Sorcerer Hunters Fan Fiction ❯ Family Bonds ❯ Chapter 1

~Family Bonds~

 

 

 

Outside the house, rain came down in sheets.

 

This was the worst rain the hidden Sorcerer Hunters village of Mount St Hordic had seen for quite some time, and the weather was not improved by the thunder or lightning, either. Trees bent and creaked in the torrential rain, the wind throwing them everywhich way, stronger trees trying to stand firm, younger trees broken and uprooted. The darkness was foreboding at the best of times, but with the weather like this, it wasn't just foreboding, it was terrifying. No-one would want to be outside on a night like this.

 

In one particular house, one person didn't really want to be inside either. Inside or out, it didn't matter, he just wanted to escape from those loud scary noises, the trees that repeatedly hit against the walls of the house, the batter-batter-batter of rain against the windows... every so often, the room would be alight with the lightning that lit the sky, the flash of light a swift premonition for the noise that followed. Two beds in the room, both occupied. The first occupant appeared to be sleeping soundly despite the racket, his eyes closed and his breathing slow. The second was growing increasingly paranoid as time passed... those noises were frightening, who was to say a tree wouldn't suddenly fall and break the wall down? It was loud and noisy, and Marron couldn't sleep. Even if he hadn't been so scared, the noise would have prevented a quiet night's rest anyway... no, but as it was, Marron was frightened. He wanted to wake Carrot up and attract his comfort, but even with all the noise, he was still asleep. Marron wanted to sleep so badly... if he woke his brother up, Carrot might not be able to sleep again, and Marron would have felt bad for causing that...

 

Marron was sat up in bed, fingers tightly clenched against the bedsheets. A distant rumble of thunder... Marron drew his sheets near to him, but he was a little hopeful. Perhaps the storm was passing? He slowly ducked underneath his bedcovers. If the nervous silence lasted for just a few more minutes, perhaps he could risk attempting to sleep...

 

Another sudden crash of thunder sent Marron running from his bed, the frequency of his tears not unlike the torrential rain outside.

 

The crash of thunder had been loud, and had caused Carrot's eyes to snap open... despite his previous appearance, he hadn't actually been sleeping. He'd been trying to sleep, but not really succeeding through the noise. He sat up slowly, scratching his head. He turned to face his brother's bed, to see how Marron was. Momentary panic at seeing his brother absent, then Carrot remembered what'd woken him in the first place; he turned to the door, and yes, it was open.

 

Carrot sighed, shifting in his bed. "He never could handle storms well."

 

Deciding to see just where Marron had got to, feeling slightly bemused that Marron hadn't woken him up first, Carrot got up out of bed. He stood in the doorway and glanced around... maybe the bathroom? Carrot shrugged to himself, it was somewhere to try. On the way to the bathroom, he passed his parent's room, the door was slightly ajar. An idea occurred to Carrot, and he peered into the dark room. The room was almost pitch black, but the lightning flashing outside every once in a while lit the room to a comforting sight. Onion was on one side in the bed, Apricot on the other, and hugged between them was Marron, sleeping like a baby. Carrot smiled, slightly incredulously, and resumed his trip, this time to the bathroom.

 

~

 

Twelve or so years on. Same location, different time.

 

Marron remained stock-still with an air of detachment in Onion's powerful hug. Onion didn't seem to pick up on this, however, and continued gushing over his youngest son.

 

"Oh, my beautiful beautiful son, I'm so happy to see you! You're so cute cute cute, I could just eat you up! You look just like your dead mother Apricot, she'd be proud to see how you've grown..."

 

Feeling personally slighted, Carrot called over.

 

"Hey, old man! Don't just forget about me!"

 

"Oh, the idiot? Aren't you dead yet?"

 

Marron tactfully stood to the side as Onion and Carrot battled it out.

 

It'd been a while, but Marron and Carrot were finally in their hometown, the hidden village of the Sorcerer Hunters. On seeing his sons again, Onion had seemed to be in two minds. On one hand, he was especially happy to see Marron again, Marron seemed to have inherited most of his looks from his mother, and while not identical to Apricot, someone who didn't know their relation might mistake them for one another. Or at least, they might have done, had Apricot still been alive... but rather than seeing the resemblance and dwelling on that fact, Onion had been genuinely happy to see Marron, in his own bizarre way. Marron took the attention with his usual silence; whether it was Gateau hitting on him, or his father being that bit too happy to see him, it was easier to react with a "..." and a blank look, perhaps a turn of the heel... Gateau always bounced back, though. And his father was too happy on seeing him to notice his chilly outward appearance. And on the other hand, was Carrot. Onion didn't seem so happy to see Carrot, but, Marron thought, they were probably pleased to see each other again after so long. Even if they DID always end up fighting like that, they were still father and son, and there had to be love there, Marron assumed. Somewhere deep down. Deep, deep down.

 

He rocked gently on his feet as he watched the two. Carrot was less heavily-built than Onion, but that was perhaps something that'd come with age. Carrot definitely bore resemblance to Onion, though Onion looked older, more muscular, more battle-worn. Which, of course, was what came from being a Haz Knight. Marron tried to imagine his brother at his father's age... he failed, and smiled lightly in his mind at the thought.

His brother was perfect as he was, he wouldn't want to change things.

 

Marron heard movement behind him, and turned his head. It was only Gateau, no need for alarm.

 

"So, this is Marron's hometown?"

 

"Yes... the secret village of the Sorcerer Hunters, Mount St Hordic... this was where Carrot and I grew up..."

 

Marron held off on the rest of his sentence, as if he was going to follow it up with something. From his silence, Gateau presumed that whatever Marron was following up on, he was following up on it inside his mind.

 

In front of them, Carrot and Onion seemed to have stopped their bickering for the moment. Marron smiled slightly, "I think they tired each other out."

 

Gateau had been watching with slight bemusement... he snapped out of his little trance, and glanced down at Marron, smirking. "So that's your father?"

 

"Yes, that's my father. Onion Glacé."

 

"You... don't look a whole lot like him." Gateau was looking from Marron to Onion, comparing. "Actually, you look nothing like him."

 

"No, that would be... I... inherited more from my mother's side of the family."

 

"Oh yeah! So where is the lady that begat such beauty?"

 

Marron chose to ignore Gateau's random flirtatious comment. "She's dead, Gateau."

 

This stopped Gateau in his tracks. He blinked, looking genuinely sorry.

 

"Oh, Marron, I didn't know..."

 

"I know you didn't, but you know now, don't you? Anyway, it happened a long time ago. It's... just one of those things."

 

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you almost sounded like you didn't care..." There was a strange tone in Gateau's voice that Marron couldn't quite place. It was some kind of threat, though. Marron looked up at Gateau, speaking evenly.

