Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ A Brother's Love ❯ The Epilogue ( Epilogue )

~Epilogue~

 

 

 

"... Is that okay, otouto?"

 

"It's wonderful, niisan."

 

"... What about when I do it like that?"

 

Marron's blush deepened, "A-ah... ye-yes... that's also... ahh..."

 

"And what about if I tickled you?"

 

"Niisan, please don't do that."

 

Carrot looked amused.

 

"Heh, okay, okay. But what about this..."

 

Marron couldn't help but arch against Carrot's hands, "AH-... y... yess..."

 

"You sound so flustered..."

 

"Sorry..."

 

Carrot smirked, "No, it's alright."

 

Marron and Carrot had been taken inside by Milphey and Gateau, and taken to the nearest bedroom that the small group could find; this happened to be Celery's bedroom. Marron and Carrot had been taken to the bed where they'd been tended to by the Misu sisters, but it was impossible not to notice that, on the centre windowsill that faced down into the gardens, two dead bodies lay.

 

Milphey and Gateau had taken it upon themselves to see to them. Radish's death had obviously come about from the wound in his chest, but neither Milphey nor Gateau could work out how Celery had met his end. Were his body not cold, he would have looked as if he was sleeping... they'd found him hugged around Radish's body. Gateau wondered if he'd gone mad and just died that way, Milphey wasn't sure. Someone wouldn't die like that so quickly, surely?

 

At that point, Dota had arrived at the gardens outside with word from Big Mama; Milphey had taken the message on behalf of the others. The natural disasters surrounding the area had had some effects on the nearby Qeran and Ehret, but not enough to damage too much; a few fallen trees, some of the older houses had fallen, but nothing that couldn't be replaced or repaired. The area closer to the epicentre of the earthquakes, the Salt household, those places were a different matter. The river upstream now flowed through an almost mountainous course; Big Mama said she'd allow the Sorcerer Hunters and Milphey to remain for as long as they wanted, but once they wanted to leave, she would transport them away. The Qerada-Ehret border had now become something quite mountainous, the house tucked away in it's own secret little idyllic pocket; the face of the earth around the house was enough to hide it, it was unlikely that anybody would purposely find it for quite some time.

 

Word from Kahlua said that the magic buildup around the area had dissipated into the atmosphere; perhaps due to the deaths of Celery and Radish, perhaps due to Carrot and Marron's power, they couldn't be sure what caused the area to settle down again, but for the time being, it'd settled down, and that was the most important thing.

 

After a couple of hours, the Glacé brothers had awoken; Carrot woke first, and, wandering outside, he'd seen Celery and Radish's bodies. He seemed saddened to see Celery's body, something that confused Gateau. Gateau had suggested throwing their bodies in the river or somesuch, a suggestion that hadn't been received well by Carrot. Gateau didn't understand Carrot's seemingly newfound fondness for the Sorcerers, but eventually agreed that he'd help give them the burial Carrot requested, a little later on.

 

Then Marron had woken up, calling for his brother; Carrot had run back to him, and held him as he woke up, watched his look of absolute relief with fondness, kindness, and a few inexplicable tears matched by his brother. They didn't even know why they cried, not while they laughed, but they did so anyway. Milphey and Gateau exchanged glances, they couldn't help but smile.

 

Exploring the house a little later, Carrot had found the second bathroom, and the area upstairs; Marron couldn't quite remember how he remembered, but he remembered that the flow of water was somehow controlled by magic. Remembering this, remembering how it worked, they'd eventually managed to get a hot bath running; Marron asked Carrot if he wanted to take it, Carrot suggested they take it together. Marron had blinked, seeming slightly unsure, but eventually agreed.

 

Carrot leant against the side of the bath, and was currently attempting to give his brother a massage. Marron hadn't said anything, slightly bemused as to why Carrot would suggest something like that, but desire won out over common sense, and he didn't argue.

 

Carrot's hands were against Marron's shoulderblades, gently pressing his palms against them, rubbing against them. Soap made their skin slip against each other, but it didn't put Carrot off his task.

 

After a while, Carrot decided to attempt conversation.

 

"So... what do you remember?"

 

"Niisan?"

 

"From the past... I don't know, the past month or so. It's kinda hard to know what to say, 'cause I don't know what you remember, y'know?"

 

"Ah..."

 

Marron closed his eyes, concentrating momentarily on the feeling of Carrot's hands against his shoulders and neck, before opening them slightly, staring at the wall on the other side of the room.

 

"I'm not sure, niisan... I remember we... we had a mission... we went to... Qeran, was it? We went to that place, and the Sorcerers we met there..."

 

Marron frowned, trying to recollect his thoughts.

 

"... I remember a fire, and somehow we got split up, but somehow, I don't remember anything after that... the past month? I'm not sure. How long ago was that, niisan? Do you remember?"

 

Carrot's hands moved a little lower, eliciting a slight moan from Marron.

 

"That was a while ago, a lot's happened since then... but if you can't remember, then that's okay. I guess that's a month or two you're never gonna get back..."

 

Marron was silent for a few moments.

 

"I can't help but wonder what happened..."

 

"Maybe it's better you don't know. Some weird stuff happened."

 

"Does niisan know what happened?"

 

Carrot's palms pressed a little deeper, working against Marron's soapy skin. He glanced at the ceiling for a moment, before looking back to the back of his brother's head.

 

"Well, I know sorta what happened, but it's kinda complicated..."

 

"I'd like to know, niisan. Even if I can't remember... even if I can't remember it, I'd like to know."

 

Carrot bit his lip.

 

"You sure? It's a bit unpleasant."

 

"Even if it's unpleasant."

 

Carrot swept some of Marron's hair over his shoulder from where it'd come free, floating against the water. Carrot bit his lip, going over his thoughts, thinking of what exactly he could tell his brother.

 

"Well... see, there were these two Sorcerers, Celery and Radish Salt..."

 

"I remember them... they were the Sorcerers we had to find and dispatch."

 

"Ye-yes, that's right. Anyway... we fought them and stuff, then Radish, the younger guy, he saw you and just randomly got a thing for you-"

 

"A thing, niisan?"

 

"Yeah, he like, randomly wanted you. Anyway, we were in Qeran, then suddenly Radish created an inferno, and we went into that inferno to try and get him..."

"I think I remember something like that too..."

 

Carrot shifted in the water, moving forward, pressing his fingers against Marron's arms now. Marron quietly allowed Carrot to continue.

