When you see my face

“That’s the whole poooiinntt!~♪” Mana sang out and began doing little twirls. 

Nea sighed and gave up, instead choosing to join Mana in his rain dance. 

“It’s okay Nea!~ The rain is warm!~” The teen giggled again and he began to flail his arms around and stomp his feet.

“But you’re still getting soaked...” Nea tried to protest. Mana was right, the rain was warm. And since the rain was warm, he’d be fine. 

Squealing in excitement, Mana sprinted past his brother and into the lazy downpour. “Hahahaha!~”

Watches Mana for a minute before sighing. “Get back here and put a coat on! You’re going to get sick again!” 

“Lies.”

“…”

Nea was pissed. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going, or what he was doing. He just knew if he didn’t get away from Cross, he would probably kill the bastard. The fist he’d used to deliver the blow to Cross was throbbing, and he stopped in a dark alley, examining it. Nea hadn’t made a proper fist, and now he was paying for it... His knuckles were broken. 

“Lies.”

“It’s not really you can change. Not please stop saying such things to me. I don’t want to hear them. I can’t believe them.” He mumbled. He couldn’t believe the other’s words even if he wanted to. He really wanted to believe him, but just couldn’t.

Something inside Nea snapped hearing those words, and his fist flew into Cross’ face, the crunch of the red-head’s nose almost echoing around. Shaking his now throbbing fist, Nea glared at the man. “Then why the hell did you bring it up!? If I can’t fix it, then why not just let it go!?” He shouted, before turning on his heel and storming away, all rational thought gone. 

Kisses the top of her head. “How could I not pay attention to my dearest Angel?” 

“I did,” she said with a smiled, laughing lightly and running her fingers through his hair.  “It reminds me of happier times…”

Nea nuzzled into her hair, smiling gently. “You’re precious...” The Noah muttered, rubbing along her back. “Just being with you reminds me of happier times...”

“What are you doing Mana?” Stares at brother. “If you want hugs and stuff, just ask!” Clings to brother. 

“Ne-never mind!!”

Sighs and pats brother’s head. 

“What are you doing Mana?” Stares at brother. “If you want hugs and stuff, just ask!” Clings to brother. 

“….Stuff-stuff…”

“Like what stuff! Tell me!” 

“Lies.”

“Exactly. You don’t remember.” Cross said and shook his head. “You hurt my feelings and before you ask, no. I don’t want to talk about it. So I’m sorry that I don’t believe you when you say things like that, but you fucked up before. You could do it again.”

“Not much I can do about that unless you tell me what happened.” Nea replied, the harshness of his words dulled by the desperate, lonely tone of his voice. 

“What are you doing Mana?” Stares at brother. “If you want hugs and stuff, just ask!” Clings to brother. 

“…Like stuff…”

“What kind of stuff...?”

“Lies.”

“Maybe not everything, but I know more about you than you seem to do. How much do you actually remember from the time before you died? Be honest.” Cross said and folded his arms.

“From before I died... Not much... I remember Mana and Mother and Cornellia... Obviously I remember you and Allen. But other than a little bit of stuff going on between us, I don’t remember much about any of it...” Nea admitted, his voice taking on a quiet, remorseful tone.

“What are you doing Mana?” Stares at brother. “If you want hugs and stuff, just ask!” Clings to brother. 

“…I’ve done a lot of things,”

“Like what...?”