[FRAG] House of Liars

The ground was cool under his feet.

Every step brought him down further the hill, the grass between his toes, slightly wet with dew against his fur. He hadn't felt this way in how long? How many years had he spent away from home, only visiting in tiny, short little bursts? Morning Star sighed softly, a tiny little noise, as he clasped his hands in front of his lap. 

The discomfort still hadn't left, but it was easier to breathe after he'd texted Magnotris and Jubilee to let them know he'd be lingering a little longer. He half wanted to go home, half wanted to stay in AAA-100, wanted to talk to people and see people and befriend people that he barely knew existed. It still boggled his mind to remember the number Hour had recited earlier - six thousand four hundred and ninety-one. That was more Frags in one Timeline than Gladar in most! 

All of those people had just been a glance away from him, down the hill into town, and yet he couldn't recall a single name, a single face. Marion had gotten thrown around earlier, during Hour and Nebulous Star's argument, but it didn't ring a bell. How had he forgotten everyone, let them slip through the cracks in his memory so easily? Wasn't he supposed to be warm and kind, able to befriend anyone? That was what everyone had said, what everyone had complimented him on. What would they say if he knew he couldn't name a single resident of his home TImeline?

He wiped at his mouth, feeling anxiety rise once more. No, please. He was tired of feeling that way, of that jitteriness that bit into his spine and held on for hours. He was tired of being worried. Nobody knew, nobody had to know. And he could befriend them all now, anyways, now that he was better-adjusted and more sensible. He'd do better this time, by all of them.

"Why are you making those faces?"

Morning Star let out an eep, head whipping to the right. Hour was peering at him, tail swishing from side to side, one corner of his mouth drawn back in a near-snarl.

"What faces?" he managed, the tremor not in his voice for once. 

Hour gave an annoyed shrug. "You just look pissy, that's all."

"Oh, well, I'm not."

Neb elbowed their way between the two, "Now, let's not fight. We just got over this, Hour."

The latter huffed, but remained silent, picking up his pace to make up the front of the group. Morning Star didn't protest, merely watching his younger brother nearly stomp down the path. 

Now that they were near the base of their hill, he could better see the village before them. Tiny and cozy came to mind; cobblestone paths surrounded small, wooden buildings. Near the dirt trek up the hill was a stout well, with water sloshing around inside of it. Someone was nearby, peering down into the darkness and adjusting their heavy robes, but looked up at the Star siblings' arrival. Instantly, a great smile spread over their features.

"Mayor Hour!" they cried, throwing open their arms and stepping back from the well.

Morning Star's eyes flicked to Hour, watching his brother's face instantly light up. "Marion!" 

They darted for one another, Marion scooping up Hour in a great hug, twirling him around. As the spin slowed, Marion smashed their muzzles together in an approximation of a kiss. Instantly, Morning Star squeaked, ducking his head as a light blush formed over his cheeks. Oh. 

"What, you didn't know?" Neb asked, one hand on their hip, other by their side.

"I didn't even know who Marion was," he lamely replied, playing with the knot of his tie.

How hadn't he known Hour was in a relationship? Had it always just flown over his head in conversation, or had it truly never been brought up? Both of his siblings knew about him and Magnotris. What kind of eldest brother was he, not to know about Hour and his partner?

"I'm so glad you're okay," Hour whispered, feet firmly back on the ground. His forehead was pressed to Marion's.

The other snickered, grinning ear to ear, "We held down the fort just fine, Mayor! Can't believe you got your butt arrested, though!" 

"I was not arrested!" Hour squawked, but there was a grin over his features, too. "I got... detained, I guess." 

"Did you live it large in the Coalition's dungeons?"

He scoffed, running a hand through Marion's hair, "Please, they couldn't keep me contained."

The two shared another small smooch. Morning Star found the dirt at his feet very fascinating.

