Cruel but Gentle - Herobrine X Steve

At first, Steve had thought that Herobrine just didn't want to be around his brother. That he didn't want to be seen by anyone. He hoped he would come to Steve when he was alone. Or maybe in his dreams.

A whole week had passed and he never did.

The others were also unwilling to let Steve be alone and he always had someone by his side - be it Dusky, Notch or Alex and Ace. Dusky had been especially clingy, spending as much time by her human's side as possible. The only time when she would purposely move away from Steve would be when she continued her combat training.

Steve knew what had happened; Notch had carefully recounted the events of the battle to him (though he hadn't needed to, the memories were painfully clear).

Notch had moved Steve from the guest room he had originally stayed in. Now, his room was on the same floor as Notch's room. The god had insisted the room belonged to Steve, and he was welcome to stay there as long as he wished, giving he remained in the castle for a while so Notch could be certain there wouldn't be any lasting effects made to his code.

The human lay on his new double bed, the red sheets as soft as ever. It reminded Steve of how he and Herobrine would share a bed - back at his castle in the Nether - except now the bed felt empty. Dusky would sleep on the bed next to him, yet it still didn't seem right.

He missed Herobrine. Maybe he shouldn't, maybe he should hate the god which had kidnapped, tortured, and killed him. But he didn't. He cared about him. He loved him. The human scoffed to himself. It was stupid. The god literally ripped him away from everything he knew, shoved him into a dark room, slapped a collar around his fragile neck and hurt him. Hurt him lots, so much hurt.

Steve swallowed thickly and tried to calm himself down. Thinking about the pain wasn't a good idea, as he had learnt previously. Dusky was asleep beside him, curled up against his side. He loathed to wake her; just because he had trouble sleeping didn't mean she was supposed to stay up with him.

So he was stuck in bed, to gaze up at the ceiling. Best friend by his side, yet feeling so alone.
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"How are you feeling today, Steven?" Notch greeted the next morning, still seeming ever calm. Still seeming to know exactly what to do.

"Better." Steve lied, giving his best false smile. If anyone was going to understand and accept his feelings towards Herobrine, it was Notch. Yet that was still impossible. Herobrine has killed so many humans, Steve doubted Notch would approve.

The two sat side by side, watching on as Dusky and Alex sparred together on the training pitch which was laid out in front of the god and his creation. Steve was surprised at how well Dusky was at combat, despite her being a canine. The sun as high up in the sky and there was hardly any clouds. It was a beautiful day, but that did not mean it was a good day.

Notch was worried. You'd have to be blind not to see the bags under Steve's eyes, or the way each smile was so clearly forced, or how the human's whole demeanour seemed more...sad. He needed to help him.

"Steven, I see you are upset and in pain. You do not have to cover up how you truly feel; it's not healthy for you to do so." Notch began, having had practice with his human's for thousands of years now meant he had a good idea on what to say. "I promise I'm not meaning to intrude, however I'm quite worried about you."

"I'm not covering anything up!" Steve assured, though a little too forcefully. Enough for Notch to be able to see right through him, so he gently moved a hand to rest on the human's shoulder.

A small part of Steve was squealing with excitement, although it probably shouldn't be. He couldn't help it though! This was Notch! The creator of the world around him! The ruler to this world! Notch was literally the reason he was alive. He was both wonderful and made Steve feel nerve wracked.

The rest of Steve, however, was constantly thinking of Herobrine.

"Very well. I do not wish to force you to talk - although I can see something big is bothering you, Steven." Notch let out a sigh. "If you're ever willing to talk, then I'm always willing to listen." With that, Notch rose to his feet before turning around and heading back into the castle, walking despite him being able to teleport.

Stupid Notch for being so right. Steve guessed Herobrine may have felt the same way, once upon a time.

The mortal human turned his attention back to where Alex and Dusky were still sparing. He did not pay attention though. His thoughts laid elsewhere, in a place where you forget who you are and are blind to all of those around you.
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The tired human huffed out a heavy sigh as he gazed solemnly from the balcony of his new room.

It was night out and Steve as gazing up to the stars. He used to love all of those little lights on the sky, making patterns and guiding the way. Now...they were just a reminder. He couldn't get the dammed image out of his head about how the stars look so much like the souls of the Void

Steve still hadn't manage to comprehend that he had died. That his heart had ceased to beat and that his blood stopped pumping around his body, which had gone cold. So, so cold. He remembered the Void so clearly; millions and millions of souls dead and trapped, never able to see the ones they cared for ever again. Not a clue about who they were or what they had done or-

Dusky's panicked bark snapped him back. Said canine sat in front of him, desperately trying to get some kind of reaction from her owner by licking away his salty tears. When had he started crying? And when had he fallen to his knees? Steve moved to hug the dog, soft grey fur offering comfort and so much love.

"S-Sorry, Dusky...I was just-" He swallowed thickly, unable to finish that sentence. Dusky let out a whine nuzzling into Steve, close enough for him to feel her heartbeat. The sound was steady, strong, and Steve was alive again.