#uu!dean

Parrot hovers his cursor over it, and takes a deep breath. He carefully drags it into his hotbar, knowing he will enderchest it the second he gets the chance.

Parrot swallows.

“Sorry,” he mutters quietly to the emerald.

The word hangs in the air. 

“I don’t know what happened but…it didn’t take me back far enough.”

A beat.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Parrot exhales slowly through his nose, staring down at the emerald in his hand.

“I’ll do better this time.” He promises.

Footsteps crunch.

And Parrot immediately hides the emerald in his inventory.

When Parrot turns, Wifies is standing behind him.

“Parrot? ” Wifies says, glancing at the hidden barrel. “What are you doing here? We need to move.”

Parrot doesn’t answer.

He just closes his inventory and bolts.

They run.

Through trees. Over hills. Across way too much terrain to count.

For awhile now, Parrot has been taking the lead. Both Dean and Wifies trying to keep up.

Parrot knows that it doesn’t really matter how far they go or where they try to hide. The Invis Mafia will catch up to them sooner or later. Probably sooner, depending on when Dean had fired the arrows that the Mafia will use to track their location, or if Dean is just straight up leaking their cords in private messages.

So the best they could do was move quickly and erratically. Which would keep their exact location a secret, as long as they’re careful. Since it wasn’t like the three of them could outrun anyone tracking them with elytra. 

No one talks.

Which is great.

Because Parrot really doesn’t want to talk.

Eventually they duck into a small dip in the terrain, half-hidden by stone and leaves. It’s not perfect cover, but it’s enough that Parrot finally slows down. 

Dean takes the hint, and uses the reprieve to eat some of the steak that Parrot had tossed him. 

Parrot had already divided up the golden apples, and other resources amongst the three of them. But he had decided to keep the slow falling arrows, a bow, and a set of netherite boots as well the helmet that Theo had dropped for him.

The diamond pants were currently being worn by Dean and Parrot had given the chestplate to Wifies.

It wasn’t a ton, but it was something.

Honestly having any armor was nice. Last time they’d tried running from the Maifa, they’d had nothing but a few stacks of dirt and Deans good jokes to go on. 

Which is to say, they hadn’t had much. 

Theo had given them a massive advantage here. And Parrot half hoped that Theo would pick up even more dropped gear from the banned Mafia players. 

They could always use more armor and food down the line, he thinks, as he downs another steak.

When Parrot looks over, Wifies isn’t eating. Some of the steak is still in his hand.

But his camera stays pointed at Parrot.

Then ever so slowly, Wifies approaches him.

Uh oh.

“Alright,” Wifies says, carefully stepping closer until he’s only a few blocks away from Parrot. “I think you’ve had enough time to figure out what to say.” 

Parrot grimaces. He knew this was coming sooner or later. He’d just hoped the later would have lasted longer.

“Where we are going, Parrot?” Wifies asks.

Parrots inwardly sighs. His destination is the Northern Council coordinates. 

But it’s not like he can tell them that…

Partially, because neither Wifies nor Dean would understand what that even is, or believe him if he were to try. 

And the other part, is because Parrot knows that anything he says could be potentially leaked by Dean straight to the Invis Mafia.

So instead, Parrot pretends to be very interested in the dirt.

Wifies eyes seem to trail after him when he doesn’t get an immediate response. 

Parrot can practically hear the wheels turning in Wifies head. He’s probably going through several mental calculations right now.

“Somethings off with you.” Wifies finally says. 

And then Wifies immediately takes a few steps closer to Parrot. 

As though trying to stay in Parrot’s line of view. Parrot tries not to think about it, and looks away, but Wifies continues.

“How did you know the enderpearl stasis would go off?” Wifies asks. The question is pointed. Sharp as a blade. 

And one Parrot can’t answer.

So he doesn’t.

Wifies’ eyes never leave him. But his voice is tighter.

“And that guy with the minecarts...You knew him?”

He can hear Wifies footsteps getting closer. 

Parrot keeps staring at the ground.

“Who are they?” Wifies presses. “Why save us?”

Closer still.

