A/N:

Hey ya'll! It's a new year and I hope you've all had the best start possible! Me? I've been suuper busy and a bit more than exhausted - I actually just got a new job! However I'm well and still working on doing more consistent chapter updates as well as authors notes. (*nudge, nudge, see!? I updated last month!*) All jokes aside, I really hope to eventually get to at least one chapter per month.

I wanted to take some time to thank everyone for the support I've received across all platforms. The comments, questions and messages of encouragement, every great conversation, and all the new friends I've made along the way - it all means so much! Every single favourite, follow and kudos, just knowing y'all are here with me on this journey; I absolutely treasure it.
I started this out as a combination of therapy, a way to work on my writing skills and also (mostly and somewhat guiltily) a way I could venture through more backstory and depth for some of my favourite (and may I say wildly underrated) characters. I wasn't sure even one person would read it, but here we are! I haven't received a single negative comment and that's pretty damn super.

I hope reading this story can give you something to look forward too during this pandemic like writing it has done for me.

To answer a few FAQs:

1. YASS I have been working on artwork for the story! I also plan to commission other artists as well at some point for some serious eye candy. I love the Water 7 arc and characters to pieces, as well as the others who will be joining this story, and I think they deserve it! :')

2. This story is like an ever-expanding universe. We've only brushed the surface, there will definitely be many more characters and storylines intertwining in more ways than you might think.

3. Yes I've changed the name of the story! It was a working title for so long - I was really drawing a blank! But I've NOT been happy with it. I think this works much better all around.

4. Y'ALLLLL KILL ME LOL! I know there hasn't been much excitement yet in terms of steamy adult situations, but GIVE IT TIME YOU PERVERTS! The warnings and tags will grow more relevant as the story progresses - like I said! We're just brushing the surface. The tip of the iceberg. ;)

Thanks ya'll, really.

Much love

xox

Franky, pale and blank-faced, slammed his fist down onto Blueno's bar counter. Through gritted teeth he requested three colas and tapped his foot as he waited.

"Somethin' on your mind today?" Blueno moseyed up with his order and gave a welcoming smile.

"Yeah. Anything on yours?" He pushed his bangs back from his eyes and sighed.

"You're the big guy from before, right - with the fancy cloak? Was just thinkin' that I don't recall catching your name when you were here last night."

"It's Franky. You're Blueno, right?"

He chortled as he nodded, not unlike a goat would.

"So it was you. I thought so. Three colas and all; things like that stick out 'round here. So what's on your mind then?"

"People. You never really know them, eh? You can know a lot, but things will still come out and surprise you, and not always in a good way either."

"Very true." Blueno gave another slow nod.

He grimaced at the rows of bottles on the wall behind the bar and resisted asking for one, knowing all too well how it would turn out.

Crocodile…all this time…

He felt a growl rising from his throat.

Son of a bitch. You sick son of a bitch. I should've known…friends? You're just another one of them after all.

His whole body was in tremors as he thought of their conversation on their way into town; his low voice casually asking:

"You lived most of your life here, right? Have you ever heard of something called Pluton?"

Shock initially kept him quiet. Not wanting to give anything away he did his best to keep his cool and act like he was thinking on it. The sickly rage that nearly kicked the legs out from under him was something he hadn't felt in years.

"I've heard it mentioned once or twice. It's like that myth right - about the ancient weapons?"

"That's the one. Long ago I heard a few rumours about it that I've been rather curious about ever since."

"Rumours?" He spoke dryly but Crocodile didn't seem to take notice.

"One of those rumours was that there are people on this island – shipbuilders – who have in-depth knowledge of Pluton. Apparently even the blueprints to build it…passed down over time, master to apprentice."

"Oh?" Franky straightened up his stance. "So you don't think it's just some shitty myth?"

"A myth? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. If it is real, I have my own plans for it. I'll find it."

Franky slowed his pace and watched with a downcast gaze as Crocodile strolled off towards a bridge. He flicked the sunglasses that rested on his forehead over his eyes.

Does he know? Is he just messing with me? Has he been messing with me all along!?

"Hey, I'm gonna swing by the bar. There's a few things I forgot to take care of. Catchya later, eh?" Franky hoped he didn't sound as heartbroken as he felt. "Good luck with everything."

Crocodile looked back over his shoulder and smiled the warmest of smiles he'd ever seen him muster. Fine lines crinkled up around his blissfully closed eyes as the warm sea air picked up and blew his raven hair about his face.

