He knew this smell. It was the smell of the outside. Fading in and out, he noticed a dilapidated hallway. Unfamiliar flickering lights. The heavy smell of anticeptic. Restraints holding him in place on a flat cold surface. His joints ached painfully. Someone was wiping his wounds. Minor thought they were.
Though someone spoke softly. He could hear the scraping sounds of metal. Perhaps surgical instruments? He felt like he was strapped to an operating table at first. One that was tilted slightly forward.
Focusing on these sensations he struggled back to consciousness. And failed. Once. Twice.
Then there was just the smell of the outside. And faint antiseptic. Restraints were unfortunately also a really.
When he finally opened his eyes, he shook himself awake completely. To his surprise, he was in the back of an old decapitated ambulance. With the back doors wide open. Branches occasionally scraped the side of the vehicle in the wind.
Shaking the ache from his head he groaned. Taking a minute to appreciate the reduced pain in his body from befor, "What the hell?"
Snapping his eyes open, he scanned the back of the ambulance. Locking on Vendein. Sitting beside him, "You! You fucking drugged me!"
"Yes… And I am deeply sorry for that.” Bitting his lip before he continued, Ven started, “ I thought you needed more time to weigh your options. Especially before doing anything ill advised and permanent.”
Airen said nothing. Assessing his situation thoroughly. Restraints were uncomfortable and annoying. He didn't have time for this.
Ven's voice was quiet. Trembling slightly as he continued, “I did restrain you. In case you were too far gone. I am going to release you now,” Guilt weighed heavily in his voice. That guilt was clear in his every movement.
Usually steady hands fumbled. Unlocking each restraint. Allowing Airen to move freely again.
He moved away carefully. Wincing, as if expecting the worst. He didn't make any move to defend himself though. Hating the sight of Ven flinching, Airen took a deep breath.
Glaring, Airen rubbed at his wrists. Ven only relaxed completely after Airen Did. Seemingly focused on Airen's wellbeing over his own. Still he needed to make things clear. Now.
" I don't care how far you've driven from the city.” Arien grumbled. Gritting his teeth as he shifted in the stretcher, “ You can't fix this. Get a grip. ” A low, frustrated growl escaped him.
He needed to get away as soon as possible. Who knew how long he'd been unconscious already.
The doors were wide open. Shooting up to escape through them, he stopped short.
Something stung sharply inside his skull. His foot barely touched the floor before the pain overwhelmed him. Closing his eyes helped somewhat.
Clutching his head with one hand. With the whole world spinning relentlessly. Airen groaned as he tried again. Sharp pain stung forcefully to the surface.
Without much choice. He lowered himself back down. Sighing with relief as the pain subsided.
Ven hovered nervously. Hands reaching out. Just short of supporting Airen. Given the situation, he was quick to pull himself back. Hesitant to touch.
The rustling sound of Ven's clothes stopped as he too settled back down. The sound didn't help. Airen wanted nothing more than to rip those clothes off. Just to make the sound stop.
Ven offered some water awkwardly. Surprisingly, Airen drank it without a second thought.
Though once his symptoms subsided, he just glared at Vendein. Clearly not impressed with the entire situation.
Again, Vendein attempted to reason with him, "There is something you don't know. It might change what you chose to do.” Picking at the edge of his notebook, he waited for a sensible response.
Equal parts offended and dumbstruck by Ven's assertion, airen scoffed. Answering with a borderline snarl, " Oh yes! Tell me sweet lies about a cure!"
Tasting this venomous response in his mouth, however. He took a deep breath. Instantly regretting his words.
Swallowing back the anger, Airen softened his tone, "- And then of white picket fences. And unicorns! Don't do this to yourself. You need to get us back home. Before they report us, Awal."
This was his friend after all. One grieving fresh Loss. Loss that hadn't fully set in yet.
Reality may have been cruel. He didn't have to be.
"Airen, listen to me. Please."
Sighing, Airen got comfortable. Looking into Ven's eyes deliberately, "look. I know this is hard. It's okay to grieve. You can't ignore reality here. You need to say good bye."
An unimpressed scowl took the place of any lingering anxiety or hesitation. Firm frustration took over Vendein's features. "Don't be stupid. Could you let me fin--"
"C'mon. Give me a hug and let it out," he grinned. Seeing a normal expression on his friend's face, he continued, "You can use my my shoulder. Then you have to go home. Okay-” It was a genuine offer of comfort. Still he couldn't help but let his teasing tone slip back in.