Very ground-like.

“...Parrot.”  

And Parrot makes the mistake of glancing upwards.

“Why won’t you look at me?”

Parrot can’t breathe.

Wifies is standing directly in his path. Blocking the way forward. …

“Did I do something wrong?” Wifies asks, the words are polished and soft. Calculating.

He might not be able to see Parrots face, but Parrot is positive Wifies can see through every move he makes.

Yes, you did. You will.

“If I upset you…” Wifies says. “I’m sorry.” And Parrot knows it’s the truth.

But you're not sorry for what you’ve done. What you’ll do. 

Wifies shifts closer. Trying to fully line up with Parrot’s view. 

Parrot feels like he’s going to throw up.

Like the whole world is shrinking.

Like he’s stuck in a box.

Just the two of them.

Immediately, Parrot side steps Wifies. Desperate to break eye contact, he starts walking away.

Quick footsteps follow behind him.

Because of course they do…

“Please, just talk” Wifies asks, barely a step behind him.

Parrot’s fingers grip the mouse. His camera dips lower. He can’t help but glance at the spyglass in his inventory.

Because yeah.

He could talk.

He could say a lot of things, actually.

Like:

Hey Wifies, funny story.

In about a few months from now you’re going to fake your death.

You’re going to call yourself The Director.

You’re going to lock me in a prison.

And then you’re going to take everything I have, while threatening to kill the people I care about if I don’t obey you.

…until you force me to kill you.

Parrot’s jaw tightens.

Nope.

Absolutely not.

Parrot keeps staring at the ground, walking away.

But apparently Wifies's patience is beginning to wear thin.

“You almost got yourself killed back there, you know.” Wifies says. 

The words are devoid of emotion. 

Parrot freezes.

A shiver runs down his spine.

Upon seeing Parrot pause, Wifies must think he’s finally broken through, because immediately his tone switches back to the gentleness it had before. 

“Parrot. I’m sorry. I- just want to understand what’s going on.” Wifies whispers to himself. It’s so quiet Parrot barely catches it. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

Parrot tries to steady himself. 

He’s playing a very dangerous game here.

One that he can’t just keep ignoring.

He has to get a hold of himself.

Even if he knows Wifies will keep pushing for answers. 

But Parrot has to do everything he can to avoid Wifies suspicions, if he wants to change things.

But he can’t lie either.

Wifies would catch it instantly.

So he has to play this smart. 

Tell the truth, but give as little information as possible.

Parrot has to remind himself that he is the one with the informational advantage here.

This time, it isn’t Wifies.

“I’m meeting Theo.” Parrot finally settles on. 

The words come out rough. Choked.

Wifies tilts his head at that, but doesn’t remark on it.

“…Theo?”

The tone is inquiring, but Parrot knows better.

“Yeah.”

A pause.

And Parrot waits for Wifies demands. An interrogation waiting to happen.

But instead Wifies's tone is far different.

“I’m…surprised.” Wifies says after a moment, and it leaves Parrot mildly shocked. 

It isn’t often that Parrot had ever heard Wifies genuinely surprised at something.

But then Wifies let’s the other shoe drop.

“I would’ve thought you’d go after Luigi’s place.” he says with certainty. “Not some random player.”

Oh.

So that’s your game…

You must think I’m lying. That I’m still trying to avenge Luigi. Like I’d done in the past.

You're only half right though…

But it’s clear Wifies must be fishing for information here. Probably gauging Parrots reactions. 

Parrot knows Wifies must have already clocked that he has been acting way out of his norm. Which means anything Parrot says or does, Wifies will use as informational leverage here. 

Parrot has to be careful.

“Wait?” Dean suddenly pipes up behind them, unaware of the little cat and mouse game that Wifies and Parrot are currently playing. “Is that the minecart guy we saw?”

Very slowly, Parrot turns to Dean, and nods.

“He’s my friend.” Parrot says. His voice is firm. 

He hopes it’s firm...

Silence hangs in the air.

Parrot prays he hasn’t made a mistake in revealing that.

Wifies frowns slightly.

