Chapter 37: Vika

The mission had been a failure, then again it was doomed from the couldn't handle it when he heard Tino crying out in pain, mentally calling out his name over and over. He hadn't planned to interfere when Tino had previously notified that he was brought into a meeting with the woman who had changed their lives among others. It took all of his strength to resist the call of Tino's cries for as long as he did. Hearing those cries grow louder as he rushed towards his lover tossed all resistance out of the window. In that moment it didn't matter od their cover was blown. he promised himself that he would protect Tino at all costs. If this meant they wouldn't be set free so be it. He refused to let Tino suffer a moment longer. Having his lover in his arms again since what seemed like an eternity it was hard to hold back the rush of emotions. he had wanted to punch Antonio in the face for making Tino cry. with Tino unconscious in his arms, he could clearly see how much this had really affected his lover. Tino's ability to shapeshift had been amplified by experimental drugs, which he knew left Tino in a horrible state.

when he finally got to their home he laid Tino on the bed. The shallow breathing wasn't a good sign. Berwald knew that on previous missions the drugs used to extend Tino's abilities had resulted in much strain to Tino's body. He needed to know how much of the drug was still present in Tino's bloodstream. Gently he removed Tino's shirt, revealing large bandages on his neck. Shocked he looked at his lover more attentively. Tino's forearms held a purple hue. Berwald held himself back from shaking Tino awake and demanding answers. Now wasn't the time to get hysterical. Leaving the bedside he grabbed their first aid kit and a change of clothes. Upon return, he removed the bandages to gauge the damage. The wound underneath wasn't as deep as he expected it to be, regardless the bite wound enraged him.

"Was it the other dog?" He thought.

Not much earlier he had attended to bite wounds similar to these at work, courtesy of Lovino. It had been more trouble than it was worth to get him back into confinement.

Tino gasped as he applied ointment to the wound. Replacing the bandage he moved on to change Tino into his pajamas. The cool silky texture of Tino's pajamas felt so comforting in his hands. How he missed it in these agonizing days spent alone. Carefully he slipped them on doing his best not to jostle Tino awake. The next thing he had to do was unpleasant but necessary. He needed to draw blood to make sure the concentration of the drugs weren't acting against Tino. Doing this was too reminiscent of the days they were experimented on as children.

"It needs to be done." He reminded himself. "Please bare with it for a while." He whispered as he pushed the needle in.

/

Tino knew very well what was going on with him. His body felt so hazy and heavy yet he was aware of all that was going on. Having Berwald besides him made the feeling much more bearable.

"Sorry. " He managed to let out.

The caressing of his face was so gentle, he'd missed these hands. Even though he felt so weak from the continuous use of his ability he wanted to reach out and take a hold of Berwald. He wanted to kiss and touch all over so he could be sure they were together again. At the same time, he felt incredible guilt for not being able to attain Feliciano to gain Berwald's freedom.

"Don't worry." He heard Berwald speak.

Soft lips ghosted over his own. A chaste that felt like their first. He could no longer tell if the rising heat in his body was from the exhaustion from the drugs or the passion that he was feeling as the kiss deepened. Berwald must've suspected the prior as the lips were removed before returning and slowly pushing cool water between them. The cool water traveling down his throat seemed to relax his body.

"Berwald always knows what to do." He thought as he gulped down on more water.

"Don't move." Berwald instructed.

A pinch like feeling alerted him of the needle in his arm and his blood was being drawn. This was scary but necessary. The drugs that allowed his ability to extend past his natural time frame was extremely deadly in high doses. Of course, that meant he was a primary guinea pig during its development. With all the anxiety over these few days, he had relied on the drugs more than before. There was so much at stake that he had run the risk of overdosing. The side effects would be at their worst now that he wouldn't be continuously using it.

"I'll be back." Berwald whispered.

The moment Berwald left his side he could feel his body jolt violently. Pain shot up his spine making him gasp for air.

"I can handle this." He told himself.

/

Taking the vial of blood Berwald quickly went into the room where his equipment was. Testing the blood wouldn't take too long with the equipment and the experience he had gained, still, he hated leaving Tino's side. If the concentration of the drugs was too high he would have to use methods he rather wouldn't.

"It hurts." he heard Tino think.

Fearing the worst he ran into the bedroom. Tino's body was violently convulsing while shapeshifting. Berwald hadn't seen this before.

"Tino." He said taking hold of his hand.

