"How the fuck is this place so amazing?" The boy asked exasperatedly.

Claire decided to ignore it this time. When she reacted last he swore, he misunderstood. She didn't exactly want to get into another argument with the gruff boy.

She had looked around them once more as she shifted her right leg down to swap with her left. She just couldn't contain her awe for the place and she was vocal about it.

"I'm not talking about the whole Underground. Just this. Think about it. Isn't it amazing how this could exist down here?"

"Tch. Guess so." Levi answered considering her perspective. He had never really given it that much thought but it was one way to look at it.

"How did you come to find this?"

"What?"

"I mean, you brought us here. It's not like we stumbled upon it. You knew where to go. Do you come here often with your friends?" She asked innocently.

Claire waited as the boy thought of his answer. To be honest she didn't think the boy would even talk to her.

He just didn't strike her as the type to care for conversation.

She looked up to see him with his head low.

Then it crossed her that maybe he didn't have friends to start with and this maybe the only time he had someone to talk to.

There weren't exactly that many children in this place and she felt sad for him.

"I… once fell down the hole we came from and… no one ever comes here." He said finally.

"Must be your secret place then." She whispered thoughtfully to herself and she suddenly felt like she was intruding but Levi heard her.

The sewers was a desolate place but it had a serene vibe thanks to the opening above.

Claire thought it was the perfect hideout to escape to within the Underground if one simply wanted to be away from the harsh environment.

She nodded not wanting to push any further. Thinking that was as much as he was going to say, she focused back on examining her bruised knee.

"I was also trying to outrun a couple of older thugs then. The man who raised me was not around and I was hungry so I stole some bread."

Claire looked up when he spoke again, intrigued at what he said. It seemed to her that the boy was neglected and the idea bothered her completely.

Why would anyone leave a child alone unsupervised in this place? Then again this is the Underground.

She too was alone but it was different.

Her mom fed her and her brothers that morning before leaving. They had no pressing reason to leave the safety of their lodge unlike the boy's hunger.

"Not around? Where was he?"

"I'm not a lost little brat like you. What were you doing back there anyway?" He pointed out sharply refusing to answer her question.

"Oh! My brothers and I were trying to explore the Underground. But-" She answered happily as she gently prodded a deep scratch on her ankle.

"Explore? Just what kind of place do you think this shithole is for you to explore?" The boy cut her off giving Claire an incredulous look.

She felt it even before looking up.

His look made her feel small and dumb for what she did. But to her, she had a perfectly valid reason and it's not like she did it on a whim.

Claire couldn't understand why she was incredibly hypersensitive with the boy's steel orbs. To say that those eyes didn't scare her would be an outright lie.

Of course there was also the fact that he was the same boy that held a knife at her on her first night here in the Underground.

Claire hadn't missed when his eyes darted to the healing wound on her neck as she recognized him. His compliments from the night they met.

She couldn't forget his eyes after that. Because who would forget the eyes of their attacker?

However, it was different for Claire. There was something about them she couldn't place.

His eyes fascinated her and she felt drawn to them, she couldn't help but meet his gaze.

Unbeknownst to her, she had the same effect on Levi.

He would never admit it loudly, even to himself, but her eyes may have been the true reason - if not her unexpected treatment - why he has taken a couple of… detours the past week just to pass her lodge.

Of course Levi only saw an odd boy in her place. Which he just recently discovered was in fact her. Her mother had insisted on dressing her that way as soon as she was bathed that first night.

Tired enough as it is from how her day turned out she dismissed his reaction as simply the way he talks considering he did grow up in this place.

But while she normally had a polite and charming demeanor, his attitude were like his eyes. They elicited a different reaction from Claire.

She found herself defensive when he insisted on being rude when she was just trying to be of help. No one ever rejects her and she was usually patient.

After all, the first thing he called her was idiot and he just got more colorful during their escape.

Alec and Bran did tell her to get used to the manner people communicate here. She should have kept that in mind.

"Well we have been cooped up in that lodge for a week now. My brothers and I figured we have to know our way around. This where we live now."

Claire had not bothered covering up anymore. It was obvious the boy already knew she was from the Surface. How he knew she didn't know why.

She dared not ask fearing that might be more suspicious.

Besides, how could she lie when her complete astonishment of the sewers and the fact that she was lost when he found her spoke for itself?

She's just not sure if he knew who she is exactly however.

He nodded considering her answer. "Then where were your brothers?"