“…Since when?”

Parrot’s jaw tightens again.

He tries not to react.

Because yeah.

That’s the problem, isn’t it?

Since when.

Since a thousand conversations that haven’t happened yet.

Since he had practically killed himself at spawn.

Since a friendship this version of Wifies doesn’t even know was left to rot in a blown up prison designed especially for the two of them.

Parrot looks away again. 

“Since…He…” Parrot hesitates, wracking his brain for something believable. “He helped me before. At spawn. Uh…When you weren’t there.”

Which again, was true, technically. Even if Wifies would make the wrong assumption about it.

“And you trust them?” Wifies questions. 

With everything I’ve got, Parrot almost says. 

But again. He had to play this game more carefully. Just one wrong move and…

Parrot takes a deep breath, and just nods his affirmation.

This is still Wifies, he has to remind himself. He’s not talking to The Director. Not yet. 

There is still a chance here.

Which means Parrot still has something he can do. A bit of leverage of his own.

“Wifies, don’t you trust me?” Parrot mutters softly. And lets the spyglass sit quietly in his off hand.

Parrot hates himself for doing this. It feels horrible. 

But it’s all he can do.

It’s the only card he has to play here.

And it’s all he can bare at the moment.

Standing here before Wifies, Parrot knows it’s not really an answer. And he also knows he definitely can’t actually answer any of Wifies questions.

Not really anyway. 

But he waits.

And Wifies studies him for a few moments.

And then-

“…Alright.” Wifies says quietly.

And Parrot lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding…

Despite knowing he shouldn’t. 

Because in the back of his mind, he knows this isn’t over. 

Wifies will definitely start catching on soon, if he hasn’t already. And will probably demand more answers. 

Answers Parrot won’t be able to give him. For several reasons…

All Parrot can do is slow the process down. And give himself enough time to change things.

Hopefully for the better.

So after another small nod, Parrot walks past Wifies.

And they push back into the forest, with Wifies and Dean following behind him.

It’s already getting dark enough that Parrot has to up the brightness on his computer screen. Dense, short, oak trees and giant mushrooms are scattered everywhere, blocking out the evening sky.

It’s good cover.

And also terrible for navigation…at least for anyone trying to spot them from overhead.

Which was exactly why Parrot had chosen this route.

He slows slightly as they weave between the trunks, and hops over a block, landing on a patch of coarse dirt. Wifies follows cleanly behind him.

Dean… takes a bit longer.

Parrot doesn’t look back right away.

Instead he watches from the edge of his screen.

And sees a subtle pause in Dean’s character movement. 

There it is.

For a few moments Dean has stopped moving. He stops behind them, lingering in the foliage. Parrot can barely hear the keys on Dean’s keyboard, but he figures they’re probably typing. 

Parrot listens for the sound of a bow string. And almost immediately after Parrot hears it fire, Dean looks back up and starts walking again. 

Parrot exhales slowly through his nose.

Right.

That was probably their cords going out.

Fantastic.

Without warning, Parrot cuts hard to the left.

Straight into a thicker mess of trees. He needs to find better cover. 

“Huh? Uh, wait a sec-” Dean says behind them, but Parrot continues forward.

Wifies adjusts instantly, following Parrot’s pace without hesitation.

Branches and leaves fill up the screen as Parrot pushes through, now sprint-jumping over a shallow dip in the ground before sliding down a small slope and into a stone outcropping.

He doesn’t stop until the ground drops suddenly into darkness.

A ravine.

Perfect.

Parrot jumps down the ledge and lands in a small pool of water, splashing in as he lands on the block.

Wifies drops in behind him a second later.

And Dean lands last.

“Uh, why did we come down here?” Dean asks.

Parrot shrugs.

“Vacation.”

Dean stares at the dark ravine.

“…This is the worst vacation I’ve ever been on.”

Wifies mutters, “You should see the food options.”

Parrot quietly huffs a laugh, all while subtly trying to herd them deeper into the ravine.

“Look, the forest was getting annoying.” He explains, gesturing vaguely upward with his head. “Too many turns. Plus we need iron.”

