A Different Fate

by Musal

What if Train didn't know Creed killed Saya? What if he believed it was Chronos? What if Train helped Creed create the Apostles to get revenge on Chronos? What happens when Train learns the truth? CxT

42. Accepting Happiness

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat or its characters.

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Train stretched a little as he slowly opened his eyes and squinted at the sun coming through the window. He and Creed must have forgotten to close it the night before, but he couldn't blame them. They had been too preoccupied in making up for lost time. Despite the fact that they had been sharing the same bed for several months now, they had been in a platonic relationship for the most part.

Well, I guess it wasn't entirely platonic, but it wasn't anywhere near the level of intimacy we have now.

Train smiled as he looked at the arm wrapped around his waist, knowing it belonged to his lover. The cat snuggled his back further into Creed, tangling his fingers with the silver man's as he squeezed his partner's arm tighter around himself. Once he was more secure in his sleeping Stallion's embrace, he shut his eyes and allowed himself to bask in the way the other man's breath brushed against his neck and cheek. The gunman's smile widened as he heard Creed mumble adoring words in his sleep, his heart racing at what his lover said.

"Vous me complétez, mon chat…" (1)

Train knew Creed wouldn't hear him, but he couldn't help his response. "Et vous me complétez, mon étalon." (2)

He felt Creed wrap his arm even tighter around his waist and Train moved himself back further into the other man, pulling the blanket up over their naked bodies. As he moved himself closer to his lover, he felt a bit of heat rush up from his lower body to his chest when he felt Creed's member press lightly against his rear. It wasn't hard since the silver man was sleeping, but the intimacy of the contact made Train's heart fill with more love and warmth.

It's hard to believe it's only been a week since we reclaimed the 'lovers' title. It feels like we haven't skipped a beat.

Clothes had almost become a luxury instead of a necessity since they had become lovers again. The entire week they spent at the mansion alone had been filled with passionate love making and intimate embraces like the one they were currently in. Creed told Train he wanted to make love to him in every room in the house and so far they had made it about half way through the mansion. Not that Train was keeping track.

It seems to help his headaches as well since the pleasure is enough to cancel out the pain he still appears to be in.

The idea of going home occurred to them, but they both turned it down immediately. Not only because they wanted to spend as much time alone together as they could, but also because they agreed Creed being at a house that was so full of people would only make his head worse. When it was just them, he was able to use Train as a distraction from the pain. Having other people around would not only rob them of the privacy Train needed to distract his lover with his body, but it would create more noise which would worsen Creed's headaches.

Especially with Kyoko and Aliane. Those girls are always loud and give me a headache. I can't imagine what they'd do to someone with a brain injury.

The doctor had been by a few more times to check on Creed and they were both relieved to hear the Tao seemed to be at least attempting to fix his brain injury. Other than the headaches and a few memory lapses, he had been mostly recovered. And even the memory issues seemed to only be recent memories or memories that didn't involve Train. However, he did warn them that it had only been a week and that could change.

I'm glad he's able to recall everything that's ever happened between us even if it's small, but it hurts to see him get upset when he forgets something he knows he should remember. When that happens, it just frustrates him which gives him a headache and then he feels like he's burdening me.

Train had been waiting on Creed hand and foot even though the silver man could get around fine. To Train that didn't matter since he also felt like he needed to shower his partner in as much love and affection as he could. He thought it was the least he could do after leading him on for so long. Creed kept insisting Train didn't have to do anything for him, but the Black Cat wasn't having it. He wanted to do as much as he could for his lover.

He's even tried to take over and spoil me again, but I refuse to let him do that. He's spoiled me enough for one lifetime and I've hurt him enough. It's time I pay him back.

Train heard Creed whimper a little, then squeeze him even tighter and snuggle his face into the back of his head. "Don't go, Train…"

Train frowned, his heart breaking at his Stallion's words and brought the hand he had tangled his fingers through to his lips. He kissed it lightly and firmed the grip he had on Creed's hand. "I'm not going anywhere, Creed. Not again. Never again."

That didn't seem to be enough and he actually felt a tear fall from his lover's eye and slide against his neck. "Est-ce que tu m'aimes, Train?" (3)

Train sighed and kissed Creed's hand again and again, trying to use his body and his affections to get the message to his partner that not only was he still there, but he loved him. "Bien sur que oui. Je t'aime plus que jamais." (4)

This has been happening more and more lately. But, why? I thought us being back together would make all his nightmares stop. It stopped all of mine.

Train hadn't had even a whiff of bad thought since he told Creed how he felt. If Saya visited his dreams, it was to tell him how proud she was of him for finally making the right choice or it was to replay a happy memory they shared together. He hadn't even had any night terrors around his parents. They still visited him, but now it was for the same reason Saya did. And Creed played an extremely active role in his dreams, but again, it was always pleasant and mimicked the reality he lived in with the man.

Did I hurt him beyond repair? Did I keep him too far away from me for too long and he's still having a hard time accepting how much I love him?

Creed's shake and sob seemed to be the answer to his question. Train sighed sadly and rolled around in his lover's arms, placing his hands on either side of Creed's face as the silver man wrapped his arms around the cat's back and buried his head into the gunman's hands. Train wiped away the tears that were falling from the swordsman's eyes and kissed his lips gently. He left them there for a few minutes, hoping that would be enough to give the man pleasant dreams instead of nightmares.

When he pulled back, he rested his face against Creed's praying that the warmth of his breath and the love behind his words would help soothe his partner. "It's just a bad dream, Creed. I'm right here. I love you. I'll never leave you again."

He kissed Creed again and again until finally he felt the man relax, then slowly return his kisses. Train smiled and pulled away slightly, but not enough that their faces weren't touching. "Good morning, my Stallion."

Creed blinked a few times, his mind still trying to get out of the dream he was having as he was greeted with the beauty of his beloved gazing into his eyes. The silver man sighed and smiled at Train. "I'll never get tired of waking up to the sight your godly golden eyes provide me every morning…"

Train laughed quietly, then kissed Creed again. "Were you having another bad dream?"

Creed frowned, then winced slightly as the nightmare had brought on a headache. "Yes…"

Train sighed sadly and returned his lover's frown. "Same one as usual?"

Again, Creed nodded, then grimaced at the pain that was slowly starting to pound at his head. Train felt his heart break even more as he moved his hands from Creed's cheeks to his temples, rubbing them with his thumbs as he gave his partner a slightly deeper kiss. Other than sex, it was a technique he had learned to do to calm his lover down and help ease the pain that seemed to refuse to leave his head.

"You still weren't able to find me?" Train asked as he pulled away, even though he was pretty sure he knew what the answer was.

Creed decided not to nod, not only because he knew it would hurt his head, but he also didn't want to shake his beloved's hands off. "No. I'm never able to…"

Train sighed and deepened the kiss, his thumbs still working at his temples in hopes of alleviating his partner's pain. The dream Creed kept having was the one where he was trapped in an empty, square room that dripped with blood. Train was always there, but he was held captive by a swaddle of the vital liquid that pulled him away from Creed every time he tried to grab him. The room inevitably always filled with sanguine fluid before Creed could escape or find Train.

We both know why he had this dream the first time, but neither of us can figure out why it won't stop after I told him I loved him and wanted to be with him again.

Train had a feeling he knew the answer to that question and he voiced his grief out loud. "I'm sorry, Creed… I didn't mean to hurt you this badly…"

Creed gave his Kitten a confused look. "What are you talking about, Love?"

Train sighed deeply and wrapped his arms around Creed's neck, pulling his lover into his shoulder as he spoke. "My nightmares have stopped completely since I realized the truth of what Saya was trying to tell me. When I accepted my feelings for you and began our relationship again, my burden was lifted but… it seems like yours has not…"

Creed still wasn't sure what Train was talking about, but he wrapped his arms tighter around his beloved despite his confusion. "I'm still not sure what you mean, Train. Do you think I'm not happy being with you? Because if that's the case, then I may as well throw myself off the roof since I don't know what else to do to make you see how happy I am."

Train couldn't help but laugh slightly at his partner's dramatic words. "I don't know how flinging yourself from a roof would prove that you're happy."

Creed sighed and kissed Train's shoulder. "Why not? Romeo ended his life when he thought Juliet was dead."

Train blinked, suddenly forgetting his guilt at the comparison his lover made to two classically tragic, romantic figures. "Does that imply that I'm Juliet? And I'm dead?"

Creed giggled and kissed Train's shoulder over and over again. "Of course you are. What makes you think you'd be Romeo?"

Train sighed. "I just don't know how I feel being compared to a teenage girl."

Creed's mind wandered off for a minute as their conversation reminded him of someone else.

I never got my phone back after the party, so I haven't been able to contact E. At least we didn't stand her up or anything. I just never got a chance to reschedule with her.

Despite Train's protests that he didn't care about getting his birthday presents, Creed wasn't going to let it go. He needed to shower his beloved in his love now more than ever. They were originally birthday presents, but they were slowly becoming presents of gratitude for his Kitten finally taking him back.

I'm just happy that I remember writing her number down. It has to be in our room somewhere at the hideout.

Creed was relieved that he remembered that much and he was sure the only reason he did was because it had to do with Train. He may have had a hard time remembering recent events, but he still remembered everything that happened with Train or even involved Train.

I know it's there along with his presents, but I just can't bring myself to try and convince Train to let us go back to the hideout. These last seven days have been amazing and I'm not about to give up daily sex with my Kitten for a phone number.

Creed smiled as he nuzzled closer to his beloved, replaying the last seven days in his head over and over, delighted that he hadn't forgotten a single moment they spent together in the mansion. There were even a few days when they made love more than once. That was mostly because he set a goal with his beloved to have sex in every room in the mansion. He was shocked Train agreed to the task since Creed was aware it was going to be quite a difficult feat to accomplish.

Who am I to question Train on what he thinks is possible? If he's willing to accept my ridiculous request, I'm not going to try and convince him out of it.

Creed continued his assaults of kisses against Train, enjoying the way his cat purred at his affection. "Well, when you put it that way… How about Celopatra?"

Train frowned. "Why do I have to be the woman in all your scenarios?"

Creed nibbled lightly at Train's neck, loving the shiver Train blessed him with and smiled. "Do you have something against women?"

Train moaned a little at his lover's touch, slipping his hands to Creed's back to tickle his soft skin as he spoke. "No. I just don't know why I have to be the woman in all these fantasies."

Creed kissed Train's jawline, sucking a little at the spot just below his chin before he responded to his Kitten. "Actually, that's something that I've been wondering about."

Train made a pleasurable sound as Creed lightly sucked at his neck, then chuckled at the man's statement. "You've been wondering why you always make me the woman in these fairytales as well?"

Creed laughed and licked Train's neck, then spoke. "No, I've been wondering if you've ever been attracted to women, or if it's only been men."

Train frowned at his partner's question, not sure how to answer it. "What do you mean?"

Creed slid his hand to Train's lower back and massaged the area just above his beloved's ass as he responded. "I've only ever known you to be attracted to myself and to Lin. Obviously, the lunatic in me that has been dead for several years now thought you were attracted to Saya, but now that I know it's not true, it only makes the evidence point even more towards you're only attracted to men."

Train thought about what Creed said, which was hard to do with the man's hands so close to the sensitive area of his body. "I… don't think that's true."

Creed frowned a little at the tone of Train's voice, not sure if his beloved was upset or flustered from his gentle caresses and delicate kisses. "I didn't mean to offend you, Train. I was just curious is all. You know I've been with both men and women, but I lean more towards men in general, obviously."

Train rolled his eyes. "I don't think your obsession with me makes that obvi-HEY! What was that for?!"

Creed chuckled as Train pushed him away a little. "Sorry, Kitten. My hands slipped."

Train pulled one of his hands from Creed's back and rubbed the part of his bottom that his partner had pinched. "That's gonna bruise…"

Creed frowned. "Aww, my Sweet Kitten, I didn't mean to blemish your flawless body. Here, let me make it feel better."

Train moaned as Creed massaged his ass, melting back against his lover's chest as he smiled blissfully as his kisses resumed. "Why are you so curious about my sexuality? Does it really matter now that we're together?"

Creed thought about that, then shrugged his shoulders. "I guess if your sexuality permits you to be attracted to me, then I guess it doesn't really matter. I just thought it might matter to you to know more about yourself."

Train frowned in thought. "I guess that's a good point…" He sighed peacefully as Creed's lips glided across his neck and the cat copied his gesture by doing the same thing to his partner's. "Honestly, I never really thought about it. I never even really questioned my attraction to you or Lin. I know there's a physical aspect to it, but I think if that was a driving factor of it, I would have slept with you while we were with Chronos."

Creed couldn't help but laugh at that idea. "I don't know if you sleeping with me when I was unstable would have made me better or worse, but I have a feeling it would have made me more desperate to be with you, so… I actually think I'm glad that didn't happen back then."

That sentence confused Train. "Really? Why?"

Creed smiled as he felt Train kiss his neck and wrap his arms a little tighter around his back. "Because I think if that happened, we wouldn't have what we have now. I think the instability I was experiencing back then would have tipped me in the wrong direction and I might have freaked you out to the point where you would have requested a new partner. Or worse."

