Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Now is this information clear so far?” boomed a commanding voice, staring down at his two sons -- er his one son. The elder twin blinked up at his father from his scroll of notes in innocence, only now noticing that his twin had wandered off. “Krux, where has your brother gone?” grumbled the adult with a slow rising facepalm. 

Krux shrugged his shoulders and went back to writing on his notation scroll. Being the older twin, he was typically responsible for his brother's antics but he didn’t have the energy to go searching for him this time. Kronos recognized that his son was simply “not in the mood for talking” (not the first time he had done this regrettably) and gruffly stomped through the bushes to look for his other child. 

The man pushed through branches as he followed a stream that had its current slowed with an aura of baby blue light and found Acronix hanging in a tree with a bunch of pebbles and sticks in hand. Kronos shook his head with a scoff and picked his son out of the branch he was rocking in and into the fabric of his sleeves, making the boy drop the random items he had found. 

“HEY!” yelled the child, kicking and trying to squirm his way out of his father’s clutches. 

“You cannot go running off,” he scolded his son, as he carried him back towards the house, “Especially during one of my lessons. How can I trust you to use your powers cautiously if you won’t even stay around to hear how?”

Acronix pouted in his father's arms, his own small arms crossed while he rapidly tapped his index finger and tried to think of a comeback.

“But they’re boooorrring,” the child complained, finding his retort as he was placed down next to his twin. His father walked in between the two boys to resume his respectable position in front, not giving the young time wielder’s argument any further debate. 

“Why can’t you act more like your brother here,” he gestured proudly at the older twin, who paid no attention to the fact he was being gestured at and only continued to write in his own notes, “He respects my teachings.”

Acronix angrily stomped his whole body up and down in a mini tantrum, yelling a mixture of ‘nos” and “i donnwannas”, refusing to sit down once more. 

“Acronix just sit down,” whispered his seated and attentive brother. “You don’t want to wear that necklace again!” 

Acronix held his neck, shivering at the thought, and plopped down on the hard dirt with a huff, knowing his brother was right (why was HE always right?). Whenever he (well, either of them, but it seemed like he was the only one it ever happened to) was being too rowdy or using powers “irresponsibly”, their father made them wear a black stone which served to block them as punishment. It was quite a common punishment for the young time twin, as Acronix was often found using his abilities without thought of the consequences-- and he usually did not clean up whatever situation he left behind. 

“Now that you are BOTH here, we can continue the lesson on how the past and future---” The sound of his father’s lecture faded into background noise rather quickly. The chirping birds, the sound of the door creaking as his mother left from the front of the house, the breeze knocking leaves around. Everything around the lecture seemed much more interesting than the content itself and he couldn’t help but tune into a small group of squirrels scurrying around for nuts. One thought led to another and soon the child was giggling like.. Well. a child. 

“What is it I said that was so amusing to you?” his father scholarly asked with a biting disdain for this interruption.  

“Nothin’ you say is ever amoosing,” the child snarked through the giggles, the words out of his mouth before he could even consider any possible consequences. 

Kronos fumed at the remark.

Acronix had already moved on from the conversation, glancing back at where the stream was and wondering about what was happening to the pebble he had slowed. Was it still slowed? Did it fall to the ground? Did his powers wear off? These were all far more pressing to his mind than his father’s question. He realized his father was still staring at him, when his brother’s finger dug into his side. 

If it was possible, his father looked even more mad. This time even enough to make Acronix momentarily still his constantly tapping foot. He titled his head slowly as their eyes met. Even in his young age Acronix was perspective enough to sink in fear as his father gave him that look. 

“Acronix. Come with me.” Kronos ordered the child sternly, arms crossed in a completely upright and commanding posture.

Acronix looked over to his brother who cowered in his scroll, eyes darting back and forth between his distressed brother and the notes he inscribed. 

“Acronix!” reiterated his father loudly when his son would not follow him. Now that brought the boy to his feet in a jump and he followed poutily behind his prestigious father, turning back to his brother once more only for his vision to be blocked by an array of greenery (Acronix couldn’t help but notice that some of the leaves had changed to a yellow tint of sorts). 