Groaning into his hands, Vendien snapped. "No! You dip! I've been working on a cure!" He practically growled the words through his teeth. Cutting off the placating nonsense.
"What!?" Now it was Airen who was pissed. How could VEN be so stupid!
"Tell me you're fucking with me! If they find out? You will be killed! You are not stupid! That's suicidally stupid!”
"Then I suppose I find myself in good company," Vendein countered flatly, "I can atleast try to stabalize your condition. It would give you more time.” hissing under his breath he muttered, “I believed you would change things. Without getting yourself killed. Not this. You utter moron! By the way. HOW FUCKING DARE YOU! You absolutely beautiful fucking idiot!"
Shrinking into the stretcher, he tried again, "Uh. Ven. Did you just call me beautiful? I mean, take me on a date first. Am I right?" That definitely didn't help things.
Ven was already beyond upset with Airen. Suddenly, he remembered why he was avoiding testing. This. He wanted to avoid exactly this.
Cringing, Airen realized he basically found the nuclear explosion button. No one had ever seen Ven so angry before.
"YOU!!! Silence your idiot idea having donut hole!!! I AM NOT DONE!" Ignoring the absurdity escaping Airen's lips. He took a deep breath, "YOU! You reckless idiot! YOU!!! Who even TRAINED TO STAY SAFE! But fuck it. Just run into the place! Like an uneducated baffoon!,” he wasn't breathing. He was only ranting. Flinging his arms wildly around as he spoke.
“Y-your eye is twitching-” He offered quietly. Pointing at his own incase Ven couldn't hear him.
Ven's eye continued to twitch uncontrollably. His face darkening. Suddenly, focusing entirely on Airen.
“-KNOWING full well you could have been KILLED! Someone else actually was today!!! Did you know that? NO YOU JUST ran off and got FUCKING INFECTED!!!" He continued, still without breathing. Voice still thick with anger.
It was almost impressive. However the purple creeping into Ven's lips was concerning, “um… well no. I just got back when you saw me. I haven't had time to- your lips are–” if looks could kill.
No. The look in Vendein's eyes had changed at some point. They were full lf pain. Not anger. Airen sharnk further into the stretcher. Considering just running past Ven. Partly to escape the tyraid. Partly to escape this new guilt crashing into his chest.
He'd been right the first time. Eyeing the open doors, he shifted to get up. A sharp penitrating gaze followed him. Then his line of sight with a deadly accuracy.
Slamming the ambulance doors shut, Ven continued, “Of COURSE you didn't know! You'd rather get exposed than keep up with current events! Expose yourself and get unceremoniously shot DEAD!” after a moment, he stoped. Deciding to lower his voice.
He saw that. Airen visibly startled when he slammed the door. The pained look on his face. Airen hesitating to cover his ears.
It was exactly how he looked when they fist met. Helpess and scared to do anything he needed for himself.
Ven still continued to make his points. But softer now. Slowly and carefully.
Airen couldn't concentrate on him anymore though.
It felt like hours went by. Days. Weeks or even years! He could swear he saw seasons change outside the window. Vividly…Realizing he was seeing things, he panicked. Dizzy.
Rubbing at his eyes with one hand, Airen gripped the other around the closest living object. For support. An anchor to reality.
Focusing on the warmth in his hand. There was only Silence. That brought him back to himself. Taking deep breaths, he relaxed his grip around whatever he was holding.
It was warm… and soft. Moving in his grip as though separated from… That was an arm!
Snapping his head up, he stared where Vendein had been. An empty seat, covered in blood.
The scent of Iron assaulting his nose. Gagging, he looked down, slowly. At what was in his hand again. Tightening his grip around Vendein's severed arm. Shaking as sound vanished. Replaced by a high pitched ringing.
White fabric from his lab coat, stained red.
Just above the elbow ragged flesh bled sluggishly. Some chunks of skin and flesh, hanging. Dangling from stretched, torn skin. Pail, lifeless skin.
Ripped further by the sharp, jagged, broken bone.
Hyperventilating, he saw it trembling in his hand. Trembling because he was. All as it grew colder in his hand. Draining of colour while the bleeding dripped to a stop.
Fingers twitching. He stared at them. Bluish white finger tips. Lifeless yet…
The door to the ambulance hung ajar. Matching bits of what looked to be meat, littered the steps. Blood smeared along the wall, equipment. And the door handle.