"Neb, you're back too?" Marion peeked past Hour Star's shoulder, their expression relaxed. Their eyes glided to Morning Star, and they raised their eyebrows. "Oh!"

"Yeah, I'm back," Neb said, with a light shrug and a gesture towards Morning Star, "You remember Morning!"

Oh, for fuck's sake. He cleared his throat politely. "Morning Star, please."

Hour let out a loud huff, resting his forehead on Marion's shoulder. Regardless, the latter offered their hand politely. "I'm Marion Rouge! They-them. I've heard plenty of stories 'bout you, Founder!"

"Ah..." he accepted their hand, shaking, "Founder?"

"Yeah! You helped found our beautiful village! First Frag, right?" Marion's smile was kindly, but expectant.

Morning Star rubbed the back of his neck, offering back his own tight-lipped smile. "Er... yes. But I didn't help construct any village...?"

"Yeah, that was all me," Hour grumbled, poking Marion's ribs. The other squealed in laughter. "Who's been saying that? Varnia? Keiton?"

Marion let out a small bark of a laugh, stroking Hour's hair. "Both wrong! Ellise is the one telling stories."

Morning Star's ears perked up. That sounded familiar, although he couldn't quite place a face to that name. But it did ping something in the depths of his memory: a long-forgotten voice, faintly, in the back of his head. Maybe once upon a time he'd known her?

"What?" Hour's mouth was open.

"Yeah, we were all holed up while you were gone in the town hall, and she started telling some tall tales. I know your brother got mentioned." Marion gestured to Morning Star.

"What was she saying?" Hour demanded, tugging on Marion's shirt.

Neb stepped forwards. "That's not really important right now, Hour, come on. Marion, is anyone hurt?"

"There's a few that got scuffed up by the occupation," they said, twirling a finger in their curls, "I think Varnia got badly hurt; he tried to fight back... of course. But other than that, everyone's okay."

Neb looked to Morning Star expectantly. He stepped forwards, feeling some sort of anxiety drain out of him as he stood up a little straighter. "I can help heal anyone injured," he said, voice smoother than he ever dreamed it could be.

It was almost funny, how easily he felt he slid into a leadership position. If he wasn't so marred by anxiety, maybe he would've realized sooner that he was alright with being an Overseer. Even now, in this unfamiliar territory, surrounded by strangers and his family, he still felt comfortable taking the reins. Well, as long as he ignored Hour's dirty glare.

"Oh wow! That's very kind of you, Mister Morning Star!" Marion chirped, waving his hands slightly.

Hour patted them down, grumbling, "No, no, don't compliment him like that."

"Where are the injured?" he inquired, pointedly pretending his brother wasn't pouting. 

Marion stepped forwards, gesturing down the cobble path. Morning Star followed the other's pointing, letting his eyes flick from building to building. Six thousand people lived here. That was still impossibly hard for him to wrap his mind around, despite everything. The village sprawled out before him, clearly designating this street as some sort of main one. Alleyways trickled off of it, curving into the rest of the valley that AAA-100's settlement had decided on living in. At its most distant rolling hill, he could faintly see a waterfall, with a large building next to it.

"They're in town hall, down there," Marion explained, motioning at the waterfall-building. 

Morning Star nodded, taking a tentative step forwards. Hour let go of his partner to scramble in front of the other, giving Morning Star a pointed look. He shrank back slightly.

"I'll take you there," Hour said, putting a hand on his chest. Marion trotted over to him, wrapping their arms around one of his. "Don't pull any weird shit, alright?"

"What would I even pull...?" Morning Star mumbled, but Hour had already turned away. He sighed and fell into line behind the other, Neb keeping pace calmly.

He glanced at the buildings as they passed. Most were quaint and small, with brick chimneys, stone floors, wide windows. It was wholly alien from the dark-but-cozy atmosphere of the COR and its buildings - the village seemed so... mortal. How much of it had existed, back when he still lived here? Had he just ignored its entire existence? How did he not know his home, how did he remember it so poorly?

