Echo From Beyond

"I see," Dylan took a step back and raised body hands, keeping them in Matthias' sight to make it clear that he wasn't going to force this, whatever this was, going. "I wonder who you thought I was, Oborin." He crossed his arms as he watched the other man get out of the pool, moving far away from him as quick as possible.

"You still haven't answered the question. What is it that you want?" Dylan raised his voice at Matthias' back, "Maybe you are avoiding the answer. Better figure it out."

He watched the Russian disappear from his sight. With an amused hum, Dylan kicked his legs up and let the water carry his weight, floating on the surface with a relaxed posture.

"So that's your type, little brother? Think you might be chewing on the wrong piece of meat." His voice echoed coldly and quietly in the underground pool. "I am the one who's supposed to be here, not you."

Was he flexing his real world wealth and influence? Of course. It's what he lived for. It's what drove him to fight for his place in the The Ten to elevate that power to new heights. But his grand scheme aside today was just an act of appreciation. "I am very thankful to you being my shield in that madhouse ordeal. And this is how I say thank you." Sure there might be an underline agenda. Continued protection from the golden armed hero. Alaric knew it best to keep in favor with those that came to your aid.

Wolfgang came over with lobster on a small tear drop dish. Enough for one bite, "I made a condensed version of the Shanghai Lobster to open up your palette." Dylan sure to taste the spicy ginger curry sauce the meat was soaking into. "And for the main we will have the pot pie. If you want dessert you have a ten minute window to put an order in." Staying long enough to get Dylan's reaction before going back to the stove.

Alaric sat back and wait for his plate to be filled at the table. A little jealous Dylan got a taste before him. "Tasted like fucking heaven didn't it."

"Alaric, wow, I just...wow!" Speechless, Dylan turned and pulled Alaric into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped warmly and tightly over the younger man, shoulders tensed with excitement and the gesture was nothing else than sincere. "I...I don't know what to say? You didn't have to do anything for me. I...We are in a team, it's my job to protect you. I am sure you would have done the same for me." Dylan beamed a happy smile at Alaric before looking back at the chef. He was in awe, in fact, so much so that he slapped his face gently with a hand to see if it was just a dream.

Dylan would be embarrassed by how fast he dug into the food. He made a sigh of satisfaction, but before he went back in for another bite, he smiled at Alaric and began to praise the dish, simply sharing his excitement despite the other man might not be so interested in what seasoning or ingredients must have been used to achieve what flavour profiles. Dylan stood at one point and thanked the chef, asking shyly if he could have the Kaiserschmarren for dessert.

"I have never had lobster before," Dylan looked like he might have tears in his eyes when he sat back down and bit into the juicy white meat. "Never had the extra money for it, you know? I think...I think ma would have liked it too." There was a second of sadness crossing his face, but Dylan's face quickly lit up once more as he took another bite.

"Alaric...I know I said it so many times now, but...thank you. This means a lot." He put his fork and knife aside and turned his body a little to face Alaric more, looking to lock their eyes. "I wish...I wish there is something I can do for you in return. I know you already own a lot of things that I don't, but..." His eyes glanced down at Alaric's hands, there was something that crossed his mind before when he looked at them to check if there were any cuts on them, but the chef took him by surprise and made him forget about asking the question.

He only meant that Hyatt should be liberated from his current situation. Hyatt should choose for himself, not Dylan, or Paragon. Once Hyatt repeated the matter of failing his duel with Charlie, the phantom realized Hyatt had already decided. He was staying.

Morgan expected he'd comfort Hyatt, counsel him, but he seemed to have it all wrong. Honestly, it wasn't his business anyway. They were roommates. Hooked up. That's all this was. "... So why'd you... hold onto that criminal?" Morgan changed the subject entirely and looked away from Dylan and Hyatt. The least Hyatt could give him was that explanation.

"... If Dylan can't hear this, can you just relay it to him?" Page requested. At least to him, what he was about to tell the brothers was important. Information they should know. Maybe because Morgan had fucked up with getting caught up with Dylan. That's how it felt in his chest right now, anyway.

