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“Thank you guys so much! You’re the best brothers a girl could ask for!!” Was the first sentence that started their rivalry.
Don and Ash had just been invited to a football game; nothing crazy. Graf had planned it, sent out the invites, and they had just finished the last game when the two showered Katie in praise.
“You were a very good opponent.” Ash had hyped, patting her head like a puppy while her tail had wagged excitedly.
“The best teammate ever, sis.” Don smiled, clapping her on the back.
Katie had beamed, thanking them for their kind words and calling them her best brothers. She hadn’t realized what she started as she ranted and asked about how strong she had looked and maybe if Tomate had seen her.
Don had just nodded, staring at Ash as he did at him, his eyes wide. Brothers? Plural?? No. That wasn’t happening; Don had been there first, always comforted her and even taught her how to defend herself. Ash didn’t do that! At least, not that he’d heard of. Even if so, he didn’t care. She was his sister, and that stupid purple blob was just getting ahead of himself.
Unfortunately, though, Ash technically was there for Katie before Don. The world leader had gone and gotten attached to a stray, some girl who couldn’t function without someone holding her hand, and now he’s trapped–stuck to her like glue.
So, when Katie said that one small sentence, thinking nothing more of what she had truly done, something in the two of them had flared with something close to jealousy. They both wanted to be the only one who she trusted, who would be the one she let her head lean upon their shoulder and ask for help, knowing she’d get everything she wanted served on a silver platter.
After the football game, Ash had stuck by Katie’s side, his sword out as he marched alongside the skipping girl, letting her spill her thoughts to him while he listened to her every word. Don watched from a far, waiting for the right moment to step in.
“Oh! Ash, did I tell you, I’m planning on building a museum-like thing? I’m gonna call it KTB Headquarters! It’s gonna be pink and have so many images of me inside, and.. Other stuff! Ewroon’s planning on helping me make an auto-build machine-”
“I can help!” Ash interrupted, stopping next to her and shouting all too eagerly, Don could hear from where he was following in the shadows. He would have been a bit worried the other man would also try to take the chance, but he couldn’t think much past the working plan and schematics of the museum running in his head already. He’d probably get Tubbo to help, since he was the best builder their little family had.
Katie had paused, a smile of stunned disbelief on her face. “Really?” She sputtered, her eyes basically filled with sparkles. “Okay! Yeah, I’d love that! Thank you so much, Ash!”
Ashswagg had nodded, going to reassure her that he’d have it done by the end of the week when an agitating voice broke in from behind. “Oh, Katie! Hey, I was just passing by and couldn’t help but hear you were building something. Mind if I help?”
Katie looked at him, smiling from ear to ear. “Yes! Oh, this is perfect! It’ll go by so much faster with both of you helping me! I honestly am not sure how to make schematics, or- even the cannon, for that matter, but I’m sure you guys know, right?”
Ash and Don just nodded again, staring each other down. All they knew was they were going to make the best headquarters-building-whatever for Katie.
—
Ash swiped sweat from his forehead, huffing a breath as he placed more blocks down, building up the shell of what would be Katie’s new headquarters. He would have waited for Tubbo to get online, but Don had already ran off to gather materials and Ash wouldn’t allow himself to be beaten by him.
So, here he was, slaving away with pink mahogany wood in a thick cape and dark clothing as the sun beat down the surface of the Earth. He spared a look to his side, the stupid part of him wanting to see if he was ahead of Don, when he was met with the jaw-dropping sight of Don’s side already nearly done.
Him and his little Dutch friends were working together, talking and collaborating on the design of the building. On the contrary, Ash was barely even finished with the side he was working on. He hadn’t planned his design, wore proper clothes, or asked anyone for help. He supposed that was where he went wrong this time. He promised himself he wouldn’t make the same mistake again as he turned back to his walls, building hastily.
An hour later and the sun was burning hot still, roasting them all like one large oven. Ash panted as he built, placing blocks down; he knew it must be sloppy, but that was what he got for not waiting. Now he’d have to follow through unless he wanted to be laughed at by Don, and there was no way that was going to happen.