"I'm starting to think I do have some good luck on my side after all. Why don't we meet back up for dinner and drinks later on?"

Franky had already turned his back on him.

"Where would I find you?" He knew his face would give him away so he didn't look back.

"Let's say Dock 1, around six o'clock?"

Frozen in his tracks he felt his heart pound and skin crawl.

"Dock 1?" He clenched his fists so hard he thought he might break skin.

"I'm having the ship looked after. They're supposed to have it ready for me around then."

"I hear it's the finest of the shipyards." He couldn't help but steal a glance back to see his expression. His smile was nothing short of beatific.

"It is." He raised his brows and grinned even wider "You're wearing your sunglasses. I don't think I've seen you actually wearing them like that yet. It looks good."

Franky was grateful that they hid his sullen eyes.

"I'm really gonna miss you, Croc."

He tilted his head and frowned as he watched the blue haired cyborg make his way towards Blueno's Bar.

"Hey…what's wrong? Are you sure you don't wanna just take off?"

"Absolutely." Franky hung his head as he moved on.

Over at Galley La headquarters, Iceburg had dismissed Kalifa for the morning and returned to his room. He trailed his hand along his work-desk and tried to ignore the papers piled up waiting for him. With a quiet groan he shrugged the blazer from his shoulders and headed for the cabinet where he kept his liquor.

What a strange week this has been...

He grabbed a bottle and began to reach for one of the many glasses that stood on the cabinet shelves but instead just yanked the cork out and drank straight from the sleek neck.

What a strange life this has been.

Young and frightened, Iceburg paced the floor in front of the dorm's main window while he watched commotion unfold by the water below. He resented the concern that he felt. Campus security had moved in on something but it was far too dark to make out what was going on.

Shouts rang out into the night.

He hoped with all his might that it was their unsavoury ex-roommates getting caught so it could finally be over with - after the story that Dylin had spun the staff was on alert for the two of them so he tried to stay confident that it was them. He didn't feel bad in the least bit for them being framed, considering, but he did feel poorly about the means they used.

Their conversation was still fresh in his mind as he peered out into the night at the torchlights bobbing by the water. When Dylin had gone over his full plan with him he'd introduced a new idea they hadn't previously agreed on; Iceburg immediately frowned and shook his head.

"Why on earth would we say that!? It seems a bit extreme...even for you. I couldn't!"

Dylin loosened his cravat and exuviated his school jacket before he responded. Broad, toned arms and shoulders were outlined against his glossy white shirt. Iceburg wondered if he'd ever be able to build himself up to looking that way having been born how he was.

"It's the only way the staff will actually take it seriously enough. Besides that, it's way easier than the amount of explaining it would take to convince them of what those feckless worms are actually up to. Not that we even know the full extent of it…"

"Well...It just doesn't feel right doing it this way."

"Why are you so worried about them? Is our goal not to be rid of them?" Dylin raised a brow.

"It's not that I'm worried about them! It's just that - doesn't it maybe feel like we're demonizing the wrong people by doing this? Can't we just leave that lie out? It doesn't have anything to do with what happened...won't stuff like this just make things harder for innocent people who are like that! Not that someone like you would care…"

Dylin gave him a quizzical look and answered slowly. By that point Iceburg was growing accustomed to his low, phlegmatic and at-times downright soporific tone but in that moment it seemed it had lost even more lustre.

"Who am I to say what's right or wrong anyways? This school doesn't allow people like that here though and that's what matters. You shouldn't defend them so openly or you might wind up under close scrutiny yourself...Princess. You know it's not just school rules, it's the law. Queers that are exposed here are always, always, shamed and expelled…often jailed. Or worse, considering there have been some who haven't been seen or heard of since they were taken. The jails mysteriously come up with no records." He turned and looked out the window for a moment before he leaned back and let out a laugh that sounded suspiciously forced. "I suppose because it's a law that, as far as they've convinced themselves, righteously stems from their old, warped religions they make no room for mercy. Anyone caught in the act is to be punished severely. That's that."

"I don't understand. I'm sure I saw boys wearing makeup here. Isn't that considered - "

"Just..." with a flick of his lighter another cigarette was aflame. "Just trust me."

"But, you - " Iceburg tried to persist but Dylin gave him a hard shove back towards their bunk. He was just barely able to regain balance before he fell. Smoke swirled heavily around him.

