The two reappeared in some dimly lit storage room. Boxes were piled high along the walls. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust that had accumulated over the years. Sci clenched his fist at the sight of it. He wouldn't have minded adding to the piles himself.

"I loathe Fresh," Sci hissed through his teeth "If he never showed up, things would've gone ten times smoother. I can always count on that neon jerk to screw things up for me. And BLUE! What give him the right to play with my emotions like this?! THIS IS NONE OF HIS BUSINESS! I HATE THEM! BUT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO I HATE MORE?!"

Sci pointed to himself.

"ME. This is all my fault! I'm so messed up. I tried SO HARD to pretend everything was fine. I thought that maybe I could just keep it to myself. That maybe I could fix myself somehow. That-that I could be normal. But I'm not. I'm disgusting. I'm a sinner. I'm..."

He didn't bother to finish his sentence. He looked over at Edge. He seemed dazed. Was he even listening?

"...Do you hate me?" Sci asked. His voice was barely audible.

That got his attention. He scoffed.

"Yeah. Definitely. I snuggle with all my enemies," He deadpanned.

Sci blinked in surprise. Never before had a sarcastic remark been so healing.

"Wait… You don't?" He asked.

"FUCK NO! Why is that even a question?!"

"It's just… When you saw the photo, you got so mad. I thought…" Sci trailed off.

Edge grabbed him by the shoulders. Sci was startled to see the raw, visceral panic burning in his eyes. It should've been obvious, but he had been so occupied with his own fears that he hadn't noticed.

"You don't get it, do you, Nerd?!" Edge asked, shaking him slightly, "IF THAT PICTURE GETS OUT, WE'RE FUCKING DEAD!"

Sci stared, bewildered.

"If my brother sees it, he'll disown me! Kick me out of the house and I'll be dusted within a week, if he doesn't just kill me himself. And if it gets out in Underfell that I- that I- you know-"

Despite his urgency, he struggled to get the words out. For a second, there was a glint of something else in his expression beneath the fear. Sci couldn't quite put his finger on it. Was it restraint? Disappointment? Whatever it was left him flustered.

"-Care about you, you'll have a target on your back. I don't even want to think about the nasty shit they'd do to you to get at me."

There it was again- That addictive, sickening ache in his core. The fear should've put a stop to it, but instead it was like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. A hint of disappointment tainted his joy. Sci hated it. He knew better than to expect him to say the L word. But no matter how much logic he threw at his emotions, he couldn't get them to change. When did his heart get so stubborn?

"Look at me!" Edge shook him.

Sci looked up from the ground. When did he start looking down? He must've been swept away by thought.

"I'M NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN. I'm going to destroy that photo even if I have to burn this house down with it! Understand?!"

And just like that, that toxic sliver of disappointment was gone. Edge may never say that he loved anyone outright, but in times like these, he proved it. Sci still remained uncertain as to whether he felt the same exact way, but the bond was undeniable. Sci's knees felt weak. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, words of adoration would fall out before he could stop them.

Without thinking, he let himself fall forward into Edge's arms. He held him around his ribcage, and once again, he got a face full of white fluff. Edge stiffened at first. His breathing shuddered. Just as Sci was about to pull back and apologize, Edge wrapped his arms around him so tight it was almost painful. Sci nuzzled his face into his neck.

"You're not allowed to die. You got that, Nerd?" Edge said in a low, gruff voice.

Sci nodded.

"And neither are you, Edgy Mc My Chemical Romance."

Edge's arms tightened around him. For the first time in years, Sci was at ease. Sure, there was still something to fear, but they were facing it together. As the guilt and uncertainty faded, he could feel clarity returning to him. And with clarity came resolve. With Edge at his side, Blue was the one who should've been truly afraid.

"Everything's going to be fine," Sci pulled away and gave Edge a devious smile, "I have a plan."