Train rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have killed you, Creed. But, I think you're right. I probably would have yelled at Sephiria until she got me a new partner if you became more unstable back then."

Creed thought he'd feel sad at his love's words, but he found that to be impossible with Train's hands and lips touching him all over. "And what about now? What would you do now if something happened and I slipped over the edge?"

Train smiled cheekily as he rested his head between Creed's neck and shoulder, kissing the porcelain skin that resided there. "I'd smack you until you came to your senses."

Creed frowned. "You'd smack me? Not kiss me like you did when Doctor drugged me up?"

Train rolled his eyes and kissed Creed again and again. "I'm just being facetious, Creed, you know that."

Creed pulled back a little and gave his beloved a fictitiously serious look. "There's nothing facetious about spousal abuse, Train."

Train sighed in exacerbation and rested his forehead against Creed's. "Oh, so you're a comedian now?"

Creed shrugged his shoulders and kissed Train's lips lightly. "You're words, not mine."

Train returned the man's kiss with one of his own and smiled warmly at his lover. "You know what I meant, Creed. If you ever slipped over the edge, I'd do whatever I could to bring you back to reality and make you see the truth of the world again. Just like I did the first time we almost lost each other."

Creed returned his beloved's smile, understanding completely what his love was talking about.

Train really did save me… Twice now. And I don't just mean my physical life, but my emotional and spiritual one was well.

Creed knew that if Train never left Chronos, he never would have left as well and now that he knew what the assassin organization was doing to him, he didn't know what would have happened to him. Train also saved him when he took Creed in even after the swordsman hurt him in such an unforgivable way and despite all odds, Train managed to show Creed the beauty the world holds. His beloved was able to make him see that if you focused only on the pain and darkness, that would be all you'd ever see and you'd go insane. Which Creed knew he almost did.

Despite all the pain I've been through, Train was able to make me see you have to take the good with the bad.

Creed kissed Train a little deeper, then pulled back and nuzzled against his love's face. "Thank you for saving my morality and my soul, my love…"

Train laughed lightly, knowing what Creed was talking about and finding his partner's words to be a bit dramatic. "Has Drama Creed come to play?"

Creed frowned at his love. "I hate how that's become a thing with you…"

Train smirked proudly. "What? Aren't you proud of my play on words?"

Creed sighed. "Normally I adore the way you manipulate the various languages the world has to offer. Especially when you do it in a way that benefits or compliments me, but when you use it to compare me to someone who acts in an overly exaggerated, theatrical manner, I take offense."

Train's smirk only widened. "Similar to how it bothers me when you compare me to fictional women?"

Creed sighed again, then poked his beloved's forehead. "Touché…" Train's words brought him back to their earlier conversation, and he decided to ask him another question. "Did you just admit that you were attracted to me while we were in Chronos?"

Train blinked in confusion. "How did you get that out of me calling you Drama Creed?"

Creed giggled. "No, I'm talking about what you said before that. About you sleeping with me sooner if physical looks had a primary role in your attraction to me."

Train sighed and rolled his eyes. "Oh, that… We've had this conversation before, Creed. I didn't think much of you when we were in Chronos. It wasn't until I was forced to spend more time with you did start to feel an attraction to you."

Creed pulled back a little and pouted at his love. "Forced to spend time with me?"

Train narrowed his eyes at Creed, wanting to flick his forehead but knowing he shouldn't due to his headache. Instead, he pinched his cheeks gently. "You know what it was back then. Do you really want to dwell on something that is no longer true?"

Creed frowned at his love, then pulled himself out of Train's fingers to kiss him again, smiling as his beloved kissed him back. Once he properly reminded himself of Train's love for him, Creed pulled back and rested his head back against his Kitten's shoulder. "No… No, I don't want to think about that."

He stayed like that for a minute, allowing himself to relax in his love's fingers sailing up and down his back before he spoke again. "From what you described to me, it sounds like you're demi sexual."

Train tilted his head slightly in confusion. "What's that?"

Creed couldn't help but giggle at his love's confusion. "Being demi sexual means you only feel sexually attracted to someone when they have an emotional bond with the person. It's probably just a coincidence that the only people you've felt a deep enough emotional bond with just happen to be men."

Train thought about what Creed said, then nodded his head. "I think that sounds right. What about you?"

Creed shrugged his shoulders. "I guess the best definition would be pan sexual, but as I've said before, I tend to lean more towards men."

Train frowned. "And pan sexual is…?"

Creed laughed again at his love's naivety when it came to sexual manners. It seemed that just because he experienced another lover didn't mean he fully understood how that part of humankind worked. "It means that I don't limit my sexual partners to just biological sex, gender, or gender identity. The reason I said it's the best definition is because I've been with all kinds of people, but I have found I enjoy men the most."

Train couldn't help but laugh. "You sure that doesn't just have to do with the fact that I'm a man?"

Creed seemed to consider that thought, then he smirked. "I guess that would make me a Train sexual."

Train laughed even louder. "I may be ignorant on subjects like this, but I know that's not a thing!"

Creed's smirk widened as he massaged his beloved's lower back a little more firmly. "It could mean someone is sexually attracted to trains, but the term 'train' does mean something sexual."

Train's face paled a little. "Do I… Do I never want to know…?"

Creed giggled and shook his head. "No."

Train nodded his head, glad that his partner was going to spare his innocence at least a little bit.

It's the least he can do after taking my virginity… Not that I didn't give that to him willingly.

Train laughed a little at his own thoughts, then squeezed his lover a little closer, sighing peacefully at the tender caresses and kisses he was still intermittently receiving from the man. "Does your head feel any better?"

Creed made a confirming noise. "A bit, but that doesn't mean I want you to stop."

Train chuckled and kissed his lover gingerly on the lips. "What makes you think I want to stop?"

Creed sighed and allowed himself to disappear into his beloved. "Sorry to have offended you, Black Cat. I'd hate to feel your wrath."

Knowing Creed was flirting and not wanting to pass up the chance to flirt back, Train smirked and nibbled at his earlobe slightly. "I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it…"

Creed moaned at his love's lustful words, then engaged his Kitten in a deep, passionate kiss that ended far too quickly for his taste. He wanted to keep it going, but he was still pretty tired and had a feeling that no matter how much he wanted to ravage his cat or let Train ravage him, his body would betray him in the end.

Maybe if I fall asleep again for a bit I'll wake up and be ready.

Creed smiled at the thought, already looking forward to the next time he could be inside his beloved as he kissed Train a few more times before asking a question. "Do you know when Sephiria will be stopping by?"

Train sighed, knowing Creed wasn't going to like the answer. "She said she'd be stopping by to talk to us both at some point, but wasn't clear on when that time would be."

Creed groaned in annoyance. "That woman… Can she never be specific?"

Train shrugged his shoulders and kissed Creed's shoulder as his hand outlined the muscles of his back. "She is when it comes to orders. She probably just isn't able to be specific with a time since it sounds like Chronos is scrambling to figure out how the Apostles got into their headquarters in the first place."

Creed let out a long, tired sigh. "I think I know how they go in… And if I'm right, it's my fault."

Train blinked, then pulled away from his lover so he could see his face. "What?"

Creed frowned at his cat. "I know my short term memory isn't quite what it used to be at the moment, but my long term memory seems to be intact. And I remember telling Charden about a blind spot in Chronos headquarters that Echidna could portal to."

Train blinked a few more times, shocked at this sudden news. "Why did you never tell me this?"

Creed felt his heart drop, worried his Kitten was mad at him. "I didn't purposefully avoid telling you. It just… never came up nor did it never seem relevant."

Train frowned. "Why wouldn't it seem relevant when we were trying to take Chronos down?"

Creed winced at his love's words, even though they didn't sound angry or upset. It was the fact that Train had found something else Creed hadn't told him that hurt. "I… I'm sorry, Train… I won't make an excuse. I should have told you."

Train could tell his lover was upset and he sighed and kissed his Stallion. "I'm not mad, Creed. Just curious why you didn't tell me. If you say it didn't seem relevant, then I believe you."

Creed smiled blithely at his love. "Really?"

Train nodded. "Really. I trust you"

Creed felt his heart flutter at his Kitten's words, but continued with his explanation as he yawned a little. "It was really just a passing conversation I had with Charden. I didn't even think much of it at the time. If I'm remembering correctly, he asked me about any potential weak points at Chronos headquarters and I told him about one I believed might be a blind spot, but I was so unsure of it being a viable plan at the time we never did anything about it nor did I even really think about it again. He must have told Echidna and it must have worked."

Train sighed, noticing his partner's eyes were slowly closing and ran his fingers lightly through his hair. "We'll explain that to Sephiria when she gets here."

Creed made a peaceful sound as his love's fingers slipped through his silver locks . "What about Lin? Will he be coming with her?"

It's been a week since he's seen Train and I know I'd be losing my mind going that long without seeing him.

Train shrugged his shoulders as he watched his partner yawn again. "No idea. But, I do know he's rejoining our group, but not staying at the hideout with us anymore."

Creed frowned, then yawned again. He had a feeling he knew the reason behind that decision, but asked anyway. "Why?"

Train sighed again. "They say it's because they don't want Nica, Aliane, and Kenneth to see him, but I think we both know what the real reason is…"

Creed tried to sigh, but just yawned again. "Yeah… But, that's probably for the best, right? Not only do we not have the space, but I think seeing us together will only hurt him more. At least he had a choice. I know I didn't…"

Train knew Creed didn't mean to say those last words out loud and he frowned, kissing his lover on the lips lightly to remind him of what he had. "Was it at least worth the wait?"

Creed moaned as Train kissed him again, then deepened it by slipping his tongue between his beloved's lips. When they pulled away, he smiled fervidly at him. "I'd do it a million times over again if it meant I got the same results."

As they embraced in another heated kiss, Creed tried to get his body to respond to his beloved's touch, but was barely able to keep his eyes open anymore let only get the flesh between his legs to listen. He could feel the heat pooling in his body and his soul ached to make love to his cat, but his lower body didn't seem to be receiving any of those signals. He cursed himself inwardly as he felt his eyes slowly shut, knowing he couldn't fight his fatigue for much longer.

Train felt Creed's advances slowly stopping and chuckled. "You don't have to force yourself to stay awake, Creed."

Creed shook his head and tried to increase the level of their make out. "But I want to make love to you again…"

Train laughed again and returned his lover's kiss, even though Creed's lips were starting to get lazy. "Despite what your dreams are telling you, I'm not going anywhere, Creed. I'll be here when you wake up. And you know I'll be ready once you're ready."

Creed moaned at his beloved's lewd tone and tried to caress his body in a more insidious way. "I'm ready. Let's go."

Train laughed a little louder and pushed Creed back on the bed, straddling his waist as he looked down at him. "The doctor said sex was fine as long as you were feeling okay and right now, you aren't okay. You're tired and he also said you needed your rest."

Seeing Train sitting on top of him only made him want to make love to him even more. He slid his arms up his Kitten's back, wrapping his fingers around Train's waist as he spoke. "You never told me where you learned to make love like that…"

Train knew Creed was talking about the first time they spent together after he confessed his love. Creed asked him about it a few times and Train kept giving vague responses of how he learned to do what he did that day, but he knew those explanations weren't enough since the gunman had been honest about the positions he and Lin took during sex. Train was always the giver, so he knew Creed didn't really understand what he meant when he said he learned from his new experiences.

I know he might not want to hear more details about how Lin and I did, but he keeps asking and I don't want to lie to him.

Train sighed as he ran his hands up Creed's arms. "Do you really want me to tell you?"

Creed nodded, his eyes shutting again as he smiled at the way his beloved's hands felt going up and down his arms. "Yes. It felt incredible and I'd like to know the story behind it. I know it has to involve Lin, so don't worry about that. I'm just confused since I know you were the top in that relationship."

Train sighed again as he slid his arms up to Creed's shoulder and leaned forward to kiss his lover again, hoping that would help remind the man who was his lover. When he pulled back, he made sure his fingers kept moving up and down his arms, tracing his lean muscles and smooth skin. "Lin… used to do that to me. As you said it felt really good, so I tried to recreate it with you."

Creed smirked, his eyes shut but knowing his beloved was giving him a sorrowful look. "Guess I have Lin to thank. You did an amazing job recreating it."

Train let out a breath of relief, then smiled salaciously at his partner as he whispered seductively into his ear. "That's good to hear… Now rest, my Stallion. And when you wake up, I'll be sure we replace your pain with pleasure…"

Creed shivered in delighted anticipation. "Why can't we just do it now?"

Train sighed. "Like I already said, I can tell you're too tired. It's okay, Creed. I'll be here when you wake up."

Creed frowned, then opened his eyes to see his beloved one more time before he did as he was told. "You promise?"

Train smiled and nodded. "I promise. Together, right?"

