Titans - March of Progress

“Hey Sain!”

Turning his head when he heard his name called, Sain saw Niall crossing the street to reach him. A bright smile lit up the youth’s face and he lifted a hand to wave rather enthusiastically as he waited for his elder brother to catch up to him.

“How’s your experiment going? You blow anything up yet?” called out Niall as he waited for a cart to pass before he crossed completely. Looking both ways one final time, Niall jogged across the street. He grinned toothily as he approached his younger sibling and slapped the youth on the shoulder. Sain shot him a dirty look at the amount of strength to the blow and lifted a hand to rub the sore spot.

“Yeah nah. I haven’t, though it nearly did happen a few times. We haven’t been making a lot of progress though, so my master cracked the shits as per usual, and told me to finish for the day whilst he tries to figure shit out, That's not uncommon though. Some experiments take weeks to show results” Sain stated rather sourly, his expression hinting that maybe Clyde was on one of his angry rants again. Niall just perked a brow and his smile slowly faded, picking up on Sain’s dour mood rather quickly.

“Well, it sounds like you are sort of enjoying yourself little brother, working for the old man” Niall stated blandly, without conviction. He puffed out some air and patted Sain on the shoulder.

“Well, whatever. So, what's your plan for the rest of the day? I’ve finished my business so I can join you” Niall said with a self-satisfied smirk, causing Sain to shoot him a look of suspicion with narrowed eyes. The youth snorted.

“I’m just going to the local bakery around the corner, that’s all. To get some more bread for dad. Cheap too. Value for money and all that” Sain said as he rolled his shoulders, trying to get the sting out from Niall’s earlier slap.

“You mean the one your girlfriend’s family owns?” Niall asked of Sain with a look of feigned, pure innocence plastered on his face. It was a look Sain knew well. It meant Niall was messing with him, and no doubt would be doing so for a while.

“Ha ha, you are so funny you know. Rin is not my girlfriend, she is just a friend” Sain declared, an annoyed look on his face as he turned and started walking away from Niall, not interested in copping his brother's bullshit and sarcasm at this time. Niall hurriedly jogged after Sain, a cheeky grin on his face as he prepared to jab Sain further.

“Hey, come on Sain, no need to get your panties in a knot. I thought that a girl that’s a friend, makes her your girlfriend” Niall said as he prodded a bit more, that cheeky grin still on his face. He was obviously trying to get a rise out of his usually calm and composed sibling. And it seemed to be working as Sain turned and threw a punch at his brother, a half assed one which Niall easily stepped away from grinning manically.

“Oi oi, calm down man. No woman is worth a fight between brothers” he exclaimed; his hands held up in mock surrender.

“Pffft yeah whatever bro” Sain stated and turned away muttering insults under his breath. He continued walking then, Niall falling in beside him with a quick step. It was barely a minute of awkward silence before they arrived at the bakery and Niall finally stopped grinning like a lunatic. Sain entered first, the door swinging open and rattling the bell tied to its frame. A little golden head popped out from a shelf further in the back of the shop and Sain recognized Rin. She saw them both and her face instantly lit up in a brilliant smile. She practically skipped down the shop until she reached the counter and waved enthusiastically at them both.

“Niall, oh wow. You got tall. It’s been like ages” she chattered at the tall young man with a carefree and happy tone to her voice. She almost seemed like a ray of sunshine. Then she flicked her gaze to Sain and her expression darkened, the quick change like a storm appearing on a sunny day. Her gaze flitted over Sain’s face, and she took on a genuinely worried expression.

“Oh Sain, did they hurt you? I was really worried the other day when Jalel and those older boys took you away. I even told Papa about it. He said I shouldn’t worry, but I still did. And then there was all that stuff with the gangs” the young girl said with genuine concern, her eyes wide and a nervous expression creeping over her.

Sain just scowled and lifted a hand to run it through his hair and down the back of his neck. A motion that always displayed nervousness for him. The scowl was followed by a guilty look briefly flashing across his face, but it was quickly hidden as he closed his eyes and put on a large fake smile.

“There was nothing to be worried about Rin, it was only a simple chat, and I didn't really get involved” Sain lied straight to her face, without a moment’s hesitation. Lying really did come easy to him, and he felt no remorse at doing so. He looked to his side though, noticing Niall’s expression. It was a familiar look to Sain, and it worried him. His older brother had set his jaw and had a hard glint in his eyes, hinting at a burning anger.

“Oh, well, um ok then. Glad you are ok” Rin stated, her smile coming back, even if it wavered on her face somewhat.