"Berwald."

Tino looked to be in severe pain as his features continuously changed. There wasn't much he could do, which made him feel sick to his stomach.

"Hold me."

Listening to the plea he wrapped around Tino's constantly changing form. The shifting between Tino's usual body to those smaller and bigger body types made it difficult to effectively soothe him. Berwald wondered how long this would last and hoped it wasn't for much longer. If he could switch places with Tino he would do it in a heartbeat.

"Berwald ." Tino's voice sounded so faint as if he were miles away. "I'm sorry."

Tino's movements seemed to be slowing down in his embrace. Less and less the shifting was occurring.

"I ...love...you."

It sounded like these were his last words. A floodgate worth of tears exploded from Berwald's eyes.

"I love you too." He sobbed.

He pressed his lips onto Tino's. There was no warmth to those lips anymore. Those lips didn't kiss back and in a blink of an eye, Tino's body went still. In his arms, Tino's body felt so light and limp. releasing his grasp he laid Tino onto the bed.

"He looks so peaceful." He thought as tears continued to flow.

There wasn't anything left for him to do. Even if he called someone for help it would be meaningless. Tino's mind had gone quiet.

"We .. should've run away..." He sobbed as he took hold of Tino's small hand. "I'm ...I'm happy that I've got to be with you one last time...I love you."

Berwald didn't know what to do now. How could he continue in a world without Tino by his side? For years he feared for this day and he still didn't have any answers. Regret .There was so much regret that he hadn't done anything for his lover. His mind ached from the overload of emotions. Everything felt like it was too much. years of holding his feelings inside were now budging to be let free. He wouldn't let Tino's sacrifice be in vain. Whatever it took he was going to prevent anyone else suffer from the hands of the corporation.

A beeping sound alerted him that the blood test was back into the room here moved the vial to end the aggravating beeping.

"These are worthless now...if I was quicker.."

Tino had been suffering and yet he took his time to do things properly. If he had administered the last resort, he couldn't help think that Tino would still be with him. What good was he to anyone? He couldn't protect Tino all those years ago and now he couldn't save him. Angrily he slammed the equipment onto the floor. The things he once took so precious care of now were being flung around the room in a fury. Without Tino, there was no one here to calm him.

"WHY?" He screamed over and over again.

His legs were beginning to feel heavy as air barely reached into his lungs. He didn't care as he continued screaming and crying. When things began to turn dark he didn't resist it. He let the darkness engulf him in hopes that it would take him to see Tino again.

/

"This must be how it is to die." Tino thought into the void.

His body felt so heavy and light at the same time. His eyes refused to open. His voice unable to let out, nor could he hear what was going on around him. He was convinced that he was dead. Only a slight tinge of pain could be felt all throughout his body. Sensations were dull. If this was what death was like there wouldn't be much he could do now, not that he had done much in life. He had failed the mission costing Berwald's freedom. If he could he would apologize one more time. He had done everything he could to complete the mission, his all apparently wasn't enough once again. The incident of being attacked by Feliciano had set him off to the point he had pushed himself too far. He knew that taking as much of the drugs as he did was dangerous. At the time he thought he was doing the right thing. In the end, he had paid the price for his actions and he was being punished for trying to exchange another's freedom to receive his own.

"Berwald ."

He wanted to be with him again...he couldn't leave Berwald alone again. He knew that his lover would suffer greatly without him. There wasn't much he could do about that now that he was dead.

"You owe me for this." He heard someone say to him.

A rush of air filled his lungs, making him cough. His throat ached as he tried to ask who had spoken to him. The dark void around him slowly gave way to blurry light.

"Welcome back Tino."

The voice was definitely not Berwald's. Desperately he wanted to speak, but the stranger hushed him. In the haze state, he could tell that an iv drip was attached to him. He was also strapped to the bed below him.

"What's going on? Am I back to the research facility?" He wondered, his anxiety rising higher and higher.

"Relax ." The voice spoke again.

Tino wanted to ask the voice how could he relax when he was unsure of his surroundings. everything was a frightening blur.

"If you want to see Berwald again you need to calm down."

These words weren't threatening, yet he could feel tears stream down his face. He had to do as this voice said. Years of following orders blindly made his body snap into attention. It took seconds for his eyes to dry up and his heart rate return to normal. Even bodily functions such as these had been mercilessly trained into submission over the years of experimentation.

