Work Text:
"HAH! You should have seen the look on their face!”
“Now you're just making me curious about the criminal-’
Brocco wasn't entirely a fan of hanging out with any of the other guards.
The loud noises, the constant chattering, the obnoxious chewing, the literal everything.
Look, it wasn't like he had anything better to do in his life than do Guard work-
He could go home! He could go straight to his room, wonder what he was doing with his life and do literally anything else!
But
….
The Broccoli didn't want to go home right now.
So, that left him sitting at a random Hotdog Wagons bench, eating a Hotdog that didn't even taste that great to begin with.
Sitting with people that he truly was questioning his companionship with.
They were talking about some stupid story that he had lost the plot of a whole while ago, something about catching a criminal.
As always, since that was literally their job…for the most part.
After all, the rules have recently changed for the better, at least in his opinion.
Rule number XX: No more hurting people without a reason. If they are harming others or/and to themself, then you may use force.
Which was a much better rule than applying force to literally everyone that is on the streets whenever they wanted.
Again. He must clarify. In his opinion.
Some people and guards.thought that just because it was a recent change, that didn't mean it applied to them.
It could be age, maybe just leftover proudness, or mainly due to them working with…
The Old King.
Just the thought of that guy gave him shivers.
One cannot imagine a worse king, scrapping the very bottom of the barrel of expectations.
Said barrel could as well have been dunked in acid.
But to get to his original point’
“-AND THEN, I threw that lady into a wall!”
“Really-?”
Brocco wished he had better things to do than hang out with other guards.
Scratching his armored finger against the rough wood that had been stained over the day, he shoved the rest of the bad Hotdog in his mouth.
Munching on something gave him something to do at least, even if it almost felt disgusting to chew on it.
Such hard texture. Such a failing sausage.
The day really couldn't get more disappointing at this rate.
And it's not like the leftover lights of the nights weren't annoying him either, constantly blinding him right from the side-
Where it, of course, HIT NO ONE ELSE.
URGEHRHRRHH-
“And, what do you think, Newbie?”
Brocco barely restrained snapping his head over, forcing himself to stare at the scarred, old guard.
Look, he knows the whole ‘respect your elders’ shtick from his father enough, but…did it have to be with every old person?
Can't he excuse himself from the duties of giving care to such a thing?
“Ah, Apologies. What were we talking about?”
Not today, it seems.
The Broccoli forced up a smile, trying his best to appear normal in front of the scarred and the drinker broccoli in front of him.
Better to be out of trouble with the older ones rather than be in it.
The scarred one laughed, and for a moment, he noted that he never cared to learn anyone's names.
Not like they were in a group or anything, but-
“We were talking about our criminal count! What arrests have you been making recently, laddie?”
Oh.
Uh
Not any?
Brocco honestly could just stare for a moment as his mind races through the recent days.
He HELPED a lot of people, but he didn’t exactly make any arrests where there weren't any necessary.
Guarding the palace was enough, gicing advice and pointing to locations was also enough, the new Royalties didn’t mind no arrests-
But these two definitely were more eager for arrests, for justice to be served and they are staring more and more intensely, so-
“Oh, uh- Plenty! Plenty, yeah.”
Brocco rushed his answer without thought, nearly tripping over his words while trying to just get anything out.
An answer is better than nothing, right???
‘Can't leave us without examples, dumbass.”
But of course, someone always had to be displeased no matter what, no matter what you do or say.
The Guard who was probably on his third beer slammed it down on the table, giving a tier 4 glare towards his poor self.
Though, the threat truly wasn't that heavy when the guy was probably drunk to an extent.
On the job too.
But the scarred one only chuckled more, patting the drunken broccoli's shoulder as if they were old pals.
“Ey, Keep it down around the kid! Else he can't share his sharing, eh?”
“I'm an adult…”
Leaving was an option, but at this point, he might as well go along with the lie he had made for safety.
Alright, arrest reasons, arrest reasons…
Ah!
“I- uhm…Well, I caught a criminal trying to steal from the children. And I caught a gang member.”
