Guilty Gear, its characters and settings are property of Sammy Studios, and are being used in this fanfiction without permission.  This fic is rated R for violence and sexual content, and it contains yaoi material. 

Culmination

Chapter 11

At last all the supplies collected by the Jellyfish pirates had been sorted and stored, and all at once the dozens of youths stampeded into the dining room for a well-deserved brunch.  Ky didn't eat much, seated near the back of the room as he watched the lively antics spreading from table to table.  Testament was proving to be quite the center of attention, and Bridget as well; he was happy for them both to have been so readily accepted, and relieved that the anxious stares in his direction had ceased.  He was fairly certain the Youn had given some signal to the children to indicate his negotiations had been successful, and that was the reason now for their hospitality towards him during the meal.  The food was simple but refreshing, and soon everyone was clamoring outside again, eager to engage in that day's activities.

By then, Ky was feeling somewhat dazed.  He followed Dizzy into the kitchen, looking for something to keep him occupied, and was more than satisfied with the task of cleaning up after breakfast.  The cooks, now one woman stronger with the addition of the Jellyfish's chef Leap, were already preparing for lunch.  Not feeling quite that industrious he excused himself once the breakfast dishes were finished, and took it upon himself to explore the House a while.  The children were spread about everywhere, listening to stories from the crewmembers or simply running about.  A large group had gathered around Johnny in the lobby as he shared with them some harrowing tale of thievery and adventure.  It sounded suspiciously like an incident involving an attack on a trade convoy over Spain earlier that year.  Though Ky did his best to pass silently he caught Johnny's attention, and both paused, meeting each other's gaze.  The pirate lifted his hand in an almost sheepish wave, and Ky nodded silently, his smile grim.  It was the closest to an apology either of them were prepared to offer just yet.

Eventually Ky wandered outside.  True to its Mediterranean climate the air was warm and dry, and he deeply breathed in its clear, salty scent.  He shed his sandals by a small shrubbery near the House as he ventured across sun-heated sand.  It really was beautiful here, free of distant rubble or scarred landscape.  Not far from shore several of the children—including Bridget—were pouncing about in the water, and their laughter rang back to him as if from some distant memory.  Watching them now, it was nearly impossible to think that he had ever been so careless or so free.  His childhood memories were those of study, training, battle, and loss.  His parents and his comrades, his ideals…so many things lost to an era these children would never have to experience, tucked away in this tiny paradise of theirs.

Ky lowered himself to the beach, folding his arms over his knees as he continued to watch their tireless play.  He was happy.  So happy that his body ached as he leaned forward to press his face into his sleeves.  And if not for fear of the children spotting him in such a state, he would have wept.

*****

Testament wasn't quite happy with the assignment he had been given.  He had been enjoying himself, reclined on the beach with his feet stretched out to catch the barest edge of surf against their soles.  But Bridget was not to be deterred, and with a sigh of resignation he removed the child that had made herself a comfortable seat of his lap.  Pushing to his feet, he stretched—they had been out there for some time now, enjoying the water and sun.  When he turned he was surprised to see that during that interval Ky had not moved from when he'd first arrived.  Frowning slightly, he approached the seated man.  "Ky?"

Ky flinched a little, as if drawn from some deep thought, and slowly raised his head.  Testament hadn't expected to see the expression carved into his face; it caught him off guard for a moment as he realized how deeply this place seemed to be affecting the man.  "Um…Bridget wants to make sand castles," he reported obediently.  "You've been requested."

Ky blinked up at him, as if having not understood what was being asked of him.  After a moment he smiled slightly.  It was fake and shallow, almost painful to look at.  "Thank you.  But I think I'll have to decline."

Testament stared, trying to determine how to best handle this situation.  Normally he would have accepted the response and slipped away, but something in Ky's blue eyes made him stay.  Ky of all people deserved to be among these children—it was the peace he had created that gave them this life, and it didn't seem fair that he shouldn't enjoy it with them.

More than that…Testament didn't like it.  He wasn't sure why, but he found himself crouching down in front of the officer, his tone serious despite the ridiculousness of his request.  "Please come build a sand castle.  There have been threats to bury me in the sand if I can't get you to come over there, and they outnumber me."