"I'm married. I have a wife." Part of Morgan wanted to leave it at that, because in the real world that fact was all that mattered. Not the details or his excuses. "We're separated... in every way other than paper and... Ethan. 'still."

Finally, Morgan looked at Hyatt. "And I don't know... how all this switching bodies stuff works with you two, but... Dylan and I hooked up. After the media circus. I... assumed you knew what was going on. 'shouldn't have assumed." It wasn't like Morgan to act without consent... but this situation was entirely unique. "If you didn't know and Dylan... knew that, but didn't tell me, I am really sorry."

"There was...this symbol on his forehead. It was the same symbol on the other man's suit, the one that took him away. Did you see how Matthias and Charlie were affected by him? Something... on the mental level, I think. What if...What if he is good, Morgan? What if that guy was just being forced to do something he didn't want to? Until I can get some answer out of him, I...I don't want to fully believe that he is a bad person." He noticed how Morgan had looked away as if he was avoiding eye contact. The man's following words confused Hyatt and he felt Dylan's interest was hooked.

"Sure, I mean, he can hear," Hyatt replied just before the man dropped the news. Hyatt looked toward Dylan before he returned his eyes back to Morgan. "...Uh, Dylan said he wasn't surprised and shrugged-" He looked back at Dylan again and sighed, felt like a phone or message machine for a second. "He said you told him about having a son when you first met, he knows how human makes babies. He would be surprised a handsome man like you haven't been touched by- Dylan, come on!" Hyatt rolled his eyes and asked Morgan, "Look...Do you just want to speak directly to him?"

When Morgan informed him that Dylan and he hooked up, Hyatt's jaw dropped a little, trying to process the information. "...Like, you, uh, make out?" He unconsciously raised a hand and touched his lips. "You...kissed?" His face lit up in red, felt a little embarrassed. "Um, when he took over I...Well, it was as if I was sleeping. I don't remember a thing." He peeked toward Dylan once more, "What else have you done? God, do I even want to know?"

Then suddenly, Dylan's hand gently grabbed at Matthias' throat and pushed him back, broke off the kiss before they went back to staring into each other's eyes. "Don't think that's good enough for an answer, Matthias. I want to hear you say it vocally. Out loud." Dylan demanded, "Say I excited you."

His hands glided down, grabbed at the man's shirt and forcefully pulled a handful of fabric off the Russian's body. His other hand was quick to join, cupping the bulge deep down under the water's surface.

"Tell me what you want, Matthias. If you don't tell, I wouldn't know what to give."

His lips curled up into a smirk once more, but there was encouragement behind it. His hand moved up once more, thumb pressed at the corner of Matthias' lips. "You are, right?" He asked with a hint of teasing. Still, he wanted to hear the Russian answered that question vocally.

"You came from a different world, sure. Yet, here you are. You made the decision to come here. You might doubt it from time to time, but you want this. You want this, Matthias." Dylan's tone was firm, "Oh, I would know. But do tell me, what excited you? Do I...excited you?" He lifted his other hand and placed it on Matthias' chest, his palm felt the beatings of the Russian man's heart. "Does being with me excite you?"

"i don't mean to be nosy. just making sure i'm not crazy and you simply like talking to yourself," he mused with a small chuckle. charlie left the cupcake on the bedside table, hoping he didn't pour salt into the wound after deciding to snoop around. he's already had a shaky relationship with the four-armed hero by showing no mercy during their match.

emerald eyes shifted to the open suitcase left on dylan's bed. "you still haven't finished unpacking? boy, you must have a lot of clothes!" the blond remarked with an innocent grin, completely unaware of dylan's true motives. charlie wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. he lived by the words ignorance is bliss for a reason. "i could help if you want? i organize my closet pretty well and i'm happy to lend a hand where i can. that's what being a hero is all about, right?"

"I...I really think you will do great. I mean, you really have a chance to get to the top. That's what you want, right?" Dylan was sincere, especially after seeing how good Charlie could fight, how could he not? "Have you...ever thought about what else you would do if not going for the limited seats? I mean...Have you ever doubted that you are not on the right path?" He asked as he watched the man place the cupcake on the table. He wasn't really in the mood for a sweet treat, but perhaps Morgan would like to have it later.

