A Grand Scheme

Zariel couldn't help feeling a fool. It was plain as day. Arsene was the name his mother began calling Lucarious when he was in diapers, the name he used every time he went undercover. Even when his identity was exposed or not, somehow his luck always turned around, and no one figured the Arsene they were looking for was the Arsene beside them. It was stupid. He was stupid. Yet…

'I didn't figure it out! Didn't figure it out until now.' 

Arsene lifted his arms, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Little bro…" he paused when Zariel pushed Severance to his throat. He wouldn't be able to gulp without risking being cut. "I was only following Zero's guide. He made me!" 

"Way to throw Zero under the bus," Vaan said absently. 

"Shut it. That bastard doesn't have a sword to his throat." Arsene snapped, looking back at Zariel. "Brother. Bro. Little Bro. I—"