"Why did you do it, Kristoph?"

Kristoph gave a small sigh as he looked at the man on the other side of the glass. His visitor was exactly who he thought it would be; no surprise there.

"Why did I do what, Klavier? That's quite a broad topic; I'd appreciate it if you would be more specific."

"Alright, then. Why did you forge the evidence, try to poison a little girl, befriend Herr Wright for all those years, and kill Shadi Enigmar? Is that specific enough for you?"

"Well, it certainly narrows down the possibilities. Unfortunately, what I will say is essentially what was said in court, and I do abhor mindless repetition. I did all those things in order to cover up for the forged evidence. That is all."

"But why did you even get the forged evidence in the first place?" asked Klavier, clearly pained. "You were only going up against me, your own brother. Was it that important for you to beat me?"

Kristoph threw his head back and laughed, sending a chill down Klavier's spine. "Klavier, please. Just what makes you actually believe that you even stood a chance against me in the first place? I had years of experience over you. The only reason why I requested the forging in the first place was if, by some miraculous stroke of luck, your witness would have said something that would have been enough to shed doubt upon my client's innocence. It was merely a safety precaution, nothing more."

"There was still no reason for you to give the evidence to Herr Wright. The only reason you did it was out of petty revenge, ja? That's the same reason why you killed Zak Gramarye," accused Klavier, fists clenched. Kristoph sighed lightly and shook his head.

"I can assure you, I did not ruin Wright's career and murder Shadi Enigmar out of mere jealousy. My pride and social standing was on the line. Shadi Enigmar discarded me like a broken toy. As if I was…not needed, as you so eloquently stated in court. It struck a chord in me, leading to my rather violent reaction. Perhaps I did overreact, but at the time I thought nothing of it. If that is all the information you require from me, I will be going."

"I'm not finished yet," Klavier replied. Kristoph merely tilted his head, smile unwavering.

"And what else could you possibly ask of me? I have already told you everything that would satisfy your interests."

"Have you been taking the prescribed medicine?"

"…"

Because of the light reflecting off Kristoph's glasses, Klavier could not see his brother's expression. After a few moments, Kristoph replied. "How is that any of your concern?"

"I want to know if I can have a reasonable discussion with you, or if you will completely break down like you did in court a month ago."

"The medication is completely unnecessary. I'm most certainly not insane, despite what those psychiatrists may say. They wrongly labeled me as mentally unstable, but I can assure you that is not the case."

"How can you actually say that?" Klavier asked, running his hand through his blonde bangs. "I saw you flip out in court. Kristoph, that wasn't a normal reaction. The way you clutched your arms like that…it reminded me of a straightjacket."

"It came as quite a surprise to me that the authorities would allow a disbarred lawyer to completely change the foundation of the judicial system. Still to this day, I do not understand what was going through their heads." Kristoph chuckled, although there was no humor in it.

"No matter what you say, brother, the fact remains that you are criminally insane. You may hate the label, but it did get you out of the death penalty, not to mention special treatment. If you do what the psychiatrists and the prison officials say, then you may get a reduced sentence. Even though it's obvious you forged the evidence and killed Drew Misham, there was no decisive evidence to convict you. The trial was to determine Vera Misham's innocence or guilt, and that was already decided. Legally, you're only being held here for the murder of Shadi Smith."

Kristoph sat in silence for a few moments, smile unwavering. He looked at his younger brother, who had a look of fierce determination in his eyes.

"I did not say that being labeled mentally unwell had no benefits, only that I found the diagnosis to be inaccurate. But you're not concerned about my thought on the matter, are you? You believe that I am insane, just like our father was."

Klavier clutched his fists so hard that small specks of blood fell on the floor. "Don't try to bring him into this."

"Why not? They say mental illness is hereditary, after all. You might want to be careful; who knows if you'll catch it, too?"

A silence fell over the two men as the both continued to stare at each other, one smiling and the other grimacing.

"Why did you come downstairs, Klavier?" asked Kristoph, finally breaking the silence. Klavier blinked, surprised, before finally realizing what he was referring to.

"I heard a crash come from downstairs. I knew you said not to leave the room, but I was worried for you and came anyway."

"How sweet," said Kristoph, although his expression showed that he thought it was anything but. "You used to care so much for me when we were children. Where exactly is that brotherly love now, hmm? I didn't see you defending me from those accusations when we were in court. Instead, you did not hesitate to tell me I was not needed. So tell me, what happened to that brotherly affection you used to prattle on so much about?"

