Work Text:
The Khun family had always been resistant to the cold. Ice flowed through their veins, after all. It was fitting that a family known for its cold logic and ruthlessness would wield ice as their weapon as well.
Despite this, the snow outside was untouched and Aguero was tucked away inside.
Aguero sat on the couch scrolling through forums - information gathering , he would say to anyone who asked - while being flanked by his siblings. On his left, Ran played a game on his phone. His face was blank as he blew up tiny ships on the screen. Aguero figured he was enjoying himself, but probably didn’t get much out of it. Ran really quite enjoyed fighting and being active, regardless of him saying the opposite. It was self-evident with the subtle quirk of his lips that appeared everytime Aguero watched his little brother fight. Seeing him laze about like this was amusing. His brother was probably trying not to die from boredom - even he would never actively complain about it.
On his right, Kiseia methodically twirled her knife. It would make sense that she would be practicing even now. She always was striving to rise as high as she could with her status. Their relationship was strained for ages - the both of them forced to compete and cooperate with each other like clockwork. It led to animosity on her end. He could understand, since he would outwit her at every turn. Every trap she tried to set, he would see straight through. He was cold to her in his younger years. At the time, she was nothing more than a pawn in his master game. A tool to manipulate and use at his disposal.
It was strange to think how much nicer it was now, after they reconciled. For her to go from his sworn enemy to someone he could depend on. For her to stop hating him. And Aguero quite enjoyed her company.
Hachuling had positioned himself on the beanbag in the corner and hadn’t moved for at least an hour - too busy gaming. Aguero knew that he was keeping a close eye on everyone, though, out of habit.
The atmosphere was quiet but relaxing.
Until, of course, Maschenny walked into the room, flanked by Asensio - ever loyal and at her side. He admired Maschenny, and for good reason. Her presence always commanded attention, drawing eyes to her easily. She was a natural princess - emitting a royal elegance with everything she does.
However, Aguero could tell that the smirk on her face spelled trouble.
“You’re going to be no help at all, are you?” Aguero asked Hachuling, who was sitting on the porch playing his switch. Hachuling’s eyes never left the screen and his button mashing didn’t falter.
“Nope,” he responded, completely unapologetic.
Aguero rolled his eyes. “You might as well sit inside then. We wouldn’t want an accident to occur and get your console stuck in the crossfire.”
Hachuling still didn’t glance up, but his voice was sharp. “Would you like to tell the others that the teams are uneven, or should I?”
Troublesome older brother and his annoying threats. Maschenny made sure that the teams were even for a semblance of balance and Aguero wasn’t about to go against his big sister. At least, not in that regard. Aguero sighed. “Fine. Whatever. Sit there and freeze, for all I care.”
Hachuling chuckled. “Aww, A.A., I knew you cared about me.”
Aguero ignored him and turned to Ran, who was patiently waiting for the two of them to stop fighting. Ran seemed way too accustomed to the nonsense going on around him. Aguero couldn’t help his fond smile. “We’re going to have to cover his workload. Can you handle it?”
Ran smirked slightly, his expression devious. “It’ll be easy enough. Useless older brother. Always makes us do the work.”
“Hey!” Hachuling protested. “My own little brothers are turning against me! I’m wounded! Besides you can handle throwing a few snowballs at Kiseia by yourself.”
They both ignored him and shared a mischievous look. “Ah, such a shame. Hachuling is leaving all the work to us again. One would think he’s incapable of handling a mere snowball fight. Maybe he’s just afraid of being beaten by Maschenny.”
“Wimp.”
“Freeloader.”
“Trash.”
“That’s it! My cute little brothers have been replaced by demons! Fine, fine I’ll join you, but you owe me for this!”
Aguero smirked. Hachuling always indulged them when they teased him. If he wanted them to stop acting so bratty, Hachuling shouldn’t let himself be manipulated by it. He was probably amused by their antics.
“Yes, yes. I’ll get you something in exchange for you doing your fair share.”
Ran hid a snicker behind his hands, but his eyes betrayed his delight.
Aguero smiled gently at his younger brother. It wasn’t often that Ran let himself have fun and act like the kid he was. He hoped Kiseia was having a good time with Maschenny and Ascensio as they made their plan.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Now wasn’t the time to be sentimental.
There was a game to win, and Aguero would be damned if he didn’t command his team to victory.
Aguero danced through a volley of snowballs aimed right for him. Maschenny really had quite the arm on her; all those years of throwing javelins really did wonders for her strength and aim. If Aguero let his guard down for even a second, she would probably eliminate him. Maschenny was definitely the danger of this game - though Ascensio providing back-up was proving to be problematic.
He kept an eye out for his teammates using his lighthouses for assistance. He needed to make sure his teammates had information ready at hand. Ran was easily dodging everything Kiseia threw at him. Kiseia was a slippery opponent, her lightning fast reflexes a source of pride, but her aim could use a bit of work. Her observer was probably floating around somewhere - ready to cause trouble, but Aguero was confident that Ran could handle it if necessary. He was always one to capitalize on weak points. Aguero had full faith that Ran would be fine.
