#userteodora

“I’m here, I’m here!” Christopher scrambled to a stop in front of the institute where Anna was waiting, the evening shadows thick around her. He leaned against a lamppost, trying to hide his panting. Anna raised an eyebrow.

“Are you alright, Kit?” she asked. He wasn’t sure if she was mocking him, or genuinely concerned. She looked immaculate as always, her hair slicked back with pomade as if they were about to head to the Helle Ruelle instead of patrolling for demons.

“Quite,” he huffed, straightening up. “Let’s go, shall we?” He headed off down the sidewalk. With a barked laugh, Anna followed.

As they walked the dark London streets, Christopher and Anna were silent. It seemed that this was often the case lately, whenever they were alone. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to say anything, per se; he just didn’t know what to say, or how to say it.

Where do you go, during the times I don’t see you for days? What’s been bothering you so much lately? Is it your relationship with Ariadne? The serial killer? Is it my fault, somehow? But he didn’t want to pry.

As they rounded a corner, Anna finally spoke, cutting through his thoughts. “I gotta say, I’m a little surprised.”

“Hmm? What about?”

“That you wanted to patrol with me.” She fiddled with her whip absentmindedly, peering down alleyways as they passed, searching for demons. “Ma said you specifically requested to come tonight. I thought you hated patrolling.”

“Well…” She had a point. Christopher felt distinctly out of his element here. Sure, he could fight if need be, but already he longed for his lab. When I get back, I’ll just run a few more tests on the gun, see if the new gunpowder formula is any closer…

Anna was looking at him expectantly. He cleared his throat.

“Maybe I just wanted to see you.” He adjusted his glasses and pretended to search the rooftops for demons. “You’re not really around much anymore.”

“Kit.” She sounded genuinely shocked. He turned to face her again. “I’m always happy to make time for you. You know that.”

“I just… thought maybe you had found better things to do. Or… better people to do them with.”

“Oh, dear.” Anna sighed, gazing at him for a long moment before gripping him in a fierce hug. He stood stiffly in her embrace, shocked, but relaxed slowly as a memory he had forgotten washed over him.

Christopher was sitting on the sofa, four or five years old, playing with a beaker that Henry had given him for Christmas. He held it up to the light and swirled its imaginary contents thoughtfully.

Suddenly, there was a bang somewhere in the house. Startled, Christopher dropped the beaker, which shattered on the floor. My science, he thought mournfully, and began to cry.

Anna was in the room in an instant, and when she saw what had happened she called for their parents. As their father cleaned up the mess, she pulled her small body up onto the sofa as well and pulled Christopher into her lap.

“Oh, dear,” she said, stroking his hair. “You’re okay, Kit, it’s okay.” And Christopher knew that it was; if his sister was there, it was always okay.

She broke the hug after a long moment, holding Christopher by the elbows and looking into his eyes. “There is never anyone I would rather spend time with than you, Kit.”

“Then why do I barely ever see you anymore?” As the words spilled from his mouth, Christopher wondered if he’d inhaled too many chemicals in the lab; he was never so blunt with his sister.

“I…” To his shock, Anna actually looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on lately, with this serial killer on the loose, and…”

“And Ariadne?” Christopher guessed. This drew a raised eyebrow from Anna.

“Well...yes. How do you know about her, exactly?”

He smiled slightly. “I know you think you’re very discreet, Anna, but I’ve known you all my life. Really, you’re quite obvious.”

She laughed, ruffling his hair. “I never could hide anything from you. She… she’s been trying really hard to win me over. To win me back. I don’t-- I’m not quite sure what to do.”

Christopher let his smile grow. “Well, I’m sure I haven’t a clue. This is not my area of expertise. If Ariadne were a bacterium, perhaps I could help.”

Anna snorted. “I won’t ask for your advice, then. But, if you’re willing to listen, it’d be nice to have someone to talk to about it.” She began walking again, and Christopher followed.

“Of course. And I shall tell you all about my failed experiments.”

“I look forward to it.” Surprisingly, she appeared to mean it. “And, Kit, I promise I will spend more time with you from now on. And the rest of the Merry Thieves as well; perhaps the four of you would like to come round for tea tomorrow?”