Chapter Text
If Second had to pick a least favorite sibling, it would no doubt be Dark. Second didn’t want to be too harsh on his brother, but it’s hard to find Dark a likeable sibling when he treated Second as a possible danger, a test subject, an annoyance. Second understood that Dark was never someone who worked to have stronger relationships with others, he instead focused on crafting his creations, which happened to be killer machines that he’d test Second on.
When Dark first did so, Second’s powers activated for the first time ever, which led the older to be completely horrified, and he didn’t try again for quite a while. In fact, it was so long that Second was almost convinced that that event had given his brother some sort of shock, to the point he no longer participated in any other activities. Second remembered being worried, worried that his brother would hate him forever, and that their relationship would never be mended.
It eventually became such a worry that Second confronted Dark about it. Luckily both Victim and Chosen were busy that day, busy enough that they didn’t notice Second sneak to Dark’s bedroom. The two never allowed Second near Dark again after the incident, though Second couldn’t be sure it was for who’s safety.
Second didn’t even try knocking, since that will only alert Dark to kick him out. Besides, considering Dark’s daily routine, he wouldn’t have heard anyway with all the loud tinkering. As predicted, Dark didn’t have a habit of locking his door(unlike Victim), and Second slipped through with no issues. That is, until he saw what filled the room.
Robotic parts scattered all around the ground, some with electrical wires popping through and others burnt around the edges and smashed likely from Dark’s wrath. Second had to edge around carefully, afraid to step on any of the painted red parts. Pure red, just like how Dark commonly decorates himself with. Just like the color mixed into his darker hair. It was another thing about Dark that unsettled Second. How he often only used the most vivid of shades, only bright red or pitch black. Second learned to respect all these colors as an artist, but the way Dark uses them unnerves him. As if he wanted to attract attention, but then again the meaning behind those colors-
Second shook those thoughts away when he spotted his brother in a corner next to the desk, which was scattered similarly to the floor. Dark seemed mesmerized in something, his sharp gaze focused on whatever was in his burnt hands(that was another thing. Unlike Chosen and Second, Dark’s flames only ever served to harm, and it was never warm. Only burning hot).
Second carefully edged towards his brother, unsure how to confront his brother. Eventually he made his way right next to Dark, and still his brother didn’t look up. It wasn’t until Second sat down next to him that Dark looked up. What was inside his hand, Second now realized, was a little red pill, the same shade as everything else about Dark. Vivid red. When he looked up again, Dark was staring at him with what seemed like a mix of emptiness and fear. Tears were in his bright eyes, tears that Second would never have thought to see in Dark’s eyes.
“Dark-”
“Do you know what this is?” Dark said, showing Second the little pill in his hand. Second shook his head, his green eyes confused. A small chuckle escaped from Dark as he reached for one of the scattered blueprints. “Here,” Dark handed the blueprint to Second, who scanned it. His eyes widened when he realized what it was. As if to confirm his suspicions, Dark nodded and continued speaking. “This pill,” he twirled it around in his hands, his gaze fixed on the small medicine. “Is poison. I have specially designed it for the consumer to feel pain, to be tortured. To die. I was planning to give it to you-” Second looked at his brother shocked, how Dark didn’t even hide his intentions this time. “-but, it’d all be useless. You’re too powerful to get destroyed by this stupid little pill,” Dark crushed the small creation in his hand. “Besides, what would I do if you really did die? Everyone would hate me for that, well I mean…the few people who didn’t already.” Second frowned as he watched Dark’s expression change more and more empty and hollow. Even though Second didn’t always like Dark, it hurt him to see his own brother this broken, especially when out of the whole family, Dark is the last person to give up, to feel defeated. The only person not horribly hurt by what happened in the past.
“So I really might as well take it myself. And I was thinking to but…” Dark threw the remains of the pill in the trash. His eyes brightened up again as Dark stood up. “That would mean I would lose to you. Lose to all those idiots out there. So I won’t take it. I will create something to beat you, Sec.”
Second didn’t have the heart to tell Dark he didn’t even know how his powers work, and he instead nodded, which—to his relief—made Dark smirk. That was a quick recovery, Second thought as Dark stood up and grabbed a paper, starting to make another plan. Thank goodness it was, since Dark would definitely be a hard person to comfort.
“Hey, no peeking!” Dark scowled when Second went to look at what he was drawing. “That’s my secret plan.” Gosh he’s so childish sometimes, Second thought as he made his way to the exit.
“That’s a deal then!” he added as he walked out, just to encourage his brother even more. Sure enough, he heard a scoff inside and noises of Dark working faster. Second sighed. How was he supposed to survive a-even-more-of-a-killer-machine virabot now?
Well, it’s anything to encourage his brother.