Alya checked her phone.
23:04
"Do you think it's too early if I go now?"
"I still don't understand why you're going."
Alya signed, "Because the person who gave me an important thing told me that he's going to tell me why."
"Didn't you say he stole the important thing?" Nino asked incredulously.
"Yeah.." Alya stood and followed Nino as he paced. "But that's why I have to go! I have to figure out who the thief is."
"But why do you have to go?"
"Because he wants to talk to me." Alya grabbed Nino's shoulder, "Please just trust me. I can handle this."
"I think we should tell Ladybug."
"No," Alya shook her head, "We're not going to tell Ladybug."
"Alya-"
"Nino just trust me." Alya gave him a smile, "There's more than one reason why we can't tell Ladybug. I can't tell you everything, but once this is all over you'll understand."
Nino met her gaze and held it, and it occurred to Alya once again just how much she worried him.
"Can I go with you?" He asked.
Alya bit her lip, "I don't know…"
"Let me walk you there, I won't be part of the conversation, I'll let the two of you talk things out and if you need help you can just yell for me. Please Alya, I don't like the idea of you going to a park to meet a stranger by yourself."
Alya let her arms drop from Nino's shoulders, "Ok, you can come. But I'm not going to be alone. My friend is going to be there." Alya walked over to the coat rack and grabbed her hat.
"Friend? You mean the one who's looking out for you?"
"Yes." Alya smiled, "She's the reason we're both alive. You can trust her Nino."
…..
"I can't believe you're doing this." Nino paced back and forth in front of the bench Alya was sitting on.
"It's going to be fine." Alya said checking her phone for any new messages. Her other hand was shoved in her pocket and keeping hold of Fanna, partially to reassure the kwami didn't run off, and herself that everything would be alright. Alya heard her phone ding and quickly checked her inbox.
"They're here."
Nino whipped around to face Alya, "Now? Where are they? You're sure I can't come-"
"Nino." Alya gave him her best confident smile, "It's going to be fine remember?"
"You have your cellphone?"
"Yes." Alya stood up and walked past Nino, "I'll be back soon. I'll call you if I'm in trouble and I'll scream loud enough that the whole block could hear, but honestly my friend will make sure nothing happens to me." From inside Alya's pocket Fanna nuzzled her chosen's hand.
"Alya.." Nino grabbed Alya's elbow and pulled her back towards him. She felt his head fall on her shoulder and his arms wrap around her, "Please be safe."
"I will."
Nino let her go. He stood back as she made her way into the park not daring to sit down just incase she changed her mind.
But Alya didn't change her mind, he watched her go past the gates of the park and kept looking after her until he couldn't see her anymore. Even then he still didn't sit. He just listened and waited. He trusted Alya, but sometimes she didn't even realise how bad of a situation she got herself into.
"Is the tod going to stay back there?" Fanna asked, now floating freely out of Alya's pocket.
"I hope so." Alya followed the path that led her to a gazebo surrounded by trees, "This is where they wanted to meet."
Sitting at a table in the gazebo was a figure dressed entirely in black and sitting in shadow. Alya felt herself slow down as she got closer, her self preservation kicked in and told her to get out while she could, but as always her curiosity got the better of her.
"You better go back in my pocket, just incase he's here to take you." Alya murmured to Fanna who reluctantly dove back into her chosen's pocket.
For one last time Alya contemplated leaving, but instead she took a deep breath and forced herself to step onto the white boards of the gazebos floor.
"Ms. Cesaire." The figure gestured to the opposite seat. Alya hesitated glancing between the open bench and the figure across from it, "Please sit, I really do mean you no harm."
Warrily Alya sat on the edge of the table's bench. "Are you A?"
"Yes." The figure said, it's voice sounded male and now that Alya was sitting closer she could make out a more distinct outline. The man seemed to be fairly tall, and judging by his voice he was older then Alya. "I'm the one who gave you the fox miraculous."
"Why?" Alya asked trying to pick up as many details about the stranger as possible, "Who are you anyway? Why'd you chose me?"
"Because you have something Hawkmoth wants." The figure seemed to nod as Alya stiffened, "I know what it is like to have him target you. You've noticed, perhaps, that ever since you became Volpina his voice has disappeared?"
"And the nightmares have stopped…"
"Fanna is blocking out Hawkmoths power. So long as you are wearing that necklace Hawkmoth can not reach you easily."
"How do you know all this?"
