Silent Treatment Pt.2 (Story)

## Tags

### Tags

Discussions of death, Impliedi internalized homophobia, Suicide Implications, more sibling squabble, more Drimare racism :')

This is the second part of the **Silent Treatment** story. For the first part, read here.

## **Summary**

In defiance of his Angus' wishes, Dante decides to release the captured bandit, even if this costs him his relationship with his brother. Consequences ensue.

## **Silent Treatment**

A few moments of silence went by as Dante was deep in thought, he knew that releasing the bandit was "bad" and he had yet to plan on what excuse he'd tell Angus for why he did it, but…
He wondered if he should even come up with an excuse at all, rather than just being honest with him. He knew neither were destined to end well, but he still felt like doing this was better than whatever his brother intended to do later.

- Your family must be really worried for you, no…? - Dante commented and the bandit looked at him with a firm expression.

- If one of us is caught, we're considered to be dead.

- What…? What does that mean?

- It means that, as far as they know, I died in the raid.

- But… You're not dead. You were just captured...

- And I'm better off dead.

- Heh… Come on… Am I *that* bad of a company? - Dante awkwardly smiled, but the bandit wasn't phased, having a solemn aura to him as he looked at the side.

- I do not know. But if I land in jail tomorrow, I will be dead before sunset.

- What…? Wait, do they really *kill* you there? I thought they just locked you up...

- I do not know what they do. But I will not wait to find out.

- Wait… What do you mean by that…? - Dante stared at him in sudden realization.

Was the bandit implying that he would *off* himself if he was in jail? He had heard of how raiders were hard to get a hold of, but he had never considered why. He just assumed they all managed to escape somehow.

- . . .

- Don't you at least *try* to escape first…?

- . . .Of course. Though it is often futile when one is not experienced.

- ...So you *do* take your secrets to the grave…

- They mustn't know where we live. It's the price we have to pay to keep our home safe.

There was a moment of silence as Dante looked shocked. But the bandit remained with an unmoved expression. Was this the norm for them?

- But your family…! Surely they must worry about you! - Dante looked worried.

- Just like I worry that your kin will seek to find our homes and end our lives. - He snarled.

- Bandito, you are really bumming me out… - Dante looked concerned.

- Do not call me that.

- What? Bandito? Sorry, I just do not know what else to call you… I do not need to ask to know you would not give me your name, hah…

The bandit nodded once, his eyes were closed and he sighed - ...That is correct.

- Then what *should* I call you? "Cactus" feels awfully rude.

- Nothing. Just talk to me when… - He paused. - ...*if* you intend to release me.

- It is still a few hours until then…

- Then talk to me when *those* hours go by.

Dante remained in silence for a while, noticing how the bandit eventually adjusted himself and closed his eyes, sighing. Was he trying to nap? Being stuck in that position must have been cramping him by now, Dante thought.

He himself didn't really nap, his head was way too filled with thoughts to do so. He just thought about this whole situation, how he'd help the bandit sneak out, how furious his brother would be, everything was rushing in his head.

He looked back at the Cactus Drimare, his brows were furrowed and despite having his eyes closed, he too looked like he had things in his mind. Troubling things.

- Are you alright…? - Dante seemed worried but the bandit didn't respond, lowering his head.

- . . .

- ...I'll make sure you can see your family again without doing anything awful to yourself... - He commented, noticing the bandit opening his eyes, just staring down quietly. His expression, although firm and serious, had a hint of sadness.

- . . .

- They would be excited to see you come back from the dead, no? - Dante offered a smile but the bandit lowered his ears.

- This is a trick. I understand now.

- ...What?

- You are not actually going to let me escape. This is just part of you and your brother's plan, is it not?

- Oh no no no! - Dante approached him - I can assure you my brother would *disown* me if he found out I was doing this...

- To even consider that I'd be so lucky to meet someone willing to help me... How unlikely... - His saddened look quickly shifted to a sharp glare - I do not trust you, Andrew Playbill.

