Estimated Reading Time: 24 Minutes

.

The Clone

Nate relished the rare luxury of sleeping in, his room bathed in the soft, golden glow of mid-morning light filtering through the curtains. With no work to rush off to, he allowed himself a chill start.

When he finally stirred, he stretched his limbs, the satisfying crack of his joints breaking the quiet stillness of his room. He shuffled over to his desk, where his computer sat waiting. With a click of the power button, the familiar hum of the machine filled the air as it booted to life.

Sliding into his chair, Nate instinctively launched League of Legends, the splash screen flickering onto his monitor. As the client loaded, he reached for his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he shot a quick message to Ness on Discord:

[- Ness

Discord

Nate: ayo wanna play

Ness: Yes! I'm logging on right now.

…

Nate and Ness hopped into a Discord call, their voices crackling to life through their headsets. With their mics set and their screens ready, the two dove into the first game together.

To Nate's surprise, Ness was... different today. Usually, his friend had a sharp tongue when things went south—a little too quick to call out mistakes or let out a sarcastic jab. But today, there was a surprising calmness to him. Even when their lane was getting steamrolled, or a teammate made a bad play, Ness just laughed it off, his mood noticeably lighter than usual.

[- Ness

Discord

On Call

Nate: "Whoa, what's with your upbeat attitude?"

Ness: "What do you mean?"

Nate: "You're like happy or some shit."

Ness: "I've been doing some thinking, and you're right, I've been toxic in the past. I'm trying to calm down."

Nate: "Where's Ness and what'd you do with him?"

Ness: "Ha ha very funny."

Nate: "Wow, I didn't think you'd ever change."

Ness: "Yeah, well, I'm tired of being angry over a game."

Nate: "That's very mature of you. I'm proud."

Ness: "Don't patronize me."

Nate: "Whaaat. I mean it."

Ness: "Oh! Going top."

Nate: "Oh shit, ok!"

…

The two kept playing, their synergy growing with each match. With Ness's newfound effort to stay composed, they managed to pull off five wins in a row. The victories felt easier, smoother, as if Ness's healthier attitude was unlocking a new level of teamwork between them.

There were moments when Ness's temper flared—an impulsive outburst here, a frustrated groan there—but Nate was quick to step in. "Hey, keep it cool, man. We got this," he'd say, his calm tone reeling Ness back in every time. It felt good to see Ness trying, really trying, to better himself.

And deep down, Nate couldn't help but think he might've had a hand in this change. Maybe his patience, his encouragement, and his steady presence were rubbing off. For the first time in a while, the clone felt proud of himself—not just for what they'd accomplished in-game, but for the impact he seemed to be having on the people around him.

As Nate leaned back in his chair during the post-game screen, his mind wandered to other moments. Ness becoming a little more outgoing. Trey admitting he didn't want to lose Nate as a best friend. Boris, his boss, outright saying that Nate was the best baker he'd ever worked with. All these small but significant affirmations made Nate feel something he wasn't used to—genuine pride.

Eventually the two were fed up with League and said their goodbyes.

[- Ness

Discord

On Call

Nate: "Those were good games."

Ness: "They were!"

Nate: "But I think I'm done for now."

Ness: "No worries. Lucas just popped into my room, so I'm going to spend some time with him."

Nate: "Oh, y-yeah, ok. Well, I'll leave you two alone. Anyway, let's play tomorrow. I love youuu~"

Ness: "Y-yeah, me too. See ya."

…

Nate was the first to leave the call. The moment Ness casually mentioned Lucas's name, a sharp pang pierced through his chest. He tried to brush it off, but the jealousy gnawed at him. His mind raced with possibilities, the most painful of which was the thought that Ness and Lucas might have something romantic brewing. The idea twisted inside him, leaving a hollow ache.

The truth was, Nate was deeply in love with Lucas. It had started with simple attraction—admiring the blonde for his gentle looks—but it had grown into something much more profound. Over time, he'd gotten to know Lucas, and what he discovered only deepened his feelings. Lucas was sweet, warm, and effortlessly fun to be around. He had a way of making Nate feel seen, like he truly mattered.

