A/N: Oh dear, looks like I made it to chapter four. I do apologize if the last chapter was a tad bit…rushed. xP Hoshiat. Marta has made her appearance! When will she show up again? Eh. I don't know. Anyway. Who's enjoying the progression? :B Ya don't think Tosky's overprotection isn't too OOC? I hope not, it is what actually spices the Ratatosk/Emil relationship here. (STILL A TOTAL RICHTER/EMIL FAN. XO) And one thing I wanna clear up is this: I AM NOT DEAD...YET!
Extra notes: As always forgive my spotted mistakes. ;~; Let me see what should I be detailing for this chapter...harrump...things clear up with more chapters. But that is just so obvious. Kinda short?
Disclaimer: Who knew the OVA for TOS: Tethe'alla thingy is up now. AWESOME. –goes and watch it- uh, yeah. Don't own.
A short convo: I got this down all, wonderful. Steffy is making absolutely sure and so far "telling the truth" when she said she didn't distort anything like she did in the last chapter that I slaved a couple minutes of my life to change. So if you see the same pattern last chapter, do tell me. I got Steffy by the ropes here. :DD
Steffy - Woe is me. I apologized, goddarnit! Or if you don't mind it will make my life a more simplistic and that jazz, tell my violent owner hiiier. :-B I'm liek a natsee. Kidding. I was just testing out structure, something a certain authoress could care less about and would rather watch her iguana-mind you, that thing does NOTHING ALL DAY.
Enough from Steffy, back to me~! Enjoy, hopefully I won't wrangle Steffy by then.

All three attempts were such an utter failure.

Emil would admit this certain night was the liveliest yet, far different than always having spending dinner alone or just with his older twin, however he felt at fault to his visitor's sleeping arrangements. Firstly on the matter is his stubborn sibling: Ratatosk rudely interjected and highly expressed his discontent of having to share the same bedroom with someone other than Emil—Emil weakly scolded his brother and told the hot-tempered blonde to keep his hostility towards Richter to a minimum or visibly non-existent. Emil caught the rarest of the redhead's frown faltering further and with his expression clearly saying he also would not even dare share a room with red-eyed temper-menace – that was attempt two down the drain with both parties disagreeing. And the third became even clearer and straight to the point than the second where Richter shook his head, already expressing his gratitude for the served food and the temporary shelter. The younger blond eventually grew dejected he had lost and Richter—who protected him and stayed by his side in the cave—settled on the guest couch in the next room instead of sleeping on Emil's bed like the boy hoped. Green eyes glanced at the closed door, from the slit on the far corner of the door the lights were no longer present and all that remained is the silent ambiance between him and Ratatosk.

Emil dragged his feet to his bed; he threw his face on his pillow, muffling his heavy sigh from Ratatosk. In turn, actually, the older blond already ran a string of curses, too preoccupied entangling the disordered array of his bed sheets that tied him in a knot one way or another. As he finally finished kicking and cursing, Ratatosk eyed one unneeded pillow dangling from the loose knot of his sheets. Ratatosk grabbed said pillow and raised his arm, with a forceful throw the pillow landed precisely on top of Emil's head. The younger blond gasped for a gulp of air from the sudden shock, his bright verdant eyes moodily narrowed at his grinning twin trying to pull off an innocent smile.

He rolled his eyes. "You're so mean," Emil said plainly.

Ratatosk scoffed in response, huffing to Emil's lack of energy—nighttime or not—and hoping the younger blond would have a better comeback. With a simple shrug Ratatosk buried himself under the layers of sheets, his eyes felt a tad bit drowsy but the hollow frown Emil wore kept him sleeping: "What's with you?" But nevertheless it tensed the older blond when Emil failed to acknowledge the question or simply ignore it; he seemed distracted and completely fixated his sight on his hands instead. Ratatosk's brow visibly twitched, "Martel help me…Emil! If you don't answer me I swear I'll-" he began only to be cut short as Emil sprung from his bed, bitter still, and made himself room to settle on…Ratatosk's bed. The older blonde's voice stopped dead-panned, cheeks were delving to warm a pinkish-hue, and he even felt his ears grow warm. Emil took a daring glance to only see his reflection in the pools of red, his frown deepened to his own sour expression.