Alaric was busy on his phone scrolling through recent feeds and activity traffic. His numbers were still doing good but they could always be better. An agenda for another day as he was more focused on acts of gratitude. While Alaric was no stranger to people catering to his needs, it was rare to find one take such effort to defend him. Without being on his paid security detail. Dylan seemed so attentive to him being missing and rushed to defend him even when falling from the sky, as if he could brace the impact should they met ground. Alaric was doubtful they both wouldn't have met there end but the gesture spoke bounds to the savage one.

The two exchanged text the day prior when Alaric asked a 'hypothetical' question of if Dylan could have Wolfgang Puck cook him anything what would it be? It was clear food was a passion so he had a feeling the world famous chef would at least be on his radar. Today he sent him a text to meet him at the kitchen for surprise. "Dylan! There you are. Right on time." Alaric waiting at the closed Kitchen door as smells familiar to the very menu he request breezed through the cracks.

[text: Dylan] Wolfgang Puck? Chicken pot pie, I think. Or maybe the Shanghai Lobster?

The topic pretty much ended there and followed by Dylan asking what Alaric wanted for dinner. He didn't pay much mind, after all, they were all still getting to know each other and he had heard younger folks like asking hypothetical questions as a way of bonding. Something like that.

Next day, Dylan received a text from Alaric once more. He blinked at the mention of the surprise, rubbing his short but slightly messy bed hair as he made his way to the kitchen. He would shower first, but Morgan was using the toilet so he figured he would meet Alaric first.

Oh, he almost jumped when Alaric appeared right before him the moment he opened the kitchen door. "Wow! Someone is cheerful today." Dylan smiled softly as he noted the excited curl on Alaric's lips. The energy from the other man spread and lit his mood up too in a positive way. "What's that smell? Did you cook?" Aware that Alaric wasn't the type of person who is used to the sharp or heated kitchen tool, he couldn't help but raise Alaric's hand for a quick glance, checking there were no burn marks or cuts on his fingers.

"Oh, god-" Dylan shook his head, his breathing was hectic like he was out of breath. "I...I can't-" His body tensed but not because of the water. But then Matthias placed both hands on his face, locked their gaze once more and attempted to calm him down.

Those eyes. Blue. Straight forward and honest.

Dylan felt like he didn't deserve to look back into the man's eyes like this. No, not after what happened. He felt like there was a stain he was desperate to hide, and he was afraid that Matthias would find out.

No, not Matthias. Please, god, no.

"I am sorry, I can't...Matthias, I can't." He shut his eyes as a tear dripped down his cheek. Dylan took another inhale, and suddenly, his shoulders relaxed.

"I am sorry, that was a poor display of me." The shivered voice was gone, Dylan spoke those words firmly, grounded. "The medical staff gave me some meds, you see. Must have...Well, messed with my mind a little." Dylan's opened his eyes and offered Matthias a small smirk. "Didn't think you care this much. I am touched, honest." He raised a hand, touching Matthias' jaw as he leaned one side of his face on Matthias' palm that was still placed against his face.

At least that was who Morgan wanted to speak too. Dark eyes traced the emptiness around them till they landed square in one place. Dylan, right? Could he hear this? He stayed quiet and listened to Hyatt who seemed to have plenty to share. That was a good start. Hyatt explained the suitcase, his failed spar and how it effected his choices. "I understand." Morgan breathed with a steady nod. "You don't have to apologize... just... yeah, like you said, I was worried. It's what I do..."

Maybe he'd have to stop behaving that way. Others didn't require it and perhaps it wasn't appreciated. "Hyatt..." He said the name aloud for the first time. "I get you're helping your brother... but clearly you're figuring out how insane this shit really is. If you need to leave, like, I get it. He can't dictate your life. You have to choose for yourself. Things... don't have to be this complicated for you."

As for the mission, Asura's actions, that was a whole other topic.

