Chapter 36: Down the river

"Palutena, can I talk to him alone?", Pit looked at the young woman next to him, and she nodded.

"Yes, as I said, I'll take a look around then".

Afterwards they both got out of the car and greeted Pittoo, who crossed his arms and angrily stopped in front of them.

"Hello Pittoo, I'll give you two a little time for yourself. See you later, "Palutena greeted him first, and the black-haired man nodded.

"Hello and okay, see you later", after that his attention was focused on Pit, who was looking for some help from Palutena. Pittoo looked more than angry.

"I told you not to come here," he growled as Pit turned back to him.

"I know, but I just couldn't leave you like that, you know that. Especially after you hang up without giving me a chance to reply," Pit replied, biting his lower lip lightly.

"Why not? You've finished everything here and don't you think you've already done enough mess? ", The words hit Pit hard and his blue eyes widened before they changed into a hurt expression.

Something that made Pittoo look away.

"That's not what I meant ... I just don't want you to get involved in anything else. You have enough to do in your world and you shouldn't waste your time here. I'll be fine and the others too. It looks like everyone is fine, "Pittoo soothed the brown-haired, but the words still hurt.

"I know that I don't belong here and that I shouldn't interfere ... but ... it feels so incredibly wrong. I want to help you, I know that something is wrong. Are these two weeks worth nothing? Just because I can go back to my world now? I mean I promised you that I would visit you, why do you want to get rid of me now? ", Pit's look became serious, and he looked at the black-haired man. He wanted a visual confirmation of his suspicion that Pittoo wasn't feeling well, and in fact he seemed weaker and somehow slimmer than before.

"Of course these 2 weeks are worth a damn, it's why I didn't want to see you anymore. I told you on the phone ... you just make it harder for me ... I had settled down, especially after our conversation. Even though I suspected that you were coming anyway, "Pittoo grumbled, and he avoided Pit's gaze before looking around. It seemed like he was searching the area for something or someone.

"Come on ... let's go to my room. There are too many eyes and ears here, I don't want anyone to hear our conversation ", with these words Pittoo ignored any answer that lingered in the air and Pit closed his mouth again.

"Okay ... I'm coming with you and ... please don't push me away. I mean, we've been talking about it, I know it's hard for you, but we never wanted to break the contact completely, you never said anything about that, "Pit followed the black-haired who now looked younger than himself.

"I didn't know how long we could have been together, but since then a lot has happened and I'm busy enough here, I have to concentrate on myself and convince the supervisors that I'm allowed to go outside again", Pittoo looked over the Shoulder to him as he walked along the tree-lined path toward a large, somewhat old-fashioned house.

"Does it really change that much? I mean ... if you really don't want to see me anymore, I won't come here anymore. But ... isn't it that you could use someone by your side right now? I could help you to convince them that you didn't do anything wrong. I can also pretend to be Piet, that would be pretty good, isn't it? ", Pit didn't even think the idea was that bad. He was here because of the "abduction", but if exactly this person whom he allegedly kidnapped wouldn't disappear from his side, it showed that he hadn't done anything to him, and they even got along well.

Pittoo sighed annoyed and a little confused.

"We're talking inside," he said for a moment, and Pit followed him into the house. Inside, it didn't look so old-fashioned anymore, but it was beautiful. Wood-paneled walls lined large rooms. They walked past lounges filled with entertaining and gambling people, a large dining room adjoining a kitchen, and group rooms until they arrived at a door Pittoo unlocked.

Behind it, they entered a small but comfortable room with a bed, a table, a TV, a wardrobe, a desk, and a computer. Pit recognized some things from Pittoo's old apartment. But it was also obvious that this wasn't a rented apartment, it was nothing more than a room with adjoining bathroom.

"You live here? Don't you have a real apartment? "Pit asked curiously, after looking around.

"No, that's a real one here. This is the residential complex of the institution. The orphans and the handicapped people which stay a bit longer but aren't dangerous live here. There is still a closed area next to this with its own living spaces and patients who are under constant care.

Every week a caregiver looks through the rooms, he looks for forbidden things that have been smuggled in and admonishes us if the room isn't tidy. Otherwise, we are left alone, except for our weekly schedules, which we have to comply with.

You see ... there's nothing here that would make your alarm bells ring. I'm safe, "Pittoo settled on the bed and crossed his arms again, before he looked at Pit properly.

"You look older, is that your real look as an angel?" He asked him before Pit could reply.

"No, Lady Palutena made me older, so I don't look like Piet's twin, I'm supposed to pose as his cousin. But I have my angelic body yes ... also my wings, but they are invisible so as not to attract attention.