“This should be a peaceful spot,” Kronos nodded, smiling slightly to himself before critically directing his son to take a seat on a log, which he happily did.The dirt floor could get really uncomfortable and he thought that maybe he should ask mother to plant some grass so his lil tushie wouldn’t die on the tough ground. The thought quickly escaped his mind when his Father looked down at him ready to speak once more. Crossing his arms, Kronos asked thoughtfully, “Acronix, can you recite to me any of what I just taught you and your brother?” 

Acronix shifted in his spot on the log, forcefully tearing his gaze away from where an ant had been crawling across the wood to try and answer, “Ummm… time powers?” he guessed with a wide, hopefully innocent looking, smile. 

His father was entirely unmoved by the grin, and tapped his hand against his elbow in two harsh, meaningful taps. “So, you heard nothing I said,” 

Acronix opened his mouth to reply to what sounded like a question, but was quickly cut off but his father pinning him with a sharp disappointed glare, frowning tightly. 

“Son. You have been disrespectful to me and to your brother,” he scolded. Acronix did nothing but frown at the ground (but for once he was listening), “You cannot keep behaving in this manner! Learning to properly use powers takes dedication and, especially this one, takes time! Running off and actively ignoring my instructions will not help you become an elemental master!” he chided.

Acronix grumbled as this “conversation” started to turn into just another lecture. Kronos noticed his son was looking more and more away from his gaze and gently forced Acronix’s attention back, hand gripped tightly and securely on his small shoulder. 

“Your decision to ignore what I have to say is going to come back and bite you, son. You’re not old enough to realize it yet, but this sort of behavior won’t work for the rest of the world,”

Even with his father’s hand on his shoulder, the young boy had started to wriggle under his gaze, looking to the log and to the sky instead of his irate parent. 

Kronos’ eyes narrowed as his son appeared to continue to ignore his words. More harshly, he informed his unruly child, “Time is a very special and important element. What will others think when they see you acting this way and taking it so lightly?” saying this, Kronos straightened his posture and reached into his inner robes, producing a small black triangular gem attached to a sturdy chain. 

“NO! That’s not fair!” argued the resisting child, moving his head back and forth to avoid the stone from making its way around his neck. 

“If you cannot take the time to listen and learn about the dangers of your powers and give them the respect that they -- or I -- are due, you cannot be expected to use them responsibly today,” he declared, navigating the weighty Necklace over his son’s head until the yellow-veined black stone came to a rest against his small chest. 

Acronix immediately picked at the necklace with a forlorn frown, while his teacher and parent glared at him warningly. 

“Now, we’re going to head back to the yard with your brother and continue the lesson. If you can pay attention, I will let you take the necklace off after dinner. If you can pay attention,” his father promised, guiding him back to the clearing with his hand pressed against his back. 

Acronix flexed his fingers sullenly as his father sat him once again next to his brother in the dirt -- already missing the feeling of his powers. Fiddling with the necklace once again, then straightening to attention at a warning glare from his father, the young boy made an attempt at paying attention while his parent-turned-sensei resumed his lecture where he had left off. 

Even as the words blurred together into senseless rhythm, drowned out by the enticing sights and sounds of nature around them, the now powerless child kept a paltry appearance of listening. For the first few moments of picking back up the lesson, the instructor looked to the boy every now and again to make sure he was still paying attention. 

Acronix was back to anxiously tapping his foot and tuning out the meaning of the lecture in favor of more interesting sounds within minutes. He didn’t want to. He kept reminding himself that if he didn’t pay attention he would get in trouble, again and would have to wear this stupid power blocker even longer , but no matter what his father’s words just refused to stick. The sound of frogs croaking in the distance, the birds flying occasionally overhead, the beetle that was crawling right next to his foot -- all of these were just so much more interesting . He clenched a fist in the direction of the beetle, wondering what it would look like slowed down, and then slumped over defeatedly when he remembered he couldn’t. He was still wearing the Necklace. He kicked at the dirt at his feet, and painstakingly looked up at where his father was still. Talking. His foot tapped ever quicker as he was trapped in a never-ending drone. 

Meanwhile, while Krux was writing down what their father lectured about the tactical and practical applications of the slow down property of their time powers, the older twin hazarded a glance at his brother. Acronix looked to still be struggling with their dad’s lecture, kicking at the dirt, looking up at the sky, fiddling constantly with the vengestone necklace. Pretty much anything but paying attention. He looked so upset. And it was so unfair that father had made him wear the Necklace! He hadn’t even done anything that time! (At least, not with his powers or anything.) 

