A/N: Back to present time, present-tense now.
'I-I'm sorry, it was all my fault! I shouldn't have…'
After that heated discussion with Capa, and Newton and Gandhi giving him questioning looks, he is surprised at Gaudí's sudden 'confession' so to speak, upon his return.
'…What the hell are yeh talkin' about, twerp?' First Capa and now this, what, did everybody but him know what was going on? Still, the shock of the event was currently subduing his temper, else he might've very well found himself facing off with that smug Princess.
'I-it's…just that, I was the one who…told Miss Nobunagun about it…'
What the hell… Around him, everybody else seemed to be thinking the same thing, putting the poor boy in the spotlight. 'Th-that day we were going to head back to the A. Logan…I saw the piece of paper in the meeting room, and I couldn't help it—' he sniffled, and suddenly a look of understanding dawned on Geronimo's face.
'So that's why you you jumped like a rabbit when we entered…'
The boy nodded, wiping his tears. 'I didn't mean to—but, I…I don't know, I thought, if I told her, maybe something would…change…'
To change something that they had no control in… Adam wasn't sure if it would've been better or worse off if she'd never found out until now. Either way, the events leading up wouldn't change the fate that was now set into motion.
"Heh…how ironic…" The teacup sits there, tea already cold as he finally comes out of his reverie. Gandhi and Newton are equally quiet, the brawl that occurred now seems very insignificant. But this… Hands grip the cup until he hears a slight 'crack', and what liquid remains spills all over the table. Newton automatically moves to wipe it up but he does not, is lost in trying to solve a problem that has no solution. Gandhi meanwhile, moves as if in greeting a newcomer but suddenly stops—
"—Oh. It's you…Vidocq…"
At that name, all his senses start sharpening, and he practically jumps out of his chair and collars the strategist before he can make an exit. Behind him, Newton is about to protest, but surprisingly, Gandhi holds her back.
"…Jack. What can I do for you." To his credit, Vidocq does not falter or lose his cool, though he can sense the fear in his voice; can almost smell it, the way he can sense the base, animal-like terror of the Objects when he slices through them in one swing. He grunts when Adam slams him against the wall, but still, he does not break.
"What d'ya think, bastard?! Her transfer…I know yer partially responsible, aren't you…" His voice drops to that threatening growl, pitched low in the back of his throat that would send lesser beings fleeing. "Why else would you want this to be all secret?"
"…You are right; my opinion was consulted by the board, but ultimately, it was their move, theirfinal decision, not mine. I only gave them the facts as logically as possible." Vidocq's face is so stoic that for a second he just wants to smash a fist in it, just to see it break, but he restrains himself; no use in incapacitating their only strategist.
"…Then why. The secrecy…whatev'r stupid-ass reason for pairin' her with someone like Tell…" He spits the name out like poison, not that William Tell is a poor fighter or bad person, but just the thought of something that is his—Sio—will now be in the possession of someone else… The beast inside him roars with fury and claws to get out, because it cannot and will not settle for simply walking away and giving up what is rightfully his.
(You can't have her! She's mine!)
The blonde attempts to loosen the Ripper's grip on his shirt, but to no avail. "Hmph…because you're proving my point right now. Don't think I can't see it, Jack—how you're just itching to sink your fist into me, to tear me from limb to limb in a bloody rage," and he smirks as the other man's gaze falters, perhaps realizing now for the first time, his own inner savagery. "Miss Nobunagun shares that tendency with you…hell, it's hard to say who's worse, between the two of you… Command wasn't comfortable with that; concluded that William Tell would be a more balanced act."
What the strategist says is true; there is no denying that out of everyone on the Second Platoon, the two of them enjoy fighting the most. "Yeh could've…'f this really was a problem, then how come we weren't informed?" Weren't they the ones who were doing the actual fighting? What did those bigwigs know, just siting in their little meeting rooms all day, pouring over a bunch of useless statistics? The feel, the rush, the synergy when they were all in sync with each other…even if the collateral was more than necessary, they hadn't hurt anybody, and all missions had been a success.
"That part I honestly can't say; all they wanted from me was my factual opinion, and then I was swore to secrecy. Of course, we all know now how well that worked out…" he rolls his eyes, suddenly getting deja vu but this time with the other one. "If I had to guess, I'd say Command wanted this to be as quick as possible, with minimal fuss; like amputating a limb you know, just one, precise stroke."
He doesn't appreciate the analogy, hitting a little too close to his other side that even Vidocq is not aware of, but inside, he is already coming to the conclusion. That in the end, there was no point in telling them—because that decision is not up to them. Just like their ancestors whose genes were harvested…being asked was merely a formality.
In the end, they are all just puppets in the hands of the alien puppeteer. He lets Vidocq go, unsure of what to do now, what to even feel.
"…They're meeting in E-B06. If you hurry, you can probably catch her." Finally free of the death grip, the Frenchman turns around to warn him of the very probable security but he's already gone, feet already taking off the moment he heard the room. "Hn…imbécile…" The insult has no weight behind it though, because he is just as tired, tired of all this.
If only it would all end soon.
"My answer…" Should she just give in? Say yes? After all, it is what they want; even if she is to refuse, it's doubtful that they will grant her another option. More likely, they'll tranquilize and forcibly move her, or even force her to resign.
