Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What's your name?”

One day Mash went to play around the forest, and found a kid with pink hair and black robes.

The kid didn't reply, barely acknowledged him at all. That was rude.

Even more strange than the fact almost no kids would play around here. It seemed this boy wasn't here for that purpose.

“My name is Mash. What is your name?”

But he should at least know some modals right?

He didn't expect the sudden water blast to the face though. But it wasn't a problem.

“How dare you, I'm the strongest!” Now the kid was all talkative. Pretty much having a fit.

“You started it” Mash replies wet from head to toe, but at least he wasn’t covered in mud like the other kid

“I'm the strongest, I'm the best tool of my father. How could you?!” The poor kid was covered in tears and snot, his magic wand snapped in two a few feels from him. Mash didn't consider him the strongest if all he could do now was cry and call for his dad.

“What's your name?” 

“D-Domina, I'm the fifth quintuplet, and y-you!...” Domina replies indignantly, raising a hand to point at the black haired kid with disgust. Another raging torrent about to pipe up from his young body.

“Nice to meet you Domina” Mash says, grabbing the hand of the other kid. A firm handshake just as pops taught him (just not too much force as warned).

This cuts Domina’s tantrum short.

He has never had a proper introduction with someone, so this takes him by surprise.

He doesn't know what to do about it.

Father has never taught him what to do in this kind of situation.

“And why were you here if you are meant to be at home?” Mash asks, puzzled by his friend's weird story of missions and duties assigned by his father. By the sound of it, Domina's father was a really dumb one at that.

They are both walking and the forest, holding hands so Domina doesn't get lost in Mash's words.

“I don't know…” Domina doesn'tfully agree with the description of home by Mash’s perception, but he doesn't want to share more obscure details.

“I just wanted to run away for a little…” he continues while Mash listens attentively. 

They continue walking in silence, as two kids sharing personal heavy matters do.

“Were you bored?” Mash asks, as if he suddenly got an idea.

“What?” Domina asks, confused, before suddenly Mash dragged them both towards and incline and immediately pushed them both down it.

Domina screams.

Now they are both at the bottom of the hill, covered in grass and dirt. Domina is positively fuming even if he is still pretty much a face full of tears. Mash is quiet but not because he is repentant of his actions. Instead, he is puzzled.

“I thought you would enjoy that”

“We just rolled all the way down… How is that fun!” Domina shouts angry, wiping off the mud from his face.

“It's like a slide” Mash explains plucking a tree branch stuck in his hair.

Domina should be furious, enraged even, but he finds himself suddenly laughing. The situation is so absurd that after a short pause he explodes in laughter. What kind of person thinks tumbling down a mountain is adequate entertainment? 

“See now you are having fun now” Mash points out, finishing cleaning himself up.

“it’s not that funny” Domina tries to assure between giggles, but otherwise he is content with the situation.

“Well, we can do something more fun over there”

Mash grabs his hand, a positive sign of their blossoming friendship. Domina accepts it, feeling warm both in his hand and his little chest.

He has never felt this happy.

Mash comes back to their playground with a couple of cream puffs. He is excited to keep playing with the pink haired kid, but what he comes back to is not the same way as he left.

There is a stranger now.

It's a man, an unknown man that has caught Domina who looks pretty much frightened.

He leaves the lunch snacks aside and approaches.

“It's the first time you have done this, your punishment will be bad, but I'm sure you can take it” Doom mentions bored out of his mind, having been sent to retrieve the little rascal on his way back from a mission.

“I was following Father’s orders, I fulfilled my mission” Domina tries to change the course of the conversation, but his brother is pretty much disregarding him.

He stops his pleads the second he spots his new friend standing a few feet from them.

“M-Mash…”

"Let him go" Mash demands coming up to them, grabbing the man by his garb. He won't let him get away with this.

"Who is this Domina, you made a friend?" Doom asks, moving away his sword to avoid killing such a weak little human in accident.

"I told you to let him go" Mash moves in a blink, his fist lunging forward and colliding with the man's hand who suddenly crouches to intercept it like it's nothing.

"Little kids shouldn't go around punching their elders. It's rude" Doom explains, slightly impressed with the kid's force. He admires the determination in those little yellow eyes that are now set on him.

If he glared a bit more he could melt him to the ground.

It reminded him heavily of father.

Father.

Suddenly realization hits and Doom's semblance changes to a more serious one.

"Let him go" Mash repeats, but the man just stares at him (or at least it looks like it), quietly examining him.

"How old are you?"

"..." the kid doesn't reply, annoyed at having his request ignored.

"Big brother Doom, he is not..." Domina interrupts their silent standoff. Feeling sudden fear at having his suspicions confirmed.

His friend doesn't need to be involved in this.

"He is".

Doom cuts him off, he has reached a decision. Holding a hand up in a friendly wave, he utters the worst words Domina could ever hear in his short life.

"It's good to see you again, little brother"

Even if the tone was kind, Mash has never felt the amount of goosebumps as he is feeling right now. This leaves him speechless while Domina quickly yelps another complaint consumed by panic.

"It's a good thing you came here. You have done a big service to father by finding our lost sibling"

Doom continues, shifting the grip on his sword while he stands up, his hand patting Domina's head. The younger sibling, positively terrified of the blade too close to his neck for comfort. Even if his brother didn't intend to, even the slightest mishap in the hold of his sword could slice off his neck as if cutting butter.

This man was dangerous.

Mash knew he needed to get help.

He turned around to make a run for it.

Find pops, so they could stop the weird man.

He breaks into a sprint, towards home.

The trees and grass shift by the push of his impulse, like a barrage of wind from a hurricane.He has always been faster than anyone, but this is the first time someone is quicker than him.

One second he is running, in the next one his whole world shifts and turns as he is plucked off the ground. He barely registers it when he is under the man's grip now instead of the ground.

"Got you" 

It would be embarrassing to admit he is caught by surprise, but it is undeniable. His feet are no longer on the ground and no matter how much he struggled, it wouldn't grant him his freedom. What was this strength?!

"There, it's time to go back with Father, don't get lost again".

Mash's world is reeling, feeling vertigo as his eyes are still adjusting to the sudden change in his perception of the world. He tries to push him away but it feels like moving concrete that won't yield against his force. This is the first time something doesn't yield at his force. This is wrong, unknown.

While he is confused, the kid he met and the man keep talking between them.

"Big brother Doom... it's not his fault, he is not..." Domina is terrified, trying to plead Mash' case even if he is doomed already. He feels like this is a big mistake, something that will turn for the worse.

"Stop Domina, you should be thankful it was me and not Famin the one tasked to go pick you up".

Domina keeps staring at him with pleading eyes, confusion and fear mixed in them. Mash quiets down a little, feeling weirded out by the familiarity of this weird man insisting on sharing their weird family trauma.

"He would have destroyed this whole forest and a bit more" 

Mash perks up at that mention and switches his squirming attempts with outright physical force instead. This person was truly dangerous. He gets a firm grip on the arm holding him in place, and gathering enough impulse, he lands a kick on the man's ribs as hard as he can.

"You truly are Father’s child"

Doom appreciates the child's strength. The blow did nothing to him but it had the same force as a grown up man. So young, barely five, but his potential was promising. With good enough training he could be an interesting training target.

"Let me go" Mash demands, feeling offended, but mostly disturbed by the bare reaction he got out of the man when other people would flail in pain and in goofy screams with half of that hit.

"This is enough for now. We need to go with father"

With a snap of his wrist, magic manifests in the middle of the forest.

A portal of yellow light starts forming and swirling the air around them. The man is taking them both somewhere. 

Mash doesn't like this.

"Let me go" Mash insists, feeling panic raise as the magic portal finishes opening. He couldn't go on further adventures away from home now. It was almost time for dinner, he has never spent a night outside of home.

Doom no longer addresses him. Choosing instead to think of other matters. Domina meanwhile, was trying his hardest to quiet down his sobs. Mash tries his hardest to try and make eye contact with the other child, wanting to know if this was for real.

But Domina is facing away from him, afraid and not wishing to ruin the fickle friendship he has made. To pretend this is not happening.

Mash's inhibitions crumble the second the stranger takes a step into the portal, the world around them starting to melt around them as the transportation magic starts doing its job. 

He is afraid.

"Papa!" Mash shouts, the realization that he is not coming back home dawning on him. He is being carried away into the unknown. For the first time in his life, he feels powerless.

"Welcome back son, I really thought I would never see you again”

Chapter Text

"Welcome back son, I really thought I would never see you again” a blonde man is softly caressing Mash's face, his eyes are fixated in him and his touch is pretty uncomfortable. How could he have such cold hands was something that disturbed the young boy.

“I don't know you, I'm not your son” the kid replies, brushing the man's hand off. He didn't give him permission to touch him so it wasn't even necessary to keep entertaining him.

“It's sad, how quickly you have forgotten me, your siblings, everything…” Innocent zero comments with fake sadness, instead he is in fact euphoric over having his key component for his project returned back home. But he can't let the kid know that yet.

“I want to go back with papa Regro” Mash demands without fear, batting once again away the stranger 's hand when he sees him trying to brush his hair with tenderness.

“Now now, that man really has all my thanks for taking good care of you, but you are home now.” zero replies, stopping his attempts at doting the kid since he wasn’t appreciative of his father’s love. 

It's annoying, but it kind of gives him a kick when he sees Domina squirming all uncomfortable in the corner.

“This is not my home” Mash crosses his arms, annoyed at this big old man ignoring his words and doing as he pleased.

Innocent zero just smiles at him, not offering any useful input. 

“I'm going home” the kid declares, turning around seeing how the discussion has turned useless. But before he can, he trips on his steps.

A pregnant pause hangs between them until Mash looks over what made him trip. His feet were chained by two heavy weights firmly attached to his ankles. When reaching over with his hand to try and pry them off, he realizes he is wearing identical ones on his arms.

“What's wrong, son?” Zero asks with a discrete grin, he is trying his hardest to not let out a laugh he is holding.

“What is this…” Mash questions feeling his limbs starting to feel numb with the extra weight.

“Just safety precautions, you know, letting a poor defenseless child go into the wild is not a very responsible thing to do” it's the reply he gets, and that man is now bent over looking at him with a shit eating grin. “Just some little deterrents…”

“Why did you do this? Take this off” Mash demands, feeling how the harder he tried lift his arms, the heavier the weights got. Almost like an inverse effect to the force applied.

“I didn't do anything” Innocent Zero lies, completely amused about the situation. “I’m sure that if you are as strong as its said, you will figure it out”.

“I don't like you”.

They are walking around the macabre halls, Domina is fretting over his frien- brother, wondering how hard was father punishment considering Mash was struggling to move currently.

His own punishment was waived, but this just makes him feel worse instead. Father’s gratitude weighted heavier on his consciousness seeing Mash's neutral expression.

“I do not like the pajamas they gave me” Mash admits, looking over the black robes he has to wear. Domina besides him, tries to explain to him that this is something serious.

“Mash, you are not going back home” he takes enough courage to utter those words, he has been mulling them for long, but he didn't dare to utter them in the first place, worried about hurting his brother's feelings.

“This is a very terrible sleepover” Mash practically ignores him, trying to not trip over his own clothes. He had gotten the grip on the weights’ mechanic, finding out they became heavier the more force be tried to exert in his movement.

Quite inconvenient.

“Mash”

“I'm going home, even if he doesn't let me” Mash insists, finding that lifting the long fabric allowed him the chance to move more freely without tripping.

“This is your home… brother” Domina says, trying to convince him, but it seemed more like he was trying to convince himself. 

