Eliphas' POV:
I stare down at the council members stifling a yawn. This has been such a slow day. My eyes drift to the empty spot not far from me. To think he's off somewhere fun while I'm stuck here. He's going to get extra work when he gets back! Then again… who am I kidding? What work can I make him do? It's not like I can make him evaluate the appeals. With his views, there's no way anything beneficial will be passed.
"Honey," A voice whispers as my eyes widen. My wife glances at me then at the court. Golden eyes shine in concern. "Are you alright?"
"Hm? Oh yes." I blink rapidly as a redhead man kneels below me. "I'm fine." That's what I get for submerging myself in my thoughts.
"Your Majesty, about the quakes…"
"Yes? What about them?" Have they gotten stronger?
"They have seem to be getting stronger day by day. If this keeps up, the sheer amount of dark energy will be enough to break the barrier between this world and their world. If that happens, I'm afraid…"
Whispers circulate among the room as I purse my lips. Hm… that is certainly a problem. Right now, it's evident that Don Thousand is plotting something but what? It has to be something phenomenal to shake the barrier so much…
(Creek)
Footstep ring throughout the room as a 19 year old kid walks in with tired expression. Gold and silver eyes flicker to mine then towards the chair to the side of the room. A yawn escapes his lips as he trudges to the chair, sprawling himself on it letting out a breath. What the…
All of the eyes in the room widen at his sudden break in character. Why does he look like he's been in a fight? I mean his clothes are so disheveled. Don't tell me… he actually fought with someone?!
"Your Royal Highness," Gold eyes stare at him with concern. "Are you okay?"
He waves an arm. "I've been better."
Why this kid!
"You should've been here 15 minutes ago," My arms cross. "Where were you?"
"You should've been glad I even came here." His eyes roll with a huff. "If I known I was going to get interrogated by you, I wouldn't have wasted all that energy." A mutter rings throughout my ears as my brows furrow.
Wasted… energy… My eyes widen as a slight twinge of dark energy flows through the room. Where is this… The one who sits in the chair plays with a gold pendent on his neck as my eyes narrow. No way. Did he… but this aura… there's no doubt about it but how?
Ten minutes later:
Glad I got that sorted out.
"Alright," The 19 year old kid rises to his feet shaking his head a bit. "Can I go now?"
"Not yet." My eyes narrow as I step down from my throne. "How could you use that power?"
"Oh, so you noticed after all." His eyes roll as I grit my teeth. "Well, I deserve a thank you for-"
"Thank you my head!" My voice booms across the room. "How could you use his power? That was sealed for a reason and you-"
"Is this what I get for making the barrier stronger?"
He doesn't get it! The more power he uses…
My blood boils as my fingers curl up into a ball. "You think it's fun and games, don't you? You think just because he set you free means you can use his power for inconsequential things?!"
"Excuse me? Inconsequential? If your son didn't beg me to strengthen the barrier there would be no way I would break the seals."
He what?! Why would he…
"No matter what he said you shouldn't have agreed! Do you know what happens when you break the seals?"
"Of course."
"So why did you do such a thing?!" I clench my fist even more. "If you know the consequences, why would you go and-"
"Does it really matter at this point?" A scoff escapes his lips. "It's done and over with. Get over it, Your Majesty."
This kid…
"Do you not care about him one bit?" Calm down, Eliphas. You can't hit a kid. "You two grew up together. Are you that heartless to sacrifice his lifespan for something like that?" Who cares if the barrier breaks down. My son's life is more important. This world can go burn for all I care.
"Honestly," An eyebrow raises with a smirk. "It would've been better if he died during that incident."
"You-"
"At least if he died, he wouldn't have been tortured physically and mentally by the memories of that place. He wouldn't have to suffer the heartbreak and depression curtesy of you! If he died, he wouldn't have to deal with you being his father and-"
(Slap)
"Shut your mouth!" My hand connects with his cheek as the being in front of me holds his cheek with a shocked look. "You have absolutely no right to say such things."