Emil pulled the sheets further up to cover his cold shoulders, his voice kept at an audible but hushed tone he said: "S-sorry. Ratatosk, can we sleep like this…just for tonight? It…it feels…n-nice." Emil's paced voice felt so warm near the crook of his Ratatosk's neck as he daringly cuddled closer to feel the warmth of the other blonde's body heat. Emil's head fell away from the pillow that was being shared amongst the two and rested well on Ratatosk's chest—much to the Ratatosk's displeasure and his fear that Emil will hear his heart beating at such a rapid pace. Ratatosk breathed deeply to soothe his unrelenting heart, slowly with minor uncertainty he found himself wrapping his arms around his sibling's frail stature. Within a few minutes Emil began to breathe evenly under Ratatosk's embrace, signaling he fell deep into slumber.

Ratatosk's scarlet eyes were clenched, he felt as if he were breaking for two different reasons. How much longer could he put up with this…this…"brotherly affection"-mentality of Emil's? Ratatosk argued how long he could restrain himself from Emil, but no matter how much he tried the younger blond always pushed further to his already unsteady heart. Ratatosk's brows knit together, sighing to suppress his clenching fist. "Damn you, Emil." Even with that said Ratatosk lightly kissed Emil on his forehead, it was like a feather-kiss so he would not stir the boy awake.

Emil found it all too surprising when half his body was sprawled on the floor from one of Ratatosk's vicious kicks—Emil always had a theory if Ratatosk cannot unleash his irritation through the day he does so through his sleep—that the sound of his impact barely budged Ratatosk. The green-eyed blond scratched his head, his blurred sight trying to become accustomed to the overwhelming darkened night to thoroughly realize his situation. As if the fall had knocked all the remaining drowsiness he felt earlier Emil wandered back to his bed as he gave a prolong stare to his deserted sheets. The pause only lasted a few seconds until Emil gasped in realization – he left everything for Richter except the blankets, mostly he forgot due to his brother's refusal. In a quick swift Emil searched the corner of the cabinets, sighing in heavy relief to find the last remaining clean blankets.

Creak after creak Emil's eyes narrowed, he realized that the harder he tried to remain silent the more pressure he applied on the floor, his luck was no better with the aged door and the loose bolts that just barely kept the door in place made such racket upon opening. The moon's radiant light provided him a dim path that led him to Richter, his state right now felt so mesmerizing Emil actually took a moment to gaze. He noticed how Richter frowned in his sleep but not as deep when he is conscious, nor did have an aura of intimidation but of a peaceful state. And the redhead without glasses made him even more calming. Then again, that is what sleep does to a person. Emil felt a pang of guilt when Richter only covered himself with his black coat. With further inspection of the coat Emil found smears of dirt and blood from a course of traveling through the days, and with the utmost caution he shed the coat off Richter's body and gently placed the fluttering sheet.

Success! Emil applauded himself, mentally that is. It felt as if he could come across a better scenario where everything around him did not creak and as he took a single step outside, he predicted there would only be a good two to four hours before sunrise: plenty of time to get done with the loaded laundry that has been piling throughout week. Before he fully closed the door Emil grabbed a basket resting beside the plotted plant where the laundry has piled. It was a heavy weight to carry so he was grateful no matter how much the civilians despised his existence they never destroyed the clothesline post or stole the washboard directly on the rear side of the building. As Emil dropped the basket on the grass he grabbed the bucket containing the washboard and filled the gray tin with plenty of water, finally sinking his hand in to obtain the soap stuck at the base of the bucket.

The night felt comforting, but no matter how pleasant the atmosphere felt around him there is a much bigger chance of late night thieves, bandits, or crooks. The blond scanned his surroundings, his smile forming to be satisfied no one was around. And that is how he worked through the hours with an occasional breeze that eventually got him sneezing from time to time. Time has quickly flown through and through by the time he finally met with Richter's long black coat. He sunk the garment into the bucket and gently scrubbed through the dirt with the steel ridges, finally hanging every piece of clothing on the clothesline.

"That wasn't necessary."

Emil jumped; his heel immediately turned to face Richter, the man was leaning his back against the building. Emil placed his hand on his heart, relieving his shock. With the faintest smile Emil responded, "I-I needed t-to get the laundry d-done an-anyway…" Emil fought the urge to sneeze and make it seem even more apparent he was stuttering only because he was freezing.

"You shouldn't have done that if it meant getting sick, Emil."

The blonde's smile instantly faded, his head hung low and his body quivered to the cold and the fear of angering Richter. "I-I'm sorry."

