Looking Mirror/Ignorance Isn't Bliss/Lost Children/--Persona AU

[Teesie]

Arish couldn't lie and say that the words that left the brunette's lips didn't effect him. To hear the word 'love' after so long was hard. Plus, it was coming from the one he had given his heart to. With a smile, the older man gave a cackle. "I missed you Erin. You have no freaking idea."Arish announced, hugging the other to his chest with a rub to the back. To finally be able to hold the brunette again was magical. The persona user could die happy at this moment.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

After forty minutes of traveling, Ruune and Isaan had finally made their way to Aheal's house, the white haired teen opening the door with a key. As he pushed the smaller male inside, Isaan gave a sigh, arms stretching above his head. "Eh. You should call her now and explain to her where you are. I don't want any trouble...but..if she comes here with any bad intentions I will kill her. I do not wish to see her...at all." The persona user commented, aware that Ruune was just as much as his as he was hers

.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Erin buried his face into the taller male's chest, holding his boyfriend closely. He was just as thrilled as Arish to have him back...he was never going to let go of the dark haired teen ever again.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Ruune nodded, pulling out an old flip phone from his pocket, dialing his aunt's number quickly. He also made a quick mental note to keep Isaan and Astaat far apart for a while...he knew the woman was going to get possessive and mad, and so would his twin. The younger sighed softly...sometimes he felt like the only one with a normal temperament in this family.

 

---Time Skip---(One Week Later)

 

Ruune shifted through boxes in his new house. Even after nearly two months of being in Tetrabeth he and Astaat were still too lazy to unpack their meager amount of things from their boxes. His Aunt was at work and it was the weekend, so he decided to take the time to look through things. He had invited Maria to come over and help him...something seemed on her mind lately. He would have invited Erin too, but he didn't want to disturb him and Arish just after they got back together.

 

Maria grunted and heaved up a box, "Where do ya want it, Cherub?" She called out, shifting the large box in her arms.

 

"What's the label say?" Was the silver haired teen's answer, as he rummaged through his things, pulling out a box full of paper cranes. He cracked a small smile...he tried that a thousand paper crane thing a while back; you make a thousand paper cranes and yours wish comes true. He started when he was ten, and nearly forgot about them after his mother got sick...he was always too busy. He looked them over...they were pretty shoddy...barely looked like cranes. Couldn't say he didn't try, though.

 

"Anya's...that's your mom, right?" The dark haired girl asked quickly, placing the box in front of the younger teen. To that the younger nodded, and stared at he box for a moment...should he open it? He was curious...maybe there would be something of his mother's he could keep for comfort in there...or some clue about the withheld letters.

 

Maria sighed and frown, watching as the other teen weighted option in his head, "Just open the Goddamn box, Ruu...we'll just tape it back up before your aunt gets home, and no one will be the wiser," She snapped with a roll of her eyes.

 

The small teen frowned at her...she was defiantly troubled about something. She was snappier than usual. "Something wrong, Maria?" He questioned, concern clear in his voice.

 

"Nothing!" She shouted, glaring at the other, who flinched, and sighed "Nothing...just...damn it...today's not a good day for me, okay...listen...I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone, so I'm gonna go home. How 'bout you invite that asshole you call a brother over or something..."

 

'Always just pushing others away...just admit it...you're scared they'll get hurt because of you...just like Daddy, and Rosa,' A familiar voice muttered in her head, causing the high tempered girl to growl.

 

"Shut the fuck up," She hissed under her breath, earning another concerned look from Ruune.

 

"Maria, really, do you want to-"

 

"No! I don't want to fucking talk about it! Fuck...I gotta go," She shouted, grabbing her coat from a near by chair, and stomping out the door. She headed out of her friend's house, grumbling under her breath...today was the first birthday she had spent separated from her twin, and she thought helping Ruu would get her mind off it...wrong.

 

Ruune sighed, and checked his social links real quick to make sure his relationship with Maria hadn't gotten reversed. He glanced at his link with his twin again for a second after disproving his feeling about his Strength Arcana, still right side up, and smiled a little. They got to three rather quickly...though, he couldn't seem to bring it up anymore...it almost seemed like he was stuck in place with Isaan. They've bonded over the shadow hunting in the past week, and getting to know each other again...but the rank just wouldn't go up...maybe it was because of the letters. This was just a source of endless frustration for the tiny teen. He hoped he hadn't reached the same roadblock with Maria. He shoved the little book back in his pocket, and pulled out his phone. Maybe he'd do what Maria said...it was obvious his best friend wanted to be left alone.

 

He typed a quick text to his twin.

 

You busy? Do you want to come over, our aunt's at work until eight tonight.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin picked at the food on his plate, biting his lip...the voice had gotten worse in his head, resulting in near constant headaches...he was also coming down with a cough, probably the same thing a what ever Emily had. He should probably talk to Arish about it, but the other seemed so stressed with his sister, and dealing with the brunette himself, so he didn't want to add more to that.