Morning Star bit his lip, trying to shake the feelings of inadequacy. This just wasn't his place, that was all. He belonged at the COR, doing Overseer work, talking to Sundae and Jubilee and Sterling and bringing people together. He was a respected, loved figure there, and he knew the place like the back of his hand. He'd prowled many a forgotten hallway at headquarters, enjoying the exploration and experience of just being somewhere bustling, somewhere where he mattered.

Still, he couldn't fathom how poor his memory was about his home. Or maybe the village had grown up in his absence? Still....

"You feelin' blue?" Neb asked, putting a hand around Morning Star's shoulder.

He stiffened at the touch, but willed his shoulders to relax as he smiled at his sibling. "Ah, I'm alright."

"You sure? I know Hour's a little touchy right now. He always gets this way when he thinks anyone in town's gotten hurt. Guy loves 'em, y'know?" Neb let out a small, subdued laugh.

No. No he didn't know, apparently. He had no idea how many people shared his home Timeline. It had been his dirty, ill-forgotten secret that he buried in the backyard and let rot. Morning Star took a breath to still the bile beginning to churn, and asked quietly, "Marion called him 'mayor'...?"

"Yeah, Trivea was founded by Hour. It's been his pet project forever."

Morning Star stared at the back of Hour's head, at the curled horns protruding, at the curls that bounced with every step. He'd related to Wage so hard, but Wage had been the one to construct a village in his home Timeline. This, at least, was a stark difference between the two of them: the village was Hour Star's. It was sort of funny - he'd never placed his brother as the one to find domestic, village life idyllic. But he had to love it in some fashion, right? This was his home, what he dedicated his life to.

As they passed various more houses, people poked their heads out of windows and doors, waving to the group. Several more people called for Hour's attention, and he waved back, greeting by name and giving gentle responses. Morning Star's eyes bore into Hour's skull. He'd never seen his brother so soft and loving before - he was a completely different person, here, in this town of Trivea.

...Was this even Morning Star's home, really? Did he feel at peace here? Did he seek to return here, when the dust settled?

No. He was a fool for ever thinking that. Magnotris was his home, the COR was his home. Why was he so desperate to fit in here? They didn't even really need him, not truly. They had Hour and Neb and he was sure plenty of other people who knew and understood the culture, the way they worked, the time they could dedicate. He belonged at the COR.

He was just here for a visit, to check in. To ensure everyone was safe after his actions had put them in danger, to heal the damage he'd caused. He'd help, and then politely bow out. 

"Right through here," Hour gruffly said, startling Morning Star out of his thoughts. They had come to a halt in front of the waterfall-house, with a soft spray of water splashing against their cheeks. He stepped up onto the house's porch, sliding the door open and stepping aside to allow the others in.

Morning Star mumbled, "thank you," heading into the building. The wooden floors creaked as he lingered near the door, Neb and Marion making their way in after him.

There were a few other Frags here, most looking up at their entrance, worry and panic painted on their features. At Hour's calm cleared throat, they relaxed, one standing to rush to the other's side.

"Mayor Hour!" they barked, clasping their hands together, "you're finally back!"

He nodded, patting their shoulder. "I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner. Where's Varnia? I was told he was injured."

"Over here, boss."

The group glanced over. A Frag was resting on a plush cushion, arms wrapped around his torso, wincing hard. A bloodied lance lay on the floor next to him, soaked red just like his clothes and the fringes of his white fur. He attempted to smile, but it was clearly strained.

Hour instantly rushed to his side, kneeling, hands lighting with magic, "Oh, stars, Varnia, what happened?"

"They were roughin' up Ellise," he gruffly replied, "had to try to protect her, at least."

"I'm so sorry, Varnia," he whispered, peeling at the other's shirt to expose the wound.