 

"I didn't say that. I do care... I wasn't old when it happened, but... memories of her still shine in my mind. Her memory will live on in my memory. And in Carrot's memory, Tira's memory, Chocolat's memory, my father's memory... she loved us, and we loved her back, as much as we could. That love lives on, so don't accuse me of not caring, because I do. It's just... what do you want me to do? Sit and cry because she died all those years ago? Time moves on, Gateau. It takes time, but wounds heal, or at least, their effect lessens. Sometimes I do think of her and feel sad, but who wouldn't? Grief isn't always a public emotion. It would be best to honour her memory with happiness as opposed to sadness."

 

Gateau put his hands behind his head, resting it against them. He watched Marron with a careful eye. "Jeez, I almost feel left out. You 'n Carrot, Chocolat 'n Tira... hn. Still, I guess you're right... I wouldn't say the wounds heal exactly, but I agree on the less effect thing."

 

A slightly uneasy silence hung in the air. Gateau smiled, attempting to alleviate the situation.

 

"So! Why don't you show me round this village of yours? Anywhere private you wanna slip off to? I'm sure the others wouldn't notice."

 

"You sound so confident. I'd rather keep an eye on my brother... even here, we cannot be sure if we're safe."

 

"Hey, this is the Sorcerer Hunters village! If we're not safe here, then we're not safe anywhere!"

 

"Exactly my point."

 

"Hey, that's not what I meant..."

 

Marron remained silent, though. Gateau sighed, smiling. "Well, I guess you probably wanna rest or something. Nowhere interesting ya wanna show me?"

 

"There's not much to see, Gateau. It's not an interesting village... just a nostalgic one..."

 

There definitely seemed to be nostalgia in Marron's voice. Gateau's look and voice softened, "Well, show me something nostalgic, then."

 

At that point, Chocolat called over; food was going to be ready in a few moments. Gateau patted Marron's shoulder lightly, "Well, that can wait, let's wait until we've eaten something."

 

Marron made a quiet noise of agreement, following along, quietly in thought. Gateau wanted to see places that were nostalgic to Marron? Marron wasn't sure if there was anything he wanted to show Gateau. The places that were nostalgic to him... more often than not, they were places that were special to him, because of things he'd experienced there... with his brother. He sighed.

 

A forest area where the two had got lost one night. A gate the two would stand on or against while musing on what the future might be like. The bedroom the two of them shared... they were privately special, not something Marron particularly wanted to show to Gateau. Gateau was more part of the present and the future than the past... Gateau didn't figure too heavily in Marron's thoughts. He knew Gateau liked him, at least. Never stopped with that incessant flirting... but like a stream, Marron's depths were quietly deceptive; Marron's thoughts ran deep, his feelings ran deeper... the one thing he liked to centre on, the one thing he was sure of. His love for Carrot. That strange, un-natural love... Marron didn't care about that, though. As long as he was quiet about it, no-one needed to know... no-one would know. He wouldn't let them know.

 

Around the Glacé family dinner table, Chocolat laughed as she ate.

 

"Wow, this is so nostalgic! Seems like I haven't eaten at this table for ages!"

 

Onion smiled at her, "And the room's been a lot quieter for it. It's nice to have you guys around. It's not really been that long, but... it seems like it."

 

Tira glanced down a little, "I suppose it... must get lonely..."

 

Onion shrugged lightly, smiling warmly. "Not as much as you'd think. I do gardening... tend to the house... sometimes Milphey visits, quite frequently, actually... we chat, he shops, I cook. It's not too lonely. He's here at least once a week usually, if not more often... he's a busy guy, but hey, we're old friends."

 

"Oh yeah?" Carrot smirked. "Milphey certainly seemed taken with me." His smirk vanished as he made a vague connection. "Ew, you're not doing anything with him are you?!"

 

"I frequently do things with him, Carrot."

 

"WHAT?!"

 

"As I said, I chat with him, have lunch with him... wander around the village, sometimes..."

 

Carrot just glared, "You know what I mean!"

 

Onion reached over and ruffled Carrot's hair. "I'm not gay, Carrot. Don't worry."

 

Carrot rearranged his hair, looking miffed. Gateau smiled, leaning his head on his lightly-clenched fist.

 

"Milphey's pretty, though." He looked at Onion. "Has he always been like that?"

 

"A cross-dressing pervert? Yeah, pretty much. He's not changed since he used to hang around with me n' Apricot, back when we were Sorcerer Hunters... it's so strange to see you guys like that, I remember exactly when I was about your age, fightin' Sorcerers, gettin' ordered around by Big Mama... and nowadays it's you guys doing all of that! How's Big Mama treatin' ya these days, then? Not overworking you, is she?"

 

Between the five of them, they managed to fill Onion in on their previous missions. Due to his connections with Milphey and Big Mama, Onion knew most of what they told him... Sacher Torte's sudden reappearance, his power gained from the Platina Stones, the Sorcerer Hunter Killers... more mundane cases, opinions on friendly acquaintances, Salad Chips, Potato Chips... Onion knew most of what they told him but enjoyed it that bit more for hearing it from their own mouths. It was news heard from Big Mama or Milphey, but it seemed to come alive when it was his own children telling him what happened. It was friendly filial contact, something that Onion found himself missing almost as much as Apricot on those quieter days when Milphey wasn't around... not that Onion didn't miss them when Milphey was around, but at least when he visited, there was someone to talk about such things with.

 

Eventually, the repast was over, and conversation continued on until the moon rose in the sky. Tira was surprised to look outside and see darkness; at that point, Chocolat had yawned, thinking maybe it might be a good idea to turn in for the night. Wistful recollection could wait until the morning.

 

Inside Marron and Carrot's bedroom, the two were getting ready for sleep. Marron undressed while Carrot leant against the windowsill... Carrot glanced over to Marron, who was sat with his back towards Carrot, pulling his ankle slips and shoes off. The moon reflected off Marron's naked skin... Carrot turned back to look outside, giving his brother that little privacy as he changed.

 

With a slight sigh, Carrot pushed the window up, locking it into place with a catch. It required exertion; Marron looked up, curious for a moment as to what Carrot was doing.

 

"Niisan?"

 

"Man, I bet that window's not been open since we were kids! Almost thought it'd locked into place... damn, I thought it'd be cooler if I opened the window. Don't you think it's kinda stuffy in here?"

 

Carrot looked over again; Marron was clad in a simple nightshirt, it came down to his knees. It was safe to look, anyway.

 

"It is quite warm, niisan."

 

"Yeah, well, it's warm outside, too." Carrot stuck his hand out of the window. "Raining, too. Hot and raining. Jeez, it's annoying like that. There'll probably be a storm, too. Top it all off, y'know. Humidity does something funky to all that static..."

 

Marron smiled warmly at Carrot, "A storm while we're back in our hometown..."