Unfortunately, he had not taken one break, and he knew, he knew as his eyes began to blink closed and his legs betrayed him by giving out, that today would not be his win. Today, Don would laugh as he helped him wake up from his stupid heat stroke, and he’d seethe and plot back at the regime for the rest of the day.
—
“Wow.” Jeremy whistled as the trio stared down at Ash. His face was red from the hours he worked, and it hadn’t even been for anything good. His side was sloppy; Duncan was already up and fixing it all while Don and Jeremy helped Ash. “He really doesn’t know when to quit, huh?”
Don laughed, shaking his head. “No, he doesn’t. The idiot didn’t even take any breaks, and refused the water we offered. One score for me.” He hummed in satisfaction.
Jeremy looked at him with disdain. “You’re actually getting caught up in this? Over Katie?”
Don rolled his eyes. “She’s my sister. Not his, mine. I’m going to prove it to her, and I’m going to beat him, and I will be the winner. It’s fair and simple, Jeremy.” He shrugged.
Jeremy shook his head. “Whatever you say, Don.. just make sure you’re actually helping her, alright? Now help me lift this guy up and into the shade, he’s wearing like fifteen extra pounds with all of this fur on..” Jeremy grunted as he and a reluctant Don lifted the leader, carrying him over to the grass.
“Okay.. so, how do we wake him up?” Jeremy asked after they caught their breath. Don shrugged, grabbing his water and pouring it on Ash’s face, who woke up sputtering. Jeremy winced and ran off, scared to be caught near the scene of the crime that was committed against a world leader.
“What– what the fuck??” Ash groaned, shakily propping himself up on his arms. He glared up at Don, huffing. “What was that for?!”
Don only laughed, tossing the water bottle to the side on the grass. “You were the one who wouldn’t wake up. Why did you even work so hard?? You know you can take breaks, Katie won’t care.”
Ash rolled his eyes, standing up and brushing his clothes off from any grass. “I’m not being bested by the likes of you.” He grumbled, already heading back to continue building. “Katie deserves a brother who can actually provide for her, and The Regime welcomes her with open arms.”
Don stumbled over his words and followed behind him. “I can so provide for her! I was actually the one who gave her all of her defensive items, you know that? I taught her how to defend herself.” He stated with a smug look.
“Oh, you’re the one who gave her that shit sword, right? Oh okay, yeah I saw that. No wonder it was such bad quality, it came from you.” Ash spat back, speeding up.
“It’s one of the best swords in the game! Plus, it’s genuine. I even got help to know what to name it, and Katie said it matched her personality perfectly.” He reached out, his hand catching on Ash’s large cape and pulling him back. “You probably don’t even have any idea what she’s really like.”
Ash growled, shoving Don away. “Don’t touch me! And I do know what she’s like, she’s my sister, of course I do!”
The two boys got into.. A bit of a scuffle, to be honest. It was more of a cat fight than anything, both knowing it wasn’t entirely worth pulling out their best weapons against each other. However, the two of them still left with a fair sized scratch on their body or a fractured finger from improper punches.
Don retreated back to hide in the shade after Jeremy had sucked it up and pulled the two apart, yelling at them to quit fighting. Now, Don was sitting under a tree, wrapping a bandage around a large scratch along his forearm from when Ash had pulled a small army knife.
He cursed under his breath; though the fight didn’t have a winner, it still had losers, and Don was not happy he was on that list. As he watched Jeremy and Duncan finish building the outside of Katie’s new business, he hoped he wouldn’t lose again.
—
For months, the two boys had been fighting their small little competition, helping Katie and trying to prove to each other that one of them was better than the other. Whether doing that meant helping Katie plant some flowers to fighting Ewroon off from bothering her, it didn’t matter. They’d both do anything they could to help.
It had grown tiring, for everyone involved (except for Katie, of course). The other Dutch members were usually dragged to help Don, and the members of the Regime were pleaded to on the daily to help Ash plan his next move. It was inevitable the competition had to end soon, or else they would be at each other’s necks forever.
