Notes: This might be one of my fastest updates. I was so happy when I received reviews for this crazy idea of mine. That's why I immediately started writing this chapter! Nothing really happens in this chapter, though there are some hints about what happened to Seiya and Kanon. Hope you'll like it~ Enjoy!
My standard warning and disclaimer apply.
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Clockwork
Chapter 2
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Ikki raised his eyebrow at the sight that greeted him upon his arrival in Sanctuary. He watched in silence as Shiryuu and Hyoga struggled to calm a brown-haired toddler while trying to make a bottle of milk. The two looked disheveled and particularly worn out, like they have been out fighting the gold saints instead of taking care a mere toddler. They hadn't even noticed him, although the Phoenix had made no effort whatsoever to conceal his presence. He continued watching how the small brunette began to fuss as the duo failed yet again to make a simple bottle of milk—
"...do you think we are supposed to use teaspoon or table spoon?"
Shiryuu, awkwardly carrying a squirming Seiya, looked at the spoons Hyoga was holding and frowned in confusion, "I am not sure, maybe we can use both..."
The Cygnus nodded and put a few odd spoonful of the baby formula into the bottle, "Then we just need to add water right?"
"Yes." Shiryuu paused, watching the blonde fill the bottle to the brim until the point of overflowing. "Hyoga, I don't think you are supposed to add that much water."
"Really?" Hastily pouring more than half of the content to the drain, the blond capped the bottle and gave it a few shake. Both watched as the liquid inside the bottle quickly turned into pale white, resembling more of muddy water than milk. "..."
"Roshi mentioned that it was supposed to be white in color and in normal body temperature." Shiryuu stated. He shifted Seiya onto one of his arms and reached for the baby bottle with his other. "It is cold."
Hyoga shrugged, looking at the small God Slayer who began to kick a fuss at being hungry. "Well, Seiya always likes shaved ice."
At this point, Seiya's cries had almost became deafening. The present saints winced at the amount of noise and racket the boy made as he cried. Shiryuu especially was struggling to hold Seiya in place even as he kicked and pulled at his hair restlessly. Hyoga attempted to assist him only to end up getting kicked on the chest by one hungry toddler.
"Give him to me." Ikki commanded, successfully surprising the two as he seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The Phoenix reached for the crying toddler and immediately took him from Shiryuu. He gently rocked the small body, making a few soothing noise as he tried to calm the younger male. It took about five minutes before Seiya finally calm down, his cries subsided into small sniffs.
The two bronze, plus a bunch of newly arrived gold saints, looked in awe as Ikki, with excellent expertise, finished making a bottle of milk in mere seconds. He then switched Seiya into a more comfortable position and told the toddler to drink. They watched, flabbergasted, as the little Pegasus squealed and gulped his milk hungrily.
"How…?"
"He must have his practice with Shun. Ikki did raise Shun by himself after all."
"Oh."
They continued watching as Seiya finished his milk and Ikki wiped his face with obvious care.
Another stunning event it seemed.
Hyoga's hand itched to his phone, planning to record the memorable occurrence in secret.
"Don't even think about it, Hyoga." The Phoenix warned without even turning around.
The Cygnus cursed, letting his hand fall back to where it was.
Meanwhile, Seiya had blinked and titled his head cutely at the interaction between the older boys.
Ikki was about to say something else to the sulking blonde saint when there was a small tug on his shirt. He looked down to find Seiya grinning at him.
"What?"
The dark-haired saint saw two chubby arms wrap around his chest and try to draw him into a small hug. Seiya snuggled onto the older's chest as he chirped happily, "Nii-san…"
"—Huh?!"
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To think that something would happen during his turn of all times...
The younger Gemini cursed as he put another burst of speed. The foreign cosmo he felt earlier was rising tremendously. He had a bad feeling about this. Saga surely would have his head if anything happen to that Pegasus kid!
The moment he arrived at the flower field, Kanon realized that he might be too late. An unruly, dark-haired man was picking up what appeared to be a brown-haired toddler into his arms.
"Mind letting go of that twerp here?" In a flash of gold, the Gemini Cloth appeared behind him. It covered the body of the former Marine General in mere seconds, responding to the immediate threat to its bearer.
"Ah, a Gold Saint." The somewhat familiar man grinned, "Gemini isn't it? I would never forget that face—the one who sealed me."
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Saga was already running before the second scream made itself known through the Gemini Temple. He managed to reach the other's bedroom in record time and almost broke down the door to get inside. The room was small but big enough for a simple dresser, a small table and a metal framed bed. The walls were faded, wood details made large squares on the walls, making the appearance of an invisible window. He saw the small child that was his twin sleeping on the small bed, shivering under the thin blanket, a stuffed toy clutched tightly to his chest in search for comfort.