"Good. I want you to listen to me very carefully. You have overdosed on the artificial stimulant. If you want to regain what was lost you need to work with me."

Tino nodded at the blurry figure.

/

Berwald woke feeling more defeated than he had ever felt in his life. There was no longer a point to anything. He felt so exhausted to even get up from the ground he found himself on. The surroundings were a mess, glass shattered and items turned over. he had little recognition of how he had passed out but knew painfully well of what occurred in the room next door.

"Berwald." He heard Tino's weak voice echo in his mind.

"No." He said holding back the feelings that were starting to well up again.

Despite the hole in his heart, his eyes could no longer produce tears. He had to be strong now that he was alone. How was that possible when Tino was his world?

"Berwald! What did you do?" Mathias's voice broke the silence. "Do you have any idea how much work and money you have destroyed?"

"There's no point...why are you here?"

Berwald didn't want to deal with anyone, especially this man. He wanted to be alone to grieve, he deserved at least that much. The corporation had no right to disrupt him during this time even if they did own him.

"Berwald."

"No." He said as he got up. "Get out."

"I'm trying to.."

"NO! Leave! You are not welcome here now!" He said as he grabbed onto Mathias's collar.

"Whoa. Calm down."

"Why?"

There was no point in going along with anything to do with the corporation. Following orders was meaningless if it no longer led to a happy life with Tino. He could die for all he cared for insubordination.

"Berwald." He heard Tino's voice again in his mind.

"He's gone."

"I'm trying to tell you that he.."

"STOP TALKING." He bellowed at the man in his grasp.

"Then I'll think it you, great big dolt." Mathias thoughts boomed in his ears.

Berwald hated his ability. Even with years of training, he knew that he couldn't control his mind reading when his emotions were out of control.

"STOP."

He didn't want to hear anything.

"Tino is alright." Mathias thought.

Berwald couldn't believe this obvious lie. Mathias was a part of the research facility and as such would manipulate him with any lies. Tino was gone and there was no changing that.

"ENOUGH!"

"Berwald." Tino's voice sounded louder in his mind.

He was about to dismiss the voice yet again when he heard a thud from the next room. Releasing Mathias he moved to the bedroom. The thus had been the sound of Tino's body falling out of bed. Without a second thought, he ran over to his lover. Cradling Tino's head he saw those bright eyes looking back at him with a half-smile. Tears tugged at his eyes.

"Tino." He whispered as caressed Tino's face.

"I'm sorry." Tino spoke from his mind as his mouth struggled to form words.

There was nothing Tino had to apologize for. He was back, that was all he could wish for. Overwhelmed with sadness and happiness he brought his lips onto Tino's. A small gasp came from Tino before allowing the kiss to be deepened. Ferociously he explored the caverns of Tino's mouth. He needed every part of him to know that Tino was alive.

/

Tino was shocked at how he was being ravished by Berwald. All the pain in his body was melting away with one gentle caress along the sides of his body as Berwald laid claim to his lips. His breath hitched as strong fingers slipped under his shirt, lightly running up and down his spine.

"Are you alright?" Berwald asked once he broke the kiss.

He could only nod as his sensitive body was starting to feel hot from Berwald's actions. Dark blue eyes peered into his, making the heat travel further south on his body. Perhaps because of Berwald's ability or because of the face, he was making Berwald knew exactly what to do. Strong hands scooped him up and returned him to the bed. The sheets felt cool against his hot skin. His heart beat wildly in his chest as Berwald joined him on the bed, hovering over his body. Those eyes still held a sorrowful look as it looked over his small frame.

"I'm fine now Berwald. I want to be with you." He reached out with his mind.

A gasp erupted from him as Berwald's mouth clamped down onto his clavicle. There was no doubt that there would be a mark left there as Berwald sucked on his clavicle. It was starting to drive him wild as a tongue moved from his clavicle onto his nipple. The swirling tongue around his nipple accompanied with the strong hands sliding down his body stirred his nether regions more. Lust seized his whole being as skillful hands brushed against his crotch while removing his pants. Half lid eyes watched as Berwald began to remove his own clothing.

"I want to help."He thought as he reached his hands up.

Berwald leaned in close allowing him access to the front of his this close up it was undeniable that Berwald was hard as a rock. Such a realization made his own cock twitch. Although his hands still didn't have much strength he was able to free Berwald from the confinement of his pants. Hooking his fingers in the waistband of the underwear in front of him he tugged until Berwald's cock sprung free. No matter how many times he saw his lover's naked form the size of his cock always shocked him.