The redhead shook his head, "Stop apologizing." He said evenly, trying to uphold his tolerance to Emil's limitation of apologies. He brought one finger up, scratching his cheek and uncertain of what to do. Richter's body possessed him to walk over, his hand ruffling Emil's golden-blond hair to which the boy instantly perked up to like a sweet child – that instant change in mood reminded the days he spent with Aster. Usually he questioned whether or not Aster had a bipolarity issue from being a serious-natured student when the time called to a carefree soul with a radiant smile to match his stunning, but unpredictable, personality.

From that moment Emil felt such a nice warmth inside of him to witness Richter giving off a gentle smile—only because he was recapping on something—and his nice, big hands that made Emil feel secure, cared for, a someone. But alas, if only Emil could detect that the glint in Richter's eyes is not truly because Emil was someone but because he resembled somebody.

Ratatosk scarlet eyes shot open, fixated heavily on the window revealing the darken horizon with only a few bright glimmering stars. Hurriedly he jumped off his bed—as if completely oblivious to Emil's absent presence—and clutched his head with the palm of his hand, the pain was pulsating through his body. He blinked once, than twice to have a clear visual of everything around him—Dammit! he thought, I thought I could control myself. Not again… He took a shaky step forward, slipping on his shoes and his mind racing to find his sword. Ratatosk's nails clawed the wooden floor to latch a better hold on his sword – another choice to stabilize his current condition. Red eyes peered over the window, he predicted the fall wouldn't cause the nerves on his foot and legs to die completely but with the intent rising his own well-being was the least of his concerns.

The loud 'thump' failed to disturb the small community; he gathered his senses to make a speedy dash at far end of Luin to enter the forest. The longer the route and the closer the prey, Ratatosk pondered, maybe he could stray away such malicious intentions for the meanwhile. The darken layer of trees provided him the element of surprise, the darken environment masked him from his entire murderous wrath. Ratatosk made a halt at a fork, eying a large bear making final preparations for a bedding made entirely of leaves and several flowers. The sword reflected the dim light the moon lit in the night; several trees were swaying, the aroma of the flowers and plants filling the air: it was the perfect essence of peace.

Ratatosk snickered, sheathing his weapon from the scabbard and preying slowly, vigilantly, and all in deadly motions. Within the next minute his clothes were painted with scarlet splattering the bed of leaves and the rest of the grassy area. His eyes wandered and the fresh amount of blood creating a thick and dripping layer that completely destroyed the serene nature of the forestland. More than anything his red eyes glimmered with glee as he raised his weapon higher for the light to shine, his menacing snicker died down when an empty void fell deep in subconscious – was that it? Only one killing? His lips twitch upwards to a chord of audible laughter and talking.

Wonderful, Ratatosk mused, foolish travelers in the night. He hid his blade behind him, the cogs in his head turning and a sinister idea spurning. He approached the travelers carefully, purposely rustling some of the bushes so they can shine their flashlight at him. Once they did Ratatosk held his hands defensively, masking an act of innocence.

It was simply an elderly man and his wife lost and on their way to Luin. He almost grinned that their eyesight failed them to see the blood staining much of his clothes.

It took a while but all fell in a compromise.

"We all goin' to Luin 'en?" said the old man, puzzled he went on: "Join us! 'Tis mighty strange findin' a fella out 'ere. What'cha doin' anyway?"

Ratatosk bit his tongue, his voice almost laced with venom to such parasites in his sight. "Early hunting, providing food by killing bears," Ratatosk's eyes drew half-lidded in amusement to the aged woman's visible shudder, "finding prey." he said in a low whisper, licking his lips to the pair's detectable fear.

So much for that red barrier Emil mentioned earlier.

He felt eternally grateful that several monsters hiding in the bushes were just waiting for the precise moment to feast on the dead corpses left behind, but no creature dared approached the blood-stained blond. Ratatosk grimaced at his sword, swinging it once as the blood scattered around from the force. He gripped his shirt, his nails digging into the fabric and gradually the nails sunk into his skin. He only winced at the pain the further he sunk his nails – it was an the best alternative to create a temporary relief to the strong feeling of murderous desire than just banging his head against a tree and hoping he will fall unconscious and all desires will have disappeared by then. A small puddle barely gave a clear reflection, the liquid had more of a tint of green than clear, and yet the blond rested his head on the palm of his hand.

It'll be better if the water remains dirty, I don't think I could bear to look at myself.