The black haired sibling didn't pay any mind to his words, Domina was really feeling exasperated by his lack of seriousness.

How could he convey that without upsetting him?

Just when they are going around the corner, they cross paths with someone they know very well.

Doom, who seems to be in his way to meet with father.

“Little brothers, Mash, Domina” he salutes them, even a slight smile on his face. He found the concepts of little brothers a tender thing.

“Big brother Doom” Domina addresses him back with a little shaky reverence. Respect and devotion well drilled in his childish mind.

“You are not my brother” Mash replies not amused, offering none of the kindness his pink haired brother did.

Doom makes no comment on this, choosing to change the topic.

“Are you showing Mash around?” he asks Domina.

“Yes, big brother Doom” he answers promptly, shoving Mash behind himself before he makes any other rude remarks.

“Very well, I should leave you to it” his big brother approves, giving them a nod of understanding.

“Will do” Domina hurriedly assures while Mash behind him doesn't look quite amused.

“If you need any help, come to me. I will help you if I can” Doom offers patting Domina's head while Mash dodges away from the touch like an annoyed cat.

“No thank you, I want to go home” the black haired sibling insists once more, shoving Domina away from him when the later tries once more to cover his mouth with his hands, that's rude.

“He is still with that?” the older brother wonders while Domina visibly panics.

“I apologize, brother, he is still very confused. I will help him understand, he just needs time, he will come around…” a blurry of words start spilling out of the pink haired kid who is trying his hardest to not anger his elder.

“I do not like you both, stop talking about family and pretending I'm your brother… it's creepy” Mash getting fed up with the current situation, tries to sidestep them and storm off. His patience no longer enough to keep him there listening to this nonsense.

He pushes Doom aside, trying to make his way forwards and get away, but instead he trips and the sound of something heavy, like an anvil hitting the ground, echoes against the halls.

There is even an indent on the floor where Mash is currently trying the hardest to not cry in front of the two brothers.

“Mash!” Domina calls him, coming quickly to try and help him up.

“I'm fine” Mash tries to pretend with a hoarse voice,  but even then, Domina's panic doesn't stop.

“Come with me, the servants will bring us medical supplies” Mash doesn't protest further when Domina picks him up, choosing to no longer fight him off.

“It's fine”

“Your nose is bleeding”

Soon, the two brothers disappear into the end of the hallway in a hurry.

“He has so much potential, but a tender heart” Doom comments to the air with no one in particular in mind.

“I really do not like this sleepover. Papa Regro was right about not staying out from home” Mash comments, feeling how gloomy it is to stays there sitting in the darkness with Domina in the very cold and inhospitable room.

“It's not a sleepover Mash…” Domina feels like even repeating it makes no sense at this point. His brother is too set on his ways to really care about what he has to say.

“Your father is horrible” Mash says, and this time the pink haired boy didn't pipe up with a protest.

The cold got to him and having only the warmth of his brother against him makes him really feel those words are the truth.

Regro came back home, and finding those cream puffs sitting on the floor of the forest didn't put him at ease.

The forest looked as if a magic beast had ripped it apart, so many ripped branches and trees. He can even find massive puddles of water as if a lake had tried to manifest itself in this exact place.

Mash, where was Mash?

Chapter Text

Mash and Domina are always together. Maybe innocent zero's way to spoil Domina's good work, or just to let out some pressure from his emotional turmoil.

So far it has been just to the two of them, their older brothers mostly busy with other missions. They spend the days roaming around the halls, Domina showing him the castle where they live before they are sent to bed early in the old dark room.

So far it has been peaceful, but Mash is still uncomfortable with the repetitive answer he gets every time he asks to go back with his Dad.

He has never stayed longer than a day out from home. This is an obscene amount of days for a sleepover.

Even if Domina promises him it's the right place for him to stay. He doesn't Like it.

It has become a common occurence to bump paths from time to time with Doom, the only one of the older brothers who goes out of his way to see them.

Maybe it's the curiosity Of the man himself, or maybe just boredom; but Domina is practically ecstatic over the attention, calling it a signal that Father considers them worthy of attention.

He doesn't know what another weirdo has to do with his weird old man’ attention, but he doesn't have the heart to stump Domina's happiness.

Today it’s not the same as last time, on this occasion, they have met with a new sibling. A blond, who seems more jittery than human.

“Oh, oh, oh!!!! I see you, I see you little maggots. You are the little babies, little dorks, hahaha”

He is covered in gashes and with dry blood. His regeneration is curing some scratches that seemed to have been deep gashes before coming here. His mission has not gone as smoothly as he wished.

“Greetings, big brother Delisaster” Domina does a little bow, Mash doesn't follow mostly because this doesn't seem to be the moment for salutations and more like the moment to call an ambulance.

“So cute, so dumb, hahaha, you two must be having the time of your lives. No work, eating worms and being the little rad brothers you are, right?”

He has crouched to their level and grabbed them by the shoulders to hug them close to him. His teeth are pointy, and his breath is not that pleasant. 

He is delirious.

“Let me go” Mash slaps his arm away and Delisaster proceeds to hug him again harder. Almost squeezing him of all air.

“Oh, how I wish I WAS as carefree and cute as you…. You know, like the sun. I will be the sun, and you will be cute worms. The sun is very deep, important!” He rambles away and Domina grows concerned when the hold on him starts to hurt. The fingers sink harsher on the skin, surely leaving a bruise behind.

“Big brother Delisaster, you, you are hurting Mash” Domina lies, not wanting to look weak and by extend getting a free training session out of this.

“Oh, right, right, little useless magicless Brother hahaha” Delisaster releases them, shoving them away with considerable force.

“I'm not useless” Mash protests, but the older boy is too deep in his mania to notice him.

“I'm here wasting my time, when someone as cool as me should be doing more important things hahaha” Delisaster manifests his weapon, almost slashing off the heads of his little brothers with the movement, but he is not even acknowledging them anymore. Soon he leaves them behind, busier with whatever has crossed his mind.

“I'm too busy, too busy…”

“He is crazy…” Mash comments as soon as he is away and Domina immediately goes to shush him.

“Is any of your brothers even normal?” Mash asks concerned.

“Our brothers” Domina corrects him, but Mash doesn't care about it.

“How can they be… That way” he chooses to not outright call them monsters, but the look he gave Domina was enough to infer it.

“We are all working hard to please father, the reason of our existence” Domina replies, solemn, trying his hardest to sway Mash's opinion. “Soon one day he will harvest your heart and we will have fulfilled our purpose”.

“I want to take a nap”.

“Mash!”

“I mean it, why is father so weird? If he is so strong, why does he need anyone's heart?” Mash pulls his robe’s sleeves up, feeling uncomfortable with the length, he folds them back and grabs Domina's hand again.

“Our fath- wait, you called him father” Domina's following scolding was cut off by the surprise. He is not sure if he has hallucinated Mash's words.

“He is not a real father” Mash brushes his question off, both stopping close to a large window. Outside, the dark gloomy forest can be seen.

Mash can't avoid but ponder where his real father is…

Regro may be growing old, but his mind is not going away with the years. Even less, his spirit.

Mash is still alive, somewhere. 

That's why he has decided to embark in a journey to search for him. Someone took him, he is sure of that. If the Police had caught him, there would have been an announcement for his execution already, kid or not. 

But after investigating, he has to learn there had been strange magicians in the area. Very dangerous people.

No one would believe him, but he knows that people must have taken Mash. 

For what reason? It could be any really, and very dark ideas circle Regro’s mind while he tries to reconcile sleep. But he believes, no, he knows Mash is still alive and he will find him.

Regro packs up his meager camping equipment, three weeks of travel already passed.

He left the magician capital to search for his child, taking all he owned and putting it in a traveling bag. With the funds he has he will probably reach the outskirts by two more months.

Asking along the little villages and trading some favors for directions, he slowly makes his way towards the unknown.

He can only wonder, how Mash is doing on his own.

Imagining it somehow gives him both dread and strength to keep going. The kid has no magic, good force and a bright mind. Regro pleads to the heavens for his safety wherever he is.

But pleading can only do so much.

So, as soon as the sun rises, he gets back on the path. Search continuing.

He won't give up until he finds Mash.

Big brother Famin.

He is absolutely the worst of them all.

They have been avoiding him per Doom's indications and because of the personal experiences Domina has suffered with him.

Mash feels he won’t get along with him at all. And it fact, that gets confirmed the one grim day they accidentally stumble on the clown's path.

“Good morning Big brother Fa-” and in seconds, Mash's very polite brother is levitating on the air by that man's magic. Soon he is being spun around at very high speeds, it's a miracle he hasn't thrown up yet.

“Good Morning? Oh yes, a very good morning!” Famin lets out a laugh, a very self-serving laugh as he enjoys the sight of the poor kid trying to get ahold of anything to stop the endless swirls.

The jester's eyes are full of hatred.

“Did you think I haven't heard about the little rumor? You arrive back home with the useless one and magically I don't see you for a month!” He stops the magic and with a gesture of his fingers the kid is brought close to his face. Domina's eyes are full of terror, tears threatening to spill as a playing card soon finds its way close to his neck.

“Were you afraid?... afraid that I would hurt our precious little baby brother?” Famin sinks the very sharp card on his hand into Domina's skin. The weapon leaves a very thin crimson line marked on the kid's neck.

“No…” Domina's voice quivers, eyes avoidant, “nothing like that, b-big brother….” if he even dares to move, he will suffer worse. Famin is not above cutting his head for amusement.

“Good”

And Domina goes back in the air, this time even more violently. Famin is cackling with glee, while Mash can't do nothing but watch another side of this psychotic family.

Domina swears he can feel his organs discombobulating inside him. The very violent twists and turns threaten to grind his bones and leave him worse than a rag doll.  

“Look at you, more than a decade later! How are you going to be of any utility to father huh? This weak and even less deserving of life” He keeps flailing the kid around, not giving even a second of respite. “Coward! Truly cowards you and the magicless freak!”

Domina doesn't dare to talk back, fearing a worse treatment for him or Mash if he dares so. He can stand this, he can stand it for Mash. Just a little bit more, just…

Famin stops spinning him, going suddenly serious. 

Domina drops from the air unceremoniously. The hard stone floor almost pushed out all the air from his lungs. Head reeling and trying to focus his sight, he is once more filled with terror when he recognizes the sight of Mash trying to hit Famin.

He has landed a hit on the man's leg, even if it hasn't even left a dent, it's enough reason to offend the very volatile individual. Domina can feel the terror sink to his stomach. 

It's a very tense moment where no one dares to speak. As if time itself has stopped.

Until the youngest of them speaks up.

“Stop hurting him” Mash demands standing in between the two, covering Domina with his body.

Famin doesn't speak at first, just looking at Mash with no particular expression. Until a very ugly smirk forms on his face.

“Oh?~ you think yourself strong enough to go against me? Oh, you really think so magicless worm??” The jester guy contorts in both glee and violent rage. He finds this very amusing and as well a very good reason to rip these maggots to shreds.

“I will” Mash answers, resolute.

Famin's face twists even further, eyes bulging almost out of his face, it's a horrific display as his limbs tense and tense as if he is about to explode.

He is completely still, showing them a demonic smile. Mash doesn't back down, standing tall in front of that bully.

“Think quick”

Domina can barely see the glint of something shiny before he hears a tiny gasp next to him.

He sees his brother quickly raise his hands and cover a spot close to his face. Domina can hear his own heartbeat clearly in his ears as he sees a very recognizable red hue show between the cracks of Mash's fingers.

“Mash!”

“You didn’t think quick enough” the ensuing laugh is quite sardonic, insulting even.

