Estarossa was silent as the group whispered and talked among themselves. Even though his nerves were on edge as they did so.

After all, his brother's fate was going to be determined by this discussion.

"Do you know if he's remembered anything yet? Or how long he's been in contact with his brothers?"

He shook his head at Monspeet, wishing he could have a better answer.

"No. Although he knows we've been lying to him, it's hard to gague if he knows that from the sins telling him or his own memory coming back."

Another moment of silence as Monspeet thought.

"Well, either way the sins are a problem. The fact that they were able to get into contact to begin with is an alarming issue. They need to be irradiated."

"I agree, however where we currently stand things are still going to be set into motion for Meliodas if we do that. He's already grown attached whether he remembers or not, as soon as he's strong enough, he's going to leave and start a new resistance."

Gloxina was the one who spoke next.  He was suprisingly calm about the issue even though he had been close friends with Meliodas when the two were younger.

Although Estarossa was more focused on the comment itself. It was raising the issue that Meliodas was a threat. And even though that was true based on what was happening... the Commandment didn't want to face the potential consequence of that.

"Can't we just do the spell again? Send him back to before he got all defiant? If we pair that with slaughtering those pathetic sins that influenced him, things should work out nicely."

Galand had a more optimistic view it seemed, hardly bothered by the matter at hand. Although unfortunately, Estarossa himself would have to be the one to counter that point.

"It was already a risk the first time we used that spell. It took a combined effort from all of us, which alone created a new type of magic to be used. If we use it on him again, there could be complications."

"Yeah but what's the alternative, kill Meliodas? As it stands, he is repeating the past. Once we deal with the sins, his actions won't change. Galand is right, our only choice is to change the boy back."

"But to what age Gloxina? If we make him any younger his new body won't be able to handle the affects of the spell. That's why we did it at the age his magic formed in."

"Well, why not back to a couple weeks after we first did the spell? That's- what- two months back?"

Estarossa stayed quiet as the rest began talking amongst themselves once more. Mainly because either way this went, it would cause worry for his little brother. If they used the spell again like they were discussing, no one would know the possible harm that could do. Both physically and mentally to their former ally. But... the alternative was an execution. Something he had just managed to convince his father wasn't necessary.

Closing his eyes in grief, he didn't open them even as the conclusion was made, already knowing how taxing such a thing would be.

_________________________________________

Zeldris was absolutely crushed. Those last words repeating in his head again and again. "I HATE YOU!"

Everything he had feared was happening right before his very eyes, while he was left to do nothing but watch. His little brother, the boy who had melted his heart all over again. The child who made him smile. The one he had vowed to protect. He was looking at him with that same disdain once more.

Those same hardened, angry, defiant, emerald eyes were back to haunt him.

Zeldris had felt so much agony flood him when Meliodas had pushed him away to run off, and even more that night as he repeated the conversation over and over again.

Last time when this had happened, the ravenette had drowned himself in his work. The only time he'd allow his brain to think on the betrayel of his sibling, was when his dreams forced him to. But now, he was experiencing a stark contrast.

The entire day, as he tried his best to focus on work or his daily duties, everything repeated over and over and over again as he tried to think of what he could've done differently.

Should he have kept a closer eye on his younger brother? Had the first week of their relationship caused the rift that made such anger form in the little boy?

Did Zeldris fail again? Was he going to lose his brother all over again?

Had he already?

Just like before.

The demon was shaking as he walked through the halls. He didn't know what to do, he couldn't lose everything again. Things had finally gotten back to normal. They had finally been a family after years of being apart.

And it wasn't until Mel came back into his life again that he realized how deeply he had wanted that.

Was it all just going to vanish in a flash? Even if they did wipe out the infernal scum that seem to have caused this, Meliodas was still angry. He didn't understand why they had to lie to him. For purgatory sake, it had been awhile before Zeldris himself was okay with it. He still wasn't entirely as guilt would come back from time to time. But overall he knew it was the only way he could have this second chance again.

If he could just make Meliodas understand. Who knows what he had been told by the sins, and with whatever stories those were on top of the hurt caused by finding out his brothers were lying to him? Of course he'd be upset. So... should Zeldris try to talk to him or let him be?

No. That's what I did last time. He started acting different after he went missing during the holy war. I left him alone to sort through things by himself. I'm not going to make the same mistake. This time I'll talk to him. No yelling, no anger, just an honest conversation to tell him why we had to do this.

Making up his mind, Zeldris changed his trajectory from his own room to that of his little brother. Although, there was quite a bit of hesitancy as he prepared himself.

Tears, anger, absolute meltdown, all of this was within the realm of expectation as the demon knocked on the door. He even expected to be ignored, forced to open the door on his own against his younger sibling's wishes.

However what he hadn't prepared himself for was the door to open nearly immediately, with the little blond rubbing his eyes on the other side.

He's probably been crying. But... he opened the door. That's a start.

Zeldris kept his voice soft and gentle as he spoke, a little bit of regret making its way into it as well.

"Hey Mel, do you... think we can talk?"

The small child nodded, opening the door fully to let the elder in.

Well, he's being more cooperative than I expected. Maybe this will go well.

The two brothers went over to the small bed for Meli quietly as the ravenette sad down stiffly.

He was even more on edge now with how different the blond's reactions were to what he was expecting. But still he forced himself to speak, hoping this would go well too as he tensed in preparation for if it didn't.

"Meliodas.. I- I know this is hard on you. You don't understand why this needs to happen or why we've had to... do the things we have for you. But- if you could just sit and listen for a few minutes, I promise I'll explain to the best of my ability. Something that'll- that'll maybe make this a bit easier for you to process."

The boy didn't respond, but he was looking at his brother, which made Zeldris at least feel he was being more receptive than before.

"I... I know that you think the sins are your friends, and I know you're probably very angry that we've had to do what we have. But... Mel, I lost you awhile back. I can't risk losing you again. I never liked lying to you, but it gave us a second chance. We got to be a family again. I'm sure you're still very angry and upset with me, and if you want to talk about that, I'm here to listen. And to answer any questions you have. Just know before you speak, that i have and always will love you Meliodas. Youre my little brother, and any mistakes on either side won't change that."

The boy rubbed his eyes again, taking a second before he said anything as he looked up once more. His emerald eyes soft and, looking a little confused.

"Zeldy, I love you too. But I'm kinda confused. What are you talking about? And...."

He trailed off before scooting to face his sibling a bit more directly.

"Who are the sins?"

This doesn't hold up as well as the others but I'm doing my best and will continue to write!

Word count 1547