Hope.

Impossible in their desperate situation at the brink of death yet it remained. Lady Luck never really abandoned him, even in the worst moments. This time it took the shape of one of his own cards, discretly put in his tied hand by that same Malcolm Graves that called for revenge. Looked like neither of them wanted to give Gangplank the pleasure of their deaths.

A last chance.

Twisted Fate seized it, for a last crucial attempt. When they were both pushed to the sea, he vanished into thin air. A surprise for the crowd, really. Because they had specifically searched for his cards, prevent any funny tricks. Gangplank was smart but didn't count on the second outlaw to keep another card.

A memory of youth, in a way. Always got each other's back. Even as now when Graves still cursed him and family till he would be sent to drown.

Maybe all wasn't lost, after all. Twisted Fate could still hope. At least to get them out of this potential end. For his own survival first then Graves too. Despite all that happened, he never wished for bad things happening to his ex-partner. Life was cruel but if he could make it up he would.

Managed to snatch the dagger from the reaver king but it was at tad too late for Graves, already thrown in the dark waters. So he ran and slid down the ship, after the latter.

Fear caught him before the waters. Always so sharp, cold as the sea. It never left since his childhood. Was it because of this fear that he couldn't swim or was he scared of the sea because he never learned ? Not the time for this question, as panick overtook him.

But he had to. To help Graves. Or maybe his guilt would never leave. He knew it, as he lost little by little his strenght and control in this icy hell. Something had to be done. Even now he couldn't let go.

Tricky, wasn't it ? Twisted Fate could have just gone away, vanishing into a safer, drier place. Flee again his past, for it came back to him with fury. But in the critical instant, he couldn't. That thing made him follow Graves, even if it meant sharing the same gruesome end. Feelings. It never left, it would seem. Always tormenting in a rather quiet life. Regrets, looking back to someone he left behind. Life was a bitch indeed but at least it gave an opportunity to be together in its last instants. Wouldn't abandon him a second time.

This wasn't bearable, at all. Oxygen was so fast to disappear and this blurry environment too hostile. His instinct screamed to go away, be safe, flee, whatever as long as it meant living. By luck, he found Graves but he still counted on more when he had to open the lock sealing his chains. A lot of struggle, in a time where anything was rare, too precious. Darkness closing bit by bit around him, lack of air.

The lock gave in a few seconds before he passed out, sudden light from above coloring the waters like in mid day. Wondering if that was what death looked like, when it came to pull you in the abyss.

Then oblivion.

This made no fucking sense. He wouldn't be fooled again, no way. Still very furious against Twisted fate but that was all he had left. Graves couldn't understand at all what they just went through. All began with the awaited occasion to corner this snake of a thief after a long research. Then all went south. The gang, the run then gods damned Gangplank.

Couldn't believe they got both caught and ready to be killed. Well, it wasn't surprising knowing how much troubles they created back in the day, it got a lot of attention. But why that day ?

And if that wasn't enough, the whole bay went on fire. Yes, on fire. Burned, all of Gangplank fleat, the Dead Pool. Everything.

Here was Graves, fuming as they got away of the deadly area. A real mess. Many many corpses floating around, burned smell and smoke in the air. Tonight Bilgewater got a real show to behold.

Yes, he was angry, and terribly confused by this unlucky series of events. Who the hell would try to blow up the fleat of the authority around ?

Gangplank got to be dead, for sure.

But this wasn't what he was angry at. Back on land. How did he make it out alive ? Twisted Fate. Why was it an answer ? No idea.

The man actually managed to get them out of their chains and helped as he could. Enough for Graves to be free. In that short time, at the brink of drowning, he got a choice.

Leaving Twisted Fate to his death in cold waters or drag him back to surface.

So right now he faced the consequences of his choice. It had been hard to carry him too but in the end he made it to some large part of wood floating to keep them out of water.

After all this time chasing Twisted Fate, all this time hoping to see him dead, he saved him.

What is wrong with me ?

Immediate thought was to convince himself he had no use for a dead ex-partner. He wanted to hear his reasons and then actually kill him. To know. What pushed him to betray. Just to see if Twisted Fate would confess or would keep on his lies till the very end.

During all the run and since the warehouse, there was already a few attempts from the latter to brush off his responsibility. Say it wasn't true. That he was wrong. The man had no honor but no one had in Bilgewater. Why would he expect him to be honest for once ?

Yes, that was just to hear his last pleas that he 'saved' him. A delayed death.

But something troubled Graves, more and more since the warehouse. Since he saw Twisted Fate. Memories, feelings mixing where it wasn't needed at all. This shit could be gone as quick, he couldn't care less.

Carried him till the coast, safe enough for now. Put Twisted Fate's unconcious form down, slapped him a few times to get him moving. Guy had too much water in his lungs, quick to solve this. No care for strenght, he got it coming.

Annoying, to have memories. He couldn't help to remember, when watching Twisted Fate. A younger time. Bastard was still handsome, he couldn't believe. Even all soaked and beaten up as he was at the moment. A shame, truly. For he would have to make him pay anyway.

Graves never wanted to remember, only to keep in mind the reasons of his revenge. Not forget what he had to go through, because of that same man under him, between life and death. But if he tried not to forget, it meant holding the happy memories too.