"I am a victim of Hawkmoth as well." Slowly the figure lifted their hands and pushed back the hood from their face. "Though my connection with him is more complicated than that."
"You're…. A? Does it stand for Agreste?" Alya stared back in shock.
"Yes. Alya Cesaire I chose you for the Fox Miraculous because Hawkmoth is trying to get something from you. I want to help you resist his efforts."
"Does Adrien know?" Alya asked, the last person she had expected to see was her friend's father.
"No, and he can't know. No one can know or Hawkmoth might target them as well."
"What do you mean? Why did you steal the miraculous and why is Hawkmoth targeting us?" Fanna flew out of Alya's pocket and stared down the fashion designer, "What are you up to Gabriel?"
"You two know each other?" Alya looked between the two bewildered.
"Celine and Sage were good friends."
"Celine?"
"Adrien's mother." Gabriel said, his face sinking slightly.
"Plag told me she died." Fanna said.
"Twelve years ago."
Fanna didn't say anything more, instead she simply floated onto her chosen's hand and sat quietly.
"I'm sorry Mr. Agreste."
Gabriel waved off Alya's apology before continuing, "I didn't steal the miraculous. Hawkmoth did."
"Hawkmoth? So that day when I fainted in the alley… I really was chasing the thief?"
"Yes."
"But how did you get the miraculous?"
"This is a little more complicated." Gabriel let out a sigh, "I'm what you could call, Hawkmoth's host."
"What?"
"Hawkmoth, is a kwami. More accurately he is the combination of two Kwami's magic. The bat and the Butterfly."
"Kwami's can combine?"
"No, but just as Fanna can take a human form so can other Kwami. Rekko the bat is a Kwami and when the butterfly miraculous was given to me he stole it and became its chosen."
"That's not possible." Fanna snapped, though she didn't seem like she was angry at Gabriel, "Rekko was already sharing his energy with his own chosen, he's bonded to his object! He can't become a chosen."
"Rekko was never bonded with an object," Mr. Agreste admitted.
"Who's bright idea was that?"
Alya's looked between the two in confusion, "I'm lost again."
Fanna sighed as if to say she would take this one, "There are two key people involved with the miraculous. The first is the guardian. The guardian is tasked with protecting the miraculous and selecting holders. The guardian passes on knowledge of the Kwami to the next guardian. Sometimes they have a miraculous, sometimes they don't, but they act as support for all the miraculous holders."
"And the second person?"
"Asa's descendent."
"Asa?"
"A long time ago Kwami used to go freely between our world and yours, but some of the Kwami were reckless and chaotic, and humans grew to fear them. Asa learned magic from the ladybug and the black cat."
"Ladybug and Chat Noir's Kwami?"
"Yes" Gabriel nodded, "She used her magic to separate the two worlds and enchanted objects for the ladybug and the black cat to bond with so they could stay on earth."
"The descendants of Asa are tasked with defending the world from Kwami who come to our world without permission. But if I remember the last descendant didn't seem to thrilled with her heritage."
Alya nodded slowly, processing the new information. "So a magical being is running around Paris with not only his own powers but another magical beings powers?"
"Yes." Gabriel answered.
"So what does Hawkmoth want from me?"
"He wants knowledge and your anger. Nooroo, the butterfly, is a gentle creature, his power comes from giving power to those who need it. Hawkmoth has to have your permission in order to turn you into an akuma."
"So as long as I don't agree to anything he can't get anything out of me?"
"Exactly, his goal is to make you an akuma so that he can learn everything you know and so he can use you."
"How do you know all this?" Alya asked.
"Like I said I'm a victim of Hawkmoth, and possibly the closest thing to a chosen that Rekko ever had."
"You mean you're Hawkmoth?" Alya stood up moving back slightly. Maybe Nino was right, this wasn't her best plan.
"Sometimes," Gabriel held his hands up to show he meant no harm. "I don't mean that I cause the Akuma attacks, but sometimes when Rekko is weaker he'll use my body instead of his own."
"You lost me again."
"Alya remember when you were Volpina and I got mad at Plagg so I just took over your body for a while?"
"No… I just remember talking to Chat and then standing alone in an alley."
"Well, that's really what happened."
"You took over my body?!"
"You look mad."
"I am mad Fanna!"
"I don't understand why."