"Listen, would you!? They don't give a shit about flamboyance. Apparently it's quite alright to be as effete as you want but once you're off fucking other boys they've got a pretty big issue."

Iceburg's face burned at the crude blatancy and it made Dylin let out an amused chuckle before he continued.

"Almost every day students here fight and end up in worse condition than you and it seems there's always more chances given - especially when the students have clean records. Those two might be sick bastards but they're utter kiss-asses, through and through. They'd get a slap on the wrist, maybe you'd get a dorm change and they'd be off no problem after a phoney apology if we settled on 'ooh, they hurt me and I don't know why'. If we stick to this plan and say they attacked you after you saw them in bed together like that, well, it'll be set in stone. There will be no questions asked and no chances given – if I'm there with you."

"How could you be sure? I don't like it..." He trailed off into a mutter and hoped the current conversation would end and they could move on with brainstorming a better plan.

Although the idea of staying alone in the Sapphire Wing was terrifying he wanted nothing more than for Dylin to hurry up and leave so he could rewrap his bandages - he didn't know how much more he could handle getting knocked around while keeping his arms crossed over his chest the way they were.

"You don't have to like it. After all, you hate me yet here we are...working together. Right?"

"Yes, but that's not really the same."

"Sure it is. It's not hard. Just follow my lead and you'll be fine. I thought you wanted to get this over with?"

"Couldn't we say anything else?"

Dylin looked at him gravely.

"No. We can't. If we don't do this the right way then you'll be sabotaging us, simple as that."

"What do you mean?"

"Seriously? Think about it. Accusing two well-to-do students of a random assault without backing it up with a good 'why', well, that only hand delivers to them the chance to defend their actions however they please. You said yourself you thought no one would believe you earlier so what changed?"

"Nothing…"

"Nothing. They'll spin their own narrative in place of the blank spaces you leave in your story. Everyone will ask: 'Why?', 'Oh, but haven't they always been such model students!?', 'Why?', and I hardly think you want it to be the two of us on the receiving end of things when they give their excuse. This is how we have to do it."

Iceburg stood dismayed while he listened then shook his head again which awarded him an agitated sigh.

"We do this my way or you'll have to figure this out on your own. You want that!?" Dylin flicked a head of ash off the end of his cigarette and it tumbled onto Iceburg's shoe; he kicked it off and let out a groan of frustration.

"No, but I don't want to say those things either! It's terrible and you're terrible for bringing it up so casually! What happened to your speech earlier - when you denounced using other people as a shield!? I don't mind hurting Braeburn and Desmonde with a lie, but to throw a whole group of people I know nothing of into the line of fire at the same time? Act like I hold ill towards them when I've never even met one!? I...I won't!" He sank down onto the bottom bunk and sighed.

Of course he'd always been told it was wrong to be gay, maybe at one point he'd even believed it, but he'd also been told the same about him not wanting to be a girl, about people being poor, being pirates, even just being unwed by a certain age... He was tired of being told who to look down on, mistreat, who to love and hate, condemn and forgive.

Why can't people just be?

Dylin drew himself up to his full height and stepped forward so he was towering over the disgruntled teen.

"How unfortunate. So...you're wanting to break off our alliance then, are you?"

Iceburg cast his gaze away and prepared himself for whatever would ensue.

"I suppose I am if I have to say those things..."

He was surprised when Dylin only palmed himself in the face and shook his head slowly.

"Don't be so stupid. Just get over it and don't let anything else go their way!" he stooped down and grabbed his chin, stared hard into his eyes "It's true what they say; it's a dog-eat-dog world, kid. You'd best accept that and do what you have to do to survive!"

Iceburg scowled and snapped back venomously enough to surprise both himself and Dylin.

"I told you, I'm not one of your dogs!"

The older boy offered a tired sort of smile and dropped his hand to the mattress. He stood leaned onto the bed like that for a moment and stared into Iceburg's chocolatey eyes before he replied.

"No. You're certainly not..."

"So I'd rather use my brains than my teeth, thank you. "

"Hmph. Just go ahead and try..." He sank down beside him and regarded the tiny boy thoughtfully "but it won't go as you expect it to. You're worrying about the wrong things right now. There are times you'll need to use both your brains and teeth."

Iceburg didn't answer, only looked away.