Mash falls to the ground, cradling the cut on the side of his head. It's bubbling up quite the amount of blood.

Domina kneels immediately, reaching Mash and trying to help him stop the bleeding.

“This is a warning, I'm not going to play the good big brother part for you…” Famin towers over them, his semblance dark as he keeps watching them with those unhinged eyes of his.

“I'm so sorry big brother Famin please spare us for our insolence!” Domina pleads, grabbing Mash to drag him away, the jester above them still quite infuriated while sporting such a cruel grin. The older kid is desperate to cover Mash with his body.

“Go on, go beg your big powerful brother Doom to save you” he orders them with a sardonic smile, he can barely contain himself. He is pretty sure he would enjoy plucking their cute little eyes with his fingers. “I give you five seconds to run before I cut you to pieces”

“1…”

Domina doesn't even need to hear the count reach the number three. Using his magic to propel them both, he takes Mash and makes a successful escape.

They don't stop until they are at another part of the castle, far away from their psychopath brother. 

Mash is still bleeding, even if he doesn't show any particular reaction, Domina can see how hard he is shaking.

“Mash…”

“I'm fine” Mash answers stoic, wiping away the bit of blood running from his head and nose. It hurts a bit, his skull pounds and he feels lightheaded, but he won't give that clown the satisfaction of seeing him cry.

“I'm sorry Mash…” Domina says, sniffling a bit while helping wipe off the blood from Mash's face. 

Mash has realized the weights become impossible to lift when he reaches the limits of the castle. It seems the old man had even more tricks under his sleeve.

He is still lying about so many things.

Even if he wanted, he wouldn't be able to take a single step outside.

Even if he could, it would take no time before any of the weirdos caught up to him and brought him back into the dark cell they would hold him and Domina in.

What kind of place was this, to raise children at?

Mash wonders while looking at the vast expanse of trees going up to the horizon.

This was in no way, a family.

Chapter Text

They have been sitting here in this room for hours now. Mash head is pounding, he feels feverish and everything just feels uncomfortable as him and Domina wait there on a sofa surrounded by laboratory equipment.

He has brought him to meet one more of the weird siblings. 

“Now… say puuuudin” 

If this was a competition to see who could be the weirdest person in the castle, this person was really bringing his all to win it. Trying to feed him sweets like he is a little baby and they are playing airplane with the spoon.

Regardless, Mash opens his mouth and begrudgingly takes in the spoonful of sugar. Domina, besides him, is staring attentively as if this was a critical procedure to save him.

Mash chews slowly, dissatisfied by the fact this is not a cream puff flavor. He really would like to eat one, all this time in the castle has taken a toll on him. 

But regardless of his taste, soon the pain in his head subsides and he no longer feels deadly tired. His energy replenishes and he feels as fresh as if he just woke up.

“Ah, I feel strong” Mash tentatively closes and opens his fist, as if he is testing his own muscle strength.

Domina makes a relieved sound of approval, wiping away the small tears he still had in his eyes. “Mash, I'm so glad”.

He doesn't stop himself from hugging the other kid. The strength was as hard as if he was deadly afraid he would be gone forever if he didn't take the opportunity.

“Well, puddingology always delivers” the weird man replies candidly, a charming smile as he himself consumes the leftover pudin he just gave Mash.

“I thank you so much big brother Epidem!” Domina immediately jumps off his seat, doing a little bow and everything with the excitement he feels. Mash wonders if he doesn't get tired saying big brother every two sentences and bowing all the time.

Epidem, meanwhile, is busy doing little twirls and improvising a new dance for his pudin song. He finishes and he turns around to offer a spoonful of pudin to Domina.

“You shouldn't thank me, this pudin had a 50% chance of making his condition worse”. Epidem happily explains. 

Domina almost feels his blood freeze, the expression on his face makes a complete poem. 

“You-”

“I have a request” Mash interrupts the weird conversation, even raising his hand to bring the attention of his two siblings.

“What would it be?” Epidem completely ignores whatever Domina was about to say. A brand new puddin in his hand.

“I want a cream puff” 

A moment of silence passes, Domina genuinely wonders if Mash even heard the part about him possibly dying by the cure.

“I guess I could acquire that, but why exactly a creampuff when there is pudin?” Epidem replies, shoving a spoonful of sweet in his mouth. Making gestures that he is thinking extremely hard.

“I wish a cream puff” Mash repeats, not a single ounce of doubt in his tone.

Epidem stares at him puzzled, as if he is just an irrational person asking for boiling magma instead of water.

Domina intervenes, Epidem could go ballistic if Mash accidentally insults his pudins.

“He…” now he regrets raising his voice to call all the attention to him. Really did they all share such hard gazes? He feels his nerves go up with the yellow irises drilling into him.

“Wants…” Domina continues, tightening the fists he didn't realize he had balled at one point. The words are not coming easy are they? And even worse the ideas for getting out of this.

Think Domina! He thinks to himself, thousands of explanations and plausible theories cross his mind. His brow and face muscle tenses, with how hard he is thinking and gathering the courage to say his answer his hair is even levitating.

Soon, the blissful illumination hits his brain. He believes he has found the perfect answer.

“A cream puff” Domina finishes the sentence with shaky resolve.

Why did he say that instead!?

“Ok!” Epidem doesn't even question it, while Mash starts clapping in celebration.

And with A flick of his fingers, a a plate full of cream puffs to the top manifested in front of them.

Every night, Domina sees Mash fulfill a ritual of several steps. Of jumps, twirls and crouches. Sometimes he even pulls out the rock cobble from the ground and frantically lifts it up and down until exhaustion.

“Why do you do that? What kind of magic ritual is that? You do not have magic”. Curiosity killed the cat today and Domina makes his shot towards the boy who is currently resting between one of his sets.

“Exercise, to get power” Mash answers, laying on the ground, waiting for the rest to end so he can continue with another set of bench presses.

“Power? I don't remember that kind of magic”, Domina continues, puzzled with the answer he just received.

“To make power, you need to exercise, dad said.” Mash answers, Domina automatically understands he is referring to his foster dad, since Innocent zero couldn't have said that.

“Mr. Regro taught you that? Why?” Domina finds it illogical to build the body when magic could overpower it so easily.

“When you are weak, you need to create your own strength. Otherwise, how will you protect the important?” Mash fires back, and it somehow makes Domina's face feel hot, as if he has been reminded of something so basic. Was this shame? Flattery? He isn't sure.

“One day, I will protect you from the bad brothers” Mash finishes talking, grabbing the improvised weights to continue his work out.

And that time comes faster than what Domina would have liked.

They have been carefully choosing their paths, trying to avoid stumbling upon undesirable people, but it seems that is completely useless when a hunter is deliberately looking for them, its prey.

Famin.

It has been months since their last encounter. Barely weeks after Domina's nightmares of holding the cold body of his younger brother have stopped. Days earlier than the time he was supposed to come back from his mission.

But he is here, and he seems quite eager to make this experience worse than last time.

“Would you like to see a neat trick?” His words are neutral, but the statement is clear when Domina has Famin's sword pointed at him a few centimeters away from his face.

Domina doesn't dare to look away from the pointy end. Gulping in dry and preparing words in his constricted throat.

“B-Big brother Famin…”

“Cut it… I'm here to take up from where we left it last time” the toying tone is gone from his voice. No longer sing song, more dry and deep. The fury clear in every accentuated word.

Domina shuts his mouth immediately.

“So, as I was saying… we will continue with last time's playtime”. Famin's smile stretches to new limits, almost reaching the borders of his eyes.

It's clear he will make them pay dearly for last time's transgression, regardless of how minor it would be or how long ago. Famin was truly a monster of his own type. Domina hopes he will at least hurt him and not Mash this time.

Domina prepares mentally, magic wand on hand.

“I'm fighting you again then” silence rains down on them all after these words are spoken. The pink haired brother hopes with all his heart this is just another hallucination and not what he truly knows what is it.

“you????” The oldest brother chortles, excitement barely concealed in his voice. He was waiting for this moment, his narcissism demanding blood for this joyous occasion.

“I will take you down this time” Mash promises and it's like he just set off a bomb in that hallway. Famin's limbs shooting off in all directions like a complete madman.

“Really magicless trash?!”

“Mash!” Domina intervenes, but is taken by surprise when Mash speaks up again.

“I can take you on” Mash steps in front, pushing Domina behind. 

“Oh, Mr. Half potato, Mr. Ego, Mr. USELESS! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?” Famin laughs hysterically, several cards floating around him, ready to cut into the young tender flesh in front of him.

Two massive egos, about to clash in the halls of the Mogor castle. One is excited to make this a bloody mess, the other to demonstrate the perseverance of his cultivation.

Only one of them would come out on top.

Famin jumps into the air.

Mash pushes forwards, ready to go against the psychopath. He just knows, he is going to win, he knows what this horrible monster has in store and he will bash his head in the ground.

Or at least that was how it was supposed to go, their encounter interrupted by a higher foe.

“Stop this. Now” Doom appears and crushes Famin's head against the ground, while with the other free hand he grabs Mash by the arm and lifts him up in the air.

“You will be answering to father regarding this” It's his final statement before dragging them both to see the aforementioned.

Innocent zero regards them from his high throne. Looking bored, but attentive to all their movements. Domina downs another dry gulp, his throat feeling so sensible, his pulse quick and desperate. He is fearing the punishment they will surely face.

Famin having been dispatched early, his physical punishment still leaving clear traces in front of them. Domina is used to the stench of blood, but knowing it belongs to one of his brothers does nothing but put him more on edge.

“I have to admire Mash spirit” is the first thing his father says. It sounds candid and pleasant, but behind all those words Domina can easily identify discontent.

A long pauses settles while Innocent Zero deliberately draws his statement for longer. Minions quietly pop out of the dark to start with the clean up, one of them approaching their father to offer a refreshment in a silver plate.

“So little time and he already knows how to hold himself up. That is quite respectable” Innocent Zero grabs the glass of blood offered to him, twirling the drink before taking a pause to take a sip.

The faceless minions start scraping off and cleaning the build up of blood and human matter from the ground. Domina finds it both morbid and somewhat soothing as a background noise while his father continues talking.

He is waiting for the horrible twist.

It doesn't wait to make itself present.

“Since you have so much free time, you should go do some work, Domina.” Innocent zero says this with a smile. “Mash here has shown us how capable he is already”.

This is the first time Domina feels his body fill with dread instead of excitement when his father tasks him with a new mission. So this is how their punishment will go?

He instinctively looks back to Mash, who seems pretty indifferent to this statement. His father makes a new remark, noticing Domina's panic.

“Mash is old enough to be by himself, you no longer need to share a room and you don't have to follow him around. You no longer need to protect him.”

Domina turns back his attention to his father, hoping his fear is not that visible on his face. But in a way, he already knows he has been caught.

“Remember, your happiness is my happiness, so all my children will always be in capable hands”.

As in cue, several minions practically manifest out of nowhere. Clamping their hands on their shoulders. Domina barely resists the urge to rip them to shreds with his water magic for startling him.

“So, with this resolution, I think this matter is resolved”

And soon, they are escorted out of the room. No place left for any retort.

...

Domina looks back at him, regret and a million other emotions showing on his face. There is an expression full of dread that gets intensified when a servant lays a hand on his shoulder.

It's a silent threat to not pursue the matter further. 

Father’s orders were clear.

Mash doesn't say anything as He is herded into the dark room.

Today they have been told to see the fourth son as soon as he is back from his mission. Domina is scared of what this could entail, he wishes he could gauge Mash's reaction, so little time they have been separated, but the codependency has grown stronger for him at least.