"Will you answer my question too if I told you?" She tried to bargain.

"No." The boy replied promptly with a dark expression leaving no room for negotiation.

Claire sighed. "That's what I was trying to tell you. I lost them in the market while we were… trying to study the place."

Levi thought back to the boys he practically ran over in the market. He realized they were the ones with the same face.

"You mean explore." He said with a deadpan expression but his voice leaked with mockery.

"Can you please stop saying it like it's such a stupid thing?" Claire asked, abandoning her mission to look for any more injuries on her body.

"How can I when it really is? You and your brothers are stupid to do so."

Claire closed her eyes and took a deep breath before putting her face in her palms. The boy was seriously driving her mad.

While she understands why he is how he is, his snide remarks were surely something that triggered a different side in her. She had never met anyone like him.

Little did she know, he felt the same.

Levi on the other hand found that he was enjoying riling her up. Reasoning with himself that she annoyed him too so it was only fair to pay her back in full.

Looking back at him, Claire observed that while he had a neutral face, there was a taunting look in his eyes.

She sighed as she reminded herself that she was being unfair and should not be.

It wasn't his fault he had to be born here and he must not have had anyone to teach him any better.

So she smiled kindly instead and replied, "Okay. I admit that we may have been stupid for doing that."

Claire cheered internally as she watched him get taken aback. She found his expression absolutely amusing in a way.

She doesn't understand why and it amuses her that she managed to do that to someone from the Underground.

Like her, she noted he was a kid but he really didn't act like one. She could tell he was smart in a way different from her.

Looking back to the night they first met, she realized he wore the same somewhat surprised look on his face when she insisted he take the sweets.

He sure did now as well and when she told him she doesn't judge him.

Recomposing himself the boy fiddled with the makeshift bandage she made and asked, "So what exactly were you doing by the crates?"

"I was trying to get someplace higher. My brothers always told to me to do so whenever I get lost. Which is very often." She tried to reason.

"You should have just stayed in one place and waited," the boy shrugged as he replied.

"But this is the Underground. It's dangerous to be out in the streets…"

Fixing her with a look that made her feel like she was being reprimanded he said, "Then you shouldn't have left your lodge in the first place."

Rolling her eyes in defiance, she began, "It's not safe for me to be alone there. It's better that I'm with my brothers at least."

"But you're not with them either."

"Well I'm not alone now either, am I?" Claire pointed out smugly much to the boy's annoyance. "Besides I wanted to get a better idea of where I am so I know where I should head to. I wanted to be able to get back on my own."

"You obviously failed at that too." Levi countered but he was impressed with the fact that she at least had the guts to take matters into her own hands refusing to sit pretty and wait like he expected her to.

He watched as she sighed; refusing to engage with his dry comments.

"Why did you lose them anyway?"

"I… I saw a stall with knives." Claire whispered but Levi's expression was as good as though she shouted it.

Of all the things, he hadn't expected her to say that.

He thought maybe she found a ribbon stall or whatever the hell brats like her take interest in up on the Surface.

Then again, she continues to surprise him.

"…Knives?" Eyeing her from head to toe he continued, "What exactly would a prude like you want to do with knives?"

Claire glared at the boy. "Prude? Well if I'm a prude then you're crude."

"That hurts." The boy answered mocking her sensitivity. "Answer the question goody-two-shoes, what's your deal with knives?"

"I-I don't know? It is… a necessity… down here, isn't it?" She answered eyeing him warily unsure of how to word her thoughts that moment.

Both their minds jumped to the fateful night they met.

Levi raised his eyebrows at her answer. He realized he was unconsciously waiting for her to bring it up. "Would she ask for her necklace back?"

Then he felt the same thing he did when he robbed the first woman that night as he eyed the wound on her neck. And Claire could see a hint of it: guilt.

She also felt the same thing she did when he confronted her that night. "He doesn't need to feel that way," she thought as sympathy flooded her once more at the sight of him.

Quickly speaking to clarify, "For survival, I mean."

"It is." The boy answered, his voice low as he dropped his head, yet again.

She didn't mention it and a feeling he didn't know surged within him: gratitude.

The girl was… perceptive. That might have just made her a little less annoying for him. She understands.

It confuses him why she does and it shows.

"Hey," she said cautiously, calling his attention.

Bravely waiting to meet his eyes again, she realized those steel eyes have more in them.

As he turned his body to meet her gaze, she was transfixed as she could see they had a bluish hue when the sunlight from the opening hits them at a certain angle.

