Yes, guys. I am, surprisingly, still alive. I know it's been a very long time since I've updated, and I apologize. Life has been...hectic. Growing up and shit like that. So...yeah. Just a lot of things to keep me busy. Almost graduating, actually...so who knows? Maybe I would have more time to write. Most likely not though with how I'm going to have to find a job...anyways, enough about my sorry life~!
Concerning this story and the release of SSBU, while the main players have already been established, I'm still on the fence on whether I should include some of the newer characters like Ridley and Simon. Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't really matter but in case you readers were wondering. Anyways, I won't keep you guys waiting. Hope you guys enjoy this long awaited chapter!
Falling Apart
"What?"
Nadir shrugged, the smirk still on his face. "You heard me. Daddy Link ain't our real daddy." He reached for a new can, hinting that he clearly did not have enough alcohol in his system despite how his hand missed the target two times. The action was lost to Marth as his head spun with this latest information. Link wasn't their real father? Then why did he say he was? Nadir could be lying, but Marth didn't really see any reason for the delinquent to do so. Nor could he really see any reason for Nadir to tell him the truth either. What did the delinquent had to gain from the college student possessing this knowledge? He debated on which question to ask Nadir first before deciding to leave his initial question for later. Instead Marth posed a different question:
"Is he your stepfather then?"
"He's Pit's stepfather," Nadir stressed. Marth nodded apologetically to rectify his mistake. He figured that perhaps Nadir recognized Pit as his only true family member. Anybody not of the delinquent's blood was an outsider. Seeing as how Nadir answered his confusion without detonating, Marth surmised that it was now safe to question him. His cousin also noticed this.
"But if you're brothers by blood, doesn't that make Link your stepfather as well?" Lucina asked pointedly. Nadir narrowed his eyes at her before rolling them and sipping his new can.
"I was outta there before Mother married him. So he's not my stepfather." The stress on those words warned them not to make him repeat that. Marth thanked the gods above when his cousin dropped the subject. Although he could see the reasoning, if a person could call it that, behind Nadir's insistence on Link not being his stepfather (even if technically he was), Lucina with her different upbringing didn't seem to see things from Nadir's viewpoint. Thinking about that, he guessed that perhaps Nadir and Pit's original father died before their mother married Link. But what was that statement of Nadir's about their real father dying thanks to Link? His curiosity gnawed at him to ask Pit's brother what he meant by that. However he wasn't exactly sure how to do so without possibly igniting the fuse. Lucina solved that problem for him, Marth thanking the gods above once again, this time for Lucina's courage:
"What do you mean when you said that your real father died thanks to Link? Did Link kill him?"
Nadir smirked and tilted his head slightly to the side. He said nothing, allowing the silence to stretch rather disturbingly between them. Although the silence could be interpreted as Lucina saying something wrong, the delinquent's sly smile suggested otherwise. Robin squirmed a bit, Lucina shifted just a smidge, and Marth remained calm. They weren't sure how much time passed but it seemed like years flew by. Nadir's movement to drink his beer along with Robin's sips from his own can broke the silence but didn't cut the tension.
"…Why are you telling us this?" Marth finally inquired, deciding not pursue the other matter further. It was a legitimate question, especially since the college student remembered that Nadir told Pit stories (possibly exaggerated but not by much considering what kind of a person the delinquent was) that urged the younger sibling to stay inside. Not to mention that Nadir also told Marth through Robin to stay away from Pit and stop telling him stories. "Aren't you on Link's side?"
At that statement Nadir choked on his beer, alarming his guests. He coughed several times as he beat his chest to ensure that the alcohol went down the correct pipe. Once he recovered, Nadir wiped some drops from his mouth. "Really? You're asking that question?" The venom had returned to his voice. Not for the first time, Nadir's actions confused Marth. Most people Marth could read in a heartbeat. Nadir, on the other hand, didn't let the blunette get an easy read on him. He knew he had to be cautious now in his approach. The safety of asking questions flew out the window. The risk of detonation had never been clearer. However, it seemed that now the only available action was to ask questions.