 

Carrot thought about shutting the window, but then decided that it didn't really matter either way whether it was open or shut; he left it open, retreating to his bed and getting under the covers. He noticed Marron's smile, and smiled back. "Yeah... what's the chances of that happening, huh? At least we're not out on a mission or something. Always sucks when that happens. Getting all wet... heh, just gives Gateau more of a chance to perve on you. Those white robes always stick to yer skin... why not wear green or something? Matching robe and tanktop."

 

Marron just laughed quietly, "I think I'll keep with white, niisan."

 

"Hehe, yeah, you do that. So where's Gateau right now? Spare bedroom?"

 

"Where else would he be?"

 

Carrot nodded, "Spare bedroom. I guess Tira and Chocolat are in their room, huh? Man..." He fell onto his back, the pillow making a soft sound as his head impacted against it. "... seems like forever since I last stared up at this ceiling, but it doesn't seem like any time at all, y'know? It's so familiar. It's nice, I like it. We should come home more often!"

 

"Ah, but it'd be less special if we always visited."

 

"I guess so."

 

There was silence for a few moments. Carrot rolled onto his side, glancing at Marron over the wooden outline of the bedside cabinet that separated their two beds. The moon from outside shone in, showing Carrot that Marron was sitting up against the headboard of the bed, his sheeting up to his chest, his hands over the sheets, gently latticed together and resting against his lap.

 

"Not gonna sleep?"

 

Marron looked at Carrot, slightly surprised. "Niisan?"

 

"You don't usually sleep sitting up, do you?"

 

"No... I was just thinking..."

 

Carrot yawned, "You're always doing that. Give yer brain a rest and have some sleep already!"... Carrot smirked, "Marron, niisan commands you, get some sleep right now! And that's an order!!"

 

Marron just chuckled warmly, "We're not children anymore, niisan. That won't work. You go to sleep... I think I'll sit here for a while..."

 

"Getting nostalgic?"

 

"... Perhaps. Earlier on, Gateau said he wanted to see things that were nostalgic to me... I couldn't think of anything to show him."

 

Carrot rolled back onto his back. "What about that tree Chocolat got stuck in that night she ran away?"

 

"I could never remember which one it was, niisan. I never actually found her... that was you, if I remember."

 

"Marron, it's the bigassed tree past the front gate then south, you can't miss it!"

 

"She climbed that tree?!"

 

"Yes!"

 

"Oh..." Marron leant his head against the wall, leaning it on the slight indent of the headboard. "... maybe I could show him that, then. But it's not exactly... nostalgic to me..."

 

"No? What kind of things are nostalgic to my little brother, then?"

 

There was a silence as Marron wondered what kind of things he could tell his brother he found nostalgic... he smiled quietly, it didn't really matter. Nostalgia was nostalgia, Carrot didn't have to know about the feelings attached to that other emotion.

 

"Do you remember the first time we tried exploring those trees to the south?"

 

"Jeez, we musta been like, four!"

 

"I was three, niisan."

 

Carrot nodded, "Yeah, you woulda been. Heh, yeah... I dragged you off 'cause I found that bird's nest, didn't I? Something like that."

 

"Yes... then we got lost..."

 

"Didn't we end up sleeping there? Dad found us in the morning..."

 

Marron sighed, a happy sigh at the memories. "... Mother'd been out of her mind with worry... I remember being scared, niisan... but not for long. You... made me feel safe. You said that... if any scary monsters appeared and tried to eat me, you'd protect me..."

 

"Yeah, I'd got a sharp rock from somewhere."

 

Marron reached across to the top drawer of the bedside cabinet. "I think..."

 

He felt around for a few moments, "Ah... yes." Carrot's curiosity was piqued, he looked over.

 

Marron eventually produced a small sharp rock out of the drawer. He threw it up and caught it, it sat neatly in the palm of his hand. He closed his fingers over it, smiling at Carrot.

 

"Of course, it seemed a lot bigger when we were younger. Still, if we got attacked by a cat or something, I'm sure it might have inflicted damage."

 

There was amusement in Marron's voice as he replaced the stone. Carrot just laughed, "Hey, well, at least I was willing to do something like that! You wouldn't stop crying. You cried a lot, otouto..."

 

"Yes, well... I was a child, niisan. You say that, but... what about Tira?"

 

"Okay, okay, you win. You cried a bit. SHE cried a lot. Damn, nearly all my childhood memories of her are of her crying... if she was sad, she'd cry. If she was happy, she'd cry. If she was angry, she'd cry. She never freakin' stopped!"

 

"Niisan, I'm sure she wasn't as bad as that."

 

"Yeah, well, that's what it seemed like, anyway."

 

Another pause in the room. Carrot had his eyes closed now, "What time do you think it is?"

 

"I'm not sure, niisan... it's been dark for a while."

 

There was a light rumble from outside. Marron smiled. "And here comes the storm."

 

"Nnn..."

 

Marron glanced over; Carrot must have been more tired than Marron'd originally suspected. Staying up and talking could sometimes be a great sapper of wakefulness... Carrot was peaceful while he slept. It didn't matter that the most pressing situation was nothing short of lifethreatening... Sacher Torte seemed to loom on the horizon, blocking all else... he'd be the toughest adversary they'd fought without doubt, but even so, that somehow didn't seem to matter, not at the moment. Sacher Torte, battles, fighting... that was all in the future. For now, the Sorcerer Hunters were comfortable and happy in their childhood home... well, four of them, anyway. Gateau also seemed happy, despite the area not having the connotations it did to the others. Anywhere peaceful was somewhere where Gateau was happy, that seemed enough for him.

 

It was enough for Marron too. There was something wonderfully calming about being back in his own bedroom, back with his brother... he left it until he was sure that Carrot was asleep, then slipped quietly out of bed, his heartbeat the loudest thing (so it seemed to him) in the room as he wandered over, standing over Carrot, watching him as he slept. He could almost hear his childhood self gasping in another brother-triggered orgasm, frightened in case Carrot woke up, but unable to stop himself... aah, Marron thought. The subtle wonders of puberty.

 

Outside, the storm seemed to be getting worse. The rain continued, a continual light hiss in the background... lightning would occasionally flash, the rumbling of thunder seemed quite loud.... the storm, Marron presumed, was nearby. Still, it wasn't as if they were children... he'd never liked storms, it wasn't until the latter part of his childhood that he could sleep soundly through them.

 

Nowadays, the rumbling of thunder, loud as it was... the flash of lightening... it was almost a comfort, in a strange kind of way. The sound and sight of a storm always reminded Marron of when he was younger, when he used to be scared, when he used to sleep in the arms of his niisan... or his parents, but while treasured, that was a different kind of memory. The feel of his brother's arms around him... they felt protective in a way his parents just didn't. They were comforting, but Carrot was... Carrot was something different to that, Marron didn't know how to explain it. Still, he'd been young. All there was had been comfort, so it probably wasn't worth it to dwell so deeply on something that just wasn't there; he'd been young, thoughts such as his present mindframe hadn't come into play until he was much older.

