Steve has second thoughts about giving in to hurt feelings and running away. Can he go back?
(Welp. I don't know how to write fluff and comfort that well yet. Don't judge meeee)
Steve sat on a broken, dry log and glared at the fire burning before him with frustration on his face. He wanted to kick himself.
Why did he run away?
Both Notch and Hero wanted him to stay. He felt comfortable in their place, even wishing that it really was his home, also. And both his brothers cared about him, he knew that.
Why, then, when he found out that Hero remembered everything now, the first thought that came to him was that they were making fun of him – the dumb, dumb human. And he reacted to that like a petulant child, running away.
Steve huffed, frowning. Embers of fire floated past him into the darkness of surrounding woods. Shivering a bit at the pressing chill of night air, he drew his blanket tighter around him.
Maybe that's what he really was – just a dumb human. Or… just dumb. Nothing like Notch or Hero, even though he was supposed to be Hero's exact copy, minus his powers.
Why did he flee like a coward?
Hero probably didn't change out to his usual look just so that he, Steve, felt better. He probably did it for him. Instead, Steve blamed him and even felt angry. And what did he do? He ran away again, just like he did before, whenever Hero tried to approach him.
He probably offended him by doing that. He took his present, all right. But then he just ran. Steve stifled a groan.
His lips pulling down at the corners, he held a hand and produced the enchanted artifact, which this time took the form of an ordinary iron sword of low quality that no one would be tempted to steal. Steve gave the artifact this look on purpose. Even though Notch once mentioned that neither his hammer nor Hero's pickaxe could ever be lost, since they were tied to them and would follow them even across respawns, Steve wasn't sure if his artifact would do the same. He really feared to lose it. He should have asked Notch more questions about it.
Instead, he ran.
Steve stared at the artifact with guilt. What on earth was wrong with him?
"Ugh, I cannot even go back and say sorry." He muttered.
Or maybe he should? All he would have to do is go back through the gate and wish to end up in Notch and Hero's little hidden world that no one knew about.
Only that gate was now almost half a day behind him. That entire time, Steve strode with haste through the wilderness, not even caring where his path took his so long as it was away. Of course, that was silly. His brothers could always find him anywhere he went, unless he took their gift off. He wouldn't though. By now, he already knew full value of their protection.
Steve shivered a bit, casting the dark woods around him an uneasy look. He really had no idea where he was now. Nothing in the surrounding hills looked familiar. Only endless forest stretched as far as his eye could see. Did he cross out into the wilderness instead of going in direction of towns? That seemed very likely.
Should he go back and… apologize?
Steve leaned his chin against his knees, mulling over the thought. Only, seeing himself appear in the place, alone, calling out hello, seemed very awkward. Notch and Hero probably already left the place. They came there only very rarely, Notch warned him. Each of the great immortals had their own place, where their authority was recognized and respected. Notch had his magnificent palace in the Aether, where other immortals lived. And Hero had his intimidating throne in the Nether, filled with dangerous, hostile mobs that glared at him as if blaming him for existence – an impostor.
"Oh, I hope I didn't offend." Steve whispered in dismay, burying his face in his hands.
That guilty, startled look that appeared on his little brother's face when he realized that Steve saw him purposefully focus his power and knew that he remembered. It stood before Steve's eyes now. His brother feared to discomfort him. It was very clear to Steve now. And he could only wince at his own reaction.
"Hero, I'm so sorryyy." Steve groaned; his face still buried in his hands.
"Sorry about what?" A familiar voice came from behind him, slightly echoing in his mind with perplexed tone.
Steve jumped upright and nearly fell head-first into the fire, the blanket entangling his legs. Awkwardly hopping, he leapt to the side and gasped, trying to catch his breath. His heart beat a mile a minute.
He found his brother's startled white eyes watching him from the dark.
"Hero, don't do that!" Steve implored, clutching his hand to his chest. The feeling of confusion in his brother's presence shifted to guilt.
