#bitterpudding

Lakia bolted up in bed with a shout, tears and sweat ran down his face and his breathing was heavy. He turned to his right in a panic that was only calmed by the sight of Nyelv sleeping peacefully next to him. He let out a sigh of relief and reached a shaking hand to stroke his hair. It had been a few weeks since Glotta nearly killed her younger brother, since he failed to protect Nyelv. He got up to grab a glass of  water and clear his head, making sure to grab his phone off the nightstand. When he emerged from their room he found Dente working at his desk. "What are you doing up?"

"I could ask you the same thing," the elder Granute replied without looking up. "You had another nightmare," it wasn't a question. "It's not your fault, he doesn't blame you."

"I promised to protect him and I failed just like Comel. I almost lost him like Comel too. When I find Glotta she's a dead woman." Lakia slammed his glass down, flinching at the noise. "He should blame me, he didn't want to leave and I made him. I should have hunted down Glotta before asking him to leave." His hand moved to his hair, twisting it around his finger and yanking.

Dente's hand wrapped around his to stop him. In his distress, the younger Granute had failed to notice his approach. "Stop pulling so hard, you'll hurt yourself. He doesn't blame you because it's not your fault. He knows he could have stayed if he had actually protested. He and I talked about it. He left that morning because he wanted to be by your side. Glotta is the one who dealt the blow, not you, he knows that."

Lakia walked over to the couch with a sigh, still twisting his hair though he no longer pulled on it. "Every time I go to sleep I'm back on that street holding him. Comel stands over me sometimes he reminds me I failed them both. Other times, he watches silently until Nyelv dies and they walk away leaving me alone covered in his blood, his lifeless body still in my arms."

Dente sat next to him so he could wrap an arm around him. "Have you talked to anyone about this?"

"What? Like therapy? I was too focused on finding Comel's killer when I was still in the Granute world, and there's not exactly any human therapists I can go to. I'll be fine. This happened when Comel died, the nightmares become less frequent with time."

"What about your friends? Or me?"

Lakia shook his head, "There's no point worrying any of you, I'll be fine. Look, please don't tell anyone about this, especially Nyelv, I don't want him to worry."

Dente watched him closely, "fine but on one condition. You let me try to find you someone to act as a therapist or peer support for you or I'll text Shoma right now."

Lakia glared at him, "Now I see where Nyelv gets it from you sly old man. Fine. If you can even find someone, I will try talking to them." He doubted Dente would find anyone but if the old man succeeded, he'd keep his end of the bargain. "I'm gonna take my water and go back to bed." As he got up, he heard a loud thud from the room he and Nyelv shared. "Goddamnit." He rushed to the door, yanking it open to find Nyelv laying on the floor.

"Hey," he waved up to his unamused boyfriend. "I heard sleeping on the floor can be good for you and figured I'd try it. What are you up to?"

Lakia rolled his eyes, lifting the still recovering snake into his arms. "How much did you hear?"

Nyelv dropped the act, "can't blame me for trying. I wish you'd told me about the nightmares. I know you have them, but I didn't want to force you to talk to me until you were ready."

"So you heard pretty much everything. Your ability to sneak around silently even when severely injured is a pain in the ass." They were back in bed now, Lakia's back to Nyelv. He jumped at the feeling of Nyelv's hand on his back. "I don't want you worrying about me." He rolled over and gently pulled Nyelv into his arms. "Just worry about healing, I promise I won't fail you again."

Nyelv rested his head on Lakia's chest, "you didn't fail me. I'm still right here, in your arms." He felt Lakia's grip on him tighten just a bit. "I have nightmares too, you know that. You want me to talk to you and I do but it's a two way street. Despite my injury I'm not made of glass. I can handle you being honest with me."

"I just feel guilty, if you'd died it would have been my fault." Nyelv felt his breathing grow uneven and his body start to shake as he spoke. The injured Granute tried to look up so he could check on his boyfriend but Lakia gently held his head in place. "Please just stay there for a bit, just so I know this isn't a dream. I'll try to open up to you more, it's just hard and I don't want to stress you."

Nyelv adjusted himself enough that he could wrap his arms around Lakia as well, careful not to move away. "Lakia, listen to me please, this isn't your fault. Dente-ojisan was right, if I really hadn't wanted to go with you I wouldn't have. You can't tell me if I'd said, 'Lakia I'm scared please don't make me go,' you would have actually made me go with you. I wanted to be with you and for what it's worth, I was having fun right up until that point."

Lakia's hand moved from Nyelv's head to his shoulders, tracing random patterns on his skin. Nyelv tilted his head to look up at Lakia, his eyes filled with concern. "I still said I'd protect you and failed. I shouldn't have let my guard down after fighting one of Glotta's agents." He closed his eyes again only to see images of that day. They snapped back open to see Nyelv's face right in front of his. "You ok?"

He placed his hand on Lakia's cheek, smiling softly when he leaned into the touch. "This is not your fault. What happened to me was not your fault. What happened to Comel-kun was not your fault." Lakia tried to look away but Nyelv used his other hand to turn his face back. "Look at me Lakia, none of this is your fault. Glotta was the one who killed Comel-kun. Glotta tried to kill me, if not for you she would have succeeded. You kept me alive until Shoma got there. Thinking about you gave me the strength to keep fighting. I don't blame you Lakia, I love you. I want to build a happy life with you." He pressed his lips to Lakia's for a reassuring kiss.

Lakia kissed back eagerly, pulling Nyelv on top of him. "How are you feeling?" He looked up at Nyelv in concern, "I did find you on the floor."

"I'm fine, I just tripped earlier. It's been weeks, I'm tired of taking it easy." Despite his protests he shook from the effort to hold himself up and he winced in pain when he shifted wrong.

Lakia gently pulled him back to his chest. "Be that as it may, you're still healing so just cuddle with me." Nyelv grumbled irritably but snuggled into Lakia anyway.

A month and a half after the attack Nyelv was reading on the couch when Lakia rushed out of their room towards the stairs. "What's the hurry?" Lakia paused in the doorway, refusing to meet his gaze. "Lakia?" He approached slowly, leaning on his cane as he moved. "It's her, isn't it?"

Lakia gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "No Hanto just got hurt fighting a part-timer, I'm going to help him."

"Don't lie to me, they found her didn't they?" They glared at each other, neither side willing to back down. "Just stay here, she's too strong and I don't want to lose you. Let Shoma handle her, he took down Lango-niisan, she's no match for him."

"I need to do this, you won't be safe until this is over." Nyelv went to argue but was stopped by Lakia's arms around him. "Please believe in me, I promise to always come back to you. Just stay here with Dente where it's safe until I return. Sachika will be here soon to sit with you." They both knew he was sending her to make sure Nyelv didn't follow.

He clung to Lakia as if this were the last time they'd be together. "If you don't return tonight I'm coming to find you." Lakia kissed him as if it would be their last then rushed out the door. "I mean it, I'll come after you!" Nyelv called after him. The second he heard the door slam he created two agents. One had to catch him as he stumbled from the effort. "I'm fine, go after Lakia. Keep me updated and don't let him die."

The agent who caught him gently lowered him onto the couch and both set off. "Nyelv? Are you ok?" Dente set down his tools and joined him on the couch.

"She's just so strong, look what she's done to me with just one cut. I can't lose him," he took his glasses off and put his face in his hands sadly. He felt arms wrap around him and, assuming it was his uncle, leaned into the touch. He jumped a bit when he lifted his face to see it was Sachika holding him. "When did you get here?" His cheeks turned pink as he asked but he didn't move away.

"When you started speaking, I saw your agents heading off after Lakian and knew you must be worried. Here, snacks always cheer up Umasho so I thought this might make you feel a bit better." She passed him a piece of tangerine quartz about the size of a plum.

Nyelv took a small bite and despite himself his eyes lit up and a small smile spread across his face. "Thank you Sachika, for everything." He hugged her tightly, he genuinely liked her. She was a sweet woman who truly saw no difference between humans and Granutes.

"Well isn't this cute?" The sarcastic voice made Nyelv's blood run cold. He pulled Sachika closer as gold eyes met red. "Never expected you of all people to join Aka Gavv and the humans, Nyelv." He turned to Dente next, voice laced with amusement, "you're still alive old man?"

Nyelv stood up, putting himself protectively in front of his uncle and friend. "We should be asking you that, Lango-niisan." He put everything he had into standing strong, careful not to show any weakness. "What can we do for you? I assume this isn't a social visit to congratulate me on my relationship." He kept his tone light and friendly, slipping into a mask he hadn't worn in months.

"What's your game Nyelv? I've been watching. Why face Glotta's wrath for them?" Lango's eyes burned with hatred as they focused on Sachika. He took a step forward only for Nyelv to move into his line of sight."

"There is no game, it's simple, Glotta tried to kill Dente-ojisan for helping Shoma and I wasn't going to let that happen. If we stop harming the humans we can work with Shoma to take down Bocca. We don't need Dark Snacks to rise, we can do it legitimately." He hoped he could appeal to his older brother's greed, knowing there was no love or kindness left to appeal to.

"I can't believe you would accept that half-breed as your brother, especially after he killed Siita and tried to kill me. He's nothing but a human who never should have been born. We wouldn't be standing here if father hadn't become obsessed with humans."

