Lucas didn't know what to do anymore.
He kept trying to dodge, kept healing when he couldn't dodge fast enough, but Claus just kept coming at him and coming at him- and Claus had always been faster, had always been stronger-
And he didn't seem to see Lucas at all- his eyes were so far away-
Lucas gritted his teeth but didn't cry out as the energy sword bit into his side- began healing even as he stumbled away.
Vaguely, he was aware of their mom's voice, calling to Claus- his brother stopped moving, just briefly, his head tilted slightly to one side- those were the only signs he gave that he heard her at all, before her voice stopped and he came after Lucas again, and the blond boy just barely managed to jump out of the way in time.
Lucas wanted to scream at his brother- wanted to demand why Claus couldn't recognize him when Lucas had always known that Claus was the one hiding beneath that stupid helmet.
Ever since Thunder Tower, Lucas had known that this strange, silent boy-man was his brother… he had just known… the fact that they were the only two who could pull the needles, the fact the Pigmasks couldn't keep them straight, just like the villagers- he knew.
He hadn't been able to talk about it- hadn't even been able to put it into words to himself- but he'd known. That stupid helmet hadn't been able to keep Lucas from recognizing him and the different clothes hadn't even made Lucas pause. The way Claus acted- that had confused Lucas. Why didn't his brother recognize him? Now he knew- Porky had hurt him, hurt him in ways Lucas didn't even understand-
Lucas stepped forward, one hand outstretched-
Claus swung the cannon arm around- Lucas gritted his teeth and healed again.
He hated that stupid helmet- hiding his brother's face like that! He needed to see it- needed to see what was in his brother's eyes.
He didn't believe that his brother's heart was dead. Wounded- bleeding- buried- yeah, it must be. Claus would never act like this if it wasn't. But Lucas couldn't believe that Claus's heart was dead.
Lucas had seen him as he was walking here- wanting to call out, but feeling like fat fingers were squeezing his throat shut- he'd see his brother just crouching there, staring at the needle- waiting for him?- and then he'd turned and faced him.
"Claus…" Mom's voice, again.
"Claus…" repeated Lucas- and then he got mad.
Most of it was at Porky for being such a cruel person, for messing up so many people's lives, for what he did to everybody's lives, but mostly for what he did to Claus and their mom. Part of it was at the Pigmasks for following Porky (the ones who had followed him willing anyway). Maybe some of it was at the villagers too, for changing and turning away from the way things had been, for lying to themselves and lying to them because of it. Maybe it was at Dad for never being there- not when Lucas needed him, not when Claus needed him- maybe some of it was at Claus himself for running away and getting himself captured and brainwashed- maybe it was even at Mom for dieing and leaving them alone. Maybe it was even at the whole world.
Lucas didn't know and he didn't care- all he knew and all he cared about was getting his brother back- and he was going to do that, one way or another.
Mom's voice- it was reaching Claus, but it didn't seem to be changing anything.
Claus lunged forward again, sword in hand.
Lucas dodge rolled out of the way, just in time. "Claus, stop it! it's me- don't you know me?"
Claus moved- but he seemed to be hesitating, just for a moment, just for a second, before bringing up the cannon arm again.
Lucas scrambled to his feet and flung himself at his brother- flung his arms around him- again, that oh-so-slight hesitation (Claus even shook his head for a moment) before Claus knocked him away and sent him sprawling again.
"Lucas!" Mom's voice again.
Lucas had to do something- something to get Claus to wake up- he couldn't keep this up forever, couldn't just keep healing and dodging forever.
Healing-
Something occurred to Lucas- looking at the lightening scorch marks on Claus's cheeks, Lucas got an idea. He jumped to his feet and moved to the side, away from the blasts of the arm cannon, holding out one hand and summoning his PSI. The healing energy surged through him but refused to jump to Claus, refused to acknowledge him as anything but an attacker. Lucas shook it away angrily, trying to think of a way-
Claus lunged at him with the sword- for a moment, they were so close, almost hugging, before the sword bit into him again and knocked him away.
And then Lucas got the second part of his idea. It might work- it'd be risky- but it had to work- Lucas couldn't think of what else to do.
Lucas pushed himself to his feet once more.
He took a deep breath- and tossed his bat away.
The very room seemed to freeze.
Lucas pulled off the Franklin Badge and tossed that away too.
"Lucas?" Duster called, worried and groggy sounding.