Both were common in Guardwork, where people just couldn't keep their hands to themself or follow the law.
There should be less of those now with the change of law though.
At least he hopes.
“Oh, THOSE are my favorite! The thrill of bringing the ones acting out of order down!”
A positive reaction from the scarred one was almost comforting, with the way he clenched his fists and threw around his Hotdog with mustard.
If only it hadn't spilled, just like him.
“Imagining the way they squirm and cry in prison over their actions…it's delightful!”
That
Yeah, that was just
Something.
Deciding that the best course of action was getting the hell away, he kindly shifted just a bit away.
Keeping up that forced smile was a loss too, a frown being a much better fit.
“...Maybe, you're taking it a bit too far here? I mean-”
That boisterous laugh interrupted his worries, slamming a hand on the table that made him physically flinch.
Just like-
“Rookie, please-! You can never go too far with criminals!”
With no consent or hesitation, the scarred Guard practically FLUNG an arm around him, pulling him so close that space might as well have not existed.
It was too uncomfortable, too warm, TOO CLOSE. HE HATED IT.
But that stupid Guard just kept smiling, pointing at him and poking his cheek as if they were best pals.
“They are Scum! If they weren't bad people, they wouldn't steal! Haven't ya learned your ABC’s?”
I learned the right ABC's, you prick.
It was getting hard to swallow down that snarl, constantly looking down at the hand on his arm, one that felt like a whole violation.
Did the Guard know that? That people can be uncomfortable with touch? Did he know? Is he stupid?
“Maybe, he's just too fucking stupid to do so.”
Brocco nearly physically flinched at such a sentence.
EXCUSE YOU-?!?
“Hey- I’m- I'm not too stupid! I just don't think-”
Oh, Brocco wanted to move, to pull up a finger and harshly point out all those flaws that the drunken guard had-
But the hand forced him down. Forced him to stay.
Making him feel more and more physically ill by the moment, making him stay at one place till they are finished talking-
WHY MUST THEY BE LIKE-
“Yeah, Yeah. New rules, new pulls, I get it. Wanna stay on the new royalties good side after the war.”
The scarred Broccoli waved his arm around nonchantly, gesturing with his hand and coming way too close with that mouth.
He smelled.
Disgusting. Disgusting. Disgusting.
“But Brocco, don't you realise how good you can be when you don't act like good ol’ goody two shoes?”
If he could just get off, leave him alone and stop infiltrating his space, maybe he'll think about it-!
But, he isn't! He's making him uncomfortable! He's forcing it all on him-!
JUST SHUT UP-!
“The riches, the delight of breaking a bad person's limbs!”
Brocco had about enough when the violent talk came on, roughly grabbing the arm and finally PUSHING the scarred Guard away.
….Unsurprisingly, the surprise etched into said guard's face.
The surprise, however, didn't stop him from commenting on the behavior from someone that was supposed to keep the law in-check.
Someone needed to keep said ‘Law-keepers’ in line.
Brocco hated that it had to be him.
“This is- you're just being violent now! I'm not breaking someone's limbs just to appease myself!”
….It took a few seconds for both of the guards' faces to change.
The scarred ones held a sense of sternness, face growing near disgusted with the amount of squinting he did.
Perhaps, he was trying to hide it for a few seconds while that familiar violent worldview was starting to become more clear.
The drunken one however, had already looked stern before, believe him.
Just now, it looked like that guy was seconds away from brutally carving his face into his fist.
And just a second after the scarred guy tried to open his mouth again-
“OY! YOU THREE, COME ON, WE GOT A THIEF TO CATCH-!”
-A BARRAGE of Guards suddenly ran past them, one stopping fast enough to alert them all to the situation.
Luckily enough, it left the two guards who probably wanted to have a talk with him distracted and alert.
The drunken guard silently sighed, steadying himself and grabbing a spear that looked rather uncared for.
Rust, unwashed blood, lots of scrapes here and there…all leading to a useless weapon.