When they entered the room, they found Delisaster having leisure time with a weird guy with thorns in his hair.

Mash somehow found the chance to get a new cream puff.

While Domina panics internally, Delisaster raises his gaze from his wine glass and immediately lets out an obnoxious laugh when he sees them.

“Oh, look at this Cell, I told you these maggots would land themselves in trouble one of these days” the thorn guy beside him looked at them with contempt instead.

“How has it gone, huh? You know, I heard Famin kicked the shit out of you and now potato Mash tried to kick the shit out of him back! Even Doom had to get in the fight! What's up with you guys!? Fellas? Wackos!” Deliaster takes a swig of his glass, downing it all at once. He takes a few seconds to sabor it and afterwards he does a satisfied gasp.

Domina flinches when his older brother Slams the glass on the armrest.

Mash takes out another cream puff and offers it to him, but Domina tells him this is not the moment (and he prefers apples).

“Hmm, go fetch me another shot Cell” Delisaster says and the thorn guy besides him goes rigid when he hears him.

“Yes master Delisaster” The blonde guy complies immediately when he gathers his bearings. Taking the glass and going away for a moment.

Domina feels even more tense when the older brother regards them with a cold gaze, as if he was examining them with his calculating mind.

“Anyways, father has ordered for my favorite minion to keep an eye on Mash” Delisaster announces with annoyance very clear on his face. “Do you really have to pick a fight with everyone in a 10ft radius?”

Mash doesn't reply and Domina doesn't dare to answer. Cell war returns and gives his master the requested wine.

“So, you heard me Celly, you are on babysitting duty now” Delisaster sighs disappointed, but his shit eating grin gives away he finds this amusing to no end.

“Yes sir, I will take good care of the young Master” Cell war does a reverence, soon making his way behind the youngest son. Domina tenses when the older man puts his manicured hands on his baby brother's shoulders.

“So, that's it. Get going, Domina, Cell…” Delisaster is now effectively bored and he lets it be known clearly.

“Yes, master Delisaster”

“Yes big brother”

And soon they quickly make their way out of the room, uncomfortably shuffling out as if their pants were wet. Except for Mash, who has pulled out a third cream puff from under his sleeve.

“Mash…” Domina pitifully calls him with worry on his face, his brother turns his face to see him, cheeks covered in cream.

“I will be ok” he says, letting go of his brother's hand and grabbing the one of the thorns guy instead. He is trying to assure him he will be perfectly fine while he is gone.

“I'll do my best to come back quickly” Domina promises, going up to Mash quickly and giving him a hug. “Please endure it while I'm gone”.

“I will save you creampuffs” is the only answer Mash has to his plea.

With teary eyes, the pink haired brother nods regretfully and offers a weak smile. This time, the brothers have to separate, but they will soon see each other.

Domina turns around and starts walking away. Mash waves at him, wishing him well.

Soon, Domina is gone and Mash is left with his new babysitter.

A couple of minutes pass in silence.

Suddenly, the man shakes Mash's hand away, as if he had touched him with wet hands. Mash looks up at him, trying to see what made him do that.

“You” the man addresses him, disgust clear on his face. “Shut your mouth and obey me if you want to live”.

…

Mash doesn't mind Domina’s absence, grabbing Cell war’s Hand and dragging him behind himself is as good of a replacement for the moment. He was used to being with Domina everywhere, so he couldn't just drop the habit now (to the chagrin of Cell War of course). 

“I want to see the pudin guy”. Mash announces, with a clear goal in mind. 

“Absolutely not! Master Epidem is a very busy person!” Cell war protested, but he is still dragged by a six year old kid, he can't even stop him with that incredible strength of his.

“You won't get me cream puffs, so I will ask him”. 

Cell War regrets riling him because now he is being dragged across the floor like a dog on a leash.  

Chapter Text

Mash gets somewhat used to the current living arrangement he has.  He still misses Pops of course, but there is so much he can do to get back with him when overtime he makes an escape he ends up being brought back.

He needs to get stronger, way stronger if he wants to have any chance to go back home.

For now, he will make sure to eat all his meals and continue working out in his dark cold room while nobody watches. Patience is key, and strength will be his way to freedom.

Domina tends to be away for months now, like their older brothers. They are always away in new tasks the old evil man they call father assigns as if they were chores.

He wonders what do they do while they are gone. Mash has never remembered to ask them when they are around.

But he can't avoid it but feel it's not something very good considering how violent they are.

He just hopes they are not doing bad things outside while they are away.

Mash doesn't know what to feel about it, for it makes him more uncomfortable as he grows stronger each day.

He wants to believe they are good deep inside, even the evil clown guy.

They just need to be hit hard enough to reconsider their bad modals.

But even this idea gets shaken inside him from time to time.

For example, today the oldest brother has asked him to spar.

“Domina”

Today, Domina has been summoned to Father’s throne room. Normally this is expected when he is to be assigned a new mission. But today it’s out of the scheduled times, it makes him uneasy.

He tries to keep a calm semblance, collected as he stands up in the middle of the room, hands held together on his lap.

“Yes, father” he bows his head obediently, hoping this call if for something innocuous and not something more dire.

“Come here” He is beckoned by a finger gesture, Domina does as he is told and finds his way in front of father. He keeps looking at the ground, as he hasn't been given permission to lift his gaze. 

Domina hears a laugh, and soon father's finger grabs his chin and makes him look up at him. He is smiling.

“You really are one of my most obedient children. I made no mistake bearing you into life” Domina feels his cheeks heat with Father's kind words. He feels something manifest behind him and soon his father grabs him to turn him around.

A mirror.

“I heard you have been having difficulties fulfilling your missions lately” he grabs him by the shoulders, looking at him through the reflection of the mirror. Deep red eyes looking into pinkish ones.

“That's not true father, I fulfill them to your satisfaction” Domina recites from the bottom of his heart, his faith unwavering.

His father smiles softly, pleased with his answer. He continues fixing Domina's robes and moves onto his hair.

“That's good to hear, I always know I can trust you” the long delicate fingers caress the soft pink hair of Domina's head. Peppering him with ministrations in silence.

“That’s why I never listened to your wet nurse who said Mash would be stronger than you” 

Domina's world comes to a halt.

“What do you mean father?” He asks, trying his hardest to hide the shaking of his voice. He wasn’t expecting that kind of comment, for a second he feels a cold seep into his body, cold sweat.

“Oh, nothing relevant dear son” Innocent zero says unbothered, continuing to comb Domina's hair, “just irrelevant chatter of someone unwise. After all, it's because Of magic that you are my best child”.

Domina stays eerily still, looking at his reflection with something akin to fear. His eyes look big, but they are empty, dull.

“Only those with magic can be the strongest, Mash will never surpass you, right?” His father continues talking, untangling the knots of the pink hair with his masterful fingers. 

“N-No, he won't” Domina hopes he hasn't heard his stuttering. 

“After all, you are supposed to be stronger than him, son” Innocent Zero grabs the tips of Domina's hair, pulling them down to straighten them. 

Domina stares at his reflection in the mirror, admiring the attention his father is giving him. The first time in years he has been complimented like this, praised.

“You are made in my image, so you should make sure to not fail that standard” a finger caressed the tip of Domina's chin, drawing the outline of his face and following the pattern of his magic lines. “You are not useless, like him…”

He was father's pride.

Father's satisfaction was everything to him.

Domina feels his resolve become stronger.

“Yes father”

“Good”.

Doom is the nicest brother in Domina's words. “He won't pick on the weak” as he himself proclaims when Mash or Domina are around. Domina admires him deeply for his strength, while Mash agrees with his personal philosophy.

But today, he isn't sure if that philosophy itself is born out of the goodness of Doom's heart, or if it's more of a mocking statement. Annoyance even.

They are standing in the middle of a training room. Half of the equipment of the room has been destroyed. Is he going to ask him to fight him? Mash is sure he can beat him, but so out of the blue?

“We are starting with 1%” Doom announces, taking down his heavy sword from his shoulders. It leaves a heavy indent on the ground where it lands.

Game is on. Mash takes no time to prepare himself.

It starts.

A single swing and Mash is on the air, having dodged the attack aimed at him, the  black robes fluttering around him as he skillfully jumps in the air evading incoming swings and trying to close the distance between them.

Pops said to him that finishing a fight quickly was a good way to avoid a further drawn out conflict. 

The one to tire first is the one that loses.

Mash knows his limitations, so he will make sure this fight goes in his favor.

 “A good shape, strong muscles. Even with no magic you have cultivated a proper physique” Doom comments when Mash tries to land a kick on his face and he blocks it with his sword.

“I will win” Mash proclaims, childish but on par with what Doom knows about him. All the younger brothers are always obsessed with coming on top, but they will never surpass him.

“5%” Doom replies, batting his little brother away. Mash lands on a crouch on the ground, unscathed hut aware the stakes have started to raise.

Doom has become faster, so Mash knows to keep himself on his toes. They start a dance on the battlefield. One attacking and the other waiting for a chance to strike back.

He is waiting for an opening. 

But it seems that is not coming fast enough.

Suddenly  the heavy sword is above him, about to strike.

Mash stops it with the wrist weights, letting the material take the brunt of the hit. The extended force buries his feet into the ground. The stones cracked but his body fared well.

Mash keeps pushing it up, trying to get it off him before it crushes him to death. It's heavy, it's so heavy, but yet, Mash finds the way to push it back. 

Freedom.

He will fight for his freedom.

This excites Doom.

“10%” he announces ominously, and soon his  sword is raining all around Mash with every movement of his hand. 

If before was difficult, this time it's hellish.

He can barely get out of the way before the weapon is back hovering above him. Jumping, running, he is pretty sure the edge has given him a new haircut by now. He can see some small droplets of blood on the ground, it seems even the sword won't soare his face.

He needs to end this son if he doesn't want to have worse injuries.

He is still hoping for that opening.

If not, he will need to make it.

With a well timed feint, the blow meant to hit him has gone to the right and left side is now open for him to attack. The ribs are sturdy, so he will need to hit the mid section to make Doom stumble.

If he can make him break his firm stand, he can get a chance to trip him and get the upper hand in this battle.

He takes impulse, jumping once more into the air to find his way into his objective.

A flash crosses his eyes.

The way the massive sword found its way once more in front of his face wasn't calculated in Mash's mind to arrive at that second.

Mash barely dodges. 

He can feel his heart thumping on his ears as he stumbles into the ground with no control as he violently rolls and hits the floor.

“Amazing” are his brother's words, but he doesn't sound like he means them. As if he is observing something mildly interesting.

“What?” Mash asks, stuttering with a hoarse voice. Finally regulating his breath, he tries to stand up properly, but he collapses again on the ground. His muscles are spasming.

Doom approaches him, Mash doesn't like just lying on the ground unable to move, but he can't do anything when Doom picks him from the ground and holds him in his arms.

“One day, you will be stronger than any of us”. He finally says after a long pause, Mash can only watch his visor  but he can feel his gaze on him when those words leave his mouth.

If this is meant to be a tender moment, it’s not really landing. But Mash can't complain when it feels oddly comfortable lying on his brother's arms, he can almost fall asleep like this. If only he wasn't that violent, he would find him endearing.

But it's the opposite case for someone outside the room.

Domina was shaking behind the door, the words of Doom resonating over and over inside his skull.

“One day you will be stronger than any of us…”

It has been weeks, but finally Mash has seen Domina back from his missions. Cell war constantly reminds him all the brothers are busy, but Mash can't believe even Domina won't come around to see him.