Looking down at his notes, Krux considered what he could do to help his little brother. He tapped his charcoal against the page, and looked back up at their father. He wasn’t looking at either of them at the moment, which gave Krux the motivation  to do something bold -- just like his brother always would! Jotting down one more note to make sure he had the information for later (because his brother was clearly not getting any of this), he then rolled out the scroll to a blank page and jotted down 

Are you alright? 

Feeling very brave and rebellious, he carefully handed the message over to his brother who was squirming in his seat. To his dismay, his brother only glanced over the paper, not seeing the note at all, and immediately started scrolling and unscrolling it instead, moving the two ends open and shut in time with their father’s speech, and then gave Krux a grateful grin. 

The older twin stared at him with a withering glare actually pretty close to the one their father would have given if he had noticed. And then, taking the scroll back, wrote his message again, this time pointing at the words before passing it over to his twin once again. 

With energy, Acronix picked up a second piece of charcoal that Krux had set aside and threw himself into writing a reply. It was a good thing that this was when their father decided to check back in, nodding in approval when it looked as though his rambunctious son was very dedicatedly taking notes on his lecture. (Of course, even if he had seen the note it was unlikely he would have realized they were distracted. Many siblings shared secret codes for messages. This went for the Time Twins as well, though their secret language was the sheer incomprehensiveness of their terrible handwriting. The notes exchanged were in chicken scratch that only the twins could decipher.) 

Krux tapped his hand against his thigh, waiting for a reply. Finally his brother passed back

This is boooring, all he does is talk talk talk 

The short note was surrounded by other senseless scribbles, and a sketch of what looked like it was probably supposed to be their father. Krux suppressed a giggle at the art, looking over at his twin. Acronix was back to tapping his foot insistently, head lolling up to look at the sky with interest. 

Feeling very emboldened by having got away with this communication so far, Krux hazarded to write another note. 

If you dont pay attention, father will get angry again 

Acronix visibly grimaced as he wrote back emphatically. 

Tapping the stick of charcoal insistently against the scroll, he then added, his face deadly serious when he passed the message back:

If i sit here any longer i think i might explode 

The young past elemental looked to his brother with disbelief, but his twin’s face showed none of the usual signs that he was joking. Re-reading the note, he sharply became very concerned for his brother. He looked over his twin’s posture with worried eyes. With the way he was perched at the edge of his seat, and was constantly moving some part of his body, it seemed like him exploding was a very real possibility. He scanned around them with alarm, searching for any idea that could prevent his twin’s impending doom. 

Their father was still talking, having moved onto the merits of reversing time now. Any other day, Krux would be listening intently and taking dedicated notes, but his brother was in danger . 

What would Acronix usually do in a situation like this? 

It wasn’t normally a thought Krux would have (because his brother may get into trouble, but he was the responsible one), but he would have to do something! His brother’s tapping had gotten worse. 

In a moment of panic, Krux covered his eyes and held up a glowing red hand, quickly pausing their father in the middle of his teaching. 

“Wow!” exclaimed the younger time twin, immediately shooting up and circling around their stilled father. 

“You froze him! You stopped father!” laughed Acronix as he played around his father who could not hear nor see him while he was frozen. He waved his hand in front of his father’s face (standing on his tippy toes to do so) and made funny faces at him, laughing harder when the adult’s face stayed completely still and serious.

Krux looked up at his bold display of power both in awe and in panic of what would happen once his strict father unfroze, but decided it was the best way to save his brother's life. He was already looking much better than before, symptoms of exploding fading as he danced around their frozen mentor. 

His prancing ceased when he noticed the stone he left on the ground. He still needed an answer to his questions with the stream and the pebble! Acronix wriggled the black necklace of shame off his neck past his head and slammed in on the ground in front of his halted teacher (stomping on it a few times in payback) before bolting back through the bushes towards the tree he had been hanging from at the beginning of the lesson. 

Curious, Krux followed his twin through the molting bushes. He wanted to know what made his brother so unable to learn from their father (he also did not want to be in sight of Kronos when he inevitably unfroze.)

As they traversed the backyard, Acronix picked up random trinkets of different weights and sizes. Leaves, twigs, sticks, pebbles, and even a snail in its shell were carried to the water for his big experiment. Acronix sighed when he could not find the pebble he once slowed, concluding it must have worn off, but quickly turned to excitement as he threw all of his gathered items into a loose pile on the ground. Rubbing his hands together eagerly, he enthusiastically resumed his trials. 

