Word: Lone Wolf

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Being alone sucked.

He was sure that even introverts could agree on that one. You had to have social interaction at some point, right?

He sighed, sidestepping to allow a small group of young females to pass him easily on the busy street. They were wearing loose and lightweight dresses, cigar smoke puffing up from their smokes in the typical 1920's flapper fashion. They cheered at him, winking, and he gave a polite smile back, tipping his skimmer hat down slightly.

As they passed, giggling at his reaction, Dakota continued on through the bustling streets, pursing his lips as an automobile honked loudly next to him. He never really thought about how grateful he was for future automotive generations to be so quiet.

The noise was actually giving him a bit of a headache. Letting out yet another sigh, he slipped into a small, worn-down restaurant, and made his way to the back. There weren't many patrons there at the moment, just a few couples and groups enjoying food on the somewhat warm spring/summer day. He nodded at the barkeep, who returned the gesture, already recognizing him from previous visits.

As he neared the hidden door at the back of the shop, he rapped his knuckles against it, waiting until it cracked open slightly, nervously. But that didn't last long before it swung open almost all the way, a grinning man ushering him inside.

"Vincent! What a pleasure to see you again- simply couldn't stay away, isn't that right?"

Dakota let an easy smile pass over him, stepping past the man into the corridor that led downstairs. "Ah, you know me, Angelo. Need a drink, and need it soon!"

He copied the man's laughter as he followed the old steps down, into a dimly lit secret room. A speakeasy. One of his most favorite ones to go to in this room was covered in hushed conversations and bellowed laughter, alcohol splashing from cups as someone laughed a little too hard. Music echoed softly in the hidden room, some people dancing along wildly to the tunes. Dakota turned to make his way towards the bar, sitting where he usually did, with no one around him. For a room so full of people, he's never felt so lonely before.

"Vincent! Nice to see you yet again, old friend! The usual?" The barkeep of the hidden speakeasy greeted him as he passed by quickly, refilling another customer's order.

Though the alcohol in this century tasted borderline atrocious (though, to be fair, it was hard to get quality alcohol with the ban), he nodded, taking off his skimmer and suit jacket. Even after months of wearing a typical late 1920's three piece suit, he had no idea how Cavendish could stand wearing one. They were a nightmare.

Was Cavendish wearing his three piece suit where he was?

...No, he absolutely was not. Dakota had to hold back a snort, imagining Cavendish wearing a green three piece suit in the 1980's. Oh my god, he would pay to see that.

...Actually, he'd do whatever it took to see Cavendish again. When the Council found out about Dakota's time travelling...well, let's just say they were not happy about it. Obviously, he knew there'd be repercussions for his actions if they were found out. Jail, most likely. Maybe even death.

But he never imagined that they'd be sent to two completely different time eras, left to their own devices. He'd managed to overhear that his partner was sent sometime to the 1980's. He, in the meantime, was sent to the late 1920's. Both fun eras.

But it wasn't meant for them. Separately, at least. He was sure they'd absolutely love to explore both eras, that was a definite. But it just felt so wrong to do so separately. They should be together.

Maybe that's why they were given this punishment over prison, or death. They probably knew it would absolutely destroy him. He didn't know what he was meant to do without Cavendish. The man was his whole life, someone he'd grown so used to having by his side that it only felt natural to be with him. Hell, there was a reason Dakota kept going back in time for him.

Was Cavendish even still alive? The man was so accident prone, Dakota wasn't sure he liked his odds on his own. Was he still managing, even in such a foreign era?

"Here ya go, pal." Dakota's gaze snapped up from where he was watching his coat with weathered interest, nodding his thanks and providing his payment. He swirled around his Bees Knees drink around a little before taking a swing, forcing himself not to make a face. Not enough honey.

From his position at the bar, Dakota could hear as the door to the speakeasy opened up yet again. A glance at the clock told him that it was nearing five in the afternoon. Perfect.

To be honest, there was just one reason Dakota preferred this speakeasy over any others he found.

His gaze flickered up to watch the reflections behind him in the glass covered wine shelves standing proud in front of him. Muggy shapes of flappers dancing, and young men laughing were visible, but two in particular caught his attention. Two young men, a good few years in the time travelling business, waved their hellos to the barkeep.