"You," I point an index finger at him as I can see his left contact falling to the ground revealing a luminous silver eye. Wait… silver? Wasn't his real eye black? "How could you say those things? How dare you say those things you little brat!"
"Eliphas!"
A hand grips my arm as golden eyes pierce my being. "Control yourself."
Excuse me?!
"Let go of me." I mutter as I stare at the guy in front of me. "He just said our son will be better off dead." My chest clenches as I grit my teeth. I don't care if I'm hitting a 19 year old. No one says that and gets away with it! "Get your hand off my arm."
"You just slapped a kid!" She screams as tears leak from her cheeks. "What is wrong with you?!"
"He said our son is better off dead." I yank my arm from hers. "Maybe you can let that one go but I can't!"
(Slam)
"Dad, good news! Lucky has…"
Golden eyes widen as she stares at us, trailing off her sentence. What is she doing here?
…
"Am I… interrupting something?"
Very much.
My daughter approaches us with a curious glance. Her brows furrow at the guy in front of me. His head lowers towards the ground holding his cheek unmoving.
"Lucky?" A quiet voice whispers as my eyes widen. Why is she… A pair of arms grip his shoulders firmly as she furrows her brows. "Why are you… are you okay?"
He dips his head into a small nod.
She blinks pursing her lips. "Why are you looking down?"
The guy in front of me stays silent.
"Come on, look at me."
There's something not quite right here… why is she so concerned over an imposter?
"Astral," Her face defaults to a serious demeanor. "Look at me."
I blink as my wife glares at me looking at the kid in worry. Geez, it was just a slap. On another note, "Astrana, why are you referring to him by that name?" He will never and I mean never be my son.
"Because he's my twin brother." My daughter said not sparing me a glance. Twin… brother… is it possible that he's…
If that's the case… My hand trembles as I gulp. Oh no… I… A wave of nausea courses through me as my heart rate speeds up. If he really is Astral…
"Come on, brother." She whispers as his hand slightly shifts. "Please, look at me. What's the matter?"
But he's Raizel! He can't be him! He just can't!
The guy in front of me clutches my daughter's hand as a dark chuckle rings throughout the room. His shoulders shake as he slowly meets my gaze. No way…
Crimson trickles down his cheek as the outside turns a dark purple. I didn't even use that much force! How can it be…
Two gasps ring out as my wife immediately rushes over to him covering her mouth.
"What on Astral World happened?!" My daughter screeches in alarm as her fingers briefly touches the wound. "Who did this to you? Tell me! Who would dare do this to the Prince?!"
He… My heart halts as gold and silver eyes bore into mine. Those eyes… I just slapped my own… son… I step back a few steps, shaking my head as both of my hands tremble. No. No. This has to be a prank. This has to be a joke!
"Ha," The shine in his eyes disappears as lifeless eyes shine ominously through his eye sockets. "To think you would actually strike your own son."
"What?!" Her head swerves to my direction. "Dad! You did this?!"
"Don't let him fool you." My eyes narrow against his. "He's not your brother."
"He's-"
"You can't even tell the difference between the son you raised for 19 years and Dark?" An emotionless voice interrupts her as he giggles.
"I-"
"Am I nothing but a stranger to you?" My head shakes as my throat locks. "To think I tried to please you for all those years with little success." No… "You deny it all you want but the truth is you never loved me. The true me. You just love the son who acted as if he was perfect."
"No, Astral, that's not true! I-"
"Do you really think Dark can use my power?" He starts to take a step toward me. "Do you really think he is capable to break the seals?"
There's no way…
His eyes start to lose all luster as an insane look flashes within. I… no…
"The moment I start to defy you, start to show my true self," The being in front of me grips my hand as I try to jerk it free. "You go and do this of all things."
I… really… slapped my own… son…
"Well, it's only fair since I tried to kill you after all," He places his other hand under his chin sporting a smirk. "Is that why you despise me so?"
Despise?!
"You got it wrong! I don't hate-"
"Oh?" He tilts his head letting out a giggle as a shiver runs down my spine. "So you don't hate your son for almost killing you?"