Kiseia and Ran both had smiles on their faces - small, almost unnoticeable, but there. Their cheeks were slightly flushed from a mixture of chill and excitement. Maschenny certainly had the right idea planning this - even if she did phrase it as a war game. The stress of their daily lives had melted away, for a time. That was enough for now.
Aguero almost felt bad that Kiseia’s smile would turn into a pout once she lost. Almost.
He was a bit surprised that Kiseia was pursuing Ran as opposed to himself, but he supposed that was Maschenny’s influence - being predictable was unacceptable. Though, Aguero wouldn’t be stopped by something as simple as that. Really, he had planned around this possibility. Contingency upon contingency and there wasn’t much that the others could do to truly surprise him. Not really.
Besides, Asensio was still falling right into their trap - like a fly caught in a web. He just didn’t know it yet.. Hachuling should be on the prowl for their dear older brother.
“Hey!” Asensio yelled as he gathered up more snow to lob at Hachuling in a frenzy. “How dare you go after big sis? Can’t you see she’s busy dealing with A.A.?”
Hachuling chuckled as he ducked behind a wall of snow for cover. “Sorry, sorry~ my cute little brothers need help. I can’t ignore them in their time of need.”
Aguero nearly rolled his eyes. He sure seemed content to leave them be earlier. Well, as long as he was playing his part now, everything would work out just fine.
“I doubt you have the time to focus your attention away from me, A.A.”
Aguero turned his focus back to Maschenny. Hachuling could handle himself, but Aguero needed to take care of this situation first. She did love making things difficult for him. Her and Kiseia both really got a sick sense of joy from ruining his plans.
Maschenny’s eyes were sharp and predatory but while her smile usually had an edge, it was noticeably absent now. She was enjoying herself, likely secretly delighted that her little siblings were enjoying themselves so much. Maschenny always did have a soft spot for some of her younger siblings.
“Ah, but what kind of light bearer would I be if I couldn’t keep my eyes on you and march my pawns around the chessboard?” He said while using one of his lighthouses to block Maschenny’s attack. “Should you really be focusing on me ?”
Maschenny laughed. Her glare screamed danger, her intimidation factor turned up to eleven, but Aguero had seen her on the battlefield. He had seen her tear through enemies with her lance, a grin on her face and blood in her hair. This pretend war they are playing now was purely performative. However, the competitive streak and the determination to win was still very real. Maschenny wasn’t going to underestimate that.
“Oh don’t you worry. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Aguero ducked behind a tree as another snowball came hurling towards him. Ah, Maschenny’s out for blood and right now, Aguero was prey. Not that he was going to make it easy for her.
He sat next to Ran and Hachuling behind a cover of snow. A few feet away the other team does the same. The battlefield was silent.
Stalemate.
Ran nearly overpowered Kiseia earlier, but Maschenny came to her aid with deadly aim. Aguero could only pressure her for so long. Their sister wasn’t a princess for nothing. Hachuling retreated when Asensio dropped everything to help out Maschenny. A totally predictable move, but they all came to a deadlock in the center.
No use worrying about the past. There were more important things to worry about.
Now to create an opening.
“We could have won already if Hachuling was being serious,” Ran groused.
Aguero chuckled while Hachuling sputtered indignantly. “You would have already lost without me!”
“Yea, yea,” Ran said while waving a hand dismissively before gathering more snow.
Hachuling abruptly turned to the enemy camp and leaned over the wall, though his eyes were still on Ran. “Hey I’ll show you -”
Only to get hit with a snowball.
Right in the face.
There was a second of stunned silence.
The snow slid down his face and onto the ground, revealing Hachuling’s face. His mouth was still open from being mid sentence.
Everyone else burst out into laughter.
Ran covered his mouth with his hand as he slumped over.
Aguero tried - and failed - to keep silent, but the sheer look of shock on Hachulings face was truly delightful. Great blackmail material - his lighthouse most certainly got a picture or two.
Maschenny was unabashedly cackling at him, her face lit up in pure sadistic glee.
Asensio and Kiseia were clutching their stomachs and bracing themselves against their barricade, barely able to hold themselves upright.
Meanwhile Hachuling could only stand frozen. His mind struggled to process what just happened.
His utter confusion only made the group break out into another ripple of giggles. At that moment, they weren’t monsters, liars, or thieves. They were just a family. Siblings united against one of their own due to his sheer idiocy.
Aguero would deny it if anyone asked, but amidst the ice and snow, he felt warm. It was refreshing to view his family as more than just pieces on a chessboard. He was taught that everyone was a tool to use and discard, but his mother had always been taken in by illusions of grandeur.
She had been blind to everything around her, besides her own greed and the perception that everyone was her enemy. She carefully and meticulously molded Aguero in this image, which he broke apart bit by bit. Though even after his departure he was haunted by her teachings. They crept into his mind and nipped at his heels - chasing him relentlessly.
Now, Aguero thought he could finally be at ease. Maybe in the future, he and his siblings would be enemies, but for now, Aguero allowed himself this moment of joy. He decided to trust his siblings that this moment wouldn’t be used against him later.