- That is fine. I do not trust you either, Nameless Bandito. - Dante smiled warmly, to which the bandit tensed up and quickly looked away.

- Do not call me that.

- Then do not call me Andrew.

- What…?

- It's just Dante. Not Andrew, not Playbill, just Dante. - He smiled. - Angus does not like it, but that's his problem to deal with.

- Is that name supposed to mean anything to me?

- What I'm saying is that you do not have to trust me. But I *will* get you out of here…

- . . . I still do not understand why you are doing this…

- Well… - Dante looked thoughtful - I mostly want to spite my brother for making me come all the way here *just* to kidnap you!

- . . .

- Well, not *you* specifically, but you know… It's not your fault that you're in this situation.

- That is… debatable at best.

- Besides! I have work to do at home! I am surprised you have not heard of me, haha...

- I have heard of your family.

- Outside of my family! Come on, my death made news nearly everywhere! You must surely have heard!

- Death is… very precarious… *Madre Lucia* chooses to revive you, you are alive again. Not dead. Only your body has perished. We are taught not to accept her offer when she comes to us.

- Well… Yes… The term you are looking for is "*undead*", it's not so bad... - He looked at his skeletal hands for a moment, he too *was* still getting used to it himself. - Still! Surely you must have heard of the singer who died while being *burned alive* a few months back!

The bandit gave him a concerned look while Dante appeared almost as if proud of this achievement.

- That sounds… very painful… Is this how you died?

- Yes! Hardly felt a thing because I was so caught up in the moment! - He suddenly gasped, as if remembering something - In fact…! Take a look at *this*! Tell me if you recognize it!

Dante quickly reached for some sort of pocket inside of his coat, pulling out a folded piece of yellowed paper. The bandit leaned in, trying to understand what it was and Dante quickly unfolded it, revealing a newspaper cutout.

It featured an article with a large uncoloured photo of what appeared to be a stage on fire, flames engulfing everything they touched. And in the center of the fire was a blurred shadowed figure, holding a guitar and posing dramatically while leaning towards the microphone, in a mix of yelling and singing.

The photo looked… *brutal,* and the figure was fearless and terrifying in its very denial of death itself. The bandit thought that there was no way that the goofy chatty skeleton in front of him was the same terrifying and monstrous figure in the photo, but the horn shape and coat certainly matched up.

- I wanted to show this to Angus but he hasn't exactly made it easy, you know..? It is just so exciting to have my picture in a newspaper like this!

- I have the opposite opinion…

- Heh… Is that so?

- That picture… It is very frightening.

- So you recognize it?

- No… This is my first time seeing it. - He leaned back again.

- Well, it *is* a very big deal. - Dante looked proudly but the bandit didn't seem convinced, simply sighing sadly.

- I suppose.

Dante put away the picture, and gave him a concerned look - What's wrong?

The bandit looked like he was going to respond, but refrained from doing so, looking to the side.

- Hey… If you want to tell me to shut up, you can just say so. - Dante laughed but the bandit looked uncertain.

- ...If you truly intend to release me, then it is not in my best interest to insult you or your death. My apologies for your loss.

- Ah, don't worry! My brother does it all the time. It's fine! You were kidnapped, you have all the right to insult the hosts!

- You are very strange.

- Thank you. And talking helps pass the time. It is better than just sitting here and doing nothing...

- I do not exactly have a choice in the matter. - The bandit tried to move but the ropes were still too tight.

- Yes, I understand… I don't want to risk releasing you right away in case Angus decides to show up… But I'll untie you when it is safe to go!

- . . .

The two sat in silence for a bit, but Dante just couldn't stand to be quiet for long, hoping that the chatting would make time go by faster. - So… That is enough of me asking you questions…

- Hm...

- Do *you* have any questions of your own?

- …? - The bandit appeared to look confused - Why does it matter?

- Strange first question. Uhm… I don't know... Why would it not matter? I *have* been talking your ear off.

- I do not have anything to share.

