Idea given by Liza01104. (:

"Estaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

The man in question turned around at the drawn out call of his nickname to see a certain little boy with blond hair and tiny legs run up to him as if it was the most urgent thing in the world.

"Yes Meli? What's wrong?"

"Me and Zeldy made cookies and ate some and I saved a few for you so you could eat some too!"

There was such a proud, excited, little sparkle in the child's eyes as he held out three chocolate chip cookies to the other. An action that made the man's heart just absolutely melt in a blend of nostalgia and adoration.

It was so precious to see Meliodas so proud of himself and desperate to share it with the man that taught him how to bake.

So, not one to deny his little brother, Estarossa took the treats offered and bit one of them, making sure to exaggerate his reaction to really make Meli feel good about his baking.

"Wow, you know, I think this is the best cookie I've ever had."

A little happy smile came onto the blond's face as he hugged Esta.

"I know you're just saying that to make me feel good, but you didn't spit it out and I appreciate you putting in the effort. So thank you big brother."

Hahaha, he always was too smart for his own good.

"So where are you going Esta?"

"I just have a few errands to run. Nothing too big. I appreciate the treat though, I'll eat the other two later."

Patting the blond on the head, the much older demon started walking once more, his previous kind smile now a neutral, quite serious, expression.

Mainly because he was off to report to the commandments about how little Mel was doing so far. Something that always made him slightly anxious, even if the child was doing great.

Because all it would take is two or more of the commandments saying they wanted to go back on this experiment... and his little brother would be executed like previously planned.
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Meliodas thought nothing of his eldest brother's leave of absence. Before it upset him since he ended up incredibly bored and without someone to play with, but now he had Zeldy! Well, as long as he wasn't busy that was..

Suddenly feeling a bit shy after arriving at the wooden door, the tiny child knocked quietly, hoping not to disturb since the two had already spent the morning together and he didn't want to be a bother.

Luckily though, Mel detected no annoyance in the voice that responded in the usual 'come in'.

Doing as said, the boy walked in to find his brother not at his desk with papers, but instead cleaning an old sword of his.

Oh! He's not working. Did he take the day off today?

"Hi Zeldy!"

The man gave a small smile at the bubbly greeting before setting the sword and cloth he was using to clean it aside.

"Hey Mel. Any particular reason you wanted to way hi?"

Suddenly the nerves from before were back as the blond's heartbeat started to grow too loud for him to think properly as the noise pounded in his head.

The two were fine now, and Zeldris wasn't the least bit annoyed or angry in his actions, so Meliodas shouldn't be nervous, right?

But the sting of being rejected and pushed away came back into his mind as he tried to ask his simple request. It had hurt so much seeing his big brother brush him off when he asked to play swords. He didn't want to feel that way again. Especially not after they had finally bonded. Maybe he was being too clingy? What if he made Zeldris upset by asking so soon after they had last spent time together?

"I um... I-I... it's um... it's nothing, I'll just lea- OW!"

He had whipped around quickly to leave and ran smack dab into the door. Hard. Hard enough to at least leave a bruise.

Going to touch the tender spot, his emerald eyes went from tightly shut to wide opened as he felt warm liquid there.

Before he could process the shock that accompanies a wound for a nine year old though, Zeldris was right next to him and gently turned him around before his own eyes widened and glazed over with paralyzing fear.

Meliodas just didn't know why.

It reminded him of the wounds Zeldris himself had inflicted the day of their battle. It had started in self defense, but quickly turned to strikes out of anger, and hurt, ones that led to deeper wounds as he watched his brother bleed profusely by his own hand.

"Brother? You okay? Zeldy..?"

Snapping out of his daze, the ravenette looked over at his brother who seemed much more worried and confused for his sibling over his own health.

"L-Let's um... Let's get you cleaned up. A head wound isn't something to mess around with, so I'll call for a healing mage. You just stay over here, alright?"

The demon picked up the boy carefully before placing him on the bed in a sitting up position as the blond swung his legs over the side.

"Mkay."

It only took a few moments before once again Zeldris was back over by the child's side as he looked over the wound himself while waiting for the healer.

"I'm going to ask a few questions, that okay Mel?"

"Mhm."

"What's your name?"

"Meliodas."

"What day is it?"

"Uh.... I don't know, but I didn't know before I hit my head."

Alright, I'll let that pass.

"What just happened?"

"I ran into the door like a dummy and it caused my head to bleed."

Well, he still has his spark and he seems coherent, so it likely just hit a soft spot that caused bleeding. Demon's tend to bleed easier than humans oddly enough.

Sitting down next to the child with worry still taking an intense toll on Zeldris's mind, he couldn't stop his shaking from the previous memories flashing over his mind.

"Hey Zeldy?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"Are you okay? I know I'M the one that hit my head, but you seem really upset. Did I scare you?"

He looked over at the boy next to him, once again reminding himself that this child wasn't the same one that left. That Zeldris had fought.

So, putting Meliodas in a light, gentle, hug, he took a deep breath before replying.

"Only a little. It's my job to worry about you, ya know. But I'm sure you're fine, the healer will be here any minute to make sure of it."

Satisfied with the answer, the blond leaned into the hold with a happy gum before the moment was interrupted by said healer entering.

As the child was checked out and healed swiftly with no remaining mark left behind, only one thought was running through Zeldris's mind.

Meliodas reads Estarossa and I far too easily. As kind and loving my little brother is... the worrying and curiosity will only lead to him discovering more than he should in the end. If I want to keep what I have... If I want to keep this new opportunity... I need to let go of what happened, and just focus on the little boy in front of me.

I need to make sure I'm the best brother I can be.

Hope you all liked the chapter! Didn't edit though so probably some grammar problems. Sorry about that. ^^"

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