"Are you not?"
"I'm on my brother's side. Not anybody else's." Nadir grimaced. "Daddy Link's lucky that he's Pit's legal guardian. Otherwise…" He cut off the implicit threat but made it loud and clear with the angry clash of beer can against coffee table. The sudden movement made all of them start a bit, even Marth. Robin muttered something inaudible, stood up, and left the room. Nobody took notice of his absence. Again Marth had to remind himself to be careful around Pit's brother. Although Nadir was speaking calmly for the moment, they already saw how volatile the delinquent's temper was and didn't need to give him a reason, good or otherwise, to slit their throats where they sat.
"It doesn't sound like you like Link that much," Lucina remarked. Nadir turned a wilting eye on her.
"No…what gave you that idea?"
"Then why let your brother stay with him? Even if he's Pit's legal guardian, it doesn't look like you have much trouble breaking the law."
Nadir ignored Lucina's insult and simply sneered at her. "Your cousin's smart, Eye of the Tiger. If you have half of it, then you would know exactly why I let Pit stay with Daddy Link." Although, like Link, she accepted Nadir's way of addressing her, that didn't mean that it didn't annoy her. Nor was his insult to her intellect helping her already low opinion on him. She opened her mouth to let him have it. However, a restraining hand on her shoulder prompted her to look at her cousin.
Marth shook his head, already knowing what Lucina wanted to say. Though he didn't know Nadir well enough, he could already see the resulting carnage from it. Lucina bristled but calmed down once again to her cousin's reassuring touch.
"Nadir doesn't have the means to properly take care of Pit," Marth whispered so only Lucina could hear. The young woman's eyes widened slightly when she realized the logic in that statement. Taking in their surroundings, it was definitely not the ideal place for an innocent child like Pit, or any child for that matter, to grow up and mature. Lucina was rather surprised that Nadir would be aware of that before reorganizing her thoughts. Since he clearly loved his brother as he claimed, he definitely wouldn't want Pit to live the same life he did. That other boy though, Lucas, Lucina managed to recall the name, seemed to be a different story, one that Nadir probably would have changed if only he had the power to do so. But again that didn't completely redeem the delinquent in the young woman's eyes, and she went on the attack once more, on a different albeit still familiar route this time.
"What do you have to gain from telling us this?"
"You really think this is all about me?" Nadir's body stiffened, a slight tremor passing to signal his effort of holding his anger in. He leaned forward slightly with eyes ablaze. "Because you can't seem to get it through your thick skull, let me make it clear. I care about Pit, and I'd be damned if anybody lays a finger on him, least of all Blue Doll here." The gangster gestured to Marth. Said college student took no offense to that. Truth to be told, he felt the same way. If he himself did anything to harm the boy, he would make sure to stay as far away from Pit as he possibly could.
And it seemed that Lucina might be pushing Nadir too far right now. Marth attempted to rein in his cousin once again with a calming hand. Unfortunately the woman just about had enough tolerating the delinquent in front of them. She ignored Marth's touch and continued forth.
"And you're not worried that Link might do something to Pit? After all, you claim that he was involved in your father's death." Lucina's voice didn't lose her severity. Perhaps it was the stark differences between their lives but Lucina, for the life of her, could not understand this…creature in front of her. Even with Marth as her cousin, she never thought she would meet somebody else who would reach his levels of incomprehension.
"…You fucking idiot," Nadir said so softly that those words almost didn't reach their ears. His voice raised suddenly as he shot from his seat. "You really think I have a fucking choice?!" He violently grabbed the coffee table and tossed it to the side. The beer cans crashed onto the ground along with the table banging into the floor. Some still had alcohol in them and the liquid slowly seeped through the cracks. Not even Marth could keep the shock off his face at that malevolent action. He felt Lucina draw close in front of him, not for protection but to protect him.