The bandit spoke firmly, and Dante had taken notice of how he always seemed to respond in short cold sentences, but that didn't mean they couldn't keep talking. Maybe the bandit could feel a little more comfortable with friendly banter, at least as much as his current situation allowed.

- It doesn't have to be anything confidential! Just general conversation to pass the time! Tell me bandito, what are your thoughts on… - Dante looked around, trying to find any topic to grab at. - ...Cows.

- Cows?

- Yes! As in the animal.

- A cow is the reason I am here… - He seemed to tense up with this.

Dante looked embarrassed by this, almost having forgotten about that whole nonsense hours ago - A-Ah…! I'm very sorry. But before that… You *did* try to take our cow Moona… You must have… *some* feelings about them.

- I was always against the idea! - He suddenly snapped - I told them to back off! How come *I'm* the one who gets captured?!

- What…? Wait... really…? - Dante looked surprised - That is… really unlucky... I thought you and your friends were all perfectly coordinated…

- They are *not* my friends. - He snarled.

- Not after abandoning you like that, they're not…

- We were *NEVER* friends. - The bandit glared at him and Dante felt like maybe this was some sort of a sore subject.

- Oh… Well… It’s not like this means anything, but… I'm sorry you were the one to get in trouble for it… - He looked sheepishly - You'll tell them off when you're back, eh?

The bandit remained quiet and looked up at him in realization, his expression was hard to read but it still felt sincere, like he needed to say something. Dante could feel that he was holding back, after all, this wasn't the most ideal place for these kinds of sentimental conversations.

- . . .

- I *assume* it wasn't just a bad coworker type of relationship… - Dante spoke cautiously.

- It is not that. Do you think they set me up?

- Eh? How should *I* know?

- Rhetorical question.

- ...Is that something you guys do?

- Not exactly, but… - He paused - No… *I should not speak of this.*

- Don't worry. - Dante shrugged - Whatever you say stays between us. Angus really only cares about where your hiding place is.

- . . .

- If I were to tell him about your bad coworkers it would just serve to reinforce his ridiculous prejudice against you all… He does not care for gossip either.

The bandit thought for a bit as if pondering whether to trust this skeleton or not.

- . . .

- But if you don't want to talk about it, we can just go back to chatting about cows!

- No… I suppose I can… share…

- ...What *would* you like to share then?

- The reason I suspect foul play…

- …?

- I… - He seemed embarrassed - ...I have no wife... nor children.

The bandit clenched his fangs and glared at the side as if expecting to be hurt or mocked over this confession. But instead, Dante just seemed confused, unsure of what he expected to begin with.

- …What does *that* have to do with anything?

- It means I'm low priority! No family to look after. And… if they suspect there are… *other* reasons for it… Then they would find themselves justified to try to sabotage me…

- Aah, screw those guys! Poor bandito... I'm sure you'll find a nice lady friend eventually! You have time!

- . . . Of course.

The bandit seemed to almost cringe at the thought and Dante wondered what that was all about. Angus too stressed that they both needed to find partners and heirs, though now with both of them being dead, any potential offspring was just out of the question. *Wait, was that why Angus was angry at him for dying?*

- ...You shouldn't feel too bad about it though. It means you have the freedom to do whatever you want without the responsibility holding you back!

- You don't understand… It is not normal for someone my age not to have a family like that. Sure there are my relatives but…

- So what? You don't have to live by their standards!

- . . .

- Besides, you're extremely handsome! Just give it time and ladies will be swooning in no time! - Dante seemed to grin at him, noticing how the bandit flushed and quickly looked away, visibly embarrassed by his comment.

- . . .!

- Wait… - Dante paused and slowly approached him as he spoke quietly - Are you… *not* into lady friends?

- L-Let us change the subject! My favourite kinds of cows are the… Uhm… brown ones…?

Dante gave him a sympathetic smile and chuckled but the bandit just seemed distressed. Dante wondered if his assumption was correct or if compliments just made him generally flustered.