Well…
My gaze drifts down. I…
"As I thought. It's only natural for beings to hate another." His eyes suddenly narrow as he forces my hand to his cheek. "If you like hitting me so much, hit me to your heart's content."
W-What?
My eyes widen as I struggle against his grip. "S-Son stop!"
"What's the matter?" A pout crosses his lips as my heart rams into my chest. "You hate me, don't you? You must've thought to put me back in my place numerous of times before. Come on," His innocent look immediately switches back to a psychopathic gaze. "Hit me. Punch me. Slap me."
"Astral… stop…" My breathing labors at bit as my eyes widen in terror. "Something's wrong with you."
"Wrong with me?" A quiet voice mutters blinking blankly. "Wrong with me? I don't understand. What could possibly be wrong with me?"
How… how can he just suddenly switch emotions so quickly?!
"Why are you so quiet?" A flick switches in his eyes as they grow dull and dangerous yet again. My body trembles as I clench my hand into a fist. Eliphas! What is the matter with you? Are you actually afraid of your own son?!
"Tell me," A hand grips mine tighter. "What is wrong with me, father?"
"You're…" My throat locks up as alarm bells ring through my head. The look he's giving me… it's like he's going to kill me and rip it into shreds! No… it's not the look. It's the way he's speaking to me. That calm, dead, scary… "Y-You're insane." I whisper as he cackles throwing his head back.
"Hah," I flinch as he takes his hand away from my arm. "I'm insane? I think that's the first true thing you said to me in a while."
The temperature drops a few degrees as I shiver rubbing my hands together. "If you think that was me being insane, you've seen nothing yet." My legs tremble as I gulp. "But I have got to thank you for saying that."
"W… What…"
"To think this could make me solidify my hatred for you…"
"Astral…" My breathing grows heavy. "You don't mean that."
He stares at me with an emotionless expression.
"Tell me you didn't mean that!" I clutch his shoulders shaking him back and forth. "Tell me!"
A gasp escapes my lips as he slaps my hands away with a murderous glare. "Don't. Touch. Me."
"Son," My heart shatters even more as a wet sensation drips from my eyes. Am I… crying? "That slap wasn't meant for you. It was meant for-"
"I don't care who it was meant for. Even if it was meant for him, he didn't deserve it. He was just doing as told yet you wanted to hit-"
"You know what will happen when you break the seals!" My voice raises as I choke back a cry. Control yourself, Eliphas. You're acting like a big baby right now. Stop crying! "You know what will happen but why?" Why can't I stop the tears? "Why would you-"
"I prevented the barrier from waning. Isn't that what you wanted?" My eyes widen at his statement. What? "If the barrier breaks down, innocent lives will be endangered. Barian World and it's troops will most likely be on the offense and when that happens-"
"I don't care what happens to this world!"
…
My fist clenches as I meet my son's impassive demeanor. "I'm being serious. This entire world could burn for all I care."
Why? Why would you go do such a thing? To sacrifice your lifespan for those beings… those beings that have no relation to you whatsoever. Why? Why?!
The being in front of me blinks with a dry laugh. "Ha, you're just saying that. I have seen how you ignored your family to rule this world. I have seen the dedication you've put into stabilizing the economy, to make sure every being is happy and healthy." A finger points at me with a glare. "So don't you dare tell me you don't care about this world."
"I…"
"Nothing to say right?" He crosses his arms with a scoff. "Typical, Eliphas." A cough suddenly rings out as he hunches over covering his mouth.
Oh no…
"Son!" My wife immediately snaps to attention holding his arm gently. "Are you alright?"
"Lucky, are you injured?!"
The 19 year old being in front of me stifles a cough into his palm as I bite the inside of my cheek.
"I'm fine." Lifeless eyes stare at his palm for a second then curling it into a fist. "You two don't need to worry."
"But-"
"I have a bit of a cold." His eyes narrow at me. "Eliphas," I flinch as he removes my wife's hand from his arm. "Be glad that I didn't use violence against you this time. If you ever lay a hand on me or Dark again," A small smirk tugs on the corner of his lips. "Don't blame me for not respecting my elders."