"Hey, listen..." the softness in Dylin's voice surprised him and was the only reason he turned back to listen at all "I know it sounds cruel. I'm telling you the truth though; this is the only sure-fire way to get them out of here. The easiest way isn't always gonna actually be the easiest way...if you get what I mean."

"I do. I do understand that."

"So you know that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and you won't always feel good about it."

"Yes…"

"So that's it. It's nothing ill towards anyone who is like that - we're not demonizing them; they've already been long demonized and we're just using that to our advantage right now...you wanna stick up for them? Hah! How can you protect anything if you're not willing to protect yourself!?"

All Iceburg could do was stare up at him with his brow furrowed. Dylin sighed, but was still smiling lightly.

"Right now you should trust me and go through with this…and we'll make up for it another day, eh? How about I do all the talking? You won't really have to lie, just be there to vaguely confirm what I say."

"Well..." He pouted, guilty that he was even considering it.

The idea made sense but he hated every bit of it. He especially hated that things even worked in such a way that this wastheir best option. He stared long and hard at Dylin. There was something in the way he'd spoken that made him feel like he was uncomfortable with the law against queer folk as well - but he supposed that couldn't be true for the way he'd attacked him thus far; little girl, faggot, Princess - it seemed never-ending. How could someone truly hold any concern about the very thing they were so nasty about?

"Just think about it for a while then. I'll be leaving early tonight so if you want that small comfort of knowing they've been banned from the grounds we'll have to get it over with soon. Otherwise you'll have the night to yourself to consider your options!" The tall boy stood and stomped to the corner of the room to fling open the doors to the armoire that evidently held his belongings. He pulled out a simple cloth bag and hoisted it over his shoulder then turned back to regard Iceburg again. "Think good and hard...I'm getting ready for work now and after that you're on your own until about 5am."

Iceburg winced. Though there was still a high probability of them coming for him regardless of being expelled or not, he did like the idea of that small comfort. He eyed Dylin and his fierce stance. He touched his fingers against his still throbbing face. After a moment of further contemplation he gently broke the silence.

"Won't always feel good about it? Make up for it another day? Why do you speak like you care?" Iceburg looked him head on and Dylin seemed unable to hold his gaze or his usual composure; his mahogany eyes flicked to the floor for what felt like an eternity before he was able to answer. He curled his nose and summed up the most acidic look of revulsion he could muster.

"I don't care - about anything! Your morals, your devotion to honesty and peace is commendable, that's all...as misguided as it may be in these times." He looked him up and down, sighed again with a small shake of his head. "Iceburg, it's all well and good to say things shouldn't be the way they are, but you have to understand that before peace and before people can be who they are without fear of persecution, well, there has to be change... a lot of change - and change never, ever comes easily and very rarely peacefully."

Iceburg pondered the words while Dylin began to pace the floor.

"This society has been running wild with its head lobbed off for far too long now, and I don't just mean this filthy city!" He threw his gaze out at the now darkening cityscape beyond the windows. "This god-forsaken world...there's so much that has to change; that has to go. I have plans, and when I get to where I wanna be the world will be different! When that day comes, I'm going to make up for the things I had to do along the way...whatever they may be." His fingers gripped tightly against the sill momentarily before he slowly relaxed them. "You should be ready to do the same."

An involuntary smile washed over Iceburg's lips but he quickly hid it. Sounding as unaffected as he could at the heartfelt speech, he piped up.

"How odd."

"What!?" Dylin's alabaster skin reddened at the minimalistic and disinterested answer. Iceburg felt a strange sense of enjoyment seeing him flustered. "The hell is that supposed to mean? Odd!? Who's mouth did that come from!? You're the oddest brat I've ever come across and I've met some real fucking characters! Such a piece of work you are…"

Am I imagining it or does it seem like he was hoping I'd be moved by all that?

"Your name is Iceburg! Did you fall from a fuckin' glacier!? Who's the odd one!? Eh!? You've got some nerve, little jackass!" Dylin thrust a finger at him, his eyes wild.

He found himself laughing, his heart surprisingly light.

"How odd that you say you don't care about anything. It sounds to me like you care a great deal."

"Shut your mouth! I don't care!" He put emphasis on each syllable he spat out "I hate. I seethe. I yearn to tear down what's been built off of the backs of others...but I don't care!"

"Isn't that caring though? If it's something affecting you to the point of wanting change...then you care, right?"