"I want to make you feel good." He thought as he brought Berwald's throbbing member closer to him.

Licking the underside of Berwald's shaft Berwald released a moan. Without another word, he swirled his tongue around the tip teasingly before slipping it into his mouth. His lover twitched within his mouth as he continued to taste him. Berwald' hands pressed against the headboards with a loud thump as the member pushed further into Tino's mouth. He could tell Berwald was holding himself back from thrusting in further. Tino was grateful at this as the position made it hard enough to provide proper fellatio.

"Tino... enough." Berwald grunted.

With a loud sloppy pop, Berwald's cock was released from his mouth. His own cock was screaming to be touched. He watched as Berwald reached into the nearby dresser for lube and a condom. The maddening feeling between his legs wasn't helped by the underwear that still hadn't been removed from his body. And the meticulous manner in which Berwald was placing the condom on furthered his desires. Precum had already given a wet feeling to the thin cloth that encased his throbbing member.

"Don't tease me." He thought when strong hands ran up his inner thighs.

In one quick motion, the remaining article of clothing was removed and his legs were lifted and spread. Cold lube slid down to his entrance. He wanted it right away, even so, he knew Berwald wouldn't give it to him until he was prepared finger swirled the glob of lube around his entrance before pushing slowly into the puckered entrance. The small pressure was a welcoming feeling as the finger stroked the inner more lube came a second finger.

"Berwald." He moaned as the addition brushed against his sensitive spot.

He was aware that he had begun to rock his hips in hopes to hit the spot again. There was no such luck as the fingers retreated from his legs more he waited in anticipation as his lover lined up with his entrance. With the tip touching, he couldn't take it anymore. Moving his legs to Berwald's lower back he pushed hard forcing him into his entrance. A jolt of desire hit as they connected. There was barely any pain to the forced penetration. Moving his hips eagerly he hoped Berwald wouldn't hesitate to move.

"I love you." Berwald whispered.

"...love...you too." He managed to speak.

All too suddenly Berwald was moving in and out of him. The sounds of their uniting bodies echoed in the room. Tino could no longer tell which moans belonged to who.

"I love you." Berwald said as he shifted their position so that they were both upright.

The shift in position allowed Berwald to reach even deeper into him.

"Be..be...Berwald." He moaned.

Each thrust was like heaven as Berwald hit his sensitive spot again and again. The quickening thrusts told him that his lover was close to climax and so was he. Their lips joined as their joined climax approached. In one last powerful thrust, he felt Berwald's cock twitch and explode within him, setting off his own climax. Strong hands wrapped around him, holding so tightly as if to say he would never let go again.

"I will never leave you again." He panted.

As they caught their breath a knock on the door snapped him out of his haze.

"Is it safe to come in?"Mathias' voice came from behind the door.

His cheeks redden as he quickly threw himself under the covers.

"I bet you two forgot all about me."

They had. In the heat of the moment, they had completely forgotten about their guest. Tino could die from the embarrassment he was feeling now.

"Hurry up and shower before the meeting." Mathias commanded.

/

Berwald stared lovingly at the small bump under the had hidden away the second Mathias's voice appeared at their doorway. I fit weren't for the interruption they could've laid in bed forever as he gently ran his fingers across Tino's arm. If he could he would ignore Mathias and curl up beside under the covers.

"Shower?"He asked the lump.

His heart warmed up at the sight of Tino's redden face poking out from the covers. He didn't resist the urge to cup that adorable face with his hands. A smile tugged at his face as Tino leaned into the touch. He didn't want this moment to end. Pressing his lips to Tino's forehead he slipped out of the bed. Making his way around the bed he slipped his hands under the covers and lifted up Tino.

"You don't have to."

"Please."

He knew Tino was strong, even so, the scare had shown just how fragile their lives truly were. Despite being smaller in size Tino was a powerful individual and it was for that reason that the corporation continuously sought him out. Whether it was a blessing or a curse that they didn't die like the others or were killed he was still unsure.

Once they made it into the bathroom he set down Tino onto the tub.

"Cold." Tino gasped when he turned on the water.

"Sorry."

"You can't control everything."

A statement he knew all too well. Regardless he would do all he could for Tino. Stepping in front of the shower head before switching it on. Ice cold water sent a shiver down his spine. Slowly the water warmed to a temperature he was willing to let touch Tino's fair skin.