Krux made himself comfortable sitting on the lower branches of the squat sturdy tree next to the stream, and watched from above as his brother gleefully chucked the objects in the air and slowed them, watching as the pebble moved completely different from the stick. Slowing the leaf was the most fascinating to him, as its flat and light body twisted in midair. Not only did he slow the object, but the wind itself seemed to breeze gentler due to the bubble of blue! 

Tiring quickly of his slow power Acronix started trying out the more dangerous of the two powers: Forward time. He set a snail on the ground and attempted to make it travel faster, to little avail (apparently fast forwarding time did not constitute speeding up time). From where he was watching with interest, the past time elemental added a note about that to his scroll, because it was pretty interesting to know. 

As the younger twin turned his glowing hand towards a frog that lingered on the edge of the stream, Krux remembered from past lectures how dangerous fast forwarding living things could be. Naturally his brother wasn’t considering this at all. Worried, Krux couldn’t help but hop off the tree and instruct his brother on the information he remembered from the lesson.

Acronix’s fast paced ideas merged with his brother's careful instruction and together the two successfully zapped a frog into the water in mid hop! Acronix laughed as a splash appeared in the water without true impact, and Krux stared in fascination. 

In the back of his mind, Krux wondered why his brother couldn’t just learn like this . He knew father always said using their powers without knowledge was dangerous, but it seemed to the young boy that talking about them wasn’t ever helping. It may have been unorthodox but Acronix really seemed to learn something he hadn’t before, which was something he couldn’t say for father’s approach. Whatever it was at least he was happy…

Well he was happy for a solid 10 minutes or so…

In what felt like not even a millisecond had gone by the previous master of time unfroze from his respectable posture and once he saw both his sons missing AND the necklace thrown to the ground (covered in dirt and dust) he knew what his children had done. The rambunctious twins wore a matching set of jewelry for a whole week but it was worth it. 

Chapter Text

“I know I set it down in here somewhere,” muttered the dark haired tween, frantically tossing piles of miscellaneous items in the air and slowing them, allowing the slowed gravity of their fall to make it easier to search through the piles.

“If you had a system like mine, and took care of your things then maybe you would not lose your things so easily,” chided his look-alike, stacking books on his side of the room, adjusting and rotating them to make sure that all four corners were lining up and that the tower was stacked neatly in size order before nodding to himself in satisfaction.

“I do have a system!” he argued, rolling up a tattered and slightly torn scroll left unraveled on the floor from who knew how long ago.

The older twin rolled his eyes at the remark. “And what system is that? ‘Clutter our room so when father walks in you slow him to give you more time to clean and then get in trouble anyway’?”

“Har Har. That won't happen,” he paused and looked sheepishly away from his brother, “... again,” he murmured.

“Mmmm,” hummed Krux in snarky disagreement, sitting on the lower mattress of their bunk bed-- already finished with his chores and content to watch his brother scramble.

Acronix chose to ignore his brother as he continued his search, letting the floating piles of junk to fall to the ground once he was done examining them. Despite “picking up” the piles the room stayed just as filthy as before.

“Shouldn’t you pick UP the garbage? Instead of just leaving it on the floor?” sassed the older twin, looking offendedly at the piles of scrolls and other objects that his brother just turned away from. (It was his room, too, after all, and he hated seeing all of the messy piles marring their shared floor.)

“I’ll clean up after,” Acronix remarked, climbing on Krux’s bed and sticking his head upside down to look under the bed.

Krux paced tentatively to the doorframe as he watched his brother rummage hopelessly under the bunk bed. He placed his hands on the finished wooden frame and looked down the empty hall.

“Oh My! Father what a surprise!” Krux exclaimed in a false shock, smirking when he looked back to see his twin’s petrified face at his lie.

“Pops is here already!?!?” the younger screamed, his head shooting up so fast that he banged it on the bunk above him. Rubbing at his head, he quickly shot into the future to join his brother at the doorway, hand glowing a vibrant green, ready to teleport far far away just in case.

He stopped using his powers in confusion when no one came.

Krux snickered and turned away from the doorway to sit down at his desk, which made Acronix growl and shoot his brother a death glare.