Dylin's teeth clenched so tightly they gnashed through the cigarette that was almost burnt out; the embers danced to the ground and landed peacefully for but a moment before he crushed them with his boot. Iceburg flinched at his sudden intensity.

"I don't have time for this shit! Don't you try to project your bleeding heart bullshit onto me! I'm leaving." He turned but Iceburg's small voice held him back.

"Wait...D-Dylin? I'll go through with it. I-I won't have to say very much though, right?"

As he looked over his shoulder at the conflicted youth a tiny catchlight from the dimly lit bulbs of the dorm gleamed in his eye and played across a small golden hoop in his right ear. The smaller of the two was somewhat dismayed to see the usual cocksure grin plastered back on his face.

"That's what I said. Just listen to you stutter, boy...you couldn't possibly handle it! I'll do the talking and you just smile, nod and use common sense if they ask you anything directly. If you can manage that…"

So detestable!

"I can manage it!"

Iceburg furrowed his brow and let out a puff of air, which brought on another deep laugh from the elder student.

"So…You finally ready to get this shit over with?"

"Quite so."

"Well, let's go then. After that, I'm outta here. Like hell I'm happy about someone like you making me late for work." He made a big show of having to put his school jacket back on and Iceburg couldn't help but roll his eyes.

So they went back to the nurse; Dylin once again led the younger boy through the halls, this time at a much slower pace. To Iceburg the tender touch of his hand on his shoulder served as an odd reminder of how rough he really was - how he'd acted when they'd met earlier but also as a reminder how little gentle physical contact he'd had with anyone over the years. It made him miss Kokoro and Tom dreadfully; perhaps the only people who'd ever laid hands on him without hurting him, distressing him or making him uncomfortable.

Dylin leaned over and whispered unexpected but welcomed last-minute words of encouragement.

"Relax. You'll be fine. It'll all be fine." his hair brushed across Iceburg's cheek as his lips grazed his ear.

"Well, I'm trying…but you can't guarantee that." He shuddered, unsure why his stomach was all aflutter.

"I can and I do. Here we are then." He nodded up towards the nurse's door and squeezed his shoulder "Ready?"

Iceburg nodded but drew his arms more snugly around himself.

"Just watch. It'll be fine."

To call Dylin's performance melodramatic was an understatement. He sounded utterly shook up when recounting the twisted up tale of how Iceburg had retired early to the dorm but had come across Braeburn and Desmonde together in bed, how they'd attacked him in a rage so as to keep him from alerting the school staff, how he nearly escaped but was caught in the halls and how they'd tried to get rid of him but, thank goodness, she had stepped out of her office to help at just the right time.

She listened in horror as the lies lined up with the true events of the evening. She scrawled down notes on a thick pad of paper as she shook her head slowly.

"Had a feeling you knew more than you were letting on about who was responsible – I thought maybe you'd just picked a fight and didn't want to admit it and get in trouble on your first day! For it to have been them, though... I never imagined such a thing. To think they were a couple of sinners like that! Lord, what a mess!" she picked up a transponder snail and looked Iceburg up and down while she awaited an answer from the other line. "You're absolutely sure that's what they were doing?"

He did his best not to hesitate before offering a weak nod. Dylin gave him a firm clap on the back and Iceburg, wide-eyed, tried not to let on how much the action had startled him.

"That's right ma'am. Truth be told, I've had my own suspicions about them for quite some time but they've been rather sneaky about it all." Dylin folded his gloved hands together neatly on the counter the three of them stood at. "I'd found them in… questionable… situations several times but it's not something I wanted to address unless I was absolutely sure, knowing the shame it could bring to the school...but...now this happened I - I can't help but feel at fault. If only I'd said something sooner..."

Iceburg stared at him with mouth agape as the lies effortlessly cascaded out.

"Nonsense! Don't blame yourself. You were just doing what you thought was right - they should be ashamed, not you. The likes of them may have been your dorm mates but I know during your time here you've always been such a - Oh! Hello, sir? I'm afraid I have to discuss some pressing matters with you... " She turned away from them with the snail to continue the conversation.

Iceburg threw a begrudging sideways glance at his co-conspirator while he had the chance.

You should blame yourself. It was you.

As if he'd somehow heard his thoughts Dylin tossed a wicked grin back his way while the nurse was speaking quietly to a deep, crackling voice on the other line. Iceburg felt his face once again begin to burn. Instead of playing into his games any further he turned his head away from him, held his nose high in the air and refused to give him another ounce of attention.

