"And this is where we keep food supplies."
"Wow Claus, this place is so big," Lucas said, looking around at the rows of shelves surrounding them. "Don't you ever get lost? How do you remember it all?"
Claus shrugged. "You'll get used to it."
Claus was showing Lucas around the base, trying to show him how the Army worked, so he would understand that they weren't bad, that the troublemakers were the bad ones.
He needed Lucas to understand, because when Lucas understood, then he'd fit in. Then Master Porky would forget all about him and just focus on the troublemakers.
"Come on," Claus said, causing Lucas to turn and face him, "I'll show you the infirmary next."
"What's an infirmary?" Lucas asked as he followed him out of the room.
"The infirmary is where people go when they're hurt or sick." Turning the corner into a hallway, Claus pointed to the sign on the door. "If there's anyone inside getting help, we'll just look in and then leave. We can't afford to be distractions."
"Okay," Lucas agreed easily. "We don't want to get in the way of someone who needs help."
Claus nodded and opened the door.
Rows of plain white beds stretched along both walls and beyond them, a door led into another room.
There was someone sitting on one of the beds- a soldier in the usual pink uniform. The pig helmet sat on the bed next to him, his dark hair hanging in his face as he stared at the ground.
There was a doctor standing over him, examining him, so Claus quietly shut the door before they noticed.
"Did you get a good look?"
Lucas shrugged. "I got a glimpse of the room, but I did want to see more. Can we come back later, maybe?"
"Well, if we have the time, I guess," Claus said, slightly surprised. But then, this was Lucas. Lucas didn't like seeing anyone in pain, not even animals, so it did make sense that he'd be interested in something like that.
Hey, if Lucas assisted in the infirmary, he would be considered helpful. That would be more proof that he was a good boy and not a troublemaker or an obstacle to the mission. And Lucas might like it too. He liked helping people. And maybe that would help the men realize that he was a good boy too.
Claus filed the idea away carefully and beckoned Lucas along.
"So where are we going now?" Lucas asked as he followed him.
"The training room. Then we'll be done for the day. So Lucas, are you beginning to understand now?"
"Well, I think I can find my way around now, if I had to…"
"That's good, but that's not what I meant. You won't have to, because I'll stay with you. Do you understand what we're doing here now?"
When Lucas didn't respond, Claus looked over his shoulder.
Lucas was making faces to himself as they walked. He must be thinking about it, but he didn't look happy.
"Lucas?"
He looked up at his brother and shrugged. "Um… I guess I could tell what the rooms are for, and list some of the things that they do here. But I really don't understand what the point is."
"The point?"
"Yeah, you know. The goal, the thing you work towards-"
"We follow orders," Claus said, confused himself now.
Lucas sighed, sounding a little frustrated. "No, not that Claus. A goal is something you pursue because you want to do it. I mean- is the Army's only purpose to just do what Porky says? Shouldn't they be focused on more important things?"
"What would be more important?"
"Protecting people, for one. Although it's true that the most dangerous things on the island are the chimeras, still, the Pigmasks should clean up their mess and do something about them. And they also need to stop messing around with animals like that and hurting them." Lucas sighed, looking sadder still, before looking up and meeting Claus's eyes. "Did I explain that good? About having a purpose? Back in the village, Mom and Dad took care of the sheep, and the two of us and Boney helped them, and Mr. Lighter and Fuel gathered wood for everybody and Mr. Bronson used wood to make things for everyone. Everyone had a job and everyone worked together and everyone was happy."
"We work together. The scientists make things for the soldiers and the soldiers bring things back for the scientists."
"Really? I haven't seen any of that. I've just seen the scientists cause problems and the soldiers try not to get into trouble."
Claus stood there a moment- he opened his mouth- nothing came. He turned and quickly moved towards the next destination. He had to show Lucas that this was the good place, that they were the good guys!
Lucas sighed behind him as he hurried to catch up. "Don't be mad, Claus."
"I'm not mad."
"Then why are you stomping?"
"I'm not stomping."
"Yes, you are. Your feet are hitting the ground a lot harder than they normally do."
Claus immediately started trying to quiet his steps.
Lucas was quiet a moment, but Claus could feel his eyes burning into his back. "You know I don't care about the army and stuff like that, right? I just care about you, because you're my brother."
"But I'm the Commander of the Army."