 

Carrot had been right, though. The room was stuffy, the humidity from outside didn't particularly help. Marron idly realised he felt quite thirsty; it was late, but it wouldn't disturb anyone if he perhaps quietly went to get a drink.

 

He left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. It creaked slightly, but not enough to disturb anyone. He glanced around; the closest source of water... probably the bathroom. He began on his way there, but before he reached there, he encountered his father, who was holding a glass of water.

 

"Oh, hi Marron. What're you up to?"

 

"I was going to get a glass of water... it felt much too hot in the bedroom, I thought it might help."

"Try throwing it over your face, that might help. It IS really warm tonight, almost too warm. No, scratch that, it is too warm."

 

The two spoke in whispers at the small intersection of rooms. Thunder rumbled outside; Onion glanced out of the nearest window. Rain pattered against it.

 

"Storm, too... not the best kind of weather."

"No..."

 

"Oh yeah, you never liked storms, did you? Always ending up either in Carrot's bed or with me and Apricot... were you being kept awake by the storm?" Onion smiled, a teasing look on his face. "Did you want papa to comfort you?"

 

Marron just blinked. "... The storms don't affect me nowadays. I could do with a drink, though..."

 

Onion realised he was holding a glass of water, "Oh, sure. You can have it all, if you want."

 

Marron accepted the glass, nodding his thanks. He took a slow drink, delighting at the feeling of the cool liquid running down his throat... just the right temperature for him to be able to feel it as it went through his body. Quite refreshing.

 

As he brought the glass down, he caught Onion... staring at him? He set the glass down on a nearby table, next to a vase with some unidentifiable yellow flowers in.

 

"What is it?"

 

"Huh? Oh, uh, nothing."

 

There was something in Marron's curious gaze that made Onion want to admit that, okay, it wasn't nothing.

 

"Okay, okay... just thinkin' about how much you've grown since I last saw you, that's all. You guys are growing up so fast!! I mean, man, I can remember when Carrot was born like it was yesterday!! And when you were born... when Tira and Chocolat came to live with us... you guys were so small, probably didn't come up further than our legs... and now look at you! You've had a growth spurt, Marron."

 

"Mmm..."

 

"Well, I guess you wouldn't notice, since it's your body, and you're growing inside it all the time... heh, I must be tired, I sound weird. No, but... you really have grown, Marron. You... always looked a bit like Apricot, something about your eyes, but..."

 

Onion blinked, glancing away slightly, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable.

 

"... you really do look like her now."

 

"... Father?"

 

Marron sounded questioning. Onion brought himself to meet Marron's eyes again... yes, he'd definitely inherited Apricot's eyes, alright.

 

The mood seemed suddenly heavy, not just from the oppressive heat the storm brought. Onion smiled, trying to lift the mood.

 

"So! How are you? You've been quiet all day, even when we were eating, you were quiet. I wanna hear how you've been! You're my treasured little son, I worry about you."

 

"You do?"

 

"Oh, sure. I worry about all you guys... it's getting dangerous, Marron. Sacher isn't just some normal Sorcerer you can go after and get rid of just like that... he's... been around for a while. What he wants... he's not just gonna quit because a bunch of teenagers tell him to. I'm kinda glad you guys are here... it's nice to see you again, before you..."

 

Onion sighed. "... Sorry. I'm getting all gloomy on you. I'm sure you guys'll come out fine. Just make sure you do, okay? I wanna be able to see you again after all of this. But hey, that's... yeah. As I said... how are you? Ya eating well? Got a girlfriend or anything yet?"

 

At the mention of that, Marron's ears almost visibly pricked. Onion smiled, "... have you?"

 

"A girlfriend? N-no... no, there's no-one like that."

 

"What about Gateau? He certainly seemed to like you... even though he's a guy..."

 

Marron smiled, a little sadly, walking over to the window that Onion'd looked out of earlier. He leant the palms of his hands against the painted wood, his fingers facing outwards... he turned back, looking over his shoulder at Onion.

 

"Gateau's shameless... he's literally been after me since the first day we met."

 

"Oh yeah? Have you let him catch up with you yet?"

 

"It's not like that..."

 

Onion walked up behind Marron until he was a few steps away.

 

"No? He's someone who likes you, Marron. If you don't want him after you then you should just say so, otherwise he'll keep on at it..." Onion suddenly fell into silence, biting his tongue before he said too much. Before he said that he didn't blame Gateau for going after Marron, since Marron was beautiful... he was beautiful. Onion wondered if anyone told Marron that in daily life... did he realise how beautiful he was? Not just through his resemblance to Apricot... Onion stared at Marron's turned back, highlighted by the moon from outside, occasionally brightened by momentary flashes of lightening. Humidity caused sticky bodies, Marron's hair seemed to cling to his body, as well did his nightshirt did in places. Onion stepped a little closer, gently pulling Marron's hair back.

 

"What... ?"

 

"It was getting all clingy, can't be comfortable. So... how do you feel about Gateau? Would you ever... get like that, with a guy?"

 

Marron paused, unsure of what to say. Onion was essentially dressing up 'Are You Gay' into context.

 

"How do I feel about Gateau? ... I don't know. He's certainly a friend, powerful, protective... other than that... I don't know. He likes me, but... it's not that I feel indifferent, through his methods of flirtation it's hard to not notice and remain indifferent, but... I don't know how I feel."

 

"But if you REALLY didn't like it, you'd tell him where to get off, wouldn't you? Don't put up with anything you're not comfortable with, you're strong enough to be above that."

 

Marron glanced down at his hands, fingernails tapping against flaking paint.

 

"... I don't know how to react with Gateau... mainly because... there..."

 

Marron sighed.

 

"... there's... somebody else that I like."

 

Onion smiled softly, folding his arms. "Oh, I see. Who is it? A girl? Somebody secret? I guess if it was a girl you liked, it wouldn't make Gateau too happy."

 

"... It's somebody secret..."

 

Marron's voice was a hesitant whisper. He was eversoslightly nervous, but... as long as Onion didn't guess or make any generalizations, it'd be alright, wouldn't it? Perhaps his father could offer some distant advice.

 

"I see, I see."

 

Onion suddenly subjected Marron to a sidewards glomp, his arm firmly around Marron's waist. Marron almost yelled in surprise, managing to catch himself in time. He looked at Onion with angry surprise, his eyes asking 'why?!' to Onion's own.

 

"Hey, I wanna know who it is my cute little boy has the hots for!! C'mon, I'm not gonna tell anyone, am I? It'd be most definitely definitely secret with me. Is it Tira? Chocolat? Someone I don't know?"

