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It brought shame and unexpected pain to Zeldris to remember Cusack. The Original Demon he had become with Chandler is not how he wishes to recall his mentor.

It felt odd now, mourning someone he had found overbearing and, a lot of the time, annoying. There was rarely such sharp regret as this. He had never even given Cusack a simple thanks.

What a twisted fate the Demon King had bestowed upon them. Using Cusack and Chandler as replacement caregivers and allowing them to become so devoted they’d sacrifice everything for Meliodas and Zeldris to succeed. Zeldris found himself remembering a lot about Cusack. Reminiscing would be a better term.

He was surprised to find he missed him. A demon he would now refer to as the father he never deserved. Cusack had given him as much as he could and had never stopped trying. Zeldris had sometimes wished he’d think about himself for once instead of constantly hounding Zeldris. Zeldris hated to think that Cusack wouldn’t hound him ever again. No matter how irritating and stressful it had once been. His unwavering support and loyalty that Zeldris had always relied on was gone. He was having a hard time reconciling.

He didn’t like to admit this weakness, especially after how horribly Zeldris had treated Cusack. He had dismissed all the attempts by his mentor at verbalizing his devotion, something he would surely regret for the rest of his long life. He didn’t want to know if Meliodas felt the same about Chandler, because what if he didn’t? Would Zeldris be foolish to be missing Cusack? The demon who’d been by his side for eternity and had never swayed in his fidelity. Even when Meliodas and Gelda had vanished so suddenly, Cusack was there.

Gelda and Meliodas distracted Zeldris a lot from the ruthless turmoil after the end of the Holy War. But they could not be there all the time.

Zeldris has thought too much about their mentors, knowing now they came from one being who’d rebelled against the Demon King. They had both respectively wanted them to become the next Demon King, without the knowledge that the Demon King would become them .

Zeldris knew deep down that Cusack would have never fulfilled the Demon King’s orders if he had known the cost of Zeldris losing his self. Neither would have Chandler, Zeldris guessed.

After all, the Sinner wanted the throne for himself. Chandler and Cusack had channeled that rebellion into creating the next two candidates, essentially raising them as their own children. Such heedless tragedy for a purpose that was never fulfilled. Cusack and Chandler did not deserve to die.

Did Zeldris even deserve to miss Cusack?

…

“Young Master, I know it must be difficult with Meliodas—“ Zeldris cut Cusack off shortly, thinned patience and cruel betrayal making him sharper than usual.

“Don’t stand there and act like you know how I feel, Cusack.”

Cusack’s teeth clicked together, head bowing, “Of course, sir.”

When the demon didn’t immediately part, Zeldris sighed, “Anything I can do for you.”

Even not facing his teacher, Zeldris could tell he was debating with himself, chewing on his lip no doubt. Cusack could be so predictable. He was always too faithful to Zeldris.

“I revere your tenacity, Master Zeldris, but I would like to point out that-“ Here is where Cusack really hesitated- “regardless of Meliodas’ betrayal, you are not alone in your—“

“Save the platitudes.” Zeldris has never felt so empty as he does now. Locked in the Demon Realm with Gelda gone and Meliodas… “While I appreciate your attempts, I won’t stand for your coddling.”

“Yes, of course, Young Master.”

Zeldris wishes he had stood for the coddling. Maybe it would have went a long way in terms of the dreary monotony Zeldris later found himself in the severely dilapidated and repetitive three thousand years. Zeldris doesn’t remember any physical comfort being offered ever before that one time, which Zeldris now knows was probably a rule under his father’s wicked regime.

He should’ve taken the offer.

…

“Father killed Cusack when he took over my body. The old fool killed Chandler to get the Commandments into me, thinking I would become Demon King.” Zeldris doesn’t know why he tells Meliodas this.

“Huh. I was wondering what had happened to them after separating again. Who knew they were the Sinner.” His light-hearted voice was something Zeldris was still getting used to, it often grated his nerves solely because of its blasé nature. “It would have been nice to explain to Chandler my goal.”

“He wanted you to be Demon King. You didn’t want that.” Zeldris watched with bored eyes as Meliodas skipped a rock over the lake in front of them, the blond bending down to find another flat-ish stone.

“No, but. He was always there. Even if I knew the Demon King pulled most of the strings, Chandler was his own demon. I can’t lie and say I don’t miss the guy.” It startles Zeldris, how easily open Meliodas will be so carelessly. Zeldris feels obligated to return the sentiment nearly every time.

“I wish Cusack was here only to explain what Father had really wanted.” The desolate feeling fogging over Zeldris was unwelcome but he took it in stride, crossing his arms and clearing his throat. “And to apologize. I took his unwavering loyalty for granted.”