We've always been friends, haven't we Duster? You put up with me and Claus even when we wanted to follow you everywhere…
Lucas took a step forward.
Claus pulled his cannon arm up- but didn't fire.
Lucas held up his hands, turned his palms out so Claus could see he wasn't carry any bombs or anything like that- and took another step forward.
"Lucas!"
Kumatora- you know, you were the first person who really expected me to be strong- everyone else already knew that Claus was the strong one…
Another step.
The lights on Claus's cannon arm flashed but he still didn't fire.
Another step. "Look, I don't have any weapons," Lucas said softly, still keeping his hands up.
No response- Claus just kept staring at him.
Lucas took another step forward- closer now, almost close enough-
The lights on the cannon arm sped up.
"Lucas!"
I'm sorry Dad- Claus was the one you were proud of, right? He was the one who wasn't afraid to face anything.
"I can't fight you Claus," Lucas said softly, not looking at anyone but his brother. "I can't, see? I don't have any weapons- I tossed them all away- my equipment too. All I have left is the food- do you want a hamburger?"
Maybe it was just the light, but Lucas thought that Claus actually blinked at that one.
"I don't have any omelets," Lucas said apologetically- hopefully. Just words probably wouldn't bring Claus back- but still, Lucas took another step forward and kept talking. "But you know, I've been working and learning new things- and I've been working on how to cook. My omelets still aren't as good as Mom's, but I think they're pretty good… you know, for a while, I was making omelets every day… I kept hoping that somehow, you'd smell them and follow the scent home."
Lucas took another step forward- Claus was close, so close almost close enough for Lucas to reach out and touch him, almost close enough-
"Claus- we missed you, you know? I missed you- the house was so empty, I felt like it was swallowing me- I felt so awful…but it was worse for you, wasn't it? Dad came back to check on me sometimes, and I had Boney and Grandpa and Mr. Wess- you didn't have anybody, right? I'm sorry- I would have come for you, but I didn't know where to find you- I'd have come for you- I would have- Claus-"
Lucas came to a stop.
Claus was just standing there, just out of reach, the way he'd been for so long- if Lucas reached out, he could touch him- Claus proved this by extending the cannon arm- pushed it against Lucas's chest.
But he still didn't fire.
Quickly taking his chance, Lucas darted forward, avoiding the cannon and throwing his arms around Claus, summoning his PSI and filling his brother's body with healing energy.
Lucas didn't even have time to smile and the healing had barely started before the cannon hit him straight in the middle of him- Lucas didn't have time or air to scream or even grunt- he was just sent flying backwards- collapsing on the ground- his head was ringing and he heard everyone screaming his name, but they sounded so far away and everything felt far away, except there was a touch on his back and he was sure that it was his mom standing there-
But then he heard the faint noise of a trumpet- he felt a tingle, and then his energy started coming back and everything started coming back into focus once again.
Lucas had time to realize that another of the razors and lipsticks had disappeared before he was suddenly yanked upright- found himself looking into Claus's mismatched eyes- but now they were wide and focused on him- they shot up and down, looking all over him- before Lucas was lowered and then dropped the rest of the way- he hit the ground with an "ow!" and looked up to see Claus backing a step away and then another- the mechanical arm transforming back into a cannon as he did so- he was still looking Lucas up and down even as he went back into his battle stance.
Lucas gazed right back at him, noticing with satisfaction that Claus seemed to be completely healed- well, he was completely healed from the lightening damage the Franklin badge had inflected on him earlier- before noticing something else. "Hey Claus, where's that sword you were using before?"
Claus stared at him- then blinked slowly, and then held up his hand and looked at it. Lucas could see the confusion going across his face as he realized that yes, his hand was empty. He spun around and saw it lying on the ground back where they'd been standing before- he quickly rushed over and picked it up.
Lucas sat where he was. "Did you drop it because you were worried about me? Is that why you came over here and picked me up?"
Claus turned around- faced him and got back into the battle stance, both the cannon arm and the sword ready to use- but Lucas thought he could see a trace of uncertainly cross his brother's face.
"You know Claus, that really hurt," Lucas said, beginning to hope that he was finally making some headway. "Whenever you shoot me with the cannon or stab me with the sword or hit me with your PSI or when you dropped me on the floor just now- it really hurts Claus."