Gabriel coughed and brought the attention back on himself, "the reason I gave you the miraculous was to help protect you from Rekko's influence. Because Rekko and I share magic between ourselves he can see snippets of my life, but I can also see snippets of his." Gabriel's face was tightly knit and solemn, "I don't think he's ever been this invested in an akuma before. Whatever it is you have he wants to know it."
"But Fanna is shielding me from him right?" Alya looked at her Kwami worried.
"Yes, for now." Gabriel sighed, "but now that Rekko has the power of three Kwami there's no telling what he can do."
"Three?!" Fanna flew up to Gabriel's face again, "Why does he have three?"
"The bat, the butterfly and the one with the comb," Alya said, "Chat Noir came to me and asked me to look for the owner of a yellow comb. He said it was important, I thought it might be another miraculous."
"Yes, the bee." Gabriel leaned forward slightly speaking in a hushed tone, "Ms. Cesaire I don't know how long Fanna will protect you, or how much help I can offer, but if you ever need training or a question answered let me know."
…
"I hate this." Marinette panted doubled over with exhaustion.
"You suggested it." Tikki pointed out
"I know…" Marinette panted giving her friend an annoyed look, "But I forgot...how much…. I hate...running."
"You're doing great Marinette!" Tikki zipped out of her chosen's pocket and nuzzled Marinette's cheek.
"How much farther again?" Marinette stood up fully.
"Just to the school, to your parent's shop, and then back home."
Marinette groaned, bouncing slightly to get her energy back up she started running as soon as Tikki flew back into her pocket.
Marinette's lungs burned as she ran past her old school. She had been back to visit a couple times since graduating, just to say hi to the teachers, and then a couple times to talk to the graduating classes on what applying to Colleges and Universities was like. It looked like class had already started as Marinette caught a glimpse of her old classroom's windows.
Everything had started back there, it was weird to think of her life before Ladybug, back when she was just Marinette, clumsy, forgetful, and cowardly. Even after becoming Ladybug she was still hopeless, head over heels for a guy she barely talked to, consistently making mistakes, she really didn't know why Master Fu had even chosen her. Tikki seemed to believe in her right from the beginning, and even though 5 years had passed since she had become Ladybug, 5 years of training and fighting and successes, she still wasn't sure she was the right choice.
After all she still hadn't come close to defeating Hawkmoth.
Marinette let out a sad chuckle under her breath as the school faded behind her. To think that Chloe used to be the biggest villain in her life, now she was trying to fight a madman who had single handedly destroyed Paris countless times. Why was she ever afraid of Chloe in the first place? Why had it taken her until she was 15 to stand up to her? If she knew what she'd be facing now she would have told Chloe off a long time ago. Thank god that Alya had been there to help her stand up for herself, or she might never have.
Marinette ran on the spot at the red light. Thank god for Alya.
She had to defeat Hawkmoth. Not just for Paris, or for herself. But for Alya, and all her classmates that were akumatized. This was going to end. And Marinette was going to see that through.
"Deep in your thoughts?"
Marinette was ripped out of her stream of consciousness and stumbled, quite literally, into real life.
"Sorry didn't mean to scare you!" Adrien had his arms out just incase she fell and an apologetic smile on his face.
"Where did you come from?" Marinette shot him an annoyed look, "And we do you keep almost knocking me over?"
Adrien laughed, "I think it's you that keeps knocking yourself over. I yelled your name 5 times and you didn't respond so I just ran up beside you instead and you still didn't notice."
"Ah really?" Marinette sighed, embarrassed for her outburst.
"Thinking of something important?"
"Yeah." Marinette nodded, "What are you doing out here?"
"Same as you I think. Got to keep up that model body." He joked, Marinette laughed and Adrien smiled a little more, "Are you in a rush?"
"No, My class isn't until the afternoon."
"Want to grab something to eat? I happen to know a very good patisserie." Adrien smiled cheekily, "My treat for almost knocking you over again."
Marinette smiled, "Sure."
Talking with Adrien was becoming easier and easier, and Marinette had to attribute it to her drunk self clearing the way. She didn't stutter anymore like she used to as a teenager, and she didn't stare… as much.
Sometimes it was difficult not to stare at Adrien Agreste, he'd smile, or tilt his head just the right way and suddenly the sun would light up his face and it felt like Marinette was staring at a painting.
And then other times….
"So what's fashion school like?" Adrien asked, mouth full of croissant.
Marinette held back a laugh at the sight of the flaky pastry all over her friends shirt, his cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk as he chewed.
Seeing her amused smirk he frowned, "What?"
"You're a mess Adrien Agreste."