“So, what can I get for you two” she asked brightly, her attitude warming again as she tilted her head and let loose a brilliant smile, causing Sain’s heart to jump into his throat a little. He stammered a little and just pointed at the loaves of bread on the rack behind the counter.

"Just two bread loaves. Um... thanks Rin" Sain stated and then stayed silent as Rin collected two loaves and bagged them. Then he handed over the money and with a strained smile, waved Rin goodbye and made his way outside as Niall collected the bag of bread.

When Niall emerged from the store after Sain, he grabbed Sain by his arm and hauled him into the nearby side street, obviously wanting to interrogate his little brother on the conversation that had just occurred.

Niall released Sain as they stepped into the alley and stared hard at his brother.

“So just what the fuck is going on Sain? Are you involved with the gangs again? All that fighting in the night? Because if it’s like that gang trouble you got in a year ago shit will get worse” Niall said, his words drifting off at the end until he just stood there awkwardly in silence, like he wasn’t really willing to get into the details of the past.

Sain just clenched his jaw at Niall’s words, feeling a niggling anger rise.

“Look bro, it’s none of your business. It’s not that serious, and anyway, you would only make it worse by getting involved” the trapped youth muttered, his voice hard and full of defensiveness. He slumped against the wall now, his gaze downcast, refusing to meet Niall’s eyes as if he was ashamed. He could sense Niall watching him, and he just squirmed, quite uncomfortable. And then Niall just lifted a hand and splayed it out over the surface of the wall next to Sain’s head, before leaning in.

“That sounds like utter bullshit to me Sain. I am not an idiot. Tell me, or I swear I will slap you until you spill the beans. I need to know what is happening to see if I can do anything to help. You can trust me, you know. Or do I have to go speak to Jalel? He and I have history remember” Niall murmured close to Sain’s face. A small thud was heard as Niall dropped the bag that held the bread, freeing up his other hand which quickly came up to grip Sain’s chin and force him to look at Niall.

“What do you think will happen if you get caught up in trouble? Think dad could live with you being killed in some alley. Think he could live with that grief. I don’t think his heart could take it. So, tell me what’s going on man. I won’t be able to watch out for you in a few weeks because I will be in the military, so spill it now while you can” Niall stated as he stared into his younger brothers’ eyes. Sain saw nothing but concern in Niall’s expression, so the youth simply sighed and slumped down, gaze averting from Niall’s, still ashamed.

For as long as Sain could remember, Niall had always been there when he was in trouble. He had always been there to beat up a bully, offer advice or even just to act as a sounding board for all Sain’s frustrations. He was essentially a pillar of strength to lean on, an indomitable warrior brother, always caring for his baby brother. Moved by the obvious feelings, Sain opened to his brother, and with a slow exhalation of breath he began.

“Not long ago, Jalel took me for a job. I didn't want to go, but no one says no to Jalel. I let him down. Then he took me again and put me into a recent turf battle. People died. I nearly died. Then I ran and I have not spoken to Jalel since. I don't really know where to go from here” Sain murmured, his expression taking on a tired look. He grimaced and just shook his head at the memory.

After a few moments, Niall pushed away from the wall and stooped to pick up the bag holding the bread while remaining silent. Sain looked up at Niall and saw his brother exhale and lift a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose. Sain just stayed silent for a bit, trying to think if he should say or do anything else. After a few moments Niall dropped his hand from his nose and shook his head, a sad expression on his face.

“Alright. So firstly, for someone who nearly died, you look fine. I would expect you to be an emotional wreck. Watch out or the emotions will come crashing out of nowhere. Secondly, I guess you did not want to get involved in this gang nonsense, and I reckon you are smart enough to know the risks. But when it comes to the gangs, they do try to control anyone with skill in magic” Niall stated and shrugged, his sad expression disappearing, only to be replaced by a thoughtful one.

“So, for now I think it would be better if you stay away from Jalel. He can be an angry fucker” Niall stated, his tone belying a rather tense mood.

“I won’t tell dad. It’s not something he should hear about for now if ever. It would only make him sick with worry and he might do something stupid. So, you just keep doing things as normal. I am going to go track down a friend in the city that may be able to help. An old gang contact I guess you could say. And Sain, try to stay out of trouble and not do anything stupid ok” Niall added before patting a silent and downcast Sain on the shoulder.

Niall turned away then, seemingly not even waiting for an answer from Sain. He just walked away and disappeared into the jumble of streets that made up the slums district. Watching him go, Sain felt his stomach clench. I bet I have let him down. I just want him to approve of me. I don't know how he can be so strong, so sure of himself, so full of confidence all the time.

After a few moments spent composing himself, Sain sucked in a breath and nodded to himself as he pushed off the wall and started walking once more, aimlessly really.