“That was NOT amusing Krux!” spat Acronix. He stomped back to his own desk (if it could be called that anymore with all the loose trinkets and scrolls scattered about and completely hiding any possibly usable desk-like surface) and started rummaging through a lump of tunics stacked up next to it (a pile he had already checked).

“What are you even looking for?” asked his organized brother from across the room, watching in exasperation as his twin kicked at the pile of clothes, making it collapse further onto the floor.

“My tops!” Acronix answered (Krux looked critically at the pile of “tops” he had just search through wondering if his brother could truly be THAT inattentive).

Digging through a desk drawer he explained a bit further, “Their tiny size makes them incredibly difficult to find!”

Oh those kinds of tops. Krux searched his memory for where he last saw those annoying spinny toys and his entire expression dropped into a depended scowl as he remembered where he saw them last. The twin slide opened a small drawer in his desk and took out 3 odd shaped metal and wooden pieces.

“These toys?” he questioned accusatorily, as he held out the various patterned, multicolored tops with one hand, the other disdainfully on his hip.

“You found them!” exclaimed the future twin gratefully, turning away from his desk and leaving the drawer he had been searching wide open.

With a scalding look, the older twin threw the tops at his annoying brother (Acronix slowed them quickly midair to avoid being pelted by metal).

“I have had them for quite some time! Keep your things off my desk!” demanded Krux as his brother grabbed the tops from the bubble of blue and placed them on his own desk. Pushing aside a few scrolls to make an open space, Acronix gave the largest top a spin and watched the rudimentary figure painted on its side move in a loop.

As the top ceased in its spinning and fell against the desktop, Acronix gave his brother a cheeky grin, oblivious of his brother’s previous command. Leaving the top behind, he headed towards the door for what he deemed a well deserved break.

“Weren’t you cleaning, brother,” reminded Krux dryly, gesturing at the side of the room Acronix was supposed to be responsible for and its still disorganized state.

The younger twin led out a long and aggravated groan and slumped back in the room. Back to work … Actually time to start work.

Chapter Text

Acronix wandered the school play-yard, looking for the best way to spend breaktime. Usually he’d spend the time with his brother, but his twin was completely absorbed in some new interest, and had planted himself under a tree with his book -- completely blind to the world around him. So his brother was being boring, but he could find something else to do. 

It wasn’t foreign for Acronix to find ways to amuse himself. Although it was more fun with his other half he still had a whole field to play in, not to mention the playground area. He scanned the area and quickly rushed over to a small gathering of other kids passing a beaded sack around in a circle. 

The ball tossed up and down and he wanted to join in. His eyes tracked it all and he ran up to join, intercepting a throw by chopping the ball with his hands, spiking it to the ground with a laugh. 

“Hey that was mine!” A short haired boy complained. 

“Oh… Sorry!” Acronix laughed, “Can I join you guys?” 

The kids looked at each other talking with their eyes for approval. The tallest of them all nodded, “Sure I guess? Know how to play?” 

“Uh? ye-eah,” He beamed, crossing his arms with a cocky smirk. The others shuffled the circle out to give him room to join. 

“Okay I’ll start it!” A blonde said, tossing up the sack and passing it swiftly across the circle. It was received and hit back once more. He wanted the ball to come to him, but it made its way back and forth and back and forth with no sign of coming towards his side of the circle. His feet lifted his body up and down, anticipating the ball and fidgeting as he waited. Finally the tallest of them all (Acronix assumed he was the leader of them) gave him a toss. This was his moment!

Acronix yelled that it was his ball and grinned, smacking it as hard and far as he could. It sped out the circle, hopping a few times before reaching an end in the grass just past the dirt patch. 

He was met with grumbles from the other kids.

“Whady’a do that for?” The tall one asked. 

Acronix didn’t have an answer other than, “I dunno, I wanted to. It was fun…” 

“But that’s not how the game is played! You’re supposed to keep it in the air!” A short, dark haired boy lectured. 

Acronix held his hands up to chest level to defend himself. “Ok, Ok, I got it.” 

Someone returned with the ball and the passing began again. He played by the rules the next time it came his way, tossing it up to the right for another to continue the chain. It was monotonous. What was the win condition in this game? How is it a game if there’s no goal? They just tossed it to each other until the chain broke, and then they restarted. No punishment for the one who dropped it and no points given to those with the longest streak. 