"Yeah, but you're also the one who dropped my favorite story book in the river when we were five," Lucas pointed out in a long suffering voice. "What you do- well, it doesn't make a difference to whether or not I love you."
Either Claus had slowed down or Lucas had sped up. He was walking beside him now.
Claus was aware of him walking there, but he couldn't look at him. His eyes stayed stuck on the floor ahead of him.
Lucas's hand wrapped around his. Startled, Claus looked up to find his brother's big blue eyes focused on him. He didn't say anything, anything at all. But he smiled at him and squeezed his hand and for some reason, Claus felt better.
"Commander, please report to the communications room. Commander, please report to the communications room."
Abruptly, the good feeling disappeared.
OoOoOo
Claus left Lucas waiting outside the room.
It wasn't Master Porky waiting for him of course. Master Porky didn't wait.
It was Fredrick, his chief servant- he frequently relayed orders from Master Porky when Master Porky was doing other things.
"Hello Commander. Master Porky once again wishes to see you in New Pork City. He expects to see you tomorrow morning at breakfast."
"Understood. I'll be there."
Sometimes Master Porky just wanted to give him orders in person. Sometimes though, Master Porky had a special mission for him that took a while. Sometimes even days.
He'd have to leave the base. He'd have to leave Lucas.
"Do you know what Master Porky has in mind?"
"His Highness does not share his plans with me. But I don't believe it will take more than a day, as he also said that you were to bring that captive with you."
Master Porky wanted to see Lucas? He wanted to see him in New Pork City?
"Understood." Did that mean that he didn't consider Lucas a threat anymore? Did that mean that he did consider him a threat and wanted to do something about it? "Did he say anything else?"
"No. All His Highness said was that you were to come tomorrow and bring the captive with you." Fredrick paused a moment. "I'm rather surprised, Commander. Normally you don't ask questions like this."
"I'm trying to plan ahead," Claus answered quickly.
"I see." The screen went dark.
Claus stood up with a sigh. They'd have to leave early tomorrow.
And he probably wouldn't be able to search further for the Ultimate Chimera or the fugitives today either.
Claus nodded to the soldier on duty as he left the room
Lucas smiled as he turned to face him.
And Claus didn't know when they would be back.
"Claus? Are you okay?"
"Fine."
Lucas looked unconvinced.
"…let's go eat lunch now," Claus said, turning away, towards the mess hall. Lucas kept pace beside him as they walked.
Claus didn't like the feeling in his stomach. He didn't want to eat anything, even though it was time to eat. He didn't understand-
He shouldn't be feeling like this. Master Porky took good care of everyone. But Master Porky didn't understand about Lucas. Lucas was sweet and never wanted to hurt anyone.
Maybe Master Porky just wanted to question Lucas himself? That wouldn't be bad, right?
The feeling in Claus's stomach wasn't going away though…
"Did he say something mean to you?"
Claus blinked and turned to look at Lucas. "What?"
Lucas shifted hesitantly. "That time when I was in there with you, Porky said some mean things to you. Did he say mean things to you again? Is that why you're acting like this?"
"…tomorrow… I've been ordered to go to New Pork City. I'm supposed to take you with me."
Lucas looked even more worried. "Why?"
"…I don't know. Master Porky gave the order, but Frederick is the one who told me."
"Fredrick?"
"He works for Master Porky. Sometimes he relays Master Porky's orders so Master Porky can go do other things. Master Porky just gave the order, he didn't give the reason why."
Lucas sighed.
"New Pork City is where everyone is supposed to go," Claus said. "It should be a fun place to go-"
Lucas didn't look impressed.
OoOoOo
Lucas didn't look impressed at anything today. He hadn't looked impressed at the limo. He hadn't even examined anything in it. He'd just sat next to Claus through the entire trip. He hadn't moved at all.
He didn't look impressed at the sight of the city either, as they flew towards it.
Fredrick landed the limo and they got out.
"Master Porky is waiting in the fan club," Fredrick said, without looking at them.
"Understood, we'll head there now."
Frederick took the limo up into the air again.
Before it was even fully off the ground, Claus was walking off, with Lucas following behind him quickly.