Luckily, Katie always had the worst best timing ever, and today she had the answer to end their competition.
“I’m engaged!” She exclaimed as she ran into Ash, causing him to crash into Don from where they were staring each other off. She waved her hand around in their faces, a small band of gold marking a promise to her from her future husband.
Don stuttered, his jaw laying open. “What?! To who! When did it happen??” He sputtered out, holding her hands in his.
“Just now! Oh my goddess, this is the best day ever!” She twirled, hopping up and down.
“To who, Katie?” Ash said firmly, his hands twitching at his sides at the sight of Don holding her hands and knowing he wouldn’t have it in him to hold anyone’s hands.
Katie paused, scratching the back of her neck as she laughed a bit. “Well, remember my boyfriend, Tomate? It’s to him!”
Ash stared at her for a second, his mouth wide open. He shook his head. “No. No, that’s not happening.”
Katie deflated, a frown forming on her face. “What- why?? That’s not fair!”
“He cheated on you, Katie!”
“He did what.” Don dead-panned, turning back to Katie slowly.
“No, no, it’s okay! I forgave him. He’s really sweet, he doesn’t deserve to be denied a wedding! Plus, I’ve been waiting for this day for forever..” She explained.
The two shook their heads in unison, firmly set on their decision. “No, Katie. He cheated on you! You deserve someone better.”
Katie recoiled away, her eyebrows furrowing together. “I’m not taking this from you two right now. I thought you guys would be happy for me.. I was honestly hoping you’d help, or something.” She sighed. “If you change your mind, you’re still invited. I need someone to walk me down the aisle, after all.” She laughed humorlessly, using her waystone to teleport away.
Both of them sat there in silence for a second. “I don’t want to hurt her, but she is not marrying that federation worker. He is horrible for her.” Ash broke the silence.
“I don’t want her marrying a cheater.” Don agreed, crossing his arms. “...listen. I’m not going to work together with you, but we both agree that Tomate is bad for her. I say, let’s use this as our final try, and at least this time we will be on the same goal for once.”
Ash hesitated, but nodded. “Fine. So, we’re both killing Tomate, right?”
Don made a so-so hand movement, sighing. “It’ll be our own plans. See you there, blob.”
Ash grumbled, flipping him off as he teleported back to the Regime. “Whatever, Baldy.”
—
Over the next few weeks, Don and Ash prepared to crash their sister’s wedding. Don felt remorse for the fact they would definitely make her special day horrible, but it had to be done. He didn’t think Ash felt the same emotion, and in that small, guilty hope he found pride for being better in some way.
Finally, the day came, and the two put their separate plans into action. Don waited for Katie with a guilty smile written on his face, standing outside the door while the rest of the guests waited inside, Tomate holding his camera.
Tomate. That stupid federation worker, always holding that damn camera like it was a lifeline. He recorded his sister’s deaths over and over, Don found out recently, which only sealed the polar bear’s fate. Anyone who walked over his sister couldn’t be forgiven, not in Don’s book.
When Katie finally walked through the doors, the soft smile on her face flickering with excitement, he almost forgot entirely what he was there to do. The look on his sister's face calmed him, the sight of her in a wedding dress she had specially picked out making him feel almost like a proud father. He offered his curved arm, their elbows interlocking as he walked beside her, and the piano began playing as they slowly padded through the room.
Up ahead, Ewroon had a blank expression. Don was sure he had to have been in on Ash’s plan, but the somber look that passed over his face struck confusion in Don. The red panda looked slightly sad at the sight of his sister, at her gaze locked on to Tomate.
Don walked her up the steps, avoiding the kicked out leg of Ash from him trying to trip him. It looked like Ash was the ring bearer, or would be, if the apparent lack of rings on the purple cushion he held said anything.
Katie held her bouquet of flowers, staring lovingly into the polar bear’s eyes in front of her. Ewroon began speaking in Polish, saying a small prayer before the vows were said. At the end of his speech, Don pulled his crossbow, aiming it at Tomate from behind Katie. The audience gasped, some screaming in protest, others laughing in disbelief, but all Don saw was the traitor that stood in front of his sister.