All technically true.

Just not the real reason.

Dean seems to accept that explanation though, already looking around the ravine. Though it’s very hard to see. And they didn’t make any torches.

Wifies doesn’t say anything.

But Parrot notices him glance back up toward where they came.

And then back at Parrot.

Parrot slows his pace, eyes looking over the flat expanse ahead. It’s extremely dark now. The sun had already set, so visibility is likely difficult for anyone without the right game settings.

Which Dean probably didn’t have.

Perfect.

“Shift,” he says to Dean.

Dean hesitates.

“Huh? Why?”

“I think there’s an edge,” Parrot says shortly, also shifting himself.

“But I don’t see-“

“Just do it.”

Dean hesitantly starts shifting, and Parrot watches to make sure the nametag above his head goes opaque.

Then Parrot slowly leads them deeper into the ravine, letting the overhangs fully conceal them from view.

Of course Parrot knew that the ground ahead was only flat stone. But the terrain wasn’t the danger he was trying to circumvent at the moment. 

Parrot looks back behind him.

“You too Wifies,” he says. 

Wifies barely hesitates, following Parrot easily through the flat ravine. He looks around oddly though, like he’s questioning what Parrot is trying to do. 

Until they all hear the sound of a rocket going off overheard.

Then Wifies’s head instantly whips upwards. 

But Parrot and company are already deep into the cracks of the ravine now, completely sealed from view. 

As long as he can keep Dean from making any noise or messaging their pursuers, they should be relatively undetectable.

So Parrot keeps moving forward, and carefully steers Dean away from anything that could make a sound, while also watching to see if Dean would stop. 

Parrot couldn't do anything about the arrows that Dean may have already fired in order to let their pursuers track them. But he could definitely keep Dean from messaging anyone their exact coordinates.

I’m not going to let you give us away.

Not this time.

When it looks like Dean is about to stop, Parrot punches him. Then quickly shoots him a message.

Keep moving 

After all, it’s very hard to message anyone if you're actively shifting and holding down the W key. And Dean is probably not a skilled enough player to know how to do both.

Overhead more rockets fire. And Parrot keeps subtly pushing Dean and Wifies forward through the cracks of the ravine. 

As they move Parrot spots how Wifies keeps looking upwards, then at Dean, and then at him.

The subtle glances tell Parrot more than enough. 

Have you figured it out yet Wifies?

Parrot knows it’s only a matter of time…

The three of them creep silently through the ravine. Using the terrain to their advantage.

It’s only once the sounds of rockets are gone for several minutes that Parrot goes back to unshifting. 

They’ve been at this little game of Mafia hide and seek for hours. And Parrots’ pretty sure they’d have been well on their way to the Farlands by now if this were the original timeline.

Suddenly, Dean shifts awkwardly in the back, and clearly misses a jump along a cliff edge.

Parrot hears a soft thud as Dean plummets down, thankfully landing in a bit of powdered snow to break their fall. 

“How long do you think we have before they come back?” Wifies asks Parrot quietly, still pointing their stare directly at a disgruntled Dean trying to make their way back up the mountain.

But Parrot knows that Wifies isn't asking an actual question here. 

What he’s actually doing is telling Parrot that he’s already figured out Dean has been leaking their coordinates. 

“The mafia, or Dean?” Parrot snipes back. Uncaring for the game Wifies is trying to play.

But Wifies just sighs beside him.

“The mafia,” Wifies says, voice equipped with forced casualness, “that you somehow keep magically predicting the timing of.”

And Parrot freezes to his spot.

Heart thudding in his chest.

Caught in a trap.

“Not sure,” Parrot says, after a second, hoping his voice won’t falter. It wasn’t like he could ever explain to Wifies how he knew his information. “Doesn’t really matter anyway.”

Wifies barely shifts at that. Simply humming in thought. “Doesn’t it?”

And while the tone is calm, there’s something about the way Wifies keeps quietly staring Dean down which sets Parrot on edge.

Like a decision’s already been made and Wifies is just waiting for the right moment to act on it.