Ky stared at him, clearly baffled, and then…he laughed.  They were both equally surprised to hear it, and Testament felt something like pride swell in him for having coaxed such a reaction.  He offered a hand, and this time Ky accepted and was helped to his feet.  "All right," the officer replied, smiling as both turned back toward the group of children.

"Ah, good job, good job," Bridget clucked as the pair approached.  He and several others had already set into making the foundation of what could prove to be an impressive sand castle indeed.  "This is gonna be the moat, and the drawbridge, and the prison tower.  You guys can work on that."

Testament rolled his eyes, though he knew Bridget didn't mean anything by it.  Without protest he and Ky set to work alongside the children, devoting themselves whole-heartedly to the task, odd as it seemed.

As was only natural, not even half an hour later the architectural venture lay unfinished as Bridget and the others charged back into the water for another swim.  Ky was nearly dragged in after them, until he reminded them of his yet injured back; the prospect of salt water on healing wounds was not a pleasant one, and saved him from enduring the playful splashing that Testament had suffered all morning.  At last the shore was peaceful again, safe from their antics, and Ky and Testament sat together as self-appointed chaperones to their play.

"It's something, isn't it?" Testament said lightly, leaning back on his hands as he watched them.  "I've…never been around so many children, like this.  It's a little intimidating."

"I haven't for a long time," Ky admitted.  He rested his arms easily on his knees once more.  "Not since my school days.  But these…are still a little much for me."

"That man Youn must be brave to put up with them all the time."

"I can't even imagine."

They were silent for a while, just enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.  Out in the water Bridget was pulling one of the smaller children onto his shoulders for a chicken fight, and several other pairs followed suit.  It was a little strange seeing the boy in a bathing suit with his chest uncovered; there were times Testament almost forgot Bridget was, in fact, male.  "That Bridget seems to be having fun, at least," he commented idly.

Beside him, Ky hummed thoughtfully.  "Somehow, he seems even more genuine than before."  He paused.  "I wonder if he really is lonely after all…?"

Testament straightened, and his eyes flickered briefly to Ky's profile.  "You…."  He frowned down at his feet.  "You overheard that?  The other night on the ship…."

Ky flinched a little as well, and when he spoke again his voice had lowered somewhat.  "Um…yes.  I didn't mean to, but…."  There was another short pause, and at last Ky seemed to rally his courage.  "Are you really going to leave the ship?"

Though he should have expected him to ask, Testament was still ill equipped to answer such a question.  "Eventually," he replied evasively.  "I think."  He sighed.  "If you overhead, then you already know why I can't stay with them."

"Are you sure you're not overreacting?" Ky asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"I heard what Dizzy said about me, and she's right."  Testament shook his head slightly, letting his hair fall enough to cover his face.  "Besides, the last thing the Jellyfish pirates need is another famous Gear among them.  Especially now, knowing this place depends on them…it would be selfish of me to put them in danger."

They were simple arguments to make, reasonable arguments, and yet each word sent more of that nameless cold into Testament's stomach.  Raising his gaze to the frolicking children only made it worse when he realized he would have to leave here.  "Maybe Bridget was right," he said quietly, smiling ruefully to himself.  "Maybe when Dizzy left…I was lonely."

"Then maybe it's time you got out into the world again," Ky suggested easily.  He chuckled.  "Bridget could give you a makeover."

Testament's smile deepened sincerely at the thought.  It certainly was something, to think that Ky was suggesting he should be around people again.  He reasoned it was only being with the children, so carelessly, that was suppressing his usual prejudice, and yet he was irrationally pleased.  "When he did you he made you look like me.  I can't imagine what he'd come up with for me."

Ky laughed again.  "That's true."

Testament tilted his head back, meeting Ky's eyes.  "Though I liked you better as a blonde," he declared.

Ky blinked, about to respond; it was just then that Bridget led his posse back up on the beach, determined to bury Testament in the sand.

*****

The day progressed as a whirlwind of activity and excitement; the group shared a lunch of various sandwiches, and afterwards Ky encouraged Testament to join Dizzy in helping prepare dinner. Testament was hesitant, wary that Dizzy had been told some of his conversation with Bridget, but he couldn't refuse her smiling face.  He worked alongside her in the kitchen, his job mostly that of cutting up vegetables for salad.  They even chatted a bit about the children and some of the things that had gone on when Dizzy was first brought to the island.  They hadn't shared a pleasant conversation like that for a long time, and it put him deeply at ease.