Stepping out to the light of the fire revealed his brother's form, which was still small. The child stood, visibly trying to compose himself as his lips tried to tug down and chin trembled as it did when he was about to cry. Steve knew this expression well. Astonished, he blinked at his brother a bit.
His expression calming into neutral that was more akin to his old form, little Hero opened his mouth and struggled to form actual words.
"I'm s-s-sorry… Y-you… f-forgot th… this…S-steve…" Quiet relief appeared on the child's face at his success. Steve just blinked at him, at first ignoring the object that appeared in the child's hand, reached out to him.
Did Hero just… speak for real?
The child frowned a bit. Hastily drawing his eyes to the object in Hero's hand, Steve recognized his pouch of emeralds and diamonds. It was his most highly praised possession, which he earned himself, mining and trading as he travelled across the lands in past several years. Steve stared at that pouch, as another wave of guilt washed across him, now mixed with swelling gratitude.
His brother didn't leave, as Steve expected him to do, when he returned and found Steve gone.
Steve tried to make a smile and say something, but words caught in his throat. Instead, he stepped toward the child. Steve noticed Hero tense at his approach and paused. That's right, older Hero didn't like for anyone to get too close to him, except for his mobs. He trusted only those he could control.
Little Hero continued to wait, his white eyes turned up to Steve with a small frown, yet also trust. Steve stepped forward and took the pouch from his hand.
White eyes held on him with guilt.
"I'm sorry for scaring you. I won't bother you more." His brother told him quietly in his old way and turned away, his head lowering in a dejected way. Steve's heart leapt.
"Hero, wait!" He called out before he thought better. The small figure paused. White eyes turned with a question. Steve could see sadness and discouragement there, which were also quickly settling over his brother's mood. Still, Hero patiently waited for Steve to explain what he wanted.
Steve awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, making an uneasy chuckle.
"I'm sorry… that I left so quick. I didn't even tell you goodbye." He dared to offer his apology. White eyes brightened a little, growing hopeful.
Something was very different about his brother, though Steve could not pin it, and it wasn't his appearance. Ah! He knew what was different about him.
The brother he knew before would never reveal his feelings like this. His face would remain expressionless, and Steve would feel only his intimidating presence and great power. The child that stood before him seemed much more open. Almost… as if he was still in part that little boy that Steve took care of for the past two weeks.
White eyes blinked with confusion. "Sorry? What for? I deceived you." Hero winced a little with guilt. "I didn't mean it."
Even his voice sounded different. Steve watched his brother with wide, blue eyes, as he tried to comprehend it. Hero sounded younger. His presence… didn't press as heavily. Steve knew that he was no longer talking to a little child, but he still saw his little brother, whom he tucked in to sleep every night and to whom he read stories. At this moment, Steve very much wanted to just go and hug him, comfort him as he would have before. He wanted to draw him close and ruffle up his hair, still sticking up wildly in untamed tufts here and there. Resisting the urge, Steve smiled instead.
"It's all right." He reassured. The child watched him for a moment, then began turning away again, assuming that their conversation was complete.
"Hero?" Steve called again. Again, his brother hopefully turned. Steve couldn't help a small snort, eyeing his brother's small form.
"Why… Why are you still so little, Brother?" He asked, encouraged by the lack of the usual dread he felt in older Hero's presence. At that, the boy frowned a bit.
"Notch…" He said, his expression turning flat. "He thinks I should stay like this a bit longer. So, I remember what its like to be Human."
Notes of frustration slipped into his brother's mental voice, which also began to change in Steve's perception as if adjusting to Hero's current appearance. Steve tried to stifle a smile at the way the child frowned at his small hands.
"I cannot even go to my kingdom right now." His big little brother complained. "Not all mobs there are loyal to me. Some will get it in their heads that I should be protected, until I grow up again. They'll start following me everywhere or even counteract my orders. It happened before."
Something like this happened before? Oh, Steve had to find out about it! A laugh bubbled up before Steve could contain it, earning him a slightly irate look.