Didn't even care enough to clean it, huh?
Just like the lack of care towards his soberness-
“Shit. Continue your idiotic talks later, you two, we got a criminal to catch.”
Without any of the previous anger, the scarred Guard suddenly shot up, holding that happy smile again.
Begrudgingly, Brocco stood up right after, not due to the other guys forcing him to, but the simple duty of the law.
He was a Guard for a reason after all. Can't just stop obeying orders to catch a criminal.
That apparently did not stop any of the stupid comments.
“Finally! Hopefully they fight back, huh?”
Brocco would appreciate it if the piece of shit stopped nudging him, but he has already learned that words won't do.
So, averting one's eyes it is.
Quietly, he took a step away from the scarred guard, ignoring whatever expression it morphed in this time.
Didn't matter.
“...You'll come around.”
Never.
….
Just like that, they had started running without Brocco paying much of a care towards the other two.
The only care that he showed was towards the sloppy movement that the drunken Guard made, probably due to, you know.
Being drunk.
Whatever. Doesn't matter now, does it-?
“Must have gone ahead with the other Guards, COME ON!”
It was as if the scarred one found joy in watching the criminal squirm, as he strutted forward with speed despite the armor and took the drunken one with him.
Brocco, at this point, decided to finally start slowing down, hoping to gain some distance from those two.
Better to do it alone than do it with Morons.
With slow speeds, he finally sloaed down, stumbling just once before his armored feet got to steady footing.
They churned lightly against the ground, making a sound he truly preferred not to hear again while he looked around.
His hand came up to his eyes, going in between them to scratch the surface as he groaned.
“Dammit…”
The day truly was too long. It was always too long for such times and-
Clink.
….
Shuffle. Shuffle.
The Broccoli blinked quietly, removing his hand from his face at the sudden, quiet noises.
Honestly, he probably wouldn't have heard them had he not stopped his movement to compose himself.
So, what was…?
….Brocco quietly approached the alleyway that the sound came from, resting a hand on the brick wall.
It was a slow approach, mostly to try and not scare off whoever was making these sounds.
If anything, it left the Guard to look at the in-between graffiti, some cardboard boxes and whatever was in an alleyway to look at.
Interestingly enough, the noise came from deeper in, where it led off into the entrances of some people’s homes.
And-
….Huh.
That is a really small carrot.
Okay, no, that sounds- You have to understand, Brocco knows that carrots aren't exactly the biggest vegetable on the planet, but-
This one was just really small. Like. Weirdly small. We're they a toddler? They WERE small enough to be one. But it was alone and nobody was there and…
They looked scared. Cautious. Wearing a rather ripped outfit as well.
…Well, there's only one way to find out, huh?
Making himself as small as possible while crouching, Brocco approached slowly, finally speaking up to-
“Hello, are you-”
“HSSSMP-”
Alright, worst first response he ever got.
The kid immediantly flinched, not even giving him a chance to speak, scrambling into the corner like a wounded animal.
Wide eyes, stifled breathing, shaking body, teary eyes-
Poor thing must be lost.
But they already flinched away from his approach and even as he tried coming closer, they only curled up more.
Looking even smaller, fitting more unhealthy details in that he didn't even notice at first.
The carrot, first off, was…too small. Yes, he mentioned it before, but for a carrot that didn't seem like a toddler anymore, they….
The kid shouldn't be this small.
Other thing was that they were holding some sort of food item, looking rather fresh all things considered but being smushed by those shaky hands.
A steadfastly grip, as if someone was about to rip it away from them.
….Not normal. This isn't normal behavior.
As much as he knows how this feels.
“...Kid. Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you.”
Brocco kept his voice down to a steady, comforting degree with as much effort as he could, not wanting to scare the carrot more.
Reaching out his hand, he attempted to touch them, maybe to see if they were hurt-
Only to receive another flinch, causing him to retract his hand right back.
Not something that he isn't used to, but still. It's not gonna help if the kid stays scared.