They were completely different from the dangerous ones she saw that night and Claire thinks they're beautiful.

She could tell that those cold iron orbs have seen more than she ever has and her approach must be something new to him.

With that in mind, it registered that the boy probably never knew kindness. His rudeness and tough act could be what her mom calls "defense mechanism".

Her heart ached for him and she felt ashamed.

Claire could see it clearly now. She mistook his moments of confusion for surprise repeatedly.

Deciding then and there, her mind was set. She was going to be his friend.

She shifted her body to face him directly and determinedly offered her hand once more. "I'm Claire. Eight years old. Thank you for saving me today. Let's be friends."

She held her breath as she watched him contemplate her words and actions. Sighing in relief as he finally did. Hand firmly fitting hers, he nodded hesitantly and spoke.

"Levi. Ten."

Eleven years he lived in the Underground and Claire wondered how long before he was forced to become how he is.

More importantly, how long would it take for her?

A sense of peace hung in the air as they exchanged proper introductions at last unlike the first time. But it was quickly ruined as Claire gave Levi a funny look.

She was raised to know that staring is rude and making comments about people's appearance is a definite no.

But Claire couldn't help observing him now because she never really did before. His eyes and attitude immediately taking her attention.

His height now takes the lead.

"What?" He asked sharply and watched as she visibly fidgeted not expecting him to catch the look.

"Nothing. I-I just thought you were younger." Claire answered having moved on to his pale and scrawny appearance.

"What makes you say that?" Levi asked, moving closer and inclining his head to catch her eyes as she suddenly would not meet his.

"… Nothing …"

"Answer the question, brat." Levi spoke with his voice monotonous but Claire had picked up the warning.

"Y-you're quite small to be eleven!" She blurted closing her eyes in panic as his harsh glare finally seemed to faze her.

"Say that again, you little shit?"

"I mean you're just the slightest bit taller than me and… and well I know I am small.

"You've got nerve." Levi growled as he stood, his stance tense but his face blank.

Those unfortunate to have faced Levi could probably attest as to how they should have ran when he looked like that.

But not Claire.

"I need to go home now!" She exclaimed her voice weird as she held back a laugh. She stood and cautiously moved away but her eyes were alight with mirth.

"I don't think so." Levi said stalking her.

A giggle escaped Claire, halting him. "You think this is funny, huh?"

A shriek erupted in the confines of the cavern as she dodged right as he lunged for her.

But for the first time, Levi wasn't out to attack.

Deep down, Claire also knew he meant no harm.

"W-wait I-" she paused trying to control herself. "I don't mean anything about it. I'm-" a giggle was heard once more as she held her hands out, arms outstretched between them.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, alright? That was rude. But we're friends now right? Can't I at least make that observation in the safety of our secret place?" She said, reasoning playfully.

"Who said anything about it being our secret place? You're never to come back here."

"Oh come on! Please, shorty?"

Levi scoffed and spoke, "You sure are one to talk, brat."

"At least I can admit to myself that I'm small." Claire fired back.

Both of them went around in circles as Levi chased Claire in the cavern, being carefree in that moment.

Like how children their age should be.

At one point, Levi went for Claire once more and his injured arm got tangled with hers as she tried to sidestep him.

Hissing in pain, he stopped to clutch his arm.

"Oh dear. Oh no. I'm sorry, Levi. I didn't think my arm would catch yours. Let me see."

Claire was in front of him in a second, taking his arm to cradle it gently against her chest.

Tutting at the sight of blood starting to seep through the material of her handkerchief, she began to put pressure as she muttered more apologies.

"Let's just stop the bleeding for a second, okay? How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Is there another way out of here? I don't think crawling in that tight tunnel would do you good. The plank looks too heavy as well."

She spoke continuously and a memory flashed in Levi's mind. That one time his mother fussed over him when he fell from a chair.

He had been waiting for her. She had promised to trim his hair.

"Levi? Hey? Are you alright?" He snapped back to reality as Claire waved her free hand in his face.

Nodding his head to the direction as he spoke, "Uh. There's a doorway further down that side. It leads back to the streets of the Underground-"

"Why didn't we take that way before? Oh-" she paused realizing the reason. "They would have easily caught up to us and discover this place."

Claire lifted her hand a bit and was relieved the huge splotch of blood wasn't growing. "If you can help me get home, Mama could fix you better."

Levi quickly withdrew his arm, "I'm fine."