New Pork City was a really good place, right? So that should be something here that Lucas would like. Master Porky was waiting for them, so they couldn't loiter, but if Lucas saw something, they could come back and see it later, just for a little bit. Since it would show Lucas that Master Porky was a good ruler, it was somewhat connected to his job, so it would be okay if they spent a little time here, right? Or would it count as a distraction?
A nasty feeling rose up in Claus. He tried to push it away. He looked over at Lucas to distract himself.
Lucas was looking around with a slight frown on his face. One of the people hurrying past bumped into him and Lucas stumbled. Claus grabbed at him to keep him from falling.
The person who'd bumped into him disappeared into the crowd without even noticing.
"Lucas, are you okay?" Claus asked, moving to his side.
"I'm fine," Lucas said- wincing a bit- then smiling up at him. "He was in a big hurry though. I wonder where he was going?"
"I don't know," Claus answered, helping Lucas up. "Maybe he works for Master Porky and he's on a mission too."
Despite his words, despite how important the missions for Master Porky were, Claus felt stirrings of anger poking and jabbing away at his insides. Even if he was in a hurry, that didn't mean he could push Lucas around like that.
Lucas made a face, but didn't say anything.
Claus took a step forward, tugging Lucas after him, and Lucas followed him obediently.
"Do you come here a lot Claus?"
"No. Master Porky mainly relays his orders through the communicators." Claus noticed Lucas looking at the lights. "Do you like the lights?"
"Well, they're interesting. They kinda hurt my eyes though," Lucas admitted it somewhat sheepishly, but there was something in his face, something in his eyes-
"Lucas, is that you?"
Claus suppressed a growl under his breath, and both brothers turned to see a Pigmask. Claus straightened up at the sight of one of the soldiers.
It was one of the privates, their face covered by the helmet, but their voice did sound somewhat familiar. Not familiar enough that he recognized it though.
Lucas didn't seem to recognize them right away either. He looked at them curiously, friendly, but warily too.
"Oh, I suppose you don't recognize me in my new uniform," the private puffed out his chest and continued on. "It's me, Isaac."
"Isaac?" Lucas echoed.
Claus almost repeated it too, but stopped himself. Did he know this person?
Lucas did. Looking at his face told Claus that much, if nothing else.
"So you've joined the Pigmasks, huh…" Lucas said. His voice sounded just a bit sad.
"Yep. And just you watch, I'll become someone important on this island. But I'm surprised Lucas. I thought you would've just stayed back at Tazmily."
"Oh, I'm going to go back home as soon as I can. But there's some things I gotta do first." Lucas turned to Claus and looked at him.
"And who's this guy?" Isaac asked, also looking at him.
"Do you want to introduce yourself?" Lucas asked, not taking his eyes off Claus.
Claus nodded, somewhat reluctantly. He still didn't know who this guy was, his connection to Lucas, anything. But he stepped forward and spoke. "I'm the Commander of the Army."
"You?"
Claus did his best to suppress his irritation at the disbelief in the man's voice. "Yes, I am the Commander of the Army. And now, Lucas and I have to go. The King has summoned us." Claus took his brother's hand and pulled him away from this annoying man, resolving if he saw him again he would assign him to Fassad. The two of them seemed alike enough to deserve each other.
Lucas called a farewell over his shoulder to the man, who shouted something back. Claus didn't listen.
How dare that guy think like that? Claus was the Commander, the strongest in the whole army. How dare that guy look at him like he was some powerless little kid?
Just walking and fuming, Claus wasn't really paying attention, and so he didn't notice until they were in front in the building, and then entered the elevator.
"Mr. Isaac didn't seem familiar to you either?" Lucas asked softly, next to him.
"No," Claus answered, pushing the button that opened the elevator.
The doors slid open and Claus entered, followed by Lucas.
"You seem irritated," Lucas observed, as Claus pushed the button to take them up.
Claus didn't answer. He didn't like that guy, but that guy had joined the Army, which meant that he was Claus's responsibility now.
Was this feeling of irritation a distraction? No, because that guy's belief that Claus was a powerless little kid could be a problem. He might question his orders and upset things. Claus was the Commander, the one in charge of the Army-
"Is it because he was surprised at the fact that you're the Commander?"
He hadn't sounded surprised, Claus thought, he'd sounded disbelieving. But he didn't say anything.
"We're only thirteen, you know."
Claus turned and scowled at him.