This was it,Marth thought with a sinking heart. His cousin had just blown his last chance of contacting his beloved by setting off Nadir. Even if the gangster had agreed to pass on Marth's message before, in his current state Nadir could very well take back his promise and drive them out without compromise. For a moment, he himself felt the need to toss something like the delinquent's coffee table at the hopelessness of the situation. Maybe even throw it at the people in here, namely Lucina. While he knew that he definitely regretted feeling this way towards his cousin, who was only trying to help, he couldn't stop the grudge from seeping towards the woman.
Nadir wasn't finished expressing his fury though. The delinquent's eyes flashed wrathfully as he stabbed a finger at Lucina. "Look the fuck around! Look, motherfucker! You're a fucking idiot if you think I want this for my brother!"
Amazingly Lucina kept her composure in the midst of his rage. She looked straight into his eyes carefully. While his ruby eyes clearly blazed with madness, her own azure eyes returned nothing but firmness and coolness.
"I don't think that at all," she replied calmly, "but I do think you are making a mistake in letting Pit stay with Link."
Nadir laughed harshly. Despite the delinquent's cruel tone, both Marth and Lucina thought they could hear a broken and tired note underneath it all. "You think I don't know that? You have no idea how much I want to get Pit out of there. But how the fuck am I going to take care of him? I already have enough shit to worry about, and there's nobody else who cares for him-."
"I care for him," Marth interrupted fiercely. Nadir looked at him in distaste, yet he still continued, "Nadir, I love him. I really do. You have no idea how much I love Pit. So please…you can trust me to take care of him."
He could see how tightly Nadir's fists clenched together. Madness still clouded the brunette's eyes. For a moment, Marth actually thought that the gangster would start throwing punches. However he noticed how it slowly ebbed away as Nadir regained control over himself. Eventually, after a tense silence, the rage faded away to leave only disdain and fatigue. Nadir exhaled through his nose as he slowly descended back into his seat. He slumped backwards with an air of exhaustion from everything life threw at him, looking much older than he should be. He covered his eyes with a hand.
"I don't even know you," Nadir muttered, almost to himself.
"But you can trust me."
"Why should I believe that?"
"Because unlike Link, I care enough to let Pit go if necessary," Marth said firmly. He stared right at Nadir in nearly the same way as Lucina did before. Pit's brother uncovered his eyes to return the stare while he mulled over Marth's statement. "I only want the best for Pit. That's why I've always told him stories and encouraged him to pursue what he wants. That's why I convinced him to try going outside."
"You do know that you almost got him killed, right?" Nadir asked drily. Marth froze at that statement. His mouth moved to ask "what?" but no sound came out from him. His face drained of all blood as he only stared numbly at the gangster. In the back of his mind, he remembered how Link said very much the same thing to him when he realized that something horrible happened to Pit. Had he really almost got his beloved killed? Was that what happened when Pit actually stepped out for the first time in perhaps years? That thought was almost too much to bear.
Robin came back into the room with a six-pack. Nadir took notice of his friend this time and eyed the drinks wearily. Showing no signs of surprise, the gamer simply put it where the coffee table had initially been. Then he resumed his spot on the couch with a second can in case things got out of hand this time.
"How so?" Lucina asked in defense of her cousin. Nadir switched his gaze from the cans to her for a brief moment before looking at Marth. Both of them already knew what the delinquent was going to say.
"Pit went out alone one night. Ran into a rival gang. Luckily I was around to get him away. If I wasn't though…" He allowed their imaginations to think about the possible consequences. Again, an implicit threat made itself known, yet both Marth and Lucina sensed that it didn't stop at Link. It also extended to Marth as he was the one who encouraged Pit to leave the house. "So do you really think you still have the right to care for Pit even after that?" Nadir asked malevolently.
"I…" Marth didn't seem capable of saying else other than that word. Nadir waited impatiently for his answer.
"Well?"