"Weren't you the one who told me that it was best if I kept my integrity by searching for the truth? I only did what was fair. Vera Misham did not deserve to be convicted, and I was not going to accuse her if her only crime was being too trusting."

"I suppose I should have expected an answer like that from you," sighed Kristoph, becoming bored with the conversation. "Is that all? I really do wish to get back to my cell."

"It's not over. I still want to know why you told me about the forged evidence seven years ago. I know it was to get Herr Wright disbarred, but why did you have to tell me? Why couldn't you have just told the Judge yourself?"

"It would have been awfully suspicious if I somehow managed to know about the evidence, despite not being involved in the case. It was much more suitable for you to be the one to bring the issue up."

"So that's it, then," muttered Klavier, refusing to meet with his brother's eyes. "I was just a pawn to you in your twisted game of revenge. But no…it's not just me…you treat everyone like this, don't you? You really are similar to Father, and it's not just the insanity."

Kristoph's face suddenly grew very dark as he leaned closer towards his brother. "I'm not the only child who takes after him, Klavier." He spat out Klavier's name like a curse word. "You both have the uncanny ability to remain completely apathetic towards the plight of other family members. You both don't care, and you both try to make my life as appalling as it possibly could be!"

"Kristoph, your eyes…"

"Don't accuse me of being like him, while you turn a blind eye to your own flaws. You always try to act so pure and innocent. You always have, and always will. What a joke. I hope you get along with that Wright family now, because you're both such perfect company for one another." Kristoph knew he was giving off the impression of a lunatic, but he didn't care. "You don't need your older brother anymore."

"That's not true," replied Klavier, finally meeting his brother's cold blue eyes. "The Wright family and Herr Justice have been very kind to me recently, but they still cannot mend the gap in my heart where you used to be." Klavier closed his eyes as he looked up towards the ceiling. "Kristoph…nineteen years ago…you killed Father, didn't you?"

Silence reigned as Kristoph took a moment to collect himself. Giving off the same smile he had before, he gave Klavier a small nod in acknowledgement. "Yes, I did. Your initial suspicions were correct. I stabbed the man multiple times, and I enjoyed doing it."

"I always had the feeling that was true, but I didn't want to believe it and forced myself to buy into the whole robber story instead. But…why? What did he do to you?"

For a split second Kristoph considered telling Klavier everything: about the murder plan, the paintings, Katarina's manipulation, Kristoph's near-death experience, and everything else that went on during those years.

But he didn't. Instead, Kristoph gave Klavier the same cryptic smile he's always worn since the Gramarye case seven years ago.

"He inconvenienced me. You know that my father was not exactly fond of me. I merely became fed up and retaliated against him."

"I don't think that's the whole story. You're hiding something," accused Klavier.

"Perhaps. Either way, you're not getting any more information out of me concerning the matter. All I will tell you is that he insisted on insulting me until his very last breath. Calling me riff-raff and preaching on about his absolute power; just who did that man honestly think he was?"

Klavier tried to process this information as Kristoph paused for a moment, a sudden realization occurring to him. He suddenly broke out in hysterical laugher, similar to when Vera Misham was given a "Not Guilty" verdict in the courtroom. The hairs on the back of Klavier's neck stood on end as he searched his mind for something to say to calm his brother. After a few minutes, Kristoph composed himself and made eye contact with Klavier.

"How ironic. The man I hate more than anything is the man I became. Everything comes in full circle, I suppose. Perhaps this is his revenge from in Heaven or Hell or wherever that pathetic excuse for a man is."

"Kristoph," Klavier began. He didn't fully understand what Kristoph was talking about and wanted to know more, but he figured that it would be better to change the topic before Kristoph had to be forcibly taken away. "Two weeks ago I returned to Germany. I talked to Adelle, for the first time in nineteen years."

"Oh?" This was the first time in the whole visit that Klavier saw Kristoph genuinely surprised over something he said. "How is she faring?"

"Pretty good, actually. She looks a lot older, but she is in her fifties, after all. It's rare that Fraulein can keep their youthful looks once they hit their forties, ja?"

"Did you tell her about my current predicament?"

Klavier was quiet for a moment before shaking his head. "Nein, I did not. She asked about you, but I tried to give vague answers. The only information I received was nothing that could help you in this situation."

"What did she tell you about me?"

Klavier hesitated before speaking. "It was something foolish; it has no bearing on this case."

"Regardless, I want to know. What did she tell you?"

Klavier knew there was no escaping this question and told Kristoph the truth. "It was about your locket. It was nineteen years ago, so you might not remember. I was acting like an idiot and it got caught in one of the big trees in our yard."