 

"Probably... well, after that, I don't know what happened to you... but Radish did something that meant we all got split up. We all thought you were dead, and you thought we were all dead, and then Radish, he... he did something to your mind, and the next time we saw you, you were like... twisted..."

 

Marron frowned.

 

"Twisted, niisan?"

 

Carrot nodded.

 

"Yeah... whatever Radish did to you, he did it good, 'cause you didn't remember any of us at all, you were convinced that you were a Sorcerer 'cause Radish had done something creepy to you with this magic he got from Qeran... and... then you kept having these weird attack things, and you kept calling out my name and stuff, but no-one could talk to you or anything... then Radish kissed you, and you went all alright again, but all alright to him..."

 

"Radish kissed me?"

 

"Yeah, you and him, uh, seemed to have something going on there."

 

Marron turned around in the water, looking slightly disbelieving. His disturbance caused slight waves to lap and ripple against the edge of the bathtub... he looked angrily self-righteous.

 

"Niisan, I- I wouldn't! He was a Sorcerer, surely? I wouldn't have... I wouldn't have developed feelings for someone so detached like that... and for a Sorcerer...!"

 

Carrot tugged on Marron's shoulders to make him turn around again.

 

"Hey, he did something to your mind to make you like him, you couldn't help what you did. You were totally convinced he was telling the truth... he said stuff like... Big Mama had kidnapped you to be a spy or something, even though that didn't make any sense. Basically, you believed that your life with Celery and Radish was the truth, and that we were all a lie."

 

Carrot reached for the soap, lathering it up against Marron's neck.

 

"Heh, at one point, you even said you didn't have a brother..."

 

Carrot felt Marron's body tense underneath his hands.

 

"Marron?"

 

"Niisan... niisan, I wouldn't have said that...!"

 

"Hey, didn't I say some of it'd be a bit unpleasant? Anyway, you said stuff like that, then you tried to attack me, but then you had one of those mental attack things. You were really confused and stuff, I think... then after that, Big Mama called us back, but I hated to think of you still with those Sorcerers like that, so I tried to go after you... met up with Celery, had a pretty good talk with him, then Big Mama brought me back... then after a while, there were all these disturbances happening here in Qerada, and Mama sent us here, where we met you, but it wasn't you you, it was like... an evil you, 'cause the magic Radish used to take you over had the soul of an old Sorcerer in it, or something... and the soul like, took over your body... it's kinda hard to explain, but... does that make sense?"

 

Marron's body still felt tense. He shook his head.

 

"I refuse to believe I would have acted like that...! Attacking... you? I-... niisan, I wouldn't...!"

 

"I know you wouldn't, but you were something completely different then... anyway, we were fighting, and you had me in this barrier thing, or Aboros - the Sorcerer dude - did, whatever. Then suddenly there was this flash and you and me were trapped in a different barrier, and I was trying to get through to you, but nothing seemed to work... then you spoke, and it was you, and, uh..."

 

Carrot sounded unsure in his silence. Marron turned to glance over his shoulder a little.

 

"Niisan?"

 

"Well, you ran forward, and you like... you kinda kissed me... like, I mean, a proper kiss, tongues and everything..."

 

Marron paled. He'd done that?!

 

"N-niisan!!"

 

Carrot looked embarrassed, waving his hand, causing foam to flick forward.

 

"No, but I know why you did it and all, I think... 'cause like... when you did that, Aboros, the Sorcerer dude in you, he was kinda like sucked into my body and I went beast form and you and Tira and Chocolat got me to detransform and that was that, it's just, well, yeah, a bit weird, you know? Cause like... I was totally surprised, I didn't know why you kissed me, or anything like that... but it all turned out well in the end, so I know you did it for a reason, ha ha."

 

"Niisan..."

 

"Yeah... it's not like you'd kiss me for any other reason, is it? Anyway, never mind that, you're back to normal and that's all that matters."

 

Marron just stared at the dark water in front of him. He'd... kissed Carrot? Vaguely, somewhere at the back of his mind, he could almost remember... something like that...?

 

Still, Carrot didn't suspect anything, and that was the most important thing. At least there'd been a reason behind it... hadn't there been a voice in his mind telling him Carrot would hate him? Either a voice or his own conscience...

 

The water was disturbed as Carrot leapt forward, throwing his arms around Marron's lower shoulders in a tight hug; Marron almost overbalanced, but managed to reach for the side of the bath in time.

 

"N-niisan!!"

 

"Sorry, sorry, but... I'm just so happy to have my little brother back! For so long there it seemed like it was totally helpless, 'cause you were totally taken over and all, and we thought you were dead and everyone was so sad then we found out you weren't and everyone was happy but then we found out what'd happened and it was just so terrible 'cause we missed you so much, but... now you're back here with me, none of that matters or anything, all that time seems like it was no time at all, 'cause you were gone from us but now you're back..."

 

Marron couldn't escape a slight blush as Carrot nuzzled protectively against the back of his neck. He brought his hand up to where Carrot's hands joined around his chest, wrapping his fingers around Carrot's clasped hand and wrist, smiling quietly.

 

"Niisan... niisan, you don't normally get like this..."

 

Carrot nuzzled for a moment longer then let his head rest against Marron's damp hair.

 

"Yeah, but you don't normally get kidnapped by Sorcerers and all that stuff."

 

"That's true..."

 

"So can't I be a little embarrassing? I love you I love you I love you. Haha, isn't that embarrassing? I'm telling another guy I love him, weird. But it's you, and you're my brother, so that's okay."

 

Marron squeezed Carrot's hands reassuringly.

 

"I know, niisan. I know."

 

"Only 'cause you're my brother. I'm not gay or anything."

 

Marron couldn't help a wry smile, "I know, niisan. I believe you."

 

"Cool. So it's okay to be a little like this, 'cause I'm not gay and you know I'm not gay and even if I was, you're my brother. Mm."

 

Marron frowned, trying to turn his head to look at Carrot, but due to having Carrot's head pressed against the back of his neck, he wasn't able to.

 

"Niisan, you don't have to explain everything, you're getting agitated."

 

Carrot pulled away from Marron, leaning back against the side of the bath, remaining quiet until Marron rested next to him in the water, alert and waiting for Carrot to continue.

 

Carrot shook his head, looking at the water, smiling sadly.

 

"It's kinda sad that Celery died, though."

 

"Niisan?"