"I…I only wanted what was best for him. I didn't mean for him to go out alone…" Marth's voice broke and he almost felt the tears falling. He felt somebody wrap an arm around him yet he ignored it in favor of the mental picture of Pit. He refocused his eyes on Nadir. "Please…you have to believe me. I always intended to be there for Pit when he took his first step outside. But I had no idea he would do it on his own. I didn't want him to be afraid of going outside when there is still so much he has yet to experience. Pit doesn't deserve to stay in that house forever without knowing what's outside. He doesn't deserve to be caged like some animal without any rights on what he wants to do. He should be able to go outside if he wants to! He deserves more than this treatment! Pit should be free to make his own choices! Pit-!"
"Shut your damn blathering! It's pathetic." Nadir shook his head. "If you think tears are going to convince me, you're wrong."
Marth blinked and he realized that tears had started streaming down his face. He touched his cheeks almost in disbelief. He didn't feel embarrassed though. No, why should he when those tears were for Pit? Still he had to wipe them away in order to recompose himself. Extreme emotions won't be too much help here. He inhaled deeply and clasped his hands together tightly to stop their shaking. He could feel everybody's gaze on him yet he focused his own attention on the cans in front of him for the time being.
Marth eventually managed to get his emotions under control though his eyes still stung slightly red. He looked back up towards the host. Nadir, seeing as he wasn't going to have a soap opera in his own house, tilted his head to the side to study the college student at another angle. Marth neglected to say anything as he sensed that Nadir still had more to say. Another horrible silence stretched between them.
"I still don't trust you, Blue Doll." Nadir paused and, surprisingly, his expression softened. "…But I know that Pit does. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think this might be the new, best route for him." Marth blinked in surprise. In all honesty, he didn't think that Nadir would actually agree with him considering how before he explicitly denied it, it looked like Nadir supported Link. He scarcely dared to believe that it was happening. If he did, he felt that the young man would change his mind just like that.
The delinquent paused again, as if going through his choice once again in his mind to weigh all the pros and cons. Then he fixed a glare on Marth and continued:
"But there's a reason for why Pit is the way he is, and if you leave him because of that-."
"The way he is? What do you mean?"
"Act stupid again, Blue Doll, and I'll really change my mind about all of this."
"Nadir." For the first time that evening, despite the quiet pleading note, Marth took on a harsh tone that rivaled the gangster's. Lucina noticed how, also for the first time that evening, Nadir's eyes showed a hint of uncertainty from the unexpected change that came over her cousin. "Nothing you say about Pit would change how much I love him. He could be a bastard child, he could be a criminal, he could be a mutant, he could be from a test tube, but none of that would stop me from loving him. I…love…Pit." Marth stressed each word with fierce conviction. With his emotions in check and not in danger of overwhelming him, Marth could calmly reaffirm his love for Pit, a much more convincing and appropriate behavior concerning who they were dealing with.
Pit's brother eyed the blunette critically. He saw how tense Marth's body was, a similar sign to how he had held in his anger when Lucina irritated him. Nadir let out another exhale through his nose. He finally asked in a quiet non sequitur, "Do you know why I don't live with Pit?"
"…He never told me," Marth admitted.
"That's because he doesn't remember." Nadir snorted, as if it was some joke. "Pit's lucky his accident made him forget the abuse from our bastard father."
The words were said so casually but it still struck Marth and Lucina so hard that they actually recoiled.
"Link abused Pit in the past?" The vengeful tone returned to Marth's voice as he asked that question. Nadir raised an eyebrow at the blunette's reaction. While he still retained some of his doubts about Marth's apparent love for his brother, he had to admit that the college student's concern and anger sounded remarkably genuine.