"…I—"
"—Wait! Sio!" There is a sound of a scuffle at the door, a guard is trying to stop him but he easily dodges to the side—
…It can't be…
Nothing prepares her for him, for his embrace as he throws all caution to the wind and embraces her from behind, in full view of the Commander and everyone else.
"A-Adam…"
"Don't; please don't…" The grip tightens and his voice is husky in her ear. In front, Commander Iyo seems stunned, but entirely unsurprised at this turn of events. Perhaps she knew all along, what was forming between them. Maybe if she acted earlier…
"Kirisaki Jack. Please, stand down…this is a matter between Command and Nobunagun."
"Like hell it is; y'really thought yeh could jus' take her, and expect us to be fine with it?!" He reminds her very much of a stray dog, neglected and abandoned, suspicious of any kindness…and yet, will defend its most precious thing to the death.
"Don't…leave…"
The entire room is still; she can only hear his breath, that selfish breath, with her own irregular breath. Even with their hand revealed, he does not back down, thought they both know, they are at the mercy of Command.
"…That decision…was not yours to make…Adam…" She waves, and St. Germain and Dogoo both vanish in an instant, this meeting now suddenly becoming off the record. "Sometimes, in order for the benefit of all…sacrifices are necessary. I'd hoped you two would be able to understand that, when you joined DOGOO."
Of course she knows that—but in hindsight, maybe she was just telling herself that she knew then, because who could have predicted all the things that would happen after that? The ideal itself, that is logical; the needs of the many over the needs of the few, what Vidocq strives to live by.
And yet it is utterly useless when applied to something like love.
"As the Commander, I must ask you, Nobunagun, to prepare your belongings and head for the docks by 1400 hours." She steps down now, down the stairs and she is next to them. "But as Iyo…I'm sorry, Sio…" There is regret, she can see it in the old woman's eyes, but at the same time, that battle-worn steel still remains.
She nods dumbly, too numb to speak, even as she hears his breath hitch in her hair and the grip that becomes like a cage, determined to keep her with him.
"And Adam…due to the circumstances, I will overlook your transgressions this one time. Your complete disregard of the rules, the fraternization…they won't be recorded. If you wish to say good-bye, be at the docks by 1400." The Commander leaves and it's just the two of them again, and she lets out the breath she does not even realize she's been holding.
"…Why didn't yeh tell me…say anythin'…" There's hurt in his voice, and she feels the regret pouring out all over again.
"B-Because, I-I, I…" Although she struggles for an answer, the harder she tries, the more she can't find anything. Because she doesn't know—only some unconscious thought that prevented her from saying anything at all. "…What would've been the point…a-and, I was afraid…"
She hears him grind his teeth in anger, and suddenly she's flipped around, face-to-face with him. "Afraid?! Of what, my reaction?" Of course he is angry, anybody would be, finding out a secret like this; she does not blame him in the least.
"…Y-Yes…" His expression drops, and so does her heart. "B-But also, Command…I was scared, that, if they kept this so secret…I-I didn't want us to get in trouble…"
"…'s that why you…slept with me…" She recoils, not at his tone, but the words—that one precious event that shines in a sea of murk, reduced to nothing but a momentary indulgence. "Heh, whatever, I can see—"
"Chigau! That's not it…at all…! Y-You can't…what I said last night, I meant it…that no matter what happened, I would never forget, or regret it…" Her lips tremble, but she bites them down. This is not the time for tears, or useless emotions like despair.
He stays silent for a long while, as if trying to process and reconcile with their fates. Just when she is about to pull aside, because she needs to pack soon, he grabs her and she is pushed up against the cold steel of the wall, his lips hungrily consuming hers—
"—Mnn! A-Adam—!" She can't breath, let alone speak, against his relentless attack on her lips, then her neck, the buttons of the uniform scattering over the floor as he literally rips apart her shirt. The heat, his body, everything…her body responds on automatic, already she is wet, the aching throbbing coming back, especially when she feels his hardness pressed against her thigh.
It is entirely wrong, and under normal circumstances would be grounds for instant punishment. However, she no longer cares because what's the point, it's not like she'll be around for much longer anyway. She wills him to take her like this, messy and rough and desperate against the steel frame, screaming his name in toe-curling ecstasy as he comes heavily inside her.
Vaguely, she wonders if the Commander will find out about this tryst, too.
"So…I guess this is goodbye then, Sio-chan…" Gandhi tries to offer her a smile, the only one of the group to do so, but she finds it hard to return. "Take care, okay?" Newton doesn't say much aside from the obligatory well-wishing, and a gives her a kiss on the cheek and a hug that perhaps tells more than her words do. The First Platoon is also there, Geronimo and Cyx polite and cool, but no doubt melancholy in their own way. Gaudí is sniffling into a tissue, but stops crying long enough to give her a heartfelt hug and apologizes once again, even though she has already told him countless times that it's not his fault.
He is last, maybe by coincidence, or maybe because everyone else can sense the mood around the two. She is grateful that they allow them some space, because even if it's obvious by now, it's still technically against the rules.
"…Hey. Listen, I ain't gonna get all sappy on yeh…'fter all, you already know, what I feel…" The stone-cold feeling of resignation…and yet a tendril of warmth as he gently touches her face and wipes her tear. "Take care of yourself, 'kay? I mean it, squirt."
She suddenly laughs at that silly nickname, one that used to plague her to no end, and now she is wishing she could keep it. "I will…but, you too Adam…"
"I will."
One last embrace, and a single, careless breath—
"Goodbye."