Lucas smiled. "We're both pretty young still. We haven't even finished growing yet. We're still smaller than Dad, and Grandpa and Duster too. That's why it's surprising that you're the one in charge of the Army. I always knew that you were strong, but it's still surprising." Lucas paused as the elevator went into the air, looking not quite but close to worried. Thoughtful, but more than that. He looked back at Claus. "You don't remember how you became the Commander, right?"
Claus nodded. Something was twisting in his stomach, a nasty feeling he couldn't name.
Lucas did look worried now.
The elevator came a stop and dinged.
Both twins turned to look at it as the doors slid open.
Claus began walking forward, then stopped and turned back as he realized that Lucas wasn't following him.
Lucas was staring out past him at the hallway behind him, still with that worried look on his face.
"Lucas, let's go."
Lucas switched his gaze to Claus but didn't look that reassured.
Claus hesitated, then held out his hand. "We're sticking together, right?"
Lucas looked surprised, then smiled, a little wryly, and took his brother's hand. "Right."
As they left the hallway, Claus let go of his hand. He didn't want Master Porky to see Lucas as a distraction, to misunderstand. But before he let go, he squeezed his hand, so that Lucas didn't misunderstand either.
They entered Master Porky's fan club room.
"Aw, I don't want any more fried chocolate covered chips. Go get me some hamburgers."
"All right, Master Porky." A woman's voice, one of the fan club. She left just as they entered, not looking at them.
Claus walked to the center of the room, Lucas following closely behind him. He didn't say anything. He just waited for the King to notice that they were there.
One of the fan club members was feeding him right now. It looked like some kind of candy.
The fan club members noticed them and turned to look, most of them staring at Lucas curiously.
Lucas shifted, moving just a bit closer to Claus.
Oh right. Lucas didn't like it when people stared at him like that. He didn't like being the center of attention.
But all of the women staring at them and not at Master Porky attracted the King's attention.
"What are you all looking at- ohh." the large smile popped up on his face again. "And here we have the Commander- and the captive. Anything new to report, Commander?"
"No, Master Porky. There have been no further signs of the Ultimate Chimera or the fugitives. There has been no further progress on unlocking the Temple."
"Aw, how boring. What about you, captive?"
Lucas jumped slightly. Claus could tell without looking, feeling it as he bumped into his shoulder.
"Yes, you captive. What do you think of my city?"
"Uh…I didn't see very much of it yet. We were kinda in a hurry to get here. It's very colorful though- sir."
Claus frowned then tried to wipe the expression off his face. That "sir" sounded awfully added on.
Master Porky laughed. "That's right, my city isn't boring like that nothing village. The only interesting things on this island are due to me, Porky, being here. Ahahahaha."
Lucas tensed but didn't say anything.
"Master Porky, I've returned with your hamburgers."
"Oh good. Feed them to me."
The speaker switched places with the other club member, and Master Porky opened his mouth and began devouring it.
After the second burger, Lucas shifted again. After the third, Master Porky licked his lips noisily. "You can throw the rest away. I'm not hungry anymore."
In the quiet of the room, someone's stomach growled.
"Go on, I said throw it away!"
"Yes Master Porky."
As she walked away, Claus noticed her hands gripping the tray, trembling. He caught a whiff of the hamburgers as she walked past.
"Commander, show that captive around my city. Let him see how awesome it is. You can get out now. I'm done with you. Oh, you with the black hair- come over here and fan me."
Claus bowed and turned, leaving the room, Lucas still sticking close behind him.
"Why are there so many ladies in that room?" Lucas asked as the elevator door shut behind them.
Claus turned and blinked at him, before shrugging and pressing the button. "They're his fan club."
Lucas waited for a moment, then, when Claus didn't say anything else, asked "You don't know either, huh?"
"No," Claus admitted, slightly reluctantly.
"It's weird though."
"…Lucas, we miss Mom, right?"
"Yeah, I really wish she was here. I bet she'd know what to do. Why?"
"I haven't heard of Master Porky having a mom. Of having any type of family. Maybe those ladies are replacement mommies for him."
Lucas didn't look convinced. He looked up at the ceiling, in the direction of the fan club room. "I dunno Claus- they didn't seem very mommy like to me."
"Why? Aren't moms supposed to take care of their kids? Don't they take care of him?"