 

Carrot looked up at the ceiling.

 

"Yeah... before he, y'know, went, me and him talked pretty well... of course, before that we'd fought like hell, and that first time he tried to kill me and all... but meeting him outside of battle, I dunno. He was actually a decent person, which is more than could be said for that bastard brother of his..."

 

Marron thought this over, surprised to hear his brother speaking so fondly of a Sorcerer, especially one such as Celery...

 

"Perhaps Radish was also agreeable outside of battle... did you ever talk to him easily?"

 

"No, but he did some real brutal crap. I mean, he blew up towns and villages for the hell of it, he had absolutely no regard for human life... sheesh, Celery loved him more than anyone else, and even he agreed that Radish was a little hellion. Ugh, thinking about the things that bastard did makes me feel all angry inside just thinking about 'em, and he's dead already..."

 

Marron just watched Carrot quietly; Carrot seemed so passionate suddenly. The destruction Radish had caused was indeed unforgivable, but the edge on Carrot's voice seemed to suggest something more... Marron shifted his head, his calm eyes questioning as much as his voice did.

 

"Niisan?"

 

Carrot looked up.

 

"What is it?"

 

Marron shook his head, "Perhaps it's nothing... when you talk about Radish like that, there's something in your voice... you don't normally talk with quite that deep feeling. You're angry at him for more than killing, niisan."

 

Carrot nodded with a rueful smile, "You read me too well, Marron. Why do you think I'm angry with him, though? I don't even wanna imagine the things you and him mighta done... it was no secret he wanted into your trousers, anyway. And he was manipulating your mind all over the place, so-"

 

"No, niisan."

 

Marron's voice was abruptly sharp... Carrot didn't quite understand Marron's motivation.

 

"Marron?"

 

Marron didn't try to hide his glare, or soften it any for his brother's sake.

 

"Just no."

 

Carrot blinked; obviously he remembered nothing. Just for a moment, Marron seemed... angry, almost. As if he was shocked that Carrot could even dare to suggest such a thing... Carrot held Marron's glare for a few moments then looked away, closing his eyes.

 

"... Sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad..."

 

That time, Marron's glare softened.

 

"I'm not angry, niisan... just don't suggest that... that..."

 

"That you'd have that kind of relationship without even knowing about it? As I said, he had your mind in his hands almost literally, it's not like you coulda said 'I'm not gay' or anything, 'cause he woulda made you gay anyway... not that I'm saying you are gay or anything, but, uh... um... well, yeah... nevermind."

 

Carrot stretched his arms into the air, sounding lofty as he spoke.

 

"Still, however angry it makes me that Radish mighta been touching you, woulda made Gateau even angrier..."

 

Marron averted his eyes, "He seems to... have a fondness for me, it's true..."

 

Carrot eyed Marron, wondering how much to say.

 

"... A fondness?... Y-yeah, something like that. Actually, he just wasn't the same while you were gone..."

 

Marron's face broke in a smile, "I suppose he missed having someone to flex and pose for..."

 

Carrot laughed softly, "Perhaps. No, but... apart from that. He was, uh... he was really broken up that you were gone and all, he musta been the most broken up out of everybody, when we thought you were dead me and him'd just stay up and talk, totally broken..."

 

"Gateau was the most upset, niisan?"

 

Something in Marron's tone said 'And what about you?'... Carrot coughed, nodding.

 

"Well... he was upset, Tira was upset, Chocolat was upset, Dota was upset, everyone was upset..."

 

"You were upset?"

 

A moment's pause, then Carrot's nod.

 

"Yeah, I was upset. I guess I can't say who was most upset or whatever, 'cause I didn't see a whole lot of the others... after the second time we saw you I wanted to go straight back out here and come find you... I found Celery instead, but still..."

 

"You tried, niisan. That's the most important thing."

 

Carrot looked up again; the warmth in Marron's voice, in his calm smile... things Carrot hadn't seen for so long, things that he'd missed so terribly... his eyes narrowed, he shook his head.

 

"Yeah, well, it might be the most important thing, but I still never managed to rescue you, did I? If it'd been me, you woulda done anything and everything you could and probably tried some things you knew you couldn't, just to get me back... and... I tried too, but, in the end, I... I just wasn't good enough..."

 

Marron's look switched to one of concern.

 

"Nii-niisan?! You can't say that...!"

 

"Yeah, well, what if Radish had done stuff to you? I wouldn'ta been able to stop him, would I? It just bites me, all the things he mighta done that I had no control over... or things I didn't even know about..."

 

"Niisan, I wouldn't-"

 

"How do you know you wouldn't? You don't even remember anything that happened!"

 

They just stared at each other; Marron blinked his surprise at Carrot's outburst; Carrot deflated somewhat under the gaze of that shock. He shook his head.

 

"S-sorry. It just makes me so mad..."

 

Carrot jumped up a fraction and reached to the soap that lay on the floor of the room, across from where the bath was. Carrot rubbed it between his fingers under the water for a few moments, letting it lather up, letting the lather float away... he stepped a little closer to Marron, soapy hands on his little brother's shoulders.

 

"... Where might he have touched you, otouto?"

 

Carrot's finger left a line of foam over Marron's upper lip.

 

"... There?"

 

Carrot's hand cupped over Marron's cheek, leaving it's imprint in foam there also.

 

"... Or there, perhaps..."

 

Smoothly, his hand slid down to Marron's neck, fingers pressing gently, as if massaging again. Marron remained motionless, saying nothing to Carrot's quiet questioning. Carrot's hands remained against Marron's neck for a few moments, before Carrot pulled Marron close, surprising him.

 

"Niisan?"

 

"I just wanna make sure you're always alright, Marron...! I don't like to think that people might be doing things to you that you wouldn't like, or anything... and if anyone ever tried to really hurt you, I'd like to think that, well, y'know, I'd be able to protect you... even if I don't know if I could, I'd at least want to try... even if it wasn't enough..."

 

Carrot's head was against Marron's shoulder, pressing against his neck. Marron's eyes flickered in Carrot's direction, but were unable to take his gaze.

 

"Niisan...?"

 

"I- I'm sorry if I've not been that good a big brother... but... you're special to me, more than anybody else you're special to me, 'cause no-one can replace or even try to replace what you are to me, right?"

 

Marron closed his eyes.

 

"Niisan, I don't know what you're trying to say to me..."