 

He coughed roughly into the bend of his elbow, wincing...that one really hurt. Damn...even though Arish's presence was helping he still felt like shit half the time, and now he physically felt like shit. He sighed, and leaned against his fist, pushing his food around with his fork, but not eating.

[Teesie]

Isaan strutted through his house, a frown on his face. The white haired teen was seriously pissed at his father for the moment. The man was acting as if he didn't know how to take care of himself. The white haired teen was in no position to be treated like a child. He was a pretty good fighter as far as his father knew, and a persona user; information Aheal was unaware of.

 

As he opened his mouth to talk back to the older man, his cellular phone rang, making the white haired teen stop his action before it began. With a roll of his chocolate eyes, he reached into his pocket, thinking that the caller was Arish. Yes the two had exchanged numbers due to being on the same team, it was mostly Hule's doing; the worst part was that the coaled eyes man had been calling him lately for relationship I formation. As if he was a love guru of some sort. When he noticed the number belonged to his brother, Isaan sighed as he placed it against his ear.

 

"Hello......... ...... Yeah sure. I will be right over Ruu." Hanging up the phone, glancing toward his father. "I'm going over Astaat's house, apparently she isn't home and Ruune is pretty bored. I'll see you later tonight." He announced, grabbing his coat and running out the door.

 

-X-

 

After forty five minutes the elder twin was standing before the woman's house after he gave a knock to the door. "Open the door Ruu." Isaan sighed, knocking once again.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish smiled sadly at Erin; he had been staring to his lover for the past ten minutes and the other didn't change one bit. The brunette looked utterly stressed and upset. This of course made him feel down as well. Reaching a hand over to touch his love, the dark haired man frowned slightly. "Something wrong?" Arish asked, seriously curious.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune opened the door, smiling up at his twin. He was glad that the white haired twin came by...it would be boring digging through all this stuff alone. "Hi, Isaan...," He looked over his brother for a second, and small worried frown appearing on his face, "You seem a little tense, are you feeling all right." Call Ruu a worry wart, but it was just how they tiny teen was, especially with his brother. Sighing, the younger lead Isaan inside, and brought him in the kitchen; he figured that maybe they could do with a snack of sorts.

 

As the silver haired persona user rummaged through the fridge, rummaging around for something for them to snack on, he called out, "How are you doing, big brother?" The younger gave out a frustrated sigh, getting up on his tip toes trying to reach something...sometimes he really hated being short.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

"I...I think I'm gettin'-" The younger teen coughed again, hastily covering his mouth with his hand as not to spread germs, "...sick..." He hated worrying Arish like this. The brunette rubbed his chest slightly, it felt heavy. He wondered if he had a temperature too.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Maria scowled, sitting on a park bench, staring at her reflection in the near by pond. Maybe if she smiled more and cute her hair she'd look more like Rosa. She couldn't help the tears the welled in her orange eyes, and drip down her cheeks...damn it. She shouldn't cry she had to be...she had be...

 

"Strong?" The voice called out, causing the girl's head to snap up fro her hands. As her gaze met the water she saw a twisted version of her self staring back at her.

 

"No...no fucking way," She muttered, eyes wide, "This is impossible...what the fuck are you?" She felt like a crazy woman...maybe she was going off the deep end...her fucking refection was talking to her.

 

"Simple...I'm you, Maria."

[Teesie]

Arish had noticed that, but he didn't think it was anything but a simple cold. With that the dark haired man stood, shifting his way to the fridge to grab an ice cube. Afterwards he pulled a towel from the kitchen rack stand folded it before placing the cube inside. Strolling back to his love, Arish smiled as he handed the towel out to the other. "Maybe it is a slight cold. Here, place this over your head. It a bit hot and maybe your coughs are worsening because of the heat. You should go lay down...I'll bring you a fan, push the windows up, and sit beside you to make sure you feel better." He spoke, leaning down to kiss the brunette's lips. Now he had two sickly people to deal with. Two people he wouldn't mind taking care of because he loved them.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

"I am fine, father just pissed me off a little. Nothing importance enough to talk about. So, usually you are left alone by yourself? Where the hell did Astaat go anyway?" He asked, standing to become as shadow of Ruune's as he reached around the other to grab a hold of the bag the shorter teen was reaching for.

 

"So did you call me over here for your entertainment or did you need my help with something?" The elder twin asked bluntly, going to sit once again in the chair he had lounged in after stepping through the door.

