49 | meal; the colour he sees

How could a conversation between two estranged brothers, with one not remembering their blood relationship, go smoothly?

Kane slid one of the windows closed, flicking the switch as Lucas popped his head inside. "Are you done checking the windows?"

"Yes." Then, deciding his words sounded too distant, he added, "The weather's really nice outside."

"I don't like the sun."

"Oh, I see."

Kane stared blankly outside, stiffly walking over to where Lucas stood as he fixed the collar of his white coat. With all due respect, his younger sibling could really use more sunlight considering his sickly pale skin.

Did he ever leave the house? Had he become a shut-in after running away?

The doctor, who often promoted healthy eating habits and a regular, active schedule to children, felt a little anxious. How should he breach the topic without offending his stubborn, prideful brother?

A part of him had forgotten that Lucas was already well into his adult years, having taken of himself for over a decade.

"Do you... go outside often?" The man ended up asking expressionlessly as they turned a corner to gather up more children.

Lucas glanced over, stilling. For some inexplicable reason, he didn't want to admit his terrible lifestyle habits out loud. "...sometimes."

He went out once every two months on his own accord, outside of fights.

"Do you go out with friends often?"

The delinquent thought of the gang members he bothered during his free time. They could be considered friends—didn't they watch each others backs during fights? Altough several may have hoped for his failure, they'd served their proper use as shields by the end.

Therefore, he answered calmly with a hint of pride. "Yes."

"Is that so? What do you usually do?"

"We..." Lucas once again trailed off, spinning his head to stare intensely at Elias who had just pushed open a door, collecting most of the children into a single room.

Elias tilted his head questioningly.

"He's my friend." said Lucas in a dead voice, giving up on telling the entire truth. "He often thinks of the events that we do."

It wasn't a lie, was it? As the boss, Elias instructed the members which targets they had to go after, and who their enemy was.

Therefore, everything was his fault.

Lucas relaxed a little, having pushed the talking onto somebody else.

Kane glanced over at Elias, but his expression clearly expressed his unwillingness to listen to the other talk. He'd been asking questions to his brother, not some suspicious stranger, right?

Seeing Kane's discomfort and Lucas' distracted gaze, Elias strolled forward. "Friends? That's right, we often go out to the movies—he's quite the fan of cheesy romance. Sometimes I feed him since he's so thin and frail."

Lucas blinked, his eyebrows slowly scrunching together.

"Who wants to be friends with you?" spat Lucas, forgetting that he'd mentioned it to begin with.

Elias lowered his head, smiling. "You do, right?"

"Like hell."

Kane's gaze moved between them, confused. Finally, he asked, "The two of you are..."

"Friends." said Elias.

At the same time, Lucas said, "Unwilling companions."

Kane frowned. "Which is it?"

The pair, simultaneously, repeated their answer with obstinate stubbornness as a vein ticked on Kane's forehead. He observed Elias' expression that was smiling at Lucas, and his younger brother who blinked with a deadpan face.

Deciding not to breach the topic anymore, since they clearly wouldn't come to an agreement, Kane resolutely changed the subject.

He also didn't want to hear about his brother's dating life, if the other party was that sketchy seeming business man with no morals.

Lucas, oblivious to Kane's thoughts, tilted his head.

"...follow me to the kitchen. It's best you have a meal before you leave." Kane cleared his throat, and spun around, while glancing back to make sure a certain delinquent sibling was following behind.

Elias chuckled as he trailed after them. It seemed that the sponge himself didn't realize how obedient he became at the doctor's words, as if it were a learned habit over the course of many years.

A decade of lost time couldn't change old habits.

In the hospital kitchen, Kane moved to rummage through the fridge while Lucas went to pull up two stools beside a metal table.

Elias sat down on one, only to receive a sharp glare from the other.

"What? You pulled up two, didn't you?"

"The other wasn't for you." said Lucas without a flicker on his expression, eyes threatening to yank the chair away if the man didn't stand up.