“We could go, you know.” Wifies says suddenly, under his breath. It’s quiet enough that Parrot barely catches it. 

“No.” Parrot says bluntly.

“It’d be safer.” Wifies presses, turning just a fraction.

But Parrot doesn't take the bait. Instead he stares ahead at all of the places someone could use to ditch someone without anyone noticing, and makes a mental note to steer clear.

“Probably.” Parrot says into the wind, pointedly still waiting for Dean to catch back up. “But we’re not doing that.”

Thankfully, Dean makes the jump on the third try.

Their boots hit the snow just a little too hard, breaking the tension held in the air.

Dean lingers there for a moment, looking at them like he’s deciding whether it’s safe to move. 

Wifies, of course, doesn’t bother to step in.

“Nice jump.” Parrot comments, and lays down a few bits of cobblestone to guide Dean the rest of the way to safety.

However the gaze Wifies’ has trained on him is far harsher than any bit of terrain could possibly match.

“It’s funny,” Wifies says, tone casual in that very deliberate way. And Parrot winces. “That the Mafia has managed to keep finding us. Makes you wonder how, doesn’t it, Dean?”

A beat passes, and Parrot watches as Wifies holds Dean's gaze. With Dean shifting uncertainly beneath it.

“…no idea,” Dean says after a second, not looking either of them in the eye.

Parrot takes a step forward in between the two of them.

“It doesn’t matter how.” Parrot says, offering Dean a reassuring glance. However, Dean's eyes are still trained silently on the frosty ground. 

Parrot can’t help the small twist in his gut.

He turns to Wifies then, with a slightly more imploring tone. “Wifies, why don’t you take the lead for a bit. I’ll stay back here with Dean.”

“...Right.” Wifies says softly, like Parrot has just confirmed something for him. 

But when Parrot glances over, the look Wifies shoots him is cutting, edged with quiet disapproval.

And Parrot knows instantly that Wifies has figured out that Parrot already knew Dean has been leaking their coordinates...but wasn’t doing anything about it.

Parrot lets Wifies walk ahead of him after that. Making absolutely sure to keep Dean within his sight range. 

The terrain turns rough as they climb higher. The snow blocks thin, exposing stone patches that stand in contrast against the white. 

Every once in a while, they even see the occasional goat walking along the mountain range. 

Wifies moves with ease, expertly navigating over a narrow ridge, before suddenly pausing.

A second later, a loud thwack rings out, and Parrot and Dean share a look.

Just as Parrot is about to call out, however, Wifies reappears over the ridge.

With a small item now held in their off hand. 

“Well…didn’t expect that.” Wifies says, showing off the curved dark object.

“Is that a goat horn?” Dean askes, inching his way forward.

Wifies nods, turning to show Parrot. “A pretty rare one too. Yearn.”

“Oh, that’s cool.” Dean remarks as Wifies turns it over in thier hotbar. 

And Parrot stops.

Not fully. But enough that his next step doesn't feel like it comes when it's supposed to.

As if the world has just dropped out from under him.

He’d forgotten about the goat horn.

His surroundings blur.

And for some reason it feels like everything goes out of focus.

Like if he tries to reach out, his hand won't quite meet anything.

Parrot can hear Wifies start to say something.

But Parrot can't catch it.

He just stares at the goat horn in Wifies hand.

Listening to the sound of his own heart beating louder in his ears while the world fades at the edges.

Until Parrot isn’t sure what he’s looking at anymore.

Himself running? Flying machines all around him. 

Sprinting to close a distance that refuses to shrink fast enough.

Chaos.

Shooting an arrow. 

Himself, knocking an Invis member right off the side of a redstone flying machine.

“…Parrot?”

A totem popping.

Dean right there.

Close enough to reach.

“Parrot??”

But not enough to save.

“Parrot?!”

A horn going off-

“Parrot!!” Wifies suddenly yells, the sound blasting out his ear drums.

Parrot jumps back, and all around him the winter mountains snap back into place.

Wifies is standing in front of him now. 

A lot closer than he’d been just a second ago. 

Their eyes lock in on him.