Can we just finish with this nonsense already so I don't have to put up with him anymore?

The nurse's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Well I can't say right now. I don't think so, but I'll certainly keep an eye out."

She sounded too unbothered for Iceburg's comfort. He found himself tapping a foot anxiously as he wondered if it meant there would be a lack of action on the schools behalf.

Keep an eye out, is that all? After all that big talk of sure-fire results, will it turn out Dylin was wrong?

Her voice dropped further in volume and changed in tone; he strained harder to try and hear what she was saying. There were some key words he could pick out but none of them offered any hint of how the conversation was actually going. He let out a tiny gasp when something nudged against his leg. His eyes darted down to see it was Dylin's knee that had touched him. He shot a quick frosty glare at the grinning boy and turned away as snidely as he could before moving his leg away.

"Now then," she set down the receiver and looked earnestly back at Iceburg "I'm sorry this has been your first impression of our school, but both myself and the Headmaster want you to know that our establishment will not allow this kind of a thing to go unpunished, nor is it something that happens often."

"No need to apologize. You didn't do it." He resisted the urge to toss a rude glance towards the other boy as he said it.

"We're going to make every effort to ensure something like this doesn't happen again and you can live out the rest of your schooldays free of this sort of debauchery. We don't want you, or anyone, thinking this place is some kind of Sodom or Gomorrah! Those boys will no longer be a problem here for you. We're hoping we can all move past this."

"Yes, I'd very much like to." Iceburg couldn't bear to meet her sincere expression so he stared down at his shoes. It unsettled him how concerned some people could act while holding such pointless detest for others. He nearly scoffed.

Sinners.

He wondered what would happen if she found out about him? Would she still be so kind or would the mask fall off and reveal a demon like his mother?

Sodom...Gomorrah...why do those words sound so familiar? They're places, I think. I remember hearing about them a long time ago...

"Of course, we have good faith you two aren't going to discuss the details of the heinous act with anyone else."

"Of course not. The poor boy already had a hard enough time talking about it with me... he's not going to have to keep repeating it, is he?" Dylin sounded genuinely worried as he patted his shoulder.

"Oh no, we'll take it from here. You two are free to go and try to enjoy the rest of your night."

"Yes ma'am." Dylin nodded gracefully "Thank you for all of your help. You've done so much."

He swooped in behind Iceburg's chair and pulled it out for him. The younger boy wanted to swat his hands away as he offered him help up – at least until he realized how sore he really was. Begrudgingly he accepted the help. The nurse winced as she watched him struggle.

"Oh the poor thing…Let me know if he needs anything, won't you?"

"Of course, and I'll keep you updated on his condition." He flashed her a bright smile and motioned the younger teen onwards. "Goodnight, ma'am."

"Such a gentleman! Goodnight, boys." The nurse gushed as he led him away.

Dylin's face dropped as they moved away from her.

"What did I tell you?" The smirk in his muted voice made Iceburg want to scream. "Fools can't think for themselves. They'll believe what you tell them; just eat it up and play along without a second thought if you deal your cards right. Like in a game of chess you have to strategize several moves ahead in order to win. Those bastards are done."

"We're not in the clear yet…don't be so sure of yourself. A lot could still go wrong."

"True. Very true." Dylin didn't sound too concerned about it.

"Oh, you two! There's one last thing I forgot to mention!"

They looked back at the nurse as she stepped out from her office.

"Dylin, our headmaster wants you to mentor our newest student here - have him shadow you for the rest of the year. After all, it seems you two are the last of the Sapphire wing for now. He'll likely replace you as Head of Dorm when you graduate. It won't be a problem, will it?"

Iceburg froze up as he wracked his brain for a way to refuse. Dylin's eye twitched but he offered a polite smile.

"Of course not. How nice." He turned back to Iceburg and spoke through clenched teeth. "Shall we then?"

The discomfort of walking to the Sapphire Wing through darkened corridors was akin to walking barefoot over hot sand. Although he didn't say a word he could feel his fury like a blistering burn. When their door shut behind them once again Iceburg couldn't help but wince.

"…You're angry."

"You're damn right I am!" Dylin hurled his cigarette case at him "Marmocchio! What did I say about common sense!? What about our deal!?"

Iceburg flinched before snapping back.