 

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Erin nodded slightly, shivering slightly as the cool cloth was pressed against his warm forehead. "'kay, love," He muttered, a little sleepy now that he thought about...maybe he should go lay down. He coughed roughly again, and reached his arms out in a distinct 'carry me' gesture. It was gesture pretty common between them before what happened, but now this was the first time he did something distinctly Erin in weeks; something that wasn't overly cautious and avoiding bodily contact. Maybe it was because he was sick, or maybe it was because being around Arish was making him come out of his shell again.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

"Yeah, normally...it's not nothing I'm not used to, I guess...mom had to work two jobs, so I was home alone a lot...it gets really lonely," The younger twin explained softly, rubbing the back of his neck, "Astaat has work..."

 

Ruune blushed and nodded his thanks to his twin, holding the bag of snacks in his hands. He pored the content in a bowl-don't ask him why the chips were in the fridge-and carried the bowl over to where his twin sitting. "Can't I just hang out with my twin brother," The silver haired twin joked, smiling shyly at the other, and added, "But I did ask you to come here because I've been unpacking and though it might be a good way to hang out...I guess."

 

After a few seconds later the younger quickly added, "You don't have to help if you don't want to...it's just...I though it'd be funner with a little company." The smaller of the two blushed and ducked his head, silvery bangs falling across his eyes for a second. He wondered why he always just got so flustered around Isaan...did other siblings do this?

 

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

"No...no, you can't be me...there's only one me, not fucking two!" Maria growled, glaring at the reflection darkly...she had to be going crazy!

 

'I am real...I am you, Maria...I am a part of you that you keep locked away. I am the part of you that wants to take care of others, let them close, and protect them. You lock me away because your scared...you couldn't protect Rosa, and now your afriad...afriad that you'll let other down. Ruune, Erin, even Arish and the asshole, Isaan. You care about all of them, and want to protect them, don't you? You're jelous of Ruune and Isaan because they have eachother...you're jelous of Arish and Erin because they both had someone who cares...you hate being alone, don't you...you're scared...scared without your big sister by your side to hold you, and comfort you when you cry."

 

Maria sobbed into her hands, everything that stupid thing said was true...she didn't want to be alone anymore...she wanted Rosa back. She was jealous, she was scared, and she was alone. She didn't want to let anyone down, so she didn't like letting people close. She wasn't as big and tough as she made herself out to be...she'd admit that.

 

'You're not alone...you have your friends...Ruune, he's your best friend, isn't he? He cares about you. And Rosa...she'd want to see you...us, happy...'

 

"You're right...Rosa...she would...," The dark haired student whispered softly, "And Ruune...he does care...he is my best friend...I...I maybe be a coward...hiding from myself all this time, but I want to protect my friends, and I can't do that keeping them at an arm's length, can I?" She wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed slightly.

 

The shadow smiled and nodded, 'Right...just learn to rely on others for once, all right?' And with that the shadow vanished from the pond, leaving behind only a simple reflection again. The orange eyed teen nodded slightly, a determination filling her heart...she was going to protect her friends in anyway she could.

 

"Thanks..."

[Teesie]

Isaan's brow raised, the white haired teen scoffing at the smaller male's reasoning for inviting him over. Ruune had to be the most adorable creature alive. Who called over one they cared for to help them unbox because he or she thinks it is a 'fun' way to bond. That was just strange for anybody; not that his silver haired twin and him was normal anyways. They both were persona users after all.

 

"I see. So I'm called to do labor work. For free. Nice Ruu." Isaan said, his voice lacking life as he rolled his eyes. The elder twin was only teasing, but he had to make it seem as real as possible. The other would surely get flustered and nervous, and it was always such a comical sight for the older brother.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish stared at the other for a while, smiling lightly as he waltzed to him. This was the first time, even since they had started dating again, that Erin was allowing him to hold him. The farthest the dark haired male had ever gotten was touching his hand and a simple ruffling of the brunette's hair, although both actions had to be done pretty fast.

 

The older teen wrapped his arms around the other. One hand lowering to hold Erin's ass, the other going for his upper back as he picked then smaller man up in a bridal style. The hand on the brunette's behind lowers now, holding at the bend of Erin's knees. Arish swiftly walked into his room, placing his lover onto his bed with a smile. "I hope you feel better love." The coal eyes man announced, leaving to return with a fan to plug up and turn on. "I love you."

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune blushed darkly at his twin, embarrassment clear on his face. "Y-you don't have to if you don't want to, you can just watch or...leave if you want to...sorry," The tiny teen stuttered out, keeping his head down in embarrassment. He didn't know why he always felt so flustered around his own twin. Was it because they've been separated for so long? Yes, that must be it! He hoped this occasional awkwardness would go away with time...maybe he was just scared Isaan's social link wold reverse again...who knows.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin almost panicked when he felt a hand on his ass, body immediately stiffening, but he soon relaxed a little when the hand shifted downwards. He still had to remind himself that this was Arish, not his step father. As he was carried he nuzzled his face into the other's neck, hands gripping the front of the other's shirt tightly.