“…You just, stopped.”

And Parrot blinks, before quickly snatching his gaze away from the horn.

“Sorry.” He says, looking down at the snow.

Not a battlefield.

“You okay?” Dean asks. “Lag?”

And Parrot rubs a hand down his face. Trying to get back his bearings. “Just… zoned out for a sec. I’m fine.”

Wifies gaze lingers on him for a lot longer than it should have.

But thankfully, he doesn't push it.

Instead, Wifies just tosses the horn down lightly on the ground in front of him. 

“Should I get rid of it?” Wifies asks him quietly.

And Parrot backs up. His gaze lingering on the horn for a moment too long. 

“No. I’d rather not.” Parrot stammers. “You can…just hold onto it.”

Wifies looks at him, silently, before nodding and carefully picking the horn back up. One tick later and the horn disappears. Safely tucked away into Wifies inventory, and out of Parrot's sight.

Parrot decides he doesn't want to talk much after that.

Instead he sticks close to Dean's side as they continue to travel. Helping them to navigate any slight adjustments, or random changes in direction.

Honestly, it should feel like progress.

But it doesn't.

Because every once in a while Wifies tries to take an odd route. Deliberately going through places that only work if you were fast enough and knew how to block parkour or clutch accurately.

All things Parrot knew Dean definitely didn’t know how to do.

Parrot stops, and watches as Dean hesitates on the edge of the cliff. Again.

Right.

That was enough.

“Go around, Dean,” Parrot says, already motioning to a much safer snow cleared route. “I’ll meet you on the other side.”

Dean nods, seemingly relieved, and begins taking a long stone covered pathway down the cliff side.

Parrot cuts across the cravass immediately, clutching and ignoring the uneven terrain.

Wifies stands on the other side, waiting for him. Like nothing had happened.

Something boiles under Parrots skin.

“Wifies, can you quit trying to leave Dean behind?”

And Wifies turns to look at him.

Just slightly.

“Why?” 

Parrot feels his hand tighten over the mouse.

“What do you mean why?”

Wifies exhales through his nose, before turning and stepping towards him.

Parrot tries to look to the side. Not that it helps.

“Parrot,” Wifies says, more directly, “you know that if he wasn’t here, we wouldn’t have to keep side tracking all the time, right?”

Parrot can hear his heart thudding in his chest.

“…I don’t care.” He insists. “We’re not leaving him. He won’t make it on his own.”

Wifies looks at him properly then. Crosshairs locking into him.

“Parrot, he’s a liability.” Wifies says flatly. “We are the ones who aren't safe when he’s around.”

Parrot grits his teeth. “We made a promise to him, Wifies.”

“Which doesn’t matter.” Wifies insists. “He’s going to get us killed.”

Parrot snaps.

“I’m not going to let that happen!” He shouts back, breath ragged.

And for a moment, Wifies doesn’t move. He just observes Parrot, as his words fall into silence through the cracks of the mountain range.

Then Wifies laughs under his breath, sharp and empty.

“Parrot,” Wifies tries again, voice quieter now, “Even if we leave, Dean would be fine. He is not the one in danger here. We are.”

Parrot’s stomach twists.

“Look,” Wifies continues, tone softening, “if you’re worried, we can come back for him later and-”

“No!” Parrot snaps, not even bothering to let him finish. Seeing Wifies’ plan for what it actually was. “I already have a plan. We aren't leaving him!”

Wifies goes still, exhaling slowly, tension leaking out of him.

“Parrot… you won’t even tell me what your plan actually is.” 

And Parrot tries to respond, but it’s like his voice won’t work.

He opens his mouth.

But nothing comes out.

There is nothing he can say here.

“Please. Let’s just go.” Wifies says, softly. “I will get us somewhere safe. I promise.”

And Parrot wants to scream.

Scream at Wifies.

At this server.

At everything.

…but his he can’t.

Because the worst part is-

Wifies isn’t wrong.

Dean was going to keep leaking their coordinates. And they were in danger.

Plus even if they somehow kept managing to dodge the mafia and got to Theo…

nothing would change.