My eyes widen as a guy with brown eyes comes in bowing in front of my son. "Master, you have returned."
"Accompany me to my office."
"As you wish." He supports his arm gently as he glances back at me. "You may be the King of this world but the being beside me is my master." Brown eyes narrow as a deadly, dark aura aims at me. How could a servant have such an aura? "If you ever and I do mean ever strike him again, don't blame me for doing something irrational."
"Waltari,"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"W-Wait-"
"Lucky, I'm coming as well."
"Astrana, you stay here."
"No." Gold eyes looks at me with a frown. "Come on, I'll accompany you as well."
A sigh escapes his lips as gold and silver eyes turn towards my wife. "Mother," Golden eyes blink rapidly wiping away the tears on her cheeks with a sniffle.
"Y-Yes?"
"I have nothing against you." He cracks a minuscule smile at her as her eyes widen. "You didn't do anything wrong so no need to feel burdened."
"S-Son… I…" A hand covers her lips softly as his eyes softens dramatically. Tears run down her cheeks landing on his hand.
"Don't apologize for other individuals. I'm telling you now, it's not your fault. None of this is."
My heart clenches as I grit my teeth. That was definitely aimed towards me. I can feel it.
She sniffles as she latches onto his hand. "D-Does it hurt?"
"I will be fine, mom." He pats her hand giving her a reassuring smile.
Astrana's POV:
"I still can't believe he slapped you." My fingers take a tissue to dab the blood away. "He should be thanking you not resorting to physical violence."
Seriously, what is wrong with my dad these days? Why on earth would he strike his own flesh and blood?
(Knock)(Knock)
"Enter."
A teen enters carrying an ice pack in his left hand. "Your Highness,"
"Great timing." I hold out a hand as he gives it to me. "Brother, gently hold this to the wound. It will make the bruising go down faster."
Gold and silver eyes glance at the ice pack then stares at me. "I don't need it."
"I understand you have amazing regeneration powers but still," My lips curve into a frown. "It will lessen the pain."
"Pain?" His eyes flicker towards the ice pack then at the window. "Who said I felt any pain when he struck me?"
What…?
I blink as a hand touches his cheek. It… wasn't painful getting slapped? A smile flashes on his lips. "It wasn't painful at all."
"You're kidding right?" My brows raise as he shakes his head. "You were bleeding."
He shrugs. "I guess I just have a tolerance for pain."
I can't tell if he's lying or not.
(Flash):
"To think this could make me solidify my hatred for you…"
(Flash)
"Hey, you didn't mean any of the things you said… right?" I ask after a moment of silence as he blinks blankly turning his head away from me. Right? I mean…
"What do you think?"
"I can see why but… he's our dad. You can't hate him-"
"And who says I can't?" A pair of arms cross over his chest as he gives me an expectant stare. "He slapped me. He used violence against me when I used my powers to help the citizens of the world from danger and what do I get in return? A slap to the face and a shouting?"
When he puts it that way…
"But he's our daddy." I purse my lips into a pout holding his hand. "You totally did not deserve that slap but he did raise you to-"
He rolls his eyes with a scoff. "That's the only thing he did right."
"What do you-"
"He may have raised me but I never once felt loved by him." My eyes widen at his confession. How? Why doesn't he feel loved? Gold and silver eyes drift towards the ground as he lets out a deep sigh. "Not that I needed his affection in the first place but knowing that… hurts."
Lucky…
I drag him up from his chair. "Waltari," My eyes meet brown eyes. "Leave us."
His eyes glance towards my brother as he nods. The butler then shuts the door leaving us in the room.
"What? Do you want to say something?" He mutters as I sit down on the couch with him standing before me. "Just so you know, I'll-"
"Just lay down."
He raises a brow incredulously as he slowly sits on the couch next to me. "Why? I was happily sitting and you dragged me over-"
A startled gasp escapes his lips as I lower his head onto my lap. "W-What are you-"
"I used to do this to you all the time, remember?"
His eyes widen as he looks up into mine. "B-But-"
Aw… after all these years he's still flustered by me. Yay! Haha!