He missed it—the moments when Lucas would drop his shy exterior and become playful, teasing Nate with that mischievous smile. The way they'd talk for hours about anything and everything, their conversations flowing effortlessly. Nate loved Lucas's adventurous spirit, how he'd always come to him for comfort, leaning on him in moments of need. But now, all of that seemed to belong to Ness.

It hurt. Even more so because Nate couldn't make sense of his brother. Ness was complicated. From what Nate had seen—and from what others like Tracy had said—Ness had a toxic edge to him. He was introverted to the point of pushing people away, overprotective of Lucas but oddly dismissive of the blonde's feelings.

Nate felt conflicted. He didn't really know Ness, not beyond surface impressions and scattered gossip. But he could see the toxicity Tracy talked about, though he also recognized the pain behind it. Ness had issues, ones rooted in a difficult childhood—something Nate could never truly relate to. After all, he hadn't had a childhood at all.

As a clone, Nate had been created by Mario, not born. His first memory was of simply existing, fully formed and self-aware. He knew how to walk, talk, eat—and most importantly, he knew his purpose: to replace Ness. He had been nothing more than a tool, a construct with a singular goal.

Breaking free of Mario's manipulative grasp had been a victory, but even now, living independently in Onett, the remnants of his old programming haunted him. Without Mario and without his purpose, Nate sometimes questioned if he should even exist.

No, I shouldn't think like that, he told himself firmly. I'm Nate, and I'm a person too. I deserve to live.

The mantra grounded him, pulling him back from the spiral. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Nate decided to do something that always brought him peace: baking.

He headed to the kitchen and began gathering ingredients and equipment for macaroons. Measuring, mixing, and folding the batter, he let the repetitive motions quiet his mind. The scent of sweet almond filled the air as he carefully piped the mixture onto a baking sheet.

Once the macaroons were safely in the oven, Nate leaned against the counter, scrolling aimlessly through his phone while the timer ticked down.

Nate heard the faint sound of footsteps and glanced up from his phone to see Tracy making her way into the kitchen. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, but the connection broke almost as quickly as it formed. She averted her gaze and said nothing, walking past him as if he were invisible.

Tracy opened the fridge, her movements brisk and purposeful. She rummaged through the shelves, eventually pulling out a plate of food their mom had prepared for her. Without a word, she transferred the meal into her lunchbox, the soft clinks of utensils and containers filling the otherwise silent room.

Nate watched her, feeling a tangle of emotions. He wanted to say something, anything, to bridge the unspoken gap between them. But the words stuck in his throat, heavy and unmoving. He hesitated, unsure if it was worth the risk. A sharp remark or a dismissive retort from Tracy was the last thing he needed right now.

He was in a good headspace, and he wasn't about to let her ruin it. Instead, Nate shifted his focus back to his phone, tapping the screen to pull up a YouTube video. The familiar voice of a content creator began explaining tips for improving at League, the steady commentary serving as a welcome distraction.

Nate glanced up as he heard her footsteps retreating. Tracy left the kitchen, her movements brisk and cold. Moments later, the sound of the front door slamming echoed through the house, its sharpness lingering in the air.

He frowned, the familiar heaviness creeping back into his chest. It pressed against him, a quiet ache of rejection and longing he couldn't quite shake. But the feeling didn't last. Almost as quickly as it came, it was replaced by something else—a spark of curiosity.

Nate swiped away the video he'd been watching, his focus shifting. His fingers hovered over his screen before tapping on Ben's contact.

[- Ben

DM

Nate: yooo

Ben: sup bro

Nate: wanna come over

Ben: ur actually inviting me

Nate: ya y not u and i never hang out together

Ben: hell yeah! im omw

Nate: cool heres my address *inserts address*

…

The macaroons were finally ready. Nate carefully pulled the tray out of the oven, the warm, golden shells releasing a sweet, nutty aroma that filled the kitchen. He set the tray on the stovetop, admiring the delicate domes with their smooth tops.