 

He curled up in the bed, pulling the covers over his body as a sudden shiver traveled across him. The brunette yawned tiredly, though he winced slightly when his head started to hurt again. He did manage to mutter a soft, "Love you too...," He bit his lip before adding, "Love...will you lay down with me?" He coughed roughly again, wincing at the soreness of his throat now.

[Teesie]

The dark haired boy hesitated, before glancing out the room and back to the brunette. With a sigh, he leaned over and kissed the smaller's forehead. "Sorry babe, I can't afford to. My sister is needing my assistance. I'll be back later....that's if you don't mind." He spoke, smiling to the brunettes before combing a finger through his hair to stand. He just hoped the other would be ok.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

With a smirk, Isaan shook his head and glanced at the bowl his brother placed before him. "I'm kidding Ruune. No worried. I have nothing else to do so I suppose helping you wouldn't be too hard." Taking a chip and placing it into his mouth with a scoff.

 

"Hm, maybe you can fix me something to go with these. A sandwich or something....haven't had breakfast in a while." He commented, knowing that Ruune would most likely fix him something. To be exact, he had never time Isaan 'no' before, not even when he was a kid.

 

"Ruune...can I ask....why are you sucha'.... Weaklin'. Not dat you are weak physicslly, but.....mentally...spiritually. I kno' that you'll blame this all on me and father, but in all honesty.....it's not our fault. It's yours as well... Ya' let it get ta' ya'. How do you think I feel that mom hardly paid me any attention...but I don' hol' it against her. I still loved her...jus' as you did. Look....I am not tryin' to hurtcha' feelin's or none, but....im jus' curious."

 

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune sighed in relief, and smiled a little...he really needed to stop taking everything Isaan said seriously. It was kind of a hard thing to do considering that the elder twin almost always sounded so serious about everything.

 

"Hm, maybe you can fix me something to go with these. A sandwich or something....haven't had breakfast in a while."

 

"Sure...," The smaller answered, a little bit more cheery. He grabbed some bread from the bread box, and took some leftover barbecue chicken from the fridge. He shredded the chicken and put on the bread with a little extra barbecue sauce and some lettuce. He finished the sandwich and was starting to put away the ingredients when his brother began to speak again.

 

"Ruune...can I ask....why are you sucha'.... Weaklin'. Not dat you are weak physicslly, but.....mentally...spiritually. I kno' that you'll blame this all on me and father, but in all honesty.....it's not our fault. It's yours as well... Ya' let it get ta' ya'. How do you think I feel that mom hardly paid me any attention...but I don' hol' it against her. I still loved her...jus' as you did. Look....I am not tryin' to hurtcha' feelin's or none, but....im jus' curious."

 

The silver haired teen looked at his twin for a second and sighed. "I don't really blame anything on you or father...I mean...I may have when I was younger, but I kind of consider it all water under the bridge. I may have 'let it get to me'," He paused here to do air quotes, "But it doesn't necessarily mean it's my fault either...I didn't ask for the low self esteem I have. Isaan, insults may roll off your back like water, but I used to take them very personally...it hurt as much as a punch to the face to me. When mom and I moved I was targeted by complete strangers and laughed at and teased everyday...it hurt for a while...until I learned how to take care of myself, and that their opinion on who I am didn't matter. I'm used to being laughed at, called weak, or girly, or a 'fagot', or any of those slurs people use these days, and personally, from complete strangers, it's no skin off my back anymore."

 

Ruu placed the plate with the sandwich in front of the elder twin, and continued, "I don't care about complete strangers, and it affects how I act around them...but I actually care about the opinions of people I care about. I care about what you have to say about me, I care what father has to say about me, Astaat, Erin, Maria, even Arish, I care about what all of them have to say about me. I was scared to see you and father for the first time here in Tetrabeth mostly because I was scared of what you two would think about me...if either of you still cared about me," He sighed and shook his head slightly and sat down next to his brother, "...I keep feeling like I'm going to screw up our relationship again...that's why I'm so nervous around you lately...but I guess why I could be considered weak would be that because I care about the people I love's opinion, and am afraid they'll leave me..." That was probably the most the younger had ever had to say to someone, and it was Isaan who he was saying it too so it was a bit nerve racking in itself. The silver haired teen wrung his hands slightly, and bit his lip, looking down at his lap. True to his words, Ruune was afraid of what Isaan might say.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin just nodded and curled up more underneath the covers. His head hurt so bad, and so did his throat...maybe Arish was afraid of catching something? Maybe the brunette shouldn't be so jealous...he knew the older teen had his sister to take care of too.

 

'Like he'd want you...stop making excuses for him...all he wants from you is sex, and then he'll just throw you away once he's done...just like him...' The vioce hissed in his ear, voice echoy and less human than when it first started coming around. Erin shivered and curled into a tighter ball, covering his ears.