Hmmm…
Ah! The Guard's armor is intimdating, so…
Carefully, Brocco moved armored fingers over to his helmet, rubbing over his skin before he was able to properly dislodge it.
The metal sliding off his skin was always a nice sensation, especially once he shook his hair into the right, fluffy position it was always in.
Finally, he pointed at himself, sliding his hand to his chest and patting it in a hopefully comforting manner.
“See? Just a big Broccoli. I promise you, my size has nothing to do with my personality.”
….
After a moment, the little kid blinked.
Staying tensed up, the only change that came was finally bringing those arms away from the face.
Now, the expression of fear was much more clear.
Eyes wide and afraid, lips quivering, probably awaiting punishment or even a hard conversation about the law…
Everytime Brocco thought about the old Kingdom allowances, he thought about making a drinking game about it.
It would kill probably all the guards who drink.
He shook his head.
“Do you need help? Where are your parents?”
That was surprisingly, the one sentence that seemed to properly get a reaction out of the carrot.
Not one that he liked though-
Because said reaction was growing stiff, dissociating for a second and actually letting their guard down before they blipped back on.
It was also in that moment that the vegetable noticed that the Carrot's eyes were…
Rainbow?
No, white- White, reflective? Somewhat? It was faint in the moonlight, but-
You know what, unimportant right now.
First things first, if the little guy truly is letting his guard down, then he should probably make sure it stays that way.
Grabbing his spear, he let it clatter to the side, causing yet another flinch…but also for the dissociation to dissappear completely.
There were multiple blinks, glances and even stares for the carrot to finally settle down more.
Continuing on-
“I may ask again. Do you need help?”
A quiet blink, slight change in lip position.
“...No.”
“No?”
“I'm- ‘m fine. Don't need your help.”
Brocco tilted his head.
“Are you sure? There's a criminal currently on the loose.”
Another flinch.
At this point, he could make that a drinking game.
….Alright, that's actually disrespectful. Don't do that.
“...I'll be fine.”
Well.
He can't exactly argue with someone that doesn't seem hurt and doesn't want his help.
At least the little guy isn't clutching that piece of food anymore, which he could identify as a somewhat fresh Sandwich.
Which honestly, isn't as reassuring as he thought it would be. Especially with the iron grip they had earlier.
“...Are you hungry?”
“Huh.”
Surprise. Yeah, sure, Surprise at being offered food is normal, we’ll go with that.
“Like. Do you want more food-”
“Yesplease.”
Brocco quietly blinked at the sudden response, but simply looked through a small bag he had carried with him.
Map, Leftover spears, something you probably shouldn't put in one- AH!!!
Finally something good for the day!
A perfectly fine ramen pot that he had warmed up earlier already, ready to eat!
…You know, he just realised he could have eaten that instead of that dingy Hotdog, but he's gonna ignore that.
“Here. You need it more than me.”
You know.
As a Guard, there's often at least a single, small part where you learn to identify a person's emotions.
To see if they are lying, to see if they attack, etc etc in that sense.
Maybe, unintentionally, Brocco noted down the reactions that followed.
Widened eyes. Lowering defenses, looking around once or twice to check around.
Looking right at him just before moving forward.
Snatching the food rather than gently grabbing, making sure it is alright.
Opening the food, checking it, then biting into It and-
….Satisfaction.
Something that he couldn't quite read shined in that eye.
Something that he could feel empathetic for.
Despite himself, Brocco couldn't help watching the little kid scarf down that sandwich like it's their last meal on earth.
Only stopping to stare at him.
“...Please leave.”
“Ah- I- Uhm, well…”
Okay, technically, he didn't have a reason to stay-! Fair point, but- but-...
….It's…
“...What about you? Where will you go after this?”
That stare was not one of the fiercest he got in his life, so he'll survive this encounter.
Probably.
“Again, I'll be fine. I told you this.”
Brocco squinted, not only at the way the carrot spoke, but yet again at the constant want for others to leave them alone.
How old were they? They can't be too young but also definitely not 18 or something-
“Your…mature for a child.”