 

Carrot pulled away again, just a little. His hands were still against Marron's shoulders, and he could feel Marron's hair in the water, floating next to his skin. Just staring at Marron, Carrot shook his head slightly.

 

"I... I don't know either..."

 

Marron's eyes dipped to the water, expecting Carrot to move away after that... but he didn't. Looking back up, Carrot's gaze was still as intense as it'd been... perhaps Marron found it easy to read Carrot, but at that moment, he couldn't. What was that in his eyes? That deep, serious stare... Carrot's hands on his shoulders... he wasn't speaking, and he wasn't moving, he was only staring. Staring at Marron. Was he waiting for something? Was there something he expected Marron to do? Marron remained frozen, hardly even daring to guess just what Carrot might have been silently asking of him...

 

To protect him that anyone that might hurt him, that was Carrot's deepest reason. Radish had hurt him, though. Radish had hurt him, Radish had - as far as Carrot knew - taken Marron's virginity, and even if that perhaps didn't count since Marron couldn't remember anything of it, that wasn't the point. Physically, Marron had been taken, taken against his will... but... with him looking into Carrot's eyes, those eyes that perhaps didn't seem so big as they'd been in childhood... but still so expressive... that seemed so unimaginable, so far away. In the bath like that, Carrot wanted to cleanse Marron of all possible traces of Radish that might remain on his skin, on his body... light fingerwidth bruises seemed to stain Marron's pale skin, where did they come from? Were they from Radish?

 

Either way, they were caused by a touch that came much too roughly, and that was what Carrot wanted to protect against. Just as long as Marron was always alright, just as long as his life was as happy as it was possible to be... just as long as... just as long as he could always be protected, Carrot wanted to protect.

 

He didn't know what part of 'protect' involved him staring into Marron's eyes so deeply, though. Transfixed by his brother's stare, Marron transfixed by the same, it was as if neither wanted to move, not daring to want to go just a little further, just to see what would happen, just in case...

 

Carrot still didn't blame Radish for wanting Marron, though. His body felt light and his mind felt lighter, why wouldn't anybody want Marron? He was so beautiful, after all... so beautiful and so graceful, and so kind... so kind, so caring, so loving, so warm... even if he didn't choose to show all of that all of the time, those moments when he was like that were the most wonderful... and... everything about him was like nothing else on the planet, who else could have anything as much or as wonderfully as Marron had it?

 

Carrot still felt lightheaded as he leant forward, just a fraction. Carrot wasn't sure what the feeling was, but to his mind, Marron's lips seemed like they needed the contact... and there was that time before... wasn't there? That time when Marron had kissed him... but before that, how many times had Radish kissed him? Perhaps soap and water wouldn't be enough to cleanse those lips, perhaps it'd only take the lips of another to remove those traces... and what other lips were there? Gateau's lips? No doubt he'd be willing, but...

 

A slight tremble of jealousy ran through Carrot's lower stomach. No doubt Gateau'd be willing, but... Gateau, and his little brother... Marron... who he wanted to protect... Carrot suspected that, despite such things as the Primetown incident, Gateau'd rather bite a vital limb off his body than risk hurting Marron. But even so.

 

Marron didn't move, letting Carrot move that tiny bit closer, letting him stay there.

 

Nothing in Carrot's eyes seemed to object, though... so... even if they were both unsure, then... it didn't matter, because that unsure feeling... it was a shared emotion, wasn't it? So a shared touch would be just as unsure.

 

Carrot noticed Marron's head lift, just slightly. Move a little closer. A little more. Nervous, but... he couldn't help but respond in kind. Even their bodies seemed closer now... it was like the sweetest eternity they could imagine, the nervous feeling would be rewarded, and... they wouldn't mind, would they? Even if it was so deeply wrong, Radish and Celery hadn't had any scruples when it came to such behaviour... they were also so deeply wrong, but their love couldn't be doubted, so... perhaps it wouldn't be quite so unforgivable... if...

 

Marron could feel Carrot's breath against his lips, and both could feel their heartbeats against each other.

 

Their bodies. Their skin. So warm... so hot... their bodies seemed to burn, almost... burn with... a fire that burnt... for each other?

 

For Carrot, if it was for Marron... feeling like that... couldn't it just be natural?

 

For Marron, those feelings for Carrot... those feelings were inescapable, and to him, they were natural.

 

The feelings were inescapable, and as Carrot wrapped his arms around Marron's neck and shoulders and closed the distance between them, the embrace was inescapable also.

 

They kissed, and they didn't stop. When Carrot moved away, his eyes opening, they were met by Marron's hazy stare, and his lips were met by Marron's, more sure than they'd been before. Wordlessly they continued. What words could express how they felt? Could they even express how they felt?

 

At that point, the door to the bathroom had swung open, the movement in the corner of Carrot's eye and the noise of the wood hitting against the wall had caused him to leap backwards suddenly with a "WAAAAGH!"

 

Marron looked quickly to the door, his blush feeling as if it'd burnt in to his face, his hand gently touching against his chest. His heartbeat seemed to hammer so...

 

Gateau just blinked at the two of them, holding towels.

 

"Uh, sorry if I disturbed anything..."

 

Carrot shook his head rapidly.

 

"Nononononono, nothing nothing like that HA HA HA you see Marron thought he had something in his eye so I was like, close to him 'cause I was looking in his eye and I couldn't really see anything then then we were there and I thought I saw a spider floating by and so I leapt back just then and it just happened that you walked in when I saw the spider so it's not as if we were doing anything strange HA HA no way."

 

Gateau walked closer, dropping the towels in front of him, a little closer to the bath.

 

"And since when were you scared of spiders, Carrot? Anyway, just thought I'd tell you that, any time you wanted to come down and see where we buried those Sorcerers, you can. Me and Milphey and Hazelnut were just doing that. Well, me and Hazelnut, Milphey just kinda stood by and watched, but anyway."

 

Carrot raised an eyebrow, "Hazelnut's here?"

 

"Yeah, apparently Big Mama sent him. Something about how it'd be better if those two were sealed away, rather than, ya know, leaving their bodies to be dug up by anyone who comes along. Necromancers can even do stuff with skulls and bones these days, so I hear... and would you want those two being resurrected? Anyway, come down and say hi to Hazelnut, he's waiting for ya. I brought towels."

 

Marron glanced at Carrot and then at Gateau.

 

"Who's Hazelnut?"