/

Tino wasn't as fragile as he looked. For now, he was willing to let Berwald care for him as if he were the most fragile glass in the world. He did refuse to let Berwald carry him out to meet Mathias however. He had let Berwald clean and dress him. Their union had added onto the exhaustion he felt, yet he felt whole and relaxed.

"Look who's up and walking. I didn't know Berwald had the ability to heal with his cum." Mathias joked as they walked in. "Crude jokes aside. You are lucky that I was here."

"Why were you here?" He asked.

"You may be out of the loop due to your espionage. I came here to escort Berwald to a meeting. the unrest that has been building up for a while has reached a point that members of the corporation are banding together to bring it down from the inside in. You might not believe me because of all the suffering you two went through these years, but even those who were on the other side of the glass also suffered at the hands of the corporation."

It really wasn't hard to believe his words, among a handful of the staff in the research facility, was a good person. Even though Mathias administered painful tests and experimentation he wasn't cruel like the others they used to have. Mathias always treated them more like people than lab rats. Tino knew things weren't as black and white, in life, there wasn't a define good guy or bad guy. To those they wronged like Lovino they must've been the worst possible people.

"We need to get going. I promised that we would meet the others on time."

In a small room they met up with others Mathias said were leading a revolt within the corporation. Glancing around there were more unfamiliar faces than anything. It was evident that others from outside the research branch were trying to wrap their heads around the atrocities that took place under their nose. As the last surviving child test subjects they were gawked at as if they were creatures from another planet. He wondered if Berwald was as uncomfortable as he was or if he had gotten used to it.

"What's going to happen to us?" He, at last, spoke up over the overlapping voices."We...I failed my assignment. I failed to secure freedom for myself and Berwald. None of you have any idea what we have gone through. You don't know how it feels to have your humanity taken away. If things don't work out you won't be in the same mess as us."

"Humanity and morality have no place in the corporation. I have seen it first hand tossed out the window." An unfamiliar female spoke.

"The guest of honor has arrived."Mathias said.

A complete stranger stood before them. She looked not much younger than they were and yet everyone seemed to know her. She spoke with an authority that shone past the school uniform. The look in her eyes was a mix of determination and sadness.

"For those who might not know I would like to introduce Ms. Bella, the daughter of the cause of our suffering." Mathias said in a not so serious tone.

"She is also the one who brought us together." Ms. Carriedo said standing beside Bella.

Their eyes met for a moment. Knowing look was exchanged as if to say they needed to talk once this was over.

"I may be the daughter of the creator of this corporation, but I was also a test subject. Granted my experience was not as severe as those who were forced into experimentation til this day. I was a last minute substitute towards the end of the child experimental era. I was tested to see if the drugs developed would work for someone who hadn't undergone the severe experimentation. I do not know my father's intentions behind any of this. Despite everything I do not believe my father is evil. There must've been a purpose behind those testing."

Tino's blood nearly boiled at the last word. It was infuriating how she could dismiss things so easily. He'd seen children die from the intense experimentations. He was used and push to the brink of death and his life was seen as something easily replaced. He had become more of a tool than a person, stripped of everything including Berwald for years. None of this could be swept under the rug.

"I didn't mean to belittle what you have gone through. I'm sorry." She apologized before turning to the rest of the group. "You all may think that I am untrustworthy, that is a legitimate worry. What my father did to those children were despicable. We must resist the resurgence of that time. I am expected to take over the overseeing of the research branch among others. I cannot in good conscious stand repeating the sins of the past. Together we will destroy the corporation from the inside out. This is many of your livelihoods so we need to rebuild upon the ideals that should be upheld."

"How do you propose we do that? We are lucky that no one has been able to bypass the temporary jam on the chip's transmissions." Ms. Carriedo said.

"We'll need to take out a section in groups. Once the research facility goes down the rest will follow."

"How can you be so sure of that?" Berwald asked.

"Because it was almost done once before."

"And it was a failure that cost many people their lives." added.

"This time it's more than you and the Beilschmidts." Mathias said.

"I'll do everything in my power to ensure there won't be a repeat of that time." said Bella.

######

Author note:

Another chapter done! It's sad to get to the end of this fic, but once it's over I can focus on other fics. I have one in the works that I can put attention to after this month. I'm going to branch out to other fandoms so wish me luck and I'm open to suggestions. As always a big thank you to all.