Creed purred wonderfully as Train's hand ran through his hair, then slid against his face and rested against his cheek. The swordsman leaned into his cat's hand and smiled felicitously. "Always…"

Train mirrored Creed's expression, then kissed him until he felt his lover fall asleep. Once he was unconscious, he ran his hands along his body a few more times, wanting nothing more than to curl up next to him and enter Creed's dreams to protect him from the nightmares, but he knew he couldn't do that. He had to think of something else to comfort his lover.

I need to do something to make him see how much I love him… He's done so much for me to make me understand the depth of his feelings and I have to do the same.

As he glanced out the window at the garden, he smiled as he began to piece a plan together. Train leaned forward and kissed his partner again, running his hands through Creed's hair one more time before speaking in a quiet voice.

"I'll make sure you understand how much I love you, Creed. And I'll have it ready when you wake up."

---

Creed woke up with a start, his body jolting into an upright position so rapidly it hurt his head all over again. He gripped at his skull in agony and groaned as he tried to wait for the wave of pain to pass. He tried to mimic his beloved's soothing gestures by rubbing his own temples, but it did nothing to ease his pain.

Most likely because my pain is relieved by the man behind the gesture, not the gesture itself.

Thinking of his Kitten, Creed felt his heart drop when he realized Train wasn't in the room.

"Train?"

He looked around quickly, then groaned again as the motion hurt his head even more.

I don't remember Train saying anything about going somewhere… Quite the opposite, he said he'd never leave me again. Then again, who knows with my memory? Could it possibly be getting worse instead of better?

Creed tried to comfort himself with the thought that Train was probably just getting them food or even using the bathroom. He may have even just been on the roof or walking around the mansion. His beloved hated staying in one place for too long and even though they had been enjoying their time alone together, that wasn't going to change who Train was as a person.

Calm down… Like Train keeps telling you, it's only a nightmare. Train hasn't been taken away. He's not gone. He's still here. Somewhere…

Feeling his anxiety and paranoia getting the better of him, he looked around the room again, completely ignoring the objects on the bed as he became a little more panicked in his search. The thought of Train being taken away by the Apostles seemed all too real to him not to at least entertain. His Kitten may have been right that it was just a nightmare, but that didn't mean the Taoists weren't still trying to steal his lover away from him.

"Train? Where are you?!"

His heart picked up a little when he didn't hear Train respond, which was far too similar to his nightmare. Creed's head began to pound as his thoughts wandered off to what could have possibly happened to his love and he clutched at it again. It was starting to throb so much that his vision blurred a little and he knew the increase of the pain was his own fault.

I'm working myself up too much. I need to calm down and actually look for Train instead of just calling for him. The odds that he's just somewhere else in the mansion should be more feasible than the Apostles broke in and took him. I would have woken up if that was the case… right?

Deciding he wasn't going to be able to stop the pain in his head without knowing Train was okay, Creed pulled the blankets off himself and began moving off the bed. However, just as he flipped the comforter off his body, he felt his hand brush against something that felt silky. Frowning, he moved the blanket again to see what it was and felt his heart skip a beat. Sitting next to him was a pile of the stallion flowers Train used to give him all the time.

Creed smiled and reached out to grab one, but as he moved his hand, his other one brushed against something else. He looked on the other side of him and saw even more of the same flowers. His heart was racing fast and his face was bright with joy as he put the pieces together of what Train had done for him while he was sleeping. Creed glanced up at the night stand and saw even more of the flowers there, then looked on the nightstand on the opposite side of the bed and saw even more.

How did he manage to gather so many? Wouldn't they have been dead from lack of care?

When they were there with everyone else, Train started taking care of them again, but that was a few months ago now. Even if they weren't dead, Creed thought they would have at least not looked as beautiful as they currently did. Curious, he grabbed one and pinched it between his fingers, trying to get a better look at the flower. He chuckled when he realized that they didn't look as good close up.

I think Train was just counting on me to not look at them up close. Seeing them piled up together, you can't tell that there really aren't many petals left on them.

He scanned the other flowers and noticed the same was true for the rest of them. Creed figured Train must have just grabbed as many as he possibly could in hopes that a pile of them would look better than just a few of them. It worked, since Creed thought the scene his lover set up for him was almost as beautiful as the man himself was.

Almost, but not quite. But, that's not a fair comparison since nothing will ever be as beautiful as my Kitten.

Creed sniffed the flower, barely smelling anything since it was practically dead. In fact, instead of smelling the flower, he smelled Train. His mind must have matched his partner with the flower which switched what the object would have normally smelled like in his head.

The mind is a fascinating thing. It's even starting to hurt less with just the idea of what Train did for me.

His heart sank again and the pain in his head rose again as he realized these flowers did not mean Train was okay. His mind began to paint a horrifying story of his beloved delicately and purposefully laying out the flower for him, then being taken away by the Apostles. Again, Creed tried to comfort himself with the thought that he would have woken up if that happened, but he started to imagine ways Echidna and Charden could have taken him by quiet surprise.

Shiki could slip a bug in through a small portal and knock Train out and then Echidna could have opened a larger one and dropped my Kitten through it. That's the plan I came up with when Train first left me and I was desperate to see him again.

Creed didn't bother to question why Charden or Doctor hadn't thought of it already and began to climb out of the bed, ignoring the beautiful scene of flowers his love had meticulously set up for him. As he placed a foot on the ground, he slipped slightly and looked at the floor. There was a trail of rose petals there that seemed to lead to the bathroom.

His heart slowed its frightful pace as he followed the trail Train left for him and opened the door to the bathroom. Once he was inside, he gasped at what he saw. The bathroom had a shower and bathtub combination and currently the water was filled up to the top, the fogginess of it signaling to Creed that it was warm water. The trail of flower petals led all the way to the tub, then there were more scattered on top of it. It looked like a few had absorbed enough water to make them sink, which only added to the beauty of the scene since it turned the liquid a light shade of red.

As Creed took a few steps forward, he noticed the lights were turned off and the only thing keeping the room slightly bright were the many candles Train had lit around the room. Creed wasn't sure how his partner managed to find all those candles since he had hidden them throughout the castle in case of an emergency, but right now he didn't care. The candles created such a romantically intimate scene Creed felt a tear fall from his eye and he had a feeling more were going to come.

He wiped it away quickly as he approached the tub, touching its surface with his fingertips as he smiled at his blurry reflection. His head still hurt a little, but now it was more of a dull pain he could ignore instead of an agonizing one that took over his entire body. The low lighting of the room helped, but Creed knew it was the idea of how much Train had done to make him happy that really alleviated the pain.

But where is he? It's still possible he set all this up and then was taken away. I don't think the Apostles are dumb enough to never find this place.

That was something that he had been worried about since they got there. He was sure Charden was smart enough to eventually figure out where they kept hiding at whenever a battle between them ended. He thought they were lucky they had gotten away with it for as long as they had. Although Charden didn't know where any of the mansions were, he had been to a few of them when Creed and Train ran the Apostles, so it was only a matter of time before he figured out the pattern and found them.

And that could have already happened. Maybe Train is fighting them right now all by himself!

Creed's head began to pound again at that thought, the scene before him not being enough to stop the anguish of the idea that his beloved may be fighting a battle on his own. It was something he had been quietly obsessing over since he woke up since he knew he wasn't in any condition to fight right now.

I need to find Train! Now!

As he turned around rapidly, he jumped a little when he saw Train standing at the door with two champagne glasses. His jump caused Train to jump, but his beloved managed not to drop any of the liquid in the glasses.

Train frowned at Creed, not sure why his partner looked so upset. "Whoa, Creed, why do you look like someone ran over you with a steamroller?"

Creed frowned back at his beloved, then looked down at himself. "Do I really look that bad…?"

Train rolled his eyes. "I don't mean physically. I mean emotionally. I guess I should have made it clear the steamroller was an emotional one."

Creed couldn't help but giggled at his cat, overwhelmed with relief at seeing the man he loved was still with him. He then gestured to the scene laid out before them and asked Train a question. "What's all this for?"

Train smirked. "For you, of course. I know you keep having those nightmares which make your head hurt and I have a feeling they keep happening because you still don't seem to fully believe that I'm not going anywhere. So I did this to hopefully get it through your thick skull that I'm not going to leave you."

Creed felt his heart swell with passion as he locked eyes with his lover. "You didn't have to go through all this for me… I do-"

Before Creed could finish his sentence, Train shoved the champagne glass against his lips and gave him a stern look. "Stop saying you don't deserve it. You deserve all this and more."

Creed almost collapsed from happiness against his beloved, but managed to take the glass instead and smile at Train. However, when the scent of the drink hit his nostrils, he gave the glass a strange look. "Is this apple juice?"

Train nodded and took a sip of his. "I didn't think it was a smart idea for you to drink with all the headaches you've been having. And since this is all meant to help you, I didn't want to add something in that could potentially hurt you."

Creed's adoring smile was back on his lips and he took a sip of the juice as well. When he was done, he set the glass on a small table covered with candles. "How did you manage to find all these candles?"

Train laughed. "I think the better question is why did you have so many candles here?"

Creed pouted a little at his partner, but it was still clear that he was filled with nothing by love for the man in front of him. "It's for an emergency. The Tao won't protect us from weather issues. I have candles stored at our sweeper hideout as well."

Train blinked in confusion. "Really?"

Creed smiled proudly. "Yes. As I just said, all the skills in the world won't help us when a hurricane knocks out a powerline. We'd need heat and electricity."

Train smirked as he set his glass down on a different nearby table and sparked up his now empty hand. "I beg to differ…"

Creed chuckled, but rolled his eyes. "Your Tao won't keep us cold if it happens during heated months."

Train seemed unaffected by his words as he turned his electricity into ice. "Did you forget I could do this too?"

Creed laughed again. "While your Tao is certainly useful, we can't cook meals or heat an entire house full of people for days on end if the worst case scenario happens."

Train shrugged his shoulders and turned off his Tao, deciding it wasn't worth the argument. "Whatever. Guess I shouldn't be surprised you're overly prepared for everything."

Creed nodded as Train took a step towards him, his heart filling with a new kind of warmth from the look his love was giving him. It didn't help that his cat still was only wearing his boxers which allowed the candles to flicker teasingly off his lean body and tanned skin, making Creed lick his lips and moan with desire. He was hoping Train had created the scene for a fantastic afternoon of love making and judging by the way his cat was looking at him, he had a feeling he was right.

Okay, well, the real reason seems to be to help me relax and take my mind off my nightmares, but he knows having sex with him works. That has to be a part of his plan.

As soon as Train was face to face with him, his beloved reached out and cupped his cheeks gently, brushing his lips against Creed's as he spoke. "I love you, Creed. And I'm never going to leave you again. I hope this will solidify that in your mind."

Creed swooned at Train's touch and desperately tried to kiss him, but his cat kept his face still. "And what if it's not?"

Train smirked, knowing his lover was going to ask that question and had his answer ready. "Then I guess I'll just have to keep romancing you until you realize it's true."

Train loosened his hold on Creed and allowed the man to press his lips against him. The cat returned the fervid kiss, keeping his hands firmly on either side of his partner's face as he slipped his tongue into Creed's mouth. Creed clutched as Train's chest as he fell forward, the erotic scenery of the room combined with the flavor his beloved graced him with being almost more than his body could bare. He knew if Train wasn't there to catch him, he surely would have fallen face first on the ground.

Train chuckled against Creed's slips and held the man firmly in his arms as he spoke. "You're aware this isn't the first time we've kissed, right?"

Creed was breathless as he spoke. "I know… But this is all too much for my heart to bear! I think I might die of happiness in your arms right here and now."

Train rolled his eyes and smirked at the man. "I see Drama Creed is back."

Creed caught his breath and narrowed his eyes at his beloved. "Don't start with that again…"

Train's smirk became more mischievous as he looked at his partner. "Start with what? I'm just welcoming back the side of my lover that has the annoying tendency to blow things out of proportion."

Creed's glare changed to a smirk as he stood himself up and wrapped his arms around Train's waist. "If you're so excited to have Drama Creed back, then allow me to let him take over for a minute."

Train's eyes widened as Creed lifted him up and threw him into the tub. His head fell underneath the water for a second, but he was easily able to get back above the surface quickly. As soon as he did, he was greeted with Creed's proud face as the silver man jumped into the tub on top of him. The swordsman straddled his waist and placed his hands on either side of Train's face, pressing his lips against the cat's to engage the man in another heated kiss.

Train moaned, shut his eyes, and returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around Creed's neck as he pulled his lover closer to deepen it. He didn't care that his boxers were still on, but he could tell Creed had slipped his off before he got into the water. When he felt Creed's hardened member brush against his thigh he moaned longingly, his wet boxers suddenly becoming too tight as the thought of love making began to consume his entire being. He slipped his hands from Creed's neck to boxers, pulling them down quickly and allowing the water to float them away.

Creed felt Train remove what little clothing he had on and deepened the kiss even further. As his tongue wrapped around Train's one of his hands slipped from the back of the tub to his beloved's ever growing shaft. He grabbed it tightly, grateful for the natural lubrication the water provided and slowly began to jerk his lover off. He felt Train purr wildly against his lips and moaned when his partner's hand mirrored his own actions on him. Train used his unoccupied hand to grab Creed's back, making sure he stayed in place as they two men worked vigorously against each other's flesh.