"I'm a what?" More pastry fell onto his shirt.
"A mess!" Marinette laughed brushing off some of the croissant from his clothes, "Adrien Agreste, sexiest man alive, eats pastries like a five year old."
Adrien tried to smirk with his mouth full, "Sexiest man alive?"
Marinette laughed again, "That's really not a good look."
Adrien pouted, "So mean Mari. You've wounded me, how will I recover?"
Adrien grinned like an idiot and shoved some more croissant into his mouth.
Marinette laughed to herself, why in the world she ever thought this boy was like a god.
She watched a group of kids running and screaming through the park on the opposite side of where her and Adrien sat on a bench.
"This park's pretty close to your parents house, did you ever come here as a kid?"
Marinette nodded, "The Patisserie is closed on sundays, my dad would always make a big breakfast then take me to the park."
"That sounds nice." Adrien smiled, "My dad wasn't really big on the whole outdoors thing. But my Mom used to take me and Chloe to the park and let us run around in the mud, or stay inside and make pillow forts with us."
"Chloe willingly went to the park and played in the dirt?" Marinette raised an eyebrow.
Adrien laughed, "Maybe not willingly, but she really liked my mom, so she would always go with us even if she had to play in the dirt."
"I still find it hard to believe that you and Chloe were friends. You're just so nice and nerdy and she's so…"
"Difficult?" Adrien offered with a smile, "She's always been that way. She's loyal though, and she's a fierce protector of her friends when she wants to be. When she lost her mom her dad kind of gave up on everyone outside of their family, she stopped coming to the park with us."
"Why?"
"The way her mom died, I'm not really sure what happened but it wasn't good." Adrien looked sad, "I think it changed her dad. I know my Mother's death changed mine."
"I'm sorry."
Adrien shrugged, "I have good memories of her. That's what matters."
Marinette smiled, "Yeah."
…
"Hello?"
"Alya?"
"Dad?" Alya sat up in bed.
"Hey honey, I'm in town this week and I was wondering if I could visit."
"Yeah! For sure!" Alya got up and started looking for some clean clothes, "My place is a mess though do you want to go out for lunch or something?"
"That sounds good," She heard him laugh, "Our favorite chip place?"
Alya laughed in return, "Sure. I'll meet you there in 10?"
"In 10? Don't you have something better to do then rush downtown?"
"I don't Dad. I'll see you in 10." Alya laughed again.
"Alright well I might be a bit late, clearly I'm a busier man than my daughter." She heard him chuckle faintly.
Alya hated fish and chips. She would always order a burger, or something else on the menu and just eat her Dad's fries. Her Father and Mother had met while traveling, her Dad had just come from Germany and her Mother had just been in Spain. Unknowingly they had both crossed through France at the same time and ended up in a small town in England. That's where they had met, in a sketchy looking fish and chips shop, and it was love at first sight for her Dad.
So although Alya hated fish and chips, anytime her Dad came back into town they would always get some. It used to be a family outing, back when they were a full family.
Alya sat at one of the patio tables and didn't bother looking at the menu board. It still felt weird, being here by herself, her three sisters not running around and playing under the tables. Her Mom and her Dad not sharing a knowing look, or saying something to each other in terrible english accents. It was already 3 years ago, but Alya still missed it.
"You couldn't have chosen a table inside where it's warm?" Her Dad walked up to her, "Is this what I get for being late?"
Alya laughed, "It's our spot Dad, besides you've got to use up the warm weather while you can."
"Lord! It's winter Alya!" Her Dad said but laughed all the same.
"It's october, don't be a drama queen."
Her Dad tsked and moved towards the shop door, "Come on, enough of this cold nonsense."
Alya laughed and got up to follow him.
Once they had ordered and settled in a small table in the corner Alya's Dad glanced up at the television hanging from the wall to their left.
"A new superhero?" he smiled, "Paris is dangerous enough it needs 3?"
Alya laughed a little awkwardly, "It could probably use 10 Dad. Hawkmoth's back."
"Back?"
"Well he never left, when you were in south america he took a small break for 4 months, but now he's back full force."
"And you're chasing after him like a mad woman?" Alya's Dad gave a soft chuckle.
"Mom told you about that?" Alya laughed nervously.
"She told me you were in the hospital."
"It's not as bad as you-"
Her father raised his hands to stop her, "I trust you. Just take care of yourself. You're gonna give me a heart attack Alya, and then I'll be so worried I'll come back and haunt you."