He thought he heard Kumatora hiss his name from behind him, but he didn't turn around, didn't dare take his attention off Claus, not when his brother finally seemed to be aware of him, and not just a figure standing in his way.
"…C-C-Claus."
Lucas gasped and started to jump to his feet- his brother's voice had come suddenly, and his name had sounded almost like he was choking on it, and he still looked confused, but his brother had spoken to him and he'd said his own name!
The only thing that kept Lucas from rushing at his brother and hugging him again was the fact that he was still in the battle stance. Still though, he couldn't stop himself from stepping closer- reaching out a hand to Claus- but stopping when he tensed. Lucas didn't move forward anymore, and Claus didn't aim any of the weapons at him either.
"Claus…" Lucas whispered- feeling frozen, wanting to move forward but not wanting to set Claus off again.
"Claus…" repeated Mom's voice- and Lucas could hear the yearning in it, the same yearning he felt (to have his brother back, to heal Claus so that he wouldn't be hurting from what Porky had done to him anymore, but not even PSI worked like that).
The look of confusion came back across his brother's face. "…you… keep calling that. Keep calling…me that?"
"Of course we do Claus! It's your name!"
"Name? My name?" The confusion in Claus's voice hurt as much as any of the attacks- for a moment, Lucas's mind filled itself with images of how to hurt Porky- but then he mentally shook it off. He had more important things to worry about than that stupid jerk.
"Yes, your name. Lucas is my name, and Claus is your name."
"You're brothers," whispered Mom's voice, "you're my sons."
Claus's eyes flickered around the room briefly- like he was trying to figure out where she was- before returning his gaze to Lucas. "Name? My name?" he asked, gesturing to himself with the cannon arm.
"Yes, your name," Lucas repeated, not sure what else to say to get Claus to understand- hopefully, he took another step towards him. Claus didn't even seem to notice, he was thinking so busily, so Lucas moved closer and closer until Claus looked up at him again.
"They told me I didn't have a name."
"They lied to you, Claus," Lucas said, hoping that the anger wasn't leaking through his voice, hoping that he was keeping it hidden, not wanting to confuse Claus further, not wanting him to think that Lucas was mad at him. He took another step forward, and Claus saw this time- slowly, he pointed the cannon arm at him again.
Lucas stopped moving, but he made himself keep smiling st his brother.
"…what- what are you trying to do?" Claus asked, not moving, eyes only focused on him.
"…I'm trying to get you to remember us. I'm trying to help you remember, so that you'll come home with us- home, where we belong, both of us."
"Home?" Claus repeated, and Lucas nodded, stepping closer. Claus's only reaction was to scowl halfheartedly at his movement and step closer, matching him step by step.
"Yes, home. I know they lied to you Claus- I know they confused you and hurt you really bad- but you do have a home, and you do have a name, and you do have a family, and that's us. We're your family Claus."
Claus's mouth shaped the word 'family' silently- Lucas stepped closer, close enough that if he reached out he could touch his brother- Claus reached out the cannon arm and prodded Lucas with it. Lucas stood still, letting him. After a minute of prodding him, Claus pulled back, only slightly, only to gaze at Lucas again- and then he pulled up the cannon arm and hit Lucas on the shoulder with it. It didn't hurt much, not like the attacks Claus had been using before- it only throbbed for a couple of minutes.
"Ow," Lucas said automatically, "what was that for Claus?"
"…you're not fighting me."
"Nope. I'm not fighting you, and I'm not going to fight you. That's why I threw all my weapons away. I also healed you before, see?" Lucas slowly raised one hand and pointed at his brother's face even as he spoke.
Claus stared at him, then shut off the sword, even as he kept the cannon arm trained in Lucas's direction and felt his face with his still-human hand. Claus's head dropped slightly, thinking deeply again, and Lucas waited a minute or so, letting him think, before speaking again.
"Hey Claus, what are you trying to do?" Lucas asked softly.
Silence- silence for long enough that Lucas thought he wasn't going to answer-
"His orders- his orders were to pull the Needles."
The words were so softly spoken, for a moment, Lucas wondered if he'd just imagined them- but the others gasped, so he knew they heard them too.
"Okay, let's pull it together," Lucas said, just as softly.
Again that shocked silence.
"…pull it …together?"
"Yeah, the Magypsies asked me to pull the needles, so I want to pull it because I told them I would, but if you want to pull it too, we can always pull it together."
"…together?"