He could hear it now. The shallow ragid breathes. A whimpered cry of pain, thined to nothing. As his breathing slowed to a stop. The now lifeless shape beyond those doors. He knew who it was.
He couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. He couldn't think.
The smell. The smell…. The smell…. His own heartbeat thundered in his ears alongside the high pitch sound. Growing louder. It drowned out his own voice as he screamed Ven's name.
Snapping his fingers infront of Airen's face, Vendien stared into his eyes, “Hey! Wake up!” Jarring Airen from the brink..
Effectively shaking him from his hallucinations, Vendein subtly checked his pupils. Watching for appropriate reaction to visual stimulus again.
Then he looked down, "I get it. Your in love with me. Could you stop trying to break my hand now." His tone was flat and dry. Not the teasing tone that Airen could use so easily. No one could match that if Ven was honest with himself.
Glancing down. Airen nodded wordlessly. Releasing the hand he had been gripping with such force. Ven streched his fingers uncomfortably until they felt normal again.
Looking around slowly. Relaxing his breathing. The scent of blood finnaly vanished.
Vendein's arm shifting from liflessly broken to living and fully attached again. He swallowed nervously as reality bleed through completely around him again, "I… I'm sorry… What were you saying?... No. Actually, We need to head back. Now. Vendein. We can't be here when it happens."
"If you let me help you, It's not going to happen."
Vendein sat across from Airen. Crossing his arms, "I have an incomplete compound. It won't cure you. But it will slow the infection's progression. It has halted it. In some cases” He continued after a moment of silence settled between them,” I have been helping those In the camps near the city. I was even able to acquire blood samples with permission. Some at the beginning stages of the infection.”
He still looked dazed. So Vendien checked Airen's vitals while he spoke, “Even found a lab, It was a trick to make it functional. Honestly it's held together with duct tape and broken dreams. However, the lab is functional and well hidden."
Though he was only able to focus on half of it. Airen caught the gyst, "You were able to help them?"
"For a time, yes. If you let me help you, it's not a guarantee. Still, let me try to save you. Please, Airen. I won't do it unless you consent." His voice shook as he finished. Unable to look Airen in the eyes. Waiting for an answer. Holding his breath.
With a deep sigh, Airen relented, "You can try it on me, if it helps you feel better. Just. Don't get your hopes up." Rubbing his face again, he felt numb. Exhausted. "When it doesn't work. I want you to bring me to my commanding officer. Dead or alive. Understand."
Having readied the syringe, He felt himself stumble. Ever so slightly. Hearing Airen's tone drop so gravely, hurt, "I can do that. I need you to relax your arm. After I've given you the compound, I need you to raise your heart rate. Jogging for a bit should do. You should be able to move normally now. The drugs worn off by the looks of it."
"Been ready to run away from you since I woke up," Airen grined. Though they both knew it wasn't really a joke.
"Yeah, well. I can't blame you." Slipping the needle into Airen's skin, he administered the dose. Holding his breath. Even as he withdrew the needle carefully. Ven let go.
Jumping up, thrusting the ambulance doors open. Airen disappeared.
Heart pounding in his chest, he waited. Hands shaking. Eyes screwed shut. Picturing the worst.
Airen. Wandering alone. Scratching at open sores until they bled anew. Stumbling dizzy through the wilderness alone. Tearing his skin on trees and rocks. Removing layers of clothes as the fever destroyed his system.
Shaking his head, Ven took a deep, shaky breath. He pictured the best case instead. A healthy breathing Airen. Even if Airen avoided him after that, at least he would be alive and well.
Clenching his hands together, he shook less. Listening to Airen's steps. Receding further into the distance.
Relaxing only when he heard the sound growing louder again with Airen's return. Slowing down to a stop beside the ambulance.
His breathing sounding normal as he hoped back in, "Holy shit. It worked. I feel fine." He marveled in it for a moment. Fine was subjective. But he had better control over his symptoms again.
No pain. No aches. The world sounded normal again. His lungs felt functional on their own. He was able to see and breathe more normally. Checking the monitor on his wrist. Just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He smiled brightly. Nodding to Ven to confirm.
Even his temperature readings fully returned to normal. Heartrate settling to his usual resting pulse. Required a little consideration but still.
Surprise and hope written all over his face. Fully relaxing as he sat on the floor of the ambulance, “ look.”
Ven felt paralyzed. But it reached for Airen's wrist.
"Thank Fuck," Breathing a heavy sigh of relief. Checking the readings for himself to confirm.
