Happy Birthday to my favorite blorbo of all time, Barry Allen!

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Going Under Part One

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 13th Doctor x Reader

Summary: An accident during a routine adventure made your life spiraled out of control with only the Doctor as the anchor. Will you ever find your way back to your Doctor again?

Trigger Warning: ooc, angst, plot holes as usual, attempted suicide, dark!doctor, death, insanity, etc. You have been warned.

More warning: English is not my first language so beware of the headache you will receive upon reading this.

  A/N: Ok, this is going to be a very disastrous story and to tell the truth, I have no idea how to wrap it up in a pretty bow. For this particular story, I put the song Going Under by Evanescence on a loop to get in the mood hence the title. As usual, this story probably filled with lot of plot holes, but that is to be expected in my fanfiction. I'm very afraid to post this actually. It would be very me to ended up writing a bad fanfiction that no one care to read. I have finished part two, actually, but I will post it on queue. Ugh, I'm throwing myself into the usual circle of hell of wondering whether writing this worth it or whether this is trash. Wish me luck, guys!

  Part Two is here

I fell to the ground after I was shot by that light beam. I thought I was a goner. From the concerned sounds of the Doctor and the fam, they thought the same.

 It was our usual routine adventure that almost always followed by a crisis that only the Doctor can solved. This time, the crisis involved human experiments. The Doctor is righteously pissed at the perpetrators. And one of the scientists shot at the Doctor using his experimental weapon and I pushed her out of the way.

 The Doctor and the fam fussed over me.

 I felt pain and then nothing. I think I lose my consciousness for a bit. I woke up to the sound of sonic screwdriver insistently scanning me. I forced myself to open my eyes and saw the relieved faces of the Doctor and the fam. I groaned. "What happened?"

 The Doctor and the fam shared a chuckle at my respond.

 "Don't ever do that again." The Doctor said with a firm tone.

 Seeing her serious expression, I sighed. Eventhough she would have done the same as me if she was in my position, the time lady doth protest too much, methinks. But I'm not in the mood to argue, so I replied, "I won't."

 The Doctor gazed at me with indecipherable expression. "We should go back to the Tardis. I have to scan you some more. I don't know what that weapon is, seem to malfunction, you are very lucky, (name). But just in case, I need to do more test on you."

 "Whatever you want, doc."

 "How are you feeling?" Yaz asked me as she helped me up.

 "Like I was electrocuted? But...now I feel kind of okay." I said.

 "You scared all of us." Ryan said.

 "Sorry. But I'm fine, see?" I decided to do a dramatic spinning and I regretted it when I lost my balance.

 The Doctor catches me before I fall. "Not so fine after all..." she murmured. She is surprisingly very strong.

 "Okay, I might need a rest." I admitted.

 The Doctor made Yaz and Ryan led me back to the Tardis as she had to deal with the scientists.

 7777

 Yaz and Ryan took me to my room back inside the Tardis. I thanks them for their help before hugging one of my stuffed animals pillow on the bed and blissfully fell into a deep sleep.

  I woke maybe a few hours later. The room is cold. I felt so uncomfortable as I forced myself to open my eyes. I was surprised to find myself on the floor in a very dark room. I reach around my pant for my smartphone and turned on the flashlight. I found the door and got out. I could hear the voices of the Doctor and the fam in the console room so I went over there.

 "Guys, how did I ended up on the floor in some random room?" I asked loudly.

 The Doctor and the fam froze as they saw me.

 The Doctor quickly approached me and demanded in a very scary tone, "Who are you? How did you get on board of my Tardis?"

 I was confused. "What do you mean?"

 "We are inside the time vortex. How did you get here? And when did you even get in?"

 I stared at her in confusion. "Doctor, what are you talking about?"

 "Y-you know who I am?" The Doctor asked. She look at me in skeptical.

 "Of course I do. Duh. We have been travelling together for a while." I said. "Ryan, is this one of your prank? Did you get her to play along?"

 Ryan look very confused. "Err, you know me?"

 "Ok, this is not funny, guys." I complained. "I'm so tired after our latest adventures. I mean, I did get shot. I'm really not in the mood for whatever prank this is."

 The Doctor and the fam exchanged a look at each other.

 They were making me nervous now.

 "We don't know who you are." It was Yaz who replied.

 "That's not funny, Yaz." I said. "Just stop it, guys."

 "How did you know my fam? Who are you?" The Doctor demanded as she grabbed my wrist in warning.

 "Doctor, you are hurting me. What is wrong with you?" I yelled angrily as I tried to pull my wrist free of her strong grip.

 "Err, doc, I think we all need to calm down some." Graham said.

 The Doctor released me grudgingly.

 I massaged my wrist. "Had I known you would act this way, I would let that scientist shot you."

 "What scientist?" The Doctor asked.

 "You said you were shot? Where are you injured?" Yaz asked.

 I sighed. "Are we still playing this? You are all there when he shot at the Doctor and I pushes her out of the way." I glared at the Doctor. "Don't worry, doc, I won't shield you again next time." I said sarcastically.

 The Doctor pulled her sonic screwdriver and scanned me. "Human."

 "Of course, I am human! Guys, I'm so..." I trailed as I finally take a good long look at them and realized they really have no idea who I am. "You really have no idea who I am?"

 The fam nodded in unison.

 I could feel myself start to panic. "Oh God, is this the side effect of that shot? Did it makes you guys forgot all about me? I mean it was experimental weapon. And, doc, you promised to do a scan on me in the Tardis to see if there is any other...damages..."

 "I don't know who you are and what your plan is but if you are planning to..."

 "I'm not! I am not the enemy, okay! Just chill!" I yelled at her when I noticed she is about to give me her oncoming storm rants. I quickly pulled my smartphone.

 The Doctor raised her sonic screwdriver at me warningly.

 "I have proof, okay?" I placated. I went through my phone and to the gallery. I showed them our many selfie group pictures. "Here."

 The Doctor grabbed my phone and took a few step back. The fam goes to see the pictures in disbelief.

 "How is this possible?" Yaz asked the Doctor.

 The Doctor observed the pictures and then she stared at me. "What is your name?"

 "It's (name). (name) (last name)." I replied weakly.

 The Doctor nodded and went to the console, pushing some button. The monitor suddenly turned on and show information on me. While at it, the Doctor performed a scan on me via the Tardis. She also cloned my phone so that she can investigates the pictures. I think she suspected it was fake photoshop picture or something.

 "Satisfied yet? I'm not lying, okay."

 The Doctor hummed. "We will see."

 I groaned in annoyance.

 While the Doctor busy consulting with the Tardis, I sat on one of the stairs. I watched the Doctor and the fam stay far away from me and whispered really quiet. I sighed.

 The Tardis suddenly bleeping loudly and the Doctor run around the console and then stopped in front of the monitor, reading the information provided by the sentient ship.

 The Doctor look awed, her mouth dropped open. She turned to look at me.

"What is it?" I asked.

  "According to this, you are from an alternate universe." The Doctor replied. "But how did you even ended up here?"

 "You are asking me? I have no idea. Last thing I remember is sleeping in my room at the Tardis and then I woke up here." I said.

 "Tell me exactly what happened before. You said that you were shot...by some scientist?" The Doctor asked.

 So I told her exactly what happened.

7777

  While The Doctor is busy figuring out what exactly happened to me, I sat alone at the kitchen's Tardis. At least the way to the kitchen is still the same. I made myself a coffee and sat staring at my cup absentmindedly.

  Ryan come in and sat with me for a while. He was curious about the other Ryan and asked me to tell stories about my own adventure back in my universe. 

  I sighed. It seemed I have come to accept what is happening to me. I am indeed in twilight zone where I have never met the Doctor and the fam thus never boarded the Tardis. I was kind of sad so to distract my mind, I relented and tell him whatever he want to know.

  Eventually Yaz joined us. We started talking about our respective adventures and about the Doctor. We got a laugh over the Doctor being pretty much the same in any universe. 

  I don't know how long we talked but I was grateful for them for easing my loneliness. I finally noticed the Doctor is standing leaning against the doorway, watching us. A small smile touched her lips as she watches us.

  "Doctor." I called out. "Did you find anything?"

  She shook her head. "I'm sorry. Unless we found the weapon they used on you, I can't exactly figure it out."

  "So, we have to go to the place where the scientists are? Okay. Let's go." I said, eager to get this over with so I can go back to my Doctor and my friends. "I mean, I guess we should find your version of the scientists who did this to me, right? So that you can take a look at the weapon?"

  The Doctor look impressed with me.

  "Then what are waiting for?"

  "Tomorrow." The Doctor replied. "We are all tired. You look tired."

  I wanted to protest but she shushed me.

  "Come on I will show you to your room." The Doctor said.

  7777

The Doctor left me in my new room. The room is just ordinary without any of personal touch. I felt the loneliness come back. I laid on the bed, trying to hold back my tears. I pulled my phone and swipe on the pictures of my Doctor and my fam. I hope to God that I could return back to them as soon as possible. "Please don't let me be trapped here." I whispered. I fell asleep soon after.

  I woke up to the concerned voices of the Doctor and the fam. I opened my eyes in confusion. I wasn't in my room. The Tardis med-bay, my mind supplied.

  The Doctor and the fam looked at me with troubled expression. 

  "Doctor? What happened?"

  "You're awake."

  "How did I get here? I was in my room."

  "The Doctor is checking on you and she found you in a seizure." Yaz replied. "You really had all of us scared out of our mind."

  I smiled a little. I felt bad for intruding on them when they didn't even know me. I frowned. I didn't remember getting a seizure though. I looked up toward the Doctor. "Thank you for checking up on me. You saved me."

  "We are even then..." The Doctor said.

  "Yeah."

  The Doctor gazed at me. "Do you feel any pain right now?"

  "Not really, just really really tired." I trailed. My eyes widened suddenly as I look at the Doctor. "we are even?"

  The Doctor looked confused. "Yeah, you did saved me first, by pushing me out of the way."

  "You know me!" I yelled suddenly. "You know me, right?" I asked her and then turned to the fam. "You guys too? Yaz? Ryan? Graham?"

  The Doctor and the fam stared at me as if I had gone insane and exchanged a look with each other.

  "err, did she get a concussion, doc?" Ryan asked.

  "Hey!!" I yelled. "Focus!! Who am I?"

  "You don't know?" Graham asked.

  "Of course I know who I am. Do you? Come on, guys, work with me here!" I said as I forced myself to get up despite their protests. "Who am I?" I barked at them. If the situation is different, I would have laugh at how angry I sounded but I was desperate for them to make sure they do know me.

  The Doctor stared at me and then replied, "You are (name)."

  "And?" I urged. "Did I travel with you and them in the Tardis?"

  "You know you do, (name)." Yaz said. "What's gotten into you?"

  I sighed in relief at their confirmation. I laughed. "I'm back!" I laughed some more as tears suddenly fell into my cheeks. 

  "(name), are you alright?" Graham asked cautiously.

  "You guys won't believe what happened to me." I said. And I told them what happened to me earlier.

  7777

  I sulked. They don't believe me. At all. Because according to them, I have been sleeping in my room that whole time.  Even the Doctor said what I'm experiencing is probably a nightmare. In a way, it made sense. The Doctor and the fam never knew me? My greatest fear.

  I sat on the stairs on the console room. After what happened to me, regardless whether it was real or not, I don't feel like to be alone so I sat there, watching the Doctor at the console.

  The Doctor noticed me and decided to join me at the stairs. 

  "So, a seizure, huh? Was it because of that weapon? Have you figure out what that weapon are? Did it meant to give the victim a nightmare and a seizure?" I asked the Doctor.

  The Doctor look troubled. 

  "Doctor?"

  "Don't worry, (name), it will be okay."

  "So there is something to worry about?"

  "Of course not."

  "But you just said..."

The Doctor surprised me when she suddenly grabbed my face. I blushed at the close proximity.

  "Just trust in me, (name)." She said as she put her forehead over mine. "Just trust the Doctor."

  "I do trust you, Doctor." I said softly.

  I feel dizzy all of sudden and fell to the floor, unable to balance myself.  "Ow, what the hell...? That is some headache..." I looked up and frowned when I realized I was alone. "Doctor?"

  7777

 My eyes widened as I take in the console room. It was different from what I used to. But there is no one in the console room. Fear nagging on the corner of my mind. Have I gone insane? Or did I somehow travel somewhere else again?

  I know the Tardis is not in mid-flight, it was already landed somewhere so I got out of the Tardis to check it out. As I opened the door, I saw the beach and a man in a trench coat was there, nursing a banana daiquiri. He had his ties tied around his forehead and a black sunglasses covered his face. He was drunk as a skunk. With no one in sight, I had no choice but to go to him for information.

 "Hello." I greeted.

  The man glanced at me and smiled brightly. "Why, hello there. Where did you come from? No one go to this beach this time of the years..."

  "Yeaah...about that...where am I...exactly? I'm kinda lost...?"

  He beamed. "I'm good with lost thing. Oops, where is my manner? Hulla there, I'm the Doctor."

My jaw dropped in shock. "W-what? You? You are the Doctor?" I asked.

   "Yeah, do you know of me then?" He asked in dopey manner.

  "But...you are a man..." I said dumbly.

  "Of course I am a man. What else I could be?" He asked almost like I insult him.

  "Right. She said she was once a Scotsman before. It was a time lord thingies, was it?"

  He sobered up almost immediately. "How did you know that?"

  "I'm not the enemy, okay? Everytime!" I yelled, pissed at his tone that is almost accusing. I admitted I was being dramatic. It was only one time but I just hated being questioned of my intention. But then again, this version of the Doctor never met me so of course he will be suspicious.

  He frowned at me.

  "Look, Doctor. I don't know what is happening to me. I keep waking up into different Tardis than the one that I know of. My Doctor said everything is alright but as you can see, the fact that I'm here instead with her means something is wrong. I knew she is holding out something on me. Trust in the Doctor, my ass!" I ranted.

  He blinked at me. "Soo, you are a future companion of mine then? And I will be a Time Lady in the future?"

  I blinked back at him. "You are taking this surprisingly well. I thought you would give me the oncoming storm speech. Considering I have no proof that I am indeed your future companion..."

  "I feel like you are quite genuine to fake it."

  "err, thanks?"

  He grinned a boyish grin at me. "Right then, off to the Tardis we are!" He said as he grabbed my hand toward the Tardis.

  I pulled away from him. "Bit forward, aren't you?"

  "What? Didn't your Doctor grab your hand and told you to run?"

  "Noo. She told me to get off my ass and help her barricade the door."

  "Oh."

  "We were under alien attack, you see, it was my first time to see alien so I was kinda out of it."

  "Right. That sounded like interesting story which we can continue on the Tardis. Come on."

  I followed him obediently.

  7777

  I told him what happened to me, about the shooting, about the alternate universe.

  The Doctor hummed as he pushed some button on the Tardis as he made the machine scan me.

  "So, am I in the past or am I in some random alternate universe?" I asked.

  The Doctor frowned as he observed the monitor containing information on whatever it is he is working on.

  "What is it?"

  "Nothing." He said as he tried to pulled the monitor away from me but I was faster this time and I saw it.

  "Ooh..." I was understandably shocked. Because according to the Tardis database, I don't exist.

  "Different universe yeah?" He said as if trying to console me.

  "Yeah." I nodded numbly. "But... you believe me?"

  He nodded. "Course."

  I sighed in relief. "Can you get me back home?"

  "I will most certainly try."

  I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

  He smiled at me. "So, since you are from alternate universe, it meant whatever you tell me will not be spoiler. So tell me about your Doctor. I have never regenerated into a woman before. What was I like?"

  "Well, you love to talk, I guess you are always like that, huh?"

  "Love talking." He said cheekily.

  I described my Doctor to him. He gave me an amused smile. "What?"

  "Sounded like you fancy her..."

  I blushed. "Shut up. She is my best friend, okay."

  He grinned.

  My stomach choose that moment to protest in hunger much to my embarassment.

  He chuckled. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen."

  I followed him gratefully. "Doctor, where are your companion?"

  His smile vanished. "I wasn't taking anyone currently."

  "Ooh." I felt bad for bringing that up because it sure ruined his mood. "I'm sorry."

  "What for?"

  "For whatever happened to you or your companion."

  He look surprised.

  "You have that sad eyes, like my Doctor. Before she met me and the fam, she lost someone too."

  He smiled sadly. "Yeah that tends to happened." He sighed and then he stared at me. "The fam?"

  I shrugged. "It is what she called us."

  "Blimey how many companion did she have right now?"

  I told him about the fam happily. He was lonely, I can tell. I wonder what happened to his companion. But I know better than to ask that. So all I can do is tell him about my funny adventures to ease his loneliness. We entered the kitchen and he started preparing a light snack and tea for me.

  7777

  I woke up on the floor...again. 

  "err, how did you get here?" A young man suddenly waved me for attention.

  "W-what? Where am I?" I asked in confusion.

  "You are in the Tardis kitchen but how did you get here?"

  "Are you the Doctor?"

  "No. I'm Rory, my wife and I travel with him." He said. "Are you alright?" He look concerned.

  "My head hurts." I said. "Can you get me to the Doctor please?"

  He nodded. "Wait here." He quickly left and yelled for Amy and the Doctor.

  My head hurts really badly. I felt like I'm about to throw up. I forced myself to stand up and walked out of the kitchen and fell.

  7777

  "DOCTOOOORR!!" A young woman screamed loudly making me wince. "Hey, are you alright?"

  I groaned. "I'm not okay. I think I'm dying..." I said.

  "DOCTOOOORRR!!"

  I groaned. "Please stop yelling at me. God, I'm in hell..."

  "Sorry."

  "Clara, what's with all the yelling?" An old man dressed like a magician suddenly appeared.

  "Look at her."

  "Who is she? Did you invite a stranger without my permission?"

  "I did not! I found her in the corridor like that." Clara said with a glare.

  He sonic-ed me. "You looked like hell."

  "I'm dying..." I said almost petulantly.

  "She kept saying that..." Clara said.

  "Get her to the medbay."

  Contrary to my belief, I was not dying. Apparently I was dehydrated. The Doctor gave me some infusion. I felt so much better now.

  The Doctor and the young woman who identified as Clara stared at me curiously as I devoured some food they gave me.

  "Right, you want an explanation." I said.

  "That would be great, yeah." Clara said.

  "Well, what did the Tardis tell you? Am I at least exist here?" I asked.

  The Doctor frowned. "How do you mean?"

  "The last universe I was in, the Doctor told me that I didn't exist. The one before that apparently never met me. I'm so tired. I just want to go home to my Doctor and my friends." I said tiredly.

  "Tell me exactly what happened to you." The Doctor demanded suddenly.

  And so I did. Again.

  "So, ever since the shot, you have been crossing all over the universe?" Clara asked in awe.

  I sighed. "That, or my Doctor is right and this is all just happening in my head. A nightmare of some kind. Though I didn't think so. Even I wouldn't be able to conjure so many detail about the Doctor."

  The Doctor told me that the Doctor I met in the beach is his tenth incarnation and that he was the Twelfth one. 

  "Yeah, I think my Doctor is after this you. She mentioned that she used to be a Scotsman before." I replied.

"Wait, your Doctor is a woman?" Clara asked giddily. "Oh, I have to meet her."

The Doctor gave Clara a look.

  "What? I am curious. You as a woman." Clara said with a grin at the Doctor. "Tell me what she look like." She asked me.

  "Am I allowed to tell her?" I asked the Doctor. "Am I in the past or...?" I'm almost afraid to ask.

  "You are in an alternate universe. And you did exist here." The Doctor said.

  I nodded. 