 

"No he doesn't...shut up...," He muttered, hoping the other was all ready out of the room or the green eyed teen would look like a crazy person. His headache increased, causing him to since slightly.

[Teesie]

Isaan could tell that the other was anticipating his reply. It was cute, although it could be a mistake as well. For Ruune to hang on to every word he spoke could give him quite the power to hold into his hands. The white haired teen knew that if he wanted to break Ruune, he could. That was no surprise through, the smaller male had always been weak to him even before the divorce. That was partially the reason Ruune tagged along with him everywhere he went. Even tried training because he did. The silver haired teen use to be so clingy, and although that changed, Isaan could tell that Ruu held back most his feelings from fear. It wouldn't take much to have the younger twin as he clingy little brother once more.

 

"I see. I'm not sayin' dat' you are as strong as me. Ya' never was and neva'r will be. I....was jus' tryin' to inform ya' dat' me and father can't always be tha' blame. I understand how hurt you felt at times. You were my brother after all, but....I was a kid myself. I helped in tha' best way dat' I could. I'm sorry about tha' divorce and if I cou'd change it.....I wou'd. Oh well, the past is the past I su'pose" Glancing away from the other as he reached and took a bite out of the sandwich before him, to throw a chip in afterwards.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish glanced back to the other with a frown. Erin had told him that his sister didn't need his help and to shut up. Maybe he had heard wrong but he was positive the other said 'No (s)he doesn't...shut up."

 

"Erin...what's wrong with you? You know my sister is more sickly than you are and I need to attend to her. I said I'd come back later and that I'm sorry, but...I won't apologize for looking after her. I'm all she has left. There may be nothing I can do to save her, but there is plenty I can do to help ease the pain. I love you, but....I love my sister as well. I'll be back....I promise." Once again turning to leave the room.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

"I see. I'm not sayin' dat' you are as strong as me. Ya' never was and neva'r will be. I....was jus' tryin' to inform ya' dat' me and father can't always be tha' blame. I understand how hurt you felt at times. You were my brother after all, but....I was a kid myself. I helped in tha' best way dat' I could. I'm sorry about tha' divorce and if I cou'd change it.....I wou'd. Oh well, the past is the past I su'pose"

 

Ruune nodded and smiled...though he did think his twin's first comment sounded really conceded, but he'd hold off on that opinion. He knew the elder twin had a huge ego, and there was nothing he could really do about that. The silver haired brother also felt a little underestimated, but, again, he'd hold back on that opinion.

 

The younger shifted slightly in his seat, and then spoke up again, "Speaking of the past...I found a box of mom's...I don't know if I should open it...what do you think Isaan?"

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin didn't mean that at all...he wasn't even talking to Arish. Now he felt horrible...he couldn't do anything right, could he?

 

'Aw...poor you~,' The voice purred, 'Poor Erin...no one wants you, do they?' Erin coughed harder and pulled the cover over his head, shivering rapidly now. He was a bad person and going absolutely insane.

[Teesie]

Isaan listened to the other before shrugging. If it was a box of their mother's, then they have the right to open it regardless of what her sister had to say. "Well, I say she is our mother so why the hell not. Did Astaat tell ya' not to? She's jus' a siblings so she can't rea'ly prevent us from opening it if we wanna. Here, lemme see it." Taking another bite out of his sandwich before standing to follow his twin's lead.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish had left Erin over and hour ago, now slowly kissing his sister's forehead before sluggishly waltzing back to the brunette's current room. The dark haired teen was sort of exhausted, therefore he wanted a place to lay; and since his lover was in his bed, he guessed the other wouldn't mind if he joined.

 

Pushing the comforters back, he crawled in beside the other; his hand snaking around the smaller waist to hold.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune nodded and got up, taking the other's hand to lead him to the box. He guessed the elder twin was right, the both did have right to know, but his still felt like he was violating his mother's privacy. She'd want them to know, though...wont she? Maybe there were some small things in there they could take as mementos from her, and keep on them to remember her. Surely, she'd want them to have that at least.

 

The younger knelt down, and, using a near by pocket knife, sliced open the tape on the box. He pealed back the flaps, and shifted through the contents for a moment, coming across a few old photo albums. He blew the dust off one, and looked through it; it seemed to be a photo album for their mother and father's wedding. Ruu smiled sadly...they looked so happy then...he wished that happiness could have lasted. The other one seemed to be Isaan and Ruune's baby book. "Look it, Isaan," He grinned, pointing to a picture of them as newborns in their mother's arms, "We were so tiny." Twins were normally a little premature when born, so it was no surprise that they were smaller than normal when first born, though Isaan still looked a little bigger than Ruune in the picture.

