Edward - Miles

Strong Bond



“I don’t know how you do it.” Edward ran his sleeve across his sweaty forehead and gave his younger brother a disbelieving stare. He laughed suddenly, charmingly. “Seriously, Miles. I’m dying and I don’t have any of that stuff.”

‘That’ stuff that Edward referred to was over sixty-pounds of weights Miles had sewn into a drab pair of sand-colored clothing. The little drow, however, seemed to not notice the extra weight. He turned around to look at his brother and his auburn eyes glinted in the sun. His skin dark ebony contrasted magnificently against his white hair that seemed to radiate with purity under the sun.

Miles grinned, revealing perfect white teeth. “Edward, that’s only because you don’t try. I’m sure with a little training you could be carrying twice of what I am.”

“No. Freaking. Way. Not a chance!” Edward threw out his hands, shaking his head quickly. He knew how easily Miles always managed to talk people into doing things. Edward was not going to get pulled into something he didn’t want to. He was a Mercenary for goddess’s sake! He was not training to become a Master at the Melee Academy like Miles. He didn’t have to train hard like him.

Miles, however, laughed again. He was a sweet boy—completely different than how Edward remembered him when his parents first adopted him. Miles had been damaged, hurt and stoic at first. He had witnessed his mother’s death at the hands of his own people. No doubt, living in such a terrible world that Miles would shakily speak about from time to time had forced him to be like that… But that was all behind him. Miles was now one of the most empathetic and gentle people Edward knew. Edward was sure that their Papa, Kaelin, helped a great deal with that. 

Which was why it was so odd that the boy pursued the title of “Master”. Being a Master didn’t just mean being able to move ones body with perfect precision, weaponless or not… it meant that they had to use their skills against other people. It was teaching, yes, but some students got hurt. Occasionally one was even killed. Edward knew Miles. The drow wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he ever hurt another person seriously.

“Hey…. Miles, wait… wait up.” Edward reached out to grab the back of his brother’s weighted vest. The little drow was marching perfectly fine up the steep hill. Edward, however fit, was having trouble under the blazing hot sun. How Miles talked him into going on a hike with him was vague. Edward once again remembered how easy it was to give into those big auburn eyes and sweet smiles. Damn kid.

“What’s wrong? Are you all right, Edward? Would you like some water?” The drow pulled a canteen from his side and handed it to the blond. Edward gave him a long stare before finally taking a drink. The blond shook his head at the younger man. “What?” Miles asked curiously, tilting his head.

“Why a Melee Master?” Edward finally asked, “Why not something less aggressive… like… I don’t know… a baker.” The wind suddenly picked up and the clouds masked the sun briefly. Edward enjoyed the sudden drop and temperature. His gray eyes no longer needed to squint painfully against the sun and his face relaxed and he felt the formally scrunches up muscles enjoying the break.

“Why?” Miles blinked. Why indeed? The drow frowned worriedly, staring off in the distance. As far as they could see were simple waving long dying grass. Some it still held a tinge of green but a majority of it was starting to turn yellow and brown. It had been a rough summer. Barely any rain had fallen and crops were scarce, food was low… It was a hard time.

Miles looked back to his elder brother. The sun suddenly escaped from behind a massive cloud sending its brilliant rays on them. They both squinted against it.

“It just seems like the right thing to do, I suppose.” Miles adjusted the heavy vest. Maybe, Miles wanted to say, was because a part of him craved the excitement of wielding a blade. The excitement of twirling metal in the air, that fluid foot movement. Maybe he just loved the feeling of his muscles twitching, sweat pouring down his dark skin… Maybe it was just the part of him that still craved violence that made him strive to become a Melee Master.

Miles turned away suddenly, frowning at himself. He would never want to admit it, but he knew that a part of him, that part that had grown up under the strict drow society, still lived in him. As a child it had molded him into someone that craved to be the best. Had he still lived in that society, no doubt, he would have probably used his melee skills to kill. Instead, he wanted to use them to teach. To protect…

“Hey, Mi…” Edward prodded his little brother in the back and the drow gave him startled look. “What are you thinking about? Not bread, right?” Edward grinned.

“No, not bread.” Miles laughed back. “What makes you want to be a mercenary?”

Edward titled his head at the shorter man. “The adventure, I guess. I like to travel too. I also like to fight for what I believe in.” Edward shrugged. “And me being a ‘big stupid oaf’ as Aeres would lovingly call me, it was about the only option I had. I don’t think I could do anything that involved me having to stay put. Or have to think about. I’m not really very smart, Miles. Besides, I like to fight. It’s fun.” He elbowed his little brother. “So I guess I understand. If you want to fight because you like it, then I guess that’s what you’re going to do. Your hearts pretty set on it, right?” Edward laughed and prodded the heavy weights inside Miles’ vest pointedly.

Miles smiled, “Yes. My heart is pretty set.”


[Ramirez]

<sub>A/N:Story Bond 30/81 of a project I'm working on.

I'll be the first to admit that I hate this story bond and think it sucks. I lost sight of it. I wrote most of it in one day and then didn't come back to it for a week or so. I lost motivation and inspiration for it and couldn't think of another scenario and just ended it. So.. I apologize to my Miles and Edward</sub>

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