"Really? From where I'm standing, Siita's death was your fault. If you hadn't fired her and Jiip then threatened to separate them by marrying them off then they wouldn't have been desperately trying to kill Shoma to prove themselves to you. So he wouldn't have needed to kill her in self-defense. You're the one making everyone's lives hell out of greed and a petty need to destroy your youngest brother, whose only 'crime' is existing. Despite all that I've done he and his friends have treated me like one of their own, better than you ever treated me." Nyelv no longer felt the weakness in his legs as a lifetime of rage and pain came spilling out.

Lango's laugh was cold and dismissive, "you really are pathetic Nyelv." It was at this point Sachika had heard enough. She was around Nyelv faster than he could process it, standing on her toes to be eye to eye with Lango. "What do you want, human?"

"You're the one who's pathetic." Lango narrowed his eyes at her but she pressed on. "You bully and abuse everyone around you because you can't accept your own flaws and weaknesses. No one is perfect, human or Granute we all have shortcomings. Until you accept that you'll never be happy. If Umasho had never been born you would have just found another scapegoat."

For a moment everything was still and silent. Nyelv and Dente feared Lango would kill Sachika right then and there. To everyone's surprise he laughed, this time it was one of pure, genuine amusement. "Brave of you to talk to me like that human." He turned his focus back to Nyelv. "I'd hoped to talk sense into you but that's clearly not going to happen. Still for the timing being even if you're siding with Aka Gavv you're still more valuable to me alive than dead. So I'll spare all of you this time, find me if you come to your senses."

It was at this moment one of his agents returned. "Nyelv-sama Vram's in trouble." Nyelv no longer cared about his older brother. He was rushing towards the door when the agent spoke again. "Sir you can't go, you're still recovering from your injury."

"I don't care, Lakia needs me." He felt a hand on his wrist stop him. "Let me go niisan," he growled. Lango had never heard him speak to anyone like that.

"You would really throw your life away for that pathetic excuse of a Granute?"

"It's called love, something you clearly know nothing about." Sachika hissed at Lango then turned to Nyelv. "Lakian's gonna kill me but my bike is by the door, take it." He nodded in hanks and yanked his hand free.

Nyelv was running on pure adrenaline now as he raced to the location his agent had given him. By the time he got there all three Riders had been knocked out of their transformations and lay unconscious on the ground. Glotta was approaching Lakia to finish him off but was stopped by one of Nyelv's arrows. "You're still alive! How?" Glotta's eyes glowed with hate and rage.

"Surprise bitch, our little brother and uncle saved me." Nyelv's own eyes had started to glow orange as he yanked out his Mimic Key. He dropped to the floor to create a toxic barrier between Glotta and Lakia. He started to rush towards Lakia when a sharp pain in his back brought him to his knees.

"Looks like I did more damage than you let on," Glotta taunted. She paced near the edge of the venomous swamp he'd created, just waiting for it to recede. Nyelv grit his teeth and forced the venom to spread, pushing Glotta back farther.

Nyelv crawled to Lakia who lay next to Shoma and Hanto in the center of a ring of venom. He started to shake his boyfriend, "Lakia wake up before she figures out how to reach us." Though he stirred enough to reassure Nyelv he was still alive he didn't wake. He tried Hanto next to the same result all while Glotta circled them like a shark. Nyelv once again forced the ring around them to expand outward. He was starting to fear it would be on him and him alone to get them out of there.

Finally with a silent prayer he tried Shoma and after a little effort on his part his brother's eyes opened. "Nyelv-niisan what are you…" He trailed off as his memory kicked in, eyes going wide. "What are you doing here?" He took in their situation and started to look for solutions.

"Saving the three of you, well trying to anyway. Just as I started to fight my back injury caused too much pain and it brought me to the ground. The best I could do was use my venom to buy us time." The pair watched Glotta carefully as they spoke. "This won't last forever and she knows it. Either I won't be able to maintain this or she'll find a way around it. The question is which happens first."

"Nyelv," Glotta suddenly called in a sickly sweet voice. "Come back to our side little brother. Knock off this ridiculous game and I'll tell Bocca you were faking to spy on Aka Gavv. If we take him and his friends out here and now he'll have no reason to doubt us. I'm willing to forgive and overlook your little mistake if you make the right choice now."

"Maybe I'd have been gullible enough to believe that if you hadn't tried to kill me. How about this? You put your weapon down now and join us instead, in exchange Shoma and I will talk our boyfriends out of killing you when they wake up." Despite the pain and exhaustion he felt he pushed her farther back.

"Struggle all you want but we both know you can't keep that up for long. The farther you push me back the less time you have. Aka Gavv can't use the form he killed Lango-niisan with and I ran out the time limit on his next strongest form. Both your little boyfriends are out cold and all you can do is delay the inevitable. I will never join you, I'll just outlast you."

"Don't listen to her, you got us this far." Nyelv turned to see Hanto pushing himself into a sitting position. "Don't worry about Lakia, he's strong he'll be ok. I'll take care of him until he wakes up so you and Shoma can focus on her." He pulled Lakia's head into his lap and held up the Valenbuster.

"Hanto," Nyelv paused; he never thought the human would ever be nice to him. He smiled in determination, "thank you." He took a deep breath, he could out think his sister. Then he realized she didn't know Lango was still alive but neither did the others. He could definitely trip her up with that but he risked throwing off the others too. He'd just have to trust them. "Do you know who I was talking to before I rushed over here?"

"Why should I care?" She snarled in response, wary of her brother's ability to twist words.

"Well I thought you'd like to know Lango-niisan is still alive." He kept his tone light as if he were chatting about the weather. "After Lakia left he showed up to talk. He tried to convince me to join him against Bocca then Shoma. He said together we'd recruit you and the three of us would retake Stomach Inc together. I refused, my family is here and I'll protect them the way they've protected me. It's not too late to be included in it, just put down your weapon and let's talk."

He had made the right call, while Shoma and Hanto were clearly surprised they didn't let it shake them up. Glotta on the other hand was clearly torn on believing him and how to feel. "You're lying, Aka Gavv killed him." She smashed the wall next to her in rage. "Don't try to fool me with your tricks. Fight me instead of hiding behind that venom."

"What do I gain by lying about that? Is it really so hard to believe the strongest of us managed to fake his death? It makes perfect sense to me, think about it. Injured by Shoma, he chose to take the opportunity to disappear. He's been able to recover and move around freely without either side searching for him. Why not end the fight here and go look for him yourself?" Nyelv kept talking, trying to find an out for them.

"You're trying to confuse me but it won't work." Despite her words doubt was starting to creep into her voice. "Why would he go to you first?"

"Going to either of us was a risk, if we didn't join him this exact issue could arise. He chose me because I'm smarter than you and he's plenty strong without you." Nyelv was taunting her now, if they could all land a strong enough hit they could take her down.

"You're a liar, you always have been, ever since you were a little girl." Hanto and Shoma glanced from her to him in concern but Nyelv didn't focus on being outed, he was just glad she didn't deadname him. He could tell by the unfocused look in her eyes it wasn't intentional, his plan was working and she slipped up when going through her childhood memories not because of cruelty or strategy. Glotta was fully distracted at this point and she failed to notice Lakia stirring in Hanto's lap. "Where's your proof?"

"Nyelv? What-" Hanto covered Lakia's mouth, he'd caught on to what Nyelv was doing and didn't want to draw Glotta's attention. He glared up at Hanto and yanked his hand away from his mouth but remained quiet. Nyelv could feel Lakia's scowl on the back of his head.

"What kind of proof do you expect me to have? Please just listen to me, forget Bocca, join us to take him down." Nyelv heard a sharp inhale of breath from Lakia but nothing else. "We don’t have to kill each other, please neesan." He could hear Lakia and Hanto getting ready to fire. He risked a glance at Shoma who gave a slight nod.

"He's right, we could work together." Shoma took over trying to distract her. "Which will it be? Will you kill us and stay Bocca's lap dog? Or will you join us and retake what's yours?"

Glotta's attention shifted to Shoma, hesitating slightly before yelling at him again. "You think you're strong enough to take him? Don't make me laugh, you barely beat Lango-niisan and according to Nyelv you didn't even kill him. He was afraid of Bocca, if he's someone Lango-niisan is afraid of you don't stand a chance."

Shoma shrugged, "if Nyelv-niisan said I didn't kill him then I believe him. I may not have killed him," he smirked at her, "but I did beat him. That's more than I can say for you. I used to watch you spar, you never beat him." That did it. She was so angry she forgot about the other three and in her rage stepped in the venom.

That was the moment they'd been waiting for. Nyelv snatched his bow off the ground and fired at the same time as Hanto and Lakia. They all hit dead on, knocking her to the ground in a daze. Nyelv pushed the venom out towards her successfully. He flinched at her screams of pain. Lakia pulled Nyelv into his arms and pressed his head to his chest. "Don't look, don't listen, just close your eyes and focus on the sound of my heartbeat."

Nyelv did as he was told, clinging to Lakia. It ended up being unnecessary however as something swooped in and plucked her out of the venom. It landed nearby allowing them to process what they were seeing. It was Lango, he gently set Glotta down to check on her. "You surprised me Nyelv, I never expected you to try to kill Glotta yourself, let alone succeed if not for my intervention. It seems, like me, she will live. I'll let you go for now so I can treat her wounds, unless you want to insist on fighting."