"I'm your twin sister." A laugh escapes my lips as my finger run through his hair. "If I consider it fine then you have no reason to feel uncomfortable."
Gold and silver eyes blink as he stays silent for a minute. "Don't you," A pink tint creeps onto his cheeks. "Don't you think we're a bit too old to be doing this?" He whispers as I blink.
Huh… too old?
"No I don't consider we're too old for this. Besides, I did this a lot back when we were younger. Why is it any different now?"
"That was when we were children! Compared to now-"
"Who cares if we are both adults?" I pinch his cheeks gently as he furrows his brows. "You were feeling blue and this is my way of comforting you. Unless," Let's tease him a bit."You don't view me as your sister but a woman you are romantically interested in."
His eyes automatically widen as he coughs into his fist. "What?!"
"That's the only reason why you would get so flustered resting in my lap, right?"
"No!"
"Oh wow," A giggle escapes my lips as I lean down to peck his cheek. "I never knew my twin had such impure thoughts about his sister."
"You listen here-"
"Hm, should I tell mom about this development? I wonder how she will react?"
The man in my lap covers his face with his hand breathing deeply. Hahaha! This is too much! "Astrana,"
"Yes, my dear handsome brother?"
"You couldn't have hugged me like normal siblings?"
"True," I stifle a giggle. "But you disappeared for weeks then suddenly got slapped by our daddy. I don't know about you but a hug isn't enough."
"It sure is enough for me."
"Hmph!" I smack his arm as he lets out a yelp. "Don't I even get a thank you for comforting you?"
He lets out a sigh patting my cheek gently. "Alright, alright. Thank you for doing this."
Finally, a compliment around here! But…
"Where were you these last few weeks?" I ask as my fingers card through his hair. He shuts his eyes with a gentle hum. "Did you know how much I worried about you?"
"I was… doing something very important."
Important?
"Even if it was important, shouldn't you have notified someone so they wouldn't worry?" At least say something before you left so unexpectedly.
"It was last minute and I didn't have the time to-"
"You always have time, Lucky. You just didn't want us to know where you were, didn't you?"
…
My brother nods as I shake my head slowly. Of course. Why am I not surprised?
"You're right. I needed to be alone for awhile." His eyes looks into mine once more as he shifts in my lap. "But considering I didn't have any work piled up on that desk, you've done an outstanding job, Astra."
That name… he hasn't called me that in forever…
I can feel a pink tint surfacing my cheeks as I give him a bright smile. "Thank you but it wasn't all me. Your wife did most of the work as well."
"Did she?"
I nod. "Yeah. There were some documents that requires your signature and dad wouldn't let any of us forge yours so she signed them. I'm assuming that won't be an issue or anything, right?"
"Nope. She's the Princess Consort and holds power equal to mine. It made sense that she signed them while I was away."
"Oh, did anything important happen while I was away?"
Should I tell him about the time she almost drowned? Hm…
"It depends on what you mean by important." I place a hand under my chin. "Your wife almost drowned at the Marchioness' baby shower."
"Really?"
What's with that reaction?!
"Hey," I hit his shoulder as he raises a brow. "How are you so calm about this?"
"Why shouldn't I be?"
Is he slow?
"I just told you your wife almost died yet you lay here with an indifferent expression." I cross my arms frowning at him. "If I was like anyone else, I would assume you don't care about her."
"Why wouldn't you assume that?"
"Because I know you," My fingers clutch his hand as I gulp. "And because mom has told me everything I needed to know."
His eyes slowly widen as I blink rapidly pursing my lips into a thin line. Don't cry. Don't cry. The last thing you want is to upset your brother, Astrana. Stop the tears!
"What… do you…"
My heart beats faster in my chest as I grip his hand tightly as I can. "I know." Breathe. Come on. Take a deep breath. "I know every time you use your power, it impacts your lifespan."
His mouth drops as my breathing labors. Oh no… no! Don't you dare shed tears. My throat locks as a tear drops on his cheek. Darn it!