Elias raised an eyebrow at the foolish immaturity and gradually rose, grabbing another stool before placing it uncomfortably close to Lucas. Their bodies pressed together, and Lucas glanced at him questioningly.

"Hm? I just happened to place my chair here, is there a problem?"

"....." Seeing that there was no argument he could make to smother the man's stupidity, Lucas gave up. "Do as you please."

He heard the sizzling sound of oil, turning his head to watch Kane's side profile as the man rolled up his sleeves, cracking two eggs into the pan. He moved with practiced ease, calmly grabbing rice from the fridge while in another pan, he placed a pile of chopped bacon.

The aroma of meat filled the air as Kane reached over, mixing in the rice and several sauces Lucas couldn't see from his position. He leaned against the table top curiously, peeking at the man's movements.

Nostalgia burned in his vein, but he ignored the throbbing pain in his head.

When was the last time he had a home-cooked meal? It was... Lucas' thoughts stilled, blending with darkness and old memories.

It was before his parents died.

No... a faint scene with its cornered faded and blurry appeared in his head. Of the young him, with quiet tears streaming down a chubby face as his legs dangled limply over a wooden seat, and his head that remained lowered, in a daze.

Sitting at a table for four, alone.

And then, in the memory, he saw a shadowed figure placing down several plates of food. The eggs were slightly burnt, and the rice was mushy from having too much water.

A hand pressed down on his head, remaining on top for a few seconds, before the chair in front of him was dragged out. The atmosphere was silent, filled with a wretched sorrow but also a soothing warmth.

The young Lucas continued to cry quietly as he shoved food into his mouth, burnt and all. He couldn't remember whether it tasted edible, but he knew that he ate all of it. The person in front of him didn't move to eat, sitting silently and watching.

Finally, the shadowed and slender figure turned his head, burying it in his arms as his body trembled with a restrained sob.

It had been right after his parents died.

Lucas clutched his head, eyes widening. And who was that person, who grieved with him in their lonely home that had been ripped of life?

A plate clattered in front of him on the metal table, and Lucas slowly lifted his head. It was simple fried rice, and the eggs weren't burnt nor was the rice too soft. The smell wafted in the air, and Lucas choked back on unknown sobs.

He felt as if he were a child again, mourning the loss of his parents.

Kane placed a spoon in front of him, pulling a stool as he scooped a spoonful of rice on his own place—of course, Elias received nothing.

Elias stared at the empty space in front of him, making a plan to steal Lucas' food.

Lucas reached out a hand, putting a spoon of the fried rice into his mouth, chewing silently. He continued to eat without a word, taking bite by bite.

Elias, prepared to complete his mission of stealing food, turned sideways with a sly smile on his lips before it dropped, surprise flickering. His deep blue eyes reflected the person beside him, slowly eating his food.

Kane too, dropped his spoon as anxiety raced across his features.

In between them, Lucas sat with his head slightly lowered, black hair hanging on the side of his face as he pulled them back behind his ears, blowing the hot rice and taking another bite.

His face remained expressionless and calm through his sleepy eyes. If not for the silent tears that trailed down his cheeks, freely flowing with a mysterious surge of sorrow.

It was as if he were in his own world.

Lucas finished the fried rice in silence, with neither parties at his side speaking a word as they watched him.

He turned to Kane, a new softness to his gaze. "Thank you for the meal."

Kane's hand shook above his untouched bowl of rice. He wanted to say that he's practiced over the years, look at how he's improved. That he could cook dinner now, or lunch and breakfast too. He learned how to do the chores, taught himself dozens of things the young him couldn't do.

But instead, he closed his eyes and smiled gently.

"You're welcome."

Lucas stared at him for a few moments, before pulling his chair out. It felt stuffy, too hot to breathe properly. His chest burned, and a stone lodged in his throat.

"I'll be heading out now, then."