After dinner Ky and Testament met, pulling Johnny aside so they could talk a bit in private.  Though the officer and pirate at first regarded each other with some remaining uncertainty, it was Ky who first broke the silence in offering a worded apology.  Johnny accepted and returned the sentiments as Testament stood back a moment, grateful for their reconciliation.

"In any case," Johnny spoke up, shaking himself a bit, "Zepp will be coming to rest just east of Rome two days from now.  I'm not sure yet exactly how we're going to handle sending someone up there, but…that's something to worry about later.  For now we can relax."

"You still haven't told us everything Baiken and Anji said in Rome," Ky reminded him, doing his best not to sound at all accusing.

"We'll have time for that.  Right now, I'm damn exhausted."  He chuckled as he headed back towards the lobby.  "Time to cool the little brats down before putting them to bed."

Ky nodded and watched him leave.  Though he wasn't exactly pleased with postponing their share of information, he was equally fatigued, and the thought of a warm bed was especially appealing.  He and Testament followed Johnny to the main room with the children as they scampered about, getting in a few last games while there was still a bit of daylight.

Seemingly eons after Ky had awoken on the airship that morning, the sun melted into a golden horizon, signaling that it was finally time for sleep.  This raised another frenzy as the children changed into pajamas, brushed their teeth and scurried into the large sleeping room Youn had indicated earlier.  "The first night back, most everyone sleeps in here," the man explained to Ky as he loosened his hair from its already tattered braid.  "Some of the youngest children from Mayship—those that were picked up in the last few months—will be left behind here when Johnny leaves, and some of my older ones will go with the crew to either become pirates or visit foreign cities and begin a new life.  It's something like their last chance to be together with everyone.  A big sleepover-going away party."

"I see."  Ky, having already changed back into the pajamas he'd first received from Bridget on Mayship, watched as everyone ran about to stake their claim on a sleeping area.  Even Johnny was there, picking a spot near the middle—all the youngest children flocked to him, curling under his arms and against his sides.  Though out of place due to her age May insisted on taking a spot at his right.  It was startling how different the pirate looked, no longer dressed in his characteristic leather coat and hat, his glasses shed.  For the first time Ky felt like he could really see him, and the pure affection painted across his face as he welcomed the children against him.

"Will you be staying with us?" Youn asked with a tipped smile.  He must have noticed how intently Ky was watching everyone.  "There are plenty of rooms prepared, if you like, but you're welcome to sleep here."

"Oh, I don't think so," Ky replied, somehow embarrassed.  "I'm…really not supposed to be here, anyway."

"Don't be ridiculous!" a young voice piped up behind him, and Ky wasn't all that surprised when Bridget snatched his hand and began to drag him across the room.  "You're an honorary pirate for now, so you can be here, too.  Come on—Noverre saved a spot for us on the side."

"But I—"  Ky flushed, daunted by the idea of sleeping alongside so many young girls…it was hardly appropriate.  But then someone was pushing a pillow into his arms, someone was tugging on his pant leg.  With a heavy sigh he allowed himself to be pulled down onto the mess of mattresses.  Quickly he stretched out on his stomach so that he was comfortable, and before he even realized who it was two bodies wriggled up next to him.  Bridget was on his right, giggling and quite proud of himself, one of the crewmembers on his left—a young teen with short brown hair and a blushing grin.

"You're kinda cute," she giggled.

Ky blushed deeper, and coughed lightly into his hand—he was probably at least ten years older than her.  "Um…thank you."

A few minutes later everyone was settled, and Youn downed the lights.  Several of the windows had been left open, allowing cool sea air and dull moonlight to seep into the large room.  Gradually the murmurs spreading about began to fade into the distant pulse of waves against the shoreline.  It never became completely quiet; every once in a while a child would cough, or shift in their sleep, or murmur something incoherent.  Even the sound of each person's breath seemed to fill the room.  

But it was a dull, gentle kind of commotion, and Ky felt as if it were filtering right through him, easing whatever tension remained in his limbs and back.  The warmth against his sides, the softness of the pillow beneath his cheek, even Bridget's gentle breