INTRO: EDAD ADULTA

AT EIGHTEEN, Midnight finally found out what he was training for. And that was to be his brother's body double. From four laboratories, it had now become five. The last one was to where he studies his brother's movement, mannerism, and tone of speech. Because according to their father, he was born to be his big brother's double.

Basically, his big brother was more important than himself. And he never questioned it. At least, his brother was their father's favorite. As long as his brother was safe and happy. He was willing to give his life for him. Thus, he didn't reject his training to become his brother's shadow. He actually liked it. He felt like it brings him closer to his big brother.

"Our tests end here. You can go home now."

When Midnight heard that, he had no reaction inside and outside. He felt nothing, really, which was a normal occurrence to him. As he grew up being experimented on, his emotions gradually dwindled until it just disappeared. It didn't bother him, though. He doesn't care.

He used to, but not anymore.

What was the point of going home? There was no one there waiting for him, anyway.

Seeing Midnight's emotionless face, the head researcher, observing Midnight's reaction, inwardly smiled. After so many years, they finally eliminated his emotion. He still had a lingering emotion for his brother, but it was not as strong as before.

It was indeed an excellent decision to put a wedge between these two brothers. Now they were seeing the result after so many years.

Observing Midnight walked to the exit, the head researcher was satisfied. He even added it to his report.

As for Midnight, he went back to his room. It was dark, as usual, as he packed.

The laboratory staff moves fast. After he was done packing, he was sent to the airport and in a couple of hours; he landed in Spain.

Unlike his usual excited self a few years back, Midnight felt nothing as he entered their abysmal house.

Upon entering his bedroom, he dropped his backpack, went to the bathroom to shower, and changed into clean clothes. He was planning to sleep to pass the time when he heard a knock on the door.

Midnight moved to sit upright on the edge of the bed before saying, "it's open." This kind of sitting posture had been engrained on him as a test subject in the lab.

Not sitting upright constitutes punishment.

Midnight then looked straight at the door as it opened, and his eyes flickered with emotion when he saw who it was.

"Brother..."

When his big brother closed the door behind him and smiled at him as if he was happy to see him, Midnight eased up and slowly, a smile formed on his lips. "Big brother..."

Knight walked over to Midnight and messed his hair. "How have you been, hermanito?"

Midnight's smile became carefree and happy. "I've been fine."

Knight stared at his little brother for a short while, assessing if he was really fine, before sitting beside him on the bed. "Where have you been?"

That question surprised Midnight. His big brother seldom asked him that. Does he really care? With that at the back of his head, he answered. "I don't know the name of the country." This was the truth. He was also flown there through a private plane. "But no worries. I'm fine." He even opened his arms to his big brother to show him he was unharmed.

Midnight was confident that there was nothing in his body that would show his training. He knew his tests were secrets, which was what he wanted as well.

He would never let his brother know what he had done all these years.

Knight indeed checked Midnight's body. Seeing that he's unscathed, he breathes in relief. Thank God he's fine. "How long are you staying this time?"

Midnight shrugged. "I don't know."

"Then...want to go hiking with me

Midnight's eyes widened. This was the first time his brother asked him that! He felt like jumping, but he controlled himself. But what he couldn't control was the silly grin on his lips and his eager reply. "Yes! Let's go!"

Knight chuckled and patted Midnight's hair. "Then pack up for two nights. We're leaving early tomorrow morning."

Midnight excitedly nodded, uncaring about the doubts in his mind and the whisper of negative thoughts in his head. He was ecstatic!

"I will ask Cloud to send you your dinner later. You must eat a lot," Said Knight.

Midnight nodded, his eyes glistening with delight. Until he remembered their father. He slowly lost his smile. "Is father... okay with us hiking?"

Knight put his forefinger over his lips, signaling Midnight to be silent. "Don't worry about him. I'm here. I'll protect you."

By those words, Midnight understood. "We're sneaking out?"

"Yep."

His lips formed into an 'o'. "Won't he be mad?"

"No worries. I'm here." Knight was more than willing to block anything for Midnight.

As for Midnight, he thought that since his big brother was their father's favorite, their father would definitely not be angry at his big brother. As for me, I'll probably get punished. But who cares? I'm going hiking with big brother!

That night, Midnight was unable to sleep early. He was so excited that it was already two in the morning when he fell asleep.

And even though Midnight slept late, he still managed to wake-up early.

Midnight did not wait long until his big brother came to pick him up and, with the help of his brother's butler, Cloud, they were able to sneak out and board an off-road vehicle.

Midnight couldn't help grinning from ear to ear when the car drove away from that abysmal house. He was ecstatic that he was clinging to his brother, who looked as happy as him.

My big brother really cared. Those people are wrong. Midnight's mind was full of these thoughts. The doubt in his mind about his big brother's affection was dwindling.

"Where are we hiking?" Midnight excitedly asked while leaning against his brother's shoulder and looking outside the car. They were in the backseat while Cloud was driving.

"Somewhere close by," Knight answered. There was no point going far away. Their father would definitely be alerted about this excursion of theirs, but he did not care.

And looking at his little brother's smiling face, Knight knew he made the right decision. But it seemed that his silly little brother had forgotten what today was. Oh, well.

From the driver's seat, Cloud spoke. "It's going to be bumpy soon. Sit tight."

Knight wanted to help Midnight sit tight, but Midnight had no plan to separate from his big brother, whom he seldom sees these days.

"I want to stay like this," Midnight spoke.

Knight could only sigh and indulged Midnight. "...okay."

Midnight smiled, and for the first time, his mind was at peace. No negative thoughts, just silence and peace. He even found himself humming a random melody during the bumpy ride.

Arriving at the start of the trail, Midnight frowned when he saw his big brother's bag.

It's huge.

He frowned and asked. "What's in your bag, brother?"

Knight just smiled and messed Midnight's hair. "Come on. Let's start."

Not getting an answer from his brother, Midnight pouted, but he still followed Knight.

Knight was on the front, and behind him was Cloud. This kind of positioning while hiking was to make sure that Midnight was safe, which makes Midnight feel delighted.

He knew for a fact that he did not need protection, that he could hike this mountain without huffing and puffing a breath, but to be protected by his brother was a wonderful feeling that he wanted to be just a weak little brother.

And that's what Midnight did the whole hike to the summit.

He would rest from time to time to catch his "breath" and his brother would indulge him, taking care of him and always ready to pass the water to him.

Midnight felt well taken care of, and it was undoubtedly one of the happiest days in his life.

Reaching the summit just before the sunset, Cloud assembled the tent while Knight was sitting on the ground, waiting for the sunset with Midnight.

"Midnight?"

"Hmm?"

"How are your studies going?" Knight had been trying to negotiate with their father about Midnight's studies. "Did father say something to you about it?"

Midnight nodded. "He changed his mind. At first, he wanted me to be homeschooled, as usual. But sending me home this time, he told me that I will attend a university."

Knight's face lit up. "That's good. You'll learn a lot for sure. You can also make a lot of friends."

Midnight just smiled and obediently nodded. Friends, huh? He remembered his father's warning the last time they spoke. The moment he made friends, he will be pulled back from the university. He was not allowed to make connection and build friendship.

However, seeing his big brother's expectant expression, Midnight did not say a word to disappoint him. His big brother must remain happy and free. He only had his big brother. He couldn't lose him, too.

Amidst his thoughts, his eyes widened in admiration for the scenery when the sky gradually became tinted with a red-orange hue.

It was beautiful. A feeling of comfort and calmness washed over him. Something in him stirred when he suddenly recalled a memory. Mama... I missed you. I hope you are in a good place. Don't worry about me. I'm strong. I can protect big brother.

Overwhelmed by emotions he had not felt for a long time, he heard rustling beside him and before he could see what it was; he heard his big brother's voice.

"Happy birthday, Midnight."

Midnight stilled and when he turned to look at his big brother, he saw his brother holding a cup of ice cream while the other hand was holding a slightly large cupcake with a lighted candle in it.

He froze. He did not know how to react as he stared at his favorite ice cream.

They were on a mountain. How...?

A realization glistened in Midnight's eyes. Brother's enormous bag. Was the ice cream in there all along?

Seeing his little brother's bewildered expression, Knight chuckled and shook his head. "You did not forget your birthday, did you?"

Midnight still couldn't form a coherent response. He was just staring at his brother.

Knight chuckled again before bringing the cupcake close to Midnight. "Come on, blow the candle—" Knight's words halted when he saw a tear fell from his little brother's eyes. And before he could ask why, Midnight's trembling voice was heard.

"You... remember my birthday?"

"Of course!" Knight spoke as if that was a given. That he would never forget about it.

"R-really?"

"Really. So, stop crying and blow the candle. Make a wish."

Midnight blinked at the lighted candle. "A wish?"

"Yes." Knight smiled. "You can wish for whatever you want, and it will come true someday."

Midnight, of course, did not believe his brother. He had prayed countless time, but it was never answered. So, he was certain that his wish would also not be granted. Even so, he listened to his big brother.

He blew the candle and made a wish.

I wish my big brother will continue to be happy.

Such a simple wish that was not meant for himself. But for Midnight, if his wish would be someday granted, then he would be the happiest of all.

"Happy Birthday, little lord!" Cloud greeted Midnight as well with an ice cream cone.

Midnight couldn't help letting a short, wry laugh. "Why is there an ice cream on the mountain?"

"We brought it here, of course." Cloud answered with a smile. "My lordship even carried an icebox in his backpack to surprise you."

Midnight grinned when he heard that and turn to look at his brother. "Gracias, hermano."

Knight matched Midnight's grin before playfully flicking his little brother's forehead and said, "you're welcome. Happy birthday again."

"Thank you!" Then Midnight grabbed the ice cream from his brother's hand, and he heartily dig in, making Knight feel that carrying that heavy ass ice box was worth it.

"You can have the cupcake, brother." Midnight told Knight, but Knight was already eating it. As if he was the birthday celebrant.

Watching this scene, Cloud smiled and suggested. "How about we take some photo?"

Immediately, Midnight froze, and then he shook his head hard. And with a panic in his voice, he reasoned, "no. No need. No photo. I don't need it."

Seeing how scared his little brother was, Knight immediately rejected Cloud's suggestion. "We won't take any photo. Don't worry."

Knight didn't know what made his little brother scared, but seeing him so panic-stricken, he couldn't ask him why. All he could do was pretend that he saw nothing. Knight would find out years later why, but at the moment, he was clueless.

Seeing the brothers being harmonious again, Cloud apologized for his thoughtless suggestion and smiled before excusing himself to give the two brothers some time to bond. This kind of thing would not happen again, after all. And when they get home, his lordship would certainly be punished severely.

After Cloud left, Knight and Midnight continued sitting on the ground, Knight eating the cupcake and Midnight was eating the ice cream while watching the now fading sunset. And while the two were eating, they were talking about whatever they could think of.

Knight and Midnight stayed like that until Cloud finished preparing a simple dinner. After dinner, the two brothers did not immediately sleep. They stayed outside, talking under the stars and the night sky. It was like they had countless stories to tell each other.

Talking and laughing, the two brothers spent their night like this. Just hanging out until they finally felt sleepy.

When morning arrived, they planned to stay another day. However, Cloud received a call, and they had to come back down.

Arriving at the start of the trail, they immediately saw their father's people and, with gritted teeth, Knight watched as his little brother was taken away from him. And Knight felt like something broke inside him when he saw Midnight waving happily at him.

Beside him, Cloud asked. "Is it worth it, my lord?"

Knight smiled and waved back to Midnight as he answered. "Yeah. It's worth it."

Midnight was pushed to the car and, amidst the silence, the car drove for more than an hour.

He was dropped off at the airport and was handed an envelope.

Before Midnight could ask, one of his father's people spoke. "Everything you need is in the envelope. This is a test. Don't disappoint us."

In dazed, Midnight walked towards the airport departure and stopped. Amidst the bustling people moving around him, he opened the envelope and took out the things inside.

A passport. An I.D. and some money.

As he flipped open the passport and read the name on the I.D., he felt like he was poured a lot of cold water that he was drowning and couldn't breathe.

The passport and the I.D. he was holding had the name Knight Velasquez in it.

His face contorted in disbelief as it finally sunk into him what it means to become his brother's double.

It means Midnight Velasquez does not exist. In this world, right at that very moment, he had become nothing, in every sense of the word.

CECELIB | C.C.