"Let's fall  back and regroup for now." Shoma pulled Nyelv's arm around his shoulder and pulled him to his feet. When they turned around they saw that Hanto had done the same for Lakia. Nyelv met his glare defiantly, he could be angry all he wanted at least he was alive. They limped away with Lango's laughter ringing in their ears.

Once they were home Lakia went off on him. "You idiot! You're still healing, you could have died, you-"

"Saved your life? Saved Shoma's life? What about Hanto's life? Yes I could have died but if I stayed you would have died." Nyelv snapped at him, cutting his lecture short. "You may have been ok with dying but would you have really been willing to sacrifice Shoma and Hanto? And what about me? I begged you not to go so I wouldn't lose you. How do you think I'd have felt? Even if Shoma and Hanto had survived and only you died, do you think I'd be ok with that? The people in this room are all I have left, you're all I have left. You don't just get to abandon me after everything. Stop being so damn reckless, no one wants this for you, Comel wouldn't want this for you."

"Leave him out of this!” His shout made Nyelv flinch instantly replacing his rage with guilt. He took a deep breath and tried again in a calmer tone “ No I'd never sacrifice Shoma and Hanto, you're all I have left too. Thank you for saving us, but from now on stay off the battlefield until you're fully healed." Lakia paused to take the pills Dente was offering him. He wasn't so much angry as lashing out due to guilt and thoughts of what could have happened. Before he could continue his lecture he was cut off by Hanto the second he opened his mouth.

"Lakia that's enough," Hanto barked, he was looking at Lakia with fire in his eyes. "He did what any of us would have done in his shoes. I know you have PTSD, we all do, but you can't treat him like glass. Like it or not the choice to fight is his to make. Instead of fighting with him just be there to keep protecting and supporting him." Hanto's tone softened a bit as he continued. "You and Sachika knocked some sense into me when I needed it. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just returning the favor. I know you love him as much as I love Shoma. So I can't blame you for acting like this when I've done the same thing."

Lakia shifted his gaze back to Nyelv. The snake Granute had always been good at hiding how he felt but he had his tells. While he was putting on a good show of being irritated he was sweating and bouncing his leg rapidly from his spot next to Shoma on the couch. His eyes were darting around and he was fidgeting with the stuffed snake wrapped around his neck. The fight in Lakia left as he got up and approached the couch. Shoma started to move but Lakia stopped him. Instead he lifted Nyelv up and sat in his spot, keeping the smaller man in his arms. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I was so afraid of reliving that day, afraid of you not making it next time. That's no excuse to treat you like that. I promise to do better, I love you." He held Nyelv a bit tighter and gave him a chaste kiss.

Nyelv looked at him with a sly grin, "I'll forgive you if you kiss me like you mean it." Lakia chuckled and ran his hand through Nyelv's hair. The latter's eyes slipped closed and he let out a relaxed hum. When Lakia's hand reached the back of his head he pulled him into a deep kiss.

By the time Glotta had healed enough to be a problem, Lakia and Nyelv had also recovered fully. "Glotta's been spotted, let's go," Lakia shouted as he dashed into the living room.

"You want me to come with you?" Nyelv gasped in shock, he would have expected him to pull the same stunt as last time.

"Hell no, I want you to stay here where it's safe but Hanto was right, the choice to fight is yours to make. If you want to stay then stay but if you're going we go together," Lakia explained irritably. "So which will it be? Will you stay or will you fight alongside me?"

Nyelv grabbed his bow and met Lakia's gaze in determination, "isn't it obvious?" Lakia groaned and led the way towards the door. "You've been fighting alongside Shoma too long, you sounded just like him." Nyelv teased his already irritated boyfriend with a laugh.

"Can you take this seriously?" Lakia snapped as he yanked the door open with a little too much force.

The smile on Nyelv's face faded. "Don't assume my laughter or relaxed attitude means I'm not taking this seriously," he hissed coldly. With a sigh he took Lakia's hand as they ran and continued in a warmer tone. "This time we're working together and we have Hanto and Shoma to back us up."

Lakia slowed to a stop and pulled Nyelv into his arms. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to lose you."

Nyelv pulled Lakia into a reassuring kiss, trying to put everything he felt into it. Lakia responded in kind, his grip on his snake tightening slightly. When they finally broke apart Nyelv spoke in a gentle and loving tone. "Lakia I love you and I don't want to lose you either. The best way to prevent either of us dying is to work together. Do you trust me?"

"With my life," Lakia responded in a breathless whisper. He took a second to steady his breathing and tried again. "I trust you and I love you too." The tired jellyfish let out another reluctant sigh. "You're right, this time we work as a team and take her down once and for all."

Nyelv smiled, happy that Lakia had finally stopped treating him like he's made of glass. "Come on, Hanto and Shoma need us." The pair took off in a full sprint, hands still linked.

When they arrived Hanto and Shoma were already down with Glotta closing in. The couple were quick to react with Nyelv yanking out his Mimic Key as Lakia shouted, "henshin," and transformed into Vram. They both pelted her with arrows, successfully pushing her back. Vram rushed forward, scythe in hand to defend Shoma. Their blades clashed but Glotta was stronger and knocked him to the ground. She was stopped from countering by Nyelv's cover fire.

Glotta defended herself flawlessly, taunting them with every hit she tanked. "I'm surprised you brought your little pet after what I did to him. Are you that eager to repeat that experience? I wouldn't mind seeing you soaked in his blood again."

"Your taunts won't work on me anymore Glotta," Lakia growled. "Nyelv and I are a team, we'll protect each other. He's stronger than you think, you only got him that time because you were a coward who waited until his guard was down to sneak attack him. Not this time though," he was knocked out of his transformation, landing on the ground next to Shoma. He didn't let that stop him and as he pulled himself to his feet he continued. "You took Comel from me, you tried to take Dente from me, you almost took Nyelv from me, but I won't give you the chance to take anyone else I love."

At that a light shown from Shoma's Gavv and a new Gochizo popped out, it was a pudding a la mode. The family had just enjoyed it together the day before to finally fulfil Dente's request that had been interrupted by Glotta's attack in the cave just a few months earlier. "Lakia, use this," Shoma called, urgently tossing the new Gochizo to him.

Lakia caught it effortlessly and quickly put it in the driver. "Henshin!" He shouted, taking his new form. Nyelv jumped down from where he'd been sitting in the rafters to land next to Vram. "Come on, let's take her down," he looked at Nyelv, a smile hidden by his mask, "together." The two launched their attacks using their speed and Lakia's newfound power to overload her body's ability to absorb and redirect energy.

She knew she was in trouble but she would go down fighting. Her four brothers pulled her in different directions and she no longer knew what to do. She did know that she'd die before joining Shoma and Nyelv. She summoned several agents out of desperation but Gavv CaKing held them off. Finally Glotta was cornered with Nyelv using his venom to keep her in place. "Neesan, I never wanted it to end like this. Please, it's not too late to join us."

Lakia glared at his boyfriend but kept his mouth shut. He knew she wouldn't accept the offer, he'd get what he wanted. His theory was quickly confirmed when she spoke up. "Too much of a coward to finish the job?" She taunted her little brother, feet burning as the venom crept closer. She stepped back, pressing her back against the wall in an attempt to avoid the venom.

He shook his head sadly, "maybe I am, but either way it doesn't matter because I wouldn't steal Lakia's kill." Vram took the hint and aimed. "Lango-niisan isn't here to save you this time. I'm sorry, for what it's worth, despite what you did to me and Shoma…" Vram's finisher was about ready now, "I still love you." He turned away, unable to watch as his boyfriend ended his older sister's life. In the following silence he replaced his Mimic Key and the Riders ended their transformations as he fell to the ground crying. "It's my fault, everything's my fault."

Before he knew what was going on he found his face pressed to Lakia's chest. The jellyfish wrapped his arms around his snake, clutching him tightly. "I'm sorry you were here for that, I know you'd hoped she'd join us right up until the end."

He felt a second pair of arms wrap around him and the weight of his brother pressing into his back. "It's not your fault niisan," Shoma whispered. "You did everything you could to convince her to change and she chose this instead. We didn't have a choice, she already almost killed you once, she would have kept hunting us and humans."

"I'm sorry for being so weak, I knew she had to go but I didn't expect it to hurt so much," Nyelv muttered. "Siita didn't hurt like this, I guess because I didn't have the same guilt since I didn't have a direct hand in her death. I may not have dealt the final blow to Glotta-neesan but I helped weaken her for it."

Shoma gave him a final comforting squeeze then left to give the couple some privacy and see how Hanto was doing while freeing the pressed victims. Once Nyelv's breathing evened out Lakia pulled him to his feet. "Come on, let's go home," he coaxed with a gentle, comforting kiss. When they walked out of the building Hanto and Shoma were waiting, both gave Nyelv a concerned look.

When they approached Hanto placed a comforting hand on Nyelv's shoulder who gave him a sad smile in return. While it seemed small the gesture spoke volumes to Nyelv. By now he understood how Hanto communicated, he knew the chocolate Rider was worried and would listen if the snake needed someone to talk to. Lakia gave him one last tight hug and the four set off back to Lakia and Nyelv's place where Sachika and Dente had cooked a massive dinner. The warm and loving atmosphere worked to bring up Nyelv's mood. By the time he and Lakia drifted off to sleep, Mimic Keys on the table and bodies entangled, he had a serene smile on his face.