…

So what could he do?

Because if he did nothing….

Parrot shakes his head, trying to banish the image of totems popping and pressure plates from his mind. 

But the thoughts still sit there, heavy and irritating and impossible to ignore.

“...Please, Parrot.” Wifies pushes, something else leaking into thier tone now. The kind of thing that turns into action if left alone for too long. “Just… consider it?” 

And Parrot backs away, with Wifies eyes still trailing after him.

His breathing is coming way too fast.

Sharp, and uneven. Each inhale catching like it doesn’t quite land.

Why was it that every time he tried to do the right thing it always ended the same?

Parrot grips the mouse like a lifeline.

And exhales slowly.

Forcing himself to think. 

…He has the knowledge. 

He just… stupidly…hasn't been using it.

Something Theo probably would’ve chewed him out for…

He was supposed to be the plan guy after all.

…Maybe it was time he started acting like it.

Parrot’s jaw tightens.

Fine then.

No more excuses.

No more holding back.

Screw the future.

Parrot lifts his head, meeting Wifies’ gaze properly this time. 

And refuses to look away.

Avoiding it had changed nothing.

If anything, it was only making it worse.

“You want a plan?” Parrot finally says, voice quieter now, but steady in a way it hadn’t been before. “Fine.”

Parrot lines up all the possibilities in his head. All the routes he could take to achieve his goals.

But it wasn’t something he could explain. Not without sounding insane. So he didn’t try.

Instead, he meets Wifies’ gaze fully this time, even as his breath catches.

“I’m going to get us out of this, Wifies.” Parrot promises. “We’re not dying here. Not you. Not Dean. None of us.”

Wifies gaze shifts, doubt and hesitation falling off him in waves.

“…Parrot-”

“I know what I’m doing.” Parrot reaffirms.

I’m going to save you too.

“But we’re not leaving Dean,” Parrot adds out loud.

And Wifies holds his gaze back against him.

Silent.

But Parrot doesn’t look away.

He can’t.

The snow particles drift between them, slow and weightless, catching in a space neither of them dares close.

“…Alright.” Wifies says at last. Voice softening. “What do you have in mind?”

And Parrot exhales slowly, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

But he can’t stay idle for long.

Because he did need a solid plan here after all.

Or Theo was going to have to stop calling him the smartest player…

So Parrot gets to work.

He goes through everything he knows.

Searching for anything that could be useful.

If he was right about the timeline, then they had been on the run for a significant amount of time.

In fact, he was positive that they were right around when he'd found an Allay in the original timeline…

And of course, just like the original, they were still being tracked...

Suddenly, Parrot stops. And everything else falls away as an idea takes hold in his mind.

Because if their coordinates were going to be leaked anyway…

Then maybe they shouldn't bother running in the first place.…

Maybe…they just needed to prioritize who found them first.

Parrot’s mind sharpens. Snapping around the idea and clicking the pieces further into place.

It could work. No. It would work.

His pulse steadies.

“…Wifies.”

“Yeah?”

“We are going to give the horn to Dean.”

Wifies looks at him. “…You’re serious?”

And Parrot smiles, gazing out at the snowy tundra. A place perfect for pittraps, and plenty of hideaways.

“I have an idea.” Parrot says, trying to emphasize his confidence. “Just, tell Dean that it’s for if he gets separated or something.”

“Parrot, you know that’s going to bring the Mafia right to us.” Wifies states. Clearly unhappy with the idea.

And Parrot nods. “...I know.”

Wifies eyes him over, as though weighing something. “And you…want that?”

This time, Parrot doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Wifies holds his gaze for a second longer. As though searching for something. 

So Parrot returns it back, hoping that the friend he once had is still there.

“Will you help me, Wifies?” Parrot asks.

But Wifies doesn’t answer right away. He just looks at him, standing there in the snow covered mountains.

For a moment, it feels like he might push back.

But Parrot doesn’t look away.

Then finally, Wifies exhales-

…and nods.

“Alright, so what are you planning to do?”

And Parrot can't help but laugh at the irony of it all.