“You don't sound happy about that.”
Would never be, promise you that.
“I'm not. That's usually not good for a child, but not my point-”
A harsh sigh left him, keeping it down as he pressed his fingers on the bridge of where his nose would be.
Just rubbing slowly, trying to find a solution to a problem that shouldn't be this difficult.
“I just…do you need me to escort you? I would not want you to be in danger.”
“...No. It's fine.”
“Are you certain-”
“DEAR NANTES, I'M CERTAIN! YES! GO AWAY-!!!!”
This time, it was Brocco's turn to flinch at the sudden outburst, retracting his hands back to himself as he kept kneeled.
There wasn't much he could do in the scope of things now.
He didn't know any parents. He didn't even know if the kid had done something wrong. And there was still a criminal running around.
Didn't want to be escorted either, so…
“...Alright. But if you need anything-”
And he shot a glare, which at this point, he truly should have expected.
He even shot his hands up in defense, backing off from the rather weird child.
Maybe they were just introverted-?
“-I was just saying.”
Taking in a deep, long sigh, the Broccoli finally turned to walk away, going through the alleyway with a few glances back.
….There wasn't much one could do.
And in the end-
[Quest received!]
•{~Catch that Criminal!~}•
Current Objective: FIND THE OTHER GUARDS!!!!
Brocco still had work to do.
- - - - - - -
- - - - - - —----------
—- - -
[LOADING BROCCOLI DUNGEON] . . .
[Tip: Stay on the good side of the law or else the local guards may be onto you the moment you enter the Kingdom!]
- - -
– - - - -
-- -
Now, this was a shift that Brocco didn't favor, but much preferred.
Dungeon shift, where you look over the prisoners of the Broccoli Kingdom and make sure that nobody gets put.
And of course, give them food, make sure they aren't hurt and that no fights break out at any point.
Taking the steps beside the stone walls, there was almost a sense of calmness that washed over him as of recent.
The Prison was emptier.
Maybe he is repeating himself, but a whole lot of positive changes came from the new laws, which meant most unjust prisoners were released.
Some even got shorter sentences or got their case looked at again, whereas victims or even other kingdoms got their people back.
Mentioning it felt like something rare for someone who knew about the Onion war.
Peace, after so many years of bad leadership and useless rules…
A miracle.
Nonetheless, Brocco wasn't here today to ponder on a job he didn't want at first, he was here to care for the people in the Cells.
And after a good while, the Broccoli came to one he was rather familiar with.
So, he gently tapped against the bars, making the small sounds cell bars would make, I'm sure of it.
“Hey, here to check up on you and deliver your meal.”
Unlocking the door, he opened up the door and inventory he had, pulling up a tablet with the food on it.
The usual. Bread, some drinks, maybe a sweet trea for the ones behaving well…like this one did.
Coffee jelly wasn't his kind of meal, but who was he to judge?
“Urrhh…Oh, You.”
The person he approached was an Onion, who was actually in there for good reasons that one could somewhat understand-
Stealing.
Okay stealing isn't good that's not what he meant don't qoute him.
But this stealing was during the war, where resources could be quite…scarce, especially for species that the old King didn't like.
A cruel decision, but one that got people into Prison anyway.
And this Onion was one of the people who did whole Heist that stole a whole ton of food.
In the end, they ended up in Prison, as everyone who stole something did.
“Jusstt put it right there, I'm too tired to eat right nooow…”
There was a slight nod before he put it on the small table that had been added to the cell, courtesy of hospitality.
Brocco stopped, silently put it down and turned to the Onion still laying in bed.
“I apologize for asking again, but how long are you staying again?”
There was a smirk quickly growing on their face, readjusting themselves under the blanket.
“Pff, want me gone that fast, Broccoli boy?”
Oh no.
He pulled up his hands in protest, because NO, HE WAS NOT SAYING THE WRONG THINGS, NUH UH-
“Ah, no- not at all. I mean. Well-”
The Onion laughed, running a hand down their face before landing it on the blanket, another hand being left to fiddle with a dead onion layer.