  "Well? Tell me please." Clara urged me.

I grinned at her and told her what she wanted to know.

  The Doctor pretended to be busy with something else but both Clara and I know he is secretly listening. He asked me for some blood sample and I let him. I trust him. 

  The last words my Doctor left me...trust in the Doctor. So I did.

  7777

  I woke up alone in the Tardis medbay. I sighed, resigning myself to be in another random place of universe. I wonder where I ended up right now. 

  I got out of the medbay trying to find the Doctor. For once, I recognized the Tardis interior. My hearts swelled with hope that I am back at home. I walked as fast as I can to the console room hoping to find the Doctor or the fam. I found none.

  I got out of the Tardis. I was in some alien planet. Without thinking for my safety, I stepped out of the Tardis. And then I saw her. The Doctor. My Doctor. But does she know me?

  The Doctor stood alone, looking so lonely. My heart ached for her.

  "Doctor?" I called out.

  The Doctor turned around and her eyes widened as she saw me. "(name)? Is it really...you?" she stuttered my name.

  I gave her a hesitant smile. "It's me."

  She hugged me and she actually burst into tears.

  I hugged her back but I was confused. "Doctor, what's wrong?"

  She pulled out of the hug and put both of her hands over my face. She smiled sadly. "My (name)..."

   I felt uncomfortable. I like her so much. In fact, I could actually admitted that I have a crush on her. But the way she called my name, it's almost like we are lovers which I know we are not.

  "I missed you so much." She said with a sob.

   I was floored. The Doctor? Doing emotion? Something is wrong with her. "Doctor, where is the fam?"

  She sobered up immediately. A dark expression crossed her features. 

   "What's it?"

   "I lost them...to the cyberman."

  I blinked. "Jack's warning..."

  She nodded sadly.

  "What happened?"

  "I failed them." She only said that, not wanting to relive the painful memory.

  I wanted to cry. I can't believe it. The fam can't be gone.  "How long have I been gone?"

  She didn't answer. Instead she turned around and walked toward to a bunch of stone. I followed her and I froze when I saw it.

  It was my graveyard. The stone has my name carved on it. 

  I shook my head. "This isn't it. This isn't home." I whispered.

  "She said that too." The Doctor said. "You, she died in my arms. She died in pain and she kept screaming that she wanted to go home."

  I was shook to the core. Is this my future? Did I just give myself a spoiler?

  "I never understand what is happening to her. I tried to make sense of it. It sounded like she was being torn apart from the inside." The Doctor said with a forlorn look.

  I shook my head in disbelief. I ran back toward the Tardis. I screamed while I was inside. "Please, please take me back home! I'm done with this! I'm done!!"

  The Doctor entered the Tardis. Her eyes looked sad. 

  I ignored her as I broke down in tears. I bend my knees on the floor and cried. 

  She also sat beside me and hugged me close.

  "What is happening to me? Please fix me, Doctor." I begged her. "Please..."

  The Doctor nodded weakly. "I will. Of course, I will."

  I stared at her. "Promise me." I demanded. I know I was being cruel. "I want to go back to my Doctor and to my friends."

  "I promise."

  The Doctor lies. That's what the Master once told me when we met. She won't lie, would she?

  I made the mistake to gaze at her and I saw something frightening in her features.

  7777

  I blinked and froze when I saw Twefth Doctor and Clara again. I was in a different console room again.

  They stared at me.

  "You are back." Clara said.

  My whole body just trembled mixture of fear, shock and relief.

  "I just found out I will die a painful death." I blurted as I wipe my tears off with my sleeve.

  The Doctor and Clara blinked at me.

  "I'm so tired of saying this. But for the love of God, please help me, Doctor." I begged him.

  The Doctor stared at me and nodded. "Your blood sample come back. You are indeed dying."

  "Doctor!" Clara shouted in warning.

  I nodded and laughed harshly. "I figures as much."

  "There is something changing your DNA and it made you into a personal time machine. One that seemed to anchor yourself to the Doctor. Any Doctor. Any universes." The Doctor said. "And you are only human, your body can't take it. You are dying a slow death."

  I sighed. "I guess the good thing about this is it was me instead of the Doctor." I said softly. If I had not pushed my Doctor out of the way, it would be her in this predicament. The thought of the Doctor dying, I shuddered. The universe will be screwed.

  The Doctor looked like he was being slapped. "She would not want that. I, she would not want you to die in her place."

  "I didn't want to die either. But..." I stared at Clara. "You would do the same for him, wouldn't you?"

  Clara stared at her Doctor solemnly. "In  a heartbeat."

  The Doctor gazed at Clara.

  "Right, okay? Is there a way to at least prolong my life?" I asked them, broke them from their loving gaze.

  The Doctor replied without looking at me, "Working on it... Would be easier if you led me to the scientists so I can take a look at their project."

  "Right." I tried to wreck my brain to remember what planet the Doctor took me that times. I was at loss.

  He rolled his eyes. "Human. Pudding brain."

  "Hey!!" Both Clara and I yelled at him.

  He grabbed me and told me to put my hands on the Tardis telepathic circuit. He told me to focus on my memory of that planet. So I did.

  7777

  I was in a middle of a town square. The town sign told me it was Christmas. I groaned. "Now what?"

  I heard the unmistakable sound of a sonic screwdriver and a man in bow tie is wielding it at me.

  "Hello, there, I'm the Doctor."

  "I know. The sonic screwdriver kinda gives you away."

  "You know me then?"

  I sighed. "This is bullshit. Doctor, I'm a future companion, okay? I traveled with your Thirteenth incarnation. But I might be from another universes. It has been happening a lot lately. And I'm dying apparently."

  The Doctor glared at me and let out a harsh chuckle. "Nice one. But I am on my last regeneration and I don't have anymore. So, who are you, really?"

  I stared at him disbelief. "You have got to be joking. I don't have a proof, okay? But I wasn't lying."

  "Yeah, you are not lying about dying, are you?" The Doctor said as he read the result of his scan from his sonic screwdriver.

  I fell silent to that. "Fine." I said. "Don't believe me for all I care. I won't be here long anyway. I probably gonna disappear to another universe, another you again soon." I crossed my arms, well aware that I'm sulking.

  He frowned at that. "You are from another universe." He stared at me as he circled me around.

  "Oh now you are curious, are you not?" I mocked him in my anger. I shuddered in cold.

  He sighed and he pulled his jacket and gave it to me much to my surprise.

  I took it and murmured a small thank you. 

  He took me inside a tower. 

  "Soo...you believe me?"

  "You can't tell a lie here. There is a truth field in this planet. So, yeah, I do believe you." He said as he gave me some hot tea. "So, tell me about what's been happening to you. Sounded like you have a tough day."

  "You have no idea. And honestly, I'm tired of having to tell it over and over again to every version of you. I never stick around long enough to get some answers." I said solemnly.

  "Tell me anyway." He requested.

  And so I did. Again.

  7777

  I felt dizzy. "Oh great..." I moaned without opening my eyes.

  "Found you." Someone suddenly grabbed me from behind and hugged me.

  It was the Thirteenth Doctor but from her voice, I could tell immediately she is not the one.

  I tried to move away from her but she kept me still. "Doctor?" I called out.

  "My (name)..." She whispered and then she put some sort of a collar on me.

  I struggled against her but it was futile. "What the hell is this?"

  "I found a way to keep you from splintering again." She said as she released me.

  I fingered the collar. "This?" I asked as I turned to face her. I noticed she was dressed differently from her usual clothing. Everything about her feels different.

  She nodded solemnly.

  "Splintering?" I asked.

  "Basically you tearing every atom in your body by traveling all over the alternate universe." 

  "So, as long as I wear this, I can stay here."

  She beamed. "Yes. With me."

  "But, if you are from my future, wouldn't this be a paradox or something?"

  She smiled at me chillingly as she caresses my cheek. "Don't worry your pretty face about it." She said. "There, I keep my promise. I fix you, my dear."

  I forced a smile for her despite feeling really uncomfortable and also I can't help that bad feeling nagging in my gut. Instead I said, "But does it have to be a collar?"

  She laughed in delight. "Would you prefer a ring instead?"

  I blushed at that. "Maybe." I muttered. "Because this collar isn't really me at all."

  She smiled at me in fondness. "Then I will work on it for you." She pulled my hand. "Come on, you must be tired and hungry."

  I followed her to a room. I didn't recognize it.

  "This is my room." She said.

  I blinked in surprise and took a look at the room. "It's nice." I said lamely.

  She grinned. "Come, sit with me. Tell me all about your adventures."

  I stared at her warily but did as requested. She gave me plenty of food and drink and it was all my favorite. I smiled at her.

  7777

  I must have fallen asleep. I blinked for once realizing I'm still in the same place. The collar did work after all. But the Doctor is nowhere to be found.

  I walked out of the room and take a glance at the corridors. I decided to go find some food in the kitchen when I heard voices in the distant followed by some bleeping light on the corridor. Almost like the Tardis is trying to guide me somewhere. So I followed it.

  I wish I didn't. I can't believe what I saw. The Doctor. She had a hostage on board of the Tardis. I distinctly recognized the scientist that shot at me. The Doctor is torturing him. 

  I felt like I was being punched. I was so scared. I wanted to confront her, to demand her for explanation but that bad feeling in the pit of my gut come back full force. I decided not to risk it. I slowly left the place, hoping she didn't notice me. 

  As soon as I was a safe distance away from the Doctor, I pulled on my collar wanting to rip it free but realized in horror that I couldn't.

  "Nooo. This can't be happening. What is happening?" I muttered to myself, shaken in fear. 

  I touched the wall and hesitantly speak toward the sentient machine. "You purposely show me that. What do you want me to do?"

  There is no answer. I felt weak in my knees. I let myself fall to the floor, hugging my knees and cried.

  A hologram suddenly appeared before me. It was the hologram of the Thirteenth Doctor but it was wearing the original clothing. It was staring at me in somber.

  "Tardis?" I asked.

  "Run." It said.

  "What?"

 The hologram suddenly vanished as the real Doctor suddenly showed up. She was staring at me with a look I can't decipher.

  "You should have stay back in my room, (name)." She said solemnly.

  "Why did the Tardis tell me to run from you?" I demanded.

  She shrugged. "She is just confused. My old girl."

  "She is warning me about you." I said.

  She rolled her eyes. "Come on, (name), be reasonable."

  "Reasonable? I'm not the one who has been torturing people!" I snapped.

  I know I did something wrong when a dark expression crossed her feature. 

  "You saw it, didn't you?" She said in resignation. "Oh, well..." She moved toward me.

  I stopped her. "Don't."

  "Don't be afraid of me, (name), I would never hurt you."

  "You just going to keep me as your pet, is that it?" I asked.

  She blinked at that. "I promise I will change that collar into a ring soon."

  "This is not about the damn collar!" I yelled. 

  She didn't look bothered by my outburst.

  "Actually, yes, this is about the collar." I recanted as I tried to pulled it off. "Why can't I take it off?" I demanded.

  She smiled chillingly. "I have to make sure you will stay with me."

  I shook my head in denial. "Who are you? The Doctor I know wouldn't do this to me."

  She snorted. "You don't know me that well, (name)."

  "You are right. And right now, I don't want to know you."

  She look like she was being slapped. She growled at me. "Stand up."

  I glared at her. "No. You go away." I said petulantly.

  "(name) (last name), do not test me."

  "Leave me alone." I said as I closed my eyes, covering both of my ears. "Just leave me alone!"

  Silence. And then I felt her hands pulled my hands away from my ears as she put her forehead over mine. And then she whispered, "Never."

  I opened my eyes to look at her and stunned at her sorrowful expression. Part of me almost wanting to comfort her.

  And then everything went to black.

   7777

  When I woke up next, I was hoping to be somewhere else. The one time I wish I could leave, I got stuck. I woke up in a room, not the Doctor's room from earlier. I was alone. The Doctor is nowhere to be found. I realized in horror that this particular room does not have a door. I can't tell the way out.

  The Doctor never showed her face to me for the next few hours? days? I don't know. At first, I didn't care. I did wonder if she is planning to starve me as she has not given me any sustenance. Strangely enough I did not feel hunger or thirsty. Heck, I didn't even need to go to the bathroom which is probably a good thing as it would be embarrassing if I have to pee or more all over the place. Though it did make me wonder if I was already dead. Why else would I not require sustenance?

  There was nothing to do in the room. I was alone with my thoughts. And I was never good at being alone. I refused to let her win though. I know she is punishing me, a silent treatment of sort. For a time, I was fine with it. I thought of my favorite stories, my favorite scene in a movie, a favorite song, anything to get my mind off the loneliness.

  "Tardis?" I called out hesitantly. "Can you...talk to me?"

  Nothing.

  I sighed as I sat on the floor, hugging my knees close. I was bored out of my mind. I started wondering if this will be the end of me. 

  Eventually the Doctor did visited me but she always appeared out of nowhere. I tried to be vigilant on her next visit in hope I could catch a glimpse of the way out. No such luck.

  She gave me some book to read and an ipod containing music. She even brought some flower and put it on a small table.

  I was curious about how long I have been here and how it is I remained alive without sustenance for so long.

  "This is a time vault. It basically forcing you to stay alive." She explained. "Like the flower I brought in, it won't require water to remain blooming. This place sort of paused your time, I suppose."

  "Why am I here?"

  "It is for your safety."

  "So, this is a prison."

  "It doesn't have to be. I just need you to accept your reality."

  "And what is my reality, Doctor?"

  The Doctor stared at me. "If you have to ask, that's meant you still didn't get it."

  My eyes widened as I realized something. "I'm still dying, aren't I?"

  The Doctor flinched immediately and I know I was right.

  "Even with the collar, I am still dying. It just stopped me from...splintering away." I said as I stared her down.

  She didn't reply.

  "I was right, wasn't I? That's why I am here in this...Time Vault. You put me...on pause."

  She smiled solemnly at me. "500 points for (name)." she said, her joking tone fell flat.

  I shook my head. "This is insane. This is all wrong. You have got to let me go."

  "If I do, you will die."

  "Maybe that's what I want!"

  "You didn't mean that."

  I didn't reply. I know it's pointless to argue with her, so this time, I'm the one who give her silent treatment.

  She sighed and then she left. She left me alone for so long. The next time she come in, I almost felt relieved, craving for any company.

  I know she did this on purpose. She wanted to put that Stockholm syndrome thing on me. But I won't let it come to that. It was a time like this that I wish I could actually do some meditation to clear my mind and stuff.

  I think I go insane for a bit. I started talking to the shadow created by my slowly deteriorating mind. The books laid scattered on the floor, torn apart. So does the flowers and the vase and the table. I didn't destroy the ipod. Yet. 

  I started laughing at the song 'Sweet but Psycho'. It reminded me of the situation I'm in for some reason. And then I started crying. Then I threw away the ipod across the room. My emotion is all over the place lately.

  The Doctor came in once in a while and she was nice and friendly one minute and shut me down next. I begged her to let me out of this room. I begged and promised I won't run. But she didn't believe me. I hated her so much at that moment and I yelled it at her. She left again.

  I screamed and I cried. I demanded the Tardis to talk to me, to help me. But, of course, she didn't respond. Needless to say, I ruined the room again. I know the room will clean up by itself again later on, no matter the damage.

  One day, the door suddenly showed itself. I had to blink my eyes a few times to make sure I wasn't dreaming. 

  "Run."

  I heard the word in my mind and I did. I bolted out immediately. I have no idea the surrounding around me but the small light appearing on the corridor guided me somewhere to a another room....where a single hanging rope and a medium chair is waiting for me.

  I frowned and then I giggled. I guess I did lose my mind because I walked toward it. I stood on the chair and fingered the rope that is fitting around my neck. I guess this is the only way I can escape. I kicked the chair and almost immediately the breath is knocked out of me as I struggled against the rope. It was painful and it took so long for me to black out completely.

  Suddenly an alarm ringing loudly as I was about to black out. I could heard the Doctor screaming at me or the Tardis?

  The Doctor pulled me down and laid me on the floor. She was crying. I almost feel sorry for her. She took off the rope and the collar.

  Oh. So, that's why the Tardis did this. I suddenly having a realization. I wanted to laugh but I couldn't.

  The Doctor pulled some injection and hit it on somewhere on my body and I gasped really loudly and coughed hard. She laughed and cried in relief at the same time. She hugged me tight. "Don't ever do that again, (name)! I can't lose you!" she begged me.

  Whatever that injection is, it was a very good drug as I could feel the pain is gone. My hand rubbed the rope burn mark on my neck. I realized if I ever could have any control over the splintering, now would be the good time. As much it pained me to left her behind, I know my presence here is bad for her. 

  I could feel myself being ripped away right at that moment.

  The heartbroken look on the Doctor's face seared forever in my mind. 

  7777

  I stumbled down and someone caught me in their arms. I could see a visible blond hair and my blood ran cold. What if I was still with her? I screamed. 

  The owner of the blonde hair also screamed, more like in surprise than anything. It was then I realized it wasn't the Doctor.

  I pushed the woman away from me and I ran blindly into another person who grabbed me firmly. "Let me go! Just leave me alone!" I screamed.

  The man calmed me down. "It's okay. You're okay. You're safe." And somehow, I did calm down some but I was still sobbing.

  "Doctor, who is she?" The woman I pushed asked. "She appeared out of nowhere."

  "Doctor, I think she is hurt." Another voice said. It was a man. I recognized that voice. It was Jack Harkness, I think. "Look at her neck..."

  The man who grabbed me pulled my hair aside and frowned when he saw the rope burn around my neck. "Who did this to you?"

  I laughed hysterically. "I did this. I have to get her to take it off." I said. "well, I had help, isn't that right, old girl?" I looked up toward the ceiling

  "Take what off?" Jack asked.

  "Are you talking to the Tardis?" The Doctor asked in the same time.

  "I guess she wouldn't know me, different Tardis, different Doctor." I said. "The Doctor, my Doctor...She has gone insane. I am too, I guess. She wanted to keep me even though I already died." I laughed again. "i'm going to die in pain, she said. I'm scared." I whispered. "The fam is dead too. She said she failed them. She put me on pause." I said and giggled at how ridiculous that sounded.

  I know they are probably confused with my incoherent babbling but I really don't care. I told them about the collar and the Time Vault. Their Doctor is probably the only one who can put the pieces together from my rambling.

  "Wait, I'm confused, some woman that has the same name as you did this to her?" Rose asked.

  Jack's eyes widened as he glanced at the Doctor. He know a bit about Time Lord from his time as a Time agent so he knew about regeneration.

  The Doctor nodded at Jack. "She is from the future. My future." He look troubled, probably feeling ill when he realized I'm a future companion and as I babbled on, spoiler that his future-self has gone insane.

  I chuckled. "I might not. I could be from alternate universe. That has been happening to me, always alternate universe, always another Doctor. But never the correct Doctor. She said I should trust in the Doctor. I tried. But her future-self is torturing people even if she did it to the person who shot me. I can never go home." I said and I cried, wailing actually.

  The Doctor awkwardly trying to comfort me. Of course, he wanted to know the mystery behind me even though I'm sick of telling it to the Doctor. But before I could, I finally recognized the somewhat tingling feeling as I was about to be ripped away once more.

  7777

  I dropped on my knees and coughed blood. Well, this is new.

  "(name)? (name)!" A man rushed toward me. "Are you hurt? Where are you hurt?" He demanded as he check me for injuries.

  I looked up to see the Tenth Doctor and he wasn't alone. He recognized me which I'm grateful because I think I'm going to throw up if I have to repeat everything again.