"They were doing stuff for him," Lucas admitted. "But it was only stuff that he was telling them to do. And he wasn't even doing that nicely."
Claus didn't have a response to that. He wished he did.
The doors slid open and the twins walked out, agreeing without needing to speak about it that it would be a bad idea to talk about it in public.
"See you later Commander," the receptionist said politely as they walked out.
Claus nodded to her and Lucas gave her a small wave as they walked out of the building.
"Is there anything in the city you want to see?" Claus asked quietly as they descended the steps.
Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, Claus turned to see Lucas quickly looking over the city, then looking back at his brother and shaking his head.
"It's not interesting to you?" Claus asked, disappointed.
Lucas shrugged. "Sorry. The lights are so bright and flashy. They hurt my eyes Claus. And it smells funny too. I'd rather go back and work on explaining our past more. Where did we leave off?"
"Our sixth birthday… I didn't really push you in the creek, did I?"
Before Lucas had a chance to respond, footsteps came up from behind them and both twins spun to face the newcomer.
"Lucas! I knew it was you." Blond bangs hid his eyes but there was a smile around the mouth. He straightened up and his panting slowed. "So, you're here too?"
"Hi Mr. Bateau," Lucas said. Claus turned to see a slightly uncertain smile on his face. "Well, we're leaving now, actually…"
"Oh, I see. Who's this?"
Lucas opened his mouth, eagerly, then shut it and turned to Claus. "Do you want to introduce yourself? Or do you want me to do to do it for you?"
Claus shook his head and stepped forward, in front of Lucas. "I am the Commander of the Army."
Bateau blinked at him. Why did no one believe him when he said that? At least this guy didn't smile like he thought it was a joke. "Okay." He looked back at Lucas. "He a friend of yours? How'd you meet?"
Lucas laughed sheepishly. "Well, you could say we're friends. We've known each other for a long, long time."
Lucas didn't like lying. And this was someone that Lucas knew, which probably made it worse. Although-
"Are you from the village?" Claus interrupted. If this guy was from the village, he might know the others- the girl and the man that had been keeping Lucas with them.
"Huh? Oh yeah. We're both from Tazmily, aren't we Lucas?"
Lucas, smiling more comfortably now, nodded. "We've always lived there, haven't we, Mr. Bateau?"
"Yeah…" the look on the man's face had changed. Claus didn't understand it anymore. The man turned away from the brothers and looked over the city.
"Mr. Bateau? Are you okay?"
He man jumped a bit, then turned back to face them. "Ah- yeah. I'm sorry. It's just- this place-"
"It hurts your eyes?"
He chuckled. "No, I've gotten used to it now. It's probably nothing, but-" he glanced over his shoulder then, looking back at the city again. "It's probably nothing. It's just a feeling. A weird feeling." He sighed and turned back to them. "So, you're not staying here huh? Are you heading back to Tazmily?"
"Not yet." Lucas sighed sadly. "Me and Cl-" he broke off and coughed hurriedly. "I can't go home yet. There's still things that need to be done."
"What about your dad and grandpa? Are they still back in Tazmily?"
Lucas looked a little worried now. "I guess so. We got separated though, so I haven't seen them in a while. Last I knew, Grandpa was still in town and Dad was still searching the mountains."
"Ah." The man- Bateau- said, sounding awkward and sympathetic. "You know Lucas, it's been three years. If it were me, I'd want to be with the son I still had. I don't blame him for wanting to find Claus and I don't blame you for missing your brother. But it's been three years now. Don't you think it's time to move on?"
Claus tensed. What- what was this guy talking about? He turned to look at Lucas. Lucas was smiling, somewhat sad, but smiling.
"Don't worry, Mr. Bateau. I found – I found real proof. Claus is very definitely alive, and I know right where he is."
"…Lucas." The name emerged from his mouth, sounding odd and weak-
"Don't worry, I won't talk about it anymore. I just had to tell him that much." Lucas smiled at him before he turned back to the man, still smiling.
The man looked uncertain now. Lucas saw the look on his face and responded.
"Claus really is alive. I've seen him and talked with him. He got lost and got hurt, that's why he didn't come home. You don't have to worry about him though. He's feeling better now. But we still have things to do, so we can't go home just yet, but we will."
"Huh- well, I'd guess you'd know," the man said, still looking uncertain, but less so. "I'm glad to be wrong then. Tell him I said hi, would you? I hope whatever you two are up to goes well."