But with how adamant he seemed about changing the subject, Dante grinned and figured he might as well entertain it - Those are my favourites as well...

- Please… What breed are the ones you have?

All of a sudden, the bandit seemed to have all these questions about the animals, and Dante willingly answered all of them. The bandit seemed desperate to shut down any conversation that brought the topic back to himself, and no matter how much Dante tried, it was futile.

Whatever that conversation about wives had done, it seemed to have left the bandit very distressed.

A few hours had gone by and as Dante recalled some ridiculous childhood story about how he and Angus nearly died in a rodeo event, he noticed the bandit letting out a yawn.

- Hey, I was almost done!

- Forgive me, it is just getting late...

- Late…? *Oh*! Right, we were supposed to sneak out!

- Y-You *forgot*?!

- Well, you kept asking about the cows and I kept talking about them, and then you asked for more details and I told you even more about them! Do you think I'm keeping track?

- I *assumed* you were… - He seemed fidgety, looking out a window and seeing the moon shining brightly in the sky.

Dante followed his gaze, figuring it was late enough that there was no way that Angus was still awake.

- Alright… I'll go see if it's safe. - He got up and gave the bandit a concerned look.

- . . .?

- Hey… *Please* don't betray my trust at the last second while doing this. We have an emotional bond now and it would *really* break my heart if that meant nothing to you, bandito.

- . . . Please just go. - He sighed and Dante nodded, slowly opening the door to step out of the shed.

As he looked out, the silence was deafening, the farm was dead quiet, and as Dante looked at the farmhouse in the distance, he noticed how every window was closed with no lights to be seen. Angus had always been a heavy sleeper anyway, so after listening in, Dante felt that it should be safe enough to leave.

He looked back at the bandit and gave him a nod, quietly closing the door.

- Just be quiet and once you're by the exit, you just run and you *don't* come back. I cannot stress how much my brother will be *livid* if he sees you.

- I have no intentions of returning.

- Good. - Dante reached for a nearby knife and got behind the bandit, slowly cutting the ropes that tied him to the chair. - Also please don't stab me the very moment you're free. It will be pointless, I can't die.

The bandit simply didn't respond, relaxing as he hadn't realized how tight his chest was, and let out a sigh of relief. Dante untied his legs and his wrists, and took hold of his arms, grabbing them firmly.

The bandit looked back at him, his expression was one of fear and uncertainty as the warmth of his captor's expression was replaced with an unfeeling coldness. Dante was a lot stronger than he looked and the bandit wasn't expecting this.

- I am not taking any more risks than I already have… - Dante murmured.

- You are going to release me, yes?

- Yes. Please don't make me regret it…

Still holding on to him, Dante helped him get up.

- My lashers are still tied. - The bandit muttered, suspicion growing as he stopped walking, planting his feet firmly on the floor. The thorny vines on his back dangled, uncomfortably tied together with rope, reducing their movement. - W-Why are they still tied?!

- You can untie them when you get home… I don't want to accidentally cut them...

- You are going to deliver me to your brother, aren't you?!

Dante looked surprised, feeling the thorns on the bandit's arms poking his hands, it didn't hurt but it was enough to get his attention. The bandit just wasn't budging from his position and Dante looked exasperated. - I'm not going to do that! I just don't want you to stab me!

- *Or* your brother! - The bandit hissed, though Dante could hear the nervousness in his voice.

- I know you're scared, I am too! Just please trust me and don't make a fuss!

- N...No! - He struggled but Dante's grasp was a lot more firm than expected.

- Don't make me do this, bandito… If you don't move, I *will* make you move.

- …What does that mea-?!

Dante picked him up from the floor, the bandit *was* shorter than him, seeming to panic once his feet were lifted off the ground.

- I warned you! - Dante stepped forward.

- Wh-What are you doing?!

- I told you to move. You refused to, so I am carrying you myself!

- Put me down!

- Shh!

- This is insane!

- Quiet! - Dante lowered him and held him firmly, giving him a glaring look - This has been the loudest escape attempt and we are not even out of the shed yet!