They're kiss became more fiery as their hands synced up with one another, Train arching his back at the heat boiling in his groin and Creed's elbow buckling at the feeling overtaking him, making the silver man fall flat against his cat. His forearm was now resting against the porcelain tub, his fingers gripping at the edge as he moved his hand back and forth even faster against his beloved and Train copied his motions. That caused Creed to cry out into his beloved's mouth as the heat began to be too much for him to contain. When he felt Train's fingers dig into the muscle of his back, he almost exploded.

"Creed…" Train moaned behind the kiss, swallowing every gasp and moan his lover offered him as he moved his hand even faster against Creed. "I love you, Creed…"

Creed nearly burst at his love's words, but managed to contain himself so he could cum at the same time as his love. "And I love you, Train…" He moved his hand even faster, gripping a little tighter as he felt the heat swelling inside of him reach a level he knew he couldn't control anymore. "I love you so much, Kitten…"

Train felt his body rising from the water as he grew closer and closer to climaxing. He let out a silent scream into his lover's mouth as his hips bucked up slightly, doing his best to control his movements so Creed could continue giving him these amazing sensations. He was still shocked that as many times as they had jerked each other off, it continued to be one of the most amazing feelings he had ever received. The only thing that topped what they were doing was what they were about to do.

Creed felt his love's body ascend from the water and did his best to keep Train down. He pushed his partner back into the water by kissing him more firmly, sliding his tongue into the moaning cat's mouth as he moved his hand even faster. He knew they were both just a few more pumps away and he didn't want either of them to have their climax ruined because Train couldn't control what his body did as it reached its limits. Thinking of Train's cumming set him more over the edge and he knew he couldn't hold on for much longer.

Creed pulled back from the kiss, his hand never stopping its motions against Train as he rested his forehead against his lovers. "Together?"

Train smirked, the heat in his groin begging for release as he moved his hand as fast as he could against Creed's shaft. "Always."

Creed smirked at Train's words and kissed him again. He moved his hand as fast as he could, knowing his cat was doing the same and threw his head back as he screamed his lover's name. Creed basked in how Train's name echoed against the bathroom walls, the musical sounds reminding him who gave him that wonderful release. As he shouted and exploded into the water, Train did as well, both of their voices reverberating against the walls and blending together which only added to the bliss Creed was already in.

The silver man collapsed against the golden man, their semen mixing with the water, but neither of them caring as they caught their breath. Creed was the first one to speak, since he had a question for his beloved. "Aren't you worried about electrocuting us?"

Train swallowed thickly, then shook his head. "No. I can control that."

Creed was surprised by Train's words. "Really? I didn't know that."

Train laughed breathlessly. "The first few times I couldn't, but I learned how to, so don't worry about it."

Creed matched his beloved's laugh. "Does that mean you add it in for fun?"

Train smirked, then nodded his head. "You enjoy it, don't you?"

Creed smirked in return. "Absolutely I do…"

After a few more seconds, they regained their composure and started yet another impassioned kiss. Creed was hard again almost instantly, his headache completely gone and his negative thoughts of Train disappearing were replaced with the way he knew his lover was going to feel tightening around his flesh. When he felt Train's tongue massage his own, he slipped a finger inside his cat, relishing the way his lover's body twitched in pleasure at the feeling.

Creed smirked and pulled away from the kiss, tilting his head slightly so Train could attack his neck. "We're not done yet, Train…"

Train panted wildly and bit at Creed's soft felsh. "We better not be…"

Creed moaned excitedly as he felt his beloved's tongue lick and rub every inch of his neck. He jabbed another finger into Train, knowing his Kitten was emotionally ready for him to enter, but he wanted to make sure he was physically ready as well. Even though they had sex every day for the last week, Creed always made sure to prepare his love's body. As he entered yet another finger he heard his Kitten cry out into his neck, biting down harshly which made Creed scream hedonically into the beautifully resounding room.

"Oh, Train!" Creed screamed as he stabbed at his beloved's prostate over and over again. "It appears that my Kitten has fangs as well as claws…"

Train thrust his hips up and down on Creed's fingers, trying to help his lover get them deeper inside himself as he scratched frantically at the silver man's back. He knew what Creed meant by that statement and judging by the level of lust behind his words, Train also knew his partner enjoyed what his mouth did. He smirked and did it again, earning another powerful cry that bounced off the walls and re-entered his ears.

Train moved himself up and down on the fingers even faster, feeling his lover enter yet another finger as the heat in his body grew once more. "And I know my Stallion has more to offer than fingers… Why are you being so greedy?"

Creed smirked as Train licked and sucked at his neck, his getting so hot he wasn't sure how the water wasn't boiling around them. "You know what I want to hear you say, Train…"

Train groaned in frustration, then moaned in pleasure as Creed hit his pleasurable spot over and over again. "Do you really need to hear me say it every time?" He grabbed Creed's hard cock and began jerking him off again. "I can tell you're ready, so just do it already!"

Creed gasped and moaned loudly as Train moved his hand frantically against his penis, his beloved's lips once again sucking feverishly at his neck as he wiggled his finger against Train's sweet spot. "I need consent first, Kitten."

Train tried to roll his eyes, but Creed's constant prodding at his prostate made it impossible. "You have my consent, Creed. You always have my consent!"

Creed grabbed his beloved's hips to hold him in place as he continued finger fucking him, trying to stop his penis from entering his cat before he heard what he wanted to hear. "Have your consent to do what, Train?"

Train made an angry sound despite the pleasure he was feeling and gripped Creed's cock even harder between his fingers. "You have my consent to make love to me!"

Creed cried out Train's mouth bit down harshly on him yet again, positive his love was drawing a bit of blood as his cat's hand moved quickly between his legs. Creed grabbed Train's wrist and yanked his beloved's hand away from his member and slid both his hands to his Kitten's ass to hold him in place.

"Then you need to stop molesting me so I can enter you."

Train rolled his eyes as he allowed his lover to pull his hand away and grab him tightly. "This statement coming from the man who's done nothing but molest me since the day he met me?"

Creed growled in annoyance at his cat as he positioned the golden man above his cock. "Shut up, I need to concentrate. I've never done this in water before."

Train blinked at his lover as he wrapped his arms around Creed's neck. "Really?"

Creed nodded. "Really. As I've told you a million times, every one of those people meant nothing to me so every sexual encounter I had was one and done and never happened in a romantic situation."

Train gasped as he felt Creed's tip enter his ass, his body clenching up for a second before he told himself to relax and allow the man to do as he pleased. "I find it hard to believe out of all the sexual partners you had, you never had sex in water."

Creed stopped every so often as he lowered Train onto himself, ignoring the carnal voice in his head that told him to slam his Kitten onto his cock and fuck him mindlessly. "Whether you believe it or not, it's true. Every one of them happened on some piece of furniture. I didn't care about them enough to even consider creating a beautiful scene like this."

Train laughed, then moaned as Creed entered him about half way, his ass clenching again and his lover moaned at the involuntary gesture. "So, this is a first for both of us?"

Creed nodded, then cursed as he tried to contain himself from shoving his dick into his beloved. "Assuming you didn't do this with Lin, then yes."

Train threw his head back as Creed entered him a little more, but still not fully and his body was starting to feel robbed of what he knew was the pleasure to come. "I didn't. We weren't together long enough to experience this."

Creed groaned as Train's ass tightened around his cock again and he once more had to fight the urge to shove himself in completely. "Then you should both consider yourselves lucky…"

Train moaned as Creed inched himself in again. "Why?"

Creed caught his breath and his composure as he pushed himself in a bit further. "Because having sex in water isn't as easy as Hollywood likes to make it seem. You have to account for the science of it."

Train panted with his lover as he tried to tell his body to calm down and stop himself from jamming Creed's shaft violently inside of him. "What do you mean?"

Creed paused for a moment as he waited for the water to cooperate around their private areas. "Because water creates suction. And that suction could make the act of love making either extremely pleasurable, or extremely strenuous."

Train blinked as his mind worked that out, then understanding overtook him. "Oh… I guess that makes sense…"

Creed chuckled as he entered himself a little further. "You didn't think of that when you set this up, did you?"

Train shook his head. "No, I didn't. They made it look so easy in the movies."

Creed laughed again as he inched himself in a little further, the water splashing around him as he did. "It's okay, Love. As I said before, it could either be really strenuous…." He paused, then entered himself fully into his cat. "...Or really pleasurable. Assuming you have the right people involved."

Train screamed louder than he had ever screamed as Creed pressed at his sweet spot. He saw spots in his eyes as he clawed at his lover's back, scraping at the man he loved as he tried to remember where he was. However, before he could gather himself, Creed thrust into him again, causing more spots to blind his vision. Creed repeated his gesture a few more times, making the Black Cat squeeze his ass tightly and press his body so it was flushed against Creed's.

"Oh… Creed…"

As many times as he had sex with Creed, he had never expierenced such an intense level of pleasure. His whole body was on fire and he had to concentrate hard on keeping the electricity at bay. Whenever it came out during their love making, Train always made sure to use it only when he knew it would be the most pleasurable for both of them. However, right now if he activated it, their moment would end quite abruptly, and neither of them wanted that.

"Creed…" Train moaned again as his lover began his low assault on his sweet spot. "Oh, my Stallion…"

Every gasp, moan, and word that his beloved uttered was amplified by the vast echos of the room. Creed kept his motions slow at first, partially because he wanted to relish the way his love sounded in the empty room, but also because he needed to make sure he found the correct combination of thrusting compared to the water that surrounded them. Every time he entered Train, water did as well and he needed to make sure he worked with it instead of against it.

Creed shoved himself inside Train a few more times, his heart and soul dancing to the music his Kitten's voice played against walls and ceiling. "Train…"

When Train heard Creed's moan, he tightened his ass even more, making his silver lover cry out again as he shoved himself in and out of the Black Cat's ass. Creed did that motion again and again, adjusting himself slightly so he would hit Train's sweet spot dead on. When he felt his love's claws scratch at his back and felt his body convulse at the motion, he knew he found his target.

Creed smirked and kissed Train deeply for a moment, before pulling away and speaking to his beloved. "If you thought it felt good before, just wait for this next part."

Train looked around the room as if he didn't know who was speaking then screamed again as Creed hit his spot dead on again. The swordsman repeated the motion again and again, his vision filled with nothing but the sight of his Kitten's body trashing in the water violently, the candles glimmering glorious across his bare chest and shoulders. The smell of melted wax and sex fill his nostrils, making Creed's heart burst into flames as he thrust into Train again and again, making sure each shot hit their mark.

Train scream wildly ferociously with each of his lover's thrusts, his mind no longer able to focus on anything other than the way the other man felt inside of him. He tried to make words, but even that was impossible. It was hard even to pronounce Creed's name let alone try to encourage the man to move faster. He only hoped that his partner was able to read what his body was begging him to do and would follow the directions given.

Creed's eyes shone with a lovingly lewdness he didn't think existed before that moment as he scanned Train's body for signs of approval. Train seemed to be in another realm, one that Creed was sure was full of pleasure which encouraged him to go faster. He shoved his dick into Train again and again, making sure each move hit his prostate with a passionate force his Kitten couldn't resist screaming at. As he made his motions faster, he saw Train's body thrash even more, his ass getting tighter and tighter by the minute as he pushed his beloved closer to climax.

"That's it, Train…" Creed moaned as he shoved himself in and out of his cat faster and faster. "That's the look I want to see… I can do this for the rest of my life if I can see that look painted on your face for the rest of eternity."

Train scream again and again, barely hearing his partner's voice as Creed continued fucking his mind away. He wanted to respond to the man, but all he could do was gasp and moan with each thrust he made. The Black Cat threw his head back and clutched tightly at Creed's shoulders as the silver man assaulted his sweet spot with such vigor, Train didn't know how he hadn't cum yet. The force and velocity his partner was using was ungodly and he knew if Creed kept going the way he was, he might forget his own name.

"CREED!" Train managed to scream somehow, as if the man's name was the only thing his mind could register. "Oh, Creed! CREED!"

Creed thrust faster into Train, being precise with each of his movements as he attacked his beloved's prostate over and over again. He felt Train's ass tighten even more around himself and he moved his hips faster and faster. He gripped at his love's bottom tighter, pushing and pulling Train onto himself with such velocity that he wasn't sure how the cat was still in the tub. Based on how quickly and forcefully he was moving, he was sure Train should have been forced out of the tub.

"TRAIN!" Creed screamed, feeling the heat inside himself reaching an inhuman level as he stabbed himself in and out of his cat. "Train! Oh, God, Train!"

Train screamed over and over again as Creed fucked every sense out of him. His entire body was numb with pleasure as Creed's cock hit his sweet spot over and over again. He knew he was a goner, since his body was allowing nothing but pleasure to enter, but somehow he hung on just a little longer. He didn't want that sensation to end, so he gripped Creed's shoulders a little tighter and allowed the heat to boil even harsher in his stomach.