"... I wanted to tell you both some stuff too." Morgan adjusted the collar of his hoodie, absently, eyes once more tracing the spot he believed Dylan lingered.

"Oh," Hyatt raised his eyes and met Morgan's gaze, noticing the slight discomfort in his voice. He recognised that tone. It is when someone hesitates to share a secret that could change how others see him as a person.

"Of course," Hyatt sat up straight and took a quick breath to gather himself. "You can tell me anything. That's...the least I can do. You have been kind to me, more than I deserve."

It had been a day of... processing. The mission, his choices, and what was nearly lost plagued Morgan's mind. The latter only piled on by the suitcase he'd found hours before receiving Father's call yesterday. A clear sign that Morgan knew the secret, but not the full truth of it all. How could he, or anyone? Asura was at the mercy of two brothers.

Things weren't going well.

He'd needed time, not only for his mind, but his own injuries. Morgan had to take care of himself first. After having his bandages changed out that afternoon, he was told that Asura had been released. Maybe it was time to talk. Morgan dreaded it. All that went unspoken between Asura themselves and the Asura he desperately fought to save started to build a kind of resentment.

If they wanted to go, if death or abduction were better than Paragon or the hope they had as teammates, then maybe Morgan read Dylan all wrong. But he kept his head on straight. After all, he'd only spoken to Dylan. He had to hear from the second half.

He took a breath before walking in, steeling himself for whatever he found on the other side. If it was another goddamned suitcase, he had to stay calm. Morgan entered and saw the familiar silhouette that had him thrashing in sheets nights before. That vision of Asura... had to vanish.

"... I'm glad you're ok." He started. Asura being home, safe, ok was all he wanted. "I... want to talk. If this is a good time."

"Hey," Dylan gave Morgan a weak smile, "Sorry, I must have...made you worried." He sat up from his bed and looked at the other man with a tired look. "Oh, sure. What would you like to talk about?" He asked and placed a hand on the space next to him, inviting Morgan to sit down on his bed so they could talk. "Is it...about the mission? I...I know I was acting recklessly. But...I think...I was doing the right thing." His eyes turned to the suitcase that he packed up before the mission. Dylan clenched his jaw and realised Morgan must have seen it when he was at the infirmary.

"...I...Uh, I got beaten up by Charlie so bad at the sparring I...I wasn't sure if I really should be here. So..." He tried to explain but wasn't sure how to continue. "...Sorry."

"Mr Hollyway, we tried to help her. But none of the nurses know what she was mumbling-"

"She is hitting herself again-"

"I think it's best if you come here. She wants you to be here. Yes, we have turned up the heat of the room but-"

"Can you come in now, please? You are the only one who can understand her and she is shouting-"

"Only you know what she needs, Mr Hollyway. She needs you here. We can't make it any warmer-"

"Mr Holloway-"

"Mr Holloway-"

"She needs-"

We leave.

The Russian's words pierced through the noises in his head. With the moment of clarity, while he grounded himself with Matthias' voice, Dylan pushed away the memories, reached out and held onto Matthias like a drowning man desperate for the lifebuoys. He gripped onto the man and held him tight, needed something from the present to remind him where he was.

"...What am I doing here?" There was an involuntary soreness that began to build up behind his eyes. Dylan covered his face with both hands, letting his palm rub away the wetness as he took a deep breath. "I don't- I shouldn't...This was never meant to be-"

Knock, knock.

The sudden voice made Dylan jump, he rubbed his face quickly before someone poked his head into the room. He half-expected Morgan. After all, they are roommates and the man seemed to be nice to him so far. That's why it surprised him a little when he found himself looking into those piercing ice-blue eyes. The quiet Russian walked into the room and pulled a chair.

"Matthias," Dylan said with a half-choking voice. He coughed to adjust and found his voice dried. "You...came to check on me? I thought...you would be angry at me."

The pieces of memories flew past Dylan's mind as he closed his eyes. Matthias blasted a ray of ice at the man Dylan was holding closely. He could almost feel the chilling sensation on his fingertips.

