"Those stupid little-"
Sinister grunted as he walked up the stairs to the nearby dorms. He applied pressure to his brusing shoulder, wincing as he made sure nothing would do so much as to even brush against it. Those damned Towers knew what they were doing. They laughed their little hearts out when they "accidentally" shot him with the paintball gun... All he wanted to do was train for Creator's sake! Can a Titan no longer unwind without being used as a target?!
He huffed to himself as he continued his trip to his designated quarters. Nothing he can do about them... If he strikes back he is the monster for attacking innocent Towers... If he doesn't do anything who knows what else they might come up with... This time it was a paintball gun.. Next time, maybe a real one.
He stared at the grey shaded rug, bigger problems catching up with his already exhausted mind...Three weeks... Three Creator damned weeks.. And no sign of them... No sign of the portal ever opening again... Not even a flash of blue light...like the one that blinded him when Fallen left... Nothing.. Swordmaster only just now began somewhat warming up to the idea of reciting that stupid incantation... Why or how? Who the hell even knows at this point.. Maybe he finally went senile..
He sure can't explain what came over the old geezer, perhaps Void beat some sense into him... No... Even Void Reaver is against the idea of reactivating the gateway... But why?
Why.. Why.. Why... WHY?
The first week he was practically leading the whole operation to get them back! What changed?.... That Fallen followed Grave? His own son?
Does he too hate Gravedigger? Or...
Is he trully still mad at Fallen for that dumb fight they had?.. That was only a suspicion he blurted out during the meeting, not thinking much of it but maybe?...The hell was that whole ordeal even about? Wait...wh-
What was it about?
The harder he thought the more he could faintly recall eavesdroping outside the door to his brother's chamber that fateful night... The shadow filled hallway of their ancestor's castle, stone pillars holding the ceiling firmly above the purple, ivory lined carpet. The only light source was the open window opposite of the oak doors he pressed his ear against. The moon shined bright on the clear night sky, not a single cloud to obscure it's mighty light.. And yet, the peaceful atmosphere was not enough to keep the building tension away.. He heard their screams going back and forth.. Something, something, 'never cared' , something, something 'going soft'...'Spoiled brat'... And... In the end... Sinister felt a chill down his spine as he remembered the very last sound he heard before the room went quiet... A slash... Then silence... That heart pounding silence... A feeling he wished he never had to go through again... Despite his plead, life had other plans... The same ache, hitching his breath, he felt the moment the portal snapped shut.. With his brother inside...
He could hear his own pulse drumming in his ears as he waited... And waited for anything to happen... Then there was a small cry... Then Void Reaver stormed out, so infuriated he never even noticed Sinister or didn't care that he was there... The younger Titan caught a glimpse of his older brother, kneeled down, holding onto his arm, sobbing quietly in the dark room. Shattered glass from what seemed to have been a lamp laid on the ground... And maybe just maybe, a faint drop of blood was streaming down from Fallen's forehead.. But his face was too well hidden in the darkness so, Sinister was never sure... Still..
He wanted to talk... To go next to his brother and comfort him but he couldn't... Like the breath stuck in his throat.. he stayed still. Then he just left... And ooohhh how he hated himself for doing that for the last few years... Comforting was never really his thing... It was Krampus's honestly, however, his brother needed him... and he wasn't there... Again.
He never really was... Perhaps that is why he chose to take Frost Spirit... To prove to himself that he does care... That he can be responsible... Selfish..
How selfish of him...
Lost in his rapidly spinning thoughts, Sinister didn't realize where exactly he was going. He had long missed his room, speeding up his step as the anger inside him boiled again. He dug his own nails into the palms of his hands until they nearly bled. He walked faster and faster when, suddenly, he hit something. For a second he stumbled forward, turning back towards whatever he hit ready to cuss it out for further dampening his already horrible mood when he saw the petite black haired woman scrambling to pick up the files she spilled. Medic... Sinister's eyes softened from their glowing flame of hatred, she was one of the only Towers who treated them like human beings. Not once did she falter, tried running away or provoking them.. She looked at his family with nothing but kindness and he wanted to return that. He kneeled down, picking up some of the papers, stacking them neatly. He handed them over before finally pushing out an apology.
"Hey Ms., sorry about that."
Medic looked up, surprised to have gotten a word out of the Titan, despite everything happening, "Oh! It's nothing, hun' don't worry about it!"