"Creed!" Train screamed again as his lover hit his prostate with so much pressure he nearly blacked out from the feeling. "CREED!"

Train's voice only encouraged Creed to go faster as he held his penis against his love's sweet spot for a moment, then quickly pulled it away and stabbed it over and over again. The heat in both their groins was growing to a heavenly level as their locked lips before they knew they were going to explode. When they parted, they rested their foreheads together, steely blue meeting hazed gold as they cried out again and again. Creed shoved his penis into Train a few more times before he threw his head back and filled the room with his pleasurable cry.

"TRAIN!"

He released his seed into Train, but kept his hips moving back and forth, his cock continuously entering the man he loved to make sure his lover experienced the same blissful release he just did. He felt Train's body convulse and suck up more of his semen as the Black Cat cried out his name as well.

The heat in Train's lower abdomen was too much to bear as he threw his head back and gripped his lover's shoulders tightly. "CREED!"

His ass tightened and milked Creed of more of his essence as he threw his body back, then collapsed forward against the man he loved. He clutched helplessly against Creed's shoulders, hanging on the man as he tried to catch his breath. Creed pulled Train against himself, nuzzling his head deep into the golden man as he kissed the cat's neck eagerly.

"Wow…" Was all Creed managed to say, not sure what else there was to say at that moment.

Train thought of something else to say as he smiled and kissed the top of Creed's head. "I love you, Creed…"

Creed let out a happy purr and pressed his forehead against Train's. "I love you too, Train…"

Their lips met for another deep, loving kiss as the water, rose petals, and semen mixed around them. Their bodies relaxed as if they hadn't repeated that embrace every day for the past seven days as they allowed their mouths to devour one another. Train wrapped his arms around Creed's waist and pulled the silver man against his body, ignoring as a rose petal floated between them, as he tasted every part of his lover that he could. While Creed held Train close to his body by the waist, the silver man wrapped his arms around his Kitten's neck and pressed their chests against one another. He moaned lovingly as he felt his Kitten's heart beat against his own, thrilled with the way their organs moved as one, as if their bodies knew they were touching and needed nothing other than the warmth and feel of one another.

Train twirled his tongue around Creed's, feeling more fulfilled than he ever had as he pulled away and looked into his lover's eyes. "Guess we can cross the bathroom off the list…"

Creed chuckled as he melted into his Kitten, kissing him over and over again. "This isn't the only bathroom in this place…"

Train made a mock annoyed sound as he returned each of his lover's kisses. "Really?"

Creed pretended to pout. "Really. Are you that annoyed by the idea of having sex with me that many more times?"

Train laughed lightly. "I don't know… How many bathrooms are there?"

Creed's fake pout turned into a teasing smile. "Are you not up to the task?"

Train smirked at his lover and kissed him deeply again before pulling away. "As long as I have you… I can succeed at any challenge life has to offer me."

Creed giggled and kissed his love again and again. "I'd expect nothing less of the Black Cat…"

Train moaned at the next kiss since Creed made it deeper and more passionate than the last. His body set on fire at the emotions his partner put behind the kiss and he smiled reverently at Creed. As he gazed into those impeccable cerulean eyes that never failed to make his heart flutter, Train felt a heavenly joy overtake him and he kissed Creed again. He replayed what they just did with each other and knew his life was complete. He had never felt so actualized. It was as if his entire life had been leading up to that moment with Creed. As if his sole purpose was to meet Creed and spend the rest of his life with the man.

As if my destiny has finally been fulfilled…

When the gunman pulled away, he nuzzled his nose against Creed's and spoke the most true words he had ever spoken. "I love you so much, Creed…"

Creed felt something click in his mind in that moment, like a light switch had been flipped and he felt his heart relax and his soul become at peace. There was something about the way Train said those words that finally confirmed in his mind that not only did his beloved mean what he said, but fate did as well. In that moment with his partner, the planets aligned just right to make Creed believe that there truly was nothing left in the world that would tear them apart. Not even their enemies.

Creed sighed freely, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulder and he pressed his naked body as close to his beloved's as he could, savoring the intimacy of the contact as he whispered elegantly into Trains ear. "I love you more than words could ever explain, Train… And I think I can finally accept that you're not going to leave me."

Train sighed loudly, as if he could finally breathe and lowered the two of them further into the water. "Thank God…"

Creed giggled at his love's words as his chin hit the warm, now dirty water. "Was it really stressing you that much?"

Train kissed the top of Creed's head as he held the man against his chest, his lovers' member finally falling out of him. "Yes, because I know it was keeping that nightmare alive and that nightmare is making it impossible for you to fully recover. I hope that now that I've crystallized that in your stubborn brain-" He flicked his lover's head as he said that, knowing Creed was fully relaxed and probably incapable of feeling pain at that moment. "-You'll finally get better and we can resume our cliche fairytale ending."

Creed's cheeks were starting to hurt with how much he was smiling, then he frowned slightly as he thought of something. "Does that mean we're going to go back to the hideout with all those people?"

Train sighed. "I don't know… I mean, where else do we have to go? Can we really stay here forever?"

Creed matched his beloved's sigh. "No. If we leave the electricity on for too long, we'll draw suspicion. That's why I moved us so much when we were part of the Apostles. These hideouts can't be active for long. We were really pushing it the last time we were here with everyone else."

Train didn't like that response since a small part of him was hoping Creed would say they could stay there forever. "Then how long can we stay here before it's too suspicious?"

Creed snuggled his cheek into his beloved's chest and shut his eyes, his body drifting off slightly as he felt Train's breath brush against his damp hair. "A couple of months. I mean, I guess we could use that time to figure out a different living situation. That is… If you've decided to accept my offer to live with me."

Train's heart fluttered at the idea. He and Creed had been living together for years, but the offer Creed was giving him meant they would be living alone together. "That's absolutely what I've accepted. Now the question is how soon can it happen?"

Creed didn't think it was possible for him to be happier than he already was, but somehow his heart lifted to the heavens and sang with the angels. "I have some money I've been setting aside from the side piano gigs. I gave those up, don't worry. I'm done with that woman."

Train could tell Creed was reading his mind with that last sentence. It was probably easy for the swordsman to figure out it upset him since he tensed up for a second. Creed knew he didn't like that he was seeing that woman. It had nothing to do with the fact that she was constantly trying to sleep with Creed, but because he didn't like his lover whoring out his piano playing.

"How… How much money have you put aside?" Train's voice was hesitant since he didn't want to impose himself on Creed.

Creed rolled his eyes at his beloved's reluctant tone. "Train, we're lover's, remember? What's mine is yours. Any money I set aside is for us to use as we see fit. If it's for a place of our own, that's our business. As for how soon it can happen… I think we can start looking at apartments right away if you'd like. We can even make sure to coincide where we live with Sven and the others."

Train smiled and ran his fingers up and down Creed's back. "I don't think we need to go that far out of our way. Sven can always let us know when he needs us for a sweep. Otherwise, we can work on our own."

Creed looked up at his beloved and blinked. "You want to work by ourselves?"

Train shrugged his shoulders. "Well, maybe not all the time, but I don't see why not. I don't think Sven, Eve, Lin, and Rinslet will ever be out of our lives for good and I don't think either of us wants anyway, but I don't see why we need to live with them in order to work with them. Normal co-workers don't do that, right?"

Creed smiled merrily and nodded his head. "Right." He snuggled against his beloved, his body relaxing into Train and the lukewarm water as he shut his eyes again. "In that case, we can start looking right away."

Train smiled as well and kissed Creed's head again. "Let's at least wait until you're better. But, if we can find our own place instead of going back to that packed house, I think that'd be for the best."

Creed laughed. "I actually don't think I can see Sven arguing with that. If I have to hear him complain about all the mouths to feed one more time, I'm going to shove a hundred dollars down his throat."

Train laughed loudly at that and squeezed Creed tighter to himself. "And since I seem to be his biggest problem in that department, I think he'd be happy to see me go."

Creed sighed and nuzzled his cheek into Train's shoulder. "He'll miss you. They all will."

Train couldn't help but notice Creed didn't mention himself in his sentence and decided to correct him. "They'll miss you too, Creed. But considering how much they've been shipping us together recently, I think they'll be happy for us."

Creed sighed blissfully as he felt the strength of his love's arms wrap around him. "They will be…"

As they sat in their post coital bath, holding one another close, basking in the feeling of their arms around one another, relishing the way their breath occasionally brushed against the other's skin, they relaxed fully and closed their eyes, ready to spend the rest of the day in that intimate embrace.

However, both of their keen ears perked when they heard a loud knock at the front door. Creed sat up and looked towards the bathroom door quickly, his pulse picking up as his eyes widened at the sound. Train pushed himself off the back of the bathtub and stared at the door as well, his relaxed body immediately tensing as he locked eyes with his partner.

Creed gave his beloved a stiff look, then let out an uncomfortable laugh. "Remember what Eve said all those years ago when Lin came by for the first time?"

Train echoed his lover's laugh and nodded slowly. "Why would an enemy knock?"

Creed smiled and kissed Train quickly before leaving the tub.

Still… whoever it is is going to pay for interrupting my time with Train.

Train followed his lover and slipped out of the tub as well, grabbing the two nearby towels and throwing one to Creed while he dried himself off. "Do you think it's Sephiria?"

Creed rolled his eyes. "Since when does Sephiria knock?"

Train sighed and nodded his head in agreement. "True… Sven?"

Creed shrugged his shoulders as he dried himself off and slipped his boxers back on. "Maybe… But he would have called before just stopping by. Same with Rinslet. I think they both understand we want to be left alone."

Train ran his fingers through his wet, chocolate hair. "Door-to-door salesman?"

Creed laughed at his beloved's ridiculous suggestion. "That's clearly the only thing that makes sense."

Train smirked at his lover, then picked up his wet boxers and frowned. "If you really don't think it's someone who means us harm, then do you mind answering it without me? I need to dig up clean and cry clothes."

Creed rolled his eyes and smirked at his beloved. "You know this place is fully stocked with clothes for you already, right?"

Train nodded. "I know. Which is something I've been meaning to discuss with you anyway."

Creed blinked at Train. "Why?"

Train sighed as he ran the towel through his hair. "I wanna talk about donating all of the extra stuff we have in these various ex-Apostles' hideouts. We're not using it and I hate to see many resources go to waste."

Creed through about what Train said, then smiled and nodded in agreement. "That's a great idea. In fact, Anatasia may have a few suggestions. Maybe we can even give some of it to Nica, Aliane, and Kenneth."

Train laughed, only because he imagined Nica in Echidna's clothes since that's the only Apostles member who's clothes would fit her. "We'll figure it out. I'm just happy you're open to the idea."

Creed walked over to Train, kissed him lightly, then smiled warmly. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Train returned his lover's smile and kissed him back. Just as he was about to deepen the kiss, he heard whoever was at the door knock even louder making both men groan and pull away.

The Black Cat walked past his partner and towards the room he knew had clothes that would fit him. "Just go answer it before they break in. I'll be down in a minute."

Creed sighed as he watched his love walk away, then stepped back into the room, grabbed his pants and put them on quickly. He thought about blowing out the candles or grabbing a shirt, but when he heard the knocking get louder and the person who was behind it tried to force the door open, he growled and decided against it. Before he left the room, he glanced at the hilt of his sword, grabbed it quickly, and stepped out of the room. He was sure it wasn't an enemy, but it didn't hurt to be careful.

Just in case it's a trap.

He was grateful his head was no longer hurting and his spirits were high. That way if their uninvited guest did turn out to be an enemy, he'd be prepared to protect himself and his beloved.

What if they overwhelm me and run upstairs to take Train?

He stopped, then turned around quickly, walking back to the room he knew Train was in and locked the door. Creed then turned to the door next to it and locked that as well, then made his way down the stairs. He was very aware that if it was the Apostles, Echidna could just portal to him, but that meant she needed to know where he was and he was confident he could hold them back long enough until Train figured out what was going on and went to help him.

I don't know why I was freaking out before. They can't portal him away if they don't know where he is.

The person behind the door began knocking, making Creed growl and pick up the pace. He wanted to yell at them that he was on his way, but if it was an enemy, he didn't want to give them a heads up. He turned a few corners and ran down the stairs then finally reached the door. Instinctively, he went to look through a peephole since that's what all their sweeper hideout had, then growled when he remembered the Apostles castles did not have that. Instead, he pressed his ear against the door and frowned at the familiar voices he heard.

What are they doing here?

Creed unlocked the door and as soon as he opened it, he was greeted with Sergey's worried face. The Russian man's eyes widened as he saw Creed, then leapt forward and pulled the shorter man into a hug. Creed choked a little at the tightness of the embrace, his feet being pulled off the ground a little as Sergey lifted him slightly. He slapped at the tall man's arms, then slipped himself out of the other man's hug. Once he was back on the ground, he rubbed his chest and back, feeling like Sergey was about to break it from how tight he was holding him.