 

Due to the younger be so adsorbed in the album, he didn't notice a shoe box at the bottom of the box. It looked slightly out of place in a box with photo albums and a jewelry box, and was tied closed tightly with a heavily knotted string. Also, near the box seemed to be a diary of sorts, though the clasp that would keep it locked was broken.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin stiffened, in his half asleep and in pained state, as an arm snaked around his waist. His eyes snapped open, and he was relived to see Arish in the bed beside him, and not anyone else. The younger bit his lip and buried his face in the other's chest. He needed to talk with the other but he seemed tired, so the brunette kept quiet...he'd tell him later.

[Teesie]

Isaan peered past the small photo booklet his brother was holding; the silver haired twin awed over their small baby pictures. With a hum, the elder twin reached into the box to pull out the diary, flipping past a few pages to settle in the middle.

 

20/2/56

 

Dear diary,

 

This diary doesn't belong to me, but I thought I would write in it anyways. Me and my sister has been going through a lot after the divorce. Of course, Ruune is taking it hard and is missing his brother quite a lot. I take the little brat off my sister hands at times since she is quite sickly. I think it is just depression. She's told me of these weird dreams she's been having and it scares me to leave my nephew with her at some moments. Lately, Isaan hasn't been getting in contact with Ruune, who writes him every week to expect a return of letter. Of course the kid cried every time he runs to the mailbox to recive a letter that just doesn't come. His little smile turns upside down and I be the one to comfort him. So sad.

Astaat

 

25/2/56

 

Dear diary,

 

Finally after two months a five page letter from Isaan arrive. Of course Ruune has long then stopped writing the other, 'posing that Isaan no longer loved him nor cared for him. To keep from breaking his heart...me and my sister hide the letters from him. There is no need to get the boys hopes up for them to crash again once Isaan suddenly stop sending letters. I wanted to burn the note, but Anya insist we keep them, because she too misses her son. Oh well, guess there is nothing I can do.

 

Astaat

 

07/3/56

 

Dear diary,

 

The letters just continue to come. We refuse to let Ruune see any of them. Soon the little jerk will stop writing. I don't even see how Anya still loves the kid. He's a worthless son of a bastards.

 

Astaat

 

Isaan stared to the journal entries written by his aunt and shook his head. So this was what happened all along. What a worthless woman, let alone his mother.

 

"You should read this." Throwing the picture book that was in his brother's hand and shoving the diary into his chest. "What a nice home you were brought up in." The elder twin scoffed, rolling his chocolate orbs.

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune took the diary with mild curiosity, wondering what got his twin so riled up. Pale green eyes scanned over the pages, the young teen's expression getting more and more shocked with each sentence read. The younger twin's fingers trembled, and he didn't know what to think...his mind seemed to shut down with this new information. Tears gathered in his eyes, and the diary fell from pale fingers.

 

The silver haired twin then proceeded to have a mental breakdown...he just couldn't believe this! Why would his own mother and aunt do this to him! They knew how much Isaan meant to him! How could they!? They were twins too! How unfair they got to be together, and Ruu was denied contact with his own twin brother! Tears dripped down his cheeks and he just couldn't stop trembling...his chest was beginning to feel tight, and he was having a horrible time catching his breath. He just couldn't process it properly...he had been lied to so badly...and it hurt, hurt so bad. He felt like tossing the box away, but couldn't find the strength to. He was beginning to feel lightheaded, and he just could not stop shaking...the sense of betrayal ran deep.

[Teesie]

Isaan watched his brother with a studying expression. Ruune seemed as if he was beyond hurt. If the white haired teen had to guess, he would say the scar ran deeper in the smaller male than it ever would in him. That was something he was use to by now. Ruune had always been the one to take things more seriously than he had. Isaan's point of view was that the betrayal had already happened, so why be hurt by it. Sure it had distanced them for so long, but now they were back together.

 

"Ruune...calm the fuck down. It'll be ok. Breathe wou'd ya'." The elder teen informed, his hand going forth to take a hold of the other's cheek so that he could force the panicing twin to face him. "Brat, it's fine. I kno' dat ya' feel hurt but dat does nothin' fa' you. Control your emotions Ruu...I kno' not that' first thing 'bout help in' you. Panic attacks aren't rea'ly my thing." A brow raised as he leaned forward to place his forehead onto his twins, chocolate orbs staring into pale green ones.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

When their foreheads pressed together Ruune moved closer to his twin, and wrapped his arms around the elder brother's waist. If he could explain how to calm him down he would, but Ruu's head wasn't working right...he hoped that Isaan would get the idea, and just hold him for a little bit. The white haired persona user used to keep the younger calm when their parents fought, so he hoped the other would draw from that and just hold him for a bit.

 

The silver haired teen buried his face into Isaan's shoulder and tried to control his breathing, though it was harder than one would it would be. His heart's beat was also crazy, and he felt like he was going to faint...this was bad...he needed to calm down, and needed to calm down now, but he just couldn't control it like he usual could...this was just too much for him to handle on his own.