The hand supporting his head slid to his cheek, the reflection of self-loathing and boredom, his scarlet eyes unreadable until finally he threw a pebble at the water. With a quick stretch Ratatosk dragged his heels against the soil, ultimately leading to the once dried-up lake – water rose to the edge of the mounted dirt and grass, not even close to overflowing the surrounding area. The blond scoffed, fireflies were floating on the body of water and giving the view a much more glorious pride when it was only shriveled up hours ago but the mere sight agitated him.

His nostrils flared in disgust and hate: the water finally returned, those villagers should be more than appeased, all with the exception the ridicule he and Emil will eventually endure despite such a heavy miracle on those ingrates. Pessimistic views flowed in his head without limitation, his body grew calmer but his eyes were concentrated on the blood that had dried on the tip of his sword. With a nonchalant grin his body fell back on the clumps of thickened grass reducing any pain he might have felt from the sudden lack of energy. Ratatosk curled his fingers in the grass, a pastime habit he always had when venting out his frustration, more on the occasions when the village children and adults taunted him, labeled him, and abused Emil more than anything. Well, the children were the ones who frequently nitpicked Emil or pelted him with rocks.

"They're monsters!"

"-just wretched twins-"

"They'll be the death of us!"

"Cursed! That is what they are!"

Ratatosk clenched his eyes, his heel digging into the soil, a disgusted scorn gracing his lips. And we go through hell, and for what? The blond turned to face a more comfortable position, cursing the rocks sinking into torso but nevertheless took his hands and rested it under his ear – as if he was trying to provide himself an adequate pillow to rest on the side. All their words, all their actions meant nothing to the teen, but his heart felt like it would shatter when Emil would return home crying with bruises or emotionally unbalanced from the lack of friends. The memory felt so clear it pained him enough to keep it remembered: Emil's heart wrenching sobs, his face covered in wet tears and a trail of mucus running down his nose. Thankfully, Ratatosk began; the older Emil grew the less snot Ratatosk would have to tolerate on his clothes to comfort the younger blond.

The morning felt like a bustling day in Luin with plenty of smiles and the aura of good-will, you would only receive the best treatment if you had no interactions with the cursed twins of Luin, scorned them like the rest, and the children were anything but merciless. It was a subtle game: "Your popularity would increase, you will be praised and rewarded with toys, and you will gain more friends, earn their 'respect' if you successfully drove the infamous red-eyed blond to tears. If you aren't successful, just getting Emil would suffice. Be very careful! The longer your streak the worse it will be if Ratatosk EVER finds out. Just taking this risk promotes you to one level of respect. Best of luck."

And so they did just that one particular day when they took a spy to follow Emil everyday as he interacted with a rabbit. He would explain his secrets, his crush he has on only one girl, and frequently burst in tears from the loneliness he feels to the creature. The pair of children snickered and then the next day they talked to the village girl Emil mentioned to the rabbit. The green-eyed blond, only nine at the time, brought a basket of carrots and berries he fetched from home, his low voice calling out to the rabbit. Eager eyes found a trace of fuzzy ears—a bit droopy, Emil confusedly noticed—near the bush. When approaching with such a vibrant smile it immediately faltered when three children were holding a dead rabbit in the air, held by the ears and dripping its red fluid.

The girl, who Emil had a crush on, swung the dead creature carelessly, throwing the dead animal at Emil's face with a sinister cackle. "Oops! My hand slipped."

The rabbit slid off the small blonde's face, leaving a thick trail of blood until the corpse hit the floor. The nerves in his arms died, causing him to drop the basket. Small but a rivulet of salty tears ran down his face, smearing the blood on his cheeks. His feet were the first to finally regain the ability to move. With one speedy dash Emil made his way back home in a matter of minutes.

Red-eyes flickered to the door, uninterested when he hollered for Emil to find some way to enter, he felt too sluggish to walk across the room to answer the door. The silent air disturbed him, his ears perked to the sound of crying — much easier to distinguish from such constant days were Emil had to voice out his emotions. Uneasily Ratatosk walked across the room, his hand turning the knob and faced his bloody and tearing sibling. The younger blond wrapped his thin arms around Ratatosk's neck, his slurred speech made it almost impossible to comprehend. "Wh-why d-does e-everyone h-ha-hateme?"

With this Ratatosk bit down on his tongue to restrain his furious temper and with a groan he picked Emil's body and cradled him, gently releasing him on his bed. Ratatosk despised showing too much emotion, showing such a tender side even to Emil. Just thinking about being soft made him cringe, but then again…he admitted Emil was top priority to console in any way possible. Ratatosk brushed aside Emil's blond fringes, his thumb wiping away to excess tears running near the boy's mouth, his free hand placed itself on Emil's cheek, cupping it gently and affectionately.