Notes: This next part is an alternate ending everything is the same except for the end. This ending is not canon the one above it is I just wrote this for practice:

By the time Glotta had healed enough to be a problem, Lakia and Nyelv had also recovered fully. "Glotta's been spotted, let's go," Lakia shouted as he dashed into the living room.

"You want me to come with you?" Nyelv gasped in shock, he would have expected him to pull the same stunt as last time.

"Hell no, I want you to stay here where it's safe but Hanto was right, the choice to fight is yours to make. If you want to stay then stay but if you're going we go together," Lakia explained irritably. "So which will it be? Will you stay or will you fight alongside me?"

Nyelv grabbed his bow and met Lakia's gaze in determination, "isn't it obvious?" Lakia groaned and led the way towards the door. "You've been fighting alongside Shoma too long, you sounded just like him." Nyelv teased his already irritated boyfriend with a laugh.

"Can you take this seriously?" Lakia snapped as he yanked the door open with a little too much force.

The smile on Nyelv's face faded. "Don't assume my laughter or relaxed attitude means I'm not taking this seriously," he hissed coldly. With a sigh he took Lakia's hand as they ran and continued in a warmer tone. "This time we're working together and we have Hanto and Shoma to back us up."

Lakia slowed to a stop and pulled Nyelv into his arms. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to lose you."

Nyelv pulled Lakia into a reassuring kiss, trying to put everything he felt into it. Lakia responded in kind, his grip on his snake tightening slightly. When they finally broke apart Nyelv spoke in a gentle and loving tone. "Lakia I love you and I don't want to lose you either. The best way to prevent either of us dying is to work together. Do you trust me?"

"With my life," Lakia responded in a breathless whisper. He took a second to steady his breathing and tried again. "I trust you and I love you too." The tired jellyfish let out another reluctant sigh. "You're right, this time we work as a team and take her down once and for all."

Nyelv smiled, happy that Lakia had finally stopped treating him like he's made of glass. "Come on, Hanto and Shoma need us." The pair took off in a full sprint, hands still linked.

When they arrived Hanto and Shoma were already down with Glotta closing in. The couple were quick to react with Nyelv yanking out his Mimic Key as Lakia shouted, "henshin," and transformed into Vram. They both pelted her with arrows, successfully pushing her back. Vram rushed forward, scythe in hand to defend Shoma. Their blades clashed but Glotta was stronger and knocked him to the ground. She was stopped from countering by Nyelv's cover fire.

The fight went on with Glotta succeeding in putting distance between her brother and his boyfriend. Finally she made her move, knocking Lakia out of his transformation with an amused cackle. She walked over and yanked him up by his hair, ignoring Nyelv's desperate attempts to stop her. He fired arrow after arrow as he ran towards her. She turned to face him, "since you wouldn't just die while he watched I'll kill him while you watch." She put her face next to Lakia's, "I'll be nice enough to give you some last words."

Lakia's tear filled eyes met those of his heartbroken boyfriend as he spoke. "Nyelv, I'm sorry I failed you again. Please survive, live on to find happiness, take care of Shoma and Hanto for me. I love you more than anything and I will always watch over you."

Nyelv was still firing at his sister to no effect. He was too far, he wouldn't make it. Hanto and Shoma were still down, there was no one left to save him. "Glotta no please don't do this, I love him. I'm begging you, please, I'm begging you take me instead." He looked into Lakia's eyes, "I love you, I'll always love you," he sobbed.

Glotta laughed a cruel, cold laugh. "Why would I kill you instead of him when it's so much funnier this way?" She cackled again, drawing the moment out for her own amusement.

As Nyelv drew closer, close enough to give him hope, she lifted Lakia by his neck until his feet no longer touched the ground. The couple's eyes met for a final time as Lakia managed to choke out one more, "I love you." Then Glotta snapped his neck leaving Nyelv to watch the light drain from his eyes. He fell to the ground wailing from grief. The sound of his sobbing and Glotta's taunting, hysterical laughter caused Hanto and Shoma to stir.

"I think I'll let you live for a bit," she chuckled and tossed Lakia's body to him. "Go ahead and have a funeral, I'll kill you after you've suffered a bit." With that she replaced her Mimic Key and turned on her heel to leave, her laughter echoing in Nyelv's ears.

Hanto and Shoma stumbled over to the sobbing Granute who didn't notice them. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Lakia, it's all my fault. If I'd fought harder you'd still be here. If I hadn't been careless enough to let her find Dente I wouldn't have had to switch sides so soon. You'd still hate me but you'd be alive." He clutched Lakia's body, unwilling to let go. Eventually Shoma had to pry his heartbroken brother away from his dead lover.

Shoma and Hanto hugged Nyelv tightly, their own tears mixing with his. The pair worked with Dente and Sachika to make sure Nyelv was never alone in the weeks that followed out of concern for his mental health. After Lakia's funeral Nyelv demanded Dente modify him to use the Vramstumgear. When Dente refused to grant his grieving nephew's request he threatened to do it himself forcing the elder Granute to comply.

Hanto and Shoma watched him carefully as the new Vram. Culminating in Shoma yelling at his older brother for acting recklessly and pushing himself. "This isn't what Lakia would have wanted for you. Snap out of it and remember in the end you were the most important thing in his life. Do you think he'd want you to throw your life away for revenge?"

That pushed Nyelv to his breaking point, as he sobbed in his younger brother's arms he made a vow to his lost love. "I'll take her down Shoma, for Comel and for," his voice caught in his throat. He swallowed his grief and rage, "for Lakia. I'll take her and the others down then try to live the happy life he would want for me."

It was at that moment that a new Gochizo was born from the pudding a la mode they'd eaten together in Lakia's memory. Shoma gently passed the Gochizo to Nyelv. "Here use this, I feel like it's a final gift from Lakia's spirit for you." Nyelv held it close, tears sliding down his cheeks.

Lakia bolted up in bed with a shout, tears and sweat ran down his face and his breathing was heavy. He turned to his right in a panic that was only calmed by the sight of Nyelv sleeping peacefully next to him. He let out a sigh of relief and reached a shaking hand to stroke his hair. It had been a few weeks since Glotta nearly killed her younger brother, since he failed to protect Nyelv. He got up to grab a glass of  water and clear his head, making sure to grab his phone off the nightstand. When he emerged from their room he found Dente working at his desk. "What are you doing up?"

"I could ask you the same thing," the elder Granute replied without looking up. "You had another nightmare," it wasn't a question. "It's not your fault, he doesn't blame you."

"I promised to protect him and I failed just like Comel. I almost lost him like Comel too. When I find Glotta she's a dead woman." Lakia slammed his glass down, flinching at the noise. "He should blame me, he didn't want to leave and I made him. I should have hunted down Glotta before asking him to leave." His hand moved to his hair, twisting it around his finger and yanking.

Dente's hand wrapped around his to stop him. In his distress, the younger Granute had failed to notice his approach. "Stop pulling so hard, you'll hurt yourself. He doesn't blame you because it's not your fault. He knows he could have stayed if he had actually protested. He and I talked about it. He left that morning because he wanted to be by your side. Glotta is the one who dealt the blow, not you, he knows that."

Lakia walked over to the couch with a sigh, still twisting his hair though he no longer pulled on it. "Every time I go to sleep I'm back on that street holding him. Comel stands over me sometimes he reminds me I failed them both. Other times, he watches silently until Nyelv dies and they walk away leaving me alone covered in his blood, his lifeless body still in my arms."

Dente sat next to him so he could wrap an arm around him. "Have you talked to anyone about this?"

"What? Like therapy? I was too focused on finding Comel's killer when I was still in the Granute world, and there's not exactly any human therapists I can go to. I'll be fine. This happened when Comel died, the nightmares become less frequent with time."

"What about your friends? Or me?"

Lakia shook his head, "There's no point worrying any of you, I'll be fine. Look, please don't tell anyone about this, especially Nyelv, I don't want him to worry."

Dente watched him closely, "fine but on one condition. You let me try to find you someone to act as a therapist or peer support for you or I'll text Shoma right now."

Lakia glared at him, "Now I see where Nyelv gets it from you sly old man. Fine. If you can even find someone, I will try talking to them." He doubted Dente would find anyone but if the old man succeeded, he'd keep his end of the bargain. "I'm gonna take my water and go back to bed." As he got up, he heard a loud thud from the room he and Nyelv shared. "Goddamnit." He rushed to the door, yanking it open to find Nyelv laying on the floor.

"Hey," he waved up to his unamused boyfriend. "I heard sleeping on the floor can be good for you and figured I'd try it. What are you up to?"

Lakia rolled his eyes, lifting the still recovering snake into his arms. "How much did you hear?"

Nyelv dropped the act, "can't blame me for trying. I wish you'd told me about the nightmares. I know you have them, but I didn't want to force you to talk to me until you were ready."

"So you heard pretty much everything. Your ability to sneak around silently even when severely injured is a pain in the ass." They were back in bed now, Lakia's back to Nyelv. He jumped at the feeling of Nyelv's hand on his back. "I don't want you worrying about me." He rolled over and gently pulled Nyelv into his arms. "Just worry about healing, I promise I won't fail you again."

Nyelv rested his head on Lakia's chest, "you didn't fail me. I'm still right here, in your arms." He felt Lakia's grip on him tighten just a bit. "I have nightmares too, you know that. You want me to talk to you and I do but it's a two way street. Despite my injury I'm not made of glass. I can handle you being honest with me."