- . . .?! - The bandit looked up at him, an expression of fear was filling his face.

- Can you *please* just move? - Dante begged - I have nothing to gain from helping you, I just don't want you to die pointlessly out there!

- . . .!

- Can you do that? Can you do me a favor and cooperate?

- I…

The bandit seemed to be panting quietly and Dante raised his hands, letting go of him, he was still glaring at him, but the bandit recognized his gesture as one of trust.

Now would be the perfect time to escape, make a run for it, return home before this would all be revealed to be a trap. But the bandit felt frozen, looking back at the skeleton who stared at him expectantly.

He took one step back, expecting the skeleton to grab him again, but he didn't. Looking at his own hands, the bandit took a deep breath and fixed his bandana to cover his face again. This seemed to help him relax and he looked back at Dante, giving him a quiet nod.

- ...Is that a yes…? - Dante tilted his head ever so slightly.

- ...Yes.

With this, Dante let out a sigh in relief, lowering his hands - Alright, good… Because I really had no plans on how I'd capture you again if you had said no.

The bandit didn't respond, looking back at the door and saw the skeleton head towards it. Dante had been mentally planning on how they'd do this, but as he looked towards the path that stretched to the end of the farm, he quickly became overwhelmed.

What if the bandit decided to betray him at the last minute? Then he'd have to deal with both him *and* Angus!

- *“Dante”*, was it?

The bandit's voice startled him out of his trance. Dante looked back to see the bandit looking at him, but with most of his face covered once more, his expression had become harder to read.

- Yes…?

- I mean no insult but… your hair. It glows, does it not?

- ...What about it…?

- It is not good for going by unnoticed. That is the plan, yes?

- Ah… - Dante looked surprised - I hadn't considered that…

- . . .

Dante looked at the bandit who was deathly silent once again. He supposed he would have more experience sneaking out unnoticed by himself, rather than having Dante as a literal beacon of light and attention guiding him towards the exit. But...

- I… No... I can't risk it… - Dante looked concerned - What's stopping you from turning on us and attacking my brother in his sleep?

- . . . - The bandit looked down, his expression unchanging - There is no point trying to kill what is already dead.

- You were planning on *killing* him?! - Dante stood in front of the door but the bandit simply shook his head, remaining silent.

- . . .

- I'm walking you to the door until you're out of sight. E-Else I will call my brother if you try anything…! - Dante crossed his arms and the bandit sighed, seeing no other option.

- Fine.

Dante gave him one final look, but for someone who wanted to escape so badly, the bandit was surprisingly calm and contained, even if a bit tense in his posture.

As Dante reached to grab his arm again to make sure he wouldn't sneak off, the pricks on the bandit's arm stood up again as he glared at him. Dante didn't feel them but glared back at him.

- Let's go. - He muttered nervously, noticing the bandit planting his legs firmly once again.

- I can walk. Going like this will be louder, just let me go.

- Can I trust you?

- You *have* to.

Dante looked nervously at him, although he didn't show it, he was absolutely terrified, and he realized that so was the bandit. Hesitantly, he let go of him once again and noticed him relax ever so slightly.

- Fine…

- What is the plan?

- There's a blind spot in front of the hay bales my brother tried to shoot you from… if we can make it there, then you can jump the fence and make a run for it.

- Is it safe?

- It *should* be...

If Dante had a heart, it would be bouncing off his chest at that moment, and as he stepped out of the shed, he hoped that the fur from his jacket would hide the very attention-seeking flames from his hair.

He looked back to see the bandit following him, he was still so distressingly quiet that Dante felt like he had to constantly keep checking his back to see if he was still there.

Although the exit was so close, Dante still felt hyper-aware of every single sound they made, and as they reached the hay bales, he let out a quiet sigh as if he had been holding his breath all this time.

The quiet bandit followed after, and as Dante leaned against the hay bales, looking as if he had run a marathon, the bandit looked towards the fence he'd have to jump. Ahead of him were the dry roads he and the rest of the raiders had come from, leading to the distant canyons in the horizon.