Emil hiccuped, throwing loud sobs whilst his hands clutching tightly on his sibling's shirt.

"Shhh," Ratatosk whispered in Emil's ear, "Emil, it's alright. I don't hate you; I could never hate you. Shhh…I'm here."

Ratatosk waited patiently for Emil to explain clearer than he did before, his nostrils flared and his fist tightened after hearing the bitter end.

"Those shits. Just watch when I-"

"Y-you d-don't hate m-me, Rat-Ratatosk?" Emil said, sniffling.

Ratatosk's scarlet eyes were fixated in the watery pools of emerald, with a soft snicker the older blond ruffled Emil's hair. "'Course not. You're all-" Ratatosk wanted to take back that little piece but it was better to finish his sentence no matter how sappy and how it felt it degraded his pride. "…You're all I have, Emil. And I'm fine how I am with just you." His expression grew crestfallen, the volume in his voice greatly decreased, "Which is why I don't know how I would mange if you would ever decide on leaving me."

A short pause.

Emil's eyes widened, he swallowed the lump in his throat but his voice still sounded raspy from his crying session. "T-there are two things I promise: one, I would never hate you, too. And two, I'll never leave y-you."

The older of the twins snickered, "Not even if you found wife?"

The small blond laughed innocently, the tears close to drying. "S-she'll just h-have to p-put up with it."

Ratatosk laughed wholeheartedly, not expecting such a response from such a good-willed child. The next day Emil woke up stunned to hear shrill screams right in the morning. He raced to the door where he found Ratatosk grinning triumphantly, his index finger pointing towards the three children that bullied him and killed his pet. They were drenched in fish guts—why Ratatosk would resort in something horrific and appallingly foul or how he obtained a fish when the supply was so low was beyond him—the girl Emil had a crush had an ugly black eye, several scratches, a deep gash running down her lip to her chin, and a fish head in her mouth; Emil squinted and noticed she fainted and failed to cough the fish head beforehand. The two other boys were badly bruised, and when Emil's green orbs gazed back at his sibling the older blond barely had a scratch. Only blood splotches on his clothes including the faint odor of fish.

"I know you don't like violence, Emil, but they really pissed me off. Who do they think they are bulling you li-"

Emil agreed and despised the sight of violence. Ratatosk felt as if he expected an earful from his younger sibling, only this time Emil gave a brisk embrace to the dumbfounded older blond and explained with two simple words: "Thank you."

From that day on the girl Emil once had a crush on grew up to be very hideous with many scars on her face and body and the traces of a black eye which failed to disappear – all thanks to Ratatosk.

Ratatosk shot up from his resting position, cursing at the sun rising from the exposed lining of the mountains. He could not help but grin, sure the night was an awful one he had to bear with the eaten corpses he passed, disgusted still as he heard a loud crunching sound. How magnificent, Ratatosk stated listlessly, he stepped on their bones. With a heartless shrug he pictured Emil delighted to see him, nothing could possibly ruin his day. Yesterday was enough when he saw his younger sibling in an agonizing state of pain, watching over him felt like something pierced his heart. Although it happened only yesterday today is a new day and time to start things fresh!

The redhead nuisance should be gone by now, and it will just be him and Emil again.

His spirit lifted when caught sight of Emil all giddy with the matching clothes he 'bought' from the merchant. Ratatosk did not pursue the matter further, his smile greeting Emil as the blond teen took a hold of his hands and-

"Ratatosk! Guess what happened!" before the questioned blond could answer, Emil speedily answered for him. "We talked for a while, with some convincing and pleading…err. Well, anyway! Richter is letting me join him! Isn't that great?"

-it took every ounce of energy to somehow keep smiling for Emil. For once Ratatosk felt like his very essence just shattered.

A/N: I'm terribly sorry about the wait. I've had so many chances to keep going but something always distracted me. My new fandom has gone to Invader Zim (RAPR FTW!) but still I've tried to concentrate on updating. I've never realized how truly lazy I can be, and since I've held this chapter up it's edgy. Psh. Go ahead; virtually strangle me for my lame excuse. xD This chapter (in my eyes, though) is…iffy. Now that aside, some Richter and Emil scenes should be coming soon. So far it's only been about Ratatosk and Emil. Eheh…