"I just feel guilty, if you'd died it would have been my fault." Nyelv felt his breathing grow uneven and his body start to shake as he spoke. The injured Granute tried to look up so he could check on his boyfriend but Lakia gently held his head in place. "Please just stay there for a bit, just so I know this isn't a dream. I'll try to open up to you more, it's just hard and I don't want to stress you."

Nyelv adjusted himself enough that he could wrap his arms around Lakia as well, careful not to move away. "Lakia, listen to me please, this isn't your fault. Dente-ojisan was right, if I really hadn't wanted to go with you I wouldn't have. You can't tell me if I'd said, 'Lakia I'm scared please don't make me go,' you would have actually made me go with you. I wanted to be with you and for what it's worth, I was having fun right up until that point."

Lakia's hand moved from Nyelv's head to his shoulders, tracing random patterns on his skin. Nyelv tilted his head to look up at Lakia, his eyes filled with concern. "I still said I'd protect you and failed. I shouldn't have let my guard down after fighting one of Glotta's agents." He closed his eyes again only to see images of that day. They snapped back open to see Nyelv's face right in front of his. "You ok?"

He placed his hand on Lakia's cheek, smiling softly when he leaned into the touch. "This is not your fault. What happened to me was not your fault. What happened to Comel-kun was not your fault." Lakia tried to look away but Nyelv used his other hand to turn his face back. "Look at me Lakia, none of this is your fault. Glotta was the one who killed Comel-kun. Glotta tried to kill me, if not for you she would have succeeded. You kept me alive until Shoma got there. Thinking about you gave me the strength to keep fighting. I don't blame you Lakia, I love you. I want to build a happy life with you." He pressed his lips to Lakia's for a reassuring kiss.

Lakia kissed back eagerly, pulling Nyelv on top of him. "How are you feeling?" He looked up at Nyelv in concern, "I did find you on the floor."

"I'm fine, I just tripped earlier. It's been weeks, I'm tired of taking it easy." Despite his protests he shook from the effort to hold himself up and he winced in pain when he shifted wrong.

Lakia gently pulled him back to his chest. "Be that as it may, you're still healing so just cuddle with me." Nyelv grumbled irritably but snuggled into Lakia anyway.

A month and a half after the attack Nyelv was reading on the couch when Lakia rushed out of their room towards the stairs. "What's the hurry?" Lakia paused in the doorway, refusing to meet his gaze. "Lakia?" He approached slowly, leaning on his cane as he moved. "It's her, isn't it?"

Lakia gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "No Hanto just got hurt fighting a part-timer, I'm going to help him."

"Don't lie to me, they found her didn't they?" They glared at each other, neither side willing to back down. "Just stay here, she's too strong and I don't want to lose you. Let Shoma handle her, he took down Lango-niisan, she's no match for him."

"I need to do this, you won't be safe until this is over." Nyelv went to argue but was stopped by Lakia's arms around him. "Please believe in me, I promise to always come back to you. Just stay here with Dente where it's safe until I return. Sachika will be here soon to sit with you." They both knew he was sending her to make sure Nyelv didn't follow.

He clung to Lakia as if this were the last time they'd be together. "If you don't return tonight I'm coming to find you." Lakia kissed him as if it would be their last then rushed out the door. "I mean it, I'll come after you!" Nyelv called after him. The second he heard the door slam he created two agents. One had to catch him as he stumbled from the effort. "I'm fine, go after Lakia. Keep me updated and don't let him die."

The agent who caught him gently lowered him onto the couch and both set off. "Nyelv? Are you ok?" Dente set down his tools and joined him on the couch.

"She's just so strong, look what she's done to me with just one cut. I can't lose him," he took his glasses off and put his face in his hands sadly. He felt arms wrap around him and, assuming it was his uncle, leaned into the touch. He jumped a bit when he lifted his face to see it was Sachika holding him. "When did you get here?" His cheeks turned pink as he asked but he didn't move away.

"When you started speaking, I saw your agents heading off after Lakian and knew you must be worried. Here, snacks always cheer up Umasho so I thought this might make you feel a bit better." She passed him a piece of tangerine quartz about the size of a plum.

Nyelv took a small bite and despite himself his eyes lit up and a small smile spread across his face. "Thank you Sachika, for everything." He hugged her tightly, he genuinely liked her. She was a sweet woman who truly saw no difference between humans and Granutes.

"Well isn't this cute?" The sarcastic voice made Nyelv's blood run cold. He pulled Sachika closer as gold eyes met red. "Never expected you of all people to join Aka Gavv and the humans, Nyelv." He turned to Dente next, voice laced with amusement, "you're still alive old man?"

Nyelv stood up, putting himself protectively in front of his uncle and friend. "We should be asking you that, Lango-niisan." He put everything he had into standing strong, careful not to show any weakness. "What can we do for you? I assume this isn't a social visit to congratulate me on my relationship." He kept his tone light and friendly, slipping into a mask he hadn't worn in months.

"What's your game Nyelv? I've been watching. Why face Glotta's wrath for them?" Lango's eyes burned with hatred as they focused on Sachika. He took a step forward only for Nyelv to move into his line of sight."

"There is no game, it's simple, Glotta tried to kill Dente-ojisan for helping Shoma and I wasn't going to let that happen. If we stop harming the humans we can work with Shoma to take down Bocca. We don't need Dark Snacks to rise, we can do it legitimately." He hoped he could appeal to his older brother's greed, knowing there was no love or kindness left to appeal to.

"I can't believe you would accept that half-breed as your brother, especially after he killed Siita and tried to kill me. He's nothing but a human who never should have been born. We wouldn't be standing here if father hadn't become obsessed with humans."

"Really? From where I'm standing, Siita's death was your fault. If you hadn't fired her and Jiip then threatened to separate them by marrying them off then they wouldn't have been desperately trying to kill Shoma to prove themselves to you. So he wouldn't have needed to kill her in self-defense. You're the one making everyone's lives hell out of greed and a petty need to destroy your youngest brother, whose only 'crime' is existing. Despite all that I've done he and his friends have treated me like one of their own, better than you ever treated me." Nyelv no longer felt the weakness in his legs as a lifetime of rage and pain came spilling out.

Lango's laugh was cold and dismissive, "you really are pathetic Nyelv." It was at this point Sachika had heard enough. She was around Nyelv faster than he could process it, standing on her toes to be eye to eye with Lango. "What do you want, human?"

"You're the one who's pathetic." Lango narrowed his eyes at her but she pressed on. "You bully and abuse everyone around you because you can't accept your own flaws and weaknesses. No one is perfect, human or Granute we all have shortcomings. Until you accept that you'll never be happy. If Umasho had never been born you would have just found another scapegoat."

For a moment everything was still and silent. Nyelv and Dente feared Lango would kill Sachika right then and there. To everyone's surprise he laughed, this time it was one of pure, genuine amusement. "Brave of you to talk to me like that human." He turned his focus back to Nyelv. "I'd hoped to talk sense into you but that's clearly not going to happen. Still for the timing being even if you're siding with Aka Gavv you're still more valuable to me alive than dead. So I'll spare all of you this time, find me if you come to your senses."

It was at this moment one of his agents returned. "Nyelv-sama Vram's in trouble." Nyelv no longer cared about his older brother. He was rushing towards the door when the agent spoke again. "Sir you can't go, you're still recovering from your injury."

"I don't care, Lakia needs me." He felt a hand on his wrist stop him. "Let me go niisan," he growled. Lango had never heard him speak to anyone like that.

"You would really throw your life away for that pathetic excuse of a Granute?"

"It's called love, something you clearly know nothing about." Sachika hissed at Lango then turned to Nyelv. "Lakian's gonna kill me but my bike is by the door, take it." He nodded in hanks and yanked his hand free.

Nyelv was running on pure adrenaline now as he raced to the location his agent had given him. By the time he got there all three Riders had been knocked out of their transformations and lay unconscious on the ground. Glotta was approaching Lakia to finish him off but was stopped by one of Nyelv's arrows. "You're still alive! How?" Glotta's eyes glowed with hate and rage.

"Surprise bitch, our little brother and uncle saved me." Nyelv's own eyes had started to glow orange as he yanked out his Mimic Key. He dropped to the floor to create a toxic barrier between Glotta and Lakia. He started to rush towards Lakia when a sharp pain in his back brought him to his knees.

"Looks like I did more damage than you let on," Glotta taunted. She paced near the edge of the venomous swamp he'd created, just waiting for it to recede. Nyelv grit his teeth and forced the venom to spread, pushing Glotta back farther.

Nyelv crawled to Lakia who lay next to Shoma and Hanto in the center of a ring of venom. He started to shake his boyfriend, "Lakia wake up before she figures out how to reach us." Though he stirred enough to reassure Nyelv he was still alive he didn't wake. He tried Hanto next to the same result all while Glotta circled them like a shark. Nyelv once again forced the ring around them to expand outward. He was starting to fear it would be on him and him alone to get them out of there.

Finally with a silent prayer he tried Shoma and after a little effort on his part his brother's eyes opened. "Nyelv-niisan what are you…" He trailed off as his memory kicked in, eyes going wide. "What are you doing here?" He took in their situation and started to look for solutions.

"Saving the three of you, well trying to anyway. Just as I started to fight my back injury caused too much pain and it brought me to the ground. The best I could do was use my venom to buy us time." The pair watched Glotta carefully as they spoke. "This won't last forever and she knows it. Either I won't be able to maintain this or she'll find a way around it. The question is which happens first."