That familiar smirk crossed Nadir's mien again. However it was more drained than cruel, as if he was exhausted in keeping this to himself. "No, not Daddy Link. Our real father. He'd hit us with fists, books, pipes, anything he could reach for. Not just us, our mother too. I couldn't take it and ran. Ended up here where Bayonetta took me in." A rather nostalgic look washed over the delinquent. He stopped his story to think back. While Marth itched to question Nadir more about the abuse Pit faced and where their real father was, he had to remind himself that their real father was apparently dead. He allowed Pit's brother to gather himself for more of the tale. Then Nadir continued:
"I honestly thought Pit would have died in that house, but I couldn't bring myself to visit him or Mother. I didn't think I would have had the courage to face that bastard again. He probably would have beaten me short of death if I did. And I felt guilty that I left them to face his wraith alone. It wasn't as if living out in the streets were any better, and at least there Pit had the basic necessities to live.
"Then I heard about the accident. Doctors said Pit should have died considering how big the truck was that crashed into him. But he was just in a coma, miraculously. Then when he woke up…he barely remembered anything. He remembered me for some reason, but he didn't remember anything else from his childhood. Pit didn't change at all. He was still the same brother that I left behind all those years ago…"
"Wait…you don't mean…" Those words struck a memory, something that Lucina had read in the newspapers some years ago. The nature of the news alone were so gruesome that it was difficult for her to forget. Nadir looked at her and nodded confirmation.
"Yeah, Pit was the victim of that huge crash five years ago. He just woke up two years ago."
"My gods…That's…" Lucina trailed off as she couldn't find the words to describe her feelings now. Even the word "unbelievable" didn't adequately describe it.
After a moment of thought, Marth asked, "…Is that why Link doesn't let Pit go outside? Because he's scared of a repeat of that accident?"
"Probably. Doctors said it was practically a miracle that Pit only got into a coma, let alone wake up without more dire consequences. He's already fragile enough from our father's abuse. I'm honestly shocked that he's still alive right now…"
"Pit is much stronger than you think," Marth protested. Nadir fixed him a rather melancholic smile.
"Guess I wouldn't know."
"…Your father…are you certain he's dead?" Marth asked in a rather peculiar tone. While it sounded relatively calm, venomous intent underlined it. The others looked at him in surprise and worry when they heard his strange voice.
"Marth…" Lucina began but her cousin ignored her. He glowered right at Nadir. The brunette could see the dark thoughts going through the blunette's head and quickly put a stop to them.
"I saw his dead body. Good riddance to that bastard." He reached over to the six-pack for another can of beer. The conversation took more of a toll out of him than he realized, and he needed something to refresh himself. Nadir opened the new can and drank deeply. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and returned to the current matter. "But fuck him. We're not talking about him. We're talking about my brother. I'm letting you know this because there's still a chance that Pit would return to the way he was before the accident. Not that I knew what he was like before then, but I don't think he's that childish like right now."
"That doesn't matter to me," Marth said solemnly. Nadir raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "If Pit recovers and goes back to the way he was, it wouldn't change my love for him."
"Even if he would need more care than he does now? Even if turns out like me?"
"I would still care for him." There was so much confidence in Marth's voice. He honestly had no doubt that he wouldn't stop loving Pit even if he changed. Pit could become the most overbearing person one day, and Marth would still love him. Because he was Pit, and that was all Marth needed. To be with his loved one. "I would still love him."
"…You're a strange person, Blue Doll."
"I've been told that."
"…Hmph, fine. You've convinced me, Blue Doll." Nadir scowled when he saw the joy on Marth's face. After all this time, he finally got through to Nadir and he couldn't stop himself from expressing his joy. "I'm only doing this for Pit. You're lucky that Pit likes you, otherwise you wouldn't even be here right now."
"I understand, and I'm grateful." Though he wasn't sure if it was true, Marth felt his heart skip a beat when Nadir said that Pit liked him. He certainly hoped it was true in a romantic sense, but even if it was true in a sibling sense, he was also fine with that. Not as much as the romantic sense to be perfectly honest, but he could learn to be content. So long as Marth could see Pit again.