 

ooOOooOOoo

 

Erin shifted and tossed and turned in bed, mind caught in a nightmare...more like a memory. He whimpered and cried out in his sleep, "Stop! Hurts...stop..." These nightmares were frequent events for Erin, but while he was having them they felt every inch as real as they were when they actually happened. That combined with the fever he was sporting made things just that much worse.

[Teesie]

Isaan wasn't at all surprised at the younger male as he wrapped his arm around him. Ruune was betrayed, and he knew that the silver haired teen needed comfort or he'd drown in a world of sorrow.

 

With barely an exhale, the eldest twin trapped Ruune body between his chest and arms, whispering to the other. "I kno' ya' feel betrayed Ruune, but...there is no need ta' be so upset. I at leas' kno' it wasn't your fault dat we were not in touch. At leas' ya' shou'd be happy fa' dat' right?" Isaan asked, gently pushing the other away so that he could study his expression. A new feeling was developed. Finally the grudge the white haired teen had been holding, had disappeared.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish gave a frown at his lover, eyes opening to stare to the brunette. Seemed his boyfriend was having quite the nightmare. With a smile, the dark haired man placed his hand upon the other's waist, shaking him to have him wake. "Babe, get up. You're having a nightmare and I know how terrible those can be." He teased, leaning closer to lightly kiss the smaller male's lips.

 

Arish

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune nearly clasped in his brother's tight grip, slightly surprised the other was hugging him back, and whispering comforting words in his ear. He knew Isaan these days wasn't much for affection like this, or comforting...but this meant a lot to Ruune and when he was pushed back a little he looked into his twin's chocolate eyes with tears still dripping down his own cheeks. What Isaan was saying was true...he could find some good in this, though he would have to speak with his Aunt later...but he and Isaan...they could move forward again without this blocking the way.

 

The silver haired twin nodded, and attempted to smile at the other, feeling the familiar warmth of the rank of the Social Link advance. "Th-thank you," He whispered softly, feeling another odder warm feeling bloom in his chest that he couldn't quite place, but it felt a bit...more. That was all he could describe it as...a bit more.

 

ooOOooOOooOOoo

 

Erin was startled awake, eyes blown wide with fear, and breathing shaky. Sobbing, the brunette buried his face into his boyfriend's chest, shaking like a leaf. "H-he...he just wouldn't st-stop...," Erin sobbed out weakly, babbling now, "It hurt...it hurt so...so bad..." He clung to Arish, afraid the other would push him away or be mad at him...he didn't like letting the dark haired teen see him like this.

[Teesie]

Isaan nodded, gently pushing his brother away again, before once again averting his attention to the diary. "Seems like it wus' ma's. I wond'r, since tha' two didn't throw my shit away, where that' hell cou'd it be?" Briefly guiding his chocolate orbs to his twin brother, before reaching into the box. After tossing a few things around, he picked up the shoe box and placed it onto the floor.

 

"Dat's rea'ly fucked up Ruune. I li'erlly write you fa' like half a year jus' to receive a letter back. Dat's rea'ly fucked up." Isaan complained, feeling betrayed himself. Especially by the woman he loved so much; Anya.

 

Grasping the top on the shoe box, he opened it to close his chocolate eyes and push it toward the smaller teen. Yep, there was the letters. They looked damaged, possible unreadable. What a waste. "Wow, from so long ago. They've gotten wet and dirtied. I doubt ya' cou'd read any. Like ya' need to anyways it's useless. Doesn't matta' anymore." Once again taking a hold of the shoe box, but slinging the contents out of it, which scattered the whole room.

 

"What is it we shou'd do next?"

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish stared at his lover before gently placing a kiss amongst his forehead. "Babe calm down. What is hurting you? What is wrong?" The dark haired teen asked generally concerned. With studying his lovers face, Arish frowned. "Babe, something isn't right. You've been....acting like my sister lately. The cold, the never ending weakness. Babe?" Tears gathering in his eyes as he placed a hand upon the smaller's forehead. "If you've caught that disease...I don't know what I'll do. I'm losing my sister already...I don't want to lose you too."

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune couldn't help the small frown that tugged on his lips as the elder twin swung the contents of the shoe box around the room; the smaller of the two would be stuck cleaning that up later. Ruu, after wiping his eyes again, picked up a scattered letter and shrugged. Isaan was right, he couldn't even make heads or tails of what it said.

 

"What is it we shou'd do next?"

 

The smaller twin looked up, putting the letter back in the box, and shrugged again. "I...I'm not sure...we could go in the living room and talk or something...or we could go somewhere," Ruune suggested, though his voice was a bit dull, "You choose, alright?" Ruu was still feeling a bit depressed from the resent information...he couldn't believe he trusted them, that he believed every word they said, and it had all been lies...just lies; it was a lot to take in.