“It wasn’t loyalty, Zel, it was love.” Meliodas’ voice was almost silent, like he didn’t want Zeldris to hear him. “They were the closest thing to a real parent we ever had.”

Zeldris huffed mirthlessly even believing Meliodas was right. “You make a fine king.”

Meliodas knows it’s more a jab at his humanity than it is a compliment of his wisdom. It doesn’t bother him, Zeldris is too blunt to hold back much on his honest opinion. He had missed that about his brother.

“I… wanted to attempt to bring them back. But I was afraid of explaining to them and them already knowing that had been the plan all along.”

“I don’t know about Chandler but Cusack had no idea.” Zeldris recalls, “I was very weak and delirious at the time, though I do remember him talking to me saying I would be a great ruler and a lot of other things that blurred but centered around the same idea.”

“Do you think I could?”

“Bring them back? Chandler, possibly. Cusack, iffy. Should you? I don’t know.” Zeldris scuffs his boot on the stones, kicking one a great distance so much so it cleared the lake. Meliodas gave him a look but Zeldris ignored it. “Would it be selfish of us?”

Meliodas is definitely not going to mention Zeldris’ inclusion of himself, though it assuredly makes him feel ridiculously giddy.

“Yep, no doubt about it,” Meliodas chucks a stone this time, wincing when he accidentally puts too much force behind it and it wipes out a tree near the bank. Zeldris returns his previous look. “I still want to try. I don’t really have any other use for this new power.”

“Besides protecting your kingdom.”

“You and I both know any threat that could come along wouldn’t be worth that power and its effects.”

“No, I know,” Zeldris exhales deeply through his nose and sits on a log. He doesn’t say anything for a moment as Meliodas copies him, a foot apart. He whispers, “I still want you to try too.”

“Then we should!” Meliodas claps his hands on his knees. Zeldris’ eyes widen at the quick turn around from solemn to optimistic. “You trust Cusack and I trust Chandler, that should be enough, right!?”

Zeldris doesn’t show it but amusement ignites within him. He was curious how long it took for Meliodas to gain such impulsive behavior, the one he knew was incredibly cunning about everything he did. His lips quirk up, however, and there’s no hiding it even as he ducks his head.

“Don’t you think we should consult others on this?” He says to the stones, Meliodas answers quickly.

“The only time they saw Chandler and Cusack was in battle and on opposite sides at that. Those two never came out of the Demon Realm, remember? They’re too powerful for Brittania.” The justification is valid in Zeldris’ eyes but he’s sure almost everyone they know would one hundred percent disagree on that front. Zeldris was typically the more impulsive brother, so he did not have any objections.

“You won’t have to explain your reasoning to me if it ends up working.” Meliodas gives him an alarmed expression at those words. Zeldris gives him a pointed look, “If you’re afraid they won’t forgive you, then I believe you have nothing to worry about. You’ve made trustworthy companions in your time here.”

“What about you?”

“What about me? I’m primarily leading the Demon Realm into peace and those two would have to stay there with me.” Zeldris grimaced, “It may be overbearing but I don’t think I’d be so upset about it this time around.”

Meliodas bites the inside of his cheek, nods resolutely, “I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t do it solely on my behalf, Meliodas. This would be a joint decision, understood?” Zeldris’ frowning features force Meliodas to agree, albeit a little reluctantly.

Zeldris knows it’s as good as he’ll get.

…

Cusack felt exhausted down to his bones. The last thing he remembers is… inserting the commandments into Zeldris. Had Zeldris killed him? The energy he remembers had felt off, only slightly, but Cusack can’t put his finger on why.

Cusack’s eyes became saucers when he registered the demon in front of him, the dread pouring off him was exponential and Cusack couldn’t help his bafflement. He thought Zeldris would become Demon King, what happened while he was out?

Meliodas was fully formed, king plastered all over him. His arms were crossed and, despite his overpowering strength, he seemed nervous.

“What happened?” Cusack asked, dragging himself to a sit while groaning and clutching his pounding head. Splitting apart from Chandler had never felt good and left effects for days to come.

“Do you remember dying?”

Cusack squeezes his eyes closed, “Vaguely. Where is Young Master Zeldris?”

“Before I let you go to him, I need to explain a few things first.” Cusack squinted up to meet Meliodas’ eyes at the odd phrasing, his head was splitting open.

“What things?”

…

“So neither of you were meant to be the Demon King, only vessels.” Cusack spoke the words to himself, feeling distant and pained. He had almost lost Zeldris forever due to his foolish thinking. “That explains so much.”