 

Gateau nodded, "Oh yeah, you wouldn't know, would you... he's a descendent of the dude who sealed away most of the magic Radish and Celery managed to unleash. Radish and Celery stole his barrier sealy magic stuff, so we brought Hazelnut along one of the times we met those Sorcerers, and he managed to get his magic back."

"I see..."

"Mmm. Oh yeah, and Milphey said Kahlua said - I'm the messenger today, you see - that Marron might take a while to really get over what the Farra Kinju did... so... just wondering, and all... you feeling okay, Marron?"

 

Marron nodded, "As well as I've ever been, I think."

 

"Well, that's good. Mentioned something about nightmares, though."

 

Gateau's face was overtaken by a wide grin, something Carrot hadn't seen in a while, something that relived him. Gateau seemed back to normal.

 

"Still, if you have scary dreams, you can sleep with me any time you want, I'll protect ya from 'em!"

 

Marron laughed, slightly nervously, "I'm sure I'll be fine, Gateau."

 

Gateau winked, "I know you will. Well, anyway, you two get dressed and stuff, we'll be waiting downstairs. Seeya then. Oh yeah, Carrot? Hazelnut brought that wife of his along, so if you're gonna drool all over her again, try and be a bit discreet, I don't think Hazelnut's someone to piss off."

 

With that, Gateau left.

 

Carrot looked quietly thoughtful, "He brought Olive along? Hmm..."

 

Marron looked shy for a few moments, "Nii... niisan..."

 

Carrot turned to face Marron again, "Mm?"

 

"... what... just happened there, I... um..."

 

He seemed unable to finish his sentence. Carrot smiled warmly, "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, otouto... don't worry about it, let's go down and see the stuff Gateau was on about."

 

Carrot was already getting out of the bath. Marron shook his head, "Not uncomfortable..."

 

"Marron?"

 

Marron looked up; Carrot was questioning him... he looked down again.

 

"I-it doesn't matter. Come on, let's go."

 

The two were quiet as they towelled themselves down. Carrot smirked at Marron.

 

"Never could lie convincingly, could you?"

 

"Nii-niisan?!"

 

"We can talk about it later. Hey, but... you having nightmares, huh? Usually it's me with the nightmares. You think you'd let Gateau 'protect' you from your dreams?"

 

"Ah..."

 

Carrot punched Marron's shoulder lightly, good-naturedly.

 

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't do anything you don't want him to. How about I protect you from your dreams? Would you rather I did that?"

 

"Niisan, you don't have to..."

 

"I don't have to do anything, but I want to, okay? Just say yes."

"Well, ah... alright, niisan."

 

Carrot smiled warmly, "Close enough."

 

****

 

A little later on, the group stood outside on the lawn, joined by Milphey, Hazelnut, and Olive. Marron clad once more in his usual white robes, looking as if nothing untoward had happened at all. They stood in the middle of the lawn, looking over to the glade on the rightmost side of the garden, where the apple trees grew... the last dying rays of the sun shone through the trees, causing dappled light to dance over the two graves there.

 

Gateau folded his arms.

 

"Big Mama said we could come back later and put gravestones in. That is, if anyone wants to..."

 

Carrot nodded, "I'd like to."

 

"Carrot, what is it with you and those Sorcerers? I thought you hated their guts and everything! I mean, they did kidnap Marron, and all..."

 

Carrot took a few steps away from the group, shaking his head.

 

"Hating them... yeah, I guess I did hate them. Even now I hate Radish, but... Celery was okay, in the end. Just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, really... or with the wrong person, at least. He coulda had a happy life if he hadn't been with Radish, but..."

 

He fell silent. Chocolat took a sip from the cup of water she was carrying, then prompted him.

 

"But what, Darling?"

 

"But... I don't know. He woulda been better off without Radish, I guess... but he wouldn'ta wanted that. Even if it was the best thing for him, even if it made his life better, it wouldn'ta made him happy... I guess this is the only way it coulda been, really."

 

Carrot looked up at the dusky sky.

 

"I wonder if they're together again, wherever they are..."

 

Hazelnut laughed quietly.

 

"You're much too soft, Carrot. Sorcerers are Sorcerers, are they not? So many of them seem to exist only for the punishment of the Parsoners..."

 

Tira tucked her sleeves together, "Well, not all Sorcerers are bad. Radish was evil, but if Carrot says that Celery was a nice person... even if I only ever fought with him, then... I believe Carrot."

 

Marron's voice was quiet, "I never knew either of them..."

 

Gateau walked over to Marron, elbowing him gently.

 

"Oh yes you did, you little liar..."

 

"Ga-Gateau!"

 

Gateau smiled, "Kidding, kidding. It's weird... I guess you knew them better than anybody else here, but you can't remember anything about them... kinda sad, in a way. I guess no-one else knew them either, them being all solitary like that... so they died a mystery, really. Mysterious siblings."

 

Carrot walked back over to the group, "You've got that right. I talked with Celery for quite some time and I still don't know if I understand what those two were all about. Definitely mysterious, if nothing else. Still... they loved each other, that we do know..."

 

Milphey sighed loftily, "Aa-aah, a mysterious destructive love between two siblings. I was right after all, it is quite romantic. Someone remind me to tell that to Sirius once we get back to Eden."

 

Chocolat almost choked on her drink, Tira patting her quickly on the back to help.

 

"GA-HA-AK, Milphey, what are you on about?! Romantic love between siblings?!?"

 

Milphey chuckled warmly, "Oh, indeed. Sirius and I had quite the discussion while Carrot-chan was in Qerada, we spoke about how deep such a relationship was, and such a situation... the beloved younger brother in the grip of a terrible Sorcerer... the older brother, driven by grief and determination, wanting only to find his younger brother and be by his side once more... and he'd do anything to achieve that goal... come on, admit it, it's romantic."

 

Chocolat's brow twitched, not noticing Carrot and Marron's shocked stares at Milphey. They glanced at each other, then at Milphey again. Chocolat just shook her head.

 

"That's not romantic, that's depraved! That's just weeeeird!"

 

Milphey wagged one finger, "Ah-ah, but if it was anybody else, it'd be romantic, wouldn't it? Say... a certain redheaded Sorcerer Hunter and her Darling, her Darling in the hands of somebody else, and she'd do anything to bring him back... isn't that a romantic scenario?"