The moment he saw them so many months ago, he knew they were time travelers, sent by the Bureau of Time Travelling for some mission. Dakota had watched them, trying to find a way to get to their time machine, but instead being disappointed and dejected when he couldn't, and they left for the future. He was sure they'd never return again.

But oh-hoh, was he wrong. He thought it was some kind of cruel prank when he saw them again. Of course, he couldn't get into the time vehicle again, but when he saw them that second time, he mapped them. Kept a close eye on how they looked, talked, where they were. He found out that they were assigned to jobs just like he and Cavendish had been- they were apparently sent to keep the streets of 1920's clean and free of litter. After that they'd head down to this very speakeasy to listen to a song and grab a drink, because, hell, why not? They were in the fabulous Roaring Twenties, after all!

Each and every time Dakota saw them, he'd keep tabs. He last saw them...three days ago? Yes, that was right. But why were they back so soon? You'd think Block would give them a bit more time before they'd be back on cleaning duty again-

Oh, wait, no. It was May 22nd. 1927. No wonder. There was probably a load of celebratory trash in the streets since it was announced on the radio that Charlie Lindbergh made it to Paris from New York in one ride just a day prior. Oh, so that was the date. Dakota had stopped paying attention.

He sighed, finishing up his drink before returning his skimmer to his head, dipping it low to hide his eyes. Thankfully, he managed to get similar glasses to the ones he'd always used (he got too many curious looks and questions when he wore them, and he wasn't trying to be noticed). These glasses were blander, as they had black instead of his typical orange glass, but they served to hide his heterochromia. Again, he didn't need questions asked.

"Thanks Harry!" He called out to the barkeep, setting a small tip under the glass as he stood up, slipping his suit jacket on. Honestly, he didn't know how Cavendish dealt with this nightmare clothing.

A quick wave to the bouncer and Dakota was back out in the restaurant that hid the speakeasy from prying eyes. He stepped out into the sunny day, noting the clouds that were beginning to tease the sun into hiding. Well, at least that meant cover in case he needed it.

Stepping around women, both dressed "outrageously" and "properly", and men, Dakota practically jogged to where the two time travellers had parked their automobile camouflage time vehicle. He imagined that they were third class agents, like he and Cav had been, but they were probably a bit new to the whole thing. They moved like they were from the future, and spoke incorrectly for this era. If you're gonna blend in, you might as well do it properly.

At least the bureau helped conceal their vehicle. Dakota sighed as he stepped up to the automobile, looking like all the other ones hogging the road. He really wasn't expecting much- usually it was locked well, and special future technologies kept anyone not allowed from accessing it to open accid-

He gasped.

The door had opened.

"No way."

His hands shook as he clambered into the drivers' seat. There was no way. He'd spent months trying to get into this stupid car. It was open?

But the real question of the two travellers' stupidity was coming up. Dakota held his breath as his hand reached underneath the steering wheel, where most B.O.T.T agents kept their keys- and he felt like crying.

They jangled in his hands as he brought them up. It was so surreal, so absolutely impossible that his only real thought was, wow, they're stupid before slipping the keys in and taking off in to a safe place. He didn't know what specific year he put in, or when he even did it, but when he did, the world was ablaze in the colors of the late 1980's, washing away the images he had of drab colors of his 1920's time era.

He stumbled out of the now strange car like a drunken man, legs shaking slightly, as he seemed to have parked in front of a park. Something tall, grey, and familiar flashed in his vision for just a moment before it was gone again, and he was sprinting along the colorful park footpath.

He remembered screaming something similar to his partner's name, it probably was his name, and he remembered feeling a wetness he'd become accustomed to on his cheeks. He remembered Cavendish, dressed in what absolutely was not his typical outfit, dressed in those funny colors Vinnie imagined him earlier.

But he couldn't find it in him to care as Balthazar ran towards him, a mix of shock, disbelief and absolute elation flashing across his face. He couldn't find it in him to care as he jumped into his partner's arms, the two practically falling over, holding him as close as he held him, feeling the taller male's tears drip onto his head.

After all, no one was meant to be alone. Especially not them.

I had to go through my old AP History books for this one XD Hope you enjoyed! Reviews + constructive criticism are appreciated! Have a grand morning/afternoon/evening/night and say hello to your best friend or favorite family member!