Central District - [open]

[mega_bluebomber]

On the list of holidays that Mega Man enjoyed, New Year's was pretty close to the top. He loved this time of year. It was just after Christmas, so people were generally still feeling the afterglow of family, love, presents, and goodwill to men, but the majority of the hype had faded. Now it was a time to start over, to start clean, make plans, and

Comments

[betterthanhim]

Mega was lucky he was in such a good mood. His brother, leaving Town Hall, was not.

"To be perfectly clear, Mr. Note - are you saying you don't want to pursue any custody claims on Jess Ilona?"

And he had told them yes. It wasn't really much of a hard choice, when it came down to it. He wasn't capable of taking care of Jess. She wouldn't let him. Really, she was better off in the foster situation they were setting up for her.

But how was he going to tell her - and everyone else - that?

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't even notice Mega, although his walking had scattered the birds his brother had been watching.

[mega_bluebomber]

Mega blinked, mildly annoyed when someone disturbed the pigeons, but the feeling faded when he saw who it was. "Proto," he said, blinking again. Questions popped up in his head, but were promptly shot down. What are you doing here? I live here, dummy. What are you doing? What does it look like? Where are you going? None of your business. "How are you doing?" he finally asked.

[betterthanhim]

Proto paused, just as taken aback at Mega's presence. "Mega Man..."

How was he doing? Tough question. Right now he felt rather numb. "I..."

[mega_bluebomber]

Wow. Talk about awkward moments. Mega scuffed his foot on the ground, avoiding Proto's eyes. "You get my gift?" he asked, more out of the need to say something.

[betterthanhim]

"Yeah... it's - nice. Thank you." He shifted. "I miss seeing you, Mega. You can drop by the house if you wanted, you know."

[mega_bluebomber]

Mega cast a sidelong glance at his brother. "You really wouldn't mind?" Visiting Proto in his own home felt like he was treading on his brother's turf, invading his territory.

[betterthanhim]

Proto put his foot on the edge of the fountain and leaned closer to his brother. "This dumb feud is over between us, okay? Wily's dead to me. As far as I'm concerned... we can start over. Okay?"

[mega_bluebomber]

It was everything Mega Man had ever wished for, but at the same time, it was something he had never let himself really believe he'd get. He'd never been able to completely believe his brother would really turn to his side, even more so after the incident where Protoman had pretended to do exactly that. Was this another trick? What would Proto gain from it if it was? Mega hesitated.

Trust had to start somewhere.

"Okay," he said. If Proto could try, surely he could try, too.

[betterthanhim]

"Better. Hungry?" Proto held out a hand. "I was just going to get something to eat."

[mega_bluebomber]

Well, why not? Mega smiled tentatively as he took Proto's hand. "I wouldn't mind eating. Where were you going to go?" he asked.

[betterthanhim]

"To get sandwiches from the corner store," Proto confessed. "I need to bring one home for... some housemates."

He couldn't recall if his brother knew much, if anything at all, about Bass.