"Nyelv," Glotta suddenly called in a sickly sweet voice. "Come back to our side little brother. Knock off this ridiculous game and I'll tell Bocca you were faking to spy on Aka Gavv. If we take him and his friends out here and now he'll have no reason to doubt us. I'm willing to forgive and overlook your little mistake if you make the right choice now."

"Maybe I'd have been gullible enough to believe that if you hadn't tried to kill me. How about this? You put your weapon down now and join us instead, in exchange Shoma and I will talk our boyfriends out of killing you when they wake up." Despite the pain and exhaustion he felt he pushed her farther back.

"Struggle all you want but we both know you can't keep that up for long. The farther you push me back the less time you have. Aka Gavv can't use the form he killed Lango-niisan with and I ran out the time limit on his next strongest form. Both your little boyfriends are out cold and all you can do is delay the inevitable. I will never join you, I'll just outlast you."

"Don't listen to her, you got us this far." Nyelv turned to see Hanto pushing himself into a sitting position. "Don't worry about Lakia, he's strong he'll be ok. I'll take care of him until he wakes up so you and Shoma can focus on her." He pulled Lakia's head into his lap and held up the Valenbuster.

"Hanto," Nyelv paused; he never thought the human would ever be nice to him. He smiled in determination, "thank you." He took a deep breath, he could out think his sister. Then he realized she didn't know Lango was still alive but neither did the others. He could definitely trip her up with that but he risked throwing off the others too. He'd just have to trust them. "Do you know who I was talking to before I rushed over here?"

"Why should I care?" She snarled in response, wary of her brother's ability to twist words.

"Well I thought you'd like to know Lango-niisan is still alive." He kept his tone light as if he were chatting about the weather. "After Lakia left he showed up to talk. He tried to convince me to join him against Bocca then Shoma. He said together we'd recruit you and the three of us would retake Stomach Inc together. I refused, my family is here and I'll protect them the way they've protected me. It's not too late to be included in it, just put down your weapon and let's talk."

He had made the right call, while Shoma and Hanto were clearly surprised they didn't let it shake them up. Glotta on the other hand was clearly torn on believing him and how to feel. "You're lying, Aka Gavv killed him." She smashed the wall next to her in rage. "Don't try to fool me with your tricks. Fight me instead of hiding behind that venom."

"What do I gain by lying about that? Is it really so hard to believe the strongest of us managed to fake his death? It makes perfect sense to me, think about it. Injured by Shoma, he chose to take the opportunity to disappear. He's been able to recover and move around freely without either side searching for him. Why not end the fight here and go look for him yourself?" Nyelv kept talking, trying to find an out for them.

"You're trying to confuse me but it won't work." Despite her words doubt was starting to creep into her voice. "Why would he go to you first?"

"Going to either of us was a risk, if we didn't join him this exact issue could arise. He chose me because I'm smarter than you and he's plenty strong without you." Nyelv was taunting her now, if they could all land a strong enough hit they could take her down.

"You're a liar, you always have been, ever since you were a little girl." Hanto and Shoma glanced from her to him in concern but Nyelv didn't focus on being outed, he was just glad she didn't deadname him. He could tell by the unfocused look in her eyes it wasn't intentional, his plan was working and she slipped up when going through her childhood memories not because of cruelty or strategy. Glotta was fully distracted at this point and she failed to notice Lakia stirring in Hanto's lap. "Where's your proof?"

"Nyelv? What-" Hanto covered Lakia's mouth, he'd caught on to what Nyelv was doing and didn't want to draw Glotta's attention. He glared up at Hanto and yanked his hand away from his mouth but remained quiet. Nyelv could feel Lakia's scowl on the back of his head.

"What kind of proof do you expect me to have? Please just listen to me, forget Bocca, join us to take him down." Nyelv heard a sharp inhale of breath from Lakia but nothing else. "We don’t have to kill each other, please neesan." He could hear Lakia and Hanto getting ready to fire. He risked a glance at Shoma who gave a slight nod.

"He's right, we could work together." Shoma took over trying to distract her. "Which will it be? Will you kill us and stay Bocca's lap dog? Or will you join us and retake what's yours?"

Glotta's attention shifted to Shoma, hesitating slightly before yelling at him again. "You think you're strong enough to take him? Don't make me laugh, you barely beat Lango-niisan and according to Nyelv you didn't even kill him. He was afraid of Bocca, if he's someone Lango-niisan is afraid of you don't stand a chance."

Shoma shrugged, "if Nyelv-niisan said I didn't kill him then I believe him. I may not have killed him," he smirked at her, "but I did beat him. That's more than I can say for you. I used to watch you spar, you never beat him." That did it. She was so angry she forgot about the other three and in her rage stepped in the venom.

That was the moment they'd been waiting for. Nyelv snatched his bow off the ground and fired at the same time as Hanto and Lakia. They all hit dead on, knocking her to the ground in a daze. Nyelv pushed the venom out towards her successfully. He flinched at her screams of pain. Lakia pulled Nyelv into his arms and pressed his head to his chest. "Don't look, don't listen, just close your eyes and focus on the sound of my heartbeat."

Nyelv did as he was told, clinging to Lakia. It ended up being unnecessary however as something swooped in and plucked her out of the venom. It landed nearby allowing them to process what they were seeing. It was Lango, he gently set Glotta down to check on her. "You surprised me Nyelv, I never expected you to try to kill Glotta yourself, let alone succeed if not for my intervention. It seems, like me, she will live. I'll let you go for now so I can treat her wounds, unless you want to insist on fighting."

"Let's fall  back and regroup for now." Shoma pulled Nyelv's arm around his shoulder and pulled him to his feet. When they turned around they saw that Hanto had done the same for Lakia. Nyelv met his glare defiantly, he could be angry all he wanted at least he was alive. They limped away with Lango's laughter ringing in their ears.

Once they were home Lakia went off on him. "You idiot! You're still healing, you could have died, you-"

"Saved your life? Saved Shoma's life? What about Hanto's life? Yes I could have died but if I stayed you would have died." Nyelv snapped at him, cutting his lecture short. "You may have been ok with dying but would you have really been willing to sacrifice Shoma and Hanto? And what about me? I begged you not to go so I wouldn't lose you. How do you think I'd have felt? Even if Shoma and Hanto had survived and only you died, do you think I'd be ok with that? The people in this room are all I have left, you're all I have left. You don't just get to abandon me after everything. Stop being so damn reckless, no one wants this for you, Comel wouldn't want this for you."

"Leave him out of this!” His shout made Nyelv flinch instantly replacing his rage with guilt. He took a deep breath and tried again in a calmer tone “ No I'd never sacrifice Shoma and Hanto, you're all I have left too. Thank you for saving us, but from now on stay off the battlefield until you're fully healed." Lakia paused to take the pills Dente was offering him. He wasn't so much angry as lashing out due to guilt and thoughts of what could have happened. Before he could continue his lecture he was cut off by Hanto the second he opened his mouth.

"Lakia that's enough," Hanto barked, he was looking at Lakia with fire in his eyes. "He did what any of us would have done in his shoes. I know you have PTSD, we all do, but you can't treat him like glass. Like it or not the choice to fight is his to make. Instead of fighting with him just be there to keep protecting and supporting him." Hanto's tone softened a bit as he continued. "You and Sachika knocked some sense into me when I needed it. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm just returning the favor. I know you love him as much as I love Shoma. So I can't blame you for acting like this when I've done the same thing."

Lakia shifted his gaze back to Nyelv. The snake Granute had always been good at hiding how he felt but he had his tells. While he was putting on a good show of being irritated he was sweating and bouncing his leg rapidly from his spot next to Shoma on the couch. His eyes were darting around and he was fidgeting with the stuffed snake wrapped around his neck. The fight in Lakia left as he got up and approached the couch. Shoma started to move but Lakia stopped him. Instead he lifted Nyelv up and sat in his spot, keeping the smaller man in his arms. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I was so afraid of reliving that day, afraid of you not making it next time. That's no excuse to treat you like that. I promise to do better, I love you." He held Nyelv a bit tighter and gave him a chaste kiss.

Nyelv looked at him with a sly grin, "I'll forgive you if you kiss me like you mean it." Lakia chuckled and ran his hand through Nyelv's hair. The latter's eyes slipped closed and he let out a relaxed hum. When Lakia's hand reached the back of his head he pulled him into a deep kiss.

When the hum started to turn to a moan Hanto spoke up. "Oi, get a room, I don't wanna hear or see that." The pair immediately separated, Nyelv's cheeks a bright pink. Lakia laughed but Nyelv glared at him, unable to meet anyone else's gaze.

"Jealous? What is Shoma not giving you any?" Lakia broke down  into a fit of laughter at Hanto's failed attempts to sputter out a response.

"What the hell did you give him for the pain?" Nyelv asked Dente, bright red face hidden in his hands.

"The same thing I gave you!" Dente replied defensively but Shoma noticed him double checking. "Oh, wait, maybe he should go lay down, I may have accidentally… I uh think I got distracted by the arguing and gave him the medicine twice."

Nyelv snatched the bottle of medication from his uncle. "Oh my god," he looked over at Sachika and Hanto, "he basically gave him the equivalent of giving a human a double dose of morphine. It's not a one to one comparison but," he looked to his boyfriend, "Lakia, let's go to bed you're high as a kite right now."