"Cannot… You just do it yourself? You must have done it before. Before Notch came." Steve suggested, his curiosity waking. White eyes considered Steve's light-hearted face and softened. The child's posture visibly relaxed as well.
"I could. But that would require another full respawn. Its always risky… I would rather that Notch helped me. So, I will have to wait until he changes his mind." Hero concluded, his tone dismissing the matter.
Steve's smile fled. "Wait… Another respawn? You mean, you will have to die again? On purpose?" Steve gave the child an aghast look. Hero nodded, not appearing in the least bit disturbed. Steve stared at him with returning unease.
No, he really could not understand these immortals at all, he concluded to himself shakily. Yes, it was good that if he died, he would respawn somewhere nearby, at the closest point of safety. But… It would hurt.
Steve's eyes fell and noticed the dark brace on the boy's arm. "Wait… He didn't take this thing off, either?" Steve frowned, this time with a bit of anger. What was Notch thinking? This was no longer a funny prank! He himself said that this thing would limit Hero's power and that's why he couldn't leave their safe house. He couldn't defend himself well without his power.
White eyes glanced in direction that Steve glared and noticed the brace.
"Oh, that's not Notch. That's me. My power tends to be… unstable until I turn 22 years of age. Physically, I mean. I just don't want to hurt you or someone else by accident. I can turn it off if I need to."
Small hint of a smile appeared in the child's expression, warmth blooming across his aura as he considered worried Steve. Again, this feeling of affection was so familiar, that Steve barely resisted the impulse to go and hug his brother to reassure him.
"But… If you cannot go back to your kingdom… Then where are you going to stay?"
The child shrugged, his earlier discouragement returning. "Back at our old house, I guess." Hero admitted, a pout trying to make its way to his face even as he tried his best to keep it off. "It's just not the same there without you." He muttered.
That just made Steve feel so much worse for running away. Notch!
"Wait… So, you remember? Everything that happened? In the last two weeks? I thought that Notch said that your new memories will be gone when old ones returned." Steve dared to prod. His brother's white eyes looked up, so sad and alone that it broke his heart.
"There is two ways to do it, Steve. One is to simply replace the memories. Then everything new will disappear. Or you could combine your memories. Then you will remember what happened right before, only it will get pushed far back. It's… really weird." A complaining note stole into his brother's young voice, but then suddenly became a fond smile. "I now have two childhoods. And you are my big brother in one of them."
Steve blinked for a moment, then grinned.
"Ah…" He nodded with understanding. His brother stood and silently watched him, struggling to keep his expression neutral. It didn't deceive Steve.
I miss you. Please don't leave me.
Before Steve could catch himself, he already stepped closer to his brother. Startled, the child drew back a bit. Going to a knee, Steve drew him into a hug, something in his throat catching again. He held him tightly, promising inside that he would never run from him or abandon him again. His little big brother. After a moment, small hands hesitantly lifted and awkwardly patted his back. A definite note of embarrassment stole into his brother's presence, though it quickly gave way to relief and simple comfort.
Hearing a small sniffle, Steve smiled. His little brother was happy now. His own heart felt as if an enormous pressing burden just fell away, leaving him free. He didn't lose his little brother. He didn't! He was still right here. He still remembered him and wanted to be with him. It didn't matter that his other memories were there as well. And Steve couldn't be afraid of him. Not when he so clearly felt how much Hero cared about him.
Drawing away, Steve ruffled his brother's unruly hair, evoking the same smile that he always did, even if more hesitant. White eyes watched him with acceptance and trust, same as they did before.
"I re… remember everything, S-steve." Hero reassured. Again, he spoke out loud, a bit clearer this time. Steve nodded, tears coming to his eyes. He smiled anyway.
"We're going back. I'll stay with you until… Notch… Oh, I'll have to have a talk with him…" Steve frowned at the last thought. As much as he appreciated the older immortal's effort to bring him and Hero closer together, what he was doing to Hero was not fair or safe, and he would definitely let him know of that.