She flashed him a smile to which he half grinned in return. The Titan took quick notice of the heavy load the woman was carrying. A whole box of what seemed to be medical supplies, tucked under the tower of papers she had spilled. Seeing her struggle to stack them back up, he quickly swiped up the box from her arms, handing her only the stack of paper.
"Oo-Oh! You don't have to do that! I can manage it just fine!"
He waved her off with his spare hand, "Nah, don't sweat it. The least I could do after I bummed inta ya' "
She sighed softly, accepting his help with a small nod.
"So, where we takin' these?" asked Sinister as he eyed her expectingly.
"Oh! To the medical wing. I have to delivery the last two shots for Molten and some extra bandages."
She set off in the front beckoning Sinister to follow her... This is the woman who was treating lil' Molten, huh? Lil' guy wouldn't shut up about her... He never really had the chance to bring it up with her... Better now than never! The man rushed to catch up with her, walking side by side as he spoke up.
" Hey.. I uhhh.. Never got the chance to thank ya"'
Medic turned back to him, shifting the files around, "What for?"
"Just ya' know.. Taking care of Molten and all" he flashed her a sincere smile. The first she had ever seen from the Titan. Not that he was as cold as his brother, but rather, the last few weeks had been nothing but stress and anger... Therefore, moments like these were fleeting but trully enjoyable.
"You don't have to thank me! I am just doing my job really!" she smirked bashfully back at him as they rounded the corner.
"Yeah... But ya' didn't have to be there for 'im as much as ya' were.. Emotionally y'know..? It means a lot."
Medic was taken slightly aback by his remark, did Molten talk about her with the others? Not that it bothered her! ...But being thanked for being a decent human and caring towards a child was new. She had saved many lives whilst a part of the military but she couldn't recall the last time someone had been truly greatful for what she had done.. Not that it mattered, she wasn't in it for the praise... But... It did feel lovely to be appreciated and by a Titan no less..
They shared another round of smiles as they arrived at the entrance to her office. Right as she was about to unlock the door, a tall, looming figure gazed at them from the end of the hall. Magenta eyes, a stern, wrinkled face with curly hair to match his glowing orbs. Lips pursed in a thin line, not really angered but not happy either. Void Reaver was staring right at her...But really it felt like he was staring right through her.
That same unshakable gaze his son Fallen had, she had witnessed that one too during many meetings.
Sinister traced her line of sight to see for himself what she was staring at, he paused, his whole body tensing upon locking eyes with his father.
Out of instinct, Medic's eyes wondered around the halls, checking to see if there was another Tower around, just in case... Yet nothing... She was all alone between Titans...
Behind Void another figure had emerged, red eyes, green sickly pale skin and a well kept red robe signaled that it was Swordmaster. For a reason she could not understand, upon catching sight of the other Titan, Medic somewhat relaxed. Perhaps because she knew he wouldn't hurt her, she was the only one who could help him reunite with Gladiator. He gave her a reassuring nod, or at least that is what she thought it was.
Without even opening his mouth, Void pointed his lover towards Medic, eyes beckoning Sinister to go with him. Medic swore she saw Sinister lose himself for a second, just standing there, before finally handing the box over to Swordmaster. The older Titan placed a hand on his shoulder with a firm squeeze and a curt nod. Whilst no one was actually saying anything, it felt like an entire conversation was held between their eyes alone. One, she could not comprehend... Or maybe she just shouldn't in the first place...
Sinister reluctantly trailed after his father, his shoulders ever so stiff. He looked like a young child about to be scolded. Medic just continued watching them leave, is Void Reaver that bad? His own son doesn't want to talk to him? Is something worse happening behind the scenes, something she doesn't know?... Is this a case of abuse? Noo.. A Titan like Sinister is way too strong to allow that... Family business maybe?
Swordmaster loudly cleared his throat snapping Medic back to reality. She sheepishly grinned at him before unlocking the door. Her office was modest, nothing too big or too small. A white desk clad in the middle, with an older computer sitting on top. A black leather chair was neatly placed under it, with a few plants overtaking the otherwise empty corners.