“Domina!” Mash calls him, having found him walking alone in the hallways. Mash starts running, breaking into a sprint to reach his side. 

“Domina!” He reaches him and calls him once more, finding it odd that he didn’t turn around to say hi back to him.

Maybe he is in a bad mood?

Mash tries to grab Domina's hand, to make him go with him so they can go and do something more fun and distract him from whatever makes him gloomy.

But Domina shakes him away and looks at him with a glare so annoyed it could melt him away if it could.

He has never looked at Mash like that before.

“Stop that” Domina says curtly, not offering any other explanation behind his behavior.

But Mash can guess something has happened by the way his clothes look rugged and ripped, as if he just had fought a bear and lost.

“Did you fail your mission?” Mash stokes the fires unknowingly, he is just trying to get Domina to talk back, to tell Mash something really.

“...” Domina seems like he was debating whether to tell him something or not, but after a few moments of silence, he seems to have decided against it.

“Domina” Mash calls him, thinking he didn't hear his question.

“It's none of your business” it's the reply and now Mash is really worried.

Mash tries to grab his hand again, and this breaks Domina's patience. In a sudden rage outburst, he finally says the poison carefully seeded in his soul.

“You are the reason I’m becoming weak”

A big silence extends between them, as if something unforgivable has been said between them. Time has frozen in the narrow room.

“What do you mean?” Mash asks earnestly, he feels a weird sensation in his chest, like all the air is being sucked out of him.

“I won’t become useless to father because of you” Domina glares at the floor, anger still bubbling inside him but with an innate fear that just tells him to not see his brother's face.

Mash keeps staring at him with those big eyes that tell everyone exactly what he is currently feeling. Behind him, Cell War and the other minions stay quiet, as if they were trying their hardest to blend with the background.

“You are useless” it’s finally said, Domina lifts his gaze and Mash can only think that his gaze is way too cold. Even more than the first time they met.

Mash wants to say something, but words don't come to him. No matter how much he tries, not a single sound forms in his throat, even less words in his brain. He knows what Domina says it's not the truth, he perfectly knows it's just a lie, but it's not the facts of the words that hurt him… it's the emotion behind him.

He is wrong, Domina is so wrong.

But why can't he stop him when he turns around to walk away?

Why is he still standing there instead of going after him?

Why can't he move?

A long time passes with him standing alone there in the stone cold hallway, the other servants gone away a long time ago. Even the sun has set, but his body feels just as cold as Domina said those words earlier.

It's not until Cell war drags him away, that he finally moves somewhere.

…

“Young master” Cell calls to him, but Mash still can't even understand what is happening.

His mouth feels full of cotton and his head is light, as if the whole world around him is nothing but a fever dream. His limbs feel heavy, extremely heavy, as when the first time he started lifting dumbbells and his muscles were sore. But this time, there are no heated sore limbs, but a cold that seeps deep into his bones.

A plate is shoved in front of him, vegetable broth, Cell is trying to feed him with a metal spoon that looks too dark to be safe. He is speaking to him, but his voice sounds so far away. As if Mash himself was submerged under water.

He presses his eyes shut, trying his hardest to understand, but it's not working. There is something stuck inside him that just won't let up. A big ball of something is stuck in his chest and throat and Mash doesn't know how to cough it out.

He doesn't even know how it got there in the first place.

It has to do with something he is trying to remember. To process, to understand.

Maybe he should ask Domina.

Domina.

And just like that, it finally hits him.

"…"

Mash breaks

In seconds, all the tense energy inside him explodes. The knot becomes undone and everything pours out.

Cell war almost falls on his butt frightened by the sudden high pitch sound that assaults his ears.

It came from Mash, it's the very first time he hears the little monster make a sound like that. That kind of expression, everything!

It was a heartbreaking cry.

This was terrible, terrible indeed.

Cell war is unsure on how to handle this, really out of his depth here! 

Mash is crying, this is the very first time he sees this little monster actually bawling like regular human worms do.

His face is scrunched, his eyes full of tears and snot running down his nose and mouth, a broken horrible sound spills out his wide mouth and whole body shakes as if he is being possessed by something very terrible. Like horrible pain is invading his body over and over until death. 

What is he supposed to do?

He tries to think of anything, the closest kind of experience he has ever experienced was with Delisaster and that freak had removed his limbs for daring to touch him.

What is he supposed to do???

“Come on young Master Mash, calm down please” he tries, making his voice sweet, but a tinge of panic is quite noticeable. “I will, I will bring you cream puffs if you calm down! You love cream puffs!”

But Mash is unable to calm down.

“I want to see dad… I want my dad… I want my real dad!... I want…” even his words are cut and broken with every desperate intake of air, not knowing if to cry or scream and trying to do both. It makes a pitiful sound that feels as if it's scratching at his own soul.

It breaks his heart.

This is the most defenseless he has ever seen someone of the Zero family. It should bring him joy, make him feel drunk on power, but instead it just makes him feel pathetic. 

He has to do something.

Cell war approaches, hesitant, as if even daring to touch the kid would earn him a death sentence. The tips of his fingers barely brushing the quivering figure made a little ball on the cold floor.

His heart is heavy for some reason.

Soon, he is brushing the kid's hair softly, going up and down, untangling the messed strands.

He doesn't offer words, they are not kind.

“I miss dad”

“I know”

In due time, he finally relents and holds the child. The very first time he is cradling a ball of mucus and tears like this. Cell war can't believe he has lowered himself to this act.

But how can he deny it, when the foreign small body close to his chest makes him feel a deeper sadness than the despair of being at the mercy of the all powerful lord?

He sways the kid side to side, the sobs slowly but surely relenting.

Soon, the kid falls into a light sleep in his arms.

Peaceful, his face is peaceful and Cell war tries his hardest to deny this provokes him an emotion he doesn't dare to name.

To tenderness is to weaken.

So he doesn't dare.

But even after he tries to leave the kid carefully on the meager bed, he isn't able to go without the kid clinging harder to his robes. So he ends up spending the night like that, crouched in a very bad posture next to the kid's bed.

What kind of lame babysitter is he?

Not even master Domina needed this much attention.

But Mash, he needs it.

He deserves better.

Chapter Text

“The most powerful things in life have never been understood”.

That's something his father has taught him since he was little.

Domina has believed in that his whole life since the first time his dad blessed him with his presence.

He remembers Mash, being a nuisance since they were born. He can't conceive how easily that information slipped off his mind. They were born to compete with each other, he can't believe he held his hand so amicably and played along like a complete fool.

He tries his hardest to keep brushing off the hollowness sensation of his chest.

It's weakness. 

Father, his older siblings, even the minions called it that.

When tested on your strength, you will feel for the first time weakness.

Domina brushes his uncomfortable eyes with his sleeves. They itch way too much and he is barely able to keep up with his distorting vision.

When he was born, he was gifted.

The strongest in the world.

He had gotten rid of Mash, he was now able to have all his father’s attention.

It was perfect, even if for a second.

But as soon as he was old enough to be tasked with Father's bidding, he was confronted with the bitter reality.

He stepped outside his carefully curated world.

There he met an even bigger world.

Bigger siblings, stronger than him.

And they were very eager to show him how strong they were in comparison to him.

He can only recall vividly the pain out of that experience.

The fear and isolation he felt, lying broken on the floor. Feeling the weakest he has ever felt in his life. No matter how strong his magic was, it was nothing against the living natural disasters his elders Were.

He was invaded by doubt, by fear. For the first time in his life, he was defenseless and useless. Would his father love him after this? 

Long days passed alone as he healed from the horrible injuries inflicted in him.

For a moment, he considered himself forgotten and discarded.

Forever
).

The hole in his chest worsens.

He doesn't want to recognize the tears in his eyes. For they stain and ruin everything. Their function is completely unknown other than signaling weakness. Domina tries to replace it with anger.  A more noble emotion.

( he can't shake off his mind the warm of a kind hand after suffering again  a humiliating defeat.

For the first time after a long period of isolation, he has found some kind of reason to feel alive rather than following through the motions.

This, what he craves, has blinded him.

For a moment, his father is not everything to his existence.

Kindness can be born even for him.

But what meaning does it have if it only brings him more pain in the future?

He pushed Mash away, because being better for father is more important than those petty feelings.

So what if it feels wrong?

Domina brushes even more tears off his face, exerting so much magical power unconsciously, he keeps destroying everything around him.

He can no longer take it back. All the words were said and his actions are taking him down a path that has no way back with Mash. It would feel even worse to just turn around and pretend it was a misunderstanding.

Domina is strong.

Mash is weak.

This is how it's meant to be.

Domina repeats this mantra over and over again inside his mind, marching down the hallways as he tries his hardest to kill the thing inside his chest that makes his throat close painfully.

It may sound stupid, but slowly with time, cell war has acceded to the desires this annoying kid requests from him.

He can't deny it brings him some sort of odd joy to lift him up and carry him in arms as if he was his own.

The kid seems to have developed a like to keep close contact with those he can. The conflict with Domina causing a (hopefully) temporary dependency. And somehow, now Cell war has to fulfill all the wishes of this snot ball.

Oh, how embarrassing is that he even is entertaining his childish wishes.

“Cell War, I want to eat cream puffs for dinner” Mash requests, grabbing the man's robe while enjoying the small walk around the halls.

“After you finish your tasks Master Mash” Cell war hopes nobody ever remarks how lovingly is he now talking to this annoying child.

The first crushed the second, the second ripped apart the third, the third poisoned the fourth, and the fourth cut up the fifth. Mash was truly lucky to end up with just a broken heart rather than broken bones and possibly death. He has no magic after all, how could he deal with that kind of injuries?

Cell war trembles thinking about it, clutching Mash harder against himself.

…

When they arrive at Epidem's laboratory to accomplish Mash's wishes for cream puffs, Cell takes the opportunity to ask some queries to the intelligent quintuplet.

Maybe he could shed some light on this condition, and maybe even a solution.

“Why is young master Mash this… way?” Cell War asks weirded out but carefully wording his question to avoid insulting Epidem accidentally. The mere fact he allowed such audience encourages him to try and get the most out of this encounter.

“Oh, it's just mental regression as the result of a traumatic experience” Epidem replies happily, preparing a brand new pudding to enjoy alongside Mash's small munches on his own treat. He seemed free of any work for the moment, finding joy in indulging another sweet addict like himself.

Cell meanwhile gulps uncomfortably, trying to hide his discomfort over being given such short answer. He hoped Epidem would devolve into another of his lengthy speeches, but instead he has answered as if this was a widely known phenomenon.

“And that, well, when does it get better?” he insists, probing further in hope of something more useful.

“Maybe never” and Epidem pours another metaphorical bucket of water on him. This answer is even worse than the last one and Cell has to pray with all his forces to not collapse to the ground consumed in desperation.

“But then, great master Innocent Zero won't find this inconvenient?” Cell pulls his hardest card into the conversation, hoping this urges the fourth sibling to maybe give this issue bigger consideration.

Mash stops eating for a moment, shocked for a moment by the mention of that man, but the next second he continues eating his treat as if nothing had happened.

“It’s completely normal, after all, the friction between siblings is always bound to happen” Epidem explains, savoring the sweet egg consistency of his pudding while mulling over the problem. He has never lost sleep over this kind of quarrels, finding them too normal to be really that serious.

He finds it more odd how concerned Cell war is about a normal process.

Seeing how the blonde just looks more consternated with his previous answers, he sighs and elaborates further. 

“He will be fine with time, but he should be happy he is still alive. If he survives, that is the best prospect for his future!” Epidem finishes with an optimistic tone while his words themselves don't inspire very good feelings on their own.