"Uh huh. We used to do everything together, remember? We were born together, we ate together, we played together, slept together, explored together… we did everything together, even got into trouble together…until you ran away and left me behind…"
The eye that wasn't hidden by the helmet flickered- back and forth- it would land on Lucas and then shoot away towards where he and the others had come from- from where Porky was lying in the Absolutely Safe Capsule.
Finally, he looked at Lucas and didn't look away- took a deep breath. "The Needles… why did they ask you to pull them?"
"Because Aeolia- the first Magyspsy- couldn't feel your heart when you pulled the first Needle. That made them worry that you had no heart, and if you pulled the Needles and the Dragon received your heart, everything would be destroyed because there was nothing in your heart."
Claus still looked confused. "The Dragon?"
"Yeah, the Dragon…the one that's sleeping?"
Claus still looked confused.
"…don't you know about the Dragon?"
Slowly, Claus shook his head.
"The Dragon- it's sleeping underneath the islands- when all the Needles are pulled, it'll wake up. And the person who pulled the Needles will pass their heart onto the Dragon. Didn't you know that?"
Claus shook his head. "Orders are orders. Orders aren't explained. He-he never told me anything. He just- gave me orders."
Lucas's anger grew a little bit but he pushed it away- saving Claus was the important thing right now.
He took a breath- tried to find the right words. "Hey Claus, you don't have to worry about that guy any more. He locked himself inside the Absolutely Safe Capsule, and that thing doesn't have an exit. Dr. Andonuts said he'll be stuck in there forever."
Claus gave a soft little gasp. "He-"
"He's gone," Lucas said softly. "Hey Claus? You don't want to shoot me, do you? Because it kinda hurts, so I'd prefer it if you didn't shoot me."
Claus tilted his head down- he seemed almost surprised to find his cannon arm still pressed against Lucas's chest. The lights flashed once more, and then the arm began to change, shifting to become an arm that, while still a machine, was shaped the same as a normal arm.
Claus tilted his head to the side, as if not quite sure why his arm had done that.
Taking the opportunity, Lucas stepped forward- took the last step forward and hugged his brother.
Claus didn't return the hug, but he didn't pull away either, staying stiff in his brother's arms. "…what are you doing?"
"Hugging you."
"Why?"
"Because I love you and I missed you," Lucas answered, not moving.
Claus was silent a moment, then asked "Why?"
"because you're my brother… you still don't remember, huh?"
Claus didn't answer but he lowered his head slowly, resting it on Lucas's shoulder.
"Hey Claus, what do you want for supper?"
His brother shifted, looking at him again, but didn't say anything.
"What do you want for supper? Dad's not really a great cook, and Kumatora can't cook at all, even though she's a girl."
An irritated "Hey!" echoed from over his shoulder, and Lucas winced slightly.
"Sorry Kumatora, but it's true. Duster can cook pretty well, but he doesn't like cooking, so that leaves me. I'm not a very good cook, but I am pretty good. I can even try to make steak or hamburgers if you want."
Claus shifted, and Lucas winced.
"Claus? Can you take off your helmet? It's kind of uncomfortable… it's digging into my shoulder."
"It looks stupid too!" Kumatora yelled.
"Kumatora," Duster's voice followed hers, quieter.
"It does. I bet he looks much better with it off."
"He does." Their dad's voice came last of all- soft and echoing.
Claus blinked, seeming to become aware of the others for the first time since knocking them out. He seemed to be eying them somewhat suspiciously.
Not letting go of him, Lucas slowly, carefully, maneuvered him over to where they were.
Boney whined and nosed at their ankles.
"Claus, this is Boney. You remember Boney, right? He's our dog. He's very smart and brave, and he lives in a doghouse right outside of our house."
Lucas cast a quick Lifeup and Boney jumped to his feet and eagerly licked both their hands and then jumped up to lick their faces too.
Claus gasped, just a little, surprised at the wet feel of the dog's tongue.
Next, Lucas led Claus over to Kumatora. "Claus, this is Kumatora. Kumatora, this is my brother Claus. Please try to be friends, okay? You're both really important to me…" he cast another Lifeup, and Kumatora bounded to her feet. Claus stiffened slightly, suspiciously.
Kumatora folded her arms and sighed at him. "It's not nice to attack people, you know," she said. She had a faint smile, but she also looked a little sad- in her eyes and the way she moved.
Claus didn't say anything- just watched her.