Kane nodded reluctantly, still staring blankly at the bowl of rice. "Come back safely, and don't take too many risks."

"I won't."

Saying that, Lucas turned around and left the room as Kane's shoulders trembled, and the large man bent over and covered his eyes.

Elias watched, sighing. How could he begin to understand such a scene?

Lucas shook away his inner turmoil as he hurried down the hall, grabbing Rome and Wren as he dragged them to one of the remaining children sitting on the ground.

Wren tugged her arm out of his hold, frowning. "Hey, be gentle!"

"We'll enter the Story now."

Rome obediently nodded, but peered up at Lucas' face. The boy squinted, pursing his lips in thought. "Are you feeling sad, mister?"

Lucas paused in his step, and shook his head. "I don't think that's it."

He didn't know how to describe what he felt.

The three approached a little girl drawing with coloured pens as her neck twisted around to reveal her brilliant white smile, and empty open eyes.

A few moments later, the sound of paper unfurling at their feet came, and the ground caved into, splintering into dozens of sheets. Lucas gathered Rome closer as they dropped, protecting the boy's fragile head.

The ground swallowed them whole, leaving the remaining four that had gathered in the spot that their companions disappeared.

Elias and Kane who shared a strange sort of rivalry and equivalent dislike towards each other, and Nora and Elliot whose first meeting begun in a dangerous fight filled with threats.

What a combination.

Nora smiled complacently, attempting to be civil. The only person she trusted would be Elias, but even she wasn't naive enough to not see that the man only hung around to amuse himself.

Her fingers danced on the tip of her gun, ready to draw it at any given moment.

"We should stick together." Then, she pointed at the three bodies on the ground that were slowly rising, turning their heads around with a wide smile. "We'll keep them in a separate room to make it easier to protect them. Does that work with you?"

Elias took a few large strides, yanking Lucas up by the arm with a disgusted frown. He moved his hands over, closing the man's eyes and pressed the smile shut.

"Much as I love your smile darling, I prefer you frowning at this moment." he muttered, wincing at the huge, stretched out smile that was so unlike that sponge.

Nora was about to warn him not to mess with the bodies, but after seeing no consequences, she let her hand drop and sighed. Beside her, Kane shook his head, looking as if a rising headache was already pulling at his mind.

The doctor crouched down carefully, adjusting Rome's creepy expression before scooping the limp boy up. Nora followed suit, struggling slightly before propping Wren up, lifting her into a princess carry.

She used the back of her sleeve to wipe the drool that came from the woman's open mouth, fixing her expression gently.

She'd already found a secluded room to place Shen, even if he was technically an 'item' in the apocalypse. Her feelings felt turbulent at the thought of the still sleeping teenager, unbothered by all matters.

Elliot stared at his empty arms, and then ran towards Kane who noticeably took a step away. "Hey, hey, why don't I carry the brat? I've known him longer than you and all."

"I'm afraid I don't trust you to do so." came the blunt reply.

"Are you calling my untrustworthy? Based off my appearance? Am I not the definition of beauty?"

"It's based on your attitude."

The youth frowned, offended as Kane gazed at him coolly, unbothered by the other's frustration. The doctor, often dealing with youths and having a stubborn little brother himself, uttered a single warning,

"Behave."

Elliot scoffed, muttering some complaints as Kane politely listened, calmly explaining that Elliot would have to prove with resourcefulness and reliability.

The youth made a move to race down the hall and gather the remaining kids before a large hand yanked him back by the collar.

"It isn't safe to walk around alone." warned Kane as Elliot tilted his head back, his hair falling to the sides to reveal his forehead.

He smiled mischievously.

"Yes sir."

"......"

Nora walked down the hallway, trying her best to ignore the grinning kids at the side. They'd have to gather them in one spot as well, as soon as possible. She glanced at Elias.

"Can I trust you?"

If anything, it was important to know who her allies were. And she didn't know if this relaxed businessman really was.