That's the best he can offer.

Cell War stays there, holding Mash who seems to have decided to just focus on getting the cream off his fingers by licking it. There was really no useful resolution after coming here. Epidem didn't help make this any better and instead has only shed light into how worse the situation will turn out.

After an uncomfortable amount of time, the most loyal servant of Innocent Zero excuses himself from the room. Having found no satisfactory answers for his worries, he has decided that leaving for now was the best option.

Epidem waves them goodbye enthusiastically and reminds them to come around next time as he has some things he wants to show them (pretty much dubious experiments).

While Cell war is worrying himself bald, Epidem is pretty much unbothered.

It's normal after all. Your place in the hierarchy in the family was everything. Regardless of personal feelings, the numerical place was quite clear. Fourth couldn't win against Third, third couldn't go against second and so it goes on. All will listen to father, the piece on top of this pyramidal scheme.

Pain was only the boundary between their positions.

Once alone, Epidem shoves a new spoonful of pudding in his mouth; he wants to drown his tongue in sugar before the uncomfortable thoughts leave him with a dry mouth.

How could Mash survive being the last? And without magic? He was practically doomed to be the underdog of this family truly. Epidem can't avoid but feel pity for him. But this is how things are.

It was a question of time before Domina did something like this. Feeling threatened by Mash’s spirit.

They all are like lion cubs, trying to stay on top of each other and safeguard their extremely small cages from invasion. Letting everyone know your place is such and so is a must. Even more considering Mash has such a drive to disrespect the status quo.

In a way, Epidem had to assert his authority as well when Delisaster was still struggling with the growing pains of adolescence. For some reason, the youngest sibling always flocks to the older one closest to their age.

They are always cute at that age, but maybe it would have been wiser to keep his distance.

After all, they are not that good of a role model.

Famin was the one he approached at his age, he recalls.

Memories of his early outbursts are still fresh in his mind. He hopes Delisaster didn't take it to heart, finding his footing in the puddingology took way longer.

Maybe he shouldn't have screamed that much, or roughed him up for being ignorant on the puddingology. But that's in the past.

Epidem notes he has accidentally bent the spoon in his mouth.

He quickly changes it for a new one, trying to ignore the shaking in his hand.

But it's just part of the process.

Sometimes your older brother has a different way to assert their status before you. But once figured out everything goes smoothly. Sometimes, it just takes a longer time than intended.

Famin is hovering above his hiding spot, tapping the sword rhythmically against the wood.

“Little brother, come out to play”

Little Epidem holds his breath, trying his hardest to conceal his presence.

Another spoonful.

There.
 
The thoughts quiet.

This is the right pudding, it has the right flavor and consistency.

Epidem ignores the huge amount of platters with puddins half eaten, bent spoons littered all around them.

While taking master Mash back to his room, they once more bump into bad luck in the hallways of this cursed castle.

The oldest brother, Doom, has been looking for them. He doesn't run in circles with his request, he spits it outright.

“Little brother, I wish for us to have another session of sparring”

If Cell War has ever felt unlucky before, this day was really pushing the boundaries for his own definition of not having luck. Maybe even worse, maybe it wasn't his luck and rather,  it was Mash's luck, the one hitting them both. 

He looks down at Mash who was a few moments ago catatonic after eating half his weight in treats. Cell worries himself into giving master Doom a proper answer, but Mash is quicker before the words come out of Cell war’s mouth.

“No” Mash replies, clinging harder to Cell's robes. He has lifted his head to look at him, but his eyes are rather looking at a fixed spot behind Doom and not really at him.

“Hmm, what's the reason behind your refusal?” Doom wonders, somewhat hoping he would change his mind. If he was aware or not about the situation with Domina, it was irrelevant to him.

“I don't want to” Mash answers choosing to cut the conversation short, hiding his face into Cell's war's clothes. Trying to hide away until the annoying brother disappears.

“You said you would Be the strongest of us all, what made you change that notion?” Doom asks, puzzled and slightly inconvenienced. Cell gulps heavily, hoping this uncommitted response doesn't bring up the ire of the strongest brother.

“I don't want to see you” Mash mutters, face still hidden, his voice muffled. Cell war is panicking in the inside, he couldn't believe Mash was this bold to talk that way to the oldest quintuplet.

“That's a shame” Doom replies, changing the hold on his sword. He turns around to walk away, finding it futile to convince the kid. “I won't bother you anymore then”.

And just like that, he lets them be. 

While Cell War was practically containing his breath waiting for further conflict, Doom just passed by him with calm steps. It's not until he is gone for quite a while that he dares to truly take in the air his lungs were desperate for.

His heart beats hard in his chest. Cell war feels one of his earrings being pulled on.

He looks down and Mash is looking up at him with curious eyes.

“Are you ok?” 

He asks with that Innocent voice of his. Cell war pants with exhaustion, thinking of what exactly to tell him.

But he doesn't get a chance to vocalize it when he realizes there is someone new in front of him.

Two eyes, two big purplish eyes cold as ice. A long face with a smile so big and wide, he no longer looked human.

Famin.
 
The terrified scream Cell war lets out does nothing but make Famin laugh. The servant took a few steps back, clinging to the kid in his arms with panic. The second oldest found this behavior extremely odd but at the same time familiar. 

Not a long time ago he saw Domina in the same situation. Beaten and freshly kicked out from an older brother's protection.

Alone, desperate and broken.

Mash is almost exactly the same.

But, he should be alone instead of being in the arms of a pathetic servant.

There seems to be an error.

Trying to correlate the similarities infuriates him further when they don't match perfectly.

There is just something that draws his ire further than a pathetic worm being left to dry under the sun. It's like seeing a little kid offering water to a dying animal.

That show of pity sickens him.

No one is ever unscathed in this house, and he will make sure Mash knows this teaching very well. Famin decides to takes his chances to torture him with Doom's protection being relinquished.

The only way he has ever found joy in life, has been when others are down on their luck, bowing their heads to him.

Power is the substitute for adoration.

Fear the replacement for love.

Famin believes in a world that fears him rather than one that sees him for what he is. He is free of this worldly tie called “love”

But now, something odd has stepped at the front. Picking the side of this worldly bind willingly.

Cell war, a fool, has chosen the wrong side of this conflict. 

For he has dared to choose the weakest option.

Love.

Cell war loves Mash.

He loves Mash as his little child.

He can't avoid stepping between them, the crazy mad brother and his little charge. Finding in himself a noblest choice to fling his body to this literal wolf.

How could he live if he ever saw his little body broken and bloodied on the floor?

“Please, master Famin, heed your father's words and…” Cell pleads, head bowed the lowest he can, kneeling on the ground. Little Mash is standing behind him, looking quite lost over what is happening.

Cell war hopes this plead for mercy somehow works. If it just makes him the target of master Famin's fury, it would be a better outcome than him targeting Mash. Choosing the less worse result was his only hope, and even so, he is not ready for it when his stomach is suddenly pierced by an invisible sword.

Pain is the only certainty with the second quintuplet when encountered.

Mash gasps behind him, coming running to Cell war’s postrated form. He notices the red pool forming under him full of metallic smell. Even if he doesn't fully understand, he knows it's pretty bad.

Cell is about to tell him to run when he sees Famin starting to summon new weapons, just then, the unexpected happens.

Of all moments, the roof suddenly collapses on top of them.

Heavy rock debris falls in between them, making the walls shake and the ground seem unstable. Cell is about to pass out of fear when suddenly something odd happens along this random event.

A man has fallen into the same hole that has formed on the roof. With a funny scream, but regardless.

The stranger gets up from the floor. 

Mash instantly recognizes him.

“You beast! You are not to touch a single hair on my son's head!”

Regro has finally found his son.

Chapter Text

Things should have gone more excitingly, but instead they have gone in a very boring unremarkable way. 

Doom intervened before Famin tried to beat an old man  and their little brother again. All Mash has to show afterwards is empty hands and his father being escorted to the dungeon by Doom’s orders.

He is rumiates on the unexpected development, trying to figure out who should receive his fury first. After dispensing justice, he will immediately go and help his pops get out of the tricky situation they are in.

“You have to go talk with Father,” Cell tells him, interrupting his intense thinking, shaking him by the shoulders in a panic after crouching to his level. His eyes dart around as he checks if anyone is hearing them.

“Why?” Mash protests, feeling rage further bubbling as the time he spends away from his dad is time wasted in dumb things.

“Because he is the only one who can keep him alive. Mash, listen to me” Cell war insists, grabbing this time Mash’s face to make him look at the eyes instead of the floor. “You have to talk with him, I’ll make sure he is safe while you are gone. Understood?”

Mash nods, understanding that even if he doesn’t like it, he has to do things in the dumb way adults like. Soon after having Mash confirm it, Cell gets up from his crouched position and immediately goes with the minions who just took Regro to the dungeon. Mash sees his figure melt into the darkness, almost instantly missing his presence again.

But even if he is alone and feels a little uncertainty, he has to save his dad.

When he arrives at where his father’s chambers are, he is let in quite easily. As if they were waiting for him to arrive. The minion doesn’t even deny him once when he demands to get in.

“Father, please let my da-, please let Mr. Regro go” He voices his wish with a confident voice, maybe a bit too loud since the sound still echoed in the room, but he was sure the man on the throne heard him.

So he waits, waits for way too long. Silence settles once again like a heavy blanket, but Innocent Zero doesn’t even grace him with any kind of reply. Mash is debating about repeating his words but soon the old man breaks from his frozen position and offers him a reaction.

“Come here son” Innocent Zero orders Mash with a sweet voice. Making a hand gesture telling him to come closer and to sit on his lap as if he was a nice parent about to read him a book next to the fireplace

Mash stands in place reluctantly, thinking the man as mental for completely dismissing what he just asked. Even if Mash is in his most polite behavior, he has been brushed off. Hands in front of his lap, clasped together and perfect posture. Even using his nicest words. Adults seem to like to dismiss others just because they are smaller than them.

But the silence grows more uncomfortable the longer he stands there.

Innocent Zero is just staring at him patiently. Not moving an inch while sitting on his high throne, his intense red eyes stare at him knowingly under his long silvery lashes. He rests his chin on his palm, amused by the fact Mash has no other option but to do as he says. No matter how stubborn, he has the upper hand in this situation.

And just as predicted, Mash caves in.

With shy slow steps, the little kid reluctantly makes his way towards his father. Going up the steps and feeling his dislike grow further at how unnecessary all of this was. But he arrives nonetheless, pouting and all, standing in front of Innocent Zero who promptly plucks him off the ground. 

“See son, it’s not that difficult” his father coos, patting Mash’s head slowly, sitting him on his knees. Acting all fatherly in this moment of all of them.

“What about my request?” Mash insists, remembering carefully the words Cell has taught him to sound more formal.

He is shushed instead, the man’s smile still pleasant. He is not angry, but Mash is quite annoyed that this is taking longer than what he would like.

“Mash, I have something to tell you” Innocent Zero smiles reassuringly, grabbing Mash’s attention finally. The little kid stares at him enraptured, sensing the odd tone of this man’s voice means business.

Mash steps out the room, looking hurried as he breaks into a sprint towards the dungeon. Domina rushes toward the throne room, missing Mash for half a second. Panic blooms in his chest and painfully aches. He didn’t make it in time to catch his brother, and so, dread settles inside his body. He is afraid.

He has heard of the news, he was one of the first people to discover it thanks to his big brother Doom who mentioned it to him while dragging away Famin.