It was a competition to make the best suitable candidate. All a lie to have Cusack and Chandler under his thumb before he could rid of them himself. Cusack didn’t know what he was supposed to do now or why Meliodas would resurrect him in the first place, the king wasn’t his master.

“What happened to Master Zeldris?” They had taken to sitting on the ruin left by Meliodas years ago, Cusack brought back to life in a clandestine fashion. He couldn’t help the regret stomping through him, rage and sadness alike.

“Gelda helped him reject the Demon King and the Seven Deadly Sins and I killed him for good. The commandments are gone and everything.” Cusack sighed, it was weird to feel such overwhelming relief. He missed Chandler, with their competitive streak of their charges and their change in loyalty from the Sinner who craved to take over the throne to the Sinner who needed to protect the next throne holder. “Zeldris is the new Demon King.”

Cusack’s hearts squeezed and the tone of it was bittersweet. He’d gotten what he wanted but at what cost? Would Zeldris even want to see him again? After offering him up to his father for the picking? What a colossal mess, a cosmic fucking joke.

“He hasn’t unlocked his intrinsic power yet but I figured you’d help him with that.” Meliodas sits next to him and his presence is a little stifling. So unlike Zeldris and so much like Chandler. “He could use someone with a vague idea of what they’re doing.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing. I think it is quite obvious I never have.” Cusack’s hands turned to fists and he dropped his head, clenching his eyes shut. “I pledged my loyalty to the young sir and I betrayed him.”

“Zel knows you didn’t mean to.” There was a sense of pride in Cusack, at how Zeldris saved himself and got Meliodas back with it. He knows deeply how gutting it had been for Zeldris when Meliodas left before. He had tried to alleviate it, a fruitless venture. “He’s the one who brought you and Chandler up actually. He told me that you were only trying to help him.”

Cusack’s eyes welled. He doesn’t recall a time when Zeldris had ever been receptive to his attempts at comfort or encouragement. Not that Cusack had really been able to show the full extent of his devotion.

“Young Master Zeldris won’t want to put up with me. I think it best he not know you resurrected me at all.”

“You and Chandler were the only demons who really loved us.” Cusack flinched at the wording. He’d been forbidden from ever stating those words, but he supposed that didn’t apply anymore. “I regret taking it for granted, and I know Zel does too.”

…

Cusack kneeled before Zeldris, head bowed. Both his palms were flat on the stone, reverence and regret spoken through silence.

“How are you alive?!” Zeldris’ voice was incredulous, footsteps loud in the corridor. Cusack had never felt such anxiety as this. The massive possibility of rejection or punishment was more terrifying than it had been at the hands of the previous Demon King.

Cusack looked up, nearly as tall as Zeldris even from this angle, “Master Meliodas resurrected me, my King.”

Anger exuded from him, “He swore it wouldn’t be a one-demon decision!”

Cusack didn’t know what he was talking about but he did know he should be apologizing and praying his resurrection will not be short-lasting: “Young Master, I am so sorry for betraying you. Meliodas explained what the commandments really were and had I known you would not become Demon King, I would have never done what I did. I am gutted by even the thought of losing you.”

Zeldris’ anger dissipated, leaving only resignation, “I know, Cusack. I’m the one who told Meliodas.”

Cusack burst into tears and Zeldris resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His teacher had always been so emotional, fortunately it could’ve been worse. Cusack could’ve been another Chandler.

“Oh, Young Master! I know I was such a bad teacher! Chandler and I gave up our wish to become Demon King the moment we were split and given an alternative to death, I swear! Please allow me to serve by your side, Master!” Cusack touches his forehead to the ground and Zeldris is really beginning to despise the worship.

He had never been made to think of Cusack as his caretaker but after losing him, Zeldris grasped the piece of him that mourned his old master and held with heels dug in. He didn’t need Cusack to cry for Zeldris to know he wouldn’t betray him. He didn’t need Cusack to beg for Zeldris to allow him to stay in the Demon Realm. Cusack wouldn’t be accepted anywhere else.

Zeldris was going to have a talk with Meliodas later about his extreme impulsivity.

“Cusack… don’t grovel at my feet.” It was instantaneous that Cusack towered over Zeldris, at least he met his eyes. “I would be… honored to have you as an advisor. If you wish to do something else too, you can. You are not under the Demon King’s thumb anymore.”

Cusack bows, “There is no place I would rather be.”

Zeldris could throw up from the sickly sweetness of it all. Too bad he was too used to Cusack and his overly emotional antics. Zeldris’ lips quirked up in a slight smile. While he tired of Cusack’s overbearing nature easily, he could never tire of his unwavering support. Zeldris had never deserved it.

He would have to thank Meliodas after he berated his brother for going behind his back.