"Thanks Mr. Bateau." Lucas was smiling even more now. Claus reached for Lucas's hand and pulled at him.
Lucas turned and tried to meet his eyes through the helmet, asking without words what he wanted.
"We should leave now. There are things to be done."
Lucas looked unhappy, but nodded. He turned back to the man, who was watching them curiously. "I guess we have to go now. I hope we see each other again soon."
The man nodded, smiling in a friendly fashion, before turning his attention to Claus, who twitched, surprised.
"Take care of Lucas and Claus, okay? I've known them ever since they were born, and they're both good kids. They do have a tendency to find trouble though, so you might want to watch out for that." The man chuckled at the embarrassed look Lucas threw him. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. I know you've grown and I'm sure Claus has grown as well in the three years since then. I know that your mom would be proud of you."
It felt like all his air had been stolen- sucked out of his lungs- beside him, Lucas froze too.
"Well, goodbye for now."
Lucas nodded, then forced his voice out. "Goodbye for now."
Claus grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
Lucas didn't try to separate himself, although he did wiggle a bit, trying to get his attention, but Claus didn't turn to look at him.
Claus ignored the crowds and the shouting people and the bright flashing lights. He ignored them, tuning them all out, the way he'd always tuned them all out before, until he didn't even notice them at all.
They came to the landing pad.
Claus proceeded to the middle of the empty platform, intending to take off- when he was yanked to a stop. He swung around to find Lucas staring at him.
His little brother looked partly irritated, partially worried. He just looked at him, wide blue eyes like the sky, covering everything-
Claus swallowed.
Lucas tilted his head to the side. "Claus, what's wrong?"
"It hurts."
"I miss Mom too," Lucas let go of his hand. Claus looked at it as it dropped, but then Lucas wrapped his arms around him. "It's okay Claus, it's okay."
Claus remained still. He wanted to leave here, get out. That guy, back there. He'd talked about Mom- who talked about Lucas living in the village, or living here-
Claus shut his eyes at the thought of Lucas going away, then realized his arms were wrapped around his brother.
They just stood there for a while. Eventually, Claus remembered that he was needed back at the base. He was always needed back at the base. He didn't let go, but he straightened up, shifting.
"Lucas, we have to return to base. I'll carry you."
"You're going to use those wings again?" Lucas asked, looking curiously at his back.
Claus nodded and activated them.
Lucas watched curiously.
Claus had been ready to take off, but he paused, seeing Lucas's curiosity.
"Can I touch them?"
Slowly, Claus nodded, surprised.
Lucas grinned and slowly, gently, touched one. "Oh, it's soft."
Claus stayed quiet, stayed still, let Lucas investigate.
Some of the soldiers looked impressed with the wings and some of the scientists found them interesting.
But Lucas was the only one who smiled softly and touched them gently. Lucas was-
Suddenly his mind replaced Lucas with someone else. A blurry figure loomed over him. Their fingers dug into them- yanked at them- their smile distorted and false. So close their breath hit his face-
Claus shuddered.
"Claus?"
He shook his head and pulled away. He tried to wipe the image from his mind, tune it out the way he'd been tuning everything out before. But it stayed stuck in his head, still grinning at him, still filling his nostrils.
"Claus!"
Claus twitched a bit. Lucas had both his hands wrapped around Claus's wrist.
"Claus, are you okay?" Wide blue eyes, big enough to eat him alive- "Claus, you're trembling."
Claus shook his head. The motion came out jerky, almost twitchy, the opposite of the smooth and cool looking gesture he'd been trying for.
Lucas gently pulled one of his hands up in front of his face. It was trembling. Why was it doing that?
Claus glared at it, but it just kept trembling.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Lucas asked softly.
Claus shook his head. It wasn't so jerky this time. That was good. It wasn't Lucas's fault and he wanted Lucas to know that.
"Then what was that?"
Claus looked back down at his hand.
What was it?
"Claus?" The worrying in Lucas's voice went up even more.
"I… I saw something."
"You saw something?"
"Something that wasn't there." Claus briefly raised his eyes to met Lucas's and then ducked down again.
Lucas didn't say anything, just remained still, still holding Claus. He didn't say anything, but Claus could hear the question as clearly as if he had.