Morning Star lingered awkwardly, standing on his tiptoes to peer. It was messy and gore-y, the flesh torn and sore. He could see flecks of yellow among the blood. Was that gold? Was this from gold torture?

"That ain't gonna help," he mumbled, as Hour's healing magic pressed against the wound. 

Another Frag nearby closed a first-aid kit. "It's gold, Mayor. Only time can fix that."

Morning Star sucked in a breath, slowly. When he'd been Blessed, he'd healed the damage he'd done to the Overseers, and all of that had been gold, from his gun. Pya's magic was strong, incredibly so. No Frag wielded enough gold to land a fatal hit, right? He could probably heal this, right?

He had to at least try.

Hour had hesitated, staring with wide, nearly-tear-filled eyes at Varnia's wound. He looked to the doctor helplessly. "We can't do anything?"

"No, Mayor. I'm sorry. With rest and plenty of time, though, it should heal."

"Varnia, I'm so sorry..." Hour took one of Varnia's hands, holding it tightly. Marion stepped forwards, putting a hand sadly on Hour's shoulder. 

Varnia shifted and tried to lighten his expression. "Boss, it's alright. I should've been more carefu-"

"-I c-can heal it," Morning Star blurted out.

The room fell silent, everyone turning to face him. Blush rose to his face and he ducked his head slightly.

"Um..." the doctor cleared their throat. "It's gold, you can't-"

"-No, I really can, let me try," he insisted.

Hour stood, letting go of Varnia's hand to ball his own into fists, gritting his teeth. "Morning, this isn't the fucking time for you to act like some high and mighty-" 

He pushed Hour out of the way, ignoring his brother's angry squeak. Varnia's eyes, wide, flicked from Morning Star to Hour Star, opening his mouth to try to speak and then shutting it almost as quickly. Morning Star pretended like the other wasn't staring at him in surprised fear, and crouched, breathing in slowly.

The primordial magic, a familiar sensation, rose from his veins. Purple sparkled from deep within him, rising up past his fur to coat his hands in a warm, soft light. The doctor gasped at the alien color, taking a step back.

"Shit, that's that special stuff you were talking about," Neb said, stepping forwards and putting a hand on Hour's shoulder. The latter didn't speak, staring with wide eyes and a weakened scowl.

Morning Star reached forwards, setting his hands on the gash in Varnia's torso. He instinctively flinched, but stilled under Morning Star's touch, watching as the violet magic sunk into the blood gently. It curled around the tiny pieces of gold, the tiny flecks, smashing them out of existence. It only took a second before the healing magic could take over, and the wound slowly closed, bone and muscle and flesh regrowing and shifting. 

Breathing slowly, Morning Star let his magic fade, pulling his hands back. The room was silent, save for the whirring of a fan somewhere in the room. All eyes were on Varnia's torso, at the startling lack of injury. 

Varnia experimentally twisted his body back and forth, then flexed. He slowly stood, still staring at his unmarred fur, picking up his lance and posing a few times with it. He slowly fell back into a neutral stance before looking at Morning Star, eyes sparkling.

"You're a miracle worker," he whispered, clamping his hands over his mouth.

"WHAT?!" Hour exploded, but Varnia had already thrown his arms around Morning Star's neck. He eeped. "What, no, no, that was a fucking fluke! You can't heal gold! Cellabora, what did he do?!" 

The doctor startled, pushing their glasses up their muzzle, "Er, Mayor, I don't know - I've never seen anything like that?"

"Wow, he really can do it," Neb said, rubbing the back of his neck and then grinning.

Morning Star awkwardly patted Varnia's back. He still barely knew everyone in the room, but they were all curiously stepping closer, eyes wide, postures nervous. He attempted to peel Varnia's arms off, and the other thankfully backed off, but still had tears speckling in his eyes. Morning Star gave an awkward smile before he met Hour's furious growl.

Ah, great.

"Morning Star, wait outside for a moment," Hour hissed, in a surprising show of emotional restraint. He pointed for the front door.