Alya laughed, "I'm taking care of myself just fine, don't worry Dad."
He smiled, "I'll always worry. I'm your dad."
Alya took a sip of her drink, "Why are you back in Paris dad?"
"I just wanted to see my daughters again. It's been too long." He smiled again but he looked sad to Alya. It couldn't be easy for him, working all over the place, never getting to see his kids.
"It has been." She returned the same sad smile, "I've missed you Dad."
"I've missed you too." Her dad popped a french fry into his mouth, "Other than Hawkmoth, what's new in your life? How's work?"
Alya chewed the inside of her cheek and looked at their food. "I… I was fired."
Her dad looked up surprised, "Why?"
"Probational period, they said that I wasn't a good fit for their company."
"There's something you're leaving out."
"I may have chased after Hawkmoth to help save my boyfriend because Ladybug hadn't shown up yet."
Alya's father scowled disapprovingly, "Alya Cesaire," he shook his head no, and Alya felt like she was five, "How dare you not tell me about your boyfriend?"
Alya sat completely shocked before bursting out into laughter. "I didn't know you would care so much!"
"Of course I would! My daughter going out with some boy? He could be dangerous Alya! I have to give him a warning speech about breaking your heart!"
"There's a madman in Paris and you focus on the threat of my boyfriend?" Alya laughed again throwing her head back to cackle.
"Hawkmoth you can handle Gurly," He laughed as well, "This strange boy? Who knows he might ensnare you with his charms. Boys are like that."
Alya laughed again, "Don't worry Dad. I don't think Nino has any intention of ensnaring me."
Her father let out a deep chuckle, "If it's Nino I've got nothing to worry about. He always cared about you more than anything." His laugh was cut short by a cough and he ducked his head into the crook of his arm.
"Did you choke on spit or something?" Alya laughed lightly giving her dad a pat on the shoulder.
"Must have." He reached for his glass of water taking a slow sip.
"What have you been up to?" Alya asked picking a fry from her father's plate and looking quite pleased with herself when he caught her stealing his food.
"Seeing the world, traversing through jungles." He chuckled, a little less intensely this time, "In all seriousness I finished up a contract with a museum in Germany."
"A museum?"
"Helping to curate the new biodiversity section. I got to help with the kids section."
"That's amazing Dad! You'll have to show me pictures."
He smiled at her fondly, "I'll send them to you later."
Alya smiled back, and for a moment Hawkmoth, and the miraculous went away, and it was just her Dad and her. She was happy, and right now that was enough. She would deal with the future soon, but at this moment… For now she had a whole plate of fries to try and steal off her dad.
…..
"I promise I'll come up and visit soon." Nino repressed a groan.
"Giannino! I did not raise you to ignore me in my old age!"
"Nonna I am not ignoring you! I just have to wait for some time off work."
"I keep saying you should just move out here with me." The older woman grumbled, "I don't see what's so special about Paris. Do you like it so much better then Mesnil Val? It may not have so many of your dance clubs, but you always look happy when you're near the ocean Nino."
"I know Nonna," Nino gave a bit of a sigh, "But I am not packing up my things and moving out to Mesnil Val with you."
Alya unlocked the door and raised a quizzical eyebrow at Nino, her boyfried was currently lying upside down on the the couch hunched over his cellphone.
"Everything alright?"
Nino gave a wave and moved the mouthpiece away from him, "It's my Grandmother."
"Say hi for me." Alya threw off her purse and coat.
"You'd leave the woman who raised you by herself out in the country with no help." His grandmother was saying when he put the earpiece back.
Nino laughed, "Nonna I've seen you win a fist fight with Mother Nature herself."
She laughed as well, "There is no fooling you. Still an old woman can dream of seeing her grandson more often."
"I'll try to come up soon." Nino sighed.
"Bring that poofy haired girl."
"She has a name."
"I'm an old woman Nino I'm not going to remember all of your friends names."
"She's my girlfriend, can't you try extra hard to remember her name?"
"Fine! Yes yes! I will try."
Nino laughed again, "I've got to go Nonna. I'll call you when I know when we're coming up."
"Caoi Giannino."
Alya appeared in front of him again wearing one of his button up shirts over her tank top. "She wants you to visit?" She guessed.
"She wants us both to visit."
Alya's jaw dropped, "What? Why me?"
"What do you mean why you?" Nino laughed, "We're dating Alya, it's normal for couples to do these things together."