Ash grabbed the dagger from the ring cushion, moving swiftly to grab the groomsman. His hands hit solid air, though; something he couldn’t see guarding them from his hands. Katie sighed, her shoulders dropping.
“What- why isn’t it working??” Ash quizzed, his brows furrowing as he tried again to no avail. From somewhere in the crowd, someone clapped, slow and deliberate. Katie smiled as she turned to the person.
“Multi!” She squealed, smiling. The man in question wore a matching expression, however it was laced with something more mischievous.
“We knew you two were going to plan something.” Multi laughed, walking up the steps and leaning an arm around Don’s shoulders. “So, Katie had Ishan, Senpai, and I work on a little something to prevent you guys from interfering; hope you don’t mind.”
“You don’t understand, this- polar bear cheated on her! There’s no way we can allow her to marry such a guy.” Ash reasoned, glaring at him.
“And I said I forgave him!” Katie objected, frowning at him. “Do you guys really think I can’t decide anything for myself? I was hoping you guys thought me better than that.”
Don shook his head. “NO, no, Katie, come on! We knew you could decide for yourself. I just- we just want what’s best for you.” Ash reluctantly nodded.
Katie sighed. “I know what’s best for me, I don’t need someone to decide who I should or shouldn’t love.” She argued, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes. Tomate squeezed her shoulder.
Don was at a loss of words at that, wringing his hands together nervously. Thankfully, Ash had something to say. “Clearly not, Katie. You’re marrying a person who couldn’t stay loyal while you were gone.”
Katie shook her head. “It wasn’t his fault! He told me they were the ones who came onto him, even showed me the recordings. I know he kissed other people, but I can’t blame him for it, it wasn’t his fault.”
Both Don and Ash were silent, opening and closing their mouths like goldfish, however nothing inevitably came out.
“Well, if that’s settled, why don’t you both go sit down. I’m sure Maximus over there will have some words for you two.” Multi said, pushing them to move down the stairs. The two were confused, but walked down and sat where Multi had pointed.
The wedding carried out smoothly after, Multi holding the rings and handing them to Katie and Tomate when asked to. Ewroon didn’t risk saying anything, just sadly watching as Katie and her husband kissed, and she threw the flowers into the crowd.
Turns out, Multi, Senpai, and Ishan had planned more than they siad, because everyone got to watch the largest fireworks show they’d ever seen and interact with so many games; even a working car.
Ash sat in the corner, conversing with Don quietly while eating the cake. It tasted sour in his mouth, but he kept taking small bites occasionally. Eventually, Katie came over, her arms crossed and a cold glare on her face.
“So?” She prompted after a moment, waiting for something. When neither brother responded, she continued. “Why did you think this would be a good idea?”
Ash took a deep breath in. “We just wanted to help you, katie-”
“No, no you did not. You weren’t going to help me by killing my husband right in front of me. There was definitely something deeper to this, something that explains why you both were acting so weird over these past few months. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I loved all the help, but I want to know why I was getting it.”
Don sighed, looking at his feet. “We, uh.. Remember that day we all played football?” Katie nodded. “Well, you had said we were the best brothers, as in plural, and we kinda just..” He made a vague gesture with his hands, and Katie stared at them for a second.
“Oh my goddess. You guys were jealous??” She laughed, and both of them looked away in opposite directions. “That’s so cute! You guys know you’re just proving me right, though, right?”
Ash looked back at her, his eyebrow quirked up. “What?”
“Yeah! You guys were genuinely just acting like brothers. You’re like–the oldest and youngest siblings fighting. It’s really funny now that I know what was happening!”
Ash huffed, turning away again. “Aww, come here you two.” She cooed, jumping to hug them quickly. “You guys are the best brothers. But, uh, never do that again or I will not hesitate to leave you.”
They both nodded, looking at each other over her shoulder and shrugging. They’d never admit it, but they were acting kind of like silly little siblings. They looked away again, sighing and patting her on the back.
“Congratulations on your engagement, sis..” Don hummed. Ash didn’t say anything but did nod; it was enough for Katie