 

Chocolat fell into blushes and giggles, "Oh oh oh, then she'd rescue him from his captor, defeating them bravely... and he'd be so thankful... 'Oh, Chocolat' he'd say... and she'd go 'Oh Darling!'... and... he'd realise just how much he loved the redheaded Sorcerer Hunter, and he wouldn't be able to hold back any longer, and he'd leap on her and take her right there, 'How long I have waited for this moment!'... 'Ahhn, ahhn, Darling, me too, meeee tooo!! AHN..'... ahhn... oh, Darling, YES..."

 

Tira edged towards Olive.

 

"Ah... is your sister alright?"

 

"She'll be alright soon, she just... gets like this sometimes, that's all."

 

Milphey laughed, "So it IS a romantic love, Chocolat-chan?"

 

"NOT BETWEEN BROTHERS! That's just weird!"

 

Milphey stepped over to behind Carrot and Marron, throwing his arms around their shoulders.

 

"Well, I think it's cute, in any case. You cute lil siblings, you~"

 

Both Glacé brothers just blushed deeply. Milphey glanced from Carrot, to Marron, back to Carrot. He shook him with the hand he'd glomped with.

 

"Né, Carrot-chan, you've gone all red. You're supposed to hit me away round about now."

 

"I'm too embarrassed to move at the moment, I'll do that in a moment."

 

"Oooh, so what if I kissed you?"

 

Carrot broke away from Milphey's hold, "NO!"

 

Milphey remained with his arm around Marron, "And if I kissed Marron-chan?"

 

"Don't do that either! Jeez, he's already been through enough without you pawing all over him!"

 

Milphey jumped away from Marron, smiling.

 

"I'm only teasing, Carrot-chan."

 

Carrot sighed, "I know, I know..."

 

Hazelnut smiled at the others, "It's getting dark... perhaps we should go back inside before it gets too cold. And, ah... Olive had a suggestion... dearest?"

 

Hazelnut motioned to Olive, who nodded, talking quietly.

 

"We realise how much of a struggle it must have been to fight those Sorcerers..."

 

Gateau muttered, "And in the end they killed each other anyway..."

 

"... but... ah... yes, but... we thought it might be a bit nice to have something of a celebratory dinner, or something... just now that you've finished that mission..."

 

She seemed a little embarrassed. Hazelnut nodded, "Actually, while we were in Eden, the girl with the wings suggested that perhaps we should do something nice. While we're all in the area, after all... after we leave, I doubt this area will be visited again, by anybody. The outer terrain has become quite, quite treacherous... but that doesn't matter. My wife and I are capable at cooking, so... if we may?"

 

Tira nodded happily, "That'd be wonderful, thank you!"

 

Olive smiled back, "We'd be glad."

 

With that, Hazelnut and Olive headed back towards the house, and the open kitchen door. Olive was followed by Chocolat, who hung off her elbow, asking for tips on making perfect romantic meals. Her questions were audible by the others, who just smiled.

 

Tira sighed, looking content.

 

"Oneesama... she gets so excitable. Ah, but Hazelnut had the right idea... it is a little cold out here, don't you think? Maybe it'd be a better idea to get indoors."

 

Gateau agreed, "Mmm. Couldn't help but notice the fireplaces around, so while you guys were out cold," Gateau turned to face Marron and Carrot, "I went and got some firewood. Just 'cause, you know. I'll go start that now, in fact. A big roaring fire would be nice to sit in front of, I think."

 

Tira and Gateau were followed inside by Milphey, who stopped as he reached the edge of the garden, turning to address the Glacé brothers.

 

"Won't you two come inside, too? I said it before, I'll say it again, I don't want Carrot-chan catching cold! You'll sneeze everywhere, and Marron-chan might catch it too."

 

Carrot called over, "Okay, okay, I'll be in in a minute... I just wanna stay out here a little longer."

 

Milphey nodded, "Well, okay... Marron, you make sure Carrot's warm enough! Give him a hug, or something. He probably won't try and escape from you."

 

Carrot went to say something in his defence, but Milphey's wink showed that he was just joking, after all. He joined the others inside, and closed the door a fraction behind him, the noise seeming loud in the suddenly quiet air.

 

Carrot let out a deep breath, the air in front of him misting slightly as he did so. Marron watched as Carrot walked over to the two graves, and dropped to one knee in front of them. Marron walked over, standing by his brother's side, looking down at him.

 

"... Niisan?"

 

Carrot leant down on one fist, indicating to the two graves.

 

"They were having sex, y'know."

 

Marron frowned, "Niisan?"

 

Carrot looked up, nodding.

 

"Yeah. Pretty weird, huh? Two brothers, y'know, having sex... really weird. But they did at least love each other, or Celery loved Radish, got no idea how Radish felt about Celery."

 

Carrot stood up.

 

"I guess it was okay for them because it was all they knew, growing up alone, all of that..."

 

Marron had a quiet warmth in his voice, tucking his hands into his robesleeves to ward off the cold as he did so.

 

"It's interesting to hear you talk so openly about something like that, niisan. Isn't that wrong, don't you think? Don't you find it disgusting?"

 

Marron didn't sound disgusted himself; he seemed genuinely curious as to Carrot's opinions.

 

Carrot sighed, crossing his hands behind his head.

 

"Well, yeah... I mean, stuff like that, it is wrong, isn't it? I don't know, though... when I talked about it with Celery, he was just so frank about it all, he wasn't ashamed to admit that he was screwing his brother, or that Radish was screwing him... 'cause... it was just... 'cause Radish was who he loved most out of anybody in the world, it was okay. He loved him as a brother, and he loved him as more, I guess..."

 

"He didn't see him as somebody related to him, he just saw him as somebody to love..."

 

Carrot thought about this, wrinkling his nose.

 

"I dunno about that. Would they have had that relationship if they hadn'ta been brothers? Celery woulda been dead after a few years if he hadn't been related to Radish. But I guess you're right, they were brothers, but Celery saw more than that."

 

They fell silent. Carrot laughed quietly, "We're getting all deep. Still, even we did a little of this and that when we were younger... we didn't know better, or anything... and those two never knew there was a better to know, so I guess they just carried on..."

 

"Indeed, niisan..."

 

Marron seemed quite quiet on the subject. Carrot turned to face him, looking at him carefully.

 

Was Marron somebody who was only a brother? Of course Carrot loved him as a brother, but... looking at him like that, seeing him after what felt like so long and no time at all at once... it was almost as if Carrot was looking at a different person. The Marron he'd seen who'd been held by the magic, the Marron who'd cried so angrily that he didn't have a brother... that Marron was gone and could be forgotten. Or at least pushed away, that Marron didn't have to be thought about.