Elias laughed, holding Lucas over his shoulder. "Absolutely not."

She nodded, a pleasant smile on her face as she continued softly, "Can he?"

Elias didn't answer immediately, his dark gaze skimming over the limp body on his shoulder.

They entered a secluded room at the end of the hall, and he carefully placed the body down, tugging up the blankets in case the man complained about being cold when he awoke.

His lips curled at the corner involuntarily.

"He shouldn't." said Elias, lowering his eyes over the sleeping expression of the indifferent companion of his. "But I have no present intentions of betraying him."

Nora placed Wren down on a bed beside, resting the woman's head on a pillow gently. "So you don't. I'm a little curious why your attitude to him is so different, if you don't mind me asking."

She'd intended just to make conversation and ease the silence that had fallen, though she was genuinely interested. A person's feelings and words couldn't be anything but fascinating.

The quiet hospital painted for a somber mood amongst the unsettling unease that spread throughout, but Elias smiled carelessly.

"Do you want to know something amusing about this foolish sponge?"

"I'd love to."

"He's an empath, looking like that, watching people die before his eyes. But he won't ever forget them. He's a walking contradiction, taking everything in and trying to understand it."

Nora moved over, drawing the curtains to gaze outside through dense eyelashes, at the empty streets outside at the rubbles of cars that could be made out.

"Do you know what he is?"

Nora shook her head. "I don't."

"He's a wandering ghost, and I've managed to shackle him."

Temporarily, was the word he didn't add. But there was something oddly delightful about the way Lucas' weaknesses, so carefully hidden, seeped out in Elias' presence. Whether conscious or not.

The woman turned around, surprise filling her vision at the almost ridiculous grin that was so unlike the cold smile that often placed on his lips. The strange slivers of darkness that crept into his teasing nature was something both morbid and dangerous.

She couldn't see any of that now.

And he didn't seem to realize that fact.

A soft laugh slipped past her as sunlight streamed into the room, an illusion of peaceful days. "Do you like him that much, Elias?"

"It's a little more interesting when he's around." admitted the man without shame, a darkness creeping over his deep eyes, tainting the noble ocean blue.

"I'll tell you, Nora, that I don't care if the apocalypse consumes the world, or if the world consumes the apocalypse. I don't particularly care if the world burns. I only care about the colour I can see, so I don't hope for him to die."

She blinked in surprise. "You can't see colour?"

"I didn't care for it before him."

Though the words were spoken with such casualness, Elias' expression gained a sense of peace and calm, as if he'd already come to understand these thoughts.

She wondered if he knew that his words sounded like a confession.

But Nora understood it more now, the strange bickering that was harmonious. But it was more like a need built on the devastating ache for life.

To Lucas, life was like a whimsical dream. To Elias, it was a pointless mess of stupidity that wasn't worth mentioning.

But the latter could ground the former, and Lucas could help Elias dream.

Nora laughed lightly, thankful that the companion she'd met had found a good companion. "Are you in love with Lucas, Elias?"

Her question had been a passing remark, but Elias startled, his face twisting to loose the signature careless smile. He didn't answer, and Nora paused, her figure layered with the blue sheen of the sky.

"Does that idea frighten you?"

When he doesn't answer, she continued. "I'm sorry to be forward, but I think you've both changed a little."

Lucas had become more open, willing to speak after his decade of loneliness, and Elias' expression has begun to relax, losing the sharpness that seemed bored of reality.

Then, she asked calmly, "Tell me, can you remember what loneliness feels like?"

And, unknowingly, the man realized that he had forgotten.

———XXX———

[ding! message from lukiyo]

Kane and Lucas... why do you guys have to act so awkward and uncomfortable??? I do want to write lots more in depth about their relationship, as that is a focal point to reach my doting brother agenda!

Well... putting that aside, thank you all again for reading until now (and in the future), I just wanted to say again how much I appreciate it!! Stay cozy and happy~