 

ooOOooOOooOOoo

 

"Babe calm down. What is hurting you? What is wrong?"

 

"Him!" The brunette nearly shouted, hoping the other would get it...he couldn't even utter that man's name, hell, he couldn't even force the words step-father from his lips. The younger sniffled again, body still trembling heavily, a rough and painful cough forcing its way past his lips.

 

'Oh, such a fragile little boy. You've always been like that, haven't you? But you always put on such a tough face, you wanted to be like your uncle, didn't you? Coyote...but he's dead now, isn't he? And your friend Alex...you left him on the outside too...all dead?' The voice cackled manically in the green eyed boy's ear, causing him to tremble harder. The room seemed to get darker, and the desk light that was left on flickered. The voice never did that before, and now he was getting scared.

 

Erin whimpered, and muttered to Arish weakly, "Make it stop..." His head was pounding, and he thought he was finally going crazy, because in the mirror propped up across from the bed a strange version of himself was staring back at him, sickly yellow eyes boring into his, and fist banging against the glass. All the darkness in the room seemed to congregate there.

 

'Why wont you just accept me yet!' The reflection seemed to scream, a small crack appearing in the mirror and a black, goopy substance seemed to drip down from the crack. Erin sobbed and hid his face into Arish's chest, not sure if this was all in his head or really happening; Either way, he was terrifying.

[Teesie]

Isaan rolled his eyes, standing to shake his wrist which he felt a pain in. With chocolate orbs watching the other pick up the letters, the white haired teen opened his mouth to speak. "I don't care where we go. Maybe you'd like ta' jus' have a walk. Plus, leave dat' shit there on the floor. I see no reason in collecting worthless values." The eldest spoke, turning around to exit the room. Yes, a walk was a much needed factor at the moment. It would help clear his mind.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

With the flickering lights, and a scream or whimper from his boyfriend, Arish was pretty much at his limit. He wasn't able to handle this, not at all. Something was seriously wrong with his lover and it seemed the situation was out of his hands. Even though the two was together once again, Arish could feel the distance between them. A distance he wished wasn't there.

 

When coal eyes darted over to see the cracking in the mirror, the dark haired man closed his eyes and gave a sigh. "Whatever you are going through Erin you have to deal with it head on. Tell me what is wrong with you. There is obviously something going on. I want....no, I need to know." Forcing the brunette to stare into his eyes. Arish was able to tell whenever the younger male was lying to him this way.

 

[Guest cheshireArtist]

Ruune sighed and nodded in reply...why clean something up that his Aunt should? This was her and his mother's fault anyways, and a walk sounded good right about now. The smaller went to his twin's side, and grabbed the other's hand. "Yeah," He muttered with a tired smile, "A walk sounds wonderful...you lead the way."

 

ooOOooOOooOOoo

 

More banging and the sound of cracking glass filled the room for Erin, 'Can't escape me forever! I am you!' The dark reflection screamed out again, sounding angry now. More black slug leaked down from the now numerous crack in the mirror, dripping to the floor. The lights finally flickered out, painting the room in pitch black, though the mirror seemed to glow with it's own eerie light.

 

The smaller male shook his head rapidly, the voice's screaming drowning out Arish for the most part. "No, no, no!" Erin yelled out in hysterics, "YOU'RE NOT ME!" The sound of shattering glass was all that filled the room, the mirror broke, the shadow was free.

 

Out from the black hole that was now the frame of the mirror stepped out a strange version of Erin. This version of Erin was bruised and bloody, clothing torn away in places, and had talon-like fingers, fangs, and solid yellow eyes...he looked like a monster...a freak. The dark reflection just grinned when Erin screamed.

[Teesie]

Isaan opened the door for his younger, twin brother. When the smaller male exited, the white haired teen did also, closing the door behind him. The persona user couldn't believe of the facts that he and his brother had found out. For their mother and aunt to place a distance between them was a factor neither of them would have even thought of. That was seriously a surprise. There was always something about Astaat that Isaan hated, even when younger. That woman was a demon spawn.

 

"So what do you suppose mother's reason was? You do have an excuse for her....right?" Glancing to Ruune from the corner of his eye. He remembered the silver haired teen always made an excuse for things when younger. Isaan knew it was in the boy's best intentions. To make everything better, but what could possible be said to lighten the mood. When younger it worked, it always made the elder twin feel better about a problem in life. Isaan came to believe that he relied in his brother as much as the other relied on him, except in a different way.

 

xXxxXxxxXxxxXxxXxxxXx

 

Arish stared to his lover with wide eyes. With a scream the mirror shattered, having the dark haired man wrap the smaller male in his arms. Glancing up, the coal eyes widened as he witnessed a disfigured shadow standing in an upright position. This wasn't good. He needed to contact Ruune and isaan; quickly.