 

"I-... I can't say..."

 

Onion ruffled the top of Marron's hair with his fist. "Oh, come onnn. Can't be that bad. Is it Marron's first crush? You're blushing!"

 

Marron pulled away from Onion with surprising ferocity. "It's NOT a crush!"

 

Onion blinked his surprise at Marron's actions, before folding his arms, and smiling softly.

 

"Alright, alright. It's not a crush... you know your own feelings better than I can, anyway. Who is it you're in love with? If that's what you feel."

 

Marron bit his lip, pressing his thumb and forefinger on his right hand together, rubbing them tightly.

 

"I..." Hesitation battled the truth for a moment. "... I'm... I'm in love with... the wrong person..."

 

The truth, if a slightly hazy version thereof.

 

Marron sounded so sad as he said that... Onion put his hand onto Marron's shoulder, carefully gazing at him, trying to be kind, trying to give out the right message.

 

"Marron... if it's someone you're really in love with, then it can't be wrong. You... seem so sad... whoever it is that you love, they should at least realise how lucky they are... does the person... know?"

 

Marron leant down a little further, his elbows against the windowsill and his forehead against one of the cool glass panes of the sectioned window.

 

"... N-no. He doesn't. He doesn't know... I don't want him to know. If he knew, it'd... it'd destroy the relationship we have, he'd... he'd hate me, he just wouldn't see another man like that, especially not his own brother, he's so preoccupied with girls, he-"

 

Marron was so preoccupied with the voicing of deeper thoughts than what usually came to light, he didn't realise quite what he'd said until Onion stopped him. He hadn't even tried to disguise the fact that the person he wanted was male, something he'd entirely forgotten to do...

 

"Wait, wait, wait. He... wouldn't see some other guy like that, especially not... his... brother? Marron, is it Carrot who you like?"

 

Marron froze; he'd said too much. His fists clenched tightly... so. Now somebody else knew.

 

"Marron... Marron, just say yes if it is, I... I won't get angry. I'm a little surprised, kinda shocked, but... I wouldn't get angry with you..."

 

Marron's voice was quiet. "I just feel... feel so alone, sometimes... you're... the only person who knows. On one hand, I don't mind it being only me, because I can revel in those thoughts without worry, but... on the other hand... he can never know how I feel... he'd hit me away and never want to look at me ever again for the thoughts I carry inside of me. Such lonely feelings..."

 

Onion nodded, moving to stand alongside Marron, glancing wistfully up at the moon, occasionally obscured by clouds that shifted across it... light regained as they moved.

 

"I know... I certainly know what loneliness feels like."

 

"You still miss her..."

 

"Are you joking? I always miss her. Every day I miss her, waking up without her, going through each day, knowing she's not going to be there at the end of it... sleeping, knowing she's not going to be there when I wake up..." Onion laughed, slightly bitter. "It's stupid. It should get easier with time. I mean... I suppose it has, in a way... for so long, it was like... I couldn't even believe it happened. Almost something in me died with her... but I had you guys, I had to stay strong. Being strong for you guys helped me be strong for myself, I guess. Milphey was a great help, too... he let me cry a lot more than I should have done."

 

Marron frowned slightly, unable to see Milphey filling that kind of position. "But Milphey's so..."

 

"Marron, whatever you've seen of Milphey, it's only one side of him. As I said, we go back a long way... it's true that he's a generally carefree crossdresser bordering manic lunacy at times, but he's not always like that. He was sad too, he was friends with Apricot as much as I'd been before we got together, but... it was strange. He never cried. I suppose... death, it's something he's used to..."

 

Marron looked up, confused. "What?"

Oops, Onion thought. Milphey hadn't told them he was a Haz Knight yet, it seemed. Or that he'd been around a lot longer than his looks would imply; as long as Big Mama had been around, her Haz Knights had been alongside her. The hundreds of years that Milphey had been alive didn't weigh upon him, though; Onion still insisted that he didn't look a day over twenty-five. With such an extended lifespan would inevitably come such things as death, though... people who Milphey knew... how many people must he have known? It was sad about Apricot, but, Onion supposed, to Milphey, it'd be just another person he knew, dying... it was brutal to think, but not something Onion held a grudge for. Milphey couldn't help being near-immortal.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"O-oh, just... you know how it is, he's an expert with all things dead, necromancers and zombies and stuff like that. In a line of work like that I guess ya build up some kind of defence against it."

 

"That shouldn't matter. Mother was... a friend of his, wasn't she? So it should have at least been more personal to him..."

 

"Perhaps he was just being strong for my sake. I mean, come on... did you ever see me cry, back then?"

 

Marron just shook his head, "No..."

 

"Exactly. Just because you never saw me cry doesn't mean that I didn't. Maybe Milphey's just not someone who likes to show his emotions like that, I don't know... it doesn't matter. Heh, look at us, getting all morose like this. Aren't you tired at all?"

 

Marron seemed to purposely ignore Onion's question. "I... I'm sorry."

 

"What?"

 

"Complaining about how lonely I feel... that's just selfish of me to say. At least... the person I love is still alive, even if he doesn't know how I feel..."

 

Marron seemed to realise something. He looked up at Onion, wide-eyed and unblinking.

 

"... doesn't it hurt you?"

 

"Marron?"

 

Marron's eyes flickered down, gazing at the floor.

 

"Doesn't it hurt you that she died... and I resemble her so much? You've said it yourself, I look so much like her... doesn't that hurt, seeing me, but... it... not being her?"

 

Onion just shook his head, one hand going back to Marron's shoulder. "No... surprisingly not. I'm just happy that Apricot's beauty can live on. I suppose it'll die with you though, if you're gay... unless Carrot's hiding some beauty genes in there somewhere. Maybe. No, but... Marron, she runs through my mind daily anyway. Seeing you, it's just... I... I don't know how to say it without it sounding weird."

 

Marron turned his head, just looking at Onion. Onion sighed.

 

"... You've got a powerful stare there, Marron. It's like... when I see you, it reminds me... makes me sure that I don't forget. I could never forget her, but you being around, it makes my memories so fresh again... the little things that died with her, that I see in you..."

 

"F-Father..."

 

Onion realised that his hand had moved from Marron's shoulder to Marron's cheek. He gasped slightly, pulling his hand away. "Marron, I-... I'm sorry, I... don't know what came over me. Maybe you should go back to bed now... I... don't... know what'll happen otherwise..."

 

There was an indescribable look in Marron's eyes. He stood up from the windowsill, taking hold of Onion's hand and placing it on his shoulder again.

 

"Tell me what you were going to say."

 

A pause. Thunder rumbling outside. A flash of lightning or two. Onion's sigh.