Kumatora stuck out her hand- Claus stared at it like he would an alien.
"People shake hands when they agree to be friends," Kumatora said in the tone of one stating the obvious.
Claus blinked.
"Look, I don't want to fight with you- so let's be friends, alright?"
Tentatively, Claus reached out- touched the palm of her hand with the tips of his fingers. Kumatora let him satisfy himself that she was safe, then slowly clasped his hand, and then gently shook it.
"Okay, we're friends now."
Claus looked at their hands, then pulled his hand back, slowly. And then he nodded. "No more fighting," he said softly.
Lucas hugged him again.
Claus didn't say anything, but he placed one hand on Lucas's back in a sort of half hug.
"PK Lifeup!" Kumatora called, healing Duster, who clambered to his feet with a wince.
Claus turned to this new person, suspicious look in place once again.
"Claus, this is Duster- do you remember him? He lived in Tazmily- remember the village? He liked to take walks at night, and sometimes he'd take trips to weird places, and we'd follow him, even though we weren't really supposed to- he was always really nice to us though."
"Hello Claus," Duster said with a smile. "It's nice to see you again."
Claus tilted his head to the side, studying him.
"You don't remember me? That's okay, I remember you. And everything you forgot, I'm sure Lucas will help you remember."
"Thanks Duster," Lucas said, "you're a great friend." He turned to Kumatora with a smile. "You're both great friends."
Boney barked at him reproachfully.
"You're the best dog ever Boney," Lucas said, then giggled softly as Boney jumped up and licked him. He petted him, then Boney jumped and licked Claus too.
A faint smile ghosted across Claus's face. Once Boney was back on the ground, Claus reached down and gave the dog a soft pat.
Smiling, Lucas lead Claus over to the last person- their dad. The smile faded a bit as he looked up at him- he had halfway pushed himself off, and he was bruised and pale.
"Hey Dad, how are you?" Lucas asked a bit anxiously.
"Been better. Been worse too," Flint said, eyes flickering from one brother to the other, a faint smile on his face. "Both of you okay?"
"I'm alright," Lucas said.
"…I'm…I'm able to go on," Claus said softly.
Lucas turned back to him with a slight frown. "Did I miss anything when I healed you before?" he asked anxiously.
Claus looked at him a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"Okay… if you're sure." Lucas turned back to Flint, but made a mental note to watch for his brother, just in case. "PK Lifeup!"
Flint got to his feet and brushed himself off, then reached forward and hugged both his sons. It was a while before he let them go. Lucas was aware of Duster and Kumatora moving to the other side of the cave, trying to give the family what privacy they could.
Finally, Flint squeezed them tight and then let them go. Claus blinked as he backed up a step- looked at Lucas, then at Flint, then back again, then glanced at Duster and Kumatora and Boney, and then looked back at Lucas.
"What is it Claus?"
"…I'm confused. I don't understand."
"What are you confused about?" Duster asked as he and the others came closer.
Claus was now in a circle of them- he kept looking around at them. He didn't respond- didn't answer the question.
Kumatora stretched, mock- causally. "Thanks for the healing Lucas, but I still don't feel all that great- how about we all have something to eat?"
"A picnic at the end of the world?" Duster asked with a wry smile. "Sure, why not?"
Duster took off his backpack and pulled out the blanket out of it. As he spread it out, Lucas and Kumatora began unloading their pockets of all the food they carried.
Claus just watched, and Flint put his hands on his shoulders. Claus looked up at him, still looking puzzled.
"Why don't you take off the helmet, son? There's no one to fight anymore."
Claus put his hands up and felt the helmet.
Lucas emptied his pockets of the last of the food and walked back to them. "Hey Claus, do you need some help in taking off your helmet?"
Claus paused- looked at him- then, slowly, shook his head.
His hands twitched slightly- and then steadied- and then he pulled off the helmet.
Claus looked just the same as Lucas remembered him- only the cyborg eye and his now pale skin were different, his freckles as faint as ghosts.
Lucas stepped forward and hugged him quickly. "I missed you- I missed you so much!"
Slowly, Claus held up his arms- and hugged him back- only slightly, but still a hug.
And Flint flung his arms around both his sons and hugged them both.
No one said anything- just stood there, holding onto their family, their lifeline.
After a moment, Boney came over and whined softly, nudging at them with his nose, looking for some love and affection of his own.