Can you tell me more? About how you live here? If I can be sure that everything is alright and you really want to get rid of me ... then I will go again. Even if I would like to visit you sometimes, "Pit answered, and he tried to persuade Pittoo somehow.

"I told you everything. I have a carer who looks after me every second day and with whom I talk, he does everything for me and will also help me to get out here as soon as he thinks I'm ready for it. Otherwise, I have a weekly schedule like everyone here, we have different fixed dates and group appointments, as well as some free time we should fill with the leisure activities that are offered here.

That's all ... I've been here all my life Pit ... I get along. It's not bad, just a little annoying that every step has to be watched and you rarely get left alone unless it's Sunday.

I don't really want to get rid of you Pit, I just don't see why you should stay here. You've done everything you can do ... there's nothing more, "his red eyes met Pit's Blue ones and the angel had to admit that he was right. Everything seemed to be okay.

"Is it really that? Is there really nothing left to do? You've gotten thinner, I'm sure ... I don't know, I feel like you're hiding something from me and Piet also wanted to meet you once, he wanted to thank you personally! ", Pit joined Pittoo down on the bed and the words slipped away from him. He felt a twinge in his chest, it hurt that the black-haired man behaved so distanced after they had gone through so much together and had grown so close.

"Leave it Pit, it's all okay and I don't want to see Piet ... even you should be able to understand that, right? I know his body, but he is completely unfamiliar to me. I don't care about Piet, I took care of you Pit and only you. I don't know Piet and I don't want to meet him, I would just confuse him with you ", Pittoo looked at him with a piercing gaze and Pit bowed his head.

He couldn't say that to Piet he was such a kind-hearted young man. Just like him.

"Don't say that ... I've met Piet now, and he's really great, we're very much alike, but I think I understand that you don't want to compare him to me, but he's has an own character you would realize it quickly. Just like you aren't the same as Dark Pit.

But I can't force you to do anything ... I just wish the conversation would have been different, I was hoping you wouldn't be so cold when we see each other again ", he couldn't ignore Pittoo's behavior. They were friends, even after everything that happened between them, and he had never had the impression that Pittoo wanted to get away from him that much.

"I don't have any other choice, otherwise I'll never get rid of your persistence and draw the anger of your boyfriend on me. I just don't have the desire to meet Piet, rather the opposite, even if he is different from you. I don't want it to start all over again. That your looks aren't the same anymore seems to make this moment here a little easier, but the feelings are there, and they won't leave. I don't know if I can control myself when I see Piet ... my feelings may not differentiate you two, and then he will be no more than a cheap substitute. It's not easy ... even if you want to be optimistic, "Pittoo said the cold, hard, hurtful truth.

He was a realist, Pit knew that, and he weighed things up. His words were correct, even if he could say them less brutal, but that's how he was.

"Maybe you are right. You know best how you feel. But you always change the topic successfully ... what is really going on? I am often naive enough to not notice things, but I realize that something is wrong with you. You are stiffer than usual and you lost weight ", Pit wouldn't let him off so easily. Pittoo could be right in everything and maybe it was easier for both of them, but he just didn't believe him that everything was okay. He didn't want someone to overhear or see them together. Although he wasn't sure about the second one, but he had watched him attentively, knowing that he couldn't get anything out of Pittoo if he had no proof.

The black-haired man growled and then clicked his tongue.

"I'm having some problems with some ... old friends. But I only lost weight because of the whole thing that was going on and the worries I had for you. I couldn't eat and sleep well, but it will get better now. So stop pestering me, I think it's time for you to go, "his voice was cold and sharp. Pit hadn't heard this voice for a long time. It seemed like he had struck a nerve.

"That doesn't seem to be everything Pittoo ... I was right. You have problems and I won't give up until I know what it is. I'll be back tomorrow and every other day if I need to. You can hate me for that, but I won't just let you down, "Pit's gaze was just as grave when he returned Pittoo's, and anger flared up in the other's brown-red eyes.

"Stay out of it! And now leave! I have no desire to lose my temper here! Then I would need to stay here even longer, "Pittoo growled angrily, then suddenly grabbed the surprised angel by the arm and dragged him outside.

Pit could defend himself against him, but he was so surprised by the outburst that he stumbled after Pittoo and the next moment he just got the door slammed in his face and stood in the hallway all alone. Perplexed and taken by surprise.

"What the hell was that ?! Pittoo! ", He knocked on the door and struck against it a few times. But there was no answer, and when he woke the attention of a few people who were just entering the hall, he stopped. He certainly didn't want to riot here. But he wouldn't get rid of him that easily! Something was wrong here, and he would find out what it was, he owed Pittoo, no matter how much he wanted to scare him away. Pit couldn't shake the feeling, that he only did that so that Pit wouldn't find out what was going on.

But why?

