Recovering together (fto)

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
Slight trigger warning- mentions of self harm

                          

(Ritchie's pov)
For the first time in months, I felt myself smiling to the point it hurt, but I didn't care. Brandon was finally home. I was holding him in my arms, as we dragged ourselves up the stairs to our bedroom. It had been a long, difficult day, due to the massive battle it had taken to free my brother from his demon. He was severely injured, so taking care of him was my top priority. Carefully, I lowered him down onto his bed, before walking away to grab some medical supplies.
"Brother?"
"Yes?!" I answered immediately, darting to his side.
"Woah, calm down. I was just asking where you're going?"
"I am calm! I was just going to fetch a med kit."
"Lopho already healed me. All I need now is some rest."
"I'm just being cautious!"
He pulled me closer by my arm, forcing me to sit down on the bed next to him. 
"Everything is fine. Honestly, I'm just exhausted and a bit angry at myself."
"It wasn't your fault. Your demon is at fault for harming those people and for causing all of the damage."
"I know that. It still makes me feel bad though.....plus I feel awful for leaving you."
                          
I watched him fiddle with his hands, whilst staring at the ground with a saddened expression. Wrapping my arms around him, I engulfed him in a hug, muttering comforting words to him. He smiled softly at me, his eyes staring directly into my own. I felt our bond stronger than ever before. We were tied together again; nothing could make me happier. Suddenly, I felt a strong aching pain in my stomach, making me groan slightly, curling into a ball. 
"Ritchie?!"
"I'm fine...."
"No you're not, quick let me-"
For the first time today, he took a good look at me. I saw his eyes widen, as they scanned over my appearance, probably over analysing every single scratch on me. 
"I really am fine."
"You look terrible!"
"Well thankyou. You look lovely too."
"Shut up! What happened to you....?"
Brandon looked at me with concerned eyes, silently begging me to explain everything and reassure him that I really was okay. 
"Listen, I promise I'm perfectly alright."
"Stop lying."
"I'm not ly-"
"QUIT IT!"
                          
I stared at him in shock, backing away slightly. He looked extremely angry, grabbing me by the wrist to keep me from moving away anymore. 
"Brandon, you're hurting me..."
His eyes changed colour, as his aura became dangerously unstable. Black markings began to stretch across his skin, like paint on a blank canvas. I struggled to get out of his grip. Even by thrashing around, all i managed to do was tire myself out. I would have teleported away, but my magic was completely drained.
"Please..calm down...."
His grip tightened greatly, which made me cry out in pain. He looked at me with sorrowful eyes, letting go of my wrist and slowly returning to normal.
"I am so sorry.... I guess my demon is still trying to take full control again. 
"Its alright." 
"Seriously though, are you okay? And don't give me an obvious lie. Please....I'm worried about you."
"Thanks, but there is no need for that."
Brandon glared at me, obviously fighting to restrain his anger from lashing out at me again.
                          
"Fine...I may be a bit...well, uhhhh...hungry?"
"Huh?"
"I...may have not been eating for a while..."
"Ritchie! Were you at least drinking?!"
"Does alcohol count? If it does than I've been drinking enough to last me two lifetimes."
"No it doesn't! Wait..." he leaned closer, inspecting my face.
"What are you doing Brandon?"
"You haven't been sleeping either, have you?!"
"I mean...sometimes I passed out, so that's something at least."
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes, before responding.
"Brother, is there anything else I should know."
I shifted nervously, before pointing out some of the numerous bruises on my body.
"Bruises? What about them? Aren't they just from the fight?"
Shaking my head, I directed my gaze to the floor in shame.
"Ritchie?"
"It wasn't that bad I promise. At least I didn't draw any blood."
"What?"
"The bruises and some of the scratches are from me punishing myself."
"What?! Why?!"
                          
Lifting my head to face him once more, I felt something wet slip down my cheeks. Soon, my entire vision was a blur, as I heard myself sobbing uncontrollably. My whole body was shaking violently, almost like it was trying to throw me off the bed. Two arms embraced me, pulling me close to someone's chest. It took me longer than it probably should have to realise Brandon was the one hugging me. He was humming a soothing tune that he always used to calm me down, for it had never once failed. This time was no exception. Everything was soon clear again, though my breathing was still shaky and I continued to cry. 
"Everything is okay brother. I am here with you again, that'll never change."
"I w-was so w-worried that y-y-you were n-never coming-ing back!"
"I know, I know, but here I am."
His voice was comforting, sending me into a much calmer state. After a while, I stopped crying, still attempting to steady my breathing.
"Are you alright now?"
"K-kinda."
"That's good, now, why did you hurt yourself?" his voice had no malice behind it, just simply concern.
"I was doing a t-terrible job as a g-g-guild leader, so I was a-angry at myself...."
"Well, promise that you will never do that to yourself again."
"I promise."
"Good." he smiled at me, reaching up to run his fingers through my hair.
                          
"Hehe, I missed your fluffy hair."
That made me giggle, completely catching me off guard.
"Whaaat, I did. Your hair is so fluffy and soft."
"It was indeed weird to not have you playing with it every five seconds."
"Hmmm, well I've got alot to make up for then!"
"You sure do."
"Also, I clearly need to punish our guild."
"Uhhh, why?"
"Because clearly none of them helped you out. I'll be needing to train again anyways, so they can be my new practise dummies."
I chuckled at the thought, resting my head on Brandon's chest.
"Tired?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Alright, we can sleep, but tomorrow I am making sure you eat!"
"Okay."
"I'm glad you're sleeping though. That's one thing crossed off the list."
"Mhm."
He leaned back, dragging us both down to lie on the bed. Pulling the covers over us, I edged even closer to him, basically using his body as a pillow. He continued to play with my hair, which I always loved, so it wasn't that difficult for my eyelids to grow heavy, before I was being dragged into a peaceful slumber. 
                          
(Brandon's pov)
I watched my brother close his eyes, immediately falling asleep. The feeling of his hair between my fingertips was so familiar that it calmed me completely. Thinking over our conversation, I couldn't believe how much Ritchie's condition had deteriorated in my absence. I was going to make good on my promise, by taking care of him until he was back to his regular self. Breaking down in my arms was something he hadn't done in a long time, so I was caught off guard. Luckily, I remembered the song that had always calmed him down since we were kids. I was thrilled to be back with my brother. Being trapped in my own mind certainly was not fun. I knew that Ritchie was going to try to make a fuss of me and take care of me. As long as I could do the same for him, I didn't mind that one bit. I closed my eyes, slowly drifting off, until the only thing I was aware of was the feeling of my brother's hair. Then, it was just darkness.
                          
This was requested by IronTooth43 so I hope you liked it and that this is what you wanted!