"If you let me drive, I might forgive you for kidnaping me." He grinned, still slightly unsettled by ‘recent events’. Though, he kept that little dig to himself.
"I Would. If I had actually driven this hunk of junk," Appoligeticly, Vendien climbed out of the ambulance. Then gestured around them. Continuing with his usual confident tone, “I carried your fat ass here.”
Ven pointed to the medical building. They hadn't even left the barrier. He was almost disappointed. Then. He froze. Horror painted across his face.
"Lock up was over and hour ago. We're stuck out here for the night. We better get our story straight." It was pretty obvious they were alone out here. Deserted and silent as the area was, “You didn't wake up until the last gaurd left. Not a soul was near enough to hear us by then.”
"I don't suppose you brought sleeping bags?"
"Nope. This wasnt exactly a planned excursion. I only brought what I did because of a hunch… Still wish I had been wrong."
"Your not kidding…are you? It's going to get fridged out here." He missed camping. Sleeping bags would have been perfect.
"Well I was a little more concerned with saving your suicidal ass!" He spoke quietly but it still stung in his throat. Ven dragged his fingers through his course blond hair. Leaning against the Ambulance.
"Look. I'm sorry. I should have chosen a different way to change thier minds. I didn't think it would hit you this hard. Any other Med wouldn't have been affected."
‘Chosen?’ Ven clenched his teeth. Chosen. Not im sorry, it was an accident!?
"Do you even want to live!" He snapped back. Tapping his foot against the ground repeatedly. Crossing his arms tightly. Clenching his fists.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Airen cringed internally. Shifting his weight from foot to foot. Then took a deep breath, " Of course I do. I dont see any other option now.”
Ven refused to look at him. So Airen tried again, “ You know my father dismisses anything sensible. The other Founders ignore me completely.… Im sorry it came to this. Before I could think of anything else.”
“I dont need excuses Airen. You got infected. Did you plan that or not?”
They stood there. Chilling night air moving gently between them. Stars hidden by the barrier. It's glow painting everything a dull sickly green. Not even insects couldn't stand the constant low humming it made.
He imagined the stars. Picturing what answer could possibly save the situation. In the end he simply sighed. And let the silence speak for him.
Perhaps he had meant to become infected. Wholeheartedly at some point. Maybe just for a moment. Yet half heartedly joked about it the next. Unable to truly do so on purpose. Not in the face of true consequences. Especially for those around him.
His position as a Founder's son afforded him garenteed attention. However, beyond that it was meaningless. All of his efforts prior eroded into nothing around him.
What else could he possibly say?
*Note: This is not a tragedy. It's a romance. They just need some simmering down time. I'd need some time too after my crush kidnapped me XD*
All things under the blueish green dome of the barrier were drastically different. Everything outside was painted in a stark, natural contrast.
Almost no plant life existed under the barrier. Not unless the preferential citizens chose to care for them.
Normally they tended to be in places the regular citizen couldn't see.
However. It was his Airen's favorite time of day. Morning and evening the plants came out to get the best light. Brought onto balconies and rooftops. Allowing even a scout the luxury of peaceful nature.
While the job did allow them outside. Peace was far from what scouts or the supply runners experienced.
He walked from the upper class areas every morning to go visit Vendein.
As usual, he was outside studying hard in the natural-ish light allowed in by the barrier.
At one time, the barrier functioned in a different way. Clear and mostly a screening scan for unidentified foreign individuals. The sun and many lively plants were abundant. Even planted along the sidewalks and along the roads. Some even being tended to in the center of each part of the city.
He remembereded flowers and bountiful buzzing insects. Now, only concrete and bright screens could be seen in these spaces. He cringed when he remembered technology as having been a luxury. Rather then the inescapable infrastructure it had become.
"You didn't bring coffee this time," Vendien chuckled, "Did you not even have any yourself? I can tell your miles away." He wore a wry grin. Bearly looking up from his work. Though it did look to be almost finnished.
"I figured I'd save it for your graduation," Airen shot back. A little embarrassed with his own lack of concentration. However, after long enough under Vendien's scrutinizing gaze, he had no choice but to relent, "Trade with other cities has been shutting down. Ever since the connecting environmental barrier went dark. No coffee is being delivered."
"I thought as much. No one seems to be carrying it anymore."
"Luckily for you. I have this." proudly, Airen produced a glass Jar. Shifting around inside the jar was a delightful quantity of coffee grounds.