“I'm joking, mate! It's for…about a month now.”
Brocco nodded quietly at that.
He can't truly imagine the extent of being trapped for so long. To not see sunlight. To not see your friends, your family, the ones you love-
It must be terrible to be ripped away from such a thing.
…He hopes no one has to get live sentenced ever again.
“Must be nice, huh? To finally see the outside world again.”
Another laugh as the onion looked over, where he quietly noted the brown eye color that came from them.
‘Please, you can't imagine! Being stuck here for three months still does something to your mind, I'm telling you!”
Settling down, the Onion looked up to the ceiling, clutching the blanket a bit tighter, eyes softening up.
“...Honestly, I'm more happy to see this dumpster of a kingdom recover.”
The Broccoli leaned against a wall, crossing his arms to listen to the Prisoner.
Nothing better to do, huh?
“You don't see it every day that a ruler completely flips the rules on their head and unite with a kingdom that they fought with.”
True to that.
It was sudden too.
Just one day- the Announcement that the Old King had passed away, had been killed by someone-
Nobody knows why.
There was no weapon.
There was no trace of struggle.
Just
A corpse. Leftover to be transported.
And they described it to be unrecognisable.
Brocco cleared his throat.
“Yeah, it’s uhm- it's impressive.”
The Onion looked over, blinking slowly and unimpressed at the vegetable before him.
It was as if that smirk was never fading from that face.
“I can already tell your tired of my old nogging, Pal.”
WHY DO PEOPLE LOVE ACCUSING HIM-???
“Ah- Sorry, sorry, I mean-”
“HAH! You've got to stop apologising for everything, your role as a Guard depends on it!”
A harsh SLAP came to his back, causing him to sputter and nearly stumble into the floor as he snapped his head over.
“Come on now, you've got work to do, ya old hag-!”
Not that old but okay.
Brocco straightened up with a cough, adjusting his armor and wiping off any dust.
He returned to the door, looking back just one more time to the vegetable.
“Uh- Of course. Goodbye and keep up with your good behavior.”
A nod was the last thing he saw before locking the door.
“Will do.”
Once that was done, back to patrolling it was.
Humming a tune, humming another tune, passing cells that are empty or full, making sure he patrols, passing a carrot child, seeing if-
Wait a fucking second
HUH???
Backtracking to that cell, apparently, Brocco had not gone insane from walking the halls too many times.
That
That was the child.
The child he gave food too??? That probably was very young??? IN A CELL????
WITH THESE CELLS????
“Kid-”
“HUSSH-”
Not even the reaction changed.
Brocco decided to try blinking, because surely, SURELY some guard didn't just put a child that was clearly, y'know, A CHILD into a cell.
Especially with the new rulers and-
Wait does the King and Queen know of this
Doesn't- Doesn't matter right now.
The kids backed against the corner again, and if he's honest? He looks WORSE than before.
Clearly uncomfortably, constantly flicking his eyes around, clearly wounded - WHOEVER DID THAT, HE SWEARS TO THE MOON - and not in a good state.
…He never saw the kid in a good state.
Probably a bad thing.
Despite telling himself that he should treat this kid respectfully, he still kneeled down anyway.
Broccoli's were quite the big vegetable, which meant that one could be terrified of them.
“...Uhm. Hello. Again.”
The little kid backed away, obviously.
Even if he should only focus on the Kid, he couldn't help but note the eyes specifically going for the walls of the cell.
One of the rare cells which had barely anything in it, which is unsurprisingly, especially concerning.
Cells are scary. He gets it.
That shaky breathing was giving out the clear emotion the little carrot had.
He gestured lightly with his hand, rolling it in circles and resting his arm on his kneeled leg.
“Look, i- I know this isn't…ideal, but I gotta know how old you are.”
Apparently, that was not the right thing to say.
Glaring is one of the things that usually tell him that enough and mixed with the heavy hiss, that fits.
“O-Oh- OH, WHY?? So you can say stupid things to- to me-?”