  "Doctor, I think she is sick. She is coughing blood. And look at her neck! Is that...? Did someone strangle her with a rope?" The woman fussed over me.

  The Doctor introduced me to Martha, a medical student. He pulled up my chin and asked with a very serious manner, "Who did this to you?"

  I wanted to answer but I coughed up again and then I fainted.

  7777

  I was expecting to be pulled into another place but I woke up to the Doctor and Martha fussing over me at the Tardis medbay.

  I have a clearer mind now. I guess my nervous breakdown has dissipated now.  Plus it seemed I got a good rest from that fainting despite the blood bonus. I coughed up again. When I saw the blood, I chuckled. "So, it's finally happening..."

 The Doctor stared at me. "What happened to you?"

  "A lot. And frankly, I'm tired. I'm dying, I'm sure you know from the scanning." I said. "I went to the future, my future, and my friends are all dead and the Doctor is insane." I was being brutally blunt now.

  Despite my words about his alternate version being insane, he seemed to be taking it well. "How can I help?" The Doctor asked  instead as he took one of my hand in a gesture of comfort.

  "A cure would be nice. A cure for what did this to me." I said. I told him to investigate their version of the scientist who did this to me. Chances are they would also developing the weapon used to shot me with. Hopefully.

  The Doctor agreed with me.

  "Tell me your finding when or if we meet again..." I said.

  The Doctor and Martha looked at me in confusion.

  I smiled weakly and waved goodbye at them as I felt myself being pulled to another place in another time.

  A/N2: Ok, it's great if you read this till the end despite how bad this is. Just wanna say thank you for reading. Also thank you for those who follow my blog and has leave likes/comment/reblog on my past stories. I hope you will still stick around for some more painful reading.

You each recognize one of the skeletons, intimately. You see their final moments playing out as though they were your own: a priest, a spy, a marquis, and a king.

The air around the tower becomes more turbulent, but it's nothing Akhutai Urit can't pilot them through. As the Prima Vista's shuttle approaches the isle by air, you see plenty of Garlean airships already docked there - as well as a sea vessel. Alaq'it Moks climbs up the back of a chair to see. Nivelth Ajuyn has elected to silently keep the cape that Zalera picked out, but she has an old battered flat cap on as well, her ears once more well hidden. Akhutai Urit slows the ship down considerably and steers around to attempt to keep them out of line of site of any Garleans. Akhutai Urit: Welcoming party. At least there's only a few of us. Sneaking in should be... easier. A'zaela Linh leans against the wall of the ship, eyes closed, a headache pounding against her skull. Sweat dots her brow, but she doesn't make any noise of discomfort. Alaq'it Moks: I kind of... forgot part of our problem was Garleans. Alaq'it Moks laughs awkwardly. Nivelth Ajuyn: Garleans are always a problem, Alaq'it. A'zaela Linh: ...We take them down if they're in the way. Akhutai Urit: Methinks you don't see the amount of forces that seem to be there. I don't care how powerful you or the stone thinks you are. Akhutai Urit starts looking for a place to land. Alaq'it Moks: You WERE saying much about how we are stronger than we believe. Akhutai Urit: I did. And I stand by that statement. Doesn't mean she can take on an army. A'zaela Linh grits her teeth, but says nothing more. Nivelth Ajuyn rubs her temples slightly, and settles back into what seems to be her default pose, of her right hand on her left shoulder. Nivelth Ajuyn: None of us can. That's why we work together. Alaq'it Moks pats A'zaela Linh's shoulder, careful to only touch the armor. There's a spot along a deserted cape that doesn't seem to be especially crowded - and you can see from the air that it is not patrolled. Akhutai Urit: Be ready to land. Akhutai Urit makes for the handy dandy deserted cape and begins landing operations. He keeps his attention out, however, in the case of needing to pull back out quickly. In all, the path ahead seems completely clear of Garleans, strangely enough. Nivelth Ajuyn: We're headed for the inside, correct? A'zaela Linh: Yes. I hear... A'zaela Linh trails off. A'zaela Linh: Inside. We need something inside. Akhutai Urit steps back from the controls and turns towards the others. Akhutai Urit: Unless we wish to go sightseeing, I'd suspect whatever we're looking for is inside, yes. If one looks to the entrance to the tower, the courtyard in front is completely devoid of soldiers at the moment. Nivelth Ajuyn frowns at A'zaela Linh and merely sighs slightly: she wants answers, but seeing as they're about to go find them, she can't say much more. A'zaela Linh: Are we ready? Are we landed? Alaq'it Moks looks around. Even if her head is still slightly scrambled, her eyes and limbs remember Edge Marbrand's training. Alaq'it Moks: Where... are they... Akhutai Urit: We're landed. We should be ready for anything. The lack of... anyone is disconcerting. Nivelth Ajuyn nods as well, and summons an Egi. The winged yellow creature lets out a soft cry, and lands on her right shoulder. A'zaela Linh: Perhaps it's a trap. We will find out soon enough. Akhutai Urit: I'm more or less assuming everything is a trap at this point. Alaq'it Moks shrug at Akhutai Urit. Alaq'it Moks: And, up to this point. But no soldiers arrive for the time being. The path ahead remains clear, and the massive golden door lies open, with an inscription beside it: Lo, seeker in days unborn, god-blade bearer. Know you: this tower challenges the sky. Ware the watcher; the ward of the Three waits, soul-hungry, unsated. He without power, want it not. He with power, trust it not. He with sight, heed it not. Rend illusion, cut the true path. A'zaela Linh can barely read that, let alone fully understand what it means. Alaq'it Moks mutters the choice words she CAN make out. Nivelth Ajuyn crouches down to get a better look at it, and scribbles the whole thing into her grimoire, while reading it aloud for A'zaela Linh's benefit. Alaq'it Moks: God... tower... sky? Alaq'it Moks sighs. Alaq'it Moks: There will be stairs. A'zaela Linh: Trust it not... Akhutai, you truly didn't need go through all the trouble to tell me twice. Nivelth Ajuyn: Ward of the Three, soul hungry. Great. Akhutai Urit: You don't appreciate it? A'zaela Linh: Perhaps less than I should. Alaq'it Moks nonchalantly places herself between them. Alaq'it Moks: Well then. We are to cut the path? Alaq'it Moks draws out a knife and moves to stab the door. A'zaela Linh: What are you- Nivelth Ajuyn: It probably doesn't mean literal cutting. Alaq'it Moks staggers back, as the stone door doesn't absorb the shock. A good ear MIGHT hear her swear. A'zaela Linh cringes with pain. Nivelth Ajuyn: ... Did we try... opening it? Nivelth Ajuyn's voice is just shy of sounding sarcastic. Akhutai Urit 's gaze falls back upon the entrance and the wide open door, not paying much heed to the door stabbing. Akhutai Urit: ...I'll take point. If there's no objection. A'zaela Linh: ...Please do. The Garleans have taken up the space inside the hall - including upon a wide elevator directly within the center of the tower. But so too do you see stairs nearby, in a secluded corner, leading not up but down. Alaq'it Moks is now very concerned that she helped A'zaela make the wrong choice - several wrong choices. She muses, however, that it is now far too late to do anything but continue. Nivelth Ajuyn frowns slightly, and edges to the darker corners of the room, keeping an eye on any Garleans. Akhutai Urit sees the many Garleans and his eyes narrow. Doing his best to not be seen, he inches his way to the stairs. He's not quite sure if down is the right way to go but it's away from the Imperials. Maybe they'll get lucky for once. A'zaela Linh's instincts are telling her up, up. Shemhazai wants to raise Ultima to the heavens, does she not? But her allies are going down... It isn't an easy choice, but the others are going down, and doesn't think she can be alone right now. Alaq'it Moks takes rear, carefully watching to make sure that the Garleans do not spy their descent. A'zaela Linh doesn't put up a fight, either - she simply follows where the majority of the auracite is headed. Nivelth Ajuyn makes sure that her Garuda isn't glowing nearly as much, and it trills softly on her shoulder. The darkness is so heavy as to be oppressive. And yet a power lurks here regardless - one that puts each of the Lucavi on alert. Alaq'it Moks blinks against the darkness, just dimly aware of Nivelth Ajuyn's bird. Nivelth Ajuyn unclasps her right arm from her shoulder, lifting Garuda up. The Egi's glow increases with a soft little shriek. Akhutai Urit's movements become stiffer and each step further becomes more and more difficult as his heartbeat quickens. Still, he leads, trying not to make his growing fear too obvious. Nivelth Ajuyn has the strong impression of having walked these steps before... long ago. Alaq'it Moks moves her hands and summons a star that should be blinding... but anyone who saw it in the Barheim Passage will notice the light is slightly greener. She frowns and tries to steel herself. The light isn't constant, and she needs time to gather herself each time she calls it down. A'zaela Linh's eyes adjust to the darkness fairly well - she isn't nocturnal like Nivelth Ajuyn, but her eyes still adjust quicker than the average Hyur. That doesn't mean she can see anything except her hand in front of her, yet... Alaq'it Moks: I cannot keep a constant light. We should move slowly... except, where are we going? Nivelth Ajuyn touches Akhutai Urit's gloved arm gently, patting him, before starting to head forward. Nivelth Ajuyn: I think I have an idea where to go. Alaq'it Moks puts her arm out to find A'zaela Linh's, to try to pull them both to the sound of Nive patting Akhutai Urit's arm. Akhutai Urit finds comfort in the small amounts of light. He doesn't say anything as Nive passes him. A small bit of orange flickers in his eyes and he swallows hard. A'zaela Linh is easily dragged away in any which direction needed to go. Nivelth Ajuyn pauses, then takes her stone out of her pocket. It glimmers slightly, and she frowns at it. Nivelth Ajuyn: You've been here before. Show me the way. It does so. The Gemini stone leads Nive - and, by extension, the party - thirteen floors down, past howling creatures and flickering ghosts. Alaq'it Moks intermittently lights the way with the star; as the party goes unchallenged, the light is cleaner. She keeps Scorpio resolutely in her pocket. Cuchulainn is, perhaps, lying inactive out of fear. Nivelth Ajuyn keeps walking forward, avoiding monsters and casting spells that instantly kill smaller ones. Garuda is glowing still, brightening up the room somewhat, but it's not that much. The party hears a keening wail. Nivelth Ajuyn: What was that? Alaq'it Moks: A keening wail... A'zaela Linh recognizes the sound: someone Shemhazai loved made it - several thousand years ago. Akhutai Urit: Does it matter. Akhutai Urit's voice is nearly absent, though. Something else was taking his attention. Alaq'it Moks pretends not to feel Nive's stare, alternating between patting Akhutai's arm and A'zaela's. A'zaela Linh: ...Yes. A'zaela Linh steps forward and instantly staggers, falling to her knees. Nivelth Ajuyn: A'zaela...! Alaq'it Moks: A'z- Alaq'it Moks kneels by her. A'zaela Linh: I don't know. A'zaela Linh presses a hand firmly against the side of her face. A'zaela Linh: I don't know, but she does. Shemhazai's stone burns an angry purple against A'zaela Linh's chest. Akhutai Urit: I don't particularly feel that is a good thing. Nivelth Ajuyn goes to check on her, but hesitates before actually touching A'zaela's shoulder. Alaq'it Moks: Do you sense... that she is angry? Alaq'it Moks is experiencing no small amount of regret over getting A'zaela into this; as Cuchulainn's voice is quieted in fear, she understands the depth of his manipulation. A'zaela Linh: ...Terrified. Akhutai Urit takes in the meager amounts of light around them and his eyes, for a moment, shine a brilliant gold. Akhutai Urit: ...I can carry someone if needed. We must continue as best we can. Nivelth Ajuyn: ... I suppose I'm the only one that feels right at home here. Althyk this is bad.... Alaq'it Moks looks to the others, clenching her fists at her knees and collecting herself. Alaq'it Moks: If they are afraid, then it may be that we are going the right way. Alaq'it Moks nods to Akhutai and tries to help A'zaela stand. A'zaela Linh picks herself up, ignoring the searing pain in her chest, and the fear swelling in her heart. She takes Alaq'it's hand in hers and continues on. Nivelth Ajuyn: Tai? Are you good to continue on? Akhutai Urit speaks quietly. Akhutai Urit: He is not afraid. Or, perhaps, he is. Fear and anger are frequently similar. ...Just need to hold on to what separates us. Don't worry about me. Alaq'it Moks: Too late. Nivelth Ajuyn inhales deeply and gives a big sigh, but nods. She's rather uncomfortable with how okay she is with all of this. Akhutai Urit: Let us continue. Far below, on the thirteenth subterranean level, there is a long, dark hall. Along each wall lies what might once have been some form of machinery, but it lies broken and still and rusted. At the end of the hall, however, lie four broken skeletons - and sticking out from the empty ribs of one is an intricate greatsword, wrought in a metal the likes of which none of you have ever seen. You each recognize one of the skeletons, intimately. You see their final moments playing out as though they were your own: a priest, a spy, a marquis, and a king. The king's grandfather told him of this sword, and so did he go into the earth with his trusted friends to take up the ancient relic - to rid the world of the cursed zodiac stones, and halt the legend of the Zodiac Braves from ever taking root again. His lineage had granted him the birthright of Belias, and he raged to be free of it. The priest sought only remedy to the world and its ills, but had grown bitter and disillusioned until he could feel that bitterness begin to threaten the very fabric of his soul. He sought Cuchulainn for counsel, much as he himself sought to counsel the king, to guide him until the end. The marquis, ever loyal, had seen the stone's true power: a fatal blow upon a battle for the king's lands had meant nothing to him, except now he was doomed to live in flesh as cold as the grave until Zalera took him and his twin daughters for true. The spy detested every one of them; she sought only to serve her queen. She told the king of the marquis' apparent treachery, planted a suggestion from Shemhazai that the marquis would kill them all... and thus did the king divert from his plan of doing away with the stones and instead plunged the Sword of Kings into his oldest friend's heart. Nivelth Ajuyn stares down at the skeleton of the Marquis, and crouches down next to it. Nivelth Ajuyn: ... We're just all the same in a long, long chain of hosts and tools to be used by these things, aren't we? Akhutai Urit walks over to the king and nudges the skeleton with his foot. His eyes fall upon the sword. Akhutai Urit: Don't speak as if it's not something we can break. A'zaela Linh forces down the bile in her throat. Her hands -- her entire body is shaking, as though a chill had run her through. Nivelth Ajuyn: Chains can always be broken and rusted, Tai. I think you know that. Alaq'it Moks feels A'zaela's shaking through the hand she holds. Akhutai Urit: Considering the many bindings I've had to break free of, I am intimately aware of their fragility. A'zaela Linh reaches up to grab her auracite, to rip it from her throat and leave it here, never to be seen again - but pain rushes through her body, and she cannot commit. She squeezes Alaq'it's hands tighter, so, incredibly grateful that she still has someone by her side. Alaq'it Moks winces in pain as A'zaela's grip tightens, but holds the hand tightly. She knows now it is not only her own regret she is feeling; she feels the heart of the priest, and knows he had sought to do only as Alaq'it did. To find the wisdom to save what was dear. Nivelth Ajuyn goes to touch the sword that's stabbed through one of the skeletons, and flinches as she can feel a phantom pain in her own chest. A'zaela Linh: What... what do we do now? We cannot... let this happen to us. And if I was the one who did this, I... Nivelth Ajuyn: You were not a spy for some Dynast-Descendant several centuries ago, A'zaela. This was not you. A'zaela Linh thinks of how her hand had almost grabbed for her knife - how Shemhazai had tempted her to plunge it through Alaq'it's heart. In the darkness, it all feels too much, like it might swallow her up. Alaq'it Moks: Nive is right. THIS is you. Alaq'it Moks wiggles the hand she's grasping in the air. Akhutai Urit walks up to Nive's side, eyes never leaving the sword. Akhutai Urit: They were so easily manipulated. They were weak. We are not. A'zaela Linh: You're right. A'zaela Linh stares at her hand in Alaq'it's. A'zaela Linh: Disarm me. Shemhazai protests, loudly, painfully, but A'zaela Linh has never felt more clarity. Alaq'it Moks deftly moves to comply. Her body almost seems to miss close combat. She motions to Akhutai to get the lance; it looks heavy. Akhutai Urit nods and moves to relieve A'zaela Linh of her lance. Nivelth Ajuyn hasn't pulled up from the greatsword, and watches the changing of weapons with overshadowed eyes. A'zaela Linh: ...Perhaps the rest of you should leave. A'zaela Linh's gaze focuses on Nivelth Ajuyn. Alaq'it Moks is thinking furiously, but she is so, so out of her depth with such magic. She moves to see what sense she gets from the sword in the priest. Akhutai Urit sets A'zaela's lance on his back next to his own. Akhutai Urit: Leave? I don't know how well any of you know me to make such a suggestion. The priest had been the second to be cut down, after he had tried to reason with the spy. But the moment his lifeblood had spilled across the stone floor, he had been unable to stop the king from sending the sword through her gut. Alaq'it Moks gingerly lays her hand on the hilt of the sword, muttering the closest thing she can think of to a prayer. Alaq'it Moks: I made your mistakes, too. Please give me the strength to help correct them. The sword gives no response that you can perceive; however, again the demons within the stones seem to shrink back, preparing to possibly rise up. Alaq'it Moks feels the retreat of the stone, but instead of feeling relief, she remembers the sight of the ocean pulling away from the shore before a tidal wave. She shuts her eyes tight and pulls, fast. Nivelth Ajuyn looks at the sword, then to Alaq'it, and A'zaela. Nivelth Ajuyn: ... We all wish to end this, don't we? To break this cycle, to destroy these stones? Akhutai Urit watches Alaq'it grab the sword. Akhutai Urit: And so we shall. A'zaela Linh: ...It's the only thing I've thought about for the past month. A'zaela Linh slowly removes the necklace with the auracite from her body. Her entire being burns from the effort - she already has blisters on her chest from even the thought of removing it. Her hands are gloved, but they, too, take damage - she's almost surprised they don't set aflame from Sagittarius' anger. Nivelth Ajuyn watches A'zaela carefully, wishing she had access to her own healing spells for her friend's sake. A'zaela Linh moves away from the stone, from Nivelth. She isn't steady, and she stumbles slightly, grabbing on to Akhutai's arm briefly, then apologizing. Akhutai Urit holds out his arm for A'zaela to grab onto anyway and holds it out to help keep her steady. A'zaela Linh takes it, realizing for the first time that it wasn't Nivelth asking her to put the stone down was what made her do it. It was the image of Alaq'it's hand in hers, and the way she trusted Akhutai enough to grip onto his arm. It was that she trusted Nivelth enough to even place the dangerous stone down in front of her. Alaq'it Moks looks over to Akhutai. She's struggling to lift the sword. Alaq'it Moks: Akhutai... while I would love to strike this down and save something for once, I cannot lift this thing. If I take A'zaela, would you try this? Alaq'it Moks holds the hilt toward him. Nivelth Ajuyn gives a smile to A'zaela, and then looks at Akhutai. Nivelth Ajuyn: Can you do the honors? I doubt this will actually work, but... Akhutai Urit gives a hum of acknowledgement before reaching for the sword with his free hand. And as soon as his left hand closes around the hilt, he feels Belias within the stone seemingly recoil horribly. This causes him to grin despite himself. Akhutai Urit: Their reaction is promising regardless. I will try. Alaq'it Moks moves to take over A'zaela's support and claps him on the back. Alaq'it Moks: You, as they say, got this. A'zaela Linh shifts to hold on to Alaq'it once more, trying her hardest to not burden anyone, but unable to completely commit to that due to the pain she was in. Nivelth Ajuyn has Garuda hold the stone steady, and scoots back so Akhutai Urit can attempt to hack it to bits. Alaq'it Moks lays the strongest healing spell she can confidently manage on A’zaela as Akhutai readies himself. Akhutai Urit steps forward and holds out the blade over the stone, measuring. With a sharp intake of breath, he pulls the blade overhead before swinging it down upon it. The stone shatters into needle-fine shards, and Shemhazai screams. With her final wail, you can hear her speak the name of Ultima - a warning to her lady alone. For a moment, the world is deafened, and then the sound of the darkness all around you rushes back. Alaq'it Moks staggers. A'zaela Linh breathes, long and deep, as the stone shatters. Her skin is yet burned, and her body still tires, but she is free, and she feels that weight lifted from her chest as Shemhazai's hold over her mind dissipates. The scream is familiar, the same one she's heard both times she's let Shemhazai go, but this time... it is a requiem, a blessing. Alaq'it Moks: Ultima... Alaq'it Moks squeezes A'zaela's hand once more, before stepping in front of Akhutai, Scorpio in hand. She holds it up to him. Alaq'it Moks: I asked you to cut something down today, if needed. It will not be me. It will never be me. I will be stronger from here, so please, cut this one. Alaq'it Moks whispers one more prayer to the priest as she sets the stone on the ground where A'zaela's had been. A'zaela Linh whispers Alaq'it's name, too relieved to cry. Akhutai Urit exhales slowly. Akhutai Urit: ...I wonder if the holder of Ultima will give us trouble. Akhutai Urit knows they all know who the holder is but... Akhutai Urit nods at Alaq'it Moks. Akhutai Urit: I know. I made my promise. But I knew. Akhutai Urit again prepares the sword. Again, he swings the blade, face blank of emotion, eyes flickering. The stone oozes, then melts; Cuchulainn gives one last odious laugh before all traces of him are gone. When next you breathe in, the air feels pure and clean in ways you did not know it could before. Alaq'it Moks grabs A'zaela's arm in a manner that is almost giddy; she collects herself and looks toward Nive and Akhutai. She's almost too exhilerated to speak. Akhutai Urit drags the tip of the blade along the ground before picking it up. He looks at Nive. Nivelth Ajuyn stares up at Tai, reaching for the stone in her pocket. And she pauses. Alaq'it Moks: ...Ah. Alaq'it Moks wonders if she has jinxed something. Nivelth Ajuyn she goes to stand, the stone held losely in her left hand, staring at him, before shaking her head. Nivelth Ajuyn: ... I think not. Akhutai Urit: I was afraid of that. Alaq'it Moks moves in front of A'zaela, putting her hands on her hips to face Nive. Or... Nive? Nivelth Ajuyn frowns, and moves to rip off the hat. It flutters to the ground. Nivelth Ajuyn: Annoying thing. Alaq'it Moks picks up the hat. Akhutai Urit tilts his head. Akhutai Urit: Do you think you have power here? Alaq'it Moks: This is hers. She is hers. Alaq'it Moks' voice isn't angry; it's even. She takes a step closer to Nive, holding the hat. A'zaela Linh, moaning and sweating bullets besides, falls to her knees. A'zaela Linh: I'm sorry. A'zaela Linh passes out for the first time since she lost her memory, hitting the ground loudly. Nivelth Ajuyn: Do you think you could step into my domain and challenge me? This is mine, all of it. This death and darkness. Nivelth Ajuyn points at Akhutai Urit. Nivelth Ajuyn: And you fear it. Alaq'it Moks: A'ZAELA! Alaq'it Moks runs back and checks her friend; besides some bruises, A'zaela seems to be stricken by exhaustion, and Alaq'it pats her carefully before turning back to Nive and Akhutai. Nivelth Ajuyn's eyes flicker to A'zaela with something approaching fear in them, for a split second, then her gaze turns back to Akhutai. Akhutai Urit ponders that for a moment. Akhutai Urit: Ah. Yes. I do suppose I fear the dark. Death, not so much. Akhutai Urit's eyes land on A'zaela and he takes a step closer to her and Alaq'it. Akhutai Urit: And even if I still feared death, I would get nowhere if I let it stop me. Who would I protect? How would I live? You're going to need something stronger than fear. Nivelth Ajuyn frowns, her lips pulling down into a snarl that bares slight fang. Nivelth Ajuyn: Such a mortal ideal. Nivelth Ajuyn looks to Alaq'it, to the hat. Nivelth Ajuyn: Everything here is mine. Including this host. Why do you petty creatures persist in living, when there is nothing of value in struggling against the tide! Alaq'it Moks: Nive. Alaq'it Moks lets Akhutai continue to speak to the demon, and calls out to the host, almost cheerfully. Alaq'it Moks: Nive. How many tides have we crested to get this far? Nivelth Ajuyn seems to... stumble, just slightly, at Alaq'it's words. Akhutai Urit: If everything here was yours, we would be dead and I wouldn't be holding the sword that can destroy you. ...Value is what we make of it. Perhaps it is because we are mortal that we can find value in life. Love, friendship, beauty. It is death that makes us appreciate these things because how else could we know how precious life is? Alaq'it Moks is next to Nivelth Ajuyn now. Alaq'it Moks: But truly, we would like to appreciate these things a bit longer in life. We ought to see how much more we can make of all those things, no? Alaq'it Moks says this almost as a conversational aside to Akhutai, while gently putting the hat back on Nive's head. Nivelth Ajuyn's gaze flickers between the two of them, and the sneer lessens somewhat. She's faltering - Zalera is faltering. She shakes her head, some of the light coming back into her eyes, some of the warmth. Her fingers loosen around the stone, and it clatters to the ground, and she buries her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with near-silent sobs. The darkness around them almost swallows them up, but not quite. Nivelth Ajuyn: I’m- I’m sorry, I-I picked up the damn stone and every waking moment has been knowing that you all will die and I’ll be alone again-- Alaq'it Moks: Not today. Because you let him go. Because you were strong. Alaq'it Moks takes Nivelth Ajuyn's arms and makes way for Akhutai and the sword. Nivelth Ajuyn: I'm not- Alaq'it Moks: Do you think none of us here know how hard it is to set a stone down? Alaq'it Moks' tone isn't angry. Akhutai Urit: It is as she says. We will all die. But it certainly is not this day. Besides, the one thing I believe in is rebirth. We can all find each other again, if we so desire it. We won't leave you alone. Akhutai Urit uses the tip of the sword to drag the stone closer and into position. Nivelth Ajuyn swallows thickly, and points at him. Nivelth Ajuyn: I'm holding you to that. I don't know how, but I will. Nivelth Ajuyn kicks the stone towards him, before almost falling into Alaq'it's arms. Akhutai Urit gives a warm smile. Akhutai Urit: Trust me, you aren't the only one. Akhutai Urit swings the sword down on this next stone. Nivelth Ajuyn falls to her knees, crying out in pain as she holds onto her head. The hat is knocked slightly askew, but doesn't come off. Zalera isn't leaving her mind without a fight, and she has to force him out, flinging him with all her metaphysical might into the stone that is just under Akhutai's blade. The stone crumbles into dust. There's a shout of defiance, a wailing sob - and then the world around you feels much brighter, despite the ever-encroaching darkness. Living no longer seems so great a trial. When the stone shatters into fine crystal, something on Nivelth Ajuyn's forehead glimmers faintly, before going dark. Alaq'it Moks looks to Akhutai Urit now. Alaq'it Moks: Unless YOU are hiding any more fights, it is now your turn, yes? You must still destroy your own stone, however. Alaq'it Moks is grinning; she meant the first part as a joke. Akhutai Urit pauses just check over Nivelth Ajuyn, satisfied that she's still with them. Akhutai Urit: And now- Akhutai Urit is immediately cut off. The sword falls from his grasp. While he makes no noise, his eyes show nothing but pain. Alaq'it Moks: ...His... his is Belias, yes? We may... have a problem... Nivelth Ajuyn nods, frowning as well. Nivelth Ajuyn: Tai...? Tai, what's wrong? Alaq'it Moks: Akhutai, do not make me cross-- There is the smell of burning flesh, leather, and cloth coming from Akhutai Urit. Alaq'it Moks pinches her nose. Akhutai Urit manages one word: "Pouch." Alaq'it Moks lunges for the pouch, pulling it off of his belt and casting it down to the floor. Alaq'it Moks: Are you- is that alright? Alaq'it Moks looks at the arm in alarm. Nivelth Ajuyn flicks her fingers and a bit of ice comes to her fingers. Nivelth Ajuyn: Tai- No, we should destroy the stone... Akhutai Urit falls to his knees as soon as the pouch is free of his person, left hand hitting the ground beside him as his left arm hangs rather uselessly. Nivelth Ajuyn rushes for the sword, and starts to lift it up, looking at Alaq'it. Nivelth Ajuyn: H-help me, it's just heavy enough -- Alaq'it Moks rushes to the other side of the sword and uses her foot to kick up the blade, giving them momentum for an upswing. Nivelth Ajuyn helps the blade along, and the two women bring the sword crashing down onto the stone. The sword slices through the leather, and then the stone. Belias gives a roar of agony, of hatred, and then - after a breathless moment in which it seems time has stopped - he is gone. The last of this flock to be sacrificed. Nivelth Ajuyn sags, and lets the sword fall out of her grasp, before falling down onto her rump. Nivelth Ajuyn: ...Did... Did we do it? Alaq'it Moks holds the hilt, looking around to the others. Akhutai Urit hisses as he attempts to move his arm. Akhutai Urit: ...We still have eight to go. But for us, this has been a victory. Now we know how to deal with them. Nivelth Ajuyn nods, rubbing her forehead a little bit. Nivelth Ajuyn: Y-yeah. We do. Words cannot express how relieved I am.