"… I thought someone else was touching me… I… I didn't want them to be touching me."
Lucas still didn't say anything, but his eyes were softer. Loving. He hugged Claus again. Claus rested his head on his brother's shoulder.
"I understand Claus. There's people I don't want touching me either."
"Really? But you like hugs and things."
"From you and Mom and Dad, yeah. From Grandpa and Boney and our friends too. But not from everyone. Mrs. Jill used to pinch our cheeks and laugh in our ears, remember? We always hated that. And that scientist in the room when you first took me to the base? I wouldn't want him to touch me." One of Lucas's hands rose up and touched the collar around his neck.
Something moved inside Claus. It yanked at his insides, causing pain.
"Hey, Claus? I know I'm not as strong as you, but I've gotten stronger, and I'm not a crybaby anymore. You're my brother, and if there's something I can do for you, something I can do to help you, something to protect you, I want to do it- because you're my brother and I love you," Lucas said, facing him straight on, no hesitation.
"Lucas…"
"I know I'm not as strong as you, even with-" Lucas's fingers darted to the collar again before Lucas breathed out and pulled his hand away, forming it into a fist. "Even though I can't use my PSI right now, I'm not going to let that stop me from doing things!" Both fists were clenched now, his little brother's face serious and determined. "So don't forget, okay? Whatever you need, I'll do it for you, because I love you."
That sensation again. Like fingers squeezing at his throat.
Ignoring the feeling, Claus nodded, and got his reward as Lucas smiled.
"We should go." Before anything else happened. Before someone else claiming to know Lucas showed up.
"Okay. Can we stop at home for a little bit first?"
"No."
Lucas sighed in disappointment, but didn't complain or argue. "Okay. How are you going to do this?"
"I'll carry you." Wasn't that obvious?
"Yeah, but are you going to carry me the same way as last time, or are we going to try something different?" Lucas glanced at the wings. "Would piggyback work? Or would that get in the way of your wings?"
Claus looked over his shoulder, then lifted one arm and looked at the bottom of the wing. "…we'll try it. If it doesn't work, I'll carry you like last time."
"Okay." Lucas came close and went behind him. He wrapped his arms around his neck and upper body and his legs around his stomach.
Claus reached down and held onto his brother's waist as well, and activated the wings.
Lucas's arms tightened his grip as they rose in the air, but didn't respond other that.
They were off, gaining momentum and speeding away, leaving New Pork City behind.
"Look, over there!" Lucas pointed before remembering how high they were and latching onto Claus's neck again.
There were two birds, darting back and forth, chasing each other across the sky.
Claus was much much faster than they were. He could easily fly past them and leave them behind. but Lucas liked watching them. And they were graceful, darting here and there, moving closer and then further away.
Their wings were different from his. The wings they had, they had to work hard to use, flapping just to get anywhere. His, on the other hand, he only had to think about to use them. But he couldn't move like them either.
The birds darted away into the forest below them and disappeared.
Lucas found birds interesting, but he didn't find New Pork City interesting.
Lucas sighed- sounding happy- and hugged Claus tighter. "I missed the sky- I missed the trees- I missed the wind- I missed the sun. It's really nice to be outside again. I couldn't really appreciate it before, because we were all hemmed in inside that car and I was worrying about what Porky would do. Hey Claus, this way of getting around is a lot more fun than that long car from this morning."
"The limo?"
"Yeah, that. Thanks Claus!"
"You're welcome."
Claus felt… strange. Conflicted. Didn't Lucas like any of Master Porky's things?
But Lucas did like Claus's things. He was impressed with the things that he could do. That was …nice. It made him happy that Lucas was impressed by the things that Claus could do.
Of course, the soldiers were impressed by the things that he could do too. But somehow, it meant more that Lucas was impressed. Probably because they were brothers.
The last time Claus had carried Lucas somewhere, Lucas hadn't wanted to go with him. This time he did. That was nice. Really nice.
Lucas's arms were wrapped around him. The sun was shining down on both of them. The wind was touching them gently.
Claus smiled as he carried his brother through the air.
OoOoOo
Still not happy with this, but I can't just tinker with this chapter forever.
I'd like to apologize for the super long wait and thank those of you who have stuck with me and anyone who just started reading as well. You all are awesome! Thank your for reading and a very special thanks to those of you who leave comments!