"... You're so like her, Marron. So like her, but... also so different, too. You've got her eyes, but... there's something different in those eyes... her eyes were so soft and beautiful... so deep... you've got deep eyes too, but..." Onion's hand went to Marron's cheek again, tipping his head upwards. Onion didn't move it away this time. "... when I look into your eyes... I don't know what I see... there's something hidden. Like you're hiding behind them, almost... or maybe it's just because you're not her. She was so warm to me, but you're... not someone I should be warm to, not like that... if the only person who can see that warmth is someone who's not me, then so be it."

 

Marron let out a pained sound, like something had stung him. He suddenly pressed himself to Onion's chest, his fingers tucked into half-fists while his palms pressed against the flat surface of Onion's clothed chest.

 

"... Am I not warm? Am I really that cold?"

 

"Marron?"

 

"... Even Tira's said it in the past. Asking me why I'm so cold. People always say it of me, I'm cold, I'm calm, I'm distant..." He looked up at Onion, wide-eyed. "Am I really... like that? Just because I'm not loud, just because of the feelings I have, have to keep quiet... does that mean... that I'm really so cold?"

 

The end of Marron's outburst made Onion notice their position. Marron was pressed up against him, looking at him almost tearfully... he just looked down, thrown as how to react.

 

"Marron..."

 

"You keep saying how much like her I am. You talk so differently when you talk about her, how much you loved her, everything... and then you say how much like her I am, but.. didn't I inherit any of her warmth? I inherited her eyes, her hair, almost everything of her, but... not that... am I incapable? I show it as much as I can to my brother, as much as I dare without arousing suspicion, but... am... am I really... so cold?"

 

"Marron, I'm sorry..."

 

"He's a bit like you, too."

"Huh?"

 

Marron wasn't staring at anything in particular now.

 

"Carrot. He's a bit like you. You... you're warm, and it reminds me of him... all those nights in the past when I'd be comforted in his arms... as I said, we're not children anymore. I can't bask in that comfort. Before, we didn't care, but now, so many things seem to have got in the way, we consider ourselves above that kind of behaviour... and I miss it so intensely... his arms... are like yours... but I can never feel his arms, because... I'm not supposed to want that sort of thing! I crave his touch, and..." Marron's voice lowered. "... not only like that, not only in a comforting way. I crave... his touch..."

 

Marron was suddenly overcome by, Onion was bemused to see, a wave of shuddering tears. He tentatively put an arm around Marron's shoulders, rocking him slightly, trying to hush him, trying to calm him.

 

"Hey, Marron... Marron, it's alright!"

"No, but it isn't! How can it be alright? He's my brother! I shouldn't want him like that, and I can never have him like that... and it hurts me so deeply..."

 

Onion gently coerced Marron into moving. "Come on. I think you need some rest."

 

Marron froze, "To- to where niisan is?"

 

"No, we're going to my room. Someone might hear us out here, and do you want to explain exactly why you're crying to any one of those people?"

 

"N-no..."

 

Marron let himself be guided. At Onion's room, he walked inside while Onion closed the door; he climbed onto the double bed, nestling himself down on one side. He smiled through his tears. "When I was younger, this bed seemed so much bigger..."

 

Onion gingerly climbed in alongside Marron. "Yes, well, you were younger, after all."

 

Onion smiled at Marron, but his smile froze as he noticed Marron looking at him with such a look... he frowned, unable to speak for a few moments.

 

"M-Marron..."

 

"What is it?"

 

"You DO look like her. She was so beautiful... and you're so beautiful... just... with the moonlight shining on you, and... the way you looked at me just then... it was exactly how she used to look at me... oh god, I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm... oh, god..."

 

"Father... you're not the person in love with his own brother." A pregnant pause. "... Whatever happens tonight, I... those feelings are still wrong... but they're the feelings I believe in so deeply. When he's older, he might look like you..."

 

Marron bit his lip. "F-father..."

 

The two of them seemed unable to speak for a few moments. Onion gulped, it was audible in the quietness of the room. Even the rain outside seemed to have died down a fraction.

 

"What... is it?"

 

"I know what I want to say but I'm scared to say it..."

 

"In case I say no?"

 

Marron looked so torn between emotions... his voice so quiet, it made Onion's heart twist just to hear that fragile whisper.

 

"... in case you say yes..."

 

His eyes were Apricot's eyes. His hair was Apricot's hair. His nose, his mouth, his lips, all were Apricot's own, and yet not hers... Marron was his own person, and he was definitely himself, but he was so similar... his kiss was different, though. Initially. Perhaps it stemmed through Marron's unsure feelings, but he didn't protest as Onion quietly leant forward, holding Marron by the shoulder, kissing him.

 

He pulled back a fraction, his heart hammering in his chest; it was too late now, the damage was done... he'd kissed his own son.

 

Then his own son kissed back, this time with vigour. Still a little unsure, but... willing to learn...

 

Marron's arms were around Onion's neck. His nose was parallel to Onion's nose, both of their breathing heavy.

 

"Do... I kiss like her?"

 

"You kiss like you, Marron."

 

Onion sat up slightly, rolling over, pinning Marron down. His hands were on Marron's shoulders, he could feel Marron's legs between his own... he felt such a burning need within his body. His rational half screamed at him to stop, but as he looked down at Marron, Apricot's image was burned within his mind. He remembered her, the memory of every inch of her skin seemed to blaze at his fingertips... was that... what Marron's skin felt like? He couldn't have the soft sensitivity of her breasts, his hands couldn't cup them and feel them, but they could feel what was there and remember the memory of what once was. His hands slipped underneath Marron's nightshirt, Marron helping him in pulling it over his head... Marron's blush seemed more visible now that he was naked. Marron's slender fingers tugged lightly at Onion's collar.

 

"... I'm embarrassed..."

 

Onion had a feeling that that meant 'I'm embarrassed if it's only me who's naked, get your clothes off now' but he didn't know how to say it. Almost nervously, Onion pulled his own nightshirt off, letting it fall to the ground alongside Marron's own.

 

Marron shifted until his head was against the pillow. Onion's eyes silently roved Marron's upper body; Marron's neck caught Onion's attention. He had the most wonderful neck... shaking fingers stroked down Marron's neck, Marron gasped. Marron didn't gasp like Apricot... he couldn't, it was impossible. But even so, that gasp was still beautiful... like Marron, and everything that he stood for.

 

Onion just stared at Marron, who stared back. "What... what is it?"

 

"When you gasp..."

 

"... it's like... her?"

 

"... no..."

 

As the rain seemed to want to make up for what it'd lacked for the last little while, Onion inflicted sensual torture upon Marron's soft skin. His chin, his neck, his chest... not like Apricot's chest, but still soft, smooth, beautiful... the memory of Marron's skin etched itself into Onion's fingers. Marron gasped as Onion kissed him so gently, his body reacting to touches he'd only ever dreamed of before... his own skin felt hot through the night's humidity, Onion's kisses were almost cooling to his body. Where Onion touched him though... Onion's skin was warm against his own, almost too warm. Marron wondered if that'd be what Carrot's body would feel like... he wasn't sure, but as his mind unravelled at Onion's touch, it hardly felt like it mattered.

