Notes: Next up is the 4x100 Relay (4x100 words on four types of love: affection, intimacy, friendship, and charity). Here's where we touch on the twins' time in captivity and their training as Sith initiates. Title comes from "Youth of the Nation" by P.O.D. – I know, I know, the subject matter of the song isn't really a match for a couple of Sith Lords in a space fantasy world; but inspiration strikes in all kinds of strange ways, and this song just sounds like Festus and Ferrus to me, if that makes any sense at all.

These drabbles are mostly concurrent with my short story The Lands of the Dead, which serves as the twins' origin story and details their descent into darkness. It's my hope that you'll be able to understand and enjoy these characters without prior knowledge of other stories, but if there's one fic I recommend reading about them, it's that one.

Okay, one more note: I wrote a second drabble for "Affection" because I couldn't decide what I wanted to do at first. So you're getting a bonus drabble. :P

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"Last Day of the Rest of My Life" | 43-52 ABY | 4x100 Relay

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Charity | 43 ABY

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There's nothing but kindness and sympathy in Master Bash's eyes as he tells them the news. That's what makes it worse.

"I'm sorry, boys," he says gently. "I know this isn't easy, but the enclave has reached its breaking point. We have to start transferring people."

The selection was random, he tells them. They didn't do anything wrong.

They both know that isn't true, though; and when Veeran asks if it's his fault, none of the masters try to deny it.

This will be good for them both, Master Bash says. A gift, in its own way. A fresh start.

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Intimacy | 43-44 ABY

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They've lived so long in each other's heads, even when they could barely stand one another, that the loss of their twin bond feels like nothing less than having a part of his body ripped from him and torn to shreds.

Veeran doesn't know what goes on in the doctor's laboratory. No one does. All he knows is that Dorian closes himself off from their bond every day, and each time it takes longer and longer to come back. His brother is slipping away, little by little, and there's nothing he can do about it – and it's all his fault.

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Friendship | 46 ABY

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"This is where I sleep, and you can have the bottom bunk, see?"

Veeran steers him through the barracks, past the other initiates. Dorian can sense their fear, their rage, their confusion.

—oh look, it's the doctor's little psycho, should we kill him before he kills the rest of us—

"Ignore them," his twin continues under his breath. "They won't try anything."

Dorian looks down at the blood on his hands. He didn't have time to scrub it all off. "How can you be sure?"

There's something dangerous in Veeran's grin. "Because I'm here, and nobody messes with my brother."

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Affection | 49 ABY

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"I hear congratulations are in order," the doctor says, his voice grating on every one of Ferrus's nerves. The old man reaches out and places a hand on his twin's shoulder. "Lord Festus."

His brother bows his head, smiling. "Thank you, sir." He doesn't try to move away. Gods, how can he let that bastard touch him?

Cold, dark eyes turn on him. "And you as well, Lord Ferrus."

"Yeah," he says with a grunt. "Thanks." After the doctor leaves, Ferrus shudders. "So creepy."

"You say I'm creepy."

Ferrus punches his twin in the arm. "Yeah, but I like you."

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Affection II | 52 ABY | Bonus Drabble

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"Why do you always stare at them like that?"

"Like what?"

"Come on, you know what I'm talking about. That super creepy stare you do."

"You mean the one you love so much?"

Ferrus rolls his eyes. "Yeah. That's definitely the one I'm talking about. Because I love creepy things."

"It's always nice to hear how much you care."

"You're so damn weird."

"Would you have me any other way?"

Ferrus looks away from the man he's throttling and glances over at his smirking twin. "You know I wouldn't."

"Flatterer." Festus nods toward their victim. "Pretty sure he's dead now."