He didn't know that, maybe to protect him or because he just wanted to fix his problems on his own again. But he was sure that his vehement attempts to scare him away weren't only because he didn't want his feelings to grow again. Then he would have said it in the past too, that he shouldn't visit him, when they talked about Pit visiting the institution when Pittoo ended there.

Pit sighed and leaned an arm against the door and his forehead against his arm.

"I won't let you down Pittoo ... I'll be back tomorrow, I hope you're ready to tell me more than," he now spoke against the closed door, but all that answered was silence.

For today, he couldn't achieve anything here, and Pit sighed again. He wished the conversation had gone better, it was heavy on his stomach.

But now he had little choice but to do what Pittoo wanted him to do, at least for today. He turned and walked down the hall, following the path they had walked together. Pit looked at the other people and patients who were talking animatedly, playing, eating or doing other things.

Nothing caught his attention, nothing seemed suspicious. There were groups standing together and talking, but no one seemed to pay more attention to them than usual. Of course, there were curious looks, but Pit didn't notice anything else, and so he left the house and went to search for Palutena.

He found her in a small zoo that bordered directly at the institution and seemed to be especially for the handicapped people who enjoyed the sight of the animals who lived happily in large enclosures.

Pit observed ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, various species of birds and rodents until he found Palutena at an alpaca enclosure.

"Palutena!", He shouted for her and forced a smile, which didn't seem convincing.

"Oh Pit. Back again? How did the conversation go? He's a tough guy, huh? ", She checked on him as she approached.

"Oh yes ... he just wants to solve everything by himself. We had a little talk and I can understand a lot of the things he said. He has feelings for me, and he doesn't want to keep flaming them, that's why he wants me to go. That is one of the reasons why he doesn't want to see Piet too, he doesn't know him, and he thinks that he only took care of me and not him.

I can understand that, but there is more and when I tried to get the truth out of him, he immediately threw me out. He doesn't seem to get along well with a few people ... but I don't know anymore. He kicked me out right away. "Pit's lips tightened and Palutena gave him a sympathetic look.

"Maybe you should give him some time? He knows that you are here, that you are well, maybe he only needs some time to come to terms with himself? He certainly had his hands and head full with what happened this week, just like us.

We'll probably find out the other things that bug him if he calms down a bit. You understand him very well Pit, someone else might just leave him to himself when he acts like that, someone who doesn't know him as well as you do, "Palutena cheered him up, and Pit nodded, smiling.

"Thanks ... I really hope that he will trust me again. I told him that I'll come back tomorrow ... and every day afterwards until I know what's really going on. Maybe I exaggerated a bit? ", The young angel rubbed his neck a little uncertainly and grinned slightly.

"Perhaps? You know how to handle him. If you want to visit him every day, then be it. But we have to look that you come here by train. I can't leave Piet alone in the house every day, "Palutena chuckled as they made their way back to the car.

"That's true, I don't want to do that to him. But how do I tell him that Pittoo doesn't want to see him? "Pit frowned thoughtfully.

"Just like that. He will have to live with it. I can understand Pittoo, Piet himself is a complete stranger to him, but in a body he knows very well, it's not easy to handle, "Palutena unlocked the car, and they both got in.

"Hm okay. Then I will tell him. Maybe I can change Pittoo's mind so that we can really talk to each other again, without him trying to drive me away "Pit leaned back in the seat after he had fastened his belt and looked to Palutena.

Yeah ... that's how you could see it, Pittoo had just done everything to drive him away. He wanted to hide something, otherwise he wouldn't have behaved like that but talked to him normally without hurting him with his words. Especially since he had a hard time talking to him like that.

He had to be confident, Pittoo was a tough one, he knew him all too well. Dark Pit was still like that today, in some situations ...

OoOoO

The whole thing was still on his mind when they got back to Palutena's house, he wasn't that cold to just forget about it. Pit thought about how he should handle it. He definitely wanted to go back to Pittoo as soon as he could. Somehow he needed to cut his shell, but he didn't want to use deceitful ways. He didn't want to take advantage of Pittoo's feelings to get the truth out of him, even if he could.

When they entered the house they were greeted by the curious Piet. But his laugh faded when he saw Pit's face.

"Oh ... welcome back. It didn't go so well? ", The young man let the two enter and Palutena shook her head in response, but Pit answered.

"Unfortunately not. He pretty much blocks everything. He explained to me a little how his situation looks like, there is more, but he doesn't want to tell me and... he doesn't want to see you. Pittoo says that he was mainly looking after me and wasn't aware of you. He probably thinks that he doesn't deserve any thank you's from you, "Pit had to say it a little more nicely, Pittoo had been pretty mean.

