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3gs was nervous. Not..a new feeling, not even close… but definitely not a good one. Running away from his..nightmare of a house was something he always dreamt of as a child, and now with the plan in action, he just..had to leave. Something was stopping him. Somebody was stopping him. His little brother's. He couldn't stand to imagine the faces they would show finding out the person they grew to love, almost like a mother, had suddenly just…walked out. He couldn't bring himself to leave them, but they could never accompany him. Would they hate him? Hate him for leaving? Be left to think 3gs hated them? It made 3gs ill, sick to his stomach. He couldn't bear it, leaving them all alone..with that monster. He was going to get them out, no matter what, whatever hell he has to go through…he’ll save them. But… the fear of them despising him for abandoning them still lingered deep in his mind, made him...so, so sick, and-
“Where are you going?”
The small whisper startled 3gs out of his thoughts. Turning around in the hallway met him with a pair of deep red eyes. Shit. 4s looked tired, 3gs must've woken him up from his sleep, now he felt even more awful.
“I-I'm just going on a small shopping trip..I'll be back, I promise!” Lying was never his strong suit, he knew 4s saw right through it, too. Great job, 3gs. Now he'll hate you so much more.
“At two in the morning? You're bad at lying.” 4s shot bluntly.
“I…Wh…” 3gs felt his heart throbbing in his head. Was he seriously that bad at lying? Was it that obvious? Or is 4s just incredibly intelligent?
“That thing. You're running away, aren't you?” 4s asked, pointing at 3gs’ travel bag on his back.
“Well..I…”
3gs felt his lip tremble. He couldn't cry. Not now.
“It's okay. I would too. You should've told us.”
“I.. know. I'm sorry. I didn't want to…hurt you.”
“You don't have to lie. We wouldn't be mad..not I, at least.” 4s said. 4s didn't seem upset at 3gs for his sudden action of leaving. Of course he wouldn't be upset. He wants to do the same as much as the next person would in their situation. Watching people from the outside wish to have something 3gs has..riches..’love’.. it made him so upset. No wealth could bring back the innocence that He took away from his little brother's. The anger that wells up inside of him as he's forced to sit and watch one child beg as their Father (would he even dare call him that,) mercilessly puts his hands on the other. He was tired. Tired of sitting in his room, trying to cover up the screams of his brothers as He cruelly punishes them for not being perfect, not being able to do anything.
3gs swallowed whatever saliva was left in his mouth whilst deciding what words he should choose next.
“I…I don't want to leave you...I promise,” 3gs squatted down to 4s’ level and began to card his fingers through his hair. “I'm…I will… come back for you two. Just…not now. I can't.”
4s tilted his head in confusion. One thing he couldn't figure out..why couldn't he just..bring them with?
“I.. know it sounds awful…but it's for your safety. I can't let you get hurt, okay?”
“You promise you'll come back?”
“Of course I will, but,” 3gs’ eyes started to well up, his throat closing, but he had to stay strong, just for 4s. “Y-you have to stay strong, just for a while… you two need to…get along..while I'm gone. You and 4 may..argue sometimes…but never let go of eachother…never. Watch after each other," 3gs carried on, taking the bracelet he had on his arm, wrapping it around 4s’ tiny wrist, "Don't let that man's words and actions drift you two apart. Can you make that promise for me?” 4s nodded slowly. This was a lot to take in, but he took 3gs’ words and locked them in his heart. 3gs pulled 4s into a long, tight hug, almost as if he'd let go, the floor would collapse. Finally pulling out of the hug and planting a quick peck on 4s’ head that was immediately wiped off, 3gs stood up and placed his hand on his little brother's shoulder, “Tell 4 I love him… so, so much. Keep that promise in your heart. I love you.” 3gs felt so sick and lightheaded. God..this was worse than he thought. The only thing stopping him from leaving was…leaving. Leaving behind everything he grew up with…the people he loved so much. 3gs couldn't dare look at those red eyes… 4s’ pitiful stare..begging to stay. “I…I love you so much. I’ll come back. I’ll…make sure…” 3gs couldn’t keep the tears starting to prick at his eyes from not being set free, “I’ll make sure of it.”
3gs started to walk off before he ended up breaking down on the floor,
“3gs?” He looked back one fina; time, seeing his, oh so young brother fiddling with his fingers, “Please be safe.. So you can…come back, like you promised.”
“...Of course I will. I…I’ll see you two… soon..”