He glared up at the man, putting his Imagine Blade on his hip as he spoke. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Sergey frowned, not liking the look his crush was giving him, but enjoying the way he was barely dressed. "We heard about what happened and we were worried. We wanted to check in on you…"

Creed rolled his eyes, then snapped his fingers to get Sergey's eyes back on him and off his bear chest. "How the hell did you find out what happened? Or where we were?"

Anastasia was the one to answer that question as she stepped from behind Sergey, Aimee holding her arm as she walked in with her. "Eve told us, of course."

Creed blinked at his teacher, about to respond to the woman before the parade of people followed after her. She was soon followed by Dae and Francisco, the violinist carrying a bag of groceries and the man holding a bag of what looked to be medical supplies. Creed watched as his musician friends piled in one after the other, not sure what to say or do, but Anastasia reached up and pinched his cheek.

"You didn't think we'd leave you alone for too long, did you?"

Creed frowned, wanting to berate the bio-girl as he opened his mouth to speak again and was interrupted as Sergey wrapped his arms around his back again. "We knew you'd be hiding here, so we came as soon as she told us. I would have come right away if Eve told us sooner."

Creed sighed as he put the pieces together.

Eve must have waited on telling them to give us time, but also probably couldn't resist messing with Train… She does love to annoy him. As cute as that is, I'm gonna have to give her a stern talking to when we see her next.

Eve and Aimee had gotten close since they were around the same age and had the same personality, so Creed could only assume she told the selective mute girl and Aimee told her adoptive mother.

Creed stiffened as Sergey's hands moved a little lower on his back, making the silver man's skin crawl. "Although, it looks like our timing is perfect. Seems as though you're ready to receive me."

When Creed felt his fingers try to slide into the back of his pants, he pushed the man off and gave him an angry look. "My bareness isn't for your benefit."

"Am I right in assuming it's for our dear cat's?" Anastasia said as she watched Train enter the room, Hades in one hand with an unbuttoned shirt hanging loosely from his back. "Because it feels as though we are interrupting newlyweds during their honeymoon."

Creed couldn't help but giggle at his lover's blush, forgetting Sergey's assault on his body as he walked over to try and save Train from his embarrassment. "You're actually not too far from the truth, Anastasia…"

Sergey felt his face pale as he watched Creed kiss Train delicately on the lips, then noticed the scratch marks on the silver man's back. "You mean…"

"You're back together?!" Dae asked as she dropped the bags she was holding, her eyes lighting up with hope.

Creed smiled brightly at her and kissed Train again as his only response. Anastasia gave the men a pleased smile, then smacked Sergey with her cane. "Stop crying! You knew it was going to happen sooner or later."

The Russian man sighed and nodded, then gave Creed a wistful look as he picked up the bags Dae dropped. "I'll put these away… I remember where the kitchen is."

Creed watched as Sergey walked away, feeling a bit of pity for the man, but then smiled when he felt Train tangle their fingers together. "What's in the bag?"

Dae's dreamy smile at seeing the men finally find happiness in each other changed to a motherly smile. "Food! I'm going to cook dinner for you tonight."

Train frowned. "We don't need to do that…"

Creed's heart trembled in his chest at Train's words, knowing his beloved was only saying that because he wanted to be alone with him.

Oh, my love! You have no idea how happy you've made me with that innocent, simple sentence.

Creed kissed Train's cheek and smiled warmly at him. "I'm actually getting sick of having microwaved soup, Train…"

Train pouted at his lover. "I don't know how to cook…"

Creed rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and you're being overly protective and won't let me. And since you won't let me, we need to sacrifice a night so Dae can."

Train sighed and lowered his head. "Fine. Whatever."

"Hope you brought enough for everyone."

All eyes turned to the door to see Lin putting on a fake smile as he stared longingly at Train. Behind him was Sephiria and Belze, the other two numbers looking rather annoyed at not being the only ones who paid the ex-assassins a visit.

Train felt his heart crack at the look Lin was giving him and thought about removing himself from Creed, but he knew that wouldn't be fair to his lover.

I know that's still not fair because I used to push Lin away to spare Creed's feelings, but… I think everyone in this room knows my feelings for Creed are different than what my feelings for Lin were.

Still, Train wanted to throw his ex-lover a bone, so he gave him the sweetest smile he could. "I'm sure Dae will make enough for you, Lin."

Lin sighed painfully at his Sweetness's look, but managed to keep his fake happiness going. "It was a joke, but thank you."

Feeling the hurt emanating from Number X, Anastasia attempted to comfort the man, even though she didn't think it would do anything. "Sergey's putting away the groceries Dae brought if you'd like to help him."

Lin blinked at the mention of his Russian fling since he had almost completely forgotten about the man. He looked towards where he knew the kitchen was, watching as Francisco and Dae migrated in that direction and frowned. "I didn't come here to see him…"

Anastasia rolled her eyes, then somehow managed to make her way quickly over to the number and yank his wrist. "I think we all know who you came to see and I know who Sergey came to see as well, but it looks as though they have an important meeting to get to so you may as well find another way to entertain yourself."

Lin tried to protest, but was shocked by how strong the seemingly feeble woman was and instead allowed himself to be dragged. He gave one more longingly look to Train who looked just as confused as he did, then glanced at Sephiria who seemed shocked at the old woman's straight forwardness. However, it seemed no one was going to be able to stop her as she dragged the number into the other room, Aimee following quickly after. Everyone else stared at the direction they went, not sure what to say. It was silent until Train started to laugh, making all eyes turn to him.

The Black Cat put up an apologetic hand as he spoke, but did not stop laughing. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's just… amazing seeing Anastasia not only boss around a Chronos assassin, but make her own orders despite the fact that the leader of Chronos is standing two feet away from her!"

Creed stifled a chuckle as he watched his beloved laugh, understanding exactly what Train found funny. But, he was worried Sephiria might get angry at his teacher, so he kept his face calm and turned to the woman. "Did Lin need to be a part of the meeting?"

Sephiria's eyes remained in the direction Anastasia had taken her subordinate, as if she were still in shock at the old woman not even considering what she wanted Number X to do. "No… And I guess I can let them have this moment of insubordination considering how little freedom they've been given due to our presence."

Creed sighed in relief. He knew she was referring to the eyes Chronos always had on his music family, but he also knew Sephiria was using that as an excuse for not being able to control Anastasia.

Honestly, even if she put her foot down and demanded Lin come back I have a feeling Anastasia wouldn't have it. And as commanding and domineering as Sephiria is… I don't think she stands a chance against Anastasia's stubbornness. Number One had a hard enough time controlling Train when he was Number XIII and I know Anastasia is more bullheaded than my Kitten is.

Creed turned his head back to Sephiria and smiled sweetly as Train finally regained his composure. "Do we need privacy for this meeting?"

Sephiria glanced at Belze who was giving the Black Cat a deadly look for finding amusement in Number One's inability to control the old woman, then elbowed him subtly to get his attention. Once she had it, she answered Creed's question. "Originally it didn't matter since I thought you'd be alone, but seeing as you have company… Yes."

Creed sighed and looked where his friends had gone. He was happy to see them, but also disappointed since he knew that meant he'd have to share Train at least a little bit.

Not to mention if they're staying for dinner that most likely means they'll have to spend the night. This mansion is really far from where they all live and they can't transport themselves instantaneously like Train can. It probably took them all morning to get here.

He frowned as he realized they'd have to accommodate them tonight, then responded to his former leader. "Trust me, we didn't plan it. We were perfectly happy being alone."

Sephiria rolled her eyes, wanting to make a sarcastic comment about that, but knew it wouldn't get them anywhere. "Where can we talk?"

Creed glanced at his cat who was still trying to hold back his laughter, as if he kept forgetting about what just happened with Anastasia, and then remembering all over again. He smiled warmly at his beloved, then gestured to the hall behind them. "There's a room this way."

Creed yanked Train with him, making sure the motion was a bit harsh to try and relay to his lover that he needed to get it together before Belze tried to cause him harm. Train followed Creed willingly, nodding his head as he held his breath to try and stop himself from laughing. They turned a corner, went up one flight of stairs and sat in a small room normally meant to act as an office. Creed thought about using the meeting room on the first floor, but seeing as Sephiria and Belze seemed a bit put off at the greeting they received upon entry, he wanted to make sure they were as far away from his friends as possible.

Belze was the last to walk in and he shut the door behind him, locking it as if that was necessary. Creed rolled his eyes and sat across the table from Sephiria and next to his partner, figuring Number II's securing of the room was a reflective action.

He's probably also on extra alert since he doesn't know if the Apostles might appear at any moment. Especially now that they know they can break into their Headquarters whenever they want. That's probably why he came with Sephiria. He wants to make sure she's safe.

That thought is what made Creed the first one to speak. "I have a feeling I know why you're here, so I'll just say it. I know how the Apostles broke into Chronos headquarters to get that drug."

Sephiria blinked at the man's bluntness, but wanted to confirm something else with him before they continued that conversation. "Hearnet told you about the drugs?"

Creed gave her a confused look, not sure why she was bringing that up when he had more pertinent information to share. "He did. Why wouldn't he?"

Sephiria sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised…"

I was hoping to be the one to tell Diskenth about how much we messed with mind when he was with us. I thought it might be the respectful thing to do, but I guess hearing it from his beloved partner probably lessened the blow.

As she looked between the men, she could see the look Train was giving Creed was slightly different, and she had a feeling they had become more than partners since the last time she saw them.

Guess I shouldn't be surprised about that either. It was blatantly obvious when I felt that Heartnet's intent was to tell Diskenth he wanted to be with him again.

She refrained from smiling at the thought. Years ago the idea of them being together sickened her, but now it made her happy to know they had found happiness in each other. Creed seemed more stable than he had ever been and completely reclaimed who he was supposed to be before Chronos stepped in and Train seemed finally at peace. As if he was able to put that sweeper girl behind him and move on.

Besides, this will only strengthen their partnership which will benefit Chronos. I imagine once Creed is back in action, they'll probably be more in sync than ever.

Thinking of that, she decided to put a pin in her first thought to ask how the swordsman was doing. "Has the doctor given you a clean bill on health?"

Creed's confused look did not change. He was shocked at how kind she was acting towards him. "Almost. The Tao seems to be working on fixing the brain damage, but in the meantime, I'm still having problems with my memory and headaches are almost a constant."

Train frowned and reached out to rub the back of his lover's head, as if Creed's statement was a hint that it still hurt. Creed purred quietly at the gesture and leaned into it slightly, but made sure to keep his eyes on Sephiria. He didn't mean for his comment to encourage his beloved to touch him, but he was never going to pass up any opportunities to have Train caress him.

Sephiria nodded, then went back to her earlier thoughts. "Since you already know about the drugs I wanted to let you know we had no intention of breaking you with them. We merely wanted to make you the best assassin you could be."

Creed resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

By controlling my freewill?

The wave of anger he felt passed as he Train's fingers glided through his hair, a beautiful reminder of how the drugs inadvertently gave him the one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world. "You were just following orders, Sephiria. And it's not like you forced them down my throat."

Sephiria frowned slightly as he eyed the silver man's peaceful face. "Still, I wanted you to know they were not intended to damage you as much as they did and we've since stopped using the drug completely."

Both Train and Creed blinked in shock, then spoke in unison. "What?"

Sephiria nodded. "After seeing how negatively it affected Diskenth, we knew it wasn't the best way to get loyalty from our erasers. Heartnet also showed us it's very easy for assassin's to stop taking the drug and we therefore have no true way of knowing if they are taking it or not which makes the whole point of the drug moot."

Belze decided to add to her comment by speaking for the first time. "Not using the drug also allows us to gain true loyalty from our members instead of forcing it on them. We cannot be strong if the people working for us do not truly believe in our cause."

Sephiria smiled proudly at the man's words, but was quickly able to hide her outburst of joy and nodded in agreement. "Well said, Belze. Couldn't have put it better myself."

Creed smirked knowingly when he saw Number II smirk, then grabbed Train's hand and put it back on his head, heavily implying to his lover that he didn't want him to top. Once Train had resumed, he smiled and continued speaking. "Well, knowing you, that's the closest we'll ever get to an apology and seeing as you've since made the right choices and I was able to get what I wanted in the end, let's call it water under the bridge."

Sephiria let out a sigh of relief, but made sure it was subtle even though she was sure the men would be able to see it. "That's good to hear. Does that mean we can continue our alliance as intended?"

Creed nodded slightly, resting his hand on Train's knee under the table as he spoke. "Yes."

Sephiria relaxed her demeanor, then brought them back to what Creed blurted out when they first entered the room. "What were you saying about knowing how the Apostles broke into Chronos headquarters?"

Creed sighed, knowing they had to get to that part of the conversation, but having a feeling Sephiria wasn't going to be as forgiving as he was. "When Train and I were running the Apostles, Charden asked about any weak points in Chronos headquarters. I mentioned to him how it was impenetrable, but there was one point where I believed if the timing was right and most of the assassins were gone, it might be an entry way for a portal."

Sephiria leaned forward as she locked eyes with Creed. "So, it was that actress that broke in?"

Creed nodded. "I can only assume. This location doesn't have any windows or doors near it. It's a corner down a hallway that is almost never used. I picked it out during one of my many rampages of looking for Train."