"I do remember this incident quite clearly. What did she tell you about the locket?"

"She gave it to you as a present. She said that in her hometown, it was customary to put a picture of someone who will accept you no matter what. Whose picture did you put in it?"

Kristoph smiled. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes…"

"I have it here, if you must insist." Kristoph pulled out a golden chain from his pocket, with the locket attached. Klavier was surprised that Kristoph had it after all these years, but decided not to question it. After Kristoph fiddled with it, Klavier heard the chiming sound of the locket being unlocked. Kristoph pushed the locket towards Klavier so he could get a good look at it. After seeing what was in it, Klavier felt his hopes fall.

"It's…empty?"

"Yes."

"But, why? You always used to carry it around, ja? Why would you carry an empty locket?"

"Well," Kristoph began, smiling faintly. "I suppose I never had anyone who fulfilled the requirements."

"…Yes, you did. You chose not to put their picture in."

"Who was it, pray tell?"

"It was me," Klavier said, putting his hand up to the glass. All the emotions of love, care, and affection he felt for his brother threatened to burst from his body. He wanted nothing more than to break the glass and hold tightly on to him like he did all those years ago, forgetting about his brother's misdeeds and manipulation. He knew it was an unrealistic daydream, and Kristoph would probably start screaming for the guards if he tried to pull anything like that, but he still hoped that deep down his brother could love him back. "I loved you unconditionally back then. Hell, even with all the stunts you pulled in the last seven years I still do. I know I shouldn't, and I hate myself for it, but I still do."

"I knew you cared for me back then," sighed Kristoph, a trace of irritation in his voice as he adjusted his glasses, not making eye contact with his brother. "But I was hoping to fill the locket with the picture of someone else. I knew my hopes were in vain, but I refused to have it filled."

Silence fell over the two men as they recalled the memories of their childhood. Klavier finally broke the silence.

"Kristoph, do you…love me?"

Kristoph looked at his brother, not expecting the question but not surprised that he asked it. The older man simply raised his arm and gave a sigh, shaking his head. "Klavier, I believe you already know the answer to that question."

A soft knocking on the door was heard as a red-haired man's head peeped through the door. "Umm…I'm sorry, but Mr. Gavin….can you come with me…please?"

Kristoph almost rolled his eyes in annoyance, realizing it was the same incompetent security guard as before. He stood up to leave, giving one last look at his brother.

"Although my actions may have implied otherwise, this conversation was not as unpleasant as it could have been. Nevertheless, I do not expect nor want to see you coming here again."

There was another moment of tense silence as Klavier processed what his older brother just said.

"So…this is it, then?" Klavier gritted his teeth in frustration as he ran a hand through he blonde bangs, trying to search his mind for something appropriate to say. "You're just going to shut me out of your life like I never even existed?" The prosecutor tried to give a chuckle, which fell flat. "You're acting crazy."

"I believe that has been already established by various sources. Unless, of course, you wish to see an official document verifying your claim? I trust that the prison has quite a few copies of those."

"I can't believe this," muttered Klavier, clenching his fists as he looked at his older brother in anger. "I never understood you, and I don't think I ever will." Klavier reluctantly loosened his grip as he gave a sigh in what could be considered defeat. "The least you could do is give me a reason. Why don't you want me around? Don't tell me your cell is too appealing to leave." He meant it as a joke to relieve his own tension more than anything, but after he said it the possibility that his suggestion was true entered Klavier's mind.

Kristoph adjusted his glasses, glancing at his younger brother with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. "It's far better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. John Milton first said that in Paradise Lost, I believe." He put a strand of blonde hair behind his hair as he folded his hands on his lap. Even after all these years, the eldest Gavin sibling still was not quite sure what he felt about his brother. Feelings of love and care merged with contempt and envy, leaving behind a residue of confusion and emptiness. But no matter what contradicting thoughts were present in Kristoph's mind, he knew what he had to say.

"I do not expect you to be able to understand me, Klavier, nor do I want you to. My reasoning for this particular desire is simple. You have your own life, no matter how much I disagree with your decisions and lifestyle. You should be preoccupied with it, instead of dwelling on mine. We never were the perfect family Mother pretended we were, and it is far too late to begin such a feat. As much as I, as well as many others, wish it to be so, there is no way to go back and change what has already happened. I have fallen so far from grace I barely recognize myself, but you, you, Klavier, still have the chance to redeem yourself. You have the opportunity to stay in Heaven, in Paradise, and live the life Mother would have wanted you to have."

