Why would- why would you even- I-” started the panicked voice as the wiggling intensified a bit, before the voice continued once again. “Wh-what’s the downside? I- There’s a trap, what’s the trap in this cunning non-sensical plan y-

All for One tsked, with that always kind edge to his lips.

And All for One smiled too, on his mask.

“There’s no trap, really. Rather… a lack of belief in you, as… I am even certain that you won’t manage that trial of trust.”

His little brother tensed once again at those words.

“And yes, little brother. Yes. You may think it… may be a provocation of sorts, than to let you know that I would so openly give you for… nothing, really, such opportunity of freedom.”

He let silence install itself for the sake of the theatricality of it all.

“But really, if you were to manage the unthinkable, which would be to pass that trial, I would be ready to… let you… ‘go’ in such a manner. Because if you show me that trust, I would show back trust, too. Even if… of course, I think I would often come to check on you, as you know me, little starlight.”

His brother seemed to be fixing a point at the end of his room.

“Of course”, he continued, “you wouldn’t know when or where that trial would happen. Such is the nature of the game.”

He then released his little brother, who turned on his self, watching him, half of his face hidden away from him.

All for One tilted his head, and beamed back.

His little brother seemed so hesitant.

“Do you think we can manage to rebuild that trust, for both our sakes, little brother?” were the final words he decided to pronounce for the sake of this… little plan of his.

His little brother opened his mouth, for a few instants, and then closed his again.

He seemed to gulp difficultly down.

And then he talked.

“I… think- we… can. I-… I can try, brother.”

Still, some spite against him.

Though now, his little, little brother would try his best to prove him wrong, wouldn’t he?

Such was the nature of spite.

Irrational, by any means.

All for One then jointed his hands, and exclaimed, eyes round:

“Ah! Do you want then to play at some cardboard games, then? It- it could be fun!”

His little brother didn’t answer anything back, at first.

And then he did.

Lowly said, though. He probably had trouble coming to terms with the fact that he was relinquishing some of his… resistance, by accepting to play… the silly games of their youth.

“...not monopoly, then”, he seemed to say to him with such… distrust.

Oh, he wouldn’t still have all that spite for all their past games, would he?

All for One mused, for a few instants, and then smiled with amusement at the corner of his lips.

“Sure, not monopoly, then. Any things that will not traumatize you, of course”, he dramatically said as he made grand gestures with his arms.

His brother sighed, and he smiled then even more.

Until his little brother, in a quick gesture, took his pillow, and threw it full force on his head.

All for One remained immobile as he was blinded by the soft texture obstructing his vision, and thoughts too apparently.

The pillow slowly started falling, yet he removed it before it completely peeled off.

“...You little...” he started, seeing in the corner of his eyes his little brother, slightly smirking with amusement very clear in his eyes.

A feather was coughed out of his mouth.

At that his brother did more than smirk.

A small laugh appeared in the room, and All for One smiled back devilishly at his brother, weapon in hand.

And his brother’s features changed into worried ones as the pillow was raised.

There was still slight amusement at the corner of his lips. A slight shaking of them spoke of nervousness, too.

And the pillow was thrown, full force too.

His brother fell on the blankets out of the utter ‘force’ of the impact, while he pretended to remain immobile, and made a fake “uuuh m-deead” noise.

A fluttering beam found his way through his lips.

All for One waited expectantly for the pillow to be thrown again.

And at that, All for One, behind his mask, smiled, too.

With a peaceful smile.