Saga watched the familiar face confronted in pain, feeling a slight twinge inside him. He shook Kanon's shoulder, startling him awake and gasping for breath. Tears ran down the pale cheeks as hazy blue eyes slowly opened in fear of seeing his dream become reality. Saga was still standing silently beside the bed, feeling…concern? pity? compassion? for the small blunette. He paused at that thought. This was Kanon they were talking about, surely his twin was pretty much capable of taking care of himself even as a child?
The first Gemini was still deep in thought when he felt a tug on his clothes. He looked down and saw his younger mirror image staring at him with pleading eyes, a look that immediately caused a feeling to rise in his chest. He stared at those bright blue eyes, so full of fear, begging him to stay and protect him like no one had ever had. He was about to say something when a small voice suddenly spoke up, followed by a sniffle. "...'m scared."
Saga staggered back as Kanon suddenly threw himself at him. His body was being squeezed harder than before, almost as if Kanon was trying to break his ribs. Kanon buried his face on Saga's chest, basking on the comforting scent and security of his older brother. The small body shuddered as the memory of his nightmare burned brightly on his mind. He remembered calling a gold-colored armor, similar to the one Saga wore, and basking in its familiar power before he experienced a strange sense of self. He remembered being frozen, unable to move and at the mercy of some dark, malicious being. It grinned at him, offering a mocking farewell as his world descended into darkness.
"Kanon?"
There was no response from the small blunette, expect his hold getting tighter by the second.
"Are you okay?"
It took him a few minutes but the younger twin finally answered quietly, "...un."
"Ah," Saga felt awkward. It had been years since he had last taken care of someone. Since Kanon was basically the same age as him, he had never needed to play the role of an older brother like Aiolos to Aiolia. Hence, to take care of Kanon in his five-year-old self put him in a rather difficult position. "Are you sure?"
"Yea..."
Both stayed silent after that. Saga, knowing his twin stubborn nature, simply ran his hand through Kanon's hair in hope of calming him. He patiently waited until the boy was relaxed enough before asking, "Do you have a nightmare?" He felt Kanon tense and knew that his guess was spot on. He continued, "Want to talk about it?"
Kanon shook his head, face still buried onto the older's chest and arms tight around him. Saga sighed. Kanon had always been like that; he would not tell anything even if he obviously had a problem.
They stayed like that for some time, with the younger clinging to the older who attempted to comfort him awkwardly. Saga looked out of the window and mentally calculated the hours that had passed.
"You should some get some sleep. It's still too early for you to wake up." He advised, trying to put Kanon back to his bed. The boy refused to budge. "Don't worry. I'll stay here until you feel asleep."
Kanon shook his head again, refusing to relent his grip on the other, "...no, don't go." The plea was almost too quiet for Saga to pick up. The older stiffened as he noticed how the small hands gripping him were trembling. "Stay..."
The was a sudden weight in his chest, it grew until he couldn't take it anymore. Saga stared, realizing for the first time how vulnerable his twin could be in their younger years. He had scarcely paid any attention to Kanon ever since he first became the Gemini Saint, and they had long drifted apart before then. In his memory, Kanon always appeared to possess devil-may-care attitude; he was ignorant, sarcastic, arrogant, and full of mockery. He never saw his twin in any condition that could classify him as weak. But seeing Kanon right now...
"Alright." He agreed on. His twin looked up at him in surprise and apparent hope. "Go back to sleep. I am not going anywhere. I'll stay here tonight."
"Promise?"
Saga smiled, "Yes." He sat down on the bed to show the other he was staying. "Now, sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
Kanon reluctantly nodded. He briefly let go of him in order to pick up his discarded blanket and toy. He then looked expectedly at the other Gemini. Saga, realizing what the boy wanted, laid down on the small bed and tried to get as comfortable as he could. He had expected Kanon to sleep next to him like he always did when they were younger. But he was surprised when the five-year-old immediately reached for him and snuggled to his chest with his new plush toy. His much younger twin looked almost happy as he glanced up at him from his position on his chest, "Good night, Saga—big brother."
Stunned, the older took a few moment to collect himself before slowly answering, "Good night..." Pushing the confusing thoughts aside, he tentatively put his arm around the smaller form. He felt Kanon sigh contently at the touch and relaxed slightly. "Sleep well, little brother."
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Notes: I try to keep everyone in character but I am not sure if it turns out right. Saga, especially, is very difficult character to write. I don't know how he will act towards Kanon. Their relationship, after Hades, is still a bit shaky. And now that he has to take care of his much younger little brother, I believe that he'll face some difficulties and awkward moments along the way. But that what I think anyway. I would love to hear what you think of it!
Review will be much appreciated.
Thank you