Under the Light of the Fireworks

Summary:  Baiken is tricked into humoring Anji by going along with his plan to join a festival that happens to fall on her birthday. As the day goes on, and Anji pulls her through more and more of the festival, she actually starts to enjoy herself. The day is long, but full of joy. More than she could have imagined. More then she thought she deserved.

A/N: aw HELL WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE IN MARCH??? Like this is a super late birthday fic for Baiken that was supposed to be another chapter of "swipes", meaning short and sweet, but somehow ended up...over 11k words long oh God. I blame @sevi007 and @broken-clover on here and on AO3, Sevi for infecting me with whatever demon possessed her to write two super long one shots one after the other, and clover for posting a bunch of really cool B-day headcannons for Baiken that I simply had to include here. 

Okay, super long, super corny, super fluffy.

ENJOY!

Anji had a way of moving when he was happy that more like floating than any kind of walking. His feet barely touch the ground as he flies from place to place as his attention changes focus.

Finding himself in the middle of a festival always seemed to magnify that trait, Anji practically soared in the midst of the throng of people standing around near food stalls and playing simple games.

Baiken would have thought it endearing, if she wasn't the one being dragged by the arm as he did so. The only reason she wasn't yanking her forearm out of his grip and finding the nearest bar before he dislocated her shoulder in his exuberance was because he somehow managed to get her to promise to play along with him until nightfall.

Baiken would have rather let her birthday pass with a minimum of fuss, march 5th was just another day, just another sunrise, but leave it to Anji to want to celebrate.

She should have known what he was planning when they first reached the town two days ago, the signs of people setting up some sort of party evident on every street corner and store front. People milling about smiling as children ran between their legs in uncontained excitement.

Somehow he managed to keep the façade that they were just stopping for a much needed rest after a grueling few weeks of travel and job (and head) hunting going until they reached their inn room.

Just as she was about to lay her head down for a short nap he sprang his trap, "Baiken, you know your birthday is coming up, right?" His faced stretched into a fond grin, "or did you forget again?"

"What if I did?" She groused irritably, her head a few measly inches away from sweet, downy relief. "It's just another day in the year Anji, let it go." She glanced at him to see his arms crossed over his chest while he leveled an unimpressed look at her. "Oh knock it off." She waved her hand in his direction, not in the mood for his pouting. "If you want to make a thing of it just let me sleep and we'll go to a bar tomorrow evening."

"We did that last year Baiken."

"I know, and what a wonderful time we had."

"Be serious." He admonishes, sitting himself on his side of the futon. "It's not just any day Baiken, its one day in the year that's all about you." Anji smiled and spread his arms as he spoke a bit more passionately, "a day to be happy and indulge! We can go bar hopping, see the sights in the town, maybe even…join the festival?"

Baiken was nodding absentmindedly as he went on, long used to his tendency to go on tangents but stopped and whirled her gaze to him when he mentioned a festival. "…Anji."

"Yes?"

"Where did you hear about there being a festival in town?"

Anji was silent for a long minute, clearing his throat before he gave out an utterly unconvincing smile. "I…heard some of the inn staff talking about it!"

"No you didn't."

"A few children were raving about it on our way here!"

"Try again."

"…there was a sign?"

"Anji."

"A few weeks back," he relents with sagging shoulders, smile sheepish. "I heard a few locals talk about it after we finished up that job," he gestured vaguely with his hand, attempting to remember the exact one. "You know…the one with the smuggled rhinos?"

Baiken was still having trouble trying to parse how in the hell that lunatic managed to stuff those animals into a storage locker without anyone catching wise, but she nodded absentmindedly.

"Right, well, I asked about it while on the way back from getting our payment squared away, and imagine my surprise when the date happened to line up with your special day!" He grinned with all his teeth at her with this announcement. "What are the odds?"

"Not low enough for my taste that's what."

Anji scoffed affectionately at her. "Come on Baiken, it's serendipity!"

Baiken turned away from him, pulling out her pipe and lighting it as she glared at the wall. "It's a pain my ass."

There was silence, for a moment, Anji apparently taking a moment to choose his words for the first time that night. After a minute or so of this, the samurai heard soft foot falls coming towards her, before she felt the weight of Anji's back on her own as he sat down and leaned on her.

"Would it be so bad?" He muttered quietly. "Having fun on your birthday?"

Baiken sighed. "Anji, I am not going to drag myself around that many noisy, drunk, rowdy assholes stuffing themselves with cheap food just to have fun." She pushed that last word between her teeth with another puff of smoke. "If you want to go, be my guest, but there's no way you can get me to join in on all that bull-"

"You owe me."

Baiken stopped short, something in his tone…awfully familiar. She turned her head to look at the back of his, eye narrow with suspicion, "what did you just say?"  

"That job from a while back, with the rhinos." He turned his head so she could see the sneaky little smirk that snaked its way onto his face when she wasn't looking. "You owe me."

She knew that damnable smirk, that smirk he gave to people he conned and needled for information. The smirk he had when he was opposite someone he was about to metaphorically lift by the ankles and shake until what he wanted from them shook loose.

A smirk he had when the smug bastard knew he was getting exactly what he was looking for.

She had been on the receiving end of that smirk on more than a handful of occasions, none of them pleasant, none of them she managed to escape. Still, she gritted her teeth, determined not to go down without a fight. "Anji-"

"If I hadn't pushed you out of the way of that rampaging beast," He effected dramatically, the smirk unmoving as he went on. "You would be one lung short, on top of everything else."

"I swear Anji don't you-"

"What an ignominious fate that would have been for the lone samurai, done in by an animal so blinded by tranquilizers and dehydration it couldn't tell the difference between a tree and a wall."

"You can't be serious-"

"Good thing I was there and acted as quickly as I did." He turned to her fully, smirk growing into a toothy, shark-like grin. "In fact, such bravery and quick thinking deserves a reward, methinks."

Baiken frowned and scowled for all she was worth in the face of the overwhelming presence of that grin, but she knew she was beaten when he leaned in to rest his forehead against hers and his gaze sunk into hers.

She sighed with sagging shoulders, "fine." She glared full force at him, the display having a minimal effect on the suddenly giddy dancer. "But only until sundown, then I'm finding the closest bar and drinking myself fully blind."

"Deal!"

So here she was, getting dragged from stall to stall, a heavy bag of greasy food in her hand, a piece of overly sugary candy held between her teeth, and a headache growing behind her nose.

"It's too bad no one is selling any paper fans." Anji lamented as he munched on one of his own snacks. "Used to love running around with those as a kid."

"Three hours to sundown Anji." Baiken muttered, eyebrow twitching as a few screaming kids ran past her throwing freshly fallen leaves as they went. A few yellow leaves stuck themselves in her hair, Baiken taking a deep breath through her nose. "Three hours, don't waste them by being an ass."

Anji tutted and laughed as he pulled the leaves from her hair, "that's no look for a birthday girl." The scowl she sent him bounced right off his cheery grin. "Come on now, we still have a lot to see!"

Baiken groaned as he moved on and she followed. "It better not be another damn food stall, I have enough oily shit in this bag to grease a truck engine."  She bit through the hard candy she held in her teeth with a loud crunch that scattered a few rowdy kids that got a bit too close. "No candy either, I can feel my teeth rotting out of my skull."

"Got you covered." He took the bag from her and used his free hand to hold it and guide her through the crowd, waving hello to people that passed them. A few older couples, hand in hand as they were, gave them encouraging smiles and waves that Baiken ignored on principle along with the heat in her cheeks. "I got just the thing to get you to enjoy yourself."

Baiken scoffed but said nothing, merely following Anji as he leads her by the hand. Her eyes wondered as she did so, taking in the sight of people with colorful masks and families sharing food with each other. Game stall owners laughing as the various guests failed the simple tasks but gave them small prizes for trying.

It almost made a tiny smile pull on her lips. Almost.

As soon as she turned her gaze back to Anji he stopped with a smile and looked to the side, "there!" She followed his line of sight to see another game stall, the one where you were tasked with knocking over a stack of bottles with purchased balls. "Just what I was looking for!"

There was currently a pair of very young children, a boy and a girl no older than 10, possibly siblings, giving it their all to hit the bottles. Baiken and Anji stood by quietly and waited their turn, the samurai unamused by the dancer's idea. "Seriously Anji?" She whispered so the children and the stall owner wouldn't hear. "You know these games are always rigged."

"Probably." Anji agreed with a whisper of his own. "Doesn't mean we can't give it a try…besides." His tricky smirk came back. "If it is rigged, the owner probably didn't have people like us in mind when he fixed it."

Baiken blinked at him, a bit taken aback, before chuckling. "Yeah, could be good stress relief."

"Among other things." Anji laughed lowly, watching the girl line up her last shot more carefully than before, her tongue sticking out of her mouth as she squinted at her target, and tossing her ball as hard as she could. "Good one." Anji muttered approvingly as the ball hit the stack of bottles dead center…and failed to make them fall.

"Sand in the bottles." Baiken whispered lowly, so as not to be heard over the loud despairing of the children and the smug condolence of the man behind the table. "Just enough to weigh them down from being knocked over, but still enough to make them move slightly so nobody says he glued the bottoms."

"That is no way to run a game." Anji scolded reproachfully, walking closer to the stall with a paper thin smile on his face, "a lesson is in order, methinks."

Baiken followed closely at his heels, already smirking in anticipation

"C'mon mister!" The boy pleaded with the owner, "just one more ball?"

"Forget it!" The man waved off the children as they looked up at him with shining eyes. "If you want another go, you pay up like good little brats." He scowled at them like they were trash stuck on the heel of his boot. "Otherwise, scram!"

"But we won't have enough money for food!" The girl argued, a hopeless scowl on her face. "We already spent so much money here!"

"Not my problem." The owner sneered at her, fish eyes squinting, before lifting his gaze to see Anji and Baiken, his face morphing in a blink to a welcoming tone. "Welcome folks! Give me just a moment and I'll be at your service!" He leaned down to bare his teeth at the children, as if the two other adults couldn't see him. "Now scram I said! You're bothering costumers!"

