“You… you abused me? Is that what you did?”

From the way Lear had tensed, Rilon had hit home.

“You did, didn't you?”

Pained, Lear nodded. “Yes.”

Rilon kept his voice flat, although it was very clear that barely restrained frustration had leaked into his tone. “Good.” He said. “That's all I needed to know. Don't you even try to redeem yourself. “

Lear didn't even attempt to protest as Rilon stalked away. Even with that, Rilon knew that something was still coming.

He heard something thud to the floor. At that moment, Lear seemed to protest. “Rilon.”

“I said I not to try.”

“No. Rilon.” He wasn't trying to do anything but request help. He was distressed.

Rilon abruptly turned around to find Lear standing over the body of one of his guards. The other appeared more distressed than Rilon saw from his father.

They were fine just a moment ago.

Had he paid attention to any warning signs? No. He’d been so involved with getting an answer out of his father that he had not paid attention to any minor details.

His pace back was quicker; he shoved his father out of the way and took a quick glance over the fallen guard.

Their eyes were already closed, and their lips were blue, yet they were still warm. Rilon placed a hand to their neck to check for a pulse.

Nothing.

Whatever had killed them had done it quickly. Rilon had had no chance in saving them.

He sighed, and got to his feet. “They’re gone.” he muttered.

He turned to Lear, barely hiding a snarl in his voice. “You didn’t kill them, did you?”

Panicked, Lear shook his head. He wasn’t lying from the quickness of his response — the death of the guard had been a surprise to him as well.

“Damn it.” Rilon ignored Lear, then turning to the other guard, who almost flinched under his cold gaze. “Just… find anyone… report this. I don’t care.”

Without another word, he stormed off to the elevator.

Exasperated, Rilon slammed the door shut.

It was all coming together. This whole thing that Lear did… it had all been an act, just some facade to gain back Rilon’s trust.

It made him sick.

He strode over to him desk to calm himself down. The compulsion to throw something was strong, yet he ignored it. Shaking hands was a sacrifice that he was willing to make over a destroyed room.

Rilon couldn’t take it.

The compulsion was too strong.

He couldn’t do this anymore.

With a loud howl, Rilon threw the desk. It fell to the floor, papers scattered everywhere. Ink spilled, staining the carpet.

It came to him what he had done moments later. Rilon collapsed to the floor with his head in his hands, sobbing in frustration.

You pathetic, worthless piece of shit. Sometimes you wonder why you're useless, Rilon.

“I couldn't even save one damn guard. I trusted my father too much.”

Arlett… I’m…

“If you’re trying to give me sympathy, I don’t fucking want it.”

This is what I was trying to tell you.

Rilon fell silent, an act more out of anger rather than calm. He took in slow, shuddering breath, even though he knew that just that act alone was not enough to calm him.

He forced back the bile rising in his throat as a new figure intruded in on him. Looking up, he confirmed their identity.

Asi.

“I’m sorry.” He forced a laugh, but it wouldn’t cover for the mess. Rilon wiped his face with the sleeve of his coat. “You don’t have to see me like this.”

Asiah shut the door behind him. “I hear you scream and I’m not supposed to get worried? Is that not normal for you?”

The relief was replaced with annoyance.

“How did you get in?”

Asiah took off something from around his neck. Upon closer inspection, Rilon found that it was a key attached to a string.

And you wonder why I don’t trust you.

He stared back down at his lap and sighed. “Did you know about this?”

“About what?” Asiah hung the string back around his neck.

“What Lear did.”

“What did he do to warrant your hate this time?”

“I-” Rilon froze before the words were out of his mouth. Saying it wasn’t going to make it any better, he figured. H e shook his head with another sigh. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Then you just threw your desk for fun, is that it?”

“Can’t you at least comfort your brother, Ass? Is that what my distress warrants?” Rilon buried his head in his hands again, another angry sob forcing its way out of his throat.

I don’t want this feeling anymore. I want it to go away.

“Ri, I-” From the sound of it, Asi had not been expecting this outburst. “Ri.”

Rilon heard his brother’s footsteps draw closer, then slide as he knelt down before him. He lifted his head and their gazes met briefly. The silent message passed between them, and Asiah’s gaze turned to one of emotional pain.

He knew.

He pulled Rilon into a hug, but Rilon knew that it was only to hide his own face.

“There’s something bothering you as well.” Rilon managed to calm his voice enough to speak again. He pulled out of the hug but still held on to his brother’s shoulders.

“Yeah.” Asi rubbed his cheeks, evidence that he had been crying. “You wouldn’t think of me any differently if I-”

He was cut off my a knock at the door. “Asiah Arlett?”

It was a voice that Rilon had never heard before; however, Asiah recognized it, and sent a glance back at Rilon.

“I have to go now. Are you going to be alright by yourself?”

“Yeah.” Rilon lied. He wanted his brother to see through the lie, to stay here and keep him company. He didn’t want to be alone, especially in his swirling chaos of thoughts.

Unfortunately, Asiah believed him, and sighed. “I’m sorry, Ri.”

“Asi, I can’t be kept waiting.”

Rilon took slight offense to the nickname, nearly grimacing as his brother went to the door. I’m supposed to call him Asi.

Asiah offered Rilon not even a glance as he left the room.

Sighing, Rilon got to his feet, scanning the room.

“I better clean up this mess.”