Flint snorted affectionately and Lucas chuckled softly as they broke from the hug- they all patted Boney, who nuzzled at them happily and licked their hands.
With a smile, Lucas looked up- and then he saw something.
Claus was crying- not sobbing, just tears leaking from his eyes as he stroked Boney's back.
"Claus, you're crying."
He lifted his head, gave Lucas a puzzled look and shook his head. Tears went flying.
"Yes, you are." Lucas reached over and wiped the remaining tears off of Claus's left cheek. "See?"
Claus looked at his brother's hand, then touched his other cheek and felt the tears there. "Oh…but I…I'm not supposed to cry."
"It's only human," Flint said. "Nothing to be ashamed of."
"Am I human?" Claus asked, still in that puzzled way, then "Ow" somewhat automatically as he reached up to touch the back of his head.
Kumatora lowered her fist and sighed. "Don't be so dense Claus! Of course you're human- you still have this, don't you?" She placed one hand on his chest, and he followed it with his eyes.
"What's that?"
"Your heart, dummy. It might not be what it used to be, but it's still there and it still works, and that's the important thing. Your heart is definitely alive- your tears proved that much."
"That's right," Lucas said firmly, hugging both his friend and his brother. "You're human Claus and even if your heart is broken, we'll fix it, right guys?"
"Right!" they all agreed, and Duster added "And humans need to eat. Come on you guys, I'm starving."
"Let's eat!" Kumatora said energetically and the twins and Flint followed her back to the blanket.
"What do you want to eat Claus?" Duster asked. "We've got hamburgers, nut bread, cheese-"
"I've got some yogurt Claus," Lucas said, pointing to it. "Do you want some?"
Claus looked at it, then nodded, slowly.
"Here, have a hamburger too," Kumatora insisted, handing him one as Lucas began dishing up the yogurt.
"Trying putting some cheese on top of your hamburger," Duster suggested, handing him some peculiar cheese. "It makes it taste even better. All us guys in the DCMC do it."
Kumatora rolled her eyes good naturedly as Claus took the cheese and eyed it. "That's because all you DCMC guys are weirdoes."
"Are not," Duster said easily, handing her a bread roll.
Claus looked from one to the other, then back.
"They do that all the time," Lucas said, guessing what was on his twin's mind. "It's kinda like a weird game. It's a little like how Dad and Mr. Lighter argue with each other…"
"Like that, huh?" Flint said, smiling a little.
Claus still looked a little confused, but he seemed to accept this. He turned to the yogurt Lucas handed him and began to eat it.
"Duster?" Flint said.
"Yes sir?"
"What's the DCMC?"
"Oh, you haven't heard of us? We're pretty popular- even Bronson and Jonel have come to hear us play."
Flint's expression didn't change.
"We're a band. I'm not sure if you'd like to listen to us though, since we can get kinda..." Duster paused for a moment and scratched behind one ear as he searched for the right word. "Loud," he offered.
"I think you guys are good," Kumatora said, and Lucas nodded.
"Ah," Flint said in understanding, then asked "What do you play?"
"The bass."
"Impressive."
"I'd like to think so," Duster said, smiling a bit. "The other guys are the ones who make our music great, but I'm not bad."
Kumatora thumped him lightly. "You're better than not bad."
"Yeah Duster," Lucas agreed loyally. "The DCMC is really good, but they sound the best when you're with them."
Claus gently touched Lucas's arm.
"What is it Claus?"
He kept gazing down, but his eyes flickered towards Duster, before going back to the ground.
"Do you want to go to one of their concerts sometime?" Lucas guessed, not quite sure what Claus was thinking.
Claus met his eyes briefly, looking surprised.
"Do you? Because if you do, that'd be fun."
"Wouldn't mind seeing them at least once," Flint said.
Claus looked from his brother to his father slowly.
"You can think about it," Lucas said quickly, "we don't have to decide right now." He didn't want Claus to think that they didn't care what he thought, that he didn't have any say.
"But if you do want to come, I'll make sure you guys get the best seats in the house," Duster said with a smile.
"Thanks Duster," Lucas said- also smiling- then turned back to Claus. "Oh, you finished the yogurt. Was it yummy?"
Claus looked down at the empty container, then at Lucas. At least he was meeting his eyes now, even if it was only briefly.
"Do you want some more?" Lucas asked, still smiling.
Claus slowly shook his head.