He studied the room carefully, placing the box next to the computer. Neither had really said anything since their last 'discussion', back in the garage... What a peculiar night that was... However, on the bright side, their relationship did change because of it. He no longer looked at her with the utmost disgust, he was just...neutral. Which from her understanding and Molten's shock meant she accomplished a pretty unbeliveable thing...No matter how hard she tried she couldn't push back the thoughts circling around Sinister. He appeared almost scared of his own father... And the dark glare she received from Void Reaver, he was in a bad mood no mistake. But Sinister to be scared? That is unheard off... This was the Titan ready to take on a whole army by himself just to steal some candy from a town. He was strong, unrelenting, bold and a little too childish... A firey spirit through and through. And to see him uneasy made her feel even worse. If he was terrified, what is she supposed to be? Six feet under?
A thundering *CLACK* made her snap her head around, breaking her train of thought. Swordmaster was curiously studying the computer on her desk, picking up the keyboard and scanning it all over. Maybe he had an answer... Worth a shot.
"Umm, hey. I was wondering is something going on with-"
"None of your business."
Ahh yes, for a second she forgot who she was talking to. Blunt answers McGee.
"I know, I know. Just wanted to know if it was...like bad?"
Without even lifting his eyes from the monitor, he mumbled, "... Depends."
Well, that got her nowhere... She could push further, maybe getting a tad more personal...?
"Is it about the fight Fallen and Void Reaver had?"
Swordmaster full on froze upon hearing her, he gazed back towards her suspiciously, "....What do you know about that?"
Medic felt herself back pedalling a bit, maybe too personal. "Oh-h nothing! Just that it happened."
Swordmaster blinked, "That is already too much!", he scoffed, "Is that boy running his mouth again?!"
"No no! It was brought up during a meeting", which you were there for, she wanted to say, but maybe his memory was not what it used to be.
All she earned in return was a huff. Ok, fine, you don't want to talk about that... Let's talk about something even more personal to you then.
"You know, we had a conference call with the scouting team from overseas last night."
He rolled his eyes at her horrible excuse of a conversation attempt, even that piece of plastic was more interesting, "And? What are you telling me for?"
"Gladiator is the one leading it."
Ooh, that was the tension she was ready for. Medic just kept firm in her place, Swordmaster not meeting her eyes as he stared at the ground.
Not a word? Nothing? Not curious to see what you son is up to? No-?
"... And?"
His question was so quiet, Medic almost missed it. She planned in her mind how to put the situation without worrying him too bad.. It.. might not have been a good idea to bring him up, in retrospect...Given his umm not-so-great circumstances...
"Well... Something happened and they might be returning a but earlier than expected.." she murmered, cringing upon meeting his shocked expression.
Oh she really fumbled it this time..
"... Is he ok?"
"..."
"Answer me."
Medic sighed, she went this far, can't stop now, "It's nothing too bad.. An uglier cut on his upper leg and a possible broken bone...Too risky to have the leader charge with that into battle, if the situation calls for it.. so they are returning"
Swordmaster's face remained still, it almost made her even more uncomfortable than him being just straight up furious.
"...W.. When are they arriving?"
" Sometime around... Next week?"
Medic watched as the Titan took in a deep breath... Then another and another...Was he...panicking?
His eyes were moving but his mind was elsewhere. He almost appeared to be a statue with how still he stood, only his chest rising with each breath. She walked over to him, grabbing his arm, expecting for him to pull out of her grasp, but he didn't. She lead him to sit down on her chair, just in case he might feel light headed. Not a word came out of him, not even a scoff.
Medic sat on her desk, grabbing his hand as she whispered softly,
"Hey.. It will be alright."
Again she waited for him to be infuriated with this childish treatment, to jerk away, to call her names... And yet, all he did was look up, uncertainty present on his face.
He no longer seemed like a bitter old man... Just a worried parent.
She brushed her thumb across his hand, something she did with scared patients to help ground them.
"... How... How am I supposed to talk to him... After everything?"
Medic squeezed his hand lightly, "I... I don't know the details of what went down between you two... But families stick together... Gladiator lives by that saying.. I am sure he will be happy to see you..."
The older Titan didn't appear any more convinced which prompted a sigh to escape Medic's lips, "I know he wants to see you again.. And maybe things will be akward at first... But it’s worth a try... If you want him back in your life that is.."
Swordmaster rolled his eyes, "Of course I want him back, why would I even bother suffering you if I didn't?"
Aaand there was the Swordmaster she knew. Despite the somewhat rude remark, she smiled earning an ever so slight grin, in return. They stayed together for a bit longer even if it was in silence, it was a comfortable one... And he never did draw back his hand from her grasp.