Brothers ~ Punz and Purpled
Was in the mood for some sibling stuff, and also Purpled.
“What do you mean you want to leave?”
Purpled sighed, scuffing his shoes in the dust, not daring to make eye contact with Punz, who he was sure was glaring down at him.
“I knew this was a bad idea, I knew you wouldn’t let me.”
“No, really, tell me what you mean.”
“It… it’s fine.” Purpled turn and ran into the woods surrounding the wooden house, leaving Punz watching the purple hoodie disappear into the shadows.
It didn’t take Punz too long to find Purpled, after all, the two had lived here together since they were basically kids, or since Purpled was 8. They never really had anyone else, an external support system of any kind, but that was alright. They were resourceful, and with nothing but what they had on their backs when they had initially escaped the rough soldier regime, the brothers had made a life for themselves.
The plan to run away had begun growing since Punz was nearly bowled over by Purpled, who was the last person he expected to see in this compound. He was surprised to say the least, both by the sledgehammer of a child and the fact that he was here. He soon learnt that their parents had decided to send Purpled to the academy as well, to be trained into a bloodthirsty killing machine, to be shipped off like a pig to slaughter, and forgotten about. Punz had fumed for days, Purpled was a kid, a literal child, he shouldn’t have to figure out how to fasten his armour straps, stand up straight and still for hours on end, he shouldn’t need to know how to use a sword to kill a man.
Three nights later, the brothers escaped through the window. Punz was 15, and terrified of consequences, but he knew one thing for certain. Purpled had to be safe. They ran and ran, stumbling through sand and rocks, through forests and over rivers, until Purpled could literally run no more. They had kept moving until they thought they were far enough away to never get caught.
After living here for 7 years, you kind of get used to the places each other run when they get scared, or when they need to burn anger. And sure enough, in the clearing, Purpled angrily fenced with a tree.
“You sure you aren’t taking your anger out on the wrong thing?”
Punz spread his arms, half smile on his face as Purpled turned, dropping his sword into the dirt.
“C’mon then.” Punz gestured towards himself, and Purpled rushed over, letting himself be hugged like he was 8 again, and thrown into a new and dangerous world.
Eventually the sky darkened, and in silence, they walked back home.
“So, leaving?” Punz prodded gently, over mashed potatoes and stew.
Purpled set down his spoon, nodding seriously.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I want to go to Hypixel. It isn’t too far from here, and I think I’m ready.”
Punz had though about relocating the pair to Hypixel before, it was a large country, with a thriving community, and in the beginning, when they had first began building a life, Punz knew of many back alley competitions and fights he could have entered, and maybe brought some money home. But in the end, things worked out, and the thought had been banished from his mind ever since.
“Sleep on it,” Punz found himself saying. “We can decide in the morning.”
Night turned to day, and Purpled stepped outside to find Punz strapping himself up in iron armour, slightly old and dented, but reliable throughout the years.
“Ah, Purp,” Punz pointed at the other set of armour with his sword. “Put it on. Fast.”
Purpled scrambled into place, fumbling over straps, picking up his sword and taking his place opposite Punz. Their eyes met and they charged into battle.
Purpled was used to fighting against Punz, who had finally given in to teaching him a few years after escaping. They had fought a lot, so Purpled knew Punz’s attack pattern, or at least, he thought he did. No, this Punz fighting was different, harsher. It was determined, and it wasn’t going to let Purpled win without a good fight.
A good fight he was going to get.
Purpled found himself darting around, skirting wide circles around Punz’s swings, letting him tire himself out, and the second he saw an opening, he struck, catching the hilt of his sword and twisting until Punz’s clanged onto the floor, useless, and Purpled’s sword found it’s way under his opponent’s chin.
Punz panted, catching his breath for a second, face splitting into a wide grin.
“You’re more than ready Purpled, get your things together.”
Punz walked Purpled to the main gates of Hypixel in a comfortable silence. As they neared the front of the queue, they faced each other, as if knowing what the other would do.
“Pfft, I’m not going to war, I’m just visiting a country, checking out the sights, maybe making a name for myself.”
Purpled joked, but Punz knew he felt it too. It would be the first time the brothers would separate in 7 years. They got on each other’s nerves and fought a lot, but they were brothers. They loved each other the same.
“Yea,” Purpled’s voice dropped. “I’m going to miss you too.”
“Promise you’ll come back to me eventually?”
“Only if you promise to come watch me compete one day.”
And Punz waved at the gates of Hypixel, until the purple hoodie disappeared into the crowd.