Sephiria glanced at the Black Cat and noticed he rolled his eyes, but was no longer bothered with the subject of his partner's former instability. She figured that was most likely because he knew Creed didn't have control of it at the time. "And you remember where this spot is? Even with your memory problems?"

Creed nodded again. "Yes. It's my short term memory that is struggling, not my long term. I can remember everything from our time at Chronos and with the Apostles, but the night of the party where I received the damage and afterwards is foggy. Unless the memory has something to do with Train."

Train frowned and scooted his chair closer to Creed, rubbing his head a bit more lovingly as his other one grabbed his partner's hand that still rested on his knee. Creed wanted so badly to turn to Train and give him the biggest kiss he could, but knew that wasn't appropriate while Chronos was standing right in front of them.

I'll have to make sure to remind him later how much I appreciate his care for my well being.

Sephiria gave Creed an understanding look, then snapped her fingers to signal Belze to do something. Not sure what it was, Creed watched curiously as Number II pulled out a map of their headquarters and placed it flat on the table separating them. The ex-assassin's leaned forward and looked at the map, then looked up at their former leader.

"Why did you bring this with you?" Train asked, pausing his movements on his partner for a moment.

Sephiria did not look at them as she flattened the map with Belze. "As Creed said, our primary purpose for coming was to discuss this matter. We intended to look at this with you and try to figure out where this weak point is together, but we didn't know you'd so readily know where it was. Since that's the case, we'd like you to point it out to us."

Train seemed unconvinced. "Isn't this a rather sensitive thing to bring out into the world?"

Sephiria gave Train a stern look. "Yes, but this is an important enough matter that it was necessary. Besides, you both already know the layout of headquarters and obviously we have no intention of letting anyone else see this. And I think you both know Belze isn't the easiest man to take something from."

Creed laughed a little. "Fair enough." He stood up and leaned over, pointing to the exact spot he remembered mentioning to Charden. "Right here. No windows, no doors, no guards, and little traffic. It's also usually dark in that area, which makes it even easier to break in and sneak around to wherever you need to go. The hardest part for them would be finding the right spot from the outside since I wasn't very clear on where it was. After that, it's just a sneak mission which is quite easy to do when you can open portals up to anywhere you'd like to go."

Sephiria snapped her fingers again and Belze circled the spot immediately, then rolled the map back up and stuck it back in his jacket. Once he was done, Sephiria asked another question. "If you knew this spot existed, why didn't you do anything about it when you were running the Apostles?"

Creed sighed. "Like I said, you'd also need the perfect opportunity to make use of it. Most of the building would have to be vacant and I knew the only way it would happen would be if you were battling us, making it impossible for us to make use of it." He sat back down next to Train and put his hand back on his beloved's knee. "It wasn't a feasible plan, so I thought nothing of it and had no intention of ever doing it."

Sephiria eyed him curiously. "Is that why you didn't tell us about it sooner?"

Creed sighed, knowing the conversation was going to get to that question and had his response ready. "One of the reasons, yes. It was a passing conversation I had with Charden and didn't think anything of it until Train mentioned to me that they managed to break it. It's the only way I could see it being possible and based on around the time they gave me the drug, I can only imagine they did it during that first battle you had with them after Train came back."

Sephiria thought about his hypothesis, then nodded. "That makes sense… We were all distracted by Heartnet's appearance and the battle with the Apostles to notice Charden and Echidna weren't there at first."

Creed agreed with the woman, but his voice was a bit uneasy. She was taking his silence on the matter uncharacteristically well. "It's really the only opportunity they had and the timing was too perfect for me receiving the drug."

Sephiria felt a bit of relief flood through her, since the idea of having a blind spot had been at the front of her mind for the last week. Chronos had upped their guards around headquarters, but they were being stretched thin since she had to cover all grounds because she didn't know where the spot was. Not only that, but the Elders had been threatening to punish her if she didn't fix the problem.

Now that I know, I can make sure to cover that area with cameras and guards and the Elders will be appeased. For now at least. I'm never going to be able to fully appease them.

"What still confuses me is that woman's portal abilities. Didn't you say she needs to know where she's going in order to portal there?" Sephiria directed the question at Creed since she knew Train wouldn't know the answer.

Creed gave her a concerned look, as if he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He still wasn't sure why she wasn't showing any anger towards him for not telling her about the blind spot sooner. "She needs to know where she's going, but she doesn't need to know what the place looks like. Echidna can portal herself to a restaurant halfway across the world as long as she knows where it is. She doesn't need to know what the inside of the place looks like to do it. She needs extra steps to do it, but she can still do it."

Sephiria was still confused. "What extra steps are you referring to?"

Creed elaborated, deciding to take advantage of her questions so she wouldn't yell at him. "She can portal inside to any place she has been with just one portal, but if the place is new to her, she first needs to portal outside of the location, then she can open another portal to get her inside. At that point, all she's really doing is just creating a door to walk through."

Sephiria nodded in understanding. "So, what you're saying is they must have portaled themselves outside the headquarters, found the location you mentioned from the perimeter, then opened a portal from there. Is that right?"

Creed nodded. "That's the only thing that makes sense to me. It would behove you to put more guards and cameras outside as well. Just in case they manage to find another place to sneak in through."

Sephiria stood quickly, as if she was ready to end the meeting already. "Thank you for the information. We will get on this right away."

Before she felt, Creed stood up as well to stop her. For some reason, he didn't feel right not being scolded by the woman. "Wait! You're not mad I didn't tell you sooner?"

Sephiria looked back at him with slight confusion in her eyes. "I believe you already explained to me why you didn't tell us sooner."

Creed blinked. "And… You're satisfied with that response?"

Sephiria nodded. "I am. Sounds like you had no intention of making use of that spot and I don't feel as though we can continue to fault you for your past transgressions when we were the ones to blame for you making those rash decisions. If anything, I blame myself for creating such an unstable man that built this empire or terror that is now our number one enemy."

Creed could do nothing but stare at Sephiria, baffled as to why she was being so kind to him. "Sephiria… Why-"

"-I already know what you're going to ask and I'm going to ask you to just accept my kindness. I'd rather not open up the discussion to matters that aren't important." She grabbed the hilt of her sword as she thought about their upcoming battles. "We're at war, Creed. And if we keep fighting and blaming our allies for our problems, we're never going to win. The best thing we can learn to do is forgive and move on." She glanced at Train when she said her last words. "Isn't that right, Black Cat?"

Train tilted his head slightly in confusion, not sure what he meant until he noticed the woman was glancing between him and Creed. Realization dawned on him and he smiled warmly at his lover. "Right. Glad to see we don't need to have another difficult conversation full of nothing but excuses and apologies. I'm getting sick of hearing those."

Sephiria nodded. "I couldn't agree more." Before she left, she asked one more question. "Would it be alright if Number X spent the night here?"

Train blinked at her. "Why?"

Sephiria sighed and lowered her gaze. "He's a bit… useless when he hasn't seen you for a while. It's like he can't focus on anything else until he knows you're okay. I understand you and Diskenth have reconciled to the point of reforming your relationship, but I don't think that's enough to make Lin want to be away from you." She looked up at the Black Cat, making sure he saw the seriousness of her face. "Would you mind at least letting Lin be near you for a few hours?"

Train felt his heart break for his ex-lover, then glanced at Creed to see how he felt about it. When he saw his partner's reassuring smile, Train looked back and Sephiria and nodded. "Of course he can hang out with us tonight. I miss him too."

Sephiria nodded, then turned and left quickly. They knew it was pointless following after her since chances were she was already heading towards the door.

Creed sat back down and ran his fingers through his hair. "That wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be."

Train checked his phone for the time and smiled cheekily. "And we finished in record time!" He put his phone away and turned to Creed. "Want to go catch up with our friends?"

Creed sighed, but smiled nonetheless. "I think you know I'd rather drag you upstairs and repeat the events from the bathtub earlier, but I guess we could take a time out."

Train changed his smile to a more loving one, then leaned forward and kissed Creed gently. When he pulled away, he caressed his partner's cheek delicately. "We'll have time for that later. Let's go reassure our friends that we're okay. Besides, I'm starving."

Creed laughed at Train as his beloved stood and walked towards the door, following him immediately as he wrapped his arm around his cat's. "That's right, we haven't eaten at all today."

Train shook his head. "No, and I'm starting to regret it."

Creed frowned as they walked down the stairs. "You could have eaten something while I was sleeping."

Train shrugged his shoulders. "I could have, but I got too preoccupied with setting up the bath for you. Which wasn't used entirely how I meant."

Creed tilted his head slightly in curiosity, even though he knew the answer to the question he was about to ask. "How did you mean for it to be used?"

Train sighed as they turned the corner and made their way towards the kitchen. "It was meant to relax you and hopefully get rid of your headaches. I read on the internet that warm baths help with that. The flowers and petals were meant to remind you that I love you."

Creed gripped his beloved's arm tightly and leaned against him as he squeezed firmly. "If that's what you meant it for, then it worked. We just relaxed our way."

Train laughed and blushed a little as they finally made it to the room that was just outside the common area. "Guess so…"

Creed heard the voices of his friends and pulled Train back from the room, giving his beloved a deep kiss before he knew he had to start to contain himself a little for the benefit of Lin. Train wrapped his arms around his lover's neck, returning the kiss as he felt Creed's hands grip tightly at his waist. After a few minutes, they pulled apart and rested their foreheads against each other.

"Ready to entertain the guests?" Train asked.

Creed sighed and shook his head. "No, but I don't think we have a choice."

Train flicked Creed's forehead gently, making sure not to start his headaches again as he smirked. "Nope! Let's go."

The cat pulled his hands away from Creed and stepped through the room. The first thing he saw was Lin sitting on the couch in front of him, his back facing the Black Cat as he picked at a bowl of grapes Sergey had offered. They were engaging in conversation that Train could tell pertained to him and he frowned, hating the sadness he heard in Lin's voice. Wanting to make the man feel a little better, he approached from behind, leaned over the couch between two of them and grabbed a handful of grapes.

Lin jumped at the sudden appearance of his Sweetness, but smiled immediately afterwards, almost completely forgetting about his casual lover in favor of the man that held his heart. Lin's eyes lit up the moment he saw his ex-lover's kind, playful, golden eyes and he swooned slightly at the close proximity he had to the man he loved.

"How'd it go with Sephiria?" Lin asked, his entire body on fire with delight as Train popped a few more grapes in his mouth, giving the number an excuse to focus on his lips.

Train smirked and leaned his elbows on the back of the couch. "Better than usual."

Lin nodded, not wanting to talk about business with his sweet love and changed the subject immediately to Train's well being. As they spoke, Sergey rolled his eyes at the interruption, then realized that if the cat was here, that meant Creed was as well. He looked over his shoulder and saw his crush walk in the room, delighted he still wasn't wearing anything to cover his chest and leapt over the back of the couch to greet the man.

Creed dodged the Russian man's hands by sliding to the side and stepped past the couch. He noticed Train had jumped onto the couch and sat next to Lin and was surprised at the lack of jealousy he felt. He even saw Lin try to feed Train a grape, but the Black Cat stopped him and took the grape from the number, throwing it into his own mouth as he spread his arms on the back of the couch. Creed smiled warmly as Train winked at him.

I probably don't feel jealous because I know he's mine now. Our love making this afternoon really did solidify that in my mind and now I'm not worried about losing him at all.

"How are you feeling?"

Creed looked over his shoulders and rolled his eyes when he saw Sergey following him into the kitchen, walking far too close for comfort. "I'd feel better if you gave me enough space to breathe."

Sergey sighed sadly and moved away from the silver man, but did not stop following him through the doors to the dining room. It was the last room that separated them from the kitchen. "I'm starting to think Train is nicer to the man that loves him but he doesn't love back than you are."

Creed sighed, knowing Sergey was trying to guilt him into paying attention to him by using his feelings as a weapon. "Lin and Train's situation is different and you know it. They actually had a relationship."

Sergey pouted at his crush. "We could have had one if you just let it happen…"

Creed rubbed his eyes and stopped to face the man. "And then you'd be as broken hearted as Lin is now, which is specifically why I didn't accept your many offers."

Sergey smiled a little. "You're a good guy, Creed… But I think I'd take the broken heart if I at least knew what it was like to be with you."

Creed rolled his eyes and walked away from him. "If you knew what it was like to be with me, you'd be worse off than Lin."

Sergey smirked deviously at that comment, then reached out and wrapped his arms around Creed's waist, pulling the man's back against his chest. "The only way I'd know that would be if I experienced it."

Creed jumped when he felt the other man's breath run down his neck and pushed himself out of Sergey's grasp immediately. "That's another reason why I kept turning you down! You're selfish!"

Surgery frowned. "How am I selfish?"

Creed rolled his eyes again. "You're selfish because you know how I feel about Train and you've known that since day one, yet continue to make advances on me. Even now you know Train's my lover, yet you still can't contain yourself." He stopped when he saw how hurt Sergey was by his words, then sighed and changed his tone. "If you want to be in my life and be my friend, then you need to take a few lessons from Lin. You need to respect my relationship with Train and you need to be happy for me."