"Oh ... that's alright. I can understand it, I mean he doesn't know me, so to speak. He only knows me as you. It would be strange for him to see me and to know that I am no longer the one he used to know, although you are there too. Oh ... that's so complicated, "Piet scratched his neck slightly and Pit had to grin.

"Yes, my thoughts. But I understand what you mean. Well tomorrow I will visit him again. I'll get him to give in. He only got into this situation through me, I can't just let him down, not after everything he has done for me, "Pit clenched his fist and nodded, yes, he had made his mind up. Whether Pittoo liked it or not.

"I wish you luck!", Piet grinned motivated before the 3 of them gathered for dinner at the table.

"Shall I drive you again tomorrow? But after that you will have to go by train from time to time. "Palutena glanced at Pit while the three of them were preparing the table.

"That would be nice, thanks. I have to look for the train connection. Piiiet, can you help me? ", Pit's gaze went pleadingly to his brown-haired human self, which grinned in reply:" Of course! ".

Palutena was happy that the two got along so well.

"Well, then I'll drive you again tomorrow and you can look for train connections afterwards, then let us eat", so they sat down and started to have dinner. As usual, Pit and Piet chatted with each other, the two never stopped talking, when one was finished the other had something to say. Well, they resembled each other like two eggs. Palutena occasionally participated in the small talk of the two. Piet enjoyed telling Pit about his medical studies and at the same time he asked the angel about everything.

They even talked about what they would do when Piet came to Skyworld. He wanted to ride on Phos or Lux and enjoy the hot springs. Palutena could only shake her head with a smile, she only hoped that the goddesses and Pit would take good care of her son if he was allowed to come over.

After they had finished eating, the two men headed straight up to their "task", directly planning out possible connections and times for the next two weeks.

"I would really like to go, but if he absolutely doesn't want to see me, I can't impose myself on him. But you also have to take a day off! I want to do something with you too! He bunkers you completely for himself, "Piet said teasingly and with a grin.

"Don't worry, I'll take time for something else. I'll definitely take you to Skyworld and maybe we can picnic in the park or something. I did that with Pittoo and it was really nice, "he wanted to spend time with him as friends, he had no interest in Piet, that would be even stranger than his interest in Dark Pit or Pittoo.

In addition, his feelings for Pittoo were something completely different too, they were certainly also heavily influenced by his relationship with Dark Pit. His heart seemed to have big problems separating his lover and his human counterpart.

"We can do that or go to a zoo. There are certainly enough things you can do, I'm sure you haven't experienced everything. A planetarium for example, or a visit to the cinema or swimming pool ", that was all in the realm of possibility and Piet liked it if he could spend his time outside. He could barely wait to get fit again, so he could do something. Otherwise, sitting around at home would make him really sick.

But he was much better now, and he didn't have to be supported anymore.

"We can do that. Maybe I'll persuade Pittoo enough that he comes with us. It would be nice if you at least get to know each other, even if you meet only once and then never again, "Pit replied, although the thought was a pity. But he would never force someone into a relationship, neither Piet nor Pittoo. If it turned out like that, why not? But if either of them didn't want to, then he wouldn't try to pair them up or something.

He respects Pittoo's opinion, so they had to see if he agreed to meet Piet, if not, then not.

"We still have some plans. Once you're healthy, we'll do something together okay? Until then, you have to take care of yourself ", Pit gave the other a smile, Piet on the other hand pouted, which made the angel laugh.

"Okay, okay ... I'll take care. But I can't wait to get out and meet my friends ", Piet finally gave in.

"I can understand that very well, they are also worried about you. It wonders me that no one came by to check on you, "Pit commented.

"That's because my mother refuses. She doesn't want me to strain myself too much, but she will allow me visits soon and many of my friends are living further away. Unfortunately, I don't study near here, "Piet explained, before powering the laptop.

"Oh okay, I hope you don't have problems with your studies," Pit's voice showed his worry.

"Oh, that's okay. I'll just pick up the weeks later. Magnus has recorded everything I've missed so far, so it will be alright, "Piet reassured him. He had told him that he was friends with Magnus, so he was also very surprised to find him in the game as his buddy and even with his girlfriend Gaol. Apparently their destinies were actually very closely linked. It surprised Pit even more that he had never met Pittoo before. But that was something they could change, couldn't they? He didn't give up his hope that fast. The thought that they were connected in all worlds was just too good to give up on. But he knew that he wasn't allowed to meddle too much.

But now they ended their conversation, it was late enough, and they went to bed. This time, Piet promised the angel he wouldn't sneak into his bed at night. But Pit didn't mind when Piet had those nightmares, he was happy that he could help him to get some sleep.

At night, it seemed to show that the young man hadn't gotten used to everything as well as he pretended.