"Shut up. Tell me the message and I'll pass it to my brother without Daddy Link knowing." Nadir finally gave the greenlight for Marth's request. The college student's heart swelled as he realized that after all his struggles, he had a change of forgiveness from Pit. He couldn't mess this up.
"Is it fine if I write it out?" Marth asked. The delinquent shrugged.
"Don't care. But I'm not giving out charity."
That was fine with Marth. He knew where he could get the necessary tools for his message. The college student looked expectantly at Robin, who had finished his beer by now. The poor gamer knew it would be stupid to pretend that he didn't see the stare and grumbled under his breath as he ripped a notebook paper and grabbed a pencil for the blunette. Marth nodded his thanks before focusing on the parchment.
Then his mind went blank. He had dreamed of this moment ever since he lost constant contact with Pit. However, every time he thought about it, he always ran different words in his head to tell his beloved. Marth simply had too much to say to Pit to write everything down on a simple piece of paper. Nor did he want to utilize cliché words and phrases whose meanings saturated through too many uses. He had to find a better way to convey his feelings to his loved one.
So what should he write down? Ask for forgiveness about telling Pit stories of the outside? No, that would only cement Pit's fears and possibly trying again in the future. Then should he confess his true feelings? No, that was a copout. Besides Marth wanted to be there to see Pit's reaction when he finally confessed. Then what should he write as a message? He had to write something significant because this was his last chance to reach Pit and if he doesn't, if he messes this up, then-.
"Come on. I don't have all day and I want you bastards out of my house already." Nadir's voice broke through the fog in Marth's mind. Those words clicked something in the college student's head, and he began to write. Robin and Lucina curiously looked over Marth's shoulders to read his message to Pit. However, before they could make out a whole sentence, he folded the paper in fours and handed it to Nadir. Although the letter was meant for Pit's eyes only, Nadir unfolded it and began reading it. The college student resisted the temptation to tell him to stop as he instinctively knew that if he did, the gangster would refuse to act as a messenger. Marth could only hope that Nadir approved of his message. Or, at least, tolerated it.
Another one of those awkward silences stretched between them as Nadir read over Marth's letter. After what seemed to be an eternity, Pit's brother folded the paper again and stowed it away into an inner pocket. Marth exhaled a shaky breath he had no idea he had been holding. He felt something touch his hand and he looked to see Lucina smiling reassuringly at him. Although only Marth's eyes portrayed his feelings most of the time, Lucina understood how much anxiety he had been holding in concerning Pit. She knew about his fear of failure despite his best efforts, and she was glad that now, even if Pit refused to see Marth again, they at least tried to get through to the boy. The college student returned his cousin's smile. A shaky smile, but a smile nevertheless.
"You bastards can get out of here now." Nadir's voice broke through the cousins' silent conversation, prompting them to look at him. Despite his bored expression, his ruby eyes told a different story. Lucina still displayed disdain for the delinquent. On the other hand, Marth nodded in acknowledgment and gratitude.
"Thank you, Nadir."
"Don't thank me yet," he said harshly. "And I better not see you near my brother unless he says it's all right."
"I promise."
"Then get the fuck out of here." Nadir reached for another can of beer. However, the air around that familiar action had a sense of finality to it. His guests knew that it was time to leave. Marth gave the gangster another nod, something the dark man ignored in favor of the alcohol. He followed the others through the various mess towards the exit. They reached the hallway and almost bumped into the kid from before.
"Whoa! Oh, sorry, Lucas," Robin said as he stepped back. The little kid looked at the gamer blankly. The blank stare remained even as he noticed unfamiliar people behind the somewhat familiar person before him. He swayed slightly, not sure what to do. Then his vacancy cleared when he heard a familiar voice call to him.
"Hey, Lucas. Come 'ere."