- Just go, before anything happens… - Dante whispered but the bandit was static.

- . . .

- Bandito…?

Dante saw the bandit turn back to look at him, approaching him silently.

- Thank you Dante Playbill… I am indebted to you.

- Hah… - Dante chuckled nervously - Well, you *can* pay the debt by dropping the Playbill out of my name… But please go before anyone sees you. - He spoke quietly and the bandit nodded in response.

- Of course. Farewell.

- Goodbye, prickly bandito… - Dante sighed as the bandit gave him a look, not knowing he was smiling under the mask.

Without another word or even a sound, the bandit turned and ran towards the fence, swiftly jumping over it and making a run back to where he first came from.

As Dante watched him disappear in the desert horizon, he sighed and let himself fall, knowing there was no coming back from this. He was going to have to talk to Angus and explain why he had let him escape.

He closed his eyes. He thought about Angus and what he'd tell him, but it was hard to focus when he kept wondering about his bandit friend. He never even got to learn what his name was. And chances were that he never would know, nor would he know if he ever made it back to his secret hometown.

His anxiety was killing him, but he knew he was doing the right thing. This *was* the right thing to do, right? Despite everything, looking at the pale moonlight and focusing on the absolute silence of the farm helped him relax. And for the first time in months, ever since he died, Dante felt his drowsiness kicking in and closed his eyes, trying not to think about what had transpired.

He fell asleep as thoughts of his brother and the bandit slowly overtook his dreams, taunting him, painting the most awful of scenarios. But somehow, in his emotional exhaustion, Dante slept through it all.

- . . .

- *Andrew…?*

He pictured it in his dream, his brother was confronting him, everything felt so warm around him, was he sweating? It must have been the nerves, what was he going to tell him?

- ANDREW!

Dante suddenly jumped awake as his brother's voice resonated in the air. He looked up and squinted at the bright morning sun. In front of him, a dark silhouette could be seen, obscured by the sunlight that surrounded it.

As Dante's eyes adjusted, he noticed the figure's familiar horns shaped like those of a bull, and as he was finally making sense of what he was looking at, he realized it wasn't some weird dark figure.

It was Angus, his brother, looking down at him with his arms crossed and a stern expression of contained anger.

- ...Good morning, Andrew. How was your nap?

- Nap…? - Dante looked around, finding himself sleeping on the ground of all places, what even happened? - Uhm… It was fine, I guess?

- Oh, was it good? Uhm. That's good to hear. - His tone sounded displeased, like that of an angry parent.

- Gus… - Dante was trying to remember what happened.

- You left the door to the shed open. Where is he?

- What…? - He rubbed his eyes.

- The bandit. - He snarled - Where *is* he? Did he attack you?!

Dante gave him a quiet saddened look, this wasn't a dream scenario. This was real and he knew that no matter what he said, Angus would not forgive him. There was no use in lying to him.

- . . . No. - Dante simply looked down and sighed - I released him. He's gone.

- You… You WHAT?! YOU RELEASED A *CRIMINAL*?!

- He just… - He sighed - Look Gus, I… I'm tired of you treating me like an embarrassment! And if getting him killed pointlessly out there was what would get you to finally respect me… Then I feel like I'm better off on my own.

- What are you even *talking* about?! - Angus looked baffled as Dante got up - This is a desert raider we're talking about! He could have turned on you and-

- And *what*?! *Kill* me?! Well, he couldn't because I'm *already* dead!

- He could have attacked you! This is so irresponsible! How do you *consistently* keep on making such reckless decisions?! I thought that I could trust you to do the right thing!

- My conscience is clear…

- And what if he went into town?!

- Alone? Well, he didn't! I saw him head back where they came from. He has a family out there to return to!

- BUT *I'M* YOUR FAMILY! - Angus snapped and covered his face, groaning to himself. - Just why… Why did you do this? *Why did I think I could trust you with this…?*

- . . .

