Meliodas walked glumly around the garden as another three days had passed with no relief from the cold shoulder of his brother. At least he had Esta, although most of the time he was busy with missions.

Man.. I'm really bored. Maybe one of the maids will play with me? No, all of them are avoiding me too... what did I do wrong?

Staring at nothing in particular as the thoughts continued, the boy was shaken from them by the sound of footsteps shortly followed by Zeldris coming into view.

"B-Big brother! Um.. w-what are you doing here?"

Watching nervously as the other stared at him, the blond was shocked when the other kneeled down and handed the other a small sword fit perfectly for him.

"This should be about your size right? I think your old one was disposed of, so I figured I'd get you a newer one made to help you occupy yourself when Estarossa is on missions."

Zeldris had expected maybe a simple thank you, nothing more as years of his brother's cold gaze made memories of the boy's softer nature become dim. However the child looked at the small wooden blade as if it was pure gold itself.

Meliodas gently took the object and hugged it tightly, his mood so incredibly bright from just the one singular notion.

"Thank you Zeldy.. thank you so so much!"

The ravenette's eyes widened and his heart clenched painfully at the nickname said.

"You're um.. You're welcome."

He cleared his throat and prepared to walk away as emotions began to rise that he didn't want to.

So what he called me Zeldy? It's a nickname he always said around that age and it shouldn't change any sort of view I have for him. Since he likes the sword it should keep him preoccupied for awhile and I will be able to get more done. Works out for the both of us.

However as his stoic nature came back, Meliodas's glum mood did too as his bright smile faded fast at hearing the curt thank you.

"Um... D-Do you..."

The child mumbled the rest, making it unintelligible as Zeldris turned around to look at the boy.

"What was that?"

"I was just um... I j-just wanted to ask if you um..."

He was starting to get a little annoyed with his brother's roundabout way of asking whatever it was he wanted to ask, as he tried his best not to comment too harshly on it.

"What are you trying to ask me, Meliodas?"

The boy flinched when he called him by his name before looking shyly down to the ground.

"D-Do you want to play swords with me?"

Memories flashed through the ravenette's mind of the battles the two shared with much stronger weapons than that.

"Why are you doing this for them!? They're just humans!? Come back home Meliodas! It isn't too late! Just come back and you'll be pardoned! I'll make sure of it!"

"You just don't understand Zeldris! The humans will all DIE if we go through with this plan! They have lives! Families, people they love, just like us! I can't let that happen!"

"Damn it don't you know what you're doing!? If you go through with this you can NEVER come back! You'll be hunted down like a criminal and treated like a traitor! You won't be able to come home!"

There was silence for a moment as Zeldris's pleading eyes watched those of his brother, before a sad look covered Meliodas's face and his voice broke in his next words.

"I refuse to be a part in this carnage, and if that means I no longer have a home..... then so be it."

He rushed at the other with sword at the ready, every technique taught by his older brother used in the final battle between the two that wounded them both greatly, and ended with the demons sealed away for millenia.

"No. I'm... I'm sorry but I'm busy at the moment. Perhaps later. Just play by yourself for now. Use your imagination."

Walking away without turning back this time, he could practically feel the disappointment and sadness in Meliodas as he said a simple "Oh, okay.." in response. But he didn't allow himself to be swayed by it. He couldn't.

Because it was at this age, this time, that he began teaching the little one all of the techniques he knew, something the two bonded greatly over.

However it also cost them the war, and gave Meliodas exactly what he needed to leave, and win.

I won't let that happen again. If he wants to pretend and play by himself that's fine. But I'll never allow myself to teach him that skill. I won't make that mistake again.

Meliodas was absolutely crushed when Zeldris told him those harshly spoken cold words. And although he had every right to be after days of being ignored, the boy wasn't angry at all. Just very sad, and hurt.

He wanted to know what he could do to make Zeldris love him again, and he wanted to know what made him so angry with him to begin with.

What had he done? What could he do to fix it? Did his brother not like that he called him Zeldy? He seemed to get wide eyed when he did, maybe that was it. Or maybe he wasn't being polite enough with him, he got annoyed when Meliodas had a hard time asking what he wanted. He should be more polite, grownups usually find that kind of stuff important.

Okay, that was a start, but he still felt like there was something else, like he should say sorry even though he didn't know what he did.

So, getting an idea in his head as he looked at the quaint sword he had been given, his smile came back as he ran inside to get to work on his new idea.
_________________________________________

Estarossa was confused and a little alarmed when he didn't see Meliodas playing in the garden like he had the passed few days while the blond waited for him to come home. After all, he didn't like being away from Meliodas very long at all since it was a very experimental spell used on him and he was paranoid something would go wrong or the boy would remember something he shouldn't have.

However, after a few minutes of searching he found the little boy standing on a chair to get to their small little stash of art supplies.

Feeling relieved at the sight, Estarossa gently took him off of the chair before grabbing the box for him.

"Here you go Mel. What were you doing up there?"

"Oh thank you Esta! I'm sorry, I can't talk right now! I'm trying to make something for Zeldris right now. Byyye!"

He ran off with the box, more energy in him than Estarossa had seen in awhile, something that brought a smile to his own face.

I missed that energy..

Unexpected bonus chapter! Hope you guys like it! Let me know what you think will happen next. ;)

Word Count- 1195