 

No, this Marron... this Marron was the true Marron. Carrot couldn't help feeling confused, though. Marron had always been like that, but... as Marron's stare was taken by the graves in front of them, Carrot couldn't help but wonder... the way his eyes seemed so taken by what he looked at... the way his hair fell, the way the wind caressed it... had Marron always had that wonderfully calm aura? Whatever it was that made Carrot blush so faintly just for looking at him, had Marron always had that? His eyes had always been deep and beautiful, but they seemed so mysterious... like somebody could easily lose themselves in them. Carrot wondered if he wanted to lose himself in Marron's eyes. And earlier, they'd kissed... even if that'd been spur-of-the-moment, neither had argued against the action... and indeed, what might have happened had they not been disturbed by Gateau?

 

Carrot looked away from Marron. No, he wasn't having such thoughts about his brother, surely?! Marron, his brother, someone he loved as his brother, only as his brother...

 

... But was it okay if perhaps he liked him a little more than that?

 

Carrot looked back up again.

 

Had Marron had sex with Radish? That also made Carrot feel strange. Had Marron had sex with anybody? Carrot didn't know. If he had, though...

 

It felt strange to be jealous of his brother's possible sexual escapades. Weird to think that other people might have touched him like that. Carrot couldn't imagine Marron like that at all, he was always so cool and calm (when he wasn't angry)... Carrot heard Celery's voice echoing in his mind, "However, people's thoughts and feelings can sometimes run deeper than you'd think, and though Marron seems pure... perhaps it's just that. Maybe he only seems pure."

 

Carrot's mind resided in the gutter more than he felt he'd readily admit to people, but Marron... did he have thoughts like that? At all? What did his brother fantasize about?

 

It seemed suddenly so complicated and inaccessible. Marron wasn't somebody to think like that about, but Carrot couldn't help it, Carrot just felt so curious all of a sudden... someone so beautiful as Marron... what did he think about? Radish had wanted him, and Radish was another guy... was Marron gay? Did Marron think of girls, at all? Or did he think of people like Gateau, or Milphey?

 

Did Marron only seem to be pure?

 

Carrot snapped out of his thoughts when Marron's smile was directed at him suddenly.

 

"Niisan, you've gone quiet."

 

"U-un... h-hey, Marron... um..."

 

"Niisan?"

 

"Celery seemed a really sensible guy, but he was totally clouded by the obsessive love he had for his

brother... um..."

 

Marron just blinked.

 

"... you know how you like me a lot, and all... 'cause like, you'd always risk everything, and everything, and, um... jeez, I don't know, but... uh... do you think you'd ever, um, think of, oh, I don't know, say, um, me... as like... more than... a brother? I-Imeannotthatyouwouldoranything... uh... jeez, sorry, I don't know what I'm saying, I'm just... um... well... d'ya think that... maybe...?"

 

Marron's eyebrow was raised. He stared at Carrot for a few long moments, then looked back at the two graves.

 

"It would seem that those brothers gave you a lot to think about, niisan."

 

"Y-yeah, but... I don't know, maybe it's just 'cause it's night or 'cause I missed you so much or I don't know, but... you look kinda different tonight... almost like you're someone different, even though I know who you are..."

 

"Niisan?"

 

Carrot shook his head, "I don't know what to say. Jeez... why can't it be as easy as when we were kids? Like when you'd get scared and want me to hold you, and you wouldn't hesitate to crawl into my bed, and I wouldn't hesitate to let you, either... when did we stop doing that, Marron? When did we stop all of that, holding hands, being like that?"

 

Marron's smile was wistful.

 

"We grew up, niisan. We're not children anymore."

 

Carrot grabbed Marron's hand, "Who says only children can do that, though? And if that's all childish behaviour, what about the time when you were almost crying 'cause you were hard and didn't know what to do about it? Is that childish behaviour too? I touched you like that, Marron! That's not just innocent, is it?"

Marron bit his lip, blushing.

 

"Niisan... the way we were, we were innocent, even if perhaps what we did, wasn't..."

 

"Look, um, one of the times we battled with those Sorcerers, Celery was trying to piss me off, and he said that you had, um, sexual feelings for me, and... I didn't really believe him, just thought he was saying stuff to piss me off... and, uh, later on, when we were more friendly, Celery said Radish managed to turn you evil 'cause Radish got hold of forbidden desires or something, and it confused me for ages, 'cause what kind of forbidden desires would you have? You just don't seem the kind to have any forbidden desires or anything, what kind of forbidden things would my little brother dream about?"

 

Marron was speechless.

 

Carrot held his silent stare for a few moments, then sighed.

 

"... You don't have to say anything, but, um... if there was anything you wanted to talk about, anything at all, then I wouldn't mind, even if it was something like that, I wouldn't mind..."

 

Carrot squeezed Marron's hand where he still held it.

 

"... I wouldn't mind at all."

 

Carrot felt Marron's hand move against his own; he wondered if Marron was going to pull his hand away, become angry for those kinds of accusations... Carrot felt relief flood his body when Marron turned his hand to clasp between Carrot's fingers. Marron's tight hold... Marron's face looked calm enough, but he seemed almost scared to let go of Carrot's hand, such was his grip... that said enough to Carrot's mind. He smiled, and stepped closer.

 

"I meant it when I said that I don't think I say it enough."

 

"... 'It', niisan?"

 

Carrot nodded.

 

"Mmn. That I love you. I should say it every day, 'cause I do. Love you, I mean. You're brilliant."

 

"I... I love you also, niisan. Ah, but you knew that..."

 

Carrot nodded happily, "Yep."

 

The silence that followed was warm, both Marron and Carrot content just to stay with each other, stood there like that, hands held.

 

Carrot wrinkled his nose.

 

"I hope they are together, wherever they are. Even if Radish was a conniving little bastard, it's at least what Celery woulda wanted."

 

"I think wherever they are, they're together. In life, they were together, were they not? We found their bodies together... and here, now we've buried them, we buried them together. Even in death, they're together. People's memories of them, that which they remember, will always be of them together. You remember how Celery felt about Radish, and their feelings... everything was together, I think that... their souls can only be together, too."