"I..." He was going to say something about the mission, but the man's words paused him. Dylan looked up at Matthias. Despite the circumstances, he found himself letting out a chuckle. "I...I gave scare? No, no. Sorry, it was...it was not funny." His chuckle broke into a laugh, Dylan had to cover his mouth as he burst out another laugh. "No, not funny at all...Sorry. I don't know...what has gotten into me." He rubbed his face and found a trace of tears dripping down his cheek.

No, it was too much.

I was never meant to be here.

I was meant to be back in that small town when everything was simple. He was meant to-

But you wanted her dead.

No, no. That's not-

A part of you have wished that, no matter how small it is.

Dylan continued to follow the instructions of the GPS. more buildings began to appear on both sides of the road, hinting that they were getting closer to civilization. Skyscrapers began to emerge from a distance and neon signs adorned the structures as the venues became more commercial.

"Why don't we just stop somewhere and walk around?" Dylan suggested as they were driving into the city centre area. "Is there anything specifically you want to do or check out? If not, Cherry Creek Shopping Center is just a few streets away, we can do some window shopping around the mall. Pretty sure they will have a McDonald's nearby if you do want to try it."

it was the first time charlie truly showcased his strength. other than in the gym, he never really put his muscles to good use. he only wished another super wasn't on the receiving end of his mighty blows. part of him felt bad doing such a number on asura. the thrill of battle simply got the better of charlie, especially after witnessing the unique abilities his opponent possessed. in the end, the paragon prince emerged victorious. however, he couldn't help but find a need to apologize and make sure dylan was doing okay.

he fetched one of the cupcakes on a plate in the kitchen before making his way to the room labeled with the letter a. remembering the manners and good etiquette father taught him, he made sure to knock and await permission from dylan before entering. "hey," the blond spoke, flashing a small smile. "how are you doing?" he fished the frosted pastry from behind his back and offered it to the other super. "in the mood for something sweet?"

Oh wait, he didn't.

"Shut up," Dylan grunted as he cleared his drawer and just pushed the items into the corners of the suitcase. Morgan wasn't here. In a way, Dylan wanted to be gone before Morgan returned to the room so he didn't have to deal with the awkward conversation.

No. Fuck. He just wants to go away and return to his life as a nobody.

The door was knocked and Dylan sighed deeply, expecting it to be his roommate. He was waiting for the key to be turned, but the person behind the door seemed to be waiting patiently for a response. Probably not Morgan, then.

"Sorry," Dylan took a deep inhale before he opened his door. The last person he expected to see was the younger man who beaten him so quickly from the sparring. "...Uh, I am...busy." Wasn't quite sure how to respond, Dylan froze for a second. The gap of the door opened just enough for the younger man to see his opened suitcase sitting on his bed.

After all, Dylan wouldn't be surprised if he is the weakest among everyone else in the manor.

"Shoot," Dylan offered to answer, but the question quickly made him bite his bottom lip nervously. "My...power sometimes has its own...thoughts. And I don't fully have a hang of it." Dylan confused, "I just...rather not have anyone around me when me and my power have...disagreements. But no, you didn't do anything that drove me away. In fact...I am grateful that you let me stay with you for a quiet moment. I...needed that. Sanity check."

"So, it's essentially a map but for cars. You can type in the name of the place you want to visit. And it should show you the route..." Dylan picked up the GPS, his brows slowly frowned as he tried to figure out where the buttons were. "Uh, this is much more... advanced than the ones I am used to. Most of us have much older models back in my home town." Dylan muttered quietly and placed the GPS back onto the holder. He turned the key, ignited the engine, turned the four-by-four around and began to leave the manor.

Considering how far the manor is from the nearest city, the road was pretty quiet. Dylan's finger tapped mindlessly on the wheel, blue eyes peeking at Matthias to check on the man.

"I...uh, figure you prefer to not make conversations." Dylan finally took the courage and said, hoped the man didn't take this as offensive. "I just want to say...I don't mind that. But if you want to talk about something, anything, then you just let me know, okay?" He smiled and offered, "Or you can always turn the radio on."