What?
What
What kinds of things was he supposed to say-?
Clearly, he needed to say better things if it would keep the carrot from unconsciously crying any further.
Brocco would actually like if he stopped crying. Out of comfort. Crying children are bad.
In the bad way of they deserve to be happier.
“What? Nonono, I meant that…you don't seem old enough to be in Prison.”
“What.”
Brocco noted a whole lot of things today, maybe he should bring a notepad tomorrow.
Usually, children are somewhat aware of this law. That your not legally bound if your below 14, so to say.
This is getting weirder by the second.
Just get it over with-
“If…you're below 14, you cannot be in here. And I'm unsure if-”
“Youngerthanthat.”
That was quick.
Maybe a bit too quick for his liking.
Readjusting himself, he took the unfortunate information in that already led him to many, many conclusions.
Every single one of them wasn't gold.
“...Alright. That's- That's not good.”
One could assume it was the other guards. Simple as that, following old laws, ignoring new ones, feeling proud of it-
Wasn't his job to ponder right now however, standing up again and tilting his head to the side.
Maybe he did brush through his hair more than necessary, what of it?
“Can you tell me which guard it was that put you in here?”
The little carrot hesitated, pulling their legs near their stomach and looking at the ground now.
Refusing to make eye contact or to even take a glance at the walls in any way.
A small sniffle came, with a hoarse voice.
“You idiots all look the s-..same.”
Stuttery all the same, but at least they were honest.
“Fair…Fair point, yeah. Should have guessed that-”
Alrighhttt, just…this is fine. Yep. This is fine.
Brocco took a deep breath, wondering about his life decisions as he took out the rather shapr key and flicked it around his finger.
Positioning it, he gpanced over to the carrot again.
“I'm gonna unlock this now. How long were you in here?”
“L o n g e n o u g h.”
That checks out.
Finally, with a loud CLICK, the cell door unlocked, leaving the broccoli to slowly ppen it and take a step aside.
“Now, I still goWOOAAH-”
As if all the sorrow had just vanished, THAT KID JUST SPED PAST THEM WHAT IN THE-
“HAHAHAHAHAAA SWEEEET FREEDOOOOMMMM!!!!”
What
What even
What the fuck.
“Uh. I.”
Brocco was practically speechless.
This
What was he even
You
You know what.
“Okay, I. Guess I just…inform the Royalty of the mistake then. Okay.”
Brocco breathed evenly.
Surprising at this point.
Despite this.
He nodded. Maybe to reassure himself.
He didn't even know.
- - - - - - —----------
It was night now.
When one returns from a Guard shift, it usually is later in the day.
Brocco preferred this. Sure, he had permission to take off much earlier as he always finished his work on time, but-
There was nothing really to come back to.
He unlocked the door, ignored his rainswept locks and didn't bother to turn the light on.
The mere smell of cigarettes was there to irk him again.
Nicotine was awful. Disgusting.
But he knew who kept up the behavior already.
“Papa, I'm…home.”
…..
Sleeping in a chair again.
Beside the ashtray, some cigarettes fell off, burning their ash into the beautiful oak table.
….He walked past and didn't bother to wake up his family.
Didn't matter.
Simply didn't matter.
He closed the door behind him, threw off whatever unnecessary clothed he had and collapsed into bed with a groan.
A silent murmur left him as he forced the blankets over him.
….
Silently.
He took a flashlight and grabbed a magazine, flipping through the pages.
‘Inventions of the year’, as they call it.
Brocco wasn't the building typ, but…seeing these inventions comforted him.
Especially-
Ah.
Wizzro’s.
Some old M.A.G.E who made the most abstract kind of concepts, some that didn't even matter.
….Yet
Even if they didn't.
They were still made.
Someone still cared for them.
….
For the first half of the night.
Brocco simply read
And let himself be comforted by a magazine.
If no one else will.
…
And maybe think of that orange kid more.
Because WOW People can be strange sometimes.
…or sad.
At this point, he didn't know the difference.