Mythology had been Nine's best subject at the Academy. Twelve had little interest in those centuries old fairytales, but Nine absorbed them like a sponge. He knew all the stories, from Odysseus to Perseus, he memorized those and more. Twelve always wondered what fueled him to do so, life for them had been dull and gray, how he found joy about any of their tasks he'll never understand.
But then, Twelve would never understand Nine completely. They were close for sure, he knew when Nine woke from that same damn dream, and he could tell when Nine was in pain, but trying to hide it. Still, Twelve couldn't say he knew all the inner workings of him. Perhaps Nine didn't know, himself.
He had been a constant pillar in his life. Twelve's earliest memories were all with Nine. They never spoke of their bond, it was pointless to speak of such lies of love, but it was there. Brothers didn't cover it, it went deeper, Twelve would call them soul mates, if he was the sentimental type. Someone your life was tied to.
The plutonium had been Nine's idea, the bombings too. He was so determined to strike back at those who stole their future, to burn in a blaze of glory, proving they existed. Twelve had gone along, not particularly caring. He however did care about Nine, he'd follow him into Hell.
So that summer in Tokyo, Twelve had been ready to go with the plan, ready to take control of their own lives for once. But then she happened. Lisa Mishima, the frail girl that held so much bravery. Around her, it was so easy to pretend he was a regular kid. Not a bomb slowly counting down, ticking to the beat of his heart. And Nine felt the same, he knew it. She was a glimpse at the simple life they desired. Lisa was the first person they could call a friend.
The desire was so tempting, to be free of these morbid matters. Twelve didn't see the reason to go through with the plan. Why can't they just enjoy their last days with Lisa, pretending to be the family none of them had? But Nine was determined, he never let his attachment to her stop his plans. That's the only thing they disagreed on.
So Twelve had betrayed him, he went to save the girl he had known for less than a year instead of sticking with his partner. It was an obvious trap, but he didn't care. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard the slow countdown: tick, tick, tick. If he was gonna explode, he might as well comfort his friend while doing so.
But Twelve wasn't as brave as Nine, he didn't have the resolve to sacrifice his life. In that small Ferris wheel car, he had faced the grim reality of actually dying. All it took was Five's cruel words to break him.
"It's at school!" With those words Twelve could see himself stabbing a knife through Nine's back. Betraying him a second time. As he collapsed, Twelve realized they weren't the Sphinx, with its clever riddles. No he was treacherous Romulus, striking the fatal blow against his brother's, Remus, head.
A.N. Here's a special fic for 9/12! After that episode, all I can write is angst.