When did love turn to hatred ? This was losing its meaning as he watched Twisted Fate, at last coughing water and breathing again. Alive.

He was so close to his vengeance but also so close to Twisted Fate. Pinning him down, ready to listen to whatever made up excuses he had before giving justice. Remember the Locker, remember pain, remember solitude. Never forget. But now it seemed reduced, inhibited.

Graves was angry at himself, for going soft at the worst moment. Why wasn't it so easy ? To choke the air out of an ex-partner, same one that sold him out. Why wasn't it appealing now ?

No, I hate him. He ruined my life.

Twisted Fate got the glazed look of someone having nearly hugged death and ran this way. Still recovering, taking as much breath as he could for it seemed like learning to live again. Not even focused on the threatening presence of his former partner above, looking at him narrowly.

So it was time, before the latter could find some senses and ideas to flee. Graves grabbed his wrists, held down firmly to the ground. Twisted Fate never was able to match his strenght, never. He wouldn't escape from this. Ineluctable.

Another slap to actually have him pay attention, in this difficult time. This did shake the latter, gaze focusing on him now, before it filled with a strange emotion.

Fuck.

Never as good than Twisted Fate to read others but right now it would be useful. Graves couldn't understand what he found there. Fear, indeed. This asshole couldn't swim so of course he got a serious scare. But it was something else that left him unsure. A soft edge, almost. Rare relief, of someone finding another long lost soul.

He could see Twisted Fate. Not the mask but him. No, he's just acting. Even after such a horrendous 'bath' in the bay ? The man was pale like he saw death itself, barely back to an even rhythm. How could he lie in such situation ? And there was no words yet.

The latter tried to speak but got to make several attempts before his voice accepted to sound. But even before he voiced it, Graves knew what he tried to say.

« Malcolm. » So low, voice impacted by this harshly accepted dive.

How could a name hurt so much to be said and to be heard. Graves felt his resolve declining little by little. A name spoke so often before, from that same mouth. In more quiet, intimate settings.

« Fuck you. » Quick reaction, he wouldn't fall for that again. It manipulated him once, not twice. Never again.

Let fury flow again, take control. Remember everything, his reasons. Just at the memories, his grasp tightened on the latter. Maybe some control or he would break too soon.

« You won't escape me now. It's over. »

Already imagined what Twisted Fate would look like, beaten and caught. When he had no longer ways to get out. Just the man remained. No fancy tricks, no sweet lies, nothing to save him.

But right now, he looked like nothing of it. Maybe he already accepted death, the moment they got sent to be drowned. When he jumped to join him in the waters.

Why would he do that ? They both knew he couldn't swim at all. But he followed nonetheless and saved him. This made no sense, to the point of annoying Graves. Why save someone you sent to jail ? Why risk something as stupid ? There was no possible good reasons to do that, for Twisted Fate's own benefit. Why save someone trying to kill you ?

Selfish, arrogant, liar. Why do that ? Trying to find some logic was the promise to lose his mind, while he had the man to his mercy.

Enough for a headache, after all the damage taken after the gang caught them.

No words from under. Exasperated, he changed his grasp to shake him by the collar. Violently. Twisted Fate winced but stood his gaze. Bastard.

« Why ? Why did you sell me out ? » The only question that mattered. Then he would be free to get this done and dealt forever. No longer having to see that pretty face.

Surprise tinted the latter's gaze and it reflected in his voice : « I didn't. Never. »

Always lying. He knew it would happen. No matter what, Twisted Fate carried on his habits.

« Bullshit. You fucking left me to be captured in that damned heist. At least admit one thing before you die. » Grasp trembling, clutching at that latter as to his belief.

« I…I know I lie most of times. But I never sold you out. We were partners. »

« And you left me behind ! Partners my ass. At least find a proper reason to get rid of me. »

Not fun at all, to have this conversation waited for years. The moment he could understand why he had to endure all this. Give a meaning to this mess, waste of ten years. Tempting to use force to make him talk.

« Never wanted to get rid of you. That heist was just bad luck. I made a mistake, okay ? »

Lies till the end. His patience had ran out for a long time.

« A mistake that got me in the Locker, is that what you mean ?! You're shit at excusing your mess. »

« I'm sorry ! » Almost a shout, as their exchanges got louder.

Direct gaze, no lies to see. Graves couldn't believe. If that was true then all these years spent at hating were for nothing. Again, it was just words but he had been asking for truth in the latter's last moments. When was the last time Twisted Fate admitted his faults ? An old time. But he saw it.

Remember that time when he could trust the man, thinking he was honest only with him. Sadly the whole crappy heist put an end to it. But what if ?

Not once he could tell if Twisted Fate was lying. A few rare times he was certain it was indeed the truth, talks in bed. How to be sure now ? Was he telling the truth all along ? He feared that possibility so much. It would break his evidencies. Hatred. What kept him alive for so long. Why he managed to get out.

No. He wouldn't fall for this again.

« Like hell you're sorry. Do you even know how it feels, to go in that fucking Locker ? Can you even get that ? Ten years ! And you didn't do shit to help. You just ran away and left me behind. Can you even imagine how it feels to be left behind ?! »