"I…" I have to control my emotions. Stop crying. My fist grips firmly on my pants as I let out a cough. "I… I also know-"
"Astrana," Soft hands cup my cheeks as I choke back a cry. His luminous eyes gaze into mine. "Listen to me, I'm fine."
"H-How can you be f-fine?" More tears drip down my cheeks as my breathing labors. "Y-You're-"
"This was bound to happen since birth." A whisper rings through my ears as he looks at his palm. "Every time I use my power… it drains my life."
"B-But why?" I sniffle as his thumb wipes away my tears. "I-It doesn't happen to me so why you of all beings?"
It doesn't make sense! Why him? Why my brother of all individuals?
"I don't quite understand why either," His lips purse into a thin line. "The only logical explanation I can come up with is that the power resonating through my body is too strong for my being to handle."
"B-But how? I mean, I get it but how is that plausible?"
Our bodies are supposed to evolve to adapt to the energies residing in each being. So how is it that his body can't?
He shrugs. "As I said, I don't know. Perhaps it has to do with my sealed ability."
"S-Sealed ability?"
His head nods letting out a breath. "You may not know this but I have five cores."
"Five?!"
Aren't we supposed to get one each?! How does he have five?
"Yeah," His eyes look at the ceiling with a distant gaze. "Each representing an element of nature. Fire, water, air, and earth." He looks towards his hand once more. "But for some reason… I have another core."
"A-And what's that?"
"I guess you can call it Hemokinesis or In other words… the ability to manipulate blood."
B… Blood?! As in… A gasp escapes my lips as a memory flashes in my head. "Y-You mean…"
"Yes. The super rare power that mother told us when we were children. The power that is the strongest of all, that can defeat anything in this world… resides in my body."
My heart stops in its tracks. No way… that's not possible… it's simply not possible!
"T-That's just a… you're lying… no way you can have that power." There's no way… the last one to have such energy was… "You're l-lying!"
"Astrana," A hand grips mine as my body trembles. "Don't worry. I'm still alive, aren't I?"
"B-But according to the l-legend-"
"It's called a legend for a reason." He huffs cracking a smile. "I'm telling you this to ease your nerves. Nothing bad will happen to me."
"What do mean nothing bad will happen?! Every time you use your power, you-"
"Those are the consequences of bearing such immense power." My brother gets a distant gaze. "I have long accepted this fact."
No… No!
"No! Listen to me, let's have dad seal that power again. That will at least prevent it from leaking out and-"
"There's only so much a seal could do. That power is still growing inside me day by day, getting stronger by the second."
"But the seal can-"
"No." He shakes his head. "The seals only act as a barrier. They prevent that power from leaking not a way to control it."
Why? I refuse to let him suffer the same fate as this world's protector!
"Astrana," A gentle voice rings through my ears as my brother smiles. "I will be fine."
"But you-"
"As long as I don't use that power for silly reasons, there is no reason it should affect my lifespan."
Really? As long as he doesn't use it… it won't have any affect on him?
"But you just broke the seals to make the barrier stronger." I gulp as I grip his hand. "W-Will that have any impact o-on…"
"No. You got to understand the ability to manipulate blood isn't like your normal abilities. Usually, to strengthen a barrier, a normal astral being has to utilize a lot of force and energy but it's a bit different for me. Since my power is so strong, I only had to use little amounts of it to repair the damage caused by chaos energy."
"S-So that w-won't-"
"Rest assured, little sis. That won't have an impact on my lifespan."
Really? Please tell me he's telling the truth!
I cup his cheeks holding back a sob. "R-Really? You're not lying, are you?"
"Silly," A finger gently flicks my forehead. "Why would I go lie about this? I know my body the best. If I were on the brink of death, I wouldn't be-Mph!"
I immediately move one of my hand to cover his lips. "Don't say that word."
His eyes widen as my lips peck his forehead. "Don't you dare say that word." My vision goes blurry as I strain a smile. "Promise me. Promise me that you won't use your power. T-That you won't break the seals under any circumstances." Keep it together, Astrana. My throat locks up as my fingers run over his cheek. "P-Promise me you won't… you w-won't do it. P-Please… just promise me this."