The next time the ball came his way it was a really high one. His brain informed him It was the perfect target to smash, despite knowing the rules forbade it. It was just arched so perfectly. Without thinking he took a determined stance as the ball descended towards him. 

“Hiiyah!” He roared. He put all his building energy into the kick and as his foot impacted, the bag was sent flying for two seconds before smashing into another boy's face across the circle. 

As he landed his little feet on the ground Acronix was met with complaints from the others. He didn’t follow the rules, they said. He was, in their words, ruining the game. Well it wasn’t even a game! They just knocked it back and forth! It couldn’t be a game without a way to win! The complaints surrounded him as he stood in the middle of the circle. The kid he hit rubbed his temples and grumbled for him to get lost.

Well fine by him! They were losers who didn’t know how to make a good game anyway. There were plenty of kids to hang out with before classes started again. Acronix took off with a huff, telling them their game sucked anyway. His feet found him by the swing set and his head cocked as an idea sparked in his mind. 

He climbed up on the seat, standing with his arms holding the ropes tight, and starting swinging back and forth with the force of his whole body rocking it. The wind felt nice and once he got a good speed his hands glowed blue. A small clock shaped magical circle appeared at his knuckles and the swing came to a halt at the very top. He allowed a snicker and released the swing, feeling the breeze as he descended really fast. 

A boy came up to him swinging and awed, “Cool! Can I have a turn!” 

The request went unheard as Acronix continued his fun. The kid shouted again and Acronix continued to swing despite the protests. 

“Shoulda got here sooner Joan! This puppy’s all mine!” Acronix snickered, now switching to his fast forward ability, wondering if that would affect the swing (it didn’t seem to, only took away some of the fun of the motion). Joan gave up fairly quickly and Acronix didn’t notice, going  about his business until it got boring too. 

He let the swing slow to a natural stop and jumped off, landing dramatically like a warrior hero would. What to do now? Well Joan wanted to hang with him earlier, maybe he still did. Acronix switched gears instantly, looking around the yard for Joan, who was being chased by some kid he didn’t know and one or two of the boys from hackysack. 

Acronix sprinted over and gave them a gruff hello, joining the game of tag and yelling at the other kids to keep up with him. He ran around and yelled for them to catch him, but after sprinting halfway across the field, he realized no one was following him. In fact they seemed to shift down the field… away from him. Was that because of him? Did the other kids not want him to play with them? Why not? He was a super fun person! 

His jog came to a walk as he watched them run and play without him. Well he could run by himself but that wasn’t much of a game. Rolling his eyes, Acronix left the field, passing Krux’s tree. 

He swung his head in his twin's face, hunching over and blocking the book. His brother jumped, startled at the sudden person in his face.

“I’m bored,” Acronix drawled. His brother shifted and bent the page to close his book momentarily to address his twin’s concerns. 

“Okay” he stated fatly, shifting slightly away, which made his twin only complain more, wailing his arms above his head.

“It’s not ok! It’s as if every kid in school is nix- ing me out on purpose! Conspiring against me, Acronix !” 

Krux tapped his book in thought as Acronix paced. It seemed serious but Krux was fairly comfortable where he was. 

“Can you not just play with me?” Nix whined with a steady pout. He knew the answer as soon as the question left his mouth. He could see Krux giving him an unamused look, tapping on the cover of his book (which he was being rudely pulled from ) meaningfully. 

“Not a chance.”

Acronix groaned louder, but it was mostly theatrics at that point. Krux already had his system for dealing with people hating him, and he knew his twin was unlikely to move from his spot under the tree. In a way, he was jealous that his brother already had things all figured out. (Then remembering how poorly he had taken it when others treated him differently, immediately regretted feeling that way.)  

“Fine! Keep your stinky tree!” Acronix barked. Krux held the book up, opening it like the pages would block the sudden loud shout. He didn’t mean to yell so harshly at Krux, but Acronix’s anger was bubbling with every encounter. He wasn’t a nuisance, he was sure of it! But at the moment everyone wanted nothing to do with him and that stung. Not even his twin wanted to play. 

He stomped away, intoning frustrated grunts. He marched until his foot came upon the playground. His anger converted to bursts of climbing, going up and down every rock climb, pole, and staircase he could. When he reached the top there were a few kids waiting for the large slide. He had climbed up and down the smaller one before, but that was for babies. He wanted to use the big kid one! 

