brotherly drabbles.
“That son of a bitch.” Xavier cursed under his breath. He slammed his door and with his back against it, slid to the floor. His face twinged in pain at the sudden movements.
Dimitri was sprawled out on Xavier’s bed, he lowered his book into his lap.
“You know, brother, he wouldn’t be so hard on you if you didn’t patronize him.”
Xavier humorlessly laughed, “what would be the fun in that?”
Dimitri shook his head. If only Dimitri knew how hard Lucius pushed him.
“At least I don’t take orders unquestionably.” Xavier narrowed his eyes.
Dimitri shut his book with force. Instead of being baited into an argument, however, Dimitri picked up the ragged little stuffed dog sitting on Xavier’s bed and held it up. Its fur was now ragged, fluffing a tad limp, and the fur now a darker white than it used to be. Xavier stared at the dog in his arms. It was more than a stuffed dog, it was the symbol of friendship and brotherhood between the two. The first gift he had recieved in this wretched place.
“I can’t believe you still have this thing.” Dimitri laughed holding it by its ear.
Xavier smirked, “that old thing?” He shrugged. Dimitri raised an eyebrow, but held the dog to his chest, looking like the small little kid he used to be. As if he was thinking about the time he had given it to Xavier as a child.
“Why don’t you have the maid clean it?” Dimitri asked, investigating and poking at it.
Xavier shrugged, “he’s got character now. If you washed it, it wouldn’t show everything its been through.”
“I’m sure Muffin would be happier not remembering how it got dragged through mud. Or the time when the cat got to it and scratched out its eyeball.” Dimitri turned the dog towards him and shook it, its little head bobbing dramatically with the lack of neck fluff. The single beady eye staring at Xavier as if to make a point.
Xavier half smiled. He pushed up from the ground, grunting in slight pain. Dimitri set Muffin down carefully and proceeded to slide off the bed. “I’ll go now so you can rest.”
Xavier nodded, a wave of exhaustion washed over him. Dimitri clasped his shoulder as he walked by, a sympathetic smile on his face. Xavier’s lips tugged upward into a half smile and waited until Dimitri shut the door.
He let out a breath and walked over to his dresser. Carefully, Xavier pulled off his dirt and slightly scorched shirt. In the mirror he inspected his torso. He noticed day by day he was getting stronger. He had gained some weight in muscle with lines forming defined muscles. Day by day he also gained pain tolerance. Bruises already began to form on his torso, a few reddening circles offsetting his olive toned skin, in a few days they would turn blue and purple. He twisted to inspect his back. Lucky enough he didn't have any open wounds, just two long red, puffy welts beginning to form. He scowled. The welts still stung. Grabbing a muscle shirt he pulled it on and over his newly acquired wounds, still invisible in case his brother stormed in.
Despite the cruelty, Xavier wasn't sure he was ready to tell Dimitri that his Father still had the Captain training him to fullest. More like beating him until he was able to muster his power of fire. If Dimitri found out, he might put the both of them at risk.