Verdien's eyes lit up for a moment. To Airen's dismay, Vendien caught himself before a smile could emerge, "Isn't your father going to notice that much of it is missing?"
"Nope. I made a big show of having spilled it on the counter. You know how he is. He thinks every little thing could be dangerous. I scrubbed that counter myself! So it's perfectly clean!"
"If you scrubbed it, I have my doubts this coffee is safe to drink," With a straight face and peiceing gaze, Vendien 'made a show' of appraising the jar.
Puffing out his cheeks, Airen thrust the Jar in his direction, "Do you want it or not!?"
Chuckling, Vendien took the jar. Softening his expression with a smile, "Thank you, Airen. You know I don't need it though, right?"
"Yeah, I know. But you study so hard and you like it. So consider it an early graduation gift. Your going to be a doctor soon! How does it feel!?"
The cheer in his voice and smile practically radiated off of Airen. The joy of seeing Vendien succeed was evident in his every movement. It shone in a way that pried an ever elusive smile from Vendien, "Like I'll finally be making difference."
Once Vendien was finished with his study, they walked through the slowly crowding streets. Cheerfully chatting.
Until every screen turned red. Sounding the alert for an announcement.
What appeared on the screen stole the smile from Vendien's eyes. 'All professionals in the medical fields and scientific fields are to remain home and wait for further instructions. Hospitals and labs are being downsized. Infected no longer to be treated. They will be temporarily relocated to specialized areas outside the walls. And will be aloud to remain in digital contact with family and friends.'
"Vendein? Hey. It's going to be okay. It's only temporary for now. So try not to worry about that. You'll be running around as a resident in our best hospital in no time... Ven?"
Pale and still. Vendien had wanted that to be true. Unfortunately he and all of his class were painfully aware. That it wouldn't be possible.
There had been warnings for weeks. Should this decision be made at the top? Even the professors were running on a mix of anxiety, cautious optimism and true dread.
Dispite that loss, Vendien continued to study. Once they deemed him fit, they assigned him to the screening team. Yet, Airen still came. Never changing the way he spoke or treated Vendien. Smiling and cracking jokes as usual.
Airen was still bringing the odd jar of coffee. Vendien wasn't blind. The amount in each jar was less and less.
He knew even in the upper section households, things were thin. Yet he still went out of his way to spare what he could for Vendien. Until one day, Airen came with a solemn apology. There was no more to give.
What Vendien knew but hadn't seen made his heart hurt. Airen wouldn't have been drinking any himself if he could see the end of the can. Just so Vendien could have his favorite drink.
"He never makes a big deal of it, but I know something's wrong," He mused to the doctor next to him at the screening desks.
"Well. If he's not coming forward on his own. Ask him." The bored one next to him offered. She wasn't exactly thrilled to be here. So even if it was a mundane conversation, she participated.
He knew she didn't really care, "Those in the upper section act like we don't exist. They pretend not to see us. They can't pretend they don't hear us."
Though Vendien wanted to say that Airen wasn't like that. The thought did weigh on him. Given Airen was the son of a city founder.
Those who replaced the previous government after the barrier had been breached. Murals around the city depicted the countless lives lost. And those who fought to secure the city. Many died defending others. Artists made sure those heroes were never forgotten.
However, it took the founder's to rebuild what was lost. They didn't place much value in the fight. Instead they focused almost completely on prevention. Restricting even the movements of the citizenry.
Tightning his jaw, Vendien waited. Yet Airen hadn't come like usual for his break.
After clocking out he walked along the brighter paths to the upper section. As he had so many times growing up.
Yet this evening he felt different. This place felt different. People like him weren't welcome here anymore. Yet, HE still was. For now at least.
Knocking on the door, he heard the argument inside. Rushing in rather than waiting for the door to open.
Voices raised. When he made it to the kitchen, Airen's dad held a knife. Panic or rage twisting across his face.
"What the hell were you thinking!? Those decision makes no sense!" Airen yelled. Almost heedless to the knife. Rooted to his spot with a mixture of rage and sadness lacing his voice, "What about Vendein! What about the people outside the walls!?"
Hearing Vendein's footsteps? Airen cast a glance over his shoulder. Frustrated, he pinched the bridge of his nose to calm down, "And I'm not infected. I'm pissed at you. There is a difference!" Airen hissed through his teeth.
Eyes shifting from Airen to Vendein, the man took a breath and calmly but pointedly cast aside the knife. Sliding it along the kitchen counter, "It wasn't a decision made lightly. You can't expect me to trust you based on your word. Your constantly slipping out past the damn wall. Vendein. Could you check him please. " Crossing his arms before pinching the bridge of his nose, he cut an almost identical figure to his equally frustrated son.