"I thought things worked out pretty well considering your stupid lie!" He picked up the case and wheeled it back as hard as he could manage.

"Oh!? Of course you'd think that! Baka…you do know our deal is off right?" Dylin grabbed his ear and gave it a yank.

"What!? What's a baka!?" He clawed at his glove "Let go of me!"

"A fucking idiot, that's what it is!" Dylin stormed towards the washroom "Our deal was that we'd get those two mutts out of the picture then never have to look at each other again, right!?"

"Right…"

"So you just stayed silent while that woman suggested all that crap!? Shadow me? How the fuck am I supposed to find solitude from a brat like you if I'm left to babysit? Where was that smart-ass mouth of yours when we actually needed it, huh?

"I-I didn't think it was the sort of thing I could turn down…the headmaster ordered it after all."

Dylin glowered at him and shook his head.

"Always got something to say until it really matters…typical. Jackass."

Iceburg flushed as he realized how foolish he felt for thinking he'd keep up his end of the bargain – for thinking they might find peaceful grounds. He frowned and pointed at him.

"It's your fault I was so awkward in the first place! Besides that, you didn't say anything either! Boorish troglodyte!"

Dylin wheeled around and stared him down.

"You-you little bastard... I don't have time for this! We'll finish this later!" He grabbed his bag and shouldered his way through the washroom door.

Iceburg marvelled at his seemingly unavoidable fate of one step forward, two steps back. After taking off his shoes he eased his way up to the top bunk and laid down.

There was a light knock on the door. He eyed it suspiciously then called out as he struggled to sit up.

"Yes!?"

A member of the housekeeping staff let themselves in and promptly began to remove the expelled students belongings. When they left after a quick nod, there was no sign of anyone else ever having been there.

He felt compelled to go ask Dylin how on earth he'd avoided being caught smoking thus far with the lack of privacy at this "private" school; even more curiously – how he managed to sneak out and work at nights.

When Dylin came back out dressed in casual, dark clothes he kept those questions to himself but couldn't help but pipe up when the elder student was on his way out the window.

"What should I say? If someone shows up for inspections or something while you're gone, I mean?"

He gave Iceburg a rancid look before he answered.

"Mind your own business."

"Fine. I guess you've been alright so far anyways." He shrugged and leaned back.

"Of course. Someone came while I was in there right? I didn't hear them ask anything, did I?"

Iceburg sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Well, no, but…it's not that late yet and it was a housekeeper. They tend to be told not to say anything, right?"

"Right."

"So…"

"So shut the fuck up and worry about yourself. I've been fine without you so far, why do I need you now?"

"You're confusing. You get angry when I don't respond how you want me to, then get angry when I ask how I should respond to something…" Iceburg twisted a forelock of his hair around his finger as he spoke.

"What are you trying to say?" He narrowed his eyes at him and waited.

"Well…that you're confusing, I suppose."

"So are you!" With that, the impossible boy hoisted himself and his bag out the window and vanished from sight.

Iceburg rushed into the washroom. It was a spacious room and still steamy from Dylin's shower. It smelled of wood and lavender. Gleefully he locked himself in when he noticed the latch on the inside of the door. He peeled his shirt off as fast as he could and tore the tangled bandages from himself. He sank down on the warm stone floor and leaned back against the wall to enjoy the moist haze of the room, thankful the smell of cigarette smoke wasn't present.

Never in all his days had he enjoyed bathing like he did that evening. He'd been so exhausted until that point that he hadn't even thought of getting properly cleaned up from his journey - just a few quick face washes. Scrubbing the sweat, blood and tears from his body and hair felt like washing away the last of his former life. When he was done he avoided the mirror as usual and firmly bound his chest. The solitude wasn't near as scary as he imagined; it was much better than being rushed in and out, being tended to, dressed in uncomfortable, stiff layers of clothing immediately after. Solitude brought freedom: time to exist; to decide when he was finished; to take as long getting dressed as he wanted, wearing what he wanted after - not worrying about anyone bursting in and making him feel like a spectacle.

Later, he opened the same window to try and get a clearer look at the scene below. Something nagged at him all the while:

What if something happened? What if they found Dylin out there? He could wind up in a terrible position!

He narrowed his eyes.

Why should I even care? After all…

He turned away from the window and went back to bed to try and read his books he brought from Kokoro's place but was startled by another, much more urgent, knock at the door.