"I'm fine, just having a bit of fun." Lakia brushed off the concern in favor of pulling Nyelv closer.

"You're not fine, you just asked me if I was 'getting any' from Shoma in front of his brother and uncle." Hanto glared at him while Nyelv tried to get free, "dude I see you groping Nyelv, we all see you, knock it off."

Nyelv pulled Lakia into another kiss and when he felt his boyfriend's grip loosen he pulled himself free. Lakia let out a whine that made Nyelv laugh. "No, if you want anything from me you'll have to go wait for me in bed."

Lakia got up and did as instructed, stopping to give him one more kiss. "Don't take too long, or I might come looking for you." His lips brushed against Nyelv's ear as he whispered in a sultry voice that sent a shiver down his spine. Slightly dazed, he nodded, that was enough for Lakia who walked away with a satisfied smirk.

Nyelv shook his head to clear it and turned to scowl at Dente. "You have got to be more careful, I've never seen him like that." He walked over to a cabinet and after some digging pulled out a box of snacks. "Here Shoma help yourself, I'm so sorry about that." Dente looked shocked but Nyelv spoke up before he could. "Yes I know about your secret stash. This is your fault so you can share with Shoma since he had to see that."

"Shoma, why don't you grab some to go? It looks like Nyelv has to take care of Lakia." Hanto went over and shoved some snacks in his pockets, shooting a glare at Dente.

"That's one way of putting it." Sachika laughed when Nyelv took off his glasses and rubbed his face. "I'm just teasing you, no need to be so embarrassed, we're all adults here." She went over to join Hanto and Shoma, grabbing a chocolate bar from the box. "Don't worry we're heading out, come on guys." She steered the Rider couple to the door. When she walked by she clapped him on the shoulder. "Have fun," she winked and walked out, leaving him red and sputtering.

Nyelv returned to the room with food and water to find Lakia fast asleep. He wandered over and set the food on the nightstand. "You're such a handful sometimes," he murmured, lovingly running his hands through Lakia's hair. He turned to go take a shower when he felt a tug on his shirt.

"You're one to talk, you're always getting into trouble." Lakia pulled him down into his arms. "Where do you think you're going?"

"To take a shower, wanna join me?" Lakia nodded and sat up, getting a headrush from moving too fast. "Alright then I'll wait for you but I want you to eat and drink some water first. It'll help sober you up some."

Lakia didn't fight him and the two of them ate quietly. "Nyelv?" He whispered after a few minutes. When he received a hum in response he continued. "I'm sorry about earlier, I don't know what came over me." Nyelv turned to see Lakia twisting his hair and glancing away from him awkwardly.

He took Lakia's hand with a soft chuckle. "It’s ok you were just really high, it's Dente's fault." He rubbed soothing circles on the back of Lakia's hand, using his free hand to brush his hair out of his face. "You sound a lot better now. If you're done eating and still want to join me in the shower you can."

"Let's go," Lakia pulled Nyelv to his feet and led the way into their bathroom. While Lakia turned on the water Nyelv attempted to remove his shirt but winced in pain. Lakia was there in an instant, "here let me help you." He gently removed Nyelv's shirt and turned him around to examine his back. The wound hadn't reopened but it was a bright, angry red. "How bad does it hurt?" He gently ran his finger down his back next to the still healing injury.

"I'm fine, just not fighting condition, I'll be more careful." Nyelv waved him off, "come on clothes off let me look closer at your injuries." He tugged at Lakia's shirt making him let out an affectionate laugh as he pulled it off. Nyelv examined him closely, finding dark bruises appearing on his back. "Looks like you’ll be sore for a few days but should be fine.." He wrapped his arms around Lakia's waist, resting his head gently on his back. "You make a pretty human but," he pulled out Lakia's Mimic Key, "I prefer this, you're beautiful." He pulled out his own Mimic Key, placing both next to the sink."

"So are you, human or Granute." He pulled Nyelv into the now warm water. When the water hit the slash running down his back he let out a hiss of pain. "Sorry, I didn't think about it."

"It’s fine, it'll stop stinging in a second." Sure enough he began to relax in Lakia's arms. "Could you use your neurotoxin on me?" He felt Lakia tense around him. "You don't have to," he hurried to reassure his boyfriend.

"If you really want me to I will, I just hate using it, especially after Lango used it to abduct so many people." Nyelv flinched guiltily, he'd been the one to turn it into a concentrated gas. "I'm not mad at you, relax." He used one of his tentacles to stroke Nyelv's cheek but didn't use the toxin just yet.

"I'm sorry, you have amazing abilities that could have been used for good and I exploited them. Now you hate your gift because of what I did. Lango-niisan may have pulled the trigger but I'm the one who gave him the gun."

"I know, I've forgiven you and blame him. You gave him the gun but he still made the choice to pull the trigger, you didn't force him to use it." He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Are you sure you want me to use it on you? I worry about your ability to consent if I accidentally use too much. Unless you weren't interested in sex anymore."

"If it were someone else I'd be worried but I trust you. Please, I want to know what it feels like. I'm consenting now, while I'm not under the effects of anything."

Lakia sighed and using the tentacle that had been resting on Nyelv's cheek he injected a small amount of his neurotoxin into his neck. The effect was instant, causing his eyes to glow slightly and his body to relax. "Nyelv? How do you feel?"

The smaller Granute hugged him tight so their Gavvs were pressed together, tongues intertwined in a messy kiss. "I feel great, no more talk," he hissed, sending a shiver down Lakia's spine."It's been too long, fuck me Lakia, you were so eager earlier."

Lakia shoved him against the shower wall running his Gavv's tongue along the bottom lip of Nyelv's. "You can wait for me to have my fun first." He spoke in a husky whisper that caused Nyelv to press into him impatiently. Lakia chuckled; he could taste Nyelv's excitement and arousal. He added more tentacles running them along Nyelv's body in a gentle caress. Occasionally he'd shock him just a bit resulting in him clinging to Lakia with a moaned request that he do it again.

Lakia was starting to drive himself crazy but the way Nyelv squirmed as he teased him was intoxicating. He was so caught up in everything he hadn't noticed the faint glow emanating from him."I forgot you were bioluminescent, you're gorgeous." Nyelv reached up to stroke his cheek which turned a brighter shade of blue. "Turn the lights off, I wanna see you better."

Lakia used a tentacle to do as requested, leaving himself as the only source of light. He glowed blue with the occasional pulse of pink or purple flashing across him in waves. Nyelv looked at him like he'd never seen anyone or anything more beautiful. Lakia however resumed his exploration of Nyelv's body. Tentacles, hands, and tongue touching anywhere they could reach. When Lakia's tongue slipped between his legs Nyelv instinctually froze for a second. Lakia responded immediately by pulling his tongue away and whispering to him reassuringly. "This isn't our first time, I already know you're trans it's ok. Do you want to stop?"

"No keep going, it was an involuntary reaction I want this. Like you said, this isn't our first time." He clung to Lakia needily, "please?"

Lakia's tentacles began moving along his skin again but he didn't break their eye contact. "Do you want more…?" He trailed off, holding up a tentacle to indicate what he meant.

"Do it while you're in me, I bet it feels amazing." Lakia nodded, moving slowly he kissed Nyelv again and worked his way down once more. He slowly slipped his tongue into Nyelv, savoring his  bliss. He had to hold Nyelv up when his legs became weak and his breathing grew heavy. He let out a breathless moan, his breath hot on Lakia's neck with every swirl of his tongue. His claws dug into the jellyfish Granute's back eliciting a shudder and groan from him.

Nyelv whined when Lakia pulled his tongue out, but his gold eyes glowed an olive green in the blue light radiating from the jellyfish. Lakia's breathing became heavier and he glowed brighter the more worked up he got. A thicker tentacle, larger and slightly brighter than the rest moved to replace Lakia's tongue making both moan in unison.

"Fuck you feel amazing," Lakia grunted, completely lost in the moment. Then he remembered Nyelv's request and injected more neurotoxin. He gasped, tightening around Lakia's tentacle in response.

"Harder," Nyelv hissed, digging his claws deeper into Lakia's skin. He didn't hesitate to press the needy snake harder against the wall, pushing his now pulsing tendril deeper. "Lakia," he moaned  reverently in Lakia's ear. The toxin took away the worst of his pain but made everything else more sensitive.  "Be rough with me, I'm not made of glass, don't hold back."

Lakia hesitated for a second before using his tentacles to restrain him, shocking him lightly as he went. One of them wound its way up to lovingly stroke his cheek before wrapping around his throat. He tightened his grip, leaving it just loose enough he could still breathe. He watched Nyelv closely for any signs he should stop.

Nyelv, eyes bright, gave a slight nod of consent. Immediately the tentacle around his neck tightened, cutting off his air for a few seconds before relaxing once again. Nyelv gasped for air as soon as his grip had lightened. "Was that ok?" He wanted to be sure Nyelv was alright before he continued.

Nyelv felt Lakia's grip on his arms loosen and in a flash he'd used the opportunity to pull Lakia closer. He pressed their Gavvs together in a deep kiss as he wrapped his legs around Lakia's waist. He let out a guttural moan at the feeling of Lakia's tentacle shifting inside him. He rested his chin on the jellyfish's shoulder, "do it again," he demanded in a low hiss.