Lightning flashed outside as Onion kissed and caressed Marron's chest. Marron's nipples felt so sensitive to that touch, his gasps reflecting that feeling. Oh, and when he moaned... Onion didn't stop, wanting to prolong that moan, make it that bit more intense... Onion felt Marron's hand at the back of his head, he looked up slightly. He was met by the second-to-deepest pair of eyes he'd ever known, trying to echo that of the first, and succeeding quite well... the light that reflected in his eyes was counterbalanced by a deep darkness that seemed to shine... oh god, but he was irresistible. Onion shifted up on the bed, holding Marron's head, kissing his forehead. Marron gasped sharply; against his own hard arousal, he could feel another... Onion retracted his head, still holding Marron's head in his large hands, questioning him.

 

"Marron...?"

 

A slightly choked sob, "I... I don't know how to say it..."

 

"Marron... just show me, if you don't want to say it yourself..."

 

Marron nodded, hesitant. He slipped his hand over Onion's own, his fingers gently working between Onion's fingers. Such size difference... Marron's fingers were so gentle, though... Onion let his hand move where Marron guided it, the blush on his own face feeling like it trebled when Marron guided it down to his erection, encouraging Onion to wrap his fingers around it... Onion seemed to freeze for a moment as he gently stroked, that was something Apricot hadn't had. He hoped his touches were adequate. Marron's replenished moans seemed to say that they were... his eyes were closed tightly, his hands tight fists around the sheets... his breathing ragged, short gasps alighting Onion's senses... his slow movement against Onion's hand that made Onion let out a low sound of his own, Marron's movements were so soft, and they were for and because... of him. Onion wondered what those movements would become on the edge of orgasm, or beyond... his own arousal made his body pound. He wanted to find out.

 

Marron tried to move one leg, but was trapped by Onion's own. He gasped loudly, "N-no-... not yet, I... I want it to be... more..."

 

Onion wondered if arousal had destroyed his son's syntax. "... What?"

 

He felt Marron move against him, his legs moving outside of his own, Onion knelt between Marron, so close to him... Marron's hands tugged Onion's shoulders down, slowly shifting his lower body against Onion's erection. "G-god... Marron..."

 

"... I want... that..."

 

Onion's hands slowly slid down Marron's skin, brushing against his nipples... they caressed his smooth chest, feeling it rise and fall with rapid breathing... his flat stomach, the firmness of his hips... Onion's hands stopped there.

 

"... that is...?"

 

Marron's glare seemed to burn into Onion's eyes. "... You know what that is..."

 

"Marron, are you sure?"

 

Another movement, a harder one this time... Marron was sure.

 

Onion brought one hand to his mouth, licking it liberally. That hand went between Marron's legs, touching somewhere deeper... the tips of fingers penetrated, trying to prepare. Marron gasped, his legs clenching around Onion's thighs, "Marron, are you... okay?"

 

"Y-yes... please, I... I don't know how much longer I... ohh... please..."

 

Marron's cry was desperate. His legs crossed against Onion's back, feeling his father's hard arousal so perilously close to his body... touching, not entering... not yet...

 

Marron pushed against Onion, wanting to feel it... "Please..."

 

Onion nodded, his eyes closed. "Yes..."

 

There was a moment's hesitation, the rain still fell outside. It seemed to have gotton heavier, even... it battered against the window in waves, and for a moment, that was the only sound in the room.

 

Then Marron's strangled cry as Onion thrust forward while retaining his tight hold on his son's hips. He'd tried to be as gentle as he could, but Marron's shoulders hit the headboard hit the wall, silence again.

 

"Oh god..."

 

Marron's whisper was like fire to Onion's ears. He didn't say anything, giving Marron a moment to adjust to that feeling, arching back, pushing again... Marron's skin was hot, his breath was warm on Onion's neck as he grabbed around Onion's chest, holding himself firmly against him... Marron's arms around Onion's chest, his legs around Onion's backside, pulling him down, tugging him deeper... Onion kissed Marron's neck again, such perverse delight came from and was within those gasps.

 

Onion's hands moved to around Marron's body, holding his shoulders from behind, trying to find some kind of point he could hold Marron from, hold him down and take him as he so silently begged... he wasn't letting go, though. Marron held his whole body against Onion tightly, Onion needed to trigger movement for there to be movement at all.

 

He put his hands to the headboard, to either side of Marron's head. His thrusts were less gentle than before, but if Marron minded, he didn't voice that feeling... the headboard hit against the wall with each inward thrust, that noise just another noise in the room. Marron's nervous gasps, Onion's deep moans... the rain, the thunder, the storm in general.

 

Storms meant to Marron the warm comfort of his family, whether it was his brother or his parents... storms had always meant that, but this storm signified something different... he was in his father's arms again, but this time, so different... his whole body seemed like it couldn't stop shaking, his hold on his father's body so desperate. His head went back to the crevice of Onion's neck, nuzzling against it fervently, wanting to give something back as he took it so eagerly.

 

His body rose and fell alongside Onion's. When Onion would half-pull out, his body fell back. At feeling Onion inside him once more, he'd gasp, his body would tense, throwing his body against Onion's, that movement, that symmetry repeated many times over.

 

The humidity caused both bodies to be covered with a sheen of moisture, but that wasn't the only source. Marron's skin felt like it burnt, even to Onion, who felt it again and again as his own thighs slipped between Marron's own. Marron's legs would spread a little wider for that, then clench again... neither could stop, neither wanted to stop. A vague voice in the back of Onion's mind told him that it'd stop eventually, the two of them would climax and it'd be over, but he ignored that voice. It'd continue for as long as the two of them wanted it to.

 

Marron pulled Onion's arms from the headboard back to around his body, wanting to feel the trapping embrace of someone again. His whisper was hoarse, his voice feeling tired from such guttural moans and cries being repeated so often.

 

"So-... so close..."

 

"Marron... ?"

 

Marron's head clenched to his shoulders then threw back as he gasped, "I'm so close... please... just for a little longer..."

 

Onion nodded, kissing Marron's skin with a little more brutality as he felt Marron close in so tightly around him...