Klavier sat in silence, stunned, as he opened his mouth before closing it. Placing one hand gently on the glass separating them, he opened his mouth again and began to speak. "I know we can't go back. But that doesn't mean we have to cut off contact forever, ja?" He closed his eyes as he gave a deep sigh. "You are a part of my life. I cannot simply erase that and forget it…Kris."

"No…I suppose you can't. But I still do not wish to see you here again, and no amount of protesting by you is going to change that." Both brothers refused to make eye contact with the other, silent words passing between the two as clear as if they were shouting them.

"Umm…" the third voice interrupted the two once again as Ron DeLite looked like he wanted to bolt out of the room. "Mr. Gavin, can we leave now…please?

"Very well." He turned to his brother, who was now looking up at him with glossy eyes. "I believe we said everything here that needs to be said, don't you agree?"

"I…" Klavier vaguely noticed that his voice was cracking as he tried to hold back tears. He inwardly cursed, upset at his lack of control. But, Klavier thought, watching his older brother turn his head away from him, it hardly mattered anymore. "I hate you."

Kristoph gave a sigh as a small, almost sympathetic, smile appeared on his lips. "You and I both know that's not the case." He gently placed his hand up to the glass across from Klavier's, who was staring at his older brother with a mixture of love, anger, sadness, and confusion. "Consider what I said, Klavier. It may be the last advice as a brother I will give you."

The older man turned to exit the visiting room, brushing past the red-haired security guard, and closing the door from his brother forever. Ignoring Ron DeLite's pitiful attempts at small talk, Kristoph glanced at the scar on his right hand and gave a faint, sad, smile.

The Devil seemed to be smiling back at him.

--

Author's Note: Well, that's it. The ending in the final draft was actually very different than what I had originally. When I first wrote this for the Kink Meme, I had a little monologue of Kristoph thinking when he's looking at his scar. When I was rereading it again it just seemed…forced, for lack of a better word, and didn't include everything I wanted it to. I spent a while trying to come up with the "perfect" ending, before deciding that it would just be better to leave his thoughts up for the readers to interpret, as well as what having "the Devil" smiling really means.

In the end, both brothers have conflicting emotions regarding one another that eerily mimicked what they had in their childhood. Klavier still wants to reach out and be with Kristoph, although it is frustrating because of Kristoph's reluctance to accept his love and consider him more than just an annoyance. He also is torn between his moral obligations and his brother who he adores so much. Kristoph treats him like an enemy, mainly stemming from the need to prove himself better than Klavier (another reason why Kristoph went through with the evidence forging: he wanted to beat Klavier badly) and is distrustful of him because he knows Klavier's morality could come in conflict with him. Yet, he still has this obligation to essentially look out for him, as much as he hates to admit it.

I incorporated a lot of religious symbolism in this story, which is pretty strange for me since I'm not even a religious person to begin with. In the game, Vera constantly compared him to an angel or devil, leading to the parallels between Lucifer and Kristoph that I put in the story. I drew the majority of the comparisons from Satan's characterization in Paradise Lost, despite the fact that I can't stand that book. A somewhat more subtle parallel is between Kristian and God, particularly as he is characterized in Paradise Lost. As he states many times, Kristian believes his power to be "absolute" and is quick to condemn and judge anything that goes against him. To Kristoph, he seems nearly omnipotent, and to go against him, in Kristoph's opinion, would be as foolish as defying God. Obviously, they don't parallel exactly as Kristoph does end up successfully rebelling against him and Kristian is more of a bastard, not to mention way more insane, than God is supposed to be.

The whole concept of what makes a Heaven and what makes a Hell is also present in the story. Throughout his childhood, the manor, although outwardly beautiful, was essentially a prison where Kristoph was forced to stay. In his solitary cell he can be alone and undisturbed by the outside world. Another theme in the story was the concept of full circle (hence the title). Kristoph ends up becoming the man he hates, and Klavier ends up taking Kristoph's role as the one who takes him down. The scar given to him by Kristian symbolizes the length's Kristoph is willing to go.

Since all that explaining is over with, I can finally state the most important part of this overly long author's note: I would like to thank all the reviewers who have supported me throughout the story. You have all been so amazing and wonderful, I'm not even sure I can express in words how grateful I am for all of you. Especially DarkPrincess128 and iPicke11, who have reviewed every chapter since the beginning. I don't think there will be a sequel, because I feel that anything more than this would probably be overkill. I won't, however, dismiss the idea of expanding on this, maybe with a oneshot or something like that. I doubt I'll actually go through with it, but the possibility is always there.

Thank you, everyone!