"That's Morning Star?" Cellabora asked, eyebrows shooting up.

Varnia turned to Hour, "Boss, why didn't you tell us he could do that?"

Suddenly feeling rather awkward, Morning Star darted out the door, leaning against the outside wall as it slid shut behind him. Thankfully, the walls were thick enough that the others' talking was instantly obscured. He daydreamed a quick prayer of thanks to the stars. The last thing he wanted was to hyperfocus on some sort of guilt or blame.

He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. He was here to help and heal, right? He was just trying to do his job. That wasn't bad. It was what Hour agreed he should do. Hour couldn't be angry at him, right? Why was the thought of that scaring him so badly? He just wanted to go home.

The spray of the waterfall was a soft, cooling comfort in the heat of anxiety. After a second, he scrubbed at his face, letting out a tiny whine.

The door slid open, and Morning Star peeled off the wall, turning. Marion gave him a gentle grin, closing the door behind themselves. He blinked before leaning back on the wall and hugging himself awkwardly.

"That was amazing, Morning Star," Marion said, clasping their hands over their chest. "I didn't know you were a healer, Mayor Hour never told us!"

He sucked in a breath. "Y-yeah... I figured he didn't say a lot of things about me."

"Oh, he did... just not stuff like that."

Ack. "What... did he say?"

Marion frowned, scuffing a foot on the ground. "That you left."

"Well, I kinda did?"

"Er, more along the lines of... because you didn't like us."

Oh. Morning Star swallowed. "A-anything else?"

"It wasn't all bad," Marion said, a second later, reaching forwards to take Morning Star's shoulder. "He always spoke of you with some respect. He said you were very intelligent, very kind... just thought of yourself too highly for your own good. But that doesn't seem all true."

If only Hour knew, really, what every waking thought of his was. Morning Star rubbed a hand down his face. If only he could ever articulate, and have Hour believe and trust him. If only he could share with his siblings the truth. 

"...Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Marion said, awkwardly dropping a hand.

Morning Star shook his head tiredly. "You're fine. I should've expected as much from him."

"You two seem... antagonistic."

Morning Star paused to raise an eyebrow at the other.

Marion smiled nervously. "Well... I'm his partner. I'd like for him to have as many happy relationships as possible. You count, right?"

Something choked in Morning Star's chest. Something that reminded him of Magnotris, of the other's gentle overprotectiveness, of his smile as Morning Star had sipped milkshakes. 

He breathed in, slowly, trying to get a leash around his feelings. Everything still felt unreal, like everything he'd experienced the last week was a fake dream and he'd wake up in his bedroom back at Hour's house on the day he'd left to join the COR. 

But it was real, and he'd never fully get to share it with any of these people. He had to depend on Hour pushing for the truth, on Hour saying true things about him. And, for some deep unsettling reason, he knew he couldn't. There would be nothing he could do to repair their relationship. How had he let it sour so far? Wasn't he supposed to be some great bastion of friendship and care?

Some charismatic leader he was. He couldn't talk down Rendgen after being kidnapped, couldn't help reform Bereave, and he couldn't talk to his own brother and settle their issues. What kind of friendship master was he?

"Morning Star...?"

"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I've had a long last few days. This is kinda the shitty cherry on top." haha he sounded like Magnotris.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Marion replied, nervously smiling. Great, he'd gone and unsettled Hour's partner, and his brother was going to be triply pissed at him. Could he do nothing right?

The door slid open, and Hour exited, Neb on his heels. He seemed a little calmer, although his movements were stiff and jerky. His glare was levelled on Morning Star with plenty of annoyed hatred, but the latter merely sighed again. 

"So." Hour began, putting his hands on his hips. Marion picked their way over to him, snuggling close. Hour's shoulders dropped as he relaxed slightly.

"So," Morning Star echoed.

"What was-" he gestured to the town hall, "that?" 