A proud smile spread across his face as he reached for his phone. He snapped a picture of his handiwork, making sure to capture the perfect angle. With a few taps, he sent the photo to Boris and Electra. Their replies came quickly, filled with compliments and encouragement that made his chest swell with pride.

The macaroons were beautiful, their pastel colors glistening faintly under the kitchen lights. Nate couldn't resist trying one. He picked up a shell, still warm to the touch, and blew on it gently before popping it into his mouth.

The flavor was incredible—a burst of sweetness that melted on his tongue, balanced by the subtle almond undertones. His eyes lit up as he chewed. For his first attempt, they'd turned out better than he could have hoped. He didn't know if they were technically "expert level," but to him, they were perfect.

Knock!

Knock!

Nate walked over to the door as the familiar sound of a knock echoed through the house. Opening it, he greeted Ben with a nod and a warm smile. The two dapped each other up, their handshake smooth and effortless from years of practice.

"Sup," Ben said casually, stepping inside.

Nate closed the door behind him as Ben made his way to the couch. The atmosphere immediately felt lighter with his friend's presence. Nate joined him, and together they settled in, the living room filling with the comfortable buzz of conversation and shared laughter while eating macaroons.

Ben: "Mmm! This shit's good, bro."

Nate: "Thanks."

Ben: "You baked this yourself?"

Nate: "Yep!"

Ben: "Damn, maybe I should work at a bakery."

Nate: "I don't see you as a baker."

Ben: "Honestly same. I'd burn everything."

Nate: "Hahaha! Truuue. Anyway, how's life treatin' ya?"

Ben: "Aww, ya know, almost done with school."

Nate: "How's your girlfriend?"

Ben: "Bro, she's cool. We've been hangin' out."

Nate: "Nice! Did you two kiss yet?"

Ben: "Hell yeah we did! She's not the best kisser, but eh, whatever. A kiss is a kiss."

Nate's eyes twitched involuntarily when he heard Ben's casual comment about Tracy. The words struck a nerve, but he quickly masked his reaction, keeping his face neutral and his demeanor calm. His heart rate steadied as he focused on maintaining control, unwilling to let his emotions slip.

Nate: "Not the best kisser, huh?"

Ben: "Nah, she kinda garbage at it."

Nate: "Then why're you datin' her?"

Ben: "Cuz she a girl. Also I'm into blondes."

Nate: "Haha! Same."

Ben: "Blondes are by far the hottest."

Nate: "Agreed. So, that's the only reason?"

Ben: "Pretty much. I've never dated a blonde before. I've dated brunets and I once dated a ginger."

Nate: "What's a ginger?"

Ben: "Dude, what! Red heads."

Nate: "Oh."

Ben: "C'mon, everyone calls them gingers."

Nate: "Didn't know. I was home-schooled."

Ben: "Were you not allowed to use the internet too?"

Nate: "Somethin' like that."

Ben: "Your childhood sucked."

Nate: "Yep. It sure did… Anyway, so if another blonde wanted you, would you ditch your current girlfriend?"

Ben: "I dunno. It depends. I might actually keep em both. I've done that before and got away with it."

Nate: "If you got away with it, then why don't you still have them?"

Ben: "I got bored and broke it off."

Nate's eyes twitched again, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. He could feel the heat rise in his chest, both at Ben and at himself. The jock's comment hit a sore spot, bringing back memories Nate wasn't proud of.

He used to be like Ben, the kind of person who thought it was okay to cheat, to take advantage of others. The thought made his stomach twist with guilt. It was a mistake he regretted every single day, the kind of decision that haunted him.

Ben, in all his careless arrogance, was a reminder of everything Nate had once been—the person he was desperately trying to leave behind.

Nate: "But that's mean."

Ben: "I mean as long as they don't find out, it's fine."

Nate: "The truth always comes out eventually."

Ben: "It didn't with those other girls I've dated. They still don't know."

Nate: "That's… Very lucky of you, but also, it's not nice, dude."