Vendein nodded. Checking a now calming Arien’s pulse. Nodding to the founder with a sigh of relief, he stood beside Airen. Not overly impressed with the situation himself.
Relief and exhaustion crept into the founder's now almost natural expression, "We aren't able to communicate with other cities. Not now or for the foreseeable future. We can't aford to waste resources trying to cure the sick. We must protect the people inside the walls!"
"At what cost!? This is bullshit! What are you going to do next? Seal everyone inside? With no food or supplies?"
"That's not a bad idea actually. No one but the Scouts or Supply Runners will be able to leave," mused the founder. Continuing on dispite the lack of attention his son was paying.
Throwing up his hands in defeat, Airen stormed out. A strangled sound of frustration stuck in his throat. Frustrated air hissing between his teeth as he left the building. Purposely stopping to pick up a small ficus plant on his way out.
Vendein hesitated, but followed him. Not that any verbal prompt caught Airen's attention. They were half way down the path when he stopped. Placing the plant down. Sitting beside it. Out of breath in a way. Not linked to physical exertion. Muttering under his breath.
Sitting beside him, Vendein sighed, "I'm actually fine you know."
"Don't lie to me. Of course your not. He stole your whole damn future. And your chance to help fix things. Don't act like this doesn't directly hurt you." Airen sighed. Letting his breath relax to a regular rhythm, "Plus it's short sighted! How are we supposed to survive cut off from everything else. What if they are dealing with the same infection and issues. It's in our best interests to keep looking for treatments! How long can we possibly survive the way he's proposing we do!?"
"Maybe it's your turn to make a difference first." Vendein mused. Trying to ignore the implications of a deteriorating future. And how vividly he could imagine it in a medical sense.
Failing to avoid the vivid image of Airen infected to the point of madness. Skin scratched away by the infections ravages. Oozing untreated wounds as he stumbled along outside the wall. Unable to remember that he needed food or water. Biting and clawing at anyone who made it close enough to actually help.
Eventually succumbing to other environmental infections or simply being shot to death.
Heart aching, he gripped at his chest. Brought back by Airen's calmer words. In a voice almost defeated yet soft, "This is for you. I have some things I have to do."
Before Vendein couldn't get up or stop him, Airen had already started walking. Though Vendien had a bad feeling he relaxed.
It wasn't like he'd be allowed outside the wall. Taking a few deep breaths to clear his head, he turned to look at the ficus. Seriously wondering what he was supposed to do with it.
Just as he decided to take it home, his fingers brushed paper. A blood test Airen had taken.
Panicking, he snatched the sheet and read the results. Sighing in relief once he saw it, "His father isn't related by blood? Is that what he's actually upset about?"
Groaning he picked up the plant. He might as well care for it until they wanted it back. He decided to name it Steve.
Days went by with no word from Airen. Work, home, water Steve. Move him to the small balcony of the apartment in the morning. Eat. Work. Return home and move Steve inside so he didn't get to cold.
By the third or forth day, he stuck a pair of big googley eyes on Steve's pot. So he felt like he had someone to talk too.
By day 5, he was fully venting to the plant over his last cup of coffee before heading to work.
By the 8th day, he recived a call from Airen's father asking where he was. Vendein told the truth.
After a month he finally saw Airen again. And his blood ran cold.
That familiar face came through his screening line, "Hey Stranger. Did ya miss me?" That familiar sunny grin didn't belong here. Among the sea of grave faces. Especially given the newest restrictions. Infected Scouts were to be eliminated on sight.
He couldn't speak. He couldn't think.
"Did I startle you my precious? Can't stand to see me off to war?" Airen tried again. To get any reaction at all.
Unimpressed he stammered back, "Precious? What the hell are you on about!? When are you taking back Steve?"
"Steve?... you mean our son?"
From there any time he stopped talking, Airen took it as an opportunity to deepen the couple's 'lore' going around the office.
While frustrated, Vendien found himself imagining the possibility. However, he couldn't fully accept it. Being rather upset with Airen who seemed to be actively trying to throw his life away. Rather than stay and fight the founders for what he believed in.
A life with Airen. What would that even look like?
He found himself drawing at home. With a lack of coffee, he needed something else to do with his hands. Grumpily he held the picture up to Steve, "This is your other dad. He's an ass."