"I could… go with you to the Nether. Afterward." Steve offered, though intimidating memories of the mobs immediately came up, of their eyes following him anywhere he went with hostile suspicion. Well, nearly all the older mobs. The little ones didn't care, running and playing right around him.
Hero smiled, relieved, but shook his head.
"Maybe not right now. But maybe I could come and visit you more often?" He asked hopefully.
"Of course!" Steve smiled with relief. "All right. Let's go back!" He declared, turning with his hand grasped on to Hero's shoulder as he waited for their surroundings to change to a familiar cozy place.
Nothing happened.
Looking down, he found Hero looking up at him with an embarrassed look.
"I cannot take you. My power is too unstable. It would be safer to walk." Hero smiled a bit guiltily.
"Oh. Well. It's not that far." Steve frowned, glancing at the dark woods. Wild mobs will probably leave them alone so long as Hero was there, but…
"We can just go back in the morning." Hero offered. Sharply glancing down, Steve considered him.
"I will do that. But you should already be in bed. Its past your bedtime." He suddenly declared.
Hero blinked, startled. Then a wry smile appeared on his face, mirth sparkling warmly in his bright eyes. "I'm not really little anymore, Steve." He reminded.
Steve snorted. "I know that. But…" He pointedly measured the top of Hero's head to slightly below his chest and gave his brother a look. Hero tried to keep back a smile at the friendly tease. "You were already up for most of the night, weren't you? Its now past midnight. Humans need sleep. Especially little humans." Steve dared to push more.
"Pfft." His brother accepted. "Fine. But I'm staying here with you." Hero crossed his arms in a stern way that he used to do it. It didn't look quite as imposing now.
"Of course you can." Steve agreed and slumped a little as he yawned. Noticing his blanket still on the ground, he leaned to pick it up and began to brush off twigs.
"Steve?"
Steve turned to find his brother shifting, once again appearing embarrassed. "Do you have another blanket? My inventory has nothing useful in it at the moment." Rueful, Hero pulled out a small rock where light sparked in tiny crystals in shape of a heart. Lifting his other hand, Hero materialized another object in it. Resting in his palm was a tiny robin's egg.
Steve huffed, his eyes holding on the objects with amusement. He remembered little Hero finding these little treasures on their outing two days ago, when Notch explained that the woods next to their house were entirely safe. They roamed, exploring the place outside and his little brother had been so excited to find these things. Now, he looked at the totally useless objects with an amused, fond expression, then helplessly looked to Steve for assistance.
"Of course I do. Here." Steve pulled out a spare mat roll and a blanket, which he arranged by the fire. With a grateful look, the child quickly climbed into the provided nest, his small form shivering a little. Steve found himself frowning with concern. The air here was far too chilly for Hero to wear only a thin t-shirt and jeans. And where were his shoes?
Steve tucked in the blanket around his brother. Glancing down, he found him looking up, his eyes already sleepy. The child seemed so content and snug, a peaceful expression settled in his features just as Steve remembered it. Giving him a smile, Steve headed to his own mat and dove back in, pulling the blanket snug around him. A smile still rested on his own face.
"Good night, Hero." He said as he always did.
"G-good night, S-steve." A small, soft voice sounded from the other side. Steve's smile trembled a little. He was so, so happy. Feeling very safe, he closed his eyes, his heart lighter than he had ever felt before.
Night crept in, drawing darker shadows to shroud the woods around the small patch of light, where a fire burnt, warm light wrapping around two figures, one big and one small. Around them in the softly swaying grass, crickets continued their song. In the distance, several tall forms materialized from thin air and stood, their glowing pink eyes turned in direction where something drew them. Yet, they simply couldn't step beyond a certain point, as something kept them back. Puzzled, the creatures mulled about, only to give up and vanish.
Steve and Hero continued to sleep, undisturbed.