"Are you sure?"
"…don't you want it?"
Lucas shrugged. "I like yogurt, and if you don't want it, I'll eat it, but if you want the last of it, you can have it. If you want it, I want you to have it too."
Claus shook his head again. "No… you can have it. I want you to have it."
"You sure?"
"Uh huh."
"Okay then." Lucas started on the yogurt as Claus watched him, a small smile hovered around his lips before hiding again.
Flint, munching on a bread roll and beef jerky, watched them approvingly.
Duster and Kumatora began small talk- about the Club, about the DCMC and various songs they had, about whether or not his pink pants were fine or ugly- random things like that.
Claus kept his head ducked down- but he would turn and peek up at the others- mostly at Lucas, but also at the others.
"You should eat your hamburger," Flint said softly the next time Claus looked at him.
Claus blinked.
"You should eat your food. Keep up your strength."
Claus looked at the hamburger.
"You should eat it, it's good," Kumatora said.
"You don't have to eat it if you don't want to, but you should try it," Lucas said.
Claus looked at them- looked at Lucas- then looked down at his hamburger. And then he picked it up and began eating it.
Everyone watched this approvingly. Flint gently patted his shoulder as Duster and Kumatora went back to talking.
Lucas wished he knew what Claus was thinking. He seemed to accept them now, at least a little bit.
Lucas wanted to ask him so many questions- what he was thinking, what he wanted to do- but Claus had been hurt very, very badly- and it had been three years.
Claus needed time- and even with time, he wouldn't be exactly the same.
But that was okay. Claus was still Claus- even if he was different, he was still the same person- still had the same heart.
And that was the most important thing. Lucas had been waiting for his brother's return for three long years- had been praying for his return for three long years.
Now, he finally had Claus back- and if he had to wait and pray another three years for Claus recover, that was okay. Lucas could wait. And he wouldn't be waiting alone anymore, so the wait wouldn't be as bad. And this time he wouldn't be just waiting either- there were things he could do to help Claus.
The food was finished now. Everyone looked at one another.
Lucas turned to his brother. "Claus, do you want to pull the Needle now? Or do you want to go home first, and come back tomorrow, or some time after that, and pull the Needle then?"
"…home?" Claus looked at him- looked at Flint- looked at Boney- looked at Duster- looked at Kumatora- and then he looked at the Needle.
A ghost of Claus's old determined expression passed over his face- he turned to Lucas and held out his hand.
Lucas took it and looked at him questioningly.
"…he's…gone?"
"Yeah, Porky's gone- gone for good. He can't hurt you anymore- he can't hurt anyone anymore."
Claus blinked, turning this over in his mind, before nodding to himself and then gesturing at the Needle with his free hand. "One last thing."
"You want to do this one last thing, and then we can go home together?" Lucas half translated, half asked.
Claus nodded.
"Okay." Lucas stood up and helped Claus to his feet. "Guys, we're going to go pull the last Needle now."
"Have fun," Kumatora said, with more than a trace of fond sarcasm.
"Take as long as you need," Duster said with a smile.
"We'll be here. Waiting," Flint said and he placed one hand on Boney's head as the dog barked encouragingly.
"We'll be back," Lucas promised and Claus nodded in agreement.
The twins turned and walked over to the Needle. They looked at it, sticking out of the ground like a sword, pulsing with light.
"There's a dragon?" Claus asked softly.
"Uh huh. Pulling this will wake the Dragon up."
"…what's the Dragon like?"
"I'm not sure Claus, but the Magyspsies said that he'd inherit the heart of whoever pulled the Needles. Since you and me pulled the Needles, it should be okay…but just to be sure, let's think really hard about the people we love. Let's think about Fuel and Mr. Lighter, about Kumatora, about Duster and Mr. Wess, about Boney, about Grandpa, about Dad-and about Mom too. If we think about the people we love as we pull the Needle, the Dragon will inherit love- and everything will be okay."
Claus was quiet a moment, seeming to consider and think about that- and then he nodded. In his eyes, Lucas saw the ghost of Claus's old determination- his old cocky grin-
They reached for the Needle- they wrapped their hands around it.
Lucas looked up to find Claus looking at him.
"…here goes nothing," his older brother whispered, meeting his eyes steadily for the first time.
Lucas felt tears splash his cheeks even as he smiled. "Yep," he said simply.
And together, they pulled the Needle.