"But-!"

"Kids." Anji said calmly, putting a gentle hand on the girl's head, smiling serenely. "Let us have a turn while you think about what to do with your money." He looked back at the stall owner, his smile sharpening with every word. "I promise we won't be long."

The children looked at each other confusedly before nodding and taking a few steps back for the dancer and samurai to stand in front of the stall.

"Hello and welcome to my game!" The owner said jovially, as if nothing happened. "Simply knock the bottles over and win a prize!" He pointed to the various shelves and stands and hooks carrying all sorts of rewards, from dolls to keychains and even a wooden practice sword. "The less balls it takes the bigger the prize!"

"Sounds delightful!" Anji grinned easily, eyes sparkling with excitement. "How much for a shot then?"

"Its three world dollars for 5 tries!" The owner provided a small bowl with the tiny plastic balls, setting it on the counter in front of him. "Get it in one shot for the grand prize!"

"Marvelous." Anji produced the needed money from his pocket, and grabbed one of the balls, aiming for the stack, a sharp gleam in his eye. "Here goes…"

First try missed by a wide margin.

Second got a bit closer.

Third and fourth just barely missed, the owner smiled encouragingly.

Anji moved his last shot between his fingers for a moment, as if considering, before shrugging and flicking the ball forward, hitting the bottle stack straight on with some measure of force.

The bottles wobbled for a short moment before settling, remaining upright.

"Darn." Anji snapped his fingers in exaggerated frustration, "thought I had that one."

"No worries sir!" The owner assured with a crocked smile, "you can always try again!" He turned his gaze towards the samurai, his smile stretching across his face in what he must have thought was a show of kindness but reminded Baiken of a rat looking to steal a block of cheese. "Or maybe our beautiful lady here would like to have a go?"

Baiken rubbed her chin, making a show of deliberating by scratching her chin and humming low in her throat, before shrugging, "why not? Might be fun."

Anji slid close to the owner, cupping a hand over his mouth as he whispered loud enough for Baiken to hear, "you know," he started conspicuously with a wide smile. "It just so happens that it's her birthday today!"

The owner's eyebrow's climbed over his hairline, "that right?"

"I know! What are the odds!" Anji very pointedly ignored Baiken's scoff. "So, there any chance for a small kindness?"

The owner narrowed his eyes at the dancer, "you don't expect me to just give a prize away do you?" He gestured towards his selection again, nose pointing at the ceiling. "I still need to make money tonight you know."

"Oh I'm sure you've made plenty."

"Sorry miss, what did you-"

"What she said!" Anji interjected quickly and a bit too loudly. "Is that she's sure we can reach a compromise." Anji snapped his fingers. "Oh! Okay here's an idea for you!" He pointed at the bottle stack. "You said if I managed to knock that stack over on the first shot, I'd win the grand prize, right?"

"Yeah?"

"So here's my suggestion," he pointed at Baiken. "If she can manage it in one shot, you give her…" He held up a hand and moved it in the air for a moment as he thought. "Two? Yes, two." He held up two fingers with a guileful grin. "Two prizes if she can knock that stack over in one shot, sound fair dear sir?"

Than the owner looked at her. Really looked. His eyes going from her clothes, to her sword (Anji couldn't convince her to part with it), to her eye (and eyepatch), to the stump of her arm, and back to her clothes (lingering on her chest as if the missing eye made her blind, she made a note to punch him on her way to the bar), before looking back up.

He had the look of someone who thought he was going to get away with something, Baiken had to make a very concerned effort not to smirk. "That it does." The grin that climbed up his face made the smirk harder to hide. "In fact, how about we make it three?" Anji raised an eyebrow at him. "It is her birthday, as you said, so why not?"

Anji laughed, "oh sir, you are far too kind!"

"Though you'll pay double." The owner continued with the same grin and pleasant voice. "Still running a business here, you see."

"How about I pay triple," Baiken offered as she stepped forward with a sharp little smile of her own. "And you give me four?"

You could practically see the dollar signs light up in his eyes. "It's a deal!" He produced another bowl with gusto and moved aside to present Baiken with her target. "Feel free to buy as many as you want miss! Though the price will remain the same, of course." He chuckled lightly. "Now go on! Give it your best-!"

A rush of air passed him, making his clothes billow violently around him, followed by a crash glass and wood.

"-shot?" He looked behind him to see a horrifying sight, the bottles utterly destroyed along with the wooden table they were set on. The only remains being a few scant shards of glass…and several tiny piles of sand.  

There was a small, circular hole in the back wall of the stall. Someone further back in the city complained of a broken window.

"H-how in the-"

"Got a good throwing arm." Baiken said blithely, face the very picture of content, smug innocence. "So, that was, what? Fifteen?" She reached into her kimono and retrieved two ten dollar bills. "Keep the change."

"You- Y-you-!"

"We had a deal I believe." Anji interjected, ignoring how the look of shock on the owner's face gave way to anger. "Four prizes right?" He lowered his head so he was nose to nose with the man, grinning as his face went so red it glowed. "Don't you try to weasel out~"

"Like hell!" The man flinched away from the grinning dancer, clenching his teeth. "Y-you two cheated!" He pointed a finger at Baiken, who was horribly unimpressed with his attempt to be intimidating, voice cracking in outrage. "That throw wasn't normal! You must have used some trick to do that! I'm not giving you shit!"

"Ever heard of throwing stones?" Anji said lowly, his grinning face stone like as he straightened and looked down the bridge of his nose at the suddenly sheepish stall owner. "Before you start accusing people of cheating…I suggest you check your house isn't made of glass." His grin turned razor sharp. "Or, rather, full of sand."

The man's face turned purple, eyes finally darting to the piles of sand littering his stall. "That's-! I don't know-!"

"Don't lie to me." Anji muttered, his grin lowering into an indulgent reproach. "Or I might be tempted to call a security guard over to check this place out." He turned away and made a show of looking through the passing crowd of people for the telltale shine of a badge. "I wonder what they would have to say about all this?"

"Fine!" The owner hissed, eyes darting left and right to look for any guards nearby before sighing in defeat, "fine. You win, just take your damn prizes."

"What was that grand prize you were going on about?" Baiken asked, clearing her throat to stop from chuckling at how thoroughly Anji and her tore this scam apart. "That'll be the first."

The owner seethed with contempt as he went to the back wall, glaring at the hole Baiken left as he passed it, before retrieving the wooden sword. He practically shoved it in her face as he returned. "Here."

Baiken took the sword with a scoff, opening her mouth to complain about this so called grand prize when she took a closer look. Not just any wooden sword, but a bokken. Tachi sized and smoothed to a near mirror shine, the wood flawless and well crafted.

She hadn't seen one in decades.

"Where did you get this?"

"Some colony escapee traded it to me for a place to stay a few years back." The owner grumbled as he crossed his arms. "Said it was worth more than gold, forgot to mention selling Japanese goods outside the colony was illegal at the time." He shook his head. "Still, works as an eye catcher doesn't it?"

Baiken glared at him as she placed the sword in her obi with care, it's weight felt right next to her katana. "it was wasted on you."

"Whatever." The owner waved her off and glared at Anji. "Three more prizes, hurry up."

"Alright," Anji made a pacifying gesture with a chuckle, and a wink in Baiken's direction, before he leaned in and looked through the selection before he grinning and pointed at a small, rabbit eared keychain. "That one, if you would please."

Baiken had to choke down a laugh at the scandalized face the owner made. "A keychain?" His face turned a shade of puce. "You put me through all that for a damn keychain?"

Anji waved him off pleasantly. "It was the principle of the matter." He raised an eyebrow at him, "besides, where do you get off, getting insulted?" Anji motioned towards the two bills Baiken deposited on the counter which the owner had yet to touch. "You are getting payed, after all."

The man starred at the money as if it burned his house down and pissed on what remained. "For God's sake…" He grabbed the money and glared back at the two. "Just pick the rest of your prizes," he said the word like it was trying to melt his tongue, "and get the hell away from me!"

He took the keychain and flung it at Anji's face. The dancer caught it without flinching.

Anji shrugged with a gentle smile, pocketing his keychain before looking at the samurai, "take the rest, birthday girl, I'll settle with what I have."

The owner choked on thin air but chose to say nothing.

Baiken looked over the selection again, eye nearly glazing over at how utterly cheap this entire thing was; plush animals of various sizes, kitschy keychains, it was tacky enough to make her want to puke.

No wonder those kids were so keen on this place, only children would-

"…Huh." Baiken scratched her chin, ignoring the odd looks the owner and Anji were shooting her, before looking around until her gaze fell on the two kids from before, their eyes shining with admiration. They must have been standing there this entire time, watching and waiting patiently for another go.

Baiken figured that was worth a small reward.

"Hey kids." She called out, the two children snapping to attention, the awe from her throw finally leaving them. Baiken pointed at the prize shelves with a casual stab of her thumb. "Take your pick."

The kid's eyes shone like a firework.

The owner looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.

Anji's smile threatened to split his face in half.

(-----)

An hour later, they were both still laughing. Anji's keychain dangling off his finger as he gesticulated with unbidden glee. Baiken's hand rested on her newly acquired bokken, fingers brushing the fine, polished wood of the pommel as she snickered at her partner.

"And his face!" Anji put his forehead in his hands as he nearly giggled at the memory. "Goodness his face! I thought he was going to leap over the counter and try and strangle the both of us!" He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and sighed, "oh I'm never forgetting today, that was priceless."

"You're making a scene Anji." She nudged him with her elbow reproachfully, though she was holding in her own laughter. "Calm down, you're acting like we took down a mega death Gear."

"Hardly." Anji waved her off with another chuckle, "that one didn't have half the brain to be Gear." His smile grew as a snort escaped her before she could stop it, which earned him a harder elbow nudge. "Don't act like you weren't enjoying yourself either," he raised an eyebrow at her with a smirk. "You think I missed that little ki boost you did for that throw?"

She sniffed imperiously, pointing her nose up as she answered blithely, "why kill when you can overkill?"

"Hah!" He shook his head. "Honestly that's your answer for everything."

Baiken had a very clever comeback on how that answer tended to be the right one on the tip of her tongue, but a touch to her shoulder clogged her throat. Reflex kicked in a half second, grabbing the hand while she spun on her heel, sending the person who snuck up on her crashing to the ground back first, before drawing her blade and putting the sharp edge to the neck of the…mailman?

"Miss Baiken, I presume?" The mailman groaned up at her, his face straining to display a servile smile through what could only be a haze of pain. "I have a delivery for you…ow." The young man slowly picked himself out of the small crater Baiken threw him into, squeezing his eyes shut in strain before opening it to see an apologetic Anji offering a hand. "Oh, uh, thank you, sir."

"That'll teach you to sneak up on people." He said with an indulgent shake of his head as he helped the man up. "Especially people that could kill you in their sleep, eh?" The delivery boy nodded in a sudden panic, looking behind Anji to see Baiken looking decidedly unapologetic. "Now, you said something about a delivery?"

"Oh! Right!" He reached into a bag hanging off his shoulder, bulging with various parcels and packages, before pulling out a package, covered in colorful wrapping, along with a bright blue ribbon tied in a bow, and just about big enough to require both hands to hold.

It had a small tag attached to the ribbon, reading "happy birthday" written in English cursive.

"The hell-"

The Mailman cleared his throat before he started to recite what was obviously a well-rehearsed speech. "The Illyria delivery service, Asian branch, is proud to present Miss Baiken with a birthday parcel!" He started with what Baiken would guess to be his 'costumer service' voice, cloying and cheerful with an undercurrent of being completely done with his lot in life. "This precious gift was sent by one Sir. Bridget, who wishes to tell you he looks forward to your next meeting!"

"Bridget?" Baiken mumbled, a bit taken aback at the mailman's display, she looked at Anji with a questioning eyebrow, "isn't he in Europe or something? How the hell did he find us in some no name town in west China?"

Anji was making a point of fiddling with his rabbit keychain, moving his fingers over the plush pink and white fur.

"…Anji?" Baiken asked, an edge of suspicion resting on her tongue. "How did Bridget know where to send this package?"

Anji was quiet for a moment more, making a few vague hand gestures as he deliberated his answer. "Well…he's rich isn't he?" He asked with an uneasy smile, still not looking at her. "I'm sure he could have pulled a few strings to find out where we were headed."

"…we only decided on this course a few weeks back." She pointed out calmly, the edge growing sharper. "A course we haven't told anyone about…right, Anji?"

"Well," Anji started again, slowly turning his head to look back at the samurai with a nervous grin. "I…might…have sent him a letter a short while after we decided to come here…a letter which," he swallowed a lump in his throat when Baiken started to glare at him. "Which…may have had included a few fleeting details of destination." An awkward second past as he cleared his throat again and looked away. "Might have. Possibly. Maybe."

"Anji-"

"Excuse me?" The delivery man spoke up nervously, looking between the two of them before clearing his throat. "Are you going to accept this parcel? I kinda have, uh, other deliveries to make so…"

"Give it here." Baiken grumbled, taking the package from the young man, rolling her eye as he produced a form and pen for her to sign it. She put the gift under her arm before she made a quick squiggle and no sooner had she returned the pen to him he was off like a shot. No doubt wanting to keep as great a distance as he could from the crazy lady with a sword. "Wimp."

"Can't blame him dear, you tend to leave a certain…" He trailed off as she glared at him again from the corner of her eye. "…Impression." He sighed, "I was careful about that message Baiken, you know how I do things." He put his hands in his sleeves. "Besides, why shouldn't he be able to tell you happy birthday? I happen to remember you took a bit of a shine to him!"

"It wasn't a shine." Baiken groused irritably, though with significantly less heat as she recalled they boy's gentle and carefree smile. "I was just impressed he could handle himself in that situation while wearing a damn nun habit and using a yo-yo as a weapon." She made a quiet hum in the back of her throat as she looked over the ribbon and cheerful tag tied to it. "…he's a tough kid."

"Whatever it was, he sure took a liking to you." He nudged her gently with an elbow. "I know for a fact he would have felt terrible if he found out he missed your birthday."

Baiken was quiet for a second, moving the parcel around in her grip for a moment, considering every crease of wrapping paper and flutter of the ribbon as the late day wind blew it about.

She sighed, and started walking towards a bunch, the sounds of Anji following behind her with light, most certainly dance like, steps accompanying her.

She sat on the far end of the bench, Anji placing himself opposite, and put the package between them on the bench.

She spent a few minutes more looking at it, before Anji cleared his throat.

"…you know it's not going to jump up and bite you, right?"

"I know that." She bit back, eyes still locked on her present. "I just hope the kid didn't send me anything…weird."

"Why would he do that?"

"Nun habit and Yo-yo Anji." She emphasized emphatically, raising her gaze for a moment to meet his before going back to the present. "Plus, he's a rich white kid." She poked the package a few times. "Buddha only knows what goes on in his head."

"If you're not opening it," he grabbed the box himself and took hold of one end of the ribbon, "then I am." He swiftly undid the ribbon, and began working on the wrapping paper, Baiken looking over his shoulder as he slowly revealed the, rather ornate, box under it all. "…Well, his choice of gift box is unique enough."

Unique was one word for it, the lid had an elaborately designed inlay that was colored gold, the rest of the box was a vibrant cerulean shade so bright it hurt the eyes to look at. Baiken had a sneaking suspicion that this little box was probably worth more than she could make in half a year…provided she turned in a bounty every single day for that duration.

"Fucking hell Bridget…" Baiken muttered with a shake of her head, the corner of her mouth twitching up again. "The kid's sweet, but he doesn't have a lick of sense in that head of his."    

"Aww you do care!"

She punched him on the shoulder, "shut up, and give it here." She snatched the box from his grip and put it on her lap, carefully working the lid open, putting it aside before she looked inside. Baiken had honestly no idea what to expect from it, her normally sharp mind drawing a blank.

Murderous intent was easy to pick up, attacks she could see coming from any direction.

Kindness though? How could anyone predict what kindness would look like? From where it would come from and when? And why? Not her, that's for sure.

(All those years with Anji barely made a dent, she realizes, then dismisses the thought before it could weigh on her mind.)

So when she reached in and found her fingers touching paper, she could only pull it out in confusion, "letters?" She asked, taken aback, moving the three pages in her grip back and forth as if to discern a hidden meaning, "he sent me letters?"

"That's it?" Anji gaped at the paper, before snatching the box and looking inside, "that boy has more money than sand on a beach! He must have-" He stopped himself as he looked inside, laughing quietly, "ah! There we are!"

He pulled out a small item; a tiny, bright red silk bag tied shut with black string, holding something within that was barely visible from the outside, with something on the front embroidered in golden silk.

(Baiken recognized it as the Chinese character for hope.)

"A bokjumeoni!" Anji cried out in delight, facing Baiken with a bright grin as he held the bag up to her. "A Korean good luck charm! Haven't seen one of these in ages!" He looked it over, running his fingers over the fin material that made it up with an appreciative hum, "looks hand sewn too…"

"Korean?" Baiken mumbled, still taken aback at the gift and all the work that must have been involved in making it, "that means-the tuner? When did she-" She held her tongue and looked around, seeing a few people fliting this way and that in front of their bench without really taking notice of them, but deciding not to take a risk. "He find the time to make this?"

"Things have been calmer lately, maybe Kum had found time?"

"Can't be…" Baiken mumbled, looking over the latters in her hand, leafing through them until something caught her eye, the family crest of the Kum family. "Well I'll be damned, since when did Bridget have contacts in Korea?"

"Why don't you read the letter and find out?"

Baiken looked between the letter (written in what was clearly rather stiff and unpracticed, but still understandable, Japanese), and her partner holding the small lucky bag between his fingers as he smiled at her encouragingly. "…sure, why the hell not?"

She put the other two pages down and focused on the one with the Kum crest and started reading:

Dear Miss Baiken, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and good health-

"Fucking hell, keigo sounds even stiffer coming from a foreigner-"

"Baiken."

"Fucking fine hold on!"

-and without undue stress. I myself am fine, and would like to first offer my apologies for being unable to offer my congratulations in person to you, things in my family are…complicated at the moment, and require I remain in Korea for the time being.

However, when Sir Bridget sent this missive, I knew I must do something for the grand occasion.

"Grand occasion? I got older by a year and he's making it sound like missing a coronation…"

-Though the gift is small, it is hand made with the finest silk I could acquire. It is partly a gift for your birthday, and as a mark of thanks for keeping my life during the information flare incident. Without you I would surely be dead and my family ravaged beyond repair, I could never thank you enough.

Baiken stopped reading for a moment, rereading the thank you over and over, as if it would start to make sense, before scoffing, "saves my whole civilization from being turned into living weapons and thinks I should be thanked…" She looked aside at Anji, who was wearing a gentle smile. "Oh shut it."

Inside is medicine and a few pieces of candy, very precious candy I assure you, picked from my personal collection, I hope it is to your taste. The mark on the front is my wish that you never lose hope, in your goals or your future. The Japanese people have a long and storied history of raising from the ashes of death ever stronger.

I know in my heart that you must be the same.

Happy Birthday,

Kum Haehyun.

Baiken was quiet for a long moment, eyes fixed to the name at the bottom, Kum's actual name, and all the risks she took in putting it there rattling in her head. All for the sake of an honest happy birthday.

Anji offered her the red silk bag to her on an open palm, smile genuine and calm, and she took it, looking closely at the 'hope' on the front, how carefully it was stitched, every part precise as an ink stroke, a tiny smile on her features as she tucked it into an inner pocket of her kimono.

She cleared her throat before she faced Anji again, "anything else in the box?"