Sergey stared at Creed longingly, then slowly nodded his head. "I… I can do that as long as it means I get to have you in my life… Even as a friend." He took a deep breath, then continued. "And I am happy for you. When I told you I wanted you to be happy, I meant it. And I also meant it when I said I knew that happiness would only come with Train. It… warms my heart to see you this elated. I just… wish I could have been the one to give it to you."

Creed felt his heart break for the man, his words echoing his own back when Train was not his.

Maybe I should be kinder to the guy. Even if my situation is completely different than his, no one knows his pain better than I do.

Feeling a moment of pity for the tall man, Creed walked up to him, pulled him down by the collar of his shirt and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He let go and stepped away quickly before Sergey could make it anything more and said one last thing to him before he stepped into the kitchen to spend time with his other friends.

"As long as you can respect what I have with Train, we'll be just fine."

Creed smirked when he entered the room, watching as Dae and Francisco seemed to argue over something she was cooking and he was amused to see the woman had learned to speak spanish for the man. Anatasia and Aimee were standing off to the side, Aimee prepping some meat while his teacher snickered at the scene her students were giving her. It appeared as though they had started some kind of relationship which warmed Creed's heart.

They've both lost so much and it's nice to see they're building a family again.

Creed watched them for a moment, taking in the scene of his friends he hadn't seen in what felt like years and listened as Sergey walked in behind him. He stepped to the side slightly so the taller man could enter, but also so he wouldn't try to touch him again.

Creed looked up at Sergey and smiled. "Please don't ruin this moment for me by saying something pervy."

Sergey chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't dare ruin your happiness."

Creed smiled at the man he was now happy to call his friend.

I'm one step closer to the perfect life with my beloved. All we need now is to end this war and start our happily ever after.

Creed giggled when he saw Aimee throw a piece of broccoli at Francisco, earning a happy look from Dae as Anatasia laughed merrily. The silver man chuckled and decided to step in before a food fight happened.

---

Creed sat in front of his piano, playing his song of promise to his beloved. Even though Train wasn't in the room, he knew he was listening since he was only on the roof. The window was opened for easy access back inside, but mostly so the cat could hear his playing. It was something Creed had taken to doing to help his memory issues. He found that whenever he realized he had forgotten something, other than Train's presence he was able to calm himself by playing the piano. It also seemed to help his memory recover. There had been a few instances where he forgot something, then played a piece on the piano and he was slowly able to recall the memory.

The power of music is almost as strong as my beloved.

He smiled as he stared out the window, looking at the twinkling stars, knowing Train wanted to be alone so he could talk to Saya again. Most likely to thank her for granting him permission to be happy.

Even though it sounds like she gave him permission a long time ago. He's actually probably apologizing to her for not listening for so long. After what he told me, it sounds like the only thing that was holding him back was himself.

Creed laughed lightly as he reached the end of the piece, admiring his lover's stubbornness from afar. It was amazing how even the imperfections of Train only made him seem even more perfect to Creed.

I wouldn't change a single thing about him.

Creed played the last chord and smiled. At first he was concerned he wouldn't be able to remember any of his favorite pieces, but other than his memories of Train, that seemed to be the strongest part of his brain. It seemed as though they were so ingrained in his mind that even a traumatic injury wasn't going to get rid of it.

He heard clapping at the door and glanced over his shoulder to see who it was, even though he was sure it was his teacher. Creed smiled at the woman and turned around to speak with her. "Spying on me again?"

Anastasia smiled and stepped into the room, sitting in the chair she had sat in all those months ago when they were hiding there together. "That's what you get for giving me the room next to Sergery. You know Lin is in there with him, right?"

Creed laughed. "I did not, but I guess I can see why you'd want an escape. Please feel free to pick another room. It's not like we don't have plenty. I'd offer the room next to ours, but you might be met with similar problems."

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "No thanks. Where I'm at requires no stairs and has a bathroom attached to it. Besides, after what I heard, I think they're done for the evening."

Creed laughed again, then placed his hand back on the piano, playing the keys idling as he spoke. "Do you think they'll finally make something more out of their little 'fling'?"

Anastasia frowned. "No idea. They both seem too hung up on the two of you, but who knows? Maybe the comfort they're finding in each other will lead to something more."

Creed shrugged his shoulders. "I certainly hope so…"

The old woman nodded in agreement, then glanced out the window and chuckled. "He's up there again, isn't he?"

Creed followed the woman's gaze and nodded. "He is. But he can most likely hear us, so you may not want to speak ill of him."

Anastasia laughed loudly and banged her cane on the ground. "I'd never bad mouth our dear cat! Especially not when he's finally making my prime student happy."

She heard Train yell something, but couldn't make out what it was. She gave Creed a confused look which made the ex-assassin laugh. "He said he didn't do it for you."

Anastasia smirked. "That just means it's more real."

Creed nodded and looked wistfully out the window. "It is…"

As she watched her student watch the sky that his beloved was watching, she giggled as she realized that scene had happened before. "I feel as though I am experiencing a bit of déjà vu."

Creed turned back and gave her a confused look, then realized what she meant and smiled. "Except the circumstances are different now."

The woman leaned back in the chair and nodded. "Indeed they are. You finally have your beloved."

And now I can die knowing all the people I care about are taken care of.

She had set Aimee up a long time ago to be taken care of by Dae, but now she also knew Dae and Francisco had each other to lean on and when Aimee became theirs, the life and family they had lost would be reclaimed. She was still a little worried about Sergey, but that man was resilient and even if all he had with Lin was just a fling, she knew her passing would probably bring the men closer to each other.

With Creed back in Train's arms, everyone's set. I'm ready to go any day now.

Creed frowned at his teacher, not liking the look she took on and then noticed how much thinner she was from when he last saw her. The clothes she was wearing when they first arrived were a bit bulky, so he wasn't able to tell how much weight she lost right away. Beside that, her face was paler than usual and eyes looked more drawn and tired than normal. What scared him the most was when she closed her eyes and leaned back, making it appear as though she was dead.

Creed turned back around and gave her a concerned look. "You're not thinking about leaving us, are you?"

Anastasia opened one eye and smirked at her student. "No, I'm not tapping out yet. We still need to finish training you on how to run a business, right?"

Creed sighed in relief, then nodded. "Right."

She sighed and listened to the quiet music her student played, a peaceful smile on her face as she shut her eyes again. "When can we start that again?"

Creed glanced over his shoulder and smiled at his teacher, happy his music could soothe her clearly aching bones. "Whenever you'd like. Train and I will be looking for a place of our own, but now that I'm done with that rich woman, I'll have more time to stop by."

Anastasia nodded. "Great. I'll give you another week of honeymoon bliss with your lover, then you need to come back."

Creed chuckled. "Yes, Ma'am."

As she heard Creed change the piece he was playing again, she opened her eyes and looked at him curiously. "Your memory loss hasn't affected your piano playing?"

Creed shook his head. "No. If anything, it helps me remember more. You gave me a gift, Anastasia."

The woman rolled her eyes and relaxed more in her chair. "I simply gave you instructions on how to use the tools you already had. Don't thank me, thank genetics."

Creed shivered. "I most certainly will not thank that woman for anything. As for the man who fathered me… Can't be much better than her since I have no idea who he is."

The old woman chuckled. "Sorry I said anything. But you know what I mean. And you can stop thanking me. It's getting monotonous."

Creed smiled. "Then can I thank you for helping me get Train back?"

Anastasia cocked an eyebrow at him. "How the hell did I help with that? I certainly didn't seduce him into submission."

Creed laughed a little louder at that as she changed the song he was playing again. "I know that, but you did help him see the light. And don't say you didn't do that either, because we all know you did."

The woman shrugged her shoulders. "Fine. You can thank me for that."

Creed looked over his shoulder at her again and smiled. "Thank you."

The woman opened her eyes slightly to smile at him. "You're welcome."

They remained like that for a while. The old woman drifted in and out of sleep as Creed lulled her with his gentle piano playing. No words needed to be shared between them, the music did all the talking for them and the brisk yet soothing breeze that wafted lightly through the open window helped contradict the warmth of the room. After a few minutes of playing, Creed turned to look at his teacher again. Seeing she was half asleep, he decided to play another song for her.

"This song always makes me think of you. I don't know if you're awake enough to appreciate it, but it feels appropriate to play it right now…"

To thank you for everything you've done for me.

He made sure not to say those words out loud since he knew even if she was asleep, she'd wake up and scold him for thanking her again. Instead, he placed his fingers over the piano once more, and played a song for his mentor.

It started slow and in the middle range of the piano, a repeated motion that soon changed slightly, as if preparing the listeners for what was to come. In Creed's mind, it was his life's preparation for change when he met her. When the melody finally changed to something different, he thought of how the woman sitting behind him helped him see what needed to change in his life in order to find peace. The music reminded of how she told him if he wanted to be happy, he needed to accept his past, forgive himself, and move on from it.

The music changed again, the volume increasing as he heard the other instruments come in his head. The violin and the drums only reminded him of how she had introduced him to an entire new world of people. How she had helped give him a family and introduced him to a world where he wasn't alone anymore. The beginning of the song signaled how he felt when he first met her: Alone and a little scared, but the middle section was the rest of his family joining him in his music. He saw Dae playing the violin and Sergey the clarinet, even though there was none in the piece. Next he saw Aimee and Fransisco come in, again their instrument not needed for the piece, but for some reason, necessary for Creed to perform.

Then, when the flute joined them towards the end of the climax, Creed knew that was his teacher. It was a short and simple melody, as if it didn't want to impose on the rest of the musician winding their stories together, but wanting them to know it was there if they needed it. Just like how Anastasia helped them all find their happy ending, the flute did the same. It entered at the right time in all their lives, just as it did for the music he was playing, and guided them towards their peace of mind. Towards their happily ever after.

When the other instruments disappeared, so did the images of his friends, the last one to leave being his teacher. Then, he was left playing alone again, except now, he didn't feel so alone. Even though the piece was over and his friends were gone, he knew they would never truly be absent for long. And he knew that meant double for his mentor.

He played the last chord, allowing it to ring throughout the room and freeze in time for a moment. Creed stayed there and basked in the glory of his playing, then turned around to see his teacher was fast asleep. He smiled warmly at her and stood up, walking towards her and lifting the small, thin woman in his arms. He carried her bridal style out of his and Train's room and towards her own, walking down a flight of stairs and chuckling quietly at the irony of her wanting to stay in the room that didn't involve stairs, yet she used them to find him.

She was looking for me on purpose to check in. Since I don't have my phone and Train is so bad at returning messages, she's probably been worried about me.

Creed knew his teacher would never admit that was the case, but he knew her well enough to know it was true. Once he reached her room, he opened the door with his foot and carried her to the bed. He adjusted Anastasia in his arms so he could free up one of them to pull the blankets back, then set her down gently against the silky sheets. Once she was in the bed, he pulled the blankets on top of her and tucked her in gently.

He stood up straight and smiled down at her, reaching out to brush his teacher's bangs aside and pull the blankets up a little more. "I know you don't want me to keep thanking you, but I can't help it. Thank you, Anastasia. For everything."

Creed smiled a little warmer as he watched her sleep peacefully. "You truly did save me… In more ways than one." He paused for a second, still not feeling like that was enough and vocalized more of thoughts. "You gave me the second chance I didn't think I'd ever be granted and helped me regain my happiness. I will be eternally grateful to you for that."

Creed leaned forward and kissed the old woman's forehead lightly, his lips barely touching her wrinkled skin as he stood up again and made his way for the door. Before he left, he looked at her one more time and smiled again.

"None of that means I'm done with you, so don't go dying on me."

He turned off the lights and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind himself. Anastasia opened her eyes and smiled tiredly, having been awake for everything Creed had said, but not wanting the man to feel like he had to hold back because of her slightly brutish personality.

Unfortunately, you won't have a say in the matter Creed.

She heard Creed begin yelling at Sergey in the hallway and could tell the Russian man must have stepped out of his room and run into her piano student. Based on the way they were exchanging words, the blonde man was trying to persuade Creed into his room and the silver man was having none of his nonsense. With how heated the pianist's voice was, Lin must have still been in the room which added a whole other level of disgust for Creed. She laughed when she heard a slapping sound, knowing Creed had hit the man when he made the perverted suggestion of letting Train join as well.

She laughed a little more and smiled as she heard Creed walk away and shut her eyes.

We may be able to slightly alter fate, but no one can successfully kill Death.

Those were her last thoughts as she finally gave into sleep, knowing it wasn't her time yet, but she could hear it knocking at her door. Since she was unwilling to answer and let Death in, she knew it was only a matter of time until he decided to welcome himself in.

---

Song at the end: Olexandr Ignatov - Inspirational Piano

Literally just that on Youtube. Nothing more to the piece. Just wanted something that sounded inspiring, but wasn't too long.

Translation:

"You complete me, my cat."

"And you complete me, my Stallion."

"Do you love me, Train?"

"Of course I do. I love you now more than ever."