Lakia's tentacles shot out, pinning Nyelv's arms to the wall once again. He wrapped another tentacle around his waist for stability and gripped his throat again. "You're so impatient," his voice had slipped into a low growl that sent a shiver down Nyelv's spine. When Lakia shocked his wrists he tried to buck his hips but the tentacle around his waist held him in place. The smaller Granute let out an irritated whine Lakia found adorable. "Why the rush? Let's have some fun."

Once again he cut off Nyelv's air supply for just a few seconds but this time his grip on the snake's arms didn't loosen. "Lakia please," he rasped, struggling against the tentacle around his waist. The tentacle inside him had slowed to a teasing pace. He felt a shock around his throat in response to his struggling.

Lakia rested his chin on Nyelv's shoulder, his breath warm on his pinned boyfriend's neck. "Is that what you really want?" He questioned in a sultry whisper, thrusting just a little bit faster.

"Yes," he hissed, once again struggling against Lakia's hold. In the blink of an eye Lakia's weight pressed into him as he locked their Gavvs in another messy kiss. Keeping Nyelv pinned the tendril in him pulsed with every thrust. The faster he went the brighter he glowed. "Fuck Lakia," he moaned completely lost in the moment, "you feel so good in me."

Lakia let out a low moan, tightening his grip. He used a bit more of his neurotoxin on Nyelv, loving the look of utter bliss on his face. He squeezed Nyelv's throat for just a second and gently shocked him with all the tentacles holding him in place.

"Do it," Nyelv begged, eyes shimmering with excitement. Lakia took one of Nyelv's wrists over to the tentacle around his neck and released it. The one that had been holding his wrist tapped the other one twice. Nyelv nodded in understanding and eagerly set his hand on the tendril wrapped around his neck.

The now free tentacle wound its way down below his waist, slipping in with the other one. Nyelv's cry of ecstasy filled the room only to be cut off by Lakia's hold on his throat tightening. Light sparks of electricity danced along his tentacles shocking Nyelv everywhere. He could feel Nyelv clench around him then two quick taps drew his attention. He immediately loosened his hold on Nyelv's neck but he didn't stop, completely lost in ecstasy.

Nyelv gasped for air, unsure if the spots he was seeing were from lack of air, pleasure, or the rapidly changing colors of his boyfriend's shining body. "Lakia," his voice was raspy and the sound of it caused Lakia to speed up once more. "I'm not gonna last much longer, choke me again, please."

As soon as the words left his lips Lakia cut off his air once again. "Nyelv," he moaned at the feeling of Nyelv tightening around him again. He thrusted faster knowing he wouldn't last much longer either. Suddenly Nyelv clenched around him, his entire body shuddering. That was enough to send Lakia over the edge. The light coming from his body shone brilliantly as the large tentacle shuddered and pulsed, filling Nyelv until his cum was dripping out of the snake pinned beneath him. Odd gasping noises came from Nyelv that turned to a satisfied moan when Lakia released his neck. The light died away and he released the tentacles holding Nyelv so he could pull him into his arms still inside him. "I love you."

Nyelv clung to him, legs still wrapped around his waist. "I love you too." They sat like that until the water around them started to cool. Lakia slowly pulled out of Nyelv eliciting a satisfied sigh from the Granute in his arms. He turned the water up as hot as he could and quickly cleaned them both up. He didn't bother with clothes or Mimic Keys and carried Nyelv straight to the bed. By the time he was placing Nyelv down he’d already drifted off to sleep. As soon as Lakia joined him Nyelv rolled over and cuddled up with him in his sleep.

By the time Glotta had healed enough to be a problem, Lakia and Nyelv had also recovered fully. "Glotta's been spotted, let's go," Lakia shouted as he dashed into the living room.

"You want me to come with you?" Nyelv gasped in shock, he would have expected him to pull the same stunt as last time.

"Hell no, I want you to stay here where it's safe but Hanto was right, the choice to fight is yours to make. If you want to stay then stay but if you're going we go together," Lakia explained irritably. "So which will it be? Will you stay or will you fight alongside me?"

Nyelv grabbed his bow and met Lakia's gaze in determination, "isn't it obvious?" Lakia groaned and led the way towards the door. "You've been fighting alongside Shoma too long, you sounded just like him." Nyelv teased his already irritated boyfriend with a laugh.

"Can you take this seriously?" Lakia snapped as he yanked the door open with a little too much force.

The smile on Nyelv's face faded. "Don't assume my laughter or relaxed attitude means I'm not taking this seriously," he hissed coldly. With a sigh he took Lakia's hand as they ran and continued in a warmer tone. "This time we're working together and we have Hanto and Shoma to back us up."

Lakia slowed to a stop and pulled Nyelv into his arms. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to lose you."

Nyelv pulled Lakia into a reassuring kiss, trying to put everything he felt into it. Lakia responded in kind, his grip on his snake tightening slightly. When they finally broke apart Nyelv spoke in a gentle and loving tone. "Lakia I love you and I don't want to lose you either. The best way to prevent either of us dying is to work together. Do you trust me?"

"With my life," Lakia responded in a breathless whisper. He took a second to steady his breathing and tried again. "I trust you and I love you too." The tired jellyfish let out another reluctant sigh. "You're right, this time we work as a team and take her down once and for all."

Nyelv smiled, happy that Lakia had finally stopped treating him like he's made of glass. "Come on, Hanto and Shoma need us." The pair took off in a full sprint, hands still linked.

When they arrived Hanto and Shoma were already down with Glotta closing in. The couple were quick to react with Nyelv yanking out his Mimic Key as Lakia shouted, "henshin," and transformed into Vram. They both pelted her with arrows, successfully pushing her back. Vram rushed forward, scythe in hand to defend Shoma. Their blades clashed but Glotta was stronger and knocked him to the ground. She was stopped from countering by Nyelv's cover fire.

Glotta defended herself flawlessly, taunting them with every hit she tanked. "I'm surprised you brought your little pet after what I did to him. Are you that eager to repeat that experience? I wouldn't mind seeing you soaked in his blood again."

"Your taunts won't work on me anymore Glotta," Lakia growled. "Nyelv and I are a team, we'll protect each other. He's stronger than you think, you only got him that time because you were a coward who waited until his guard was down to sneak attack him. Not this time though," he was knocked out of his transformation, landing on the ground next to Shoma. He didn't let that stop him and as he pulled himself to his feet he continued. "You took Comel from me, you tried to take Dente from me, you almost took Nyelv from me, but I won't give you the chance to take anyone else I love."

At that a light shown from Shoma's Gavv and a new Gochizo popped out, it was a pudding a la mode. The family had just enjoyed it together the day before to finally fulfil Dente's request that had been interrupted by Glotta's attack in the cave just a few months earlier. "Lakia, use this," Shoma called, urgently tossing the new Gochizo to him.

Lakia caught it effortlessly and quickly put it in the driver. "Henshin!" He shouted, taking his new form. Nyelv jumped down from where he'd been sitting in the rafters to land next to Vram. "Come on, let's take her down," he looked at Nyelv, a smile hidden by his mask, "together." The two launched their attacks using their speed and Lakia's newfound power to overload her body's ability to absorb and redirect energy.

She knew she was in trouble but she would go down fighting. Her four brothers pulled her in different directions and she no longer knew what to do. She did know that she'd die before joining Shoma and Nyelv. She summoned several agents out of desperation but Gavv CaKing held them off. Finally Glotta was cornered with Nyelv using his venom to keep her in place. "Neesan, I never wanted it to end like this. Please, it's not too late to join us."

Lakia glared at his boyfriend but kept his mouth shut. He knew she wouldn't accept the offer, he'd get what he wanted. His theory was quickly confirmed when she spoke up. "Too much of a coward to finish the job?" She taunted her little brother, feet burning as the venom crept closer. She stepped back, pressing her back against the wall in an attempt to avoid the venom.

He shook his head sadly, "maybe I am, but either way it doesn't matter because I wouldn't steal Lakia's kill." Vram took the hint and aimed. "Lango-niisan isn't here to save you this time. I'm sorry, for what it's worth, despite what you did to me and Shoma…" Vram's finisher was about ready now, "I still love you." He turned away, unable to watch as his boyfriend ended his older sister's life. In the following silence he replaced his Mimic Key and the Riders ended their transformations as he fell to the ground crying. "It's my fault, everything's my fault."

Before he knew what was going on he found his face pressed to Lakia's chest. The jellyfish wrapped his arms around his snake, clutching him tightly. "I'm sorry you were here for that, I know you'd hoped she'd join us right up until the end."

He felt a second pair of arms wrap around him and the weight of his brother pressing into his back. "It's not your fault niisan," Shoma whispered. "You did everything you could to convince her to change and she chose this instead. We didn't have a choice, she already almost killed you once, she would have kept hunting us and humans."

"I'm sorry for being so weak, I knew she had to go but I didn't expect it to hurt so much," Nyelv muttered. "Siita didn't hurt like this, I guess because I didn't have the same guilt since I didn't have a direct hand in her death. I may not have dealt the final blow to Glotta-neesan but I helped weaken her for it."

Shoma gave him a final comforting squeeze then left to give the couple some privacy and see how Hanto was doing while freeing the pressed victims. Once Nyelv's breathing evened out Lakia pulled him to his feet. "Come on, let's go home," he coaxed with a gentle, comforting kiss. When they walked out of the building Hanto and Shoma were waiting, both gave Nyelv a concerned look.