The line seemed endless. Kids were discussing what way to go down, and if they should get some pinecones to push down too. The discussion didn’t matter to him. He just wanted to slide! His hand twitched as the frustration bubbled again. 

“Hey! Just slide already!” Acronix ordered. The kid didn’t immediately go down, but he did stop mid conversation to look. It wasn’t enough for Acronix. He wanted a solution, he wanted to use the slide! Without giving him time to really answer, Nix’s hands were launching into his chest.

“I said go down!” 

He didn’t realize what his hands were doing until he heard a long scream. There was a thud. Then there was crying. Then an adult voice called his name in an all too familiar way 

---

His brother was quiet and Krux didn’t know how to approach him. He’d been reserved all day, even during their private lessons which Acronix usually tried his very best to excel at. Krux circled his hands looking at his brother sitting despondent on the swingset, staring off into the grass yard. He wasn’t swinging, he wasn’t talking to anyone. His usually chipper brother wasn’t doing anything. 

Well that wasn’t entirely true, as Krux corrected. Even when upset, Acronix seemed incapable of doing nothing . It was like his brain always told him to move or move something else. He was flicking his future powers on a poor squirrel, slowing it as it tried to scamper away many times over.

He should talk with him. It was what a good brother would do. Acronix always helped him when he was in a bind but Krux wasn’t sure how. He took some awkward steps forward. 

“You have been quiet all day,” Krux observed. 

“Great observation,” snarked Acronix as he slouched, letting the squirrel free from the stasis only to skip it further in time to watch it scamper away. It wasn’t going the way Krux intended already but he didn’t know what words would help.

It was wrong to push that other student. Technically he deserved the talking to he got when the Masters called their father. But telling him that wouldn’t cheer him up. It took a lot of energy for Krux not to chew out Acronix for it. It was reckless but seeing his brother so upset made him hold his tongue this time. His brother hated lectures and he probably has been given the same one. Hearing it from his own twin would only bring him down more. 

“Do you not have a book to read?” Acronix scoffed as Krux stood there besides the swing pole in silence. Krux was drawn back to the lack of conversation he was making. 

“No, I finished the latest during second lecture.” 

Acronix perked up, open mouth almost inching to a smile. “You were ignoring Physics class? Are you the real Krux?” 

“There is no other Krux,” his twin stated, a little annoyed at the insinuation that there was someone who could easily impersonate him. “I was still learning, mind you. I was simply learning something else. The material wasn’t that interesting.” 

Acronix gave a light chuckle but returned to staring out to the field, as kids ran together. Enjoying each other's presence. 

“Regardless I’m sure you need your time alone. You get it best during break time,” Acronix mentioned. 

Krux blushed slightly at Acronix remembering that conversation they had once. Classes were fun, but they also had many kids stuck into a small space. The before and after class conversations were always a struggle and the break was his best opportunity for some space and fresh air.  He didn’t leave, instead taking up the open swing by his right. 

“But what would you do?” 

“Does it even matter? Can’t play a game with one person,” Acronix grumbled, kicking his legs for a small swing. It teetered slowly up and down and he let out some steam by kicking the dirt below to gain another swing. “I haven’t a clue why they dislike me! But they do . They all think they are above playing with me,” he huffed angrily.

It may have been selfish, but Krux was glad Acronix felt this way. It was a familiar notion to be different from the group, which made it easier to find the words to say. 

“They are the same way with me,” Krux responded solemnly, chewing his nails slightly before releasing his hands to talk. It wasn’t the most comfortable conversation for Krux, but he had to say something to help his twin, and at least being an outcast was something he knew about. 

Acronix dug his thongs into the sand, swing coming to an abrupt stop, listening intently. 

“But, didn’t you say we shouldn’t worry about them?” He pointedly raised a brow as he paraphrased a reassurance that Acronix had given him several times. It was one that helped him most of the time. “That we’re better than them?”

“Are you throwing my amazing words against me?!” Acronix retorted, not nearly as offended as he sounded. His turnaround was quick and Acronix arched his body upright. His longing eyes were still watching the kids at play, but an image formed in his mind of those kids just being mean to him and especially his brother. But Krux had reminded him, and what was he going to do, ignore his own amazing advice? 

“You know what… We don’t need them!” 

