Family Jewels AU Fic: Don't Tell the Truth
(warning: emotional manipulation, I think)
Brutus is my son
Rogue aka Henry Stickmin is co-parented by me and @mai-mai-lim
Ashley Jang belongs to Mai as well
"HOW CAN I TRUST YOU WHEN YOU'RE HENRY STICKMIN'S RIGHT HAND AND FUCKING FAMILY!?" Brutus panicked, he couldn't trust her.
Trust was a fragile rarity he gave to the few in this clan such as Accordion, Violin, Ulle, Jay, Aidan, Crusher and Danny.
"W-Who told-" "It's none of your fucking business, Right Hand Lady." Brutus spoke over Ashley as he tightly gripped a few files in his arms. "IT IS MY BUSINESS! HOW THE FUCK DO YOU OF ALL PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT MY RELATION TO SEUN-"
The double agent's eyes went wide in fear as he dropped the files and covered Miss Jang's mouth, "SHHH! Don't fucking say that name!"
Ashley was startled and confused by his sudden change in behavior, one second ago he was scared of her now he's...scared FOR her? Why couldn't she say her cousin's REAL name?
Ashley removed Brutus's hand, "What? You're joking right? Why can't I say my cousin's actual fucking name of all things?"
"Because Min Seung-Jae is fucking DEAD!" Brutus whispered, "He buried that name and left it behind on Earth for a reason, Ashley Jang! So if you think for one second YOU of all people are still allowed to even mutter that name, you ma'am are fucking dead wrong."
That was disturbing to hear, her cousin had left behind his former self and deemed that self dead and buried six feet under the ground.
The linguist felt a crushing feeling in her chest, was Seung-Jae even the same anymore? As far as she was aware...yes? He couldn't possibly have changed so drastically to the point of no return.
"Hello dear cousin..." An all too familiar voice greeted both Ashley and the double agent. "and Brutus."
Henry Stickmin, the chief of the Toppat Clan and Ashley Jang's family. They both could hear this unpleasant tone in his voice.
"Ch-Chief!" Brutus scrambled to pick up the files and papers that were scattered on the floor. "Sorry, Miss Jang and I bumped into one another so it's...it's nothing to worry about."
Henry smirked as he watched the double agent reorganize the mess of files and papers, the chief found it entertaining how pathetic and how powerless Brutus was in the clan. His mask of confidence was no longer there. Perfect.
As soon as Brutus had gotten back up from the floor having regathered all the paperwork and files, it was like Henry Stickmin was a shadow as he snuck up right next to Brutus with a sinister smile.
His hand resting on the back of the double agent's neck, the chief's grip slowly tightening around him. "Don't fret too much, Danger." Henry could feel Brutus' pulse speeding up. "Like you said, it's nothing to worry about...wasn't that right?"
Ashley was confused about what the hell was going on here, but she had a gut feeling something was wrong.
Brutus tried to calm his nerves as he could feel the tightness of Henry's grip around the back of his neck. "Yessir, it isn't anything worth worrying about."
Henry hummed as he gave a small wry smile, one that Ashley identified as playful or harmless.
It was ANYTHING but that in reality.
"Right then, Brutus and I have something to...discuss. It's just a bunch of boring paperwork and such." Henry shrugged, his grip on Brutus dangerously tightening to the point there was a quiet whimper of pain that was held back. "Perhaps later, you and I could do a bit of catching up after all this time Ashley!"
Brutus knew exactly what the chief was telling him through tightening his grip around the back of his neck.
DON'T. SPEAK. THE TRUTH.
Ashley KNEW, she could sense the tension in the air. It was like a thick heavy smoke hanging in the air almost choking Brutus.
"Y-Yeah...sure thing, Henry." She forced a smile.
Henry gave his cousin a genuine smile, "Great!" He removed his hand from Brutus's neck and brought his arm around him tightly. "I'll see you around later dear cousin, maybe during dinner."
As Henry forced Brutus to follow alongside him he waved farewell to Ashley with that same sweet smile, only for it to quickly fade away and turn into a scowl as the duo walked away from the linguist.
"Keep your mouth FUCKING shut, Danger." He angrily whispered.
Brutus cleared his throat, "I..I didn't say anything to Ashley. I swear."
The Toppat chief grinned as he released the double agent from his grip, "Good, I expect you to never speak honestly around others.”