"I said I wanted to help people, heal anyone injured. That's a-all that was," Morning Star said, tapping his fingers together.

Hour smoldered down at him, eyes narrowed. "No, that wasn't all that was. You totally fucking upstaged me, like a complete ass. Do you know what the hell you pulled?"

"I-"

"In case you didn't get it through that thick skull of yours," Hour's voice raised, "but Trivea is MY town. I am its MAYOR, that means its citizens look to ME for guidance, affection, and comfort. It's my DUTY to take care of them and my Timeline. When my annoying brother shows up and upstages me, shows off some freaky magic he got from the Coalition and fixes an issue I can't, people get UNSETTLED. You're going to make people distrust me, and then what'll they do?"

Morning Star swallowed. "Hour-"

"NO! Don't you 'Hour' me right now!" he pointed a finger in Morning Star's face, and the other flinched, "YOU pulled this shit. YOU brought this upon yourself! You're so fucking desperate for anyone's approval that you don't ever stop to realize the repercussions of your starsdamned ACTIONS, Morning Star! You're just here to try to disrupt Trivea!" 

"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOUR STUPID TOWN EXISTED," Morning Star shouted, throwing his hands up.

"Some sibling you are!" Hour spat back, "Didn't even know about my LIFE'S WORK but you'll still come in and try to show me up, try to act like you know BEST!?"

"That's not what I was doing and you KNOW IT!"

"Who the fuck do you think you ARE, Morning Star?! You think you just get to come into my town, overstep every single fucking boundary? I didn't give you the OK to heal Varnia! You cut me off, cut my doctor off, interrupted, and just stomped in like you know better! Have you ever considered that sometimes people don't WANT your stupid fucking help?!"

He threw his hands out to his sides, "YOU WERE OKAY WITH IT! IN THE HOUSE!"

"Because I thought you'd be reasonable!" Hour shouted back, "Thought you'd at least respect my status as mayor, my AUTHORITY in my town! But no, you just stomp in like always and take over! Who are you, to think you get to dictate anything about ANYONE ELSE!?"

"That's not-"

"I bet all that stuff that the Coalition person was talking about was BULLSHIT! I bet you orchestrated all of it just to make yourself feel important because you're so FUCKING HOPELESS and BITCHY you can't stand the idea that you aren't needed!"

Morning Star's hands lit with magic as he swung a fist.

Hour screamed at impact, stumbling backwards, tripping down the porch stairs and landing hard on the cobble path. Morning Star panted, staring down at his brother, eyes wide. His gaze slowly trailed down to his hand, still glowing purple. A fresh cut on Hour's cheek was freely bleeding.

"Hour!" Marion squeaked, darting to their boyfriend's side to cradle him.

Morning Star leaned against the wall, still staring at his hand. His fingers were trembling, slightly. Those were his fingers, right?

"Morning, you okay?" Neb asked, taking a careful step towards him.

He screwed his eyes shut, hissing through his teeth, "It's Morning Star. For the last fucking time. And that's Overseer Morning Star, to you."

"Fuck off, Morning," Hour spat. 

Morning Star's hands curled into fists as the beginnings of tears stung his eyes.

He wanted to go home, to his proper home. He wanted to see Sterling and Sundae and Wage and Jubilee and Magnotris and all of his friends again. He wanted to go back, to the Coalition, to the place he knew and understood and was accepted in. He was a dumbass for ever thinking he could rebuild this horrible, warped relationship with Hour. His brother didn't care about picking up their pieces and trying to rebuild their bridge. He'd burn it down every chance he could get.

But at the COR, Morning Star didn't have to care about that. He could just do his work as an ambassador, where he shone, where he excelled, where his talents were loved and appreciated and others cared for him. That was his home, his real home. Fuck AAA-100. Maybe he should just lie and say he didn't have a home Timeline when others asked.

"With pleasure," he growled back, snapping his fingers and letting teleportation overtake him.