Ben: "C'mon, bro, you get me, right? You look like the type of guy that's done it."

Nate: "I do?"

Ben: "I mean you're a pretty frat boy like me. You sure look like one."

Nate: "I… Well, y-yeah I've done that before."

Ben: "See! You can't get on me for that."

Nate: "They found out…"

Ben: "Oh damn…"

Nate: "And I saw their faces."

Ben: "Yikes, that probably wasn't a pretty talk."

Nate: "They were destroyed. I really hurt them."

Ben: "Damn, I'm sorry."

Nate: "I even fell in love with one of them."

Ben: "For real? Then why'd you cheat?"

Nate: "I don't know."

Ben: "Maybe you weren't in love but you thought you were."

Nate: "I fell too late is what happened. I regret it everyday."

Ben: "Damn, bro, that's why you gotta be careful."

Nate: "Whatchu mean?"

Ben: "Can't fall in love. That shit's dangerous."

Nate: "People don't have a choice on who they fall for."

Ben: "I do."

Nate: "That's because you refuse to get close with anyone."

Ben: "I mean you're not wrong."

Nate: "What if your girlfriend falls for you?"

Ben: "Then I'd cut ties."

Nate: "You're really gonna do that?"

Ben: "Listen, it ain't my fault. I can't handle all that emotion."

Nate: "Then why're you in a relationship?"

Ben: "Cuz it's fun! I like the fun part about it."

Nate: "Which is what exactly?"

Ben: "Bro, chill. Why's it gettin' all serious? You sound mad."

Nate: "I am mad."

Ben: "Why?"

Nate: "Because the girl you're dating, is my fucking sister!"

Ben: "YOOO! WHAT!"

Nate: "Tracy is my sister! She told me about you."

Ben: "Oh shit…"

Nate: "I bet you're feelin' real dumb right now, huh?"

Ben: "Dude, I didn't know…"

Nate: "So, you're plannin' on what, bangin' my sister and then leavin' right?"

Ben: "No, dude, I wasn't gonna do that."

Nate: "Nah, you can't backtrack now. You said you'd be fine with cheatin' on her."

Ben: "Nah, I was just kiddin'."

Nate: "I know you're not. You can't lie to me now."

Ben: "I-I… Ok, look. I only said that shit to sound cool."

Nate: "Mhm, yeah, sure."

Ben: "I wouldn't! Swearsies."

Nate: "..."

Ben: "Haha… Well, uh, anyway, this was a good talk. It was nice hangin' out with ya, but I uh—gotta go. I got things to do."

Nate: "Like my sister?"

Ben: "No, dude. C'mon, don't go there. I don't even know where she is."

Ben stood up from the couch, stretching as he prepared to leave. The tension between him and Nate was intense, and he had half a mind to just walk out the door and never look back. But as soon as his feet touched the ground, something strange happened.

An invisible force, sharp and unrelenting, seemed to seize him. Before he could react, he was shoved back down onto the couch with such force that he nearly lost his breath. His body froze, every muscle locked in place, unable to move.

Panic flared in his chest as he struggled to regain control, but it was no use. His limbs were completely paralyzed, leaving him helpless. The only parts of him he could still move were his eyes and mouth. His gaze darted around, wide with fear, as his lips parted.

Ben: "Dude, what the fuck!"

Nate stood up from the couch with a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes never left Ben as he walked in front of him, his steps heavy with purpose. Ben, still paralyzed on the couch, could only look up at him, his fear visible in the wide, helpless gaze that met Nate's.

Nate's expression was calm, but there was a cold authority in his features. The goofy, laid-back persona that Ben had grown accustomed to was gone, replaced by someone entirely different. The shift in Nate was unmistakable, and for the first time, Ben realized he had no idea who this person was standing before him.

Ben: "Dude… I-I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me."

Nate: "I'm not gonna hurt you—yet. I just wanna let ya know somethin' before ya go."

Ben: "W-what's that?"