…
Please…
"I'll do my best to keep it under wraps." A hand lands on my head as a smile crosses his lips. "If you need me to swear, I will." He holds up his right hand. "I, the Prince of Astral World, Astral, swear right here and now that if I break the seals restricting my powers, I'll-"
"N-No need to swear." I let out a giggle as I intertwine his fingers in mine. "I believe you." As long as he doesn't use that power then it's all good. Hopefully he can keep his word.
"Goodness," A thumb wipes my tears softly. "Look at you. Tears everywhere." The man in my lap lets out a chuckle. "I thought you were comforting me, not the other way around."
Oh yeah…
I sniffle as I blink rapidly. "I was crying because of you!" My fingers wipe the tears away as I furrow my brows. "And I was comforting you. I was crying in order to get you to cry as well which obviously didn't work."
He blinks then burst out laughing breathing deeply wrapping an arm around my waist. "Oh? So you tried to use reserve psychology?"
"Mhm." Too late to turn back now. "And I was so close." I point a finger to his left eye. "See, you were about to shed tears yourself."
"Sure," The guy in my lap shuts his eyes letting out a yawn. "Whatever you say,"
A brief moment of silence passes as rhythmic breathing fills the air. "Hey, do you mind if I shut my eyes for a minute?"
"You tired?"
"Mm… a tiny bit."
My heart blooms as I let out a big smile. "Rest as long as you like."
"You sure?" A gold eye meets mine raising a brow. "I don't want to be a bother for-"
"Lucky" My voice lowers into a whisper. "You're never a bother. Just rest."
"Mm, don't call me Lucky, Astra!" A whine escapes his lips as he places my hand to the side of his head. "I want you to scratch my head here."
My brother is so adorable!
I stifle a laugh as I softly scratch his head as he lets out a content sigh. "A bit to the right. Yes, that's the spot."
How could I have not notice before? He's acting like a child.
"Aren't you enjoying this a bit much?"
"Hm?" His eye shuts. "Nah. It's not everyday I get to lay in my younger sister's lap and who knows when I will have this experience again? I'm just using this to my full advantage."
"How typical of you." My chest blooms with warmth as a hand gently holds mine. "Say, what's up with the nickname?"
The guy in my lap stays quiet for a few minutes. "Nickname? Oh. You mean Astra? Don't you remember? When I was little, I had trouble pronouncing your name because there were too many syllables. So I shortened it to Astra."
"Of course I remember. What I meant was you haven't referred to me as such in a long time. What makes you refer to me as such now?"
"Same with you referring me as Lucky."
My lips form a frown. "To annoy me then?"
"Bingo."
"I don't get it." Why doesn't he like the name Lucky? "Do you have something against that name?"
"Eh… not really."
"I find that quite hard to believe."
"I'm serious. I don't have anything against it. I just find it super ironic."
Ironic?
"How?"
"Mm, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly the luckiest being out there." He lets out another yawn. "I know that's not why you call me that but pointing out a fact that's all."
"You are my Lucky. That means I'm lucky to have you in my life." I said after a few moments. "It doesn't have to do with how lucky you are."
"Yup."
My hand grips his. "And who says you're not lucky? Just you being here with me brings me joy and happiness. You're my twin, Astral." I stroke a piece of his pale blue hair. "You being here with me is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me." To think there was a time I forgot about my own brother… "That's why I call you Lucky. Not because you are a lucky being but rather the luck you bring to everyone that surrounds you." Soft breathing fills my ears as I stare at my twin's serene face. "Brother, you may not know this but we are all lucky to have you in our lives. Your existence alone is capable of changing lives."
I mean… the fact that you have 5 cores proves your existence is an anomaly among anomalies. For a being to have that many cores… they shouldn't have made it to labor because of the power it strains on the vessel. If he were any normal being… I blink as tears well up in my eyes. He would have died during birth. The fact that he exists now…
"I love you, Astral." My lips peck his cheek as an arm grips my waist tighter. "We all love you more than you could ever imagine."
I just wish you would open your heart to accept it.