Domina is not sure what to say, even less if he should say anything at all. The only thing clear for him now is the cold fear settling in his bones seeing Mash getting further and further away. He didn’t want to admit it, but he knows that now that Mash’s dad is here in the castle, he won’t like any of them anymore. Regardless of what is done to the old man, he has so many reasons to be mad with them, it’s very easy to see which side he will chose and Domina is not ready to see that. 

He should be mad, he should be disgusted by how weaklings like him keep making a fool of his father’s work. But instead, he is terrified of the mere idea of his brother somehow getting away again and leaving him behind.

He is a coward, but he can be honest when he has been bested by a situation.

ment culminate in this single call for the person he cares the most. The one person who hasn’t hurt him like this place has done in these painstaking six months.

For a second, the scene in front of him reminds him of home. Of the real place he calls home. His dad is sitting in a comfy recliner, drinking a coffee while reading a book. Behind him, a crackly fireplace gives the cell a warm ambiance. Instead of a jail, the room looks like a little recreation of their home back in the forest. Was this the doing of his babysitter? 

“Mash, son, you are here!” Regro hears him and immediately stands up from his sofa dropping the coffee cup he was holding. Without waiting any moment more, he almost lunges to hug him. Stopped only by the iron bars that separate them.

“Dad…” Mash remembers his dad is still stuck in a jail cell, even if he wanted to go for a hug, the physical barrier won’t allow them to.

“How have you been son? you have been away for so long”, Regro asks immediately no longer restraining his anxieties, he tries his hardest to not transmit his panic to his son, but he can only do so much when he is worried “You are so small, and yet so many people seem to be keen to hurt you here… have they done anything to you?”.

“No… I knew I would see you again, so I have been strong” Mash answers sincerely, hoping his father will not worry too much about him. He doesn’t want to ruin their reunion with the sad moments he has experienced, even if his heart hurts so much currently, he can handle it.

“You really are a good kid,” Regro replies, letting go of the iron bars, feeling more at ease.

They fall in a short silence, just trying to process the moment, trying to let it sink that this is a real moment and not just a figment of their imaginations. With so much effort and uncertainty, they worried that everything would melt into a dream if they took their eyes from each other. After the short silence, Mash speaks up again.

“The man… My ‘father’...” He doesn’t like the sensation in his tongue calling that man his father, feeling even shame calling him a father when his real one is in front of him. “He said you can stay here, and that I can see you whenever I have free time”

He is unsure how his pops will react, he hopes he is not too mad for somewhat replacing him, for treating him like a pet in Delisaster’s words. But instead, he receives a soft smile and a hand that pats him on the head. 

“I heard. I’m glad I could find you, if I can be with you in whatever way I can, I will make sure to be in your life Mash” Regro reassures, making sure Mash understands he is not going anywhere if he can help it. Even if it’s from a gilded cage surrounded by strangers, this is better than being away from the baby he raised lovingly.

“Dad” Mash grabs the hand on top of his head, hugging it close to his chest. He feels little tears starting to form on his eyes, and for the first time he doesn’t feel the need to hide them. He feels safe to display this kind of thing in front of his father, his real father.

Regro doesn’t comment on this, knowing that anything that came after this Regro would deal with it. Mash had enough to deal with already.

Chapter Text

“What should I do, I’m not strong enough for us to escape yet”

“Mash, I’ll do my best to protect you. You just need to be a kid meanwhile, I promise you we will find a way out”

“Dad…”

Mash stares from his spot on the comfortable bed. It is a very big bed, with soft yellow covers. It's leagues different from the one in his room that is way colder and stiff. There are so many pillows, Mash feels he could drown in them if he is not careful.

Today he is in Delisaster’s room, and this is the first time he sees such a big and luxurious room. He can't even believe a place like this could exist inside the castle. Mash can't even ask for extra cream puffs after bed, but today he is here, and the difference is jarring. 

The privileges of having power.

Cell war brought him along because Delisaster called him, so now Mash just watches as Cell combs the explosive blonde's hair. Cell is going to help him get his hair done in that weird hairstyle of his.

The hair it's long, almost as long as the one from that crazy man that supposedly is his father, but the color is blond. 

When he wears his hair down, the extravagant sibling’s face looks softer. Relaxed even. This man is one of the most dangerous people on the continent, but Mash can't avoid but note how insecure he is, as if he would drop into pieces if not because of the magic he has running inside his veins.

There is nothing particular about him but the craziness and over the top arrogance he puts on while fighting. Mash wonders how would big brother Delisaster look when defeated. Would he throw a tantrum too?

Mash can't avoid but compare the mental image he has of Delisaster with the soft reflection he can see in the mirror. It's a soothing activity that keeps him entertained in an otherwise boring moment.

He could even fall asleep in this very comfortable bed.

"..."

Delisaster catches his attentive gaze, seeing the slight wonder on the kid's face. It feels flattering having all of his attention on him when he normally spends almost all the time thinking about cream puffs or how to defeat Famin.

Grabbing the stem of his wine glass, he brings it to his mouth and takes a big sip. Stifling a giggle seeing Mash nodding off with sleepiness from time to time.

An idea pops into his mind.

“Come here”

He suddenly calls, beckoning him closer.  Mash quickly wakes up from his grogginess and obeys mostly because the older sibling seems harmless enough for the moment.

When Mash comes to him, Delisaster quickly grabs him and sits him on his lap. Cell, who so far had been holding his breath, haf stiffened behind him for a moment expecting the worst.

But instead, Delisaster picks up a hairbrush and starts brushing his little sibling’s hair. As if he was a little doll to play with.

“You must be jealous, so I will bestow you some coolness as well”

Mash tilts his head confused, but otherwise allows it. Delisaster then proceeds to brush his hair, trying to find the perfect hairstyle for the little mushroom head.

Cell lets out a sigh he didn't know he was holding in. Returning to brush Master Delisaster’s hair, he has finished the preparations to put his hair in that complicated hairdo. He needs to focus.

And that's how they spend the following half an hour.

Delisaster can't avoid but note that passing the hair up and down the soft black strands of hair is a very relaxing activity 

This is so nostalgic.

It triggers a memory he had almost completely forgotten.

He had once brushed Domina's hair.

Domina.

Soft, silky hair, a round little face and a shy smile. He really looked up to him didn't he?

It's a pleasant memory, so delisaster allows it to continue.

...

“Why are you attached to my hip, you are acting like a little annoying slug”

“I like you big brother Delisaster, you are nicer than the others…”

“Of course, I'm the best. Of them all, no one can be the coolest big brother if not me”.

Domina’s hair is almost as long as his. He has been growing it out to look like father and him. Delisaster can't avoid it but feel some sort of odd pride about it.

Passing time together, Delisaster is already thinking of how to style his little brother's hair and even take him out to one of his parties.

It's somewhat nice to have someone who thinks and looks like you, even if it's just a little.

...

And with this, he almost grasped it. The normalcy of understanding and being understood. So close and so far. It feels like floating in warm water connected to everything and as well isolated in silent calm.

Why did he stop doing that kind of thing? Spending time with his siblings and all? When did it stop?

Suddenly, something horrible happens in the fuzzy image of his mind.

He can't recall the words, but he can remember Domina's lips forming some words that deeply offended him back then.

He can't even remember what he said, but he can clearly see what he did after.

“I'm happy you are weak like me, then you are not scary like them”

He beat him up.

.

In a very horrible fashion he Pulled him by the hair and landed punch after punch on his little body.

The kid is crying, begging for forgiveness. But Delisaster doesn't relent until he is bleeding on the floor.

.

The way the thought dissipates from his head and the constant disarray of thoughts in his mind invades again makes him lose it.

Why did he do that?

Why was his first reaction to do such a gruesome thing?

Was he afraid? Offended? What triggered him that way?

You were afraid he was telling the truth, his brain supplies.

Violence, it's always violence with them all.

He is broken, on some innate level.

The way his memories expose his sins.

It's unbearable.

It makes his body stiffen in unnatural fashion, as if he is being petrified by a sudden spell and the blood in his veins had become sand and rock.

Delisaster Slams his fist on the table.

Cell immediately jumps in his skin, pulling Mash from Delisaster’s lap.

“Be gone!” He doesn't even need to say it twice, Cell and the kid are gone before Delisaster can even lift his gaze from the floor.

The images are haunting him, taunting and relentless.

He doesn't know what he finds more distressing, the fact of what he has done, or the fact it makes him feel horrible.

Delisaster can't catch his breath with how hard he is panting, desperate for the oxygen to reach his brain and make it work properly again.

Cell and Mash step outside the room, loudly closing the door behind them. They are white as a sheet and they don't dare to break the silence until several moments have passed.

Cell is the one who starts speaking of course.

“What did you do?!” he asks irate, wondering what did this stupid child did this time.

“Nothing” Mash supplies, puzzled but glad they are outside the range of that volatile man.

“Don't lie to me, you did something… master Delisaster wouldn't do” Cell tries to scold him, but he suddenly notices they are not alone (again, it seemed like a bad nightmare at this point).

“Mash” Domina is there as well, looking at the floor as if he was possessed, standing at the side of the door as if he was waiting for them to come out.

Cell pales suddenly once more, feeling he can't catch a break. What now? Is the little pink haired boy going to maul them instead of the psycho brother? Why is he even here?!

“Domina” Mash calls quietly back, the innate feeling that if he greeted him enthusiastically would make Domina mad with him

“M-Mash… I'm…” Domina tries to speak, but his words get stuck in his throat. He is all stuttering, his voice breaking and hoarse. He lifts his gaze from the floor, tears pooled above his cheeks. 

From one moment to another, he launches himself towards Mash, forcefully grabbing him and smothering him in a bone crushing hug.

“Mash!... I'm sorry!” Domina cries in ugly manner, sincerely remorseful and barely able to breath between sobs.

“Domina…” Mash is speechless, he doesn't even know how to answer, but he hugs Domina back. Innately knowing this is the right thing to do, he feels himself start hiccuping, overwhelmed by sudden emotion. He starts crying as well.

 “I'm so sorry Mash… I'm sorry for hurting you” Domina barely gets the words out between rough inhales of air, he sounds completely broken, but Mash understands him perfectly. “I didn't want to lose you… I'm so sorry Mash… I missed you”.

“Domina” Mash doesn't cry as desperately at him, but it does take its toll on him to get the words out as well. “I missed you too”.

“Please, let's go back to before”

…

At the other side of the door, Delisaster is resting his back against the wood, quietly listening to the commotion of tears and wails outside.

His body feels as if he has been stuffed with lead and heavy rocks.

With odd discombobulated motions, he hastily makes his way towards the table. A liquor bottle sits there impassively, he grabs it and pops off the lid roughly chipping the neck of the bottle. 

With a single swing of his arm, he starts chugging it down as if it was the water of life. Even after downing the whole bottle, he fears it won't produce the desired effect quick enough.

He can only hope this will cure his sudden lack of voice, and even give form to his empty thoughts. It's unbearable to continue listening to the stupid voice in his head saying pathetic pitiful things.

It speaks in a high pitch saying embarrassing things, whining and crying things he won't dare say out loud. He can't, he is better than that. He is not a loser, he is the best person around!

He won't go outside and amend his mistake.

He won't say sorry.

But what would you feel, if you saw someone avoiding your same mistakes?

"Being so afraid to be weak, you end up being the weakest".

Chapter Text

Delisaster has always prided himself in the fine art of ignoring annoying things. He has always focused on what is important, and in all the cases the most important thing is him, himself and him only.

Superfluous things like feelings and bad experiences can easily be forgotten, so he doesn’t dwell on what it it’s unnecessary. As he always preaches, stress is bad for the skin. So he just needs to focus on his matters and follow his strict skin care routine.