 

The storm still raged outside as something raged inside the house also. The two no longer seemed to care about that which they'd cared about before; Onion's worry of hurting Marron had been replaced by a baser need; the need for his climax, the stimulation feeling so much stronger... Marron had worried about being too loud, but his mind seemed to keep blanking, half of the time he couldn't remember why he'd wanted to keep quiet, and the other he couldn't even remember that he'd wanted to keep quiet... his cries were long and passionate, Onion's groans were deep and passionate, hitting something deep within Marron that made Marron cry out, gasping, shuddering... his shuddering cries were maddening to Onion, he wanted Marron so badly, and at that moment, nothing could stop him. Marron hit continually against the headboard, but that didn't seem to matter to either of them. All that mattered was the shared burning within the both of them, within Onion, within Marron... the two moved faster, moving together, eventually climaxing together, Marron's cries the highest they'd ever been.

 

Onion's entire body tensed as he held Marron to him, thrusting the deepest he could manage as orgasm ripped itself through his body, from his body, to somewhere deep inside Marron. He felt Marron's hot come against his body, his stomach twisted as his moaned in such forbidden passion...

 

And the sound of the storm outside was the only sound once more. That, and frenzied breathing that rapidly tried to go back to what it once was.

 

The two of them said nothing, once orgasm faded from their minds, they were reminded of just how tired they really were, sleep overcatching them almost immediately. Marron slept underneath Onion, not minding, feeling unconsciously safe in his father's arms. Onion didn't hear as Marron whispered "Niisan" before he fell asleep... Marron himself might not have realised it either, but nonetheless, Carrot ran through Marron's dreams that night, all the more vividly for that which had just taken place.

 

****

 

That morning, the sun rose upon Mount St Hordic, looking over what was left of the storm of the night before. An old tree or two had fallen in that forest area a little away from the village, but that wasn't important. That could be stored and used for firewood, come winter.

 

The sun shone through the windows of the Glacé household.

 

Marron twitched, vaguely aware of light. Also aware of warmth, not just from the light. Sunlight... he opened his eyes, feeling a strange sense of wondering where he was and what he was doing there. The first thing he realised was Onion, more beside him than on top of him, but still...

 

On top of him...

 

Marron froze as he remembered what'd happened last night. That, and Carrot was standing next to the bed, his arms folded, a relaxed smirk on his face.

 

Marron just stared at him, his mind not quite wanting to work.

 

"... nii... san?"

 

"You don't change, do ya?"

 

Carrot walked over to the window, pulling the curtains as far open as they'd go.

 

"Jeez, just 'cause there was a storm last night... it's just like when we were kids!! You getting scared by a storm or a nightmare, and running off to them... isn't that a bit weird though? I mean... well, uh..."

 

Carrot held up Marron and Onion's nightshirts. Marron blushed deeply.

 

"Niisan... !"

 

"You might wanna get outta that bed before he does something weird, he looks a bit too happy, if you know what I mean. Still, it was really hot last night, a bit hot for nightshirts, maybe."

 

Marron relaxed fractionally. Carrot didn't suspect a thing.

 

At hearing conversation, Onion coaxed himself into awakening. His eyes opening, he quickly took stock of the situation. He felt vague worry at seeing Carrot there, but nothing would be gained from panic. He just smirked at Carrot.

 

"Oh, morning, idiot. Want to join us?"

 

"God no! So, what was it, did the storm scare him, or was it a nightmare? Whatever it was, for god's sake," Carrot threw the nightshirts at his brother and father. "Put some clothes on!"

 

Onion threw an arm around Marron's shoulders, prodding his cheek, a mischievous sound in his voice. "Oh, but Carrot, why should we do that? We're lovers now!"

 

Marron felt himself turn a deeper and deeper shade of red as time went on. Onion didn't just say that to Carrot, did he?

 

Carrot, however, didn't seem to believe Onion. Bait taken.

 

"Eeewwww, don't even JOKE about that!! Jesus, you've been hanging around Milphey-Yu too long, you sound just like him!! Ew... EW, I'm gonna have nightmares now!!"

 

Onion chuckled, a deep chuckle. Carrot leant against the wall, sighing with a smile at his blushing brother. "If you were scared, why didn't you just wake me up? Nothing to be embarrassed about, you didn't need to crawl into Mister Pervert's bed, I woulda held ya without acting all pervy about it!!"

 

"Says Master Pervert himself. Like father, like son, Carrot. You wouldn't mind having Marron sleep with you?"

 

"SHUT UP! Jeez, now I KNOW why we never come back here that often! But I'm just as capable of protecting Marron as you are, and I wouldn't grope him while he slept!! If you're gonna play at that game... Marron, come sleep with me tonight, see, I'll show HIM up!!"

 

Marron said nothing, blushing to his ears, not quite believing he was stuck between such a fight.

 

Onion smiled, prodding Marron again. "Awww, we've made him all nervous now. Sorry."

 

Carrot went over and sat on the edge of the bed, parting a little of Marron's hair from his face, trying to catch his line of sight. "Sorry, otouto. If I was creeping you out or anything. Him, he's an insatiable pervert, he can't help it."

 

"Like you can talk!"

Carrot pulled Marron's nightshirt on over Marron's head and tugged him from the bed, "Jeez, let's get out of here before he gets any more creepy!! Have a shower or something. C'mon!!"

 

Marron let himself be pulled away by Carrot, never ceasing to stare at Onion as he went. Onion's stare back was friendly, no animosity there... Marron mouthed 'Thank you' before he was pulled from the room.

 

Onion sighed as the door closed.

 

"You... weren't her, but still..."

 

He nodded.

 

"... same to you, Marron."

 

He stretched in bed, thinking about what Carrot'd said to Marron. Something about a shower... Onion wondered if that was 'I want a shower', 'You have a shower' or 'Let's have a shower'... Marron'd probably enjoy the last one, he thought.

 

Perhaps there was hope for his youngest son after all.

 

~Fin~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**
Author's Ranting
**

 

I blame lay the inspiration for this fic upon the shoulders of Vadalia, lol ^^. Actually, I started this fic last september/october time (not sure when, I just know it was one of the fics I used to write in geography lessons instead of doing any work, and that was at the start of year 11), but I got to "Hey, that's not what I meant" and then didn't write any more for like, six months ^^. Then Vadalia dedicated her MarronxOnion fic to me, and I was inspired, lol ^^. Maybe now I've written it I can let it rest now, lol. Sorry to Vachan if it's a bit similar to hers, but really, outside of "He looks like Apricot, I want him" and "He looks like Carrot, I want him"... "I miss Apricot/I want Carrot/let's angst/let's bonk", there's not too much to do with the pairing, is there? ^_^;. Can you tell I want to write OnionxMilphey now?

 

Anyway... originally, there was gonna be a whole long bit after this, this whole bit with Onion and Marron was gonna be the first bit, then there was gonna be Marronangst and eventual Gaterron, but… aaaa, I'll keep the plans to the side and maybe do them at a later date as a sequel or somesuch. Yep.

 

~Tabi~
*still proudly Morally Bankrupt*

*or as Nicola put it one time, Marronly Bonkrupt*

 

18th April 2003