"Just this." He held up a small book, about the size for fitting in a pocket, leather bound with the words "enjoy the meal!" scrawled in English on the cover with shaky strokes. Anji opened it and leafed through the pages, another grin (she was starting to lose count of how many he's had today) spreading on his face as he did. "It’s a recipe book!"

"What?" Baiken muttered incredulously, grabbing the book from him and going through it, seeing the connection between the meals as she did. Namely, two connections in particular; one, they were all things easily made on the road with provisions one could find on the move.

And two, they were all Chinese dishes.

"No way…" Baiken huffed in mixed annoyance and amusement as she looked at one of the two remaining letters and saw, to very little surprise, that it was written in simplified Chinese, along with a small "chibi" cartoon sketch of Jam Kuradoberi herself on the bottom edge of the page. "Huh, been a while…"

"We should have stopped at Hong Kong to see her." Anji said in lighthearted melancholy, taking the recipe book back from Baiken to leaf through the pages again, "just looking at all of these is making my mouth water."

Baiken shrugged her shoulders, she and the restaurateur hadn't had the best interactions in the past, but Anji seemed to really take a shine to her, always insisting on stopping by her place to eat whenever they could. She and her had managed a pretty good rapport on those occasions, even having a few friendly spars…but not nearly friendly enough for Baiken to expect something like this.

"So," Anji started mildly, absently flipping pages in the pocket book, "are you going to read her letter, or is your Chinese still needing work?"

"I'm fine." She grumbled with a shake of her head, not enjoying the remainder of the headache it was to learn to read Chinese, speaking it was hard enough without confusing Cantonese and Mandarin, and grabbed Jam's letter to start reading, "let's see…"

Greetings Baiken! Happy birthday! I can't believe you didn't tell me about it! I had to find out from Bridget just a week ago! You wouldn't believe how big of a fright it was to see an English butler in my restaurant while I was about to close! HE DIDN'T EVEN ORDER ANYTHING!

"Fucking hell even reading this is giving me a headache…"

"Be nice."      

"Say that to me about someone who hasn’t broken one of my ribs by 'accident.'"

Anyway, I'm sure you and Anji are busy having a good time by the time you get this letter, so I'll be short about it: I figured going from town to town doing mercenary work means not having much of a chance to sit down and eat good food (not as good as mine anyway), so I looked through my old family dishes to whip up a good list for you two! And no excuses about 'not having time' to cook them!

I've timed myself and each dish should take, at most, half an hour to get ready if you have everything you need, so eat properly, or else I'll beat some sense into you! And don't think I won't! I know exactly how to deal with a pecky costumer!

"It’s a wonder her place hasn't burned down." She stopped when Anji gave her a look, "…again, I mean."

One more thing, I would like to wish you a peaceful year, the both of you, and for things to not weigh down your soul. I know how you are Baiken, I know how brightly and fiercely and recklessly you can burn. Please, just don't burn yourself out, alright? You know how I worry don't you? You don't want that on your conscience do you?

"This chick is less than half my age and acts like she's my damn grandma."

"You are smiling though!"

"Shut it!"

Right, enough out of me! You just take care of yourself! And have fun!

Wishing you the best (and a pleasant meal!),

Kuradoberi Jam.

P.S.: YOU STILL HAVEN'T TOLD ME HOW TO BAG A HOTTIE LIKE ANJI! I KNOW YOU HAVE A TRICK BECAUSE ANJI CAN'T STOP LOOKING AT YOU-

Baiken quickly crumpled the letter in her hand, face glowing red, "what is she, a teenager!? Where does she get off being this boy crazy!?" She slammed the balled up letter on the bench with no small amount of force, scaring off a few early bird drunks that were walking near. She looked aside at Anji, face still burning, only to see him with an unbelievably smug smirk on his face.

"A hottie am I?"

"Don't let it get to your head." She groused, looking away and scratching the back of her head, peaking at the crumpled up letter out of the corner of her eye as Anji picked it up and straightened it, "that girl's got noodles for brains, least when it comes to finding a date."

He chuckled as he looked over the letter, "maybe so!" He smiled softly as he reached a certain paragraph, "she's got a good eye for metaphor though," he looked at Baiken with an appreciative glance that made her chest feel tight and warm. "Brightly burning…suits you."

Baiken held his gaze for a long while, the heat in her cheeks refusing to subside, a need to dismiss the notion trying to rise in her throat but failing to go anywhere. Instead she looked back down at the box that started all this, grabbing it to take another peak inside, finding nothing. "So…that's it from this thing?"

"Looks like it," he held up the book and motioned to where she stowed the lucky bag on her person. "All that's left is one last letter, which I'm guessing is from the young, rich sir himself." He looked at her lap, where the last letter sat unassumingly, as if it was there since this morning, catching a few cursive letters in English before she took it in her hand. "Well then? What does our young friend have to say?"

Baiken rolled her eye at him, feeling her blush subside as she looked down at the letter and began reading:

Hello miss Baiken! It's been a really long time since we spoke hasn't it? Even before the Valentine incidents right? That was rough on everyone, but especially on the Japanese. I've sent a bit of help after the fact, but I'm still feeling a bit guilty that I wasn't there to help myself.

And help you of course! I heard from Kum you were a real hero there! Good job!

Baiken's mouth twisted, unsure whether to drop or lift in reaction, before she sighed and kept going.

When I got the message from Anji about where you were headed (please don't be mad at him for that by the way? We just want you to be happy today!), I REALLY wanted to come over myself, maybe bring along May and Jam and a few others, so we could all party together!

Then Jam said she was too busy with her restaurant, and May was too far away, and getting to China from England is more trouble than you would figure…moreover, I remembered how you were, back then, and I guessed a big party wouldn't be you…cup of tea so to speak. So! I came up with this!

Kum's charm and Jam's book are pretty nifty huh? Those two are REALLY good at gifts!

Baiken's lip curled upward without her even noticing, she cleared her throat to get rid of the half smile, some odd feeling raising in her chest.

Mine is pretty cool too though! It's a magic box! Well, more like a ki box, actually. See, its' lid is made of a certain kind of clay from Tibet that reacts to ki. If you infuse it with a bit of ki, it'll shut the box tighter than any lock! And only you can open it! You could put stuff you want to keep safe in there, like money or stuff, since you can't exactly carry around a safe with you.

Everyone deserves to feel safer about their stuff, right?

Baiken watched Anji pick up the box and putting the lid back on, before infusing it with his ki. He tugged at the lid for a moment, and it didn't budge an inch. He sent an impressed thumb up at Baiken, who chuckled before continuing to read.

Next time you feel like traveling, come visit! You'll always be welcome at the estate, both of you. I really did miss you Baiken, you helped me out more than you think. It doesn't have to be any special occasion either, come by anytime you feel like. I just (a few words got crossed out, Bridget having trouble finding the words he wanted to use) want to make sure you're okay, you know?

Anyway, I've been rambling on long enough, right? I'll let you off to enjoy your birthday! Make sure Anji spoils you! But don't eat too much cake! (you'll have stomach ache for WEEKS)

Baiken let out a full bodied snort at that little remark, Anji grinning wide enough to hear.

Wishing you the best birthday, with lots of gifts and fun,

Bridget.

Baiken looked down at the letter for a long while, head rattling with thoughts and feelings but unable to put them in an order that made sense. She looked at the other two letters, one wishing for her to have hope, the other to be kind to herself, and finally at the last still in her hand, who wished for her to be happy.

A lump formed in Baiken's throat, making her feel ridiculous, only more so when she felt a slight wetness in her eyes which she rubbed away fiercely. She heaved a long sigh and leaned back on the bench, starring ahead at the setting sun, focusing on the blurring reds and yellows that began to slowly give way to purple and blue as late afternoon walked towards nightfall.

"Baiken?"

She looked back at Anji, seeing him gaze at her with some degree of concern, his body visibly letting go of stress, as if he was forcing it to relax so as not to scare her off. This only made the lump in her throat jam itself more firmly, refusing to be ignored. Fuck it, she'll bite the bullet.

"When…" She started, mouth twitching in uncertainty, not looking at Anji as she felt heat crawl up her neck. "When did so many people…start giving a shit about me?"

(She doesn't care if someone judges her, never did, but at this moment, for this question, she only wanted someone who would take her at face value. Someone who would be honest with her, straight to the point when she demands it.

Who better than Anji?)

Quiet stretched between them, the noises of the festival and the people around them fading into the background as she found herself holding her breath for his answer. Was she wrong? Was she seeing things where there was nothing?

Did these letters mean…nothing? They had too, or at least have the wrong idea, none of this makes sense, why would they care if she ate or if she was happy? Why would any of them care?

Anji hummed of a sudden, effectively pulling her out of the mire before she sunk too deep, making a point of scratching his chin in thought, "if I had to guess…" He started lowly, considering. "I would have to say…around the same time you started giving a shit about them."

Baiken blinked at him for a short while, taking him in. She searched every inch of his expression for jest, for humor, any hint that he wasn't serious, that he has been just telling her what he thought she wanted to hear.

She looked for that smug air he had as he conned the game stall owner, that feeling he was pulling at strings and pushing her buttons.

Every bit of him was clear as crystal, his eyes unclouded and face straight and serious.

He had no lie for her…at least not now.

She said nothing yet, gathering the letters in her hands and moving her fingers over the edges.

(Bridget clinging to her for a good hour, talking her ear off, begging her to show him how to be tough like her. He looked at her as if she had an answer for everything that plagued him.)

She put the letters on her lap for a moment, grabbing hold of the box and prying open the box lid.

(Jam giving the both of them a discount, seeing the ragged state of their clothes and her mentioning off hand they haven't slept in a week. She looked besides herself with worry born outrage.)

She folded the letters neatly, putting them inside.

(Kum exiting from her "disguise" after putting everything back as it should have been. Standing before her and then kneeling in the dirty, blood drenched grass. She put her head to the ground, not caring for the state of her fine clothes, and croaked out a tired "thank you" before passing out.)

She put the lid back, letting out a pulse of ki to lock it securely, before putting the box in another pocket on the inside of her kimono, right next to the lucky bag.

(The kids from before, eyes shining with gratitude as they held their two prizes, bowing to her with wide smiles and genuine joy as they rushed off, yelling for their parents to see what the "pretty samurai" won for them.)

Leaning back on the bench again, she once more gazed at the sunset, the colors less blurry then before, coming closer and closer to a unified splash of dark blue. The lump in her throat went down, some sense of peace, of acceptance (however minor), passing through her lungs as she took a deep, cleansing breath.

She closed her eye, feeling the early evening breeze pass through her hair. "Maybe." She allows, after a moment. "It makes sense…I suppose."

"Glad to be of help." He joined her in leaning on the bench and taking in the breeze.

Neither of them said anything, enjoying the moment of peace as families started to filter out of the area and towards a hill a bit further ahead, if Baiken had to guess either to see the sunset, or some last event for the day she didn't care to hear about before.

Now that she thought of it, she was surprised Anji hadn't dragged her there yet. It occurred to her that he might actually keep his end of the bargain and end this nonsense at sunset, leaving her free to depart from this place and find herself a bar.

So long as she didn't say anything stupid…right.

"Almost sundown." She muttered, eye still closed. "If you have anything you would like to do here, better be quick about it."

Anji hummed quietly, "well, yes…but, see that event comes a fair while after sundown." He chuckled lightly, unbothered by missing whatever he had planned last, "a deal is a deal though, and I am a man of my word." He picked himself off from the bench with a groan, rolling his neck. "So, I think I'll leave the rest of the evening to the birthday girl."

She opened her eye, looked at his back as he stretched and looked onwards, towards the grassy hill were it seemed the whole damn city decided to go to. She waited for him to turn to her, smile carefree and inviting.

"…for the sake of argument," she began, wearily, "what was the last thing you had planned for today?"

His smile nearly split his face, his eyes seeming to glow in the dying daylight as he answered with one word, "fireworks!"

Baiken let out a scoff, shaking her head in dismay as she chuckled at him, "seriously? Fireworks to end off my birthday?"

"Why not?" He asked, grin still plastered on his face. "What kind of festival would it be if it didn't end on fireworks?"

She eyed him with doubt, the want to wash her hands of this and get drunk growing by the moment. The day had been long, even barring the letters, her feet were sore, her stomach ached from some of the food, and her head was beginning to pound slightly in protest.

"…or we could call it a day?" Anji started, eyeing her worriedly, somehow sensing her reservations. "No need to drag yourself on my account Baiken," she glared at him, he laughed. "Any more than you already did that is!"  

She watched him, watched as his grin shrunk and turned kind and patient, waiting for her.

She sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead.

"Sure, I could go for fireworks."

So much for not saying anything stupid.

His eyes widened and his grin returned tenfold, he grabbed her hand and started power walking towards the hill, Baiken regretting her ill-chosen kindness more and more with every step.

(----)  

Where Anji was keeping a blanket to sit on, she didn't know. But she was glad for it, the grass seemed wetter than it should have, so she sat gratefully on the blanket where Anji spread it out, claiming a 'spot' for them on the hill as families and young friends gathered around them, all holding their breath in anticipation for the coming display.

Baiken hadn't seen fireworks for a good long while, the closest she came to that was when she was out looking for gunpowder for her weapons. Sitting on hill with Anji, she actually found herself looking forward to it, for if there was one thing the Chinese had to be proud of, it was their fireworks.

"If I didn't know any better," Anji teased as he sat himself next to her, "I would think that you were excited."

She contemplated jabbing him with her elbow again to get him to be quiet, but the day had exhausted her more than she thought, so she settled for touching her shoulder with his, before leaning on him fully with her head against his. One could hear his teeth clacking against each other as he snapped his mouth shut.

So they sat, quietly watching the moon rise and the lights of the festival dim. Anji had wrapped an arm around her, Baiken adjusting herself to have him hold her more securely. Soon the crowd around them silenced as well, friends calming down their drunk fellows and parents shushing excited children.

An elderly man stood on a stage a distance away from them, shouting into a megaphone to be heard by the gathered crowds. From what Baiken remembered of Cantonese he was saying something about welcoming spring and departing from the last dregs of winter, but she was just tired enough to find it too much trouble parsing words from noise, so she let most of his speech flow right past her to the people behind and around, content to wait.

Soon he was done, and signaled to a few men behind him who stood next to various rockets and as one they began to light fuses.

The night shattered and exploded, shards of color and light falling and scattering among the stars. A flower garden of fireworks bloomed above her, in a thousand shapes and shades, for a moment it seemed to fill the entire world.

Back then, years ago, there was only red and blue violent light tearing through all she knew and all she held dear. The light from back then was a dead thing, a display of death utterly passionless and void of meaning beyond destruction.

Not this, not this work of dedication, surrounded by the whoops of joy and excitement from children and adults alike.

She lost herself in the display, for a moment all she lost was simply waiting for her elsewhere, for a moment, shorter than a heartbeat, she was…no, not whole, not even happy.

She was, for the first time in a while, for less than a heartbeat, at peace.

Soon, the moment ended, the light continued to burst above her, but she was back on the ground. She was sitting on a ratty old blanket her partner found who knows where on some grassy hill, watching a fireworks display being put on by some no name town she will probably forget in a week or two.

Still, it was damn good fireworks.

"Worth missing happy hour?"

"Only barely." She answered automatically, making herself more comfortable on his shoulder before letting out a content breath. "We are still finding something to drink though." She lifted her head from his to turn to him with a smirk. "And you're paying for…for…"

Her train of thought sped off ahead of her, leaving her lacking in words as she stared at him, or, rather, what he was holding in his hand. The darkness of the early evening, only briefly illuminated by multicolored splashes from the sky, made it hard to see, but from she did see, it looked like he was offering her a small Sakura branch.

"Happy birthday Baiken." He whispered, only barely audible over the fireworks, as he handed her the branch, cold metal kissing her palm as she took it. She moved it around her fingers, stopping when a shred of blue light caught a pointed tip. "Not bad eh? Couldn't have those three upstage me, now could I?"

"I…" She found her tongue sluggish and unwilling to respond for a moment before she let out a scoff that sounded like a laugh. "I thought all this," she motioned towards the crowd and the fireworks, "was my present."

"Nonsense." He waved her off easily, almost insulted. "Today was your party, which was a result of divine coincidence." He purposefully ignored her clicking her tongue at him. "What you have there, I had been planning to give you for a long while now."

She fought a losing battle with a smile as she looked his gift over, slowly realizing what it was, "but…a hairpin?"

"Not just any hairpin!" He announced with glee, pointing to the thing metal end, "but a stiletto knife disguised as a Sakura hairpin!" He spread his arms out in pride, "if you ever find yourself needing to surrender your sword, you'll always have a backup!" He grinned in satisfaction. "And in the meantime, you have something lovely that compliments your hair perfectly."

"Anji…"

"Practical and fashionable!" He went on, pulling out a familiar looking metal hand fan, "just like this little number you got me this year!"

Baiken stilled as she saw the fan, her face heating up at the remainder that he was still carrying around her silly little gift. She doesn't think she saw him use that thing in a fight even once so far, depending on Zessen, but still he refused to part with it, walking everywhere with it to show it off.

She looked back down on her gift, moving the sharp tip between her fingers, and even pricking her thumb to check how sharp it was. (Very, it would seem, freshly sharpened even.) She laughed, not sure about what to do with all this noise that decided to flock around in her chest, before looking at him again, "when…when was the last time I ever used a damn hairpin?"

"Never, if I remember correctly." Anji answered cheerily, scaring another laugh out of her, "but…never too late to try something new, right?"

He was looking at her with a hopeful little smile, eyes shining and cautious.    

She brought the pin up to eye level, taking in every minute detail. What she thought were Sakura petals were actually made of metal themselves, and shone with the fireworks. They were heavily detailed, tiny patterns etched into them everywhere she looked. The knife seemed to emerge from the petals like a root, naturally growing out until it thinned at its razor sharp point.

Must have cost him a pretty penny, and it made her head throb for a moment, before she laughed despite herself, holding the pin close to her heart as she looked at him again with an amused smirk. "Well…help me put it in then?"

Anji grinned even wider. "I'd love to."

He gently plucked the pin from her, removing the tie holding her pony tail, letting her hair fall all around her face, before he gathered it into a loose bun at the crown of her head, and slowly putting in the pin to hold it together.

He leaned back to look at her, eyes widening before growing soft, the light of the fireworks washing his face in shades of bright blue and green.

"How…how does it look?"

He smiled wide at her, eyes shining both with affection and the exploding lights above them, "beautiful." He muttered, reaching out with one hand to cup her cheek, slowly leaning towards her. "You're beautiful."

This is the part where she would say something sharp, something rusty and bloody to disengage. Where she would dismiss him utterly and thank him coldly and get up and find herself something to drink and try with all her might to forget this gentle flame licking at her heart. This is the part where she would go to sleep so drunk the first she would do in the morning is throw up, and never speak of tonight ever again.

He would let her, she knew, would let her lean away and end it before it began. He would smile in the morning if she did that, he would play along, he would join in her in pretending tonight never happened. Pretending that she always had that Sakura hairpin.

She didn't do that.

Instead, she closed her eye, and met him half way.

It was hardly their first kiss, but she couldn't remember the last time their kisses were this…quiet, this gentle. She was used to the kisses that came with sex, hungry and angry and demanding, leaving her breathless and gasping and fired up.

This was a simple press of lips, gentle and unhurried. The world could wait, the world didn't matter, the coward and his monsters didn't matter. There was only them, at this moment, on the hill, kissing under the bloom of the fireworks.

By the time they finished, the fireworks had died down, and people had begun to grab their things to leave, but she couldn't find it in her to join them. She leaned her forehead against Anji, to content, to calm to move away.