Nate: "If you ever hurt Tracy in any way, I'm gonna find you—and I'm gonna beat the shit out of you."

Ben: "I-I…"

Nate: "Do you understand?"

Ben: "Y-yes."

Both Nate and Ben turned their attention toward the front door as the sound of keys jingling echoed through the quiet room. The door creaked open, and in walked Tracy, her eyes immediately widening in surprise when she saw the two of them.

She froze in the doorway, her gaze flicking from Nate to Ben, clearly unsettled by the tension in the room.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice sharp with confusion. She turned her focus to Ben, eyebrows furrowed. "Ben, what're you doing here?"

Ben: "Uh—Nate invited me over. We're hangin' out."

Tracy: "You two?"

Ben: "Yeah, we're friends."

Nate: "Yep. Real good friends."

Ben: "We met at work."

Tracy: "I know, Nate told me. But it's weird that Nate invited you over. You guys didn't even tell me."

Nate: "Why's that weird? We're friends."

Tracy: "You know I'm dating him."

Nate: "Yeah and?"

Tracy: "It's just weird."

Nate: "You've been ignorin' me, so I didn't wanna bother ya."

Tracy: "A text would've been nice."

Nate: "You've been ignorin' me."

Tracy: "So that gives you a reason to ignore me?"

Nate: "Yeah, kinda. I don't wanna piss you off more."

Tracy: "Ugh, whatever, c'mon babe, let's go to my room."

Ben: "Oh uh… Actually I was about to head home. I'm sure you and Nate have plans to do sibling shit anyway."

Nate: "Haven't you been listening? She's been ignorin' me."

Ben: "Haha…"

Nate: "Besides, who am I to get in between a healthy relationship."

Tracy: "Watch it."

Nate: "Oh you don't have to worry about him. He and I had a talk and now I'm confident that he'll be a perfect boyfriend. I guess you were right all along, Trace."

Ben: "Y-yeah! Haha… I'll treat her with the best respect."

Nate: "I know you will~"

Tracy: "Wait, really?"

Nate: "Yeah, I don't have a problem with you two datin' anymore."

Tracy: "So you admit that you were wrong?"

Nate: "Yup. I should've listened to ya."

Tracy: "Seee! All you had to do was get to know Benny boy more. I told ya he's a good guy."

Nate turned to Tracy, his lips curling into an innocent smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're right, Trace," he said, his tone almost too sweet. "I'm sorry I didn't believe ya. But hey, I'm happier now that I got to hear Ben's side of the story."

He then turned his gaze toward Ben, still wearing that same smile, though it was no longer as innocent as it seemed. The smile had a sharp edge to it now, something Ben couldn't ignore.

Ben, already tense, forced a smile in return, but it didn't feel genuine. He could see the warning in Nate's eyes. There was something darker behind that smile, and Ben felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Ben: "Glad I could clear up the misunderstanding."

Nate: "Thanks, Ben. You're such a good guy. You have my trust."

Ben: "Haha… T-thanks, bro."

Tracy: "Eeee! I'm glad my awesome brother and amazing boyfriend are getting along~!"

Nate: "Yep, amazing boyfriend."

Ben: "Y-yeah, haha…"

Tracy: "Anyway, babe, wanna come upstairs? I wanna show you my room."

Ben: "Y-yeah! Comin' babe."

Tracy's face lit up with excitement as she squealed with delight, her energy infectious as she dashed up the stairs. "C'mon, Ben!" she called over her shoulder, eager for him to follow.

Ben's body, still frozen moments ago, suddenly felt lighter. Nate released his psychic grasp on him. But the relief was short-lived. The cold, calculating look returned to Nate's eyes, and Ben could feel the weight of his gaze like an invisible pressure pressing down on him.

Nate spoke, his voice low, "Don't have too much fun." The words felt like a warning, each syllable sharp and loaded with meaning.

Without another word, Nate stepped aside, clearing the way for Ben to go. The jock, his heart pounding, nodded quickly and hurried up the stairs, his mind racing as he made his way to Tracy's room.