- Just… How do you keep making these terrible choices and suffer *no* consequences for your actions?! Things will catch up with you eventually! I'm only trying to look out for you!

Dante turned away, trying his best not to lash out - I *am* dealing with the consequences… - He looked back at his brother, who looked confused by this.

- What are you sayin'...?

- You weren't looking out for me when I tried to reach out for you over and over again when I died! These are *your* consequences!

- I told you we'd talk today!

- Ugh…

- Fine, forget the bandit, this is us, talking about what happened. Right now! - Angus looked demanding but Dante just looked tired.

- Then tell me!

- Tell you what, Andrew?!

- Tell me *why* have you been ignoring me all this time?! What did I do so wrong that just got you to go ahead and ignore me?! Pretending I did not exist all this time?!

There was a brief pause as Angus stood in silence, looking at him sternly. Dante could tell a hint of sadness in his older brother's expression but he didn't want to let that soften him up.

- Do you really want to know why? - Angus muttered.

- Yes! Just tell me!

- I... - He looked at the side - I was disappointed...

- *Ugh.* When *aren't* you disappointed…? - Dante groaned. - I already knew you were disappointed! This is not news to me!

- You had so much to live for and you just go off and *DIE* without a care in the world! How am I supposed to feel about that?! What if you *weren't* revived?! What then?!

- I am right here, aren't I…? I'm… alive… I'm alive and living right now!

- But what if you *weren't*?!

- Why does *that* matter?!

- It just does! Because one day… - Angus spoke sternly - ...something *bad* will happen! And you *won't* be given a second chance!

Dante just glared at him, but Angus' stare was unmoving. Dante didn't want to give in, he didn't want Angus' anger to keep on having power over him, but yet, it always did. He paused for a bit, before looking at the side with a tense expression.

- ...You *resent* me, do you not…?

- Excuse me…?

- Just admit it! You resent me because you don’t want me to be successful!

- What even gave you that idea?!

- Do you think I don't notice the way you *scoff* at me?! How you act like I'm inferior or immature and full of myself and...

- Andrew…

- And that *still* does not explain why you refused to reach out! Especially when I *needed* you the most!

- I couldn't accept it…! I couldn't accept that *THAT* was how you went out!

- ...So this *was* always about you… - Dante muttered, heading back into the house.

- Ugh! You *KNOW* that's not what I meant! - Angus followed after him.

- I don't care, I'm leaving…

- Andrew, just wait… Now that we’re both dead… What’s going to happen? We're the last in our line, once we're gone, our family is over…

- Good. Someone has to end it. - Dante stopped.

- You're being ridiculous…

- . . .

- When you died I… I felt like I failed you! I felt that if I had managed to convince you to let go of that music nonsense, that you could still be alive today…

- And what? Become a rancher like *you*?

- Or literally *anything* else! Just… Not *dead*…

- I'm *not* dead… I'm here, I'm living and I'm... actually happy! Music makes me happy, why can't you accept that?!

- It just… doesn't feel like a stable job. And if something happens…

- If something happens, I'll come back to help you out on the farm and you can get to feel better than me all over again.

- Andrew...

Dante clenched his fists, why did his brother refuse to accept that he could be happy like this? That he didn't want the life that their parents had planned out for them? Dante didn't mind the ranching job, he had done it all his life, but at some point, Angus had to know that he wanted more than to be stuck on the farm.

- The bandit told me something last night. - Dante looked back at his brother.

- Of course… - Angus rolled his eyes - You listen to *him* because *he's* your family now.

- He told me that *our* family had committed a crime. Do you know anything about that? Do you know why the raiders attacked our parents?

- *Crime…*? What crime?! They're the criminals! They're the ones who are thieves and murderers! Their attack was completely out of nowhere! You know that!

- Do you know what he's talking about or not?!

- I genuinely don't… Why would *we* commit a crime?! That's wrong!

- Oh, and kidnapping a stranger isn't?

- A CRI-MI-NAL. It's completely different!