"Can we stay here?" She asked quietly, her gaze peering into his, the moon shining in his eyes. "For a while longer?"

"For as long as you want." He whispered, adoring, in devotion, utterly at her mercy. "We'll stay here till morning if you wish."

That broke the spell a bit, and she laughed at him. She leaned back to share another quick kiss, feeling him lean into her. "Don't push yourself." She said, a bit breathless, pecking him again with a smile. "Not going to sleep on a grassy hill tonight, got a perfectly good inn room remember?"

He laughed at himself for a moment, leaning away to wrap his hand around her and bury his face in her hair. "Of course." He took a deep breath of her, letting out in a content sigh as he held her a bit tighter. "Of course…"

She buried her face in the crook of his neck, letting herself indulge a bit in the embrace. "Thank you…for today." She leaned more heavily against him with a sigh of her own, "I know I didn't act like it…but it was actually pretty fun, so…thank you, really."

He was quiet for a long time, tightening his grip on her, as if to make sure she was actually there, in his arms with him under the stars. Finally, he placed a kiss in her hair, "anytime."

She tried to find more words to say, to thank him, tell him how much today meant. How much she needed those letters, how light her heart felt all day with him, but she could find nothing that was enough.

Instead she sighed, placed her forehead on his collarbone, "planning a birthday for you next year is gonna be a headache."

Again, he was quiet, before he chuckled softly, "let me ask you something, a little less than a year from now, when I wake up on the morning of my birthday, will you be the first thing I see?"

Her throat clogged up, but she refused to sound chocked so she cleared her throat before she answered. "Probably."

"Then don't worry about it."

This time, with her face burning to her ears, she allowed the silence to cover them both, letting her birthday end on a quiet note.

The moon shone fully and brightly above them, and for just a moment, for less than a heartbeat, she needed nothing more.

Little Do You Know Ch 4

“Did anyone ever tell you that if you keep frowning like that, your face will stick?” Conan ignored the comment in favor of the operations report in front of him. “Then again, it might be too late for you.”

            The urge to roll his eyes was strong. It usually was whenever Gavin Reed was involved. “Do you have something for me?” He asked almost seeming bored.

            A stack of photos landed on his desk, directly on top of the report and his irritation at the man increased. All of the eight by ten photos contained the same subject. It seems Conner took Sumo to Riverside Park Sunday. A few depicted them walking through the festival and Sumo getting petted by strangers. He flipped through them, uninterested until Conner entered one of the tents. Conan’s brow furrowed. “Who is this man across from Conner?”

            Gavin leaned in to get a better look. “How should I know?”

            Conan leveled him with a look and it was Gavin’s turn to roll his eyes. “His name is Markus Manfred, a local painter. Quite famous actually. Does a lot of charity work. He was doing caricatures for the festival.”

            He knew that name. He was one of Conner’s favorite artists. His work was all over his brother’s room. This also happened to be the same man Conner was talking to at his engagement party. Interesting. Conan flipped through the rest of the photos and the dip in his brow deepened with each one. Photos of them walking side by side through the festival, sharing some kind of pastry. Chasing after a loose Sumo with matching grins. Standing a little too close with Markus inspecting Conner’s palm. His eyebrow’s twitched at the next one. They were both on the ground with Conner laying on top of Markus. The latter seemed to be in the midst of a good laugh as Conner flushed with embarrassment. The leash wrapped around their legs, suggesting that had lost their balance and tumbled.

            “What do you think?” Conan asked suddenly glancing up at the PI.

            “About them?” Conan nodded. “I’d say they were good friends.”

            “But?”

            “But…” Gavin reached down and pulled the last photo out of the pile, setting it in Conan’s hands. “You don’t look at a ‘good friend’ like that.”

            They were holding each other’s wrists as if one had just helped the other up. The shot was focused on Conner. His eyes were fixated on Markus and… glowing. In fact, Conner’s whole face seemed to shine. From his chocolate eyes and rosy cheeks to his soft, warm smile. It was an expression he had only seen on Conner once. Back when they were hormonal teenagers in high school. It was full of hope, care, adoration, and…dare he say it…love. He let out a heavy breath. Damn it, Conner.

            “Keep following them,” Conan ordered shuffling the photos into a plain manila folder and stowing them in a locked drawer in his desk.

            Gavin shook his head with a smirk. “Spying on your own brother. That’s cold.”

            Conan refused to grace that comment with a response. He was doing this for Conner’s own good.

            There was something about the smell of ink and the scratching of a pen that put Conner at ease. He found himself locked in his overly spacious office, immersed in quarterly earnings reports and getting lost in numbers and calculations. Numbers were simple and constant, ever-changing but remaining exactly the same. Conner could shut out the chaos of his life and focus solely on the computations. It was one of the better parts of his job and it provided a short retreat from board meetings and performance reviews.

            The sound of his dark, office doors opening pulled him from the realm of finances and he blinked. “I should’ve known you would be hard at work,” Chloe stated with a fond smile. Her blue dress stopped just above her knees and cut off at her shoulders. It brought out her blond hair, curling over her left shoulder in a loose ponytail. Simple, pointed black heels covered her feet and she sashayed into his office. “Don’t you ever take a break?”

            “I did, at lunch,” Conner commented, standing as she came around his desk.

            She raised an eyebrow at him. “Conner, that was nearly four hours ago.”

            “And it was sufficient for the rest of the day.” She rolled her eyes.

            “Whatever you say, Mr. CFO. I just came to tell you that I’ll be leaving town for a couple of days.”

            His brow furrowed. “Why?”

            “My cousin had her baby today and I’m heading out there to help her out.”

            “Oh.”

            Her hands landed on his biceps and she glanced away. “I’m sorry about the play. I know we said we would go together.”

            “It’s alright.” Conner dismissed casually.

            “Maybe you could find someone to go with you.” She suggested eyes wide with a not so well-hidden hope that he would jump at the chance at social interaction.

            “No, I think I just might give them to someone else.” That little hope died in her eyes and he only felt a little bad at killing it.

            “Alright…well…do whatever you feel like doing and I’ll see you in a few days.”

            “Stay safe.”

            Chloe smiled warmly at that. “You too. Lord knows how much trouble you’ll get into while I’m gone.”

            “I’m not that hopeless.” Conner scoffed, and Chloe raised another eyebrow. People really needed to stop looking at him like that. Soft fingers grazed his cheek and he stiffened slightly. Their eyes met, and Conner felt suddenly trapped. He watched as she raised herself on her toes and an unpleasant knot formed in the space between his stomach and diaphragm. His breath came out in shallow pants and his hands felt like blocks of ice. Her lips brushed his. Eyes wide, he tried to quail the panic rising inside him. The kiss was light and feathery and lasted no more than three seconds, but to him, it felt like years.

            She finally pulled away and he schooled his expression. For a moment, he feared he hadn’t done it quick enough as her smile was tight and plastered. “I’ll see you later, Conner.” She said. There was a heaviness to her voice that he didn’t understand.

            “See you.” His response may have been a little too quick as her mouth pressed into a thin line before she turned sharply and strode out. Had he done something wrong?

            Slightly confused and uncomfortable with the exchange, he shook his head and sat down, returning to his work. He needed to finish these reports if he wanted to leave on time.

            Six fifteen. He was going to be late. Conner rushed out of the elevator and into the waiting car, slamming the door behind him. “Jeeze, kid. What’s your hurry? Got someone waiting for ya?” Hank questioned, grey hair tied back in his ‘for work only’ hair tie.

            “As a matter of fact, yes. Riverside Youth Center, please Hank.” Conner requested buckling his seatbelt. Safety first.

            He could practically feel that eyebrow. “Why the hell are we going to a youth center?”

            Conner huffed softly. “If you must know, I’m meeting a friend.” Another eyebrow. “Would you just drive, please?”

            “Okay, whatever you say.” The car hummed as Hank pulled it into evening traffic, sneaking glances at the back seat through the rearview mirror. A flash of silver danced over knuckles.

            “So, this friend?” Hank questioned returning his eyes to the road. “They wouldn’t happen to be Markus Manfred would it?”

            The coin paused for a millisecond. “How did you know that?”

            Hank gave him his best, ‘bitch, please’ face. “I used to be a detective, Kid. You would not shut up about this guy for weeks whenever he released a new painting, but once you finally meet him? Zilch. You’re a little too cavalier about the whole thing.” Silence. Hank’s brow pinched, and he glanced at the mirror. “You fucking him?”

            Conner choked on his spit and dropped his quarter. He hurried snatched it up, face red and sputtering. “Hank! I’m engaged!” He admonished.

            Hank just shrugged. “So? People have done worse things while married.” There was a pregnant pause and Conner pointily avoided the rearview mirror. “Okay, not fucking him…but you want to.”

            “Hank!” The boy protests too much, methinks. Conner shook his head as his face went blank. “I’m not having this conversation with you.” Wait for it. “We’re just friends.” There it is.

            Hank made an agnostic hum and Conner did his utmost to burn a hole in the back of his head. “He is. I can have more than one friend, Hank.”

            “I’m not saying you can’t, but usually people don’t want to fuck their friends.”

            “I don’t want to fuck him.” There was that damn noise again. “Oh my god,” Conner rubbed at his temples. He was starting to get a headache and its name was Hank Anderson. “You are impossible.”

            Hank huffed out a laugh. “You want to tell me what it is about this guy that’s got you blushing like a new bride?”

            He was not blushing. He didn’t say a word. “Come on, kid. Don’t you trust me?” Silence. “Are you really going to give me the silent treatment?”

            “You are an asshole.”

            “And you’re a brat. Now that we’ve established that, get to the good part.”

            “No. You’re just making fun of me.”

            “Brat, exhibit A.” Conner shook his head but couldn’t hold back a smile. The car rolled to a stop just outside the center’s front doors and he unbuckled. He went to open the door when Hank stopped him with a hand on his knee. He had turned around in his seat to look Conner in the eye. All playfulness had vanished. “In all seriousness, you know you can tell me anything, right?”

            Conner smiled warmly at him. “I know, Hank.”

            “Good,” The lieutenant waved him off, turning back around. “Get out of here and go make some babies.”

            Not being able to decide between blushing or being ‘annoying analytical’, as Hank put it, he did a combination of both. “You know that’s not physically possible.”

            “Will you get out of here?!”

            Chuckling, Conner stepped out and closed the door. He suddenly remembered he was late and he rushed inside. Hank scoffed to himself as he watched the boy run, “Oh, he definitely wants to.”

            Room one hundred and four was located on the east side of the building, along two corridors and behind a second set of double doors. Conner glanced through the small glass window, spotting his target standing at the front of the class. Suddenly nervous, Conner hastily wiped his sweaty hands on his suit pants and quietly opened the door. No one noticed his appearance as they were all enthralled with the hot teacher demonstrating a technique on his own easel. The classroom itself was slightly larger than average, about 1,657 square feet. Shelving units lined one wall while a continuous countertop lined the other. There were three sinks total, five drying racks, and eighteen easels, each with a student seated in front of them. The door behind him no doubt held a kiln based on the pottery on the selves. There was hardly an inch of this place that wasn’t splattered with paint.

            His eyes returned to the front where they locked with green and blue. A brilliant smile overtook Markus’s face and Conner’s followed suit. “It seems we’ll have to pick this up next week. Don’t forget to practice your techniques. ‘Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice’.”

            Shuffling and conversation flowed as the students packed up their supplies. Conner received a few curious glances, but none stopped to speak to him. “You’re a bit late for class I’m afraid,” Markus said once the room had emptied.

            “I know. I got a little held up with work and- “

            Markus touched his shoulder. “Conner, I’m kidding.”

            Conner grinned sheepishly. “Right.” His throat prickled, and he slipped his sweaty hands in his pockets. A paint-stained smock covered Markus clothes. There were a few spots on his fingers and arms.

            “I have to admit I’m a little surprised to see you here.” The painter commented as he moved a few of his paints and brushes to a counter.

            “Well, when you said you taught classes, I had to see that for myself.”

            “And what did you think?”

            “You mean what did I think for all of the two minutes that I witnessed?” Conner teased making Markus chuckle. He shifted on his heels. “You have a real gift, Markus, and to be so passionate about it to want to share it with others…it’s inspiring.”

            Markus’ eyes crinkled and glowed. “And did I inspire you to try?” He gestured to the easel.

            Conner shook his head, waving his hands softly. “Oh, no. I have no talent for art, whatsoever.”

            “I bet I could prove you wrong.”

            “I highly doubt that.” Markus gave him a look, head tilted. Those eyes are going to be really hard to say no to. Conner sighed. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Markus moved out of the way and Conner sat down on the stool. Picking up a random brush, he hesitated before dipping it into a robin egg blue. “Um, what exactly am I supposed to paint?”

            “That’s the beauty of it,” Markus replied leaning against the table next to him. “You can paint anything you want. Anything you could possibly imagine.” Way to be vague, Markus.

            “That doesn’t exactly answer my question.”

            “Here,” the man moved to stand behind him. Large, warm hands gently held onto his waist. Warm breath caressed the shell of his ear and Conner fought frantically against his blush. “Close your eyes.”

            Conner dare not move his head, but his eyes shifted to glance at Markus. “How is this beneficial?”

            “Just trust me. Close your eyes.” Letting out a breath, Conner did as he was told. He knew immediately that it was a mistake as he became acutely aware of Markus’ proximity to him. His blush was determined. “Some of the best art can inflict certain emotions in its viewers, so try pouring your emotions into your art. Think of a strong emotion and just let it flow through you.”

            Panic. Panic was certainly a strong emotion and right now, the strongest he was feeling. He tried to swallow the pins in his throat. “Uh,” that came out a lot breathier than he was hoping. He cleared his throat as subtly as possible. “I don’t think I can do that.”

            There was a husky hum in his ear and Conner’s brain jumped to places it should absolutely not be. “Okay, how about this?” Markus’ voice paused. “Have you ever been to the beach?”

            “The beach?” Conner shrugged. “Once.”

            “And how did it feel?”

            “It was- “

            “Don’t tell me. Show me.” Markus commanded, and Conner rushed to obey. He moved his hand forward until he met resistance. He could hear the bristles meeting the canvas. “How did the water feel against your skin?” The brush moved, creating waves of blue against white. The man couldn’t help but get closer to the CFO, careful not to let he chest touch Conner’s back even though everything in him screamed to do so.

            “The sun against your face.” Circles appeared on the canvas and Markus’ thumbs followed of their own accord.

            “The sand under your feet.” Dots followed next.

            “The wind in your hair.” His breath fanned out over his skin, raising goosebumps to the surface.

            Markus’ voice trailed off as he watched Conner’s face. Eyes were still under his eyelids, delicate lashes caressing smooth cheeks. Freckles and moles dotted his face like Conner’s sand. Including one on his temple just barely visible underneath chestnut hair. His lips itched to press a kiss to it. Eyes traced the line of his nose to plump, pink lips. He could just imagine how they’d feel against his, soft but firm. His tongue darted out to wet his own lips. He saw Conner’s eyes twitch and he hurriedly turned his attention to the painting.

            Conner’s eyes blinked open, taking in the chaos before him and his expression fell. “It looks like shit.”

            Markus let out a surprised laugh at the statement. “It does not. It looks like a beach of blue.”

            “Where in the world do you get a beach out of this mess?”

            “Look,” copper fingers traced the lines. Waves. “Here’s your ocean, calm and soothing.” Circles. “Here’s your swirling sun.” Dots. “Your warm, soft sand.” Swirls. “Your gentle wind.”

            Markus looks so serene describing his painting. Conner tilted his head, trying to view it through Markus’ eyes. No change. “It still looks like a bunch of random marks to me.”

            “Well, you are the creator and we tend to be our own worst critiques. I like it.” Markus moved away, taking his heat with him. Conner only now just realized how close he had been, how comfortable.

            “If you like it, you might as well keep it.” Conner offered, dropping the paintbrush and rising from the stool.

            Markus’ head snapped toward him as if he couldn’t quite believe what he had heard. “Really?” That was more enthusiastic than Conner had expected. It silently pleased him.

            “Yes, really. You’re the only one who would appreciate it anyway.” Conner couldn’t imagine what reactions he would get if he took it home. He could almost see the looks, the comments.

            “Thank you,” Markus said brightly, and Conner held back a proud smile. “I need to start cleaning up.”

            “I’ll help.”

            Markus looked shocked that he would even offer. “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

            “It’s okay. I want to.” His cheeks were starting to hurt some smiling so much, but he couldn’t help it.

            “Well, if you insist.”

            Conner nodded once and began to remove his suit jacket. Markus froze, unable to look away. Delicate fingers slipped the buttons of his sleeve cuffs free and rolled up the fabric, exposing pale skin of a strong forearm. Conner shifted, and Markus turned away quickly, praying that the other man hadn’t noticed him staring. Way to be a creep, Markus. Shaking away his self-beratement, he gently lifted Conner’s painting and laid it carefully on the table.

            Collecting all of the soiled paint brushed, Conner brought them to one of the empty sinks and turned the handle. It took a minute for the water to flow from the tap and he frowned. It seems the center was in need of more funding than he thought. He ran the brushes under the water.

            Sneaking a glance toward the sinks, Markus’ mouth went dry. The rolled sleeves gave Conner a relaxed vibe the Markus hadn’t felt from him before. His tie had been thrown over his shoulder to keep it from getting wet. Colored water streamed in rivets over elegant hands as brushes swirled along the skin of his palm. A single drop escaped the pool and rolled down the inside of a thin wrist and down that creamy forearm to soak into the crisp, white fabric of the rolled sleeve. Markus swallowed thickly as he tore his eyes away. It was getting rather warm in here.

            Brushes cleaned and put away, Conner dried his hands and turned to see a majority of the easels gone. He picked up the last two and brought them over to Markus. There was a hint of redness in his cheeks as he took the easels from him. “Thank you.” He folded them and leaned them against the others.

            “You’re welcome,” Conner replied.

            Markus held his gaze for a second too long before he snapped himself out of it and looked around the cleared room. “I think that’s everything. Thanks again for your help.”

            “It was no trouble. I’m sorry I was so late though. I’ll have to do better in the future.”

            “Of course, I expect only the best from my students.” Markus teased.

            Conner grinned when a lightbulb went on in his brain. “Oh, hey. Do you enjoy the theatre?”

            “Theatre?” Markus puzzled. “Like plays?” The burnet nodded. “Sure, why?”

            “Well, I have a couple of tickets for tomorrow night and I was wondering if you wanted to go. I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just thought that maybe…”

            “Conner,” Markus cut him off. Conner rambled when he was nervous. Cute. “I would love to.”

            That beautifully crooked smile grew, crinkling the edges of his eyes. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

            “Cool, what are we seeing?”

            He stopped short. What were they seeing? He didn’t know. Chloe always picked, and he just went along with it. “I’ve got no idea.” He confessed.

            That pulled a laugh out of Markus. “A mystery, I like it.”

            Conner chuckled along with him. He knew he had suggested it as to not waste the tickets and to hang out with his friends as Chloe had suggested, but, for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had just asked Markus out on a date.

            “I can’t believe you asked him out on a date.”

            A heavy breath escaped as his eyes searched for patience on his vanity’s ceiling. Hank was slouched in his reading chair, hands flipping through Conner’s latest rainy day read. “It’s not a date. We’re just hanging out as friends.” He explained for the third time.

            “Friends don’t usually take each other out to the theatre.”

            “I didn’t want to waste the tickets.” Conner’s fingers expertly knotted the bow tie.

            Hank clicked his tongue. “So…Markus is your rebound?”

            Conner’s eyes did roll this time. “I’m done trying to explain this to you.”