"But your grandma hates me."
"She doesn't hate you…"
"Everytime I went to your place she would stare at me and then say something in Italian to you."
"Her French isn't that good-"
"Nino you know she dislikes me."
"Ok, maybe a little. She's just very protective, she raised me by herself. But she asked that you come up, that's gotta count for something."
"Probably to disapprove of me."
"Alya."
"Nino."
"Please? I told her we would try and come."
Alya held out for a few more seconds before caving, "Fine. I'm basically free whenever now, so just pick a weekend that works for you."
"Hey," Nino reached out and grabbed Alya's arm gently, "It's gonna be ok. Just give it time."
Alya nodded and pulled herself closer to Nino, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I know. Thank you."
Nino rested his head on her shoulder and gave her a loving squeeze. "You're going to be fine."
…
Adrien stared at the peas on his plate, experimentally pushing them back and forth with his fork.
"How is work?" He asked still looking at his plate.
"It is going well."
Another long silence.
His Father opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.
Gabriel's phone buzzed. "I should take that." He said grabbing the device and standing.
Adrien watched him head out the door and put the phone to his ear. He let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.
His father's house hadn't changed. It was still overwhelmingly large, and underwhelmingly warm. The walls were still white though the curtains had gone from white to grey now. The chairs around the huge table had also changed but they were still stiff, barely used, and overly ornate.
There was still a painting of his mother, it hung at the head of the table. The painting was the only colour the room contained. Adrien heard his father enter the room again.
"I apologize for that. Urgent buissness."
"Didn't the curtains used to be yellow?"
Gabriel seemed a little startled at the change in topic.
"They did, they used to be white actually-"
"And then Mom took them down and died them without you knowing."
Gabriel looked down at his son in surprise, "You remember that?"
"I helped her dye them after all." He smiled a little. "Mom always hated all the white."
"She chose white." Gabriel muttered annoyed, but his lips curved ever slightly into a smile.
"You were so mad when you found out, but Mom just laughed."
Gabriel gave a soft sigh that could almost count as a laugh, "She could never do things in a reasonable way. Everything was always so wild with her."
"She took me on a picnic in the rain once." Adrien smiled at the memory.
"I doubt that." Gabriel took a sip from his glass, "She hated the rain."
"She did take me. She used to have this saying about being in a storm. And she said one day we'd have a picnic in the storm and then I'd understand it."
Gabriel blinked dumbly for a second before nodding "I suppose she did."
"Where did she learn it? That saying?"
"From a friend."
"From Elle." Adrien said quickly.
Gabriel's face dropped, "Where did you learn that name?"
"I remembered it," Adrien lied "I met Elle didn't I? I remember her saying that storm thing. That's where Mom must have learned it."
Gabriel looked solemnly at his plate, "It must have been."
Silence came back again and Adrien wondered if it was just inevitable or if he had said something wrong.
When they had both finished their meals his father excused himself, saying he had to return the phone call from before.
Natalie came to show him out.
….
Rain was packing her car when Alya got back to the apartment. From the looks of the room she only had a few boxes left.
"Almost done?"
Rain nodded, "just these two." Her roommate gave Alya a worried glance, "Are you sure you're gonna be alright?"
"I'll be ok." Alya assured her, though she wasn't very confident in her words.
"Call if you need anything, ok?"
"I will."
"And please make sure you eat."
"I will."
Rain flung her arms around Alya and Alya found herself leaning into the hug.
"I can't believe this is it."
Alya just held on a little tighter.
Finally they pulled apart.
"Let me help." Alya grabbed a box and watched as Rain did the same.
"That's ok Alya I got it." Will was at the door and took the box from Alya. "Is that everything?"
"That's it sweetie." Rain gave him a smile and walked to the door with her box.
"I guess this is goodbye then." Alya said and tried her best to smile.
"For now," Rain reminded her, "You're definitely coming to visit."
"Definitely." Alya said.
"Goodbye Alya." Rain said, having as much trouble as Alya at smiling.
"Goodbye Rain."
The couple turned away and made their way towards the elevators.
Alya closed the door behind them and stood looking at her apartment.
"And I'm alone again."
"Not quite." Fanna flew out of Alya's pocket and nuzzled her chosen's cheek. "You always have me Alya."
"God help me."
Fanna gave her an annoyed look, "I was trying to be comforting."
Alya laughed. "You were, sorry."
"Let's eat something."
"Yeah."