He doesn’t like overthinking.

So keeping a mind clear, he strolls down the hallways with purpose. He has a new assignment and the fastest he does it the better. He will probably come back early and take a proper nap before organizing a new party as a celebration.

That was the plan at least.

Currently, he is not only late, but his hair is a mess. His boots feel wrong, his clothes are wrinkled and he can’t find Cell war anywhere. He would prefer to stay in bed, but orders from father are absolute. He will cope with the situation, but this is not ideal.

He is redoing the top part of his hair, when an odd sensation assaults him.

His demonic heart.

He didn't expect the sudden presence of Mash running down the hallways, trying to escape from something so terrifying he even went and hid behind him. Soon he understands, as Domina is suddenly slammed against the nearest wall right next to Delisaster, the impact so strong it leaves an indent in the wall.

Delisaster, most out of instinctual reaction than anything, takes a step towards him.

But before he even can do anything else, it happens.

A harsh cutting barrage of wind hits them. Delisaster would have thought it was only wind, but long golden strands of hair float on the hair before falling down to the floor. He felt the momentary sting on his cheek before it was replaced by the cold sensation of blood. Raising a hand to his face to wipe off the liquid, he notices his sleeve is cut to ribbons as well. Turning his gaze behind himself, he sees the wall has the mark of the slash as well, the hit barely missing Domina’s head catching some of his pink bangs in the process.

There is only one person who can achieve this precision.

“Famin”.

And so, the culprit steps forwards. No longer sporting his typical smile, he seems to be bothered about something. Holding his iconic metal rings for tricks in his hands, he is decisive while marching towards them.

“Weird sun man, do something” Mash calls to him, looking quite nervous as he tries to dislodge his brother Domina from the wall. Delisaster is quite confused over how Mash requests his help in the first place, but soon he is put in the spot when Famin stomps into their range. Barely a couple of meters away.

“What did you do this time?” Delisaster raises his voice trying to act nonchalant seeing how he couldn’t avoid the issue any longer, taking steps forward until Domina's pitiful form is behind him. His hair is in a worse state than how he had been trying to style it this whole morning, so he feels a bit justified about butting in.

“None of your business, get lost” the reply is curt and to the point. Famin is not even looking at him, half his face hidden in that high neck collar of his jester attire. One could only see his pupils becoming pin price as he suddenly focused on his target.

“It is MY business, look at what you did to my clothes” Delisaster points at his ragged sleeve and clothes. He was pretty sure this was stepping in dangerous territory, but he is not really feeling like himself today.

He has his chance to tap out, an invitation to fuck off and let Doom handle this when he gets to know what Famin did to the youngest brothers. He could just continue with his day, fullfil his missions and then head back to his room to rest. Hoping for a better day when he wakes up the next morning.

“Get out of the way before I do to you the same as the funny thorn rat” Famin threatens, patience running thin. He turns around the rings in his hands, flipping them over and making some mindless tricks with them.

“What did you do to Cell huh? My personal servant you asshole?!” Delisaster is laughing with cynicism, feeling both a mix of rage and discomfort as he addresses him. He can see in the corner of his eye how Mash had finally got ahold of Domina and was trying to carry him away. 

Delisaster has to admit he is nervous. But he is so deep into this already.

“Butt. Out. Of. This” it’s Famin’s last warning, but Delisaster has his Ascalon out already, his golden eyes are manic. He is about to do something he will surely regret.

Delisaster not only is ragged, his hair is ruined and he is pretty sure several of his bones are broken. He doesn’t want to dwell too long about what he had to do, but he still makes his way to where surely the little kids are at.

Epidem's Laboratory.

He feels an odd sense of nostalgia creep up his skin as he makes his way inside the obscure place. The sound of his heels echo inside as he makes his way towards Epidem's favorite place to eat dessert.

There is already a scene going on when he arrives. 

“Why is he not better?” Mash asks, staring at the shivering form of Domina on the sofa. He had healed somewhat from the physical injuries, but now he seemed to be running a very high fever and wouldn’t stop shaking in pain.

“Oh, maybe just a mismatch of my current formula” Epidem supplies, completely unbothered having a new pudding in his plate. Watching the two younglings struggle with no idea of what to do this time, an odd smile creeps on his face.

“Stop this” Delisaster says, coming over and standing behind the sofa Mash and Domina are sharing. Right in front of Epidem.

He can see Domina suffering in a feverish state, curled up all into himself. It seems Epidem had decided that in all of these days, it would be the right moment to quickly test several potion prototypes and extend these two kids' suffering.

Delisaster has seen enough.

“This is not the moment for this,” Delisaster says finishing his observations and walking over turning around the sofa. Taking a seat beside the kids, he lightly passes the tips of his fingers over Domina's shivering form. A small Light emanates from them as he brushes his hair, and soon Domina's condition improves. Some of the open wounds that were half healed continue to mend themselves as well.

“What did you…” Mash tries to ask before he is interrupted.

“Anti-poison and minor healing, take him back to your room. He will be fine” Delisaster announces, finishing combing the pinkette’s hair.

“Domina…” Mash whispers his name seeing him laying there, he is still unconscious but his face is no longer painted with pain.

“I need to talk to big brother Epidem here, be good and go back to your rooms” Delisaster pats Mash's head, encouraging him to pick up Domina and get out of the room. 

Mash reluctantly does it. Leaving the two older siblings alone after fumbling with his brother’s body and deciding to carry him on his back.

They stare at each other in a tense silence, Epidem decides to break the silence after enough moments have passed.

“And what is this conversation about little brother Delisaster?” The man smiles innocently, taking more pudding into his mouth. 

“Cut the shit” Delisaster says, pushing a wild bang of blonde hair away from his face combing it behind his ear delicately.

“Bad language” Epidem shoves a new more violent spoonful of pudding into his mouth, this time making sure to bite onto the metal like a mad dog the following five seconds.

This display does nothing to impress or intimidate Delisaster, instead he feels tired and bored to death. With magic, he summons a cup of tea, black tea so it helps clear his mind. He raises to his lips and sips it before continuing.

“I don't care what you think about this, but stop poisoning them when they come for help to you” His words cut shut the manic display of his older brother, who immediately changes demeanor into a more cheerful one in seconds.

“Aw, but they came to me” He goes back to acting all refined and bashful, this does nothing but infuriate Delisaster further.

“Yes, to be cured, not to be killed for good!” Delisaster scolds him, slamming down his cup on the coffee table between them. 

“Well, it's good training. They need to learn that sometimes people Close to them will do them no good” Epidem helpfully explains, no sense of shame or anger over the blonde brother’s remark.

“You are their brother”

“So you are, and you understood that lesson” This time the older brother concludes, all the act of niceties was done. He is serious this time.

Seeing Delisaster with several locks of his hair severed was an odd occurrence.With the ring of his hairstyle gone, his tired and messy appearance made him look more serious while talking. If Epidem dared to mention, he no longer looked foolish, but instead an air of wisdom in his tired words dared to shine through. Quite different from the behavior expected from him.

“You know, considering what Our final Goal is here. I don't see how being assholes to each other makes father’s plan better” Delisaster sighs, hunching over his lap, fingers overlapping each other. He is feeling shitty already having this conversation, did he really need to hammer this point into Epidem’s dense head?

“Cunning fighters with no weak points” Comes the quick reply from the brother with glasses, happily shoving another spoonful of sugar into his mouth. His eyes look at Delisaster carefully weighing his words.

“And, we are cruel Enough. They are not very good enemy material being 6 year olds” Delisaster interjects once more, hoping the absurdity of the equivalent will finally drive home the point he is trying to make.

“Delisaster, you are sounding very odd. Did you get under a possession spell?” Epidem asks, a weird look in his eyes. Delisaster tenses, sensing the upcoming mania. He had to be brave, at least on this occasion.

“No, I still think you are a piece of shit for poisoning me when we were younger. And for skewering me for practice. Asshole” He grabs the cup of tea and crushes it in his hand, his politeness was done already.

“Oh, well, that's the unfortunate nature of growing as siblings. It makes us closer” Epidem gives him the most disgusting smile he has seen in  his entire life, but this time he won’t let it pass that easily.

“When was the last time we talked? Huh?” Delisaster pricks with a simple question, he knows very well how to rile up this circus of psychopaths. 

“Drop it” the man stopped Smiling.

“No, I'm not. I just got my ass crushed by a fucking clown guy and i feel very ballsy to get another butt kicking in” Delisaster stands up, towering above Epidem. Not even a smidge of fear.

“...” He stares back at him, an indifferent look in his eyes. He even has forgotten his favorite meal on the coffee table.

“So  if you dare, do it, but I'm Setting this down now, try and be less shitty” Delisaster orders, even if he knows he can be impaled or poisoned, his mania was fueling his courage.

They stare at each other in silence.

“What inspired you to do this?” Epidem picks the pudding from the table, seeming unbothered with the situation.

“If the magicless has the balls to go against Famin, what makes you think I don't myself” Delisaster replies, briskly walking away from his older brother.

He exits the room

“I’m sorry mash” Domina mutters in a wet constrained tone. Barely gruffing the words out, as if it cost him his whole life to utter them. He is laying on the stone floor, right next to Mash who is trying to keep him upright, worried about Domina chocking on his own saliva.

The poor kids are hidden in Mash’s room, in complete darkness. They are hopeful Doom has intervened by now and everything can go back to normal. Yet, they don’t dare to make a single sound, worried Famin will go looking for them once more.

“Domina” Mash tries to comfort him, still unsure on what he should focus on. Either in protecting and helping his older brother or try to track down the excuses of older siblings they have and show them he won’t take it lightly the constant abuse.

But he is given no time, for Delisaster enters the room and interrupts their current sappy moment.

“Big… big bro-” The younger pinkette pipes up scared but he ends up losing his balance and falling once more to the ground on his knees. Mash catches him before he ends up inflicting more damage on himself.

Delisaster comes and stands in front of him. Waiting expectant.

“Delisaster?...” Mash calls shyly, wondering what they could offer to this ruthless man for him to come looking for them.

But instead he suddenly pulls Domina up by the hair. violent, but not as hard as expected from him. He lifts him up until he is upright at the same time he bends over until they are face to face.

“Here, listen carefully now” He starts making sure Domina is watching and listening, I'm a shit brother so listen carefully. I'm sorry, you got it?” he speaks so fast, half of what he said in not easily understood.

“Wha…” Domina squeaks frightened.

Delisaster stops pulling on his hair, noticing this is not in fact the brotherly behavior he should be having.

“I'm sorry, are you deaf? I’ll stop being shitty. So next time if Epidem poisons your ass, no… if you get hurt by those pieces of shit, come to me” Delisaster takes a step back, choosing to look less menacing. Still he is not fully sure if his message has reached the two little brothers in front of him.

“Ok” Mash replies, looking unimpressed but feeling the need to reply before that blonde changes his tune. He gets close to Domina and hugs him, the latter looks back at him puzzled over what is this even about.

“Good” Delisaster replies, done with this. Choosing to leave the two brothers alone for the moment. They needed to rest.

Domina and Mash look at each other, surprised by the lack of violence. 

“And about Celly… he will survive. I'll send him with you as soon as he is glued back together” the blonde announces at the door, he looks more mature with the way his unruly hair sits undone on his shoulders. His face looks less boyish with the asymmetrical cut, but instead of looking haphazard and full of chaos it looks calm and collected.

He leaves them behind, directing an awkward smile towards them before so. 

Domina notices a strange emotion in his eyes, but he is not sure which one it could be.