            The book was tossed back onto the end table. “What’s there to explain? Your fiancée wasn’t available, so you decided to take your crush instead.” He didn’t bother to grace that with a response. “So, what are you going to do after?”

            “Nothing. Why are you so determined that I sleep with him?” Conner questioned straightening the finished bow tie.

            Hank raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I didn’t say anything about you sleeping with him. That’s where your mind went…and maybe you’d be less of a stooge if you actually got laid.”

            “You’re impossible.”

            Hank just shrugged before groaned and dragging himself out of the recliner. Stretching his hands over his head, he let out a satisfied sound as his vertebrae popped back into place. “That chair is so fucking comfortable.”

            “I know. That’s why I bought it.”

            Hank clapped a friendly hand on his shoulder. “Have fun tonight, kid. Be safe.”

            “I’m always safe when driving, Hank.”

            “That’s not what I meant,” Hank said with a shit-eating grin.

            Migraine, thy name is Hank. “Oh my god, Goodnight Hank.” Hank just cackled as he walked out the door.

            Conner shook his head at the lieutenant’s antics, wondering why they were even friends. Giving himself a once over in the mirror, he shrugged on his jacket and grabbed his keys from his dresser. Closing the door behind him, he glanced up to see Conan watching him from his own bedroom doorway. A bubble of irritation rose up in him at the thought of his brother judging him, but it popped quickly at the thought of their last encounter. Despite only being sixteen minutes behind Conner, Conan always acted like the oldest between them. He was overbearing, overprotective, and downright infuriating, but he always did his best to look after him. He worried in his own, unique way. Affection for his baby brother replaced the irritation and he smiled warmly.

            “Goodnight, Conan.”

            Conan looked a little taken back by his farewell and it was a bit awkward for a few moments as he processed. Eventually, those icy blue eyes softened, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward. “Goodnight, Conner.” The door closed with a click. He’d consider this progress.

            Copper fingers straightened his bow tie for the third time and tugged the nonexistent wrinkles out of his suit jacket for the fifth. A tangled ball of live wires writhed in his stomach, tuning his insides with tiny electric shocks. His hands started sweating a while ago and he pressed them into the fabric of the couch. He didn’t want to wrinkle his pants.

            “I haven’t seen you this wound up for a date since Prom. Who’s the lucky guy?” Carl rolled up next to the arm of the couch, taking note of his son’s nervous fidgeting.

            “It’s not like that. We’re just going to the theatre.”

            “You and who?”

            The darkening of Markus’ cheeks was barely visible, but the old artist noticed. “Conner.”

            White eyebrows twitched at the name. “Conner Stern?”

            “Yes.”

            “The same Conner Stern who just got engaged three weeks ago?”

            Shame quieted the bundle of wire and Markus glanced down at his knees, unable to look his father in the eye. “Yeah.”

            This really wasn’t unexpected. Markus always tended to fall for the complicated ones. It was the caretaker in him that drew Markus to the ones that truly needed love. Despite the slight mortification in his words, there was still a bit of pink in Markus’s cheeks. The corners of his mouth hinted at a goofy grin and his eyes were bright. Carl didn’t know Conner very well, but he had to be something truly special to elicit such a response from his golden-hearted boy. He smiled and leaned back in his chair. “So, you going to tell him?”

            Markus looked at him confused. “Tell him what?”

            “How you feel about him?”

            His son hastened to school his expression but the red in his cheeks darkened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

            “Bull,” Markus needed to stop being surprised by how blunt Carl could be. The older man shifted closer. “Markus, you came home yesterday practically giddy. Now, I haven’t seen you like that since you and North got together back in high school. Feelings like that aren’t something you can hide.”

            Markus’ mouth was having a difficult time forming words. “It… I… It’s not like that. He and I- “He growled in frustration, dragging his hands over his close-cropped hair. “We’re… we’re just… we’re not like that. It’s like you said, he’s engaged.”

            “Maybe that’s the reason you should tell him.”

            “Shouldn’t that be the very reason that I don’t?”

            “Would you regret it if you didn’t?”

            He paused, trying to process what was said. Tell him because he was engaged? That didn’t make any sense, but…Carl may be right. If he didn’t, he could regret it. Living his life not knowing what could have been. It caused a lump to stick in his lungs. He opened his mouth to respond when the doorbell rang and that lump jumped from his lungs to his throat. Holy shit, he was here. Markus practically jumped to his feet and brushed his immaculate suit. Ignoring Carl’s knowing grin, Markus answered the door…and promptly last the ability to breathe.

            The man he was having a mini existential crisis about was currently sanding under the halo of their porch lights, looking very much like an angel to his eyes. “H-Hi.” Markus stuttered still starring.

            Conner’s grin accompanied a blush. “Hi.”

            The black tux was reminiscent of that night on the balcony but there was something different this time. Maybe it was his smile or the fact that his eyes were shining instead of being lost in the dark.

            Markus was definitely more put together this time around but Conner had to admit that he was seriously missing the loose tie and opened shirt.

            “Well, aren’t you going to invite him in?”

            Heterochromia eyes blinked at Carl’s question and he flushed deeply. “Right, come on in.” He moved his body out of the doorway and watched as Conner went immediately to Carl, greeting him as the host.

            “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Manfred. You have a wonderful home.” Conner complimented shaking the elder’s hand.

            “Why thank you, Conner, and please, call me Carl. I hear so much about you from Markus, I feel as if I know you already.” Markus’ grin grew almost manic at Carl’s comment and the older man flashed his son a mischievous glance. “He particularly enjoys the painting you gave him. Got it hanging in his room.”

His face ended up hidden in his hands, fingers rubbing at his brow. When Carl decided to tease him, it was best to just let him get it all out of his system, lest it becomes worse for Markus.

Their guest just laughed. “I really can’t talk. I’ve got a few of his own pieces in my room as well.”

Carl’s eyes lit up with this tidbit of information. “Well, isn’t that something. You hear that Markus?”

“Yeah, Dad. I already knew.”

“Did you now?” Carl was enjoying this way too much.

“Dad,” Markus warned.

Carl chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Alright, I think I’ve embarrassed Markus enough. You kids have fun tonight. Be careful on the roads.”

“We will,” Conner assured as he took Carl’s hand again. “Again, it was a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“The pleasure was all mine, Conner. I expect to see you around here more often.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Conner replied as Markus ushered him out the door. The light from the house cut off as the door closed and he turned to Markus. “I like him.”

Markus rolled his eyes good-naturedly and started toward the driveway. “He’s always enjoyed teasing me.”

“Well, that’s what dads are supposed to do. He reminds me of Hank.”

Catching sight of Conner’s car, Markus let out a low whistle. “MGB Roadster. Nice. What year?”

“Seventy-four. I bought her a couple years ago. She’s one of the few things that is actually mine.” Conner said opening the passenger door of the convertible. Markus gave him a playfully-not so playful-flirty grin and batted his eyelashes.

“Such a gentleman. Do you treat all your dates with this much chivalry?” He slipped into the seat and Conner closed the door, leaning against it.

“Only the good-looking ones.” He gave Markus a wink and silently basked in his victory at the resulting blush.

The exchange was a preview for the drive as they tried to one-up each other with cheesy pickup lines and desperately trying to fluster the other. Markus won, seeing as he was much cheesier than Conner and his dark skin hid the redness better than Conner’s pale skin. This camaraderie was wonderfully pleasant and Conner found himself relaxing more and more. Markus had this way for breaking down his walls and reaching the human he tried too hard to hide.

The intermission couldn’t come soon enough as Conner and Markus stood just outside the theatre doors. “Well,” Markus started a little unsure about the proper way to phrase his next sentence without sounding rude. “That was…”

“Boring,” Conner interjected and Markus chuckled at his bluntness.

“Yeah.”

“It’s not really what I expected.”

Markus hummed in agreement before a brilliant idea was made by his ever growling stomach. “Hey, you hungry?”

“Um, yes.”

Smiling, Markus grabbed his hand and Conner’s heart fluttered. “Come on then.” They walked out of the building, hands still clasped, missing the end of the intermission. Markus steered them away from the parking lot and Conner’s car. Confused, the brunet didn’t say anything, not wanting to remind Markus that his hand was still clinging to his and having him remove it. They walked down the busy sidewalk to a diner on the corner.

It stank of cheap, greasy food and boasted a fifty’s motif. Conner loved it. It reminded him of Hank. “This place has the best burgers and shakes, hands down,” Markus said, guiding him to an empty booth near the window and sitting down across from him, hands automatically removing the bow tie and loosening a few buttons on his shirt. Conner’s eyes had no choice but to follow his movements, resting on the smooth skin of his neck and collar bones. He looked away as a waitress approached their table.

“What will it be gentlemen?” She asked pleasantly, notebook and pen pose and ready to write. Her neon pink uniform was stained and wrinkled from working a full shift. Dirty blond hair was piled on the top of her head.

“Two number fours please,” Markus said and she nodded.

“Good choice and what to drink?”

“Water, please.”

She smiled down at them.” I’ll be right back with those.” And she left them to their own devices.

Markus looked at him a little sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for you. You just really need to try their burgers.”

“It’s alright. I don’t mind. Considering I have never been here before, it’s only logical.”

His companion snickered. “Whatever you say, Spock.”

Conner did his adorable head tilt and Markus’ stomach dropped. “What is a ‘spock’?”

Markus just stared. “Are you telling me that you’ve never seen Star Trek?” Conner just shook his head. He hissed under his breath, “you uncultured swine.” He reached out a hand and patted his forearm. “Don’t worry Con. We’ll educate you on the artistic beauty of science fiction soon enough.”

Conner paused, his eyes wide. Markus did the head tilt this time. “What?”

“It’s just, no one, besides Hank, has called me ‘Con’ in a long time.”

“I didn’t offend you, did I?” Markus asked worriedly.

“No, no. Of course not, it’s just nice to hear.” He sent Markus a smile and received one in return.

The waitress came back with their food and Conner had to admit that it looked delicious, despite the extremely high calories. Following Markus’ lead, he picked up the overly large burger and took a bite. His mouth exploded with a mosaic of flavors ranging from spicy to tangy. He stared at the food wide-eyed. “Wow,” he said softly in awe.

Markus was grinning over his own burger. “I know right,” and he took another bite. There wasn’t much conversation between them as they ate but it wasn’t long before Markus was regaling him with stories from his childhood. A particular one of the Jericrew and a couple cans of spray paint had Conner laughing until his belly hurt.

“Well,” Conner said still laughing and pressing a hand to his aching stomach. “It sounds to me like you were quite a delinquent in your early years, Mr. Manfred.”

Markus scoffed. “Says the guy who got arrested for blowing up a freighter.”

Conner’s eyes went comically wide and his jaw slacked. “I’ll have you know, that that was a one-time thing!” He protested over Markus’ guffaws.

“I beg to differ. Any other criminal acts I should know about? Bank robberies? Jewel heists? Tramp stamps?”

Conner’s face reddened and he averted his eyes on the last suggestion and it was Markus’ turned to be shocked. “Holy shit, I was joking. You have a tramp stamp?!”

“No,” Conner hissed but still flushed. “It’s not a tramp stamp.”

“But you do have a tattoo?” Conner just nodded. “Oh my god. Where is it and what is it?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Why not?!”

“Because you’re making fun of me.”

“Aw, but I’m your best friend,” Markus whined. Conner pursed his lips and shook his head, unfazed. Markus pouted. “Fine, killjoy, but I’ll find out sooner or later.” Even if I have to take all of your clothes off to do it. No. Bad Markus.

The waitress returned. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“Yes, a caramel mocha shake please,” Markus said and she turned to Conner.

“Nothing for me, thank you.”

Markus gave him a look. “Conner, milkshakes are part of the burger experience.”

Conner laughed. “I would but if I eat any more, I think I might burst.”

Markus made an over exaggerated groan. “Fine, you can share with me.” The waitress nodded with an understanding grin and hurried off to fill their order. Conner just shook his head fondly.

“Thanks for inviting me out tonight, Conner,” Markus said sincerely. “I had a lot of fun.”

“I did too, even if the play was rather dull,” Conner smirked.

“Yeah, well, at least we got these delicious burgers out it. And the company isn’t half bad either.” He ended that sentence with a wink and Conner felt his face heat up. The waitress arrived in half the time and placed a light brown beverage between them with two straws sticking out of the mountain of whipped cream.

“Oh my god, this is a heart attack in a cup,” Conner said scooting up excitedly, blatantly ignoring his previously stuffed stomach.

“Just wait till you try it,” Markus said grabbing his straw and putting it in his mouth. Conner’s mind wanted to slip into the gutter but he restrained it with a sip of his own. It was even better than the burgers. Conner practically melted in his seat.

“Markus, I will never question your culinary tastes ever again.”

“Damn, right you won’t.” The painter said smugly, tongue darting out the pulled the straw back into his mouth with a cocky grin. Stop it, Conner. His dirty mind was not going to ruin this moment for him. After all, it was the most fun he’s had in a long time.

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In the latest episode of The Walking Dead, Rick is back in the Thunderdome, Daryl and Tara lose patience, and Eugene comes to terms with himself.

The Scavengers seem to get weirder and weirder.  Rick is still in the shipping container, waiting for whatever is supposed to happen.  When the doors finally open, we see that he is not naked (unfortunately), but in his boxers.  Jadis and her buddy Brion are a few feet away from him.  Brion is sketching and Jadis is holding a camera.  Rick gives her another chance to join him against Negan, but her answer is to snap a photo.  She snaps two more before closing the doors again.  Before they close, Rick asks why she’s taking photos.  She says to sculpt him after.  Lord, that sounds like some mess.

At the Sanctuary, Eugene’s traitorous ass has really gone all the way over to the Dark Side.  He visits Dwight and tells him that he knows he’s the mole and to either “cease and desist” or he’ll tell Negan and the others.  Dwight ain’t no punk, though.  He grabs Eugene by the shirt, plops his ass in a chair and then tells him what’s what.  The Sanctuary will fall.  Either join the revolution or perish.  Eugene, finding what little balls he has, repeats his request, then walks out.

While walking back to his room, Dr. Karson asks Eugene to step into the room where Father Gabriel is laid up.  It’s not looking too good for our Father Gabriel.  And Eugene, the punk, blames the possibly dying man for being sick.  Luckily, Dr. Karson is a better man than Eugene and tries to help.  He leaves Eugene with Father Gabriel while he goes to the market for herbs.  Father Gabriel wakes up after a bit of a coughing fit and sees Eugene standing at the end of the bed.  He tells the punk to sit and he does.  Father Gabriel tries to reach for his glass of water, and for a moment, Eugene just fucking sits there.  He finally helps the poor man out and gives him a drink.  After, the two men speak a bit about Eugene hopefully helping Father Gabriel get Dr. Karson to the Hilltop.  But Eugene is who he is:  a small man who looks out for himself, always.  At least he’s honest.  I think I may have said, “Fuck you, Eugene” about five times during that scene, though.

Outside of the Sanctuary, Morgan is inside one of the other buildings looking for anyone trying to leave.  He gets a call on his walkie about a truck approaching and Morgan sees that it’s Daryl and the rest.  The crew of Daryl, Tara, Rosita and Michonne are discussing next steps, with Rosita being the dissenter.  She thinks they should wait, as rushing to try and end things was what got Sasha killed and decides to go back to Alexandria.  Michonne is conflicted but decides to see it through with the rest.  Methinks this is going to go completely sideways.

Back at the Sanctuary, Eugene is visited by one of Negan’s wives, the same one who tried to get him to help end Negan.  Tanya stops by to get the boombox Eugene said he would fix in exchange for two bottles of wine.  But since the siege, he hasn’t been fixing shit.  Tanya tells him he’s got one more day but Eugene asks for the wine anyway.  He claims he needs it to sleep, but she knows it’s because he can’t deal with the fact that he works with Negan.  I mean, after seeing men being burned with irons, thrown into fire, and women basically trapped into being Negan’s wives, who the hell is sleeping in that place?  But Tanya doesn’t feel sorry for him because Eugene had a chance to end Negan and he chickened out.  Just like he always does.  Tanya decides to leave the wine but knows it won’t help.  As she’s leaving, Laura stops by to summon Eugene:  Negan wants to see him.

As always, Negan is at the table holding his girl Lucille.  He tells Eugene that if shit doesn’t get fixed soon, people will die.  Not Negan, of course cuz he’s good at staying alive, and he thinks Eugene is, too.  Eugene is smart, and strong and Negan likes that.  So he shakes his hand and tells the punk that he rarely shakes hands because that’s a sign of mutual respect.  Negan knew just what to say to Eugene to puff him up and get him to thinking.  He goes back to his room so he could work on Tanya’s boombox, or so I thought.  He needs more supplies and ends up in a darkened room.  He sees the coffin Sasha was in and Eugene has a flashback of her coming out of the coffin as a walker and he loses it for just a moment.  He calms down, opens the coffin lid and finds the iPod he gave Sasha.

Outside of the Sanctuary, Daryl, Michonne and Tara drive as close to the building as possible without attracting walkers.  Morgan is talking them through, using his vantage point as a guide.  Tara gets out of the truck, ready to roll, but Michonne is hesitating.  She wants to end things, but still thinks it’s too risky.  So she opts out and heads back to Alexandria.  Tara, Daryl and Morgan continue with their plan.

Meanwhile, Eugene is using his traitorous brain to come up with a way to get rid of the walkers.  He creates a glider that will play music from the iPod, drawing the walkers away.  It’s a brilliant plan and one that would work, save for Dwight pointing a gun at his head.  Eugene, terrified, sets the glider off anyway and the thing is working but Dwight shoots it down.  When Daryl hears the gunshots, he tells Tara and Morgan to move now and they begin shooting at the windows housing the Saviors’ snipers.  Daryl drives the truck towards one of the walls, and jumps out before it hits, which creates a giant hole allowing the walkers to swarm.  Eugene sees all of the carnage and he flips out.  He runs back to Father Gabriel’s room and tells him hell no he ain’t helping him, he’ll continue to work for Negan and Dr. Karson ain’t going nowhere.  Eugene will survive and will do whatever it takes and won’t feel bad about it.

He heads straight for Negan and tells him how to get rid of the walkers.  Eugene begins to rat on Dwight but changes his mind the others walk in telling Negan about the status of the walkers.  Instead of snitching, Eugene proceeds to get wasted on red wine, listening to sounds of gunfire.

Back in Crazy Town, Rick finds himself face-to-face with another Thunderdome walker, this time, on a stick.  One of the Scavengers is holding him down but Rick’s like, nah man, I’m out.  He starts knocking everyone out, using the Thunderdome walker as a weapon/shield.  He eventually gets Jadis down on the ground with her face inches from the walker’s gnashing teeth.  He tells everyone that he’s walking out of there alive, with his clothes, and his people are going to kill them all.  So it’s either join them or die.  Jadis decides to join, but she wants half of the Saviors’ stuff.  Rick tells her she’ll get a fourth, so she counters:  a fourth plus she sculpts him naked (hey I’d counter with that, too).  But he tells her hell no.  She reluctantly agrees and they all head out to the Sanctuary.  And when he gets there, he sees that all of the walkers have been cleared.  Every.  Single.  One.  Oh fuck.

How long before Negan retaliates?  Will Jadis betray Rick yet again?  Will Eugene survive another day at the Sanctuary?

Stay tuned.

The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.  Photos courtesy of AMC.

The Walking Dead, Season 8 – Time for After In the latest episode of The Walking Dead, Rick is back in the Thunderdome, Daryl and Tara lose patience, and Eugene comes to terms with himself.