The others watched as a smile crossed the boy's mien and he hurried into the room. They heard a muted voice converse with the delinquent. Seeing Lucas reminded Marth of Pit. He could see how they shared some qualities. Both looked rather innocent and needed somebody to take care of them. Marth wondered if Nadir kept Lucas around because the kid reminded him of his younger brother. The delinquent honestly didn't look like the type to care about anybody other than himself. Yet he made it more than clear this evening how much he cared for Pit and Lucas. Marth hid a smile when he thought about how lucky Pit was to have a brother like Nadir despite everything. He hoped he could be a strong pillar Pit could rely on as well like Nadir.
Robin led them out the door back onto the decimated lawn. He then weaved his way through the maze of alleys with the two cousins behind him. Once they left behind the underworld for the world above, he turned to them and said, "There. Happy? Please don't ever ask anything from me again." Without waiting for a reply, Robin left them. Marth and Lucina watched the gamer disappear into the crowds before Lucina gently tugged on Marth's arm.
"Come on. Let's head home."
Marth nodded in agreement and together the two cousins made their way through the crowds. Unlike their time at Nadir's house, the city filled their silence with other conversations and roaring cars. Lucina wanted to give her cousin some space to think over what had happened. It was only when they were some distance away from his house did she break the tense tranquility blanketing them.
"…I still can't believe Pit is related to him," Lucina said solemnly. Although she like the others had never met Pit before, she instinctively knew that the boy's personality drastically contradicted the delinquent's. The way Marth spoke about him to her made her picture a young man who still retained that childlike innocence often lost once people reached adulthood. Nothing like the snarky, enigmatic brunette now behind them. The young woman eyed her cousin seriously. "Do you really trust him, Marth?"
"I do." The answer came without hesitation. Lucina raised an eyebrow at that. She usually trusted in his judgment, bizarre as he might be, but in this scenario she still had her doubts.
"Why? It doesn't seem like he cares for you at all."
"He doesn't have to care about me." Marth stopped walking and looked at his cousin. "But he cares for Pit. Deeply cares. And that's enough for me. Besides, if he didn't trust me, he wouldn't have told us about Pit's past. He must have been desperate," Marth added quietly. He again wondered whether Nadir was aware of the things Marth suspected Link did to Pit. While the answer now seemed yes due to how Nadir admitted to wanting to take Pit out of there, Marth instinctively knew that if Nadir really did knew the mad man would have murdered Link just like that, taking care of Pit or not. So it was more probable that Pit's brother didn't know. But he still wasn't too sure.
"…I suppose you're right. That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Marth nodded absentmindedly, his head still lost with his thoughts.
Now all he had to do was wait and hope. Hope that his beloved Pit would forgive him and that he would be allowed to see the boy once again. Although Marth knew that he promised Nadir that he wouldn't see Pit if the boy refused, he really wondered if he would be able to keep that promise. He wanted, no, needed to see Pit again. Marth wondered how he would be able to live without Pit should the boy refused to see him again and realized with a jolt that he couldn't. The college student wouldn't be able to live after that. Did he really need Pit to get through his days now? Before he managed to go about his life without much thought, but all that seemed meaningless now. Pit gave him meaning, and he needed Pit to continue.
That thought scared him when he realized how obsessed he was with Pit. However, he knew that if he could change it, Marth wouldn't. That would mean that his love for Pit wouldn't be at all genuine, and somehow that felt worse to him. No, he wouldn't change any of this. He believed that his meeting with Pit was the best thing that happened to him and maybe even to Pit. The boy had never experienced anything outside of his house, and he only, truly shone when Marth introduced him to the new sights. He couldn't bear to think of Pit wilting away in that dark house, fearful of falsities, when the boy could have escaped anytime.
He had to remember that this was all for Pit. Not for him. To Hell with him if his presence caused Pit pain. Everything he did was for Pit. Because he cared for him. Because he adored him. Because he loved him. He did, he really did.
Yup. Really struggled with this chapter. I wanted Marth to learn something about Pit's history but I couldn't really find a good way to implement it, especially with Nadir's attitude. Meh, tried my best. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed the rather emotional roller coaster I put both Marth and Nadir through. I'll see you guys in another eternity.