Dante groaned, he had a hard time telling if Angus truly believed that they had done nothing wrong, or if his hatred for the raiders was so ingrained that he couldn't tell the difference.

- Could father have done something…?

- No! He was a righteous man, he would never…

- Fine… - Dante sighed - Doesn't matter anyway. He's dead, you're dead, we're ALL dead!

- Andrew just wait!

- Goodbye Angus.

Dante tried to keep walking and looking ahead, but as he heard Angus rushing to him, he groaned.

- Did that raider say *we* were the criminals?

- I don't know! He said they had had problems with our family in the past but he didn't know any details as to why they attacked in the first place.

- That's… strange…

- How is it strange? I figured you and dad would know.

- No, he… he didn't say anything… - Angus looked confused, but Dante just wasn't buying it. - They just showed up one day and…

- Of course, you'd defend him…

- Andrew, I'm telling you, if something happened he would have *told* me!

- ...Would he?

- . . . - Angus looked incredulous - Why are you believing a bandit over your own family?! I wouldn't lie to you like that. Not about this!

- Yes, you *have* always been brutally honest about the way you feel.

Angus rubbed his forehead, trying to wrap his head around this - Look Andrew… It just doesn't make any sense to me. We *are* the good guys, remember?

- I don't know about that anymore...

- What even happened? It's like I can't even recognize you anymore…

- You're one to talk! With that whole interrogation act of yours...

- Ugh… Look, what do you want from me?! An apology? I've told you everything!

- Would it *kill* you to apologize?

- You're being ridiculous. You've been living on your own for a year and first, you *die* pointlessly and now you're here thinking you're too important for any of this because you'd rather live some rockstar fantasy!

- . . . - Dante closed his eyes - ...I see that coming here was a mistake. - He muttered, walking inside the house and making his way through.

- Am I *wrong*?! - Angus followed after him.

- No. As always, you're right about everything and I'm the idiot. - Dante spoke, reaching the house's entrance on the other side.

- Where are you going?

- Home. Thank you for having me. See you never.

- Andrew… - Angus grabbed his shoulder firmly, his expression was stern but it had a hint of sadness.

- What?!

- Look… I'll look into the whole… *crime…* situation. Maybe there's something in dad's belongings… - He looked at the side - If I find anything, I'll let you know.

- Do you believe it then?

- Not exactly but… I believe in you.

- Oh. Do you, now? - Dante scoffed, looking dubiously but Angus just squinted at him.

- Yes. Just… please drop your whole victimizing act. It ain't a good look…

- Good talk, Gus.

There was a moment of silence as the two of them stood by the exit. Dante looked back, in hopes that his brother would at least have the decency to apologize for ghosting him for months.

But deep down he knew that that apology would never come, instead, Angus just seemed lost in his own thoughts.

- *I just don't believe father would hide something from me…* - Angus muttered.

- Maybe he didn't… - Dante muttered as he stepped forward - Maybe it's just some old bandit's story.

- ...Are you really leaving?

- I have work to get to. I put things off just to see you after all.

- I see… You go do that, then… - Angus sighed but Dante refused to let himself be swayed - I have to let the law officers know that the bandit's gone.

- *Goodbye* Angus. - Dante spoke coldly but his brother didn’t react, looking thoughtfully.

- Goodbye Andrew. Keep in touch…

Dante refused to respond to this and just stormed off, making his way back home. He was done, he wasn't going to keep in touch. Why bother when his brother would just ignore his letters and waste his time with ridiculous schemes?

Dante told himself that he deserved better, his friends treated him better, even the bandit treated him better. Dante wondered if his cactus friend had managed to return to his home and family. Angus might have been mad but Dante so badly wanted to believe that he had done the right thing.

As much as it hurt to realize that he would never have that proper connection with his brother, Dante didn't regret what he did. Even when it cost his relationship with him, even when he was his only family left, Dante knew Angus was right about something.

He would have to deal with the consequences of his actions sooner or later, and this was it.
**Previous • END**