"No I insist. Please."

"I said-" he began, moving from her to walk away.

Claire jumped in front of him with her arms wide open, blocking him, "Pleeeeeease?"

Sighing, Levi rolled his eyes and nodded. But only to prevent her from annoying him any further.

"Put your hair up again." He instructed as she dropped her arms.

"Huh?"

"Just do it, brat. Now."

Levi was already on the move before she was done and Claire had no choice but to run to catch up to him.

—

Alec and Bran had regretted giving in the moment they stepped foot outside their lodging. Claire and her persistence would be the death of them.

She had been at their faces as soon as their parents left to find some place that would offer work. Never letting up, alternating between them.

The boys had decided that it would be a good idea to see if any merchant would need an errand boy and the market was a good place to start as any.

Claire having discovered their plans was more than eager to join them. They knew she too wanted to do her part for their family but they also knew she just wanted to get out of their lodging.

They felt the same.

Marius and Agnes firmly instructed the children to stay inside. They diligently obeyed for a week. But for children like them, confinement just won't do.

They had said Claire is too young and that the boys might get dragged into something illegal. Either way, the Underground is not a place for them to wander around.

Alec and Bran thought it was ridiculous. They can't stay inside specially if they're bound to live in the Underground. At some point they'd have to thrive for themselves.

The things they had now are not bound to last.

Marius already knew he and Agnes would be sent into the Underground. The other nobles were despicable like that. But his fears matched that of his wife.

Their children might not be safe from whatever punishment the nobles had in store for him.

While they didn't want to think of it, they both decided it would be best to be prepared either way.

Marius had arranged for lodging months before that fateful day. Overtime the boys noticed a few of their belongings went missing like shirts and pairs of trousers but they thought nothing of it.

Easily brushing it off as being misplaced. They were boys after all.

When old clothes that no longer fit them seemed to go missing as well they concluded that maybe their mother gave it away for charity.

Once or twice, Alec and Bran secretly watched from behind the curtains as their father directed unknown men to stow away a few luggages at a time in the dead of the night.

To where? They dared not ask considering the state of their father but found out soon enough when they arrived in the Underground.

Eyeing Claire dressed in clothes they outgrew looking like a very odd boy that very morning.

As sweet a thing she was, girly is never a word used to describe her on days she set out to trail behind her brothers. Running around and daring to climb trees with them. Even in a dress.

On days like that, she'd get a good scolding once they come home but would unapologetically do it again the next chance she got.

But such wasn't the case now. She can't do that anymore even if she's dressed accordingly. Besides her brothers weren't going out to enjoy a good day.

She also knew that.

It didn't stop her though.

But Alec and Bran knew they should have been more stern.

It had been two hours since a band of thugs with a few MPs came rushing into the market. They had been caught in the middle of the mess that ensued.

The sight of the chaos was enough to send the brothers running around like headless chickens in search for their lost little sister.

To say panic, was understating how they felt.

"I thought she was with you," Alec spoke his frustration mounting significantly.

"She was! Then one second she was gone so I thought she might have been with you," Bran answered defensively.

"Quick! Find a tall building-" Alec started instructing his younger brother when all of a sudden…

"Alec? Bran?" The twins turned at the sound of their mother's voice.

They were in deep trouble and they knew it.

"What are you boys doing here? Did you leave Claire alone at home?" Their father questioned making them gulp.

"By the Walls-"

"Mom! Dad!" Agnes' alarmed cry was cut short and their heads whipped to the right to see the girl in question bounding towards them with a relieved smile matching theirs.

But she wasn't alone.

An unfriendly, gangly boy with a bored expression shadowed her. Just as Claire was close enough, the boy turned to seemingly walk away.

Agnes and Marius watched with worried expressions while the twins wore that of amusement as Claire turned to reach for the boy.

Somewhat wrestling him to turn back to them. They appeared to be arguing as they went, with the boy having pushed Claire's hand away multiple times.

But she wasn't having it.

They heard things like "Come on!" and "Let go, brat" as the pair drew closer with a few grunts and shoves being exchanged.

Claire spoke in a hurried tone before her parents could ask where she had been, "Mama… I promise I will explain later but I really need your help. Please?"

She grabbed her mother's hands and stared up with pleading eyes.

"Oh and this is my friend, Levi!" Nonchalantly introducing her companion as she pulled on his jacket sleeve.

The rest of the Fords family eyed Claire and the boy. Both looking very much as though they had a rather eventful day.