The Lord of Iron and Steel (2)
Perturabo is no stranger to finding himself asleep. It's a necessary part of the body to function, yet his genetical template that his father had personally grafted upon him almost disavows that kind of notion: only finding himself asleep when he's tinkering for long periods of time within his private chambers or within his abode in Olympia.
Nevertheless, Perturabo couldn't help but feel bitter at the way he found himself unconscious, especially when he found himself awakening at one of the Iron Blood's hospital wards, the silence of the room giving Perturabo a peace of mind before he looked around the ward.
To his surprise, he could see Angron sleeping peacefully beside him and his brother's father, who's tinkering about within one of the ward's workbenches. His mind tried to comprehend as to why both Angron and his father would be here, waiting for him to wake up? He knew that his battle with his father's brother would earn him the ire of his brother, yet somehow, the man that defeated him wasn't all worried throughout their fight.
It's almost as if he knew that their battle would cause unnecessary strife within him and Angron and thus, waited for him to leave before he proposed that duel.
Still, to think that he's been bested by a mortal would no doubt bring him further shame throughout the Imperium if any of his brothers or if the Remembrancers did their jobs properly.
His ruminations were interrupted when Angron's suddenly awakened, his eyes staring intensely at him before he snorted as Angron stood up and filled two cups of water.
"Here." Angron simply said as Perturabo minutely nodded, the water helping him calm down as his mind begun to assess the situation he's currently in.
Silence permeated the two, if one were to ignore his brother's father rather noisy tinkering in the background. Though, it wasn't before long that his brother was the one broke the silence as he snorted, his massive frame being impressively held up the by the leather chair that wasn't able to support his weight.
"You know, I knew that my father was about to do something stupid the moment I left the planet." Angron started as Perturabo gave him a curious look.
"Then why did you leave knowing that a battle would take place?" Perturabo asked, curiosity burning his mind despite neutrality within his voice.
"Because I know my father. And it's because I know my father that he's trying to teach something to you." Angron shook his head as his gaze turned to look at the vastness of space, nostalgia forming within his brother's face, "He always did that to me, you know? During our travels on Nuceria, when I want to ask something from him, he didn't try to give me the answers that I want to have in any way possible. Instead, he'd always show me what I need to do, instead of answering me what I want to know. And I think that my father's trying to tell you something, brother."
Perturabo's eyebrows furrowed, realizing his brother's words whilst wracking his mind on what his brother's father tried to teach to him. That for a mind like Perturabo; with all of its raw intellect and military prowess, he couldn't comprehend what his brother's father is trying to say to him. Or rather, teach to him.
Then, after a burst of clarity reached his mind, two words echoed within his mind.
"Humble pies..." Perturabo repeated slowly as he saw Angron giving him an understanding look, which Perturabo couldn't help but feel annoyed by.
"Ah. Humility. Father was trying to impose to you the values of humility, wasn't he?" Angron shook his head, his features giving way to fond amusement, "To be honest brother, when we first met upon your battle-barge, the first thought that ran to my mind is that you're going to be a rather difficult person to deal with." Perturabo's face twitched at his brother's admittance but he managed to compose himself somewhat, "Then, when we're actually conducting ourselves in the battlefield, I found out that you just suck at holding proper conversions to people that you don't know, ignore you or outright despise you. And you know what? I admire that about you, brother."
This time, Perturabo couldn't keep out the surprise that was etched on his face as Angron gave him a small smile, "I inherited much from my father, you know? Many within Nuceria would tell me that I bore a remarkable resemblance to my father, most especially in personality. Like my father, I care about the people that rely upon me and in too, I do the same for them. It was because of my father that it allowed me to realize that although we, the weapons created by the Emperor and Master of the Imperium, at the end of the day, are humans. And much like the humans that we're superior to in every way, shape and form, that I realize that we aren't perfect. Much like what you tried to do when you reformed your Iron Warriors and cultivated a culture of paranoia and jealousy." The last words uttered by his brother shattered whatever remained of his composure as he suddenly stood up on his bed, grasping his brother's neck and lifting him off the ground.
"And what would you know of me, brother? You know NOTHING of the struggles that I had to face! Of the constant mockery behind my back! Of being compared to our other brothers. Brothers, who're suppose to be protecting each other and yet, being seen as some dung on the street and being used as such?! Do you, Angron?! DO YOU!" Perturabo roared, as Angron remained silent, his understanding gaze still plastered on his eyes even though he's choking him.
"...no... no, I... don't, Per...turabo." Angron wheezed as Perturabo dropped him to the floor in shock, with Angron regained his breath.
"I... ahh, only knew you through the dataslates that were available to me. And the dataslates didn't paint a good picture of you, brother. Yet, I know that to truly know a person, one must meet them personally. And even though it's been but a few days since we've first met, I truly meant what I said about my respect for you." His brother expanded as Perturabo couldn't help but comprehend his words to no avail.
"I see..." Perturabo only said as he clasped his brother's hand, helping him stand up. An awkward silence dominated the room as Perturabo ruminated at his brother's words whilst Angron remained silent, perhaps knowing of his internal struggle.
"I... I'm sorry, brother. I let my emotions get the best of me." Perturabo apologized as he felt his brother's arm grasp his shoulder, squeezing it gently.
"I understand, brother. Truly." His brother said and he couldn't help but feel content, his hearts content at the knowledge that he didn't manage to drive away an understanding individual like Angron.
"So! You guys done with your Shounen Protagonist moment?" The two Primarchs turned their head to look at Steven, who's currently holding an impressive looking helmet under his arm, the logo of his legion emblazoned within the center part of the helmet.
"Father! You're done with your apology gift?" Perturabo gave his brother a look as his brother's father sheepishly chuckled.
"Oh, yeah. I couldn't finish the other ones, since we aren't in Nuceria, but thankfully, I have enough materials for me to forge a helmet." His brother's father then handed out the helmet to him.
"Here. As an apology and for making you lose face within your legion." Perturabo only stared at the helmet before he took it from his hands and paced it atop his head. He was surprised when it perfectly suited him.
"Now, I know that you'll want to tinker with that helm, but let me just say its benefits: for one, any damages done to the helmet would mend on its own given enough time and, most importantly, it's made from the strongest material this universe has ever known. Trust me on this when I say that not even the Emperor's Sword could put a dent into that helmet of yours." Perturabo felt his eyebrow raise yet he didn't rebuke his words, mainly because it's possibly made out of the same material that his sword is made out of.
"I... thank you, for the gift." He awkwardly thanked as he saw his brother's father blush, sheepishly chuckling at his complement.
"Nah, it's an apology from me. No need for thanks, Perturabo. Besides, you can just call me Steven if it makes it awkward for you." His broth- no, Steven noted as he nodded in gratitude.
"Well then... ahhh, let's go back to your deck. Everyone is waiting for you two and Emps hasn't given us any reason to disband yet, so let's continue with our Compliances!" And with that, Steven left the room as the two Primarchs looked at each other before the two of them smiled and even chuckled as they began to follow Steven.