Acronix left the swing and glowed his hands blue. He targeted two kids running and he flashed his hands in the air. One kid slowed instantaneously, a look of shock slowly creeping up his face as the other player rushed towards them. Before he could change gears he smashed into the stagnant tagger and they both fell to the ground. Acronix huffed a cold laughter. 

“ah HAH! We don’t need them anyway!” Acronix grinned, pointing triumphantly at what he had just done (his range was getting better). Krux stood up and joined his brother's side. It actually felt kind of nice seeing that kid go down. He used to call him such horrible names, so he mostly deserved it anyway. They had powers and they had each other. They had strength and they shouldn’t let anyone tell them otherwise. His younger twin deserved to be happy and they made him unhappy too many times.

It was only a few moments before the grounded kid located them for revenge. It was easy to tell who caused their misfortune, as there weren’t other elemental masters in the institution. Acronix prepared for a good battle but as he motioned to intercept a slug to the face, the kid was frozen red. 

“Whoops,” Krux sassed, shrugging both hands up to show off his own clockwork elemental circles encasing his palms. Acronix laughed and pushed the kid over, landing stomach into the swings base. No one could mess with them and he was going to make sure of it. 

“Nice reflexes, brother. That swing of his could really use some work!” He cheered, moving the swing up and pushing it forwards. The unprepared victim landed face first into the dirt, only accompanied by more laughter. The kid threatened to tattle and began to stand. 

“Ruh oh,” Acronix winced, realizing that their fun would only end up back at Master’s quarter, waiting for the stern talking to from their Pops. His neck could practically feel the restraining power of the vengestone necklace. Acronix tugged at his collar, brushing where he usually fiddles with the aforementioned punishment. 

It was then Krux grabbed Acronix’s hand and reversed the fabric of reality. Acronix vocalized in surprise and Krux explained, “You cannot get in trouble if it had never occurred.” 

Of course! They were invincible! The older they got the more they controlled their powers and with it, the more control they had over their peers. Why chase the validation from these weak saps anyway? As long as he had Krux by his side nothing could bring them down. 

“You are incredible!” He remarked as they landed in the past. The two left the kid alone, letting the memory of his torment bring them enough comfort. 

“You as well,” returned his brother, who was grinning toothily. 

Acronix hummed, bringing a hand to his chin, “Though I do wish he remembered my quip, It was good wordplay right?” 

“People will come for us again. You’ll have another chance to practice your obnoxious puns.”

“You really mean it?”

Krux nodded in assurance. If people did not want them then they were just not as cool as him and his brother. They spent the rest of the day talking and sparring. People would never harm his younger twin again. They were stronger and they were deserving of more. The kids just didn’t understand them! They were going to make sure everyone knew that starting today. 

In a strange turn of events, the two went from ignored to feared. At first the headmaster was talking with them every day, but at some point he just stopped bothering the boys (their pops must have had some conversation with him). The yard was basically theirs now and no one could take it away. 

They were sparing in the grass, practicing their powers for any confrontation. 

“We need a team name!” Acronix suggested, blocking a wide punch from his brother. He returned the blow gently, practicing his technique without harming Krux. 

“Oh?” Krux asked, ceasing fighting as Acronix halted as well. He grabbed two staffs and tossed one to his twin, who caught it perfectly. They began again. 

“I mean it! If people are going to talk about us we should make it easier for them to! How many syllables are Krux and Acronix?”

“Five” Krux answered. 

“Too many!” 

They continued to practice, slashing and hitting the staff back and forth. 

“Well, did you have a name in mind? It is certainly your expertise” 

Acronix thrusted the staff in an opening Krux left and it pushed him to the ground. It wasn’t long before a hand was offered to him to help him up. Krux wasn’t usually one for touch but he let Acronix help him up just this once. 

“What about… ” He looked at his brother for inspiration, seeing the symbol on their shared tunics. The clock was their family sigil. Feeling the staff in his hand he got the perfect idea. 

“ The Hands of Time!” He pronounced, shooting his staff to the sky. He looked to Krux for approval of his idea and the boy joined his side, matching his stance so the staff had the same angle as their sigil.

“It is just like our sigil! Very clever!” He beamed. 

Acronix flourished his staff up high. 

“Acronix!” 

Krux followed his lead, posing his staff in a similar way. 

“And Krux!” 

The Hands of Time