 

Carrot laughed quietly, "Milphey was right, it is a bit romantic. Weird to think of all the magic they had, though... just gone like that, now that they're gone too... Aboros did a weird thing where he could like... get magic from the atmosphere, but he was just a tricky bastard, it'd be like him to do something like that. Besides, it was more the energy than the spells that he was using."

 

"I wonder how much magic those brothers massed between them..."

 

"Man, I dread to think. I guess all that magic's gone now, though? 'Cause they died, and everything."

 

Carrot pulled Marron over towards the middle of the garden as he spoke.

 

"I believe so, niisan. Base energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed... all of the magic they owned is purer now. It was transformed too."

 

Carrot threw his head back, looking up at the now starry sky.

 

"So it's all up there?"

 

Marron looked up also.

 

"If that's where magic goes, then... yes."

 

"All around us... that's kinda cool."

 

He reached up to the sky.

 

"You can't even touch it, but it's all there... kinda like... all that they worked for, their life... it's all up there. Kinda weird. Kinda cool. Kinda makes me wonder why people bother with sealing magic away at all when they could just destroy it."

 

Marron looked back down at Carrot, amused to see Carrot so fascinated with the starry night sky.

 

"Well, much of the Kinju in this world that is sealed was sealed by those who created it... sealed away in order for it to live on, sealed away so that it doesn't die. As I mentioned, energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed... we work to locate and destroy Kinju, do we not? Not everybody has a brother who can absorb magic and transform it into something else. Magic is not an easy thing to destroy. And also there's the matter of magic that's passed down through families, hereditary magic... it-"

 

Carrot laughed, "Okay, okay, I get the idea, I don't need a magic lesson, that's your area of expertise."

 

Marron looked embarrassed, "I... apologize, niisan."

 

"Nah, you don't need to."

 

Carrot folded his arms around his body, shivering slightly.

 

"Ah, but if their souls are together and their magic is flying all around together all around us all the time, I guess that's happy, even if they died. I mean, if they stayed alive, it would only cause problems, wouldn't it? What with all that magic being concentrated inside their bodies... I mean, how much magic can someone's body hold? You summon stuff from... somewhere, I dunno, is that from inside you? I just get touched by magic and I go psycho."

 

Marron's turn to laugh, "I don't think there's anywhere physically inside me that stores fire, ice, lightening, or indeed little vicious animals ready to be sent into battle. The place where magic comes from, it..."

 

Marron trailed off.

 

"... it's complicated."

 

"Something Kahlua'd know more about than us, I guess. Yeah, but... that whole thing, where does magic come from... it's kinda like 'where do we go when we die', I guess, in a way. One of those big questions. Where do we go when we die? Where exactly in this world does magic come from? Will it ever all just go away? Will magic all go away, will life ever go away? Will we have any say in the matter? How would we know if we did or not? How do Tira and Chocolat transform to something so different so quickly like that, anyway?"

 

Marron looked amused, "Tira and Chocolat are part of life's big questions?"

"Don't say you've never wondered about it, 'cause you'd be lying and we both know it."

 

"That's true, that's true. How long have we known them now?"

 

"Oh, too long, otouto. Too long. I guess it's one of those things we're just not supposed to know. Maybe it's a girl thing. It's like you, though."

 

Carrot leant forward and reached into one of Marron's pockets, and brought out an ofuda.

 

"Ah, niisan! Be careful-!"

 

Carrot ran over to the edge of the garden that faced the river.

 

"See, when I hold it," Carrot waved the ofuda up and down, it flickered in the breeze. "... it's just a bit of paper. And if I throw it..."

 

He attempted a battle stance, and threw it with a flick of his wrist. It flew awkwardly, waved into the air above Carrot, then slid neatly down to the river, where it exploded quite spectacularly as it hit the water. Marron stood next to Carrot by this point, both just watched with quiet captivation.

 

"That was interesting, I've not seen an ofuda behave like that before."

 

"Yeah, 'cause it's not normally me throwing them. See, that's what I mean, it's a you thing. And me turning into a beast is a me thing. And Tira and Chocolat turning into rampant dominatrixes is a them thing."

 

"Indeed..."

 

Carrot smiled warmly up at Marron.

 

"... What are we on about?"

 

Marron's smile was also warm.

 

"I'm really not sure anymore, niisan. Musing on life, the universe and the Misu sisters, I think."

 

"And what's that got to do with anything? I think I rambled a bit. Oh, but hey, looks like dinner's ready, anyway... wanna go inside now?"

 

Marron glanced over his shoulder.

 

"It's nice to be out here like this... being with you... talking about things that matter, and things that don't..."

 

He smiled.

 

"... but as much as I don't remember anything of what happened, I also don't remember the last time I ate. Going inside sounds a wonderful idea, niisan."

 

Carrot smirked, throwing his arm around Marron's shoulders.

 

"Let's do that, then. Ah, I wonder when Big Mama'll next send us on a mission... I can't be bothered anymore..."

 

"Oh, I haven't been on a mission for a long time... I'll work twice as hard for you then, niisan."

 

"You don't have to do that!"

 

"You can never be bothered, most of the time I end up doing so anyway."

 

"Good point... sorry about that. I'll work twice as hard for you, then!"

 

And so the Glacé brothers returned to the house, to be chided by the others for being late to the meal, but no-one really minded, not really. The meal was enjoyed, and for the night, the group stayed in the Salt household, taking the opportunity of enjoying being in the large house while they could. Carrot didn't mind sharing a bed with Marron that night, nor did he mind holding his brother's hand while they slept. Marron didn't mind either, he didn't mind his brother's sudden closeness, or when Carrot rolled over in his sleep, ending up resting on Marron whilst he slept, his body so warm, his sleep so peaceful... Marron just held him, feeling more content at that moment than he ever felt he'd done in the past.

 

So maybe he couldn't remember the events of the past weeks. If Carrot's change in behaviour was the end result of those events, Marron felt it didn't matter. In the end, in any case, it'd turned out all for the best, hadn't it? Marron liked to think so, at least.

 

Marron tried to stay awake for as long as possible, relishing that calm feeling, watching Carrot while he slept, feeling his beloved brother's body so close nearby, but... watching Carrot's peaceful sleeping face was a much more powerful sedative to Marron than one might initially believe, Marron found that he couldn't stave sleep away for any longer, found himself falling into a comfortable slumber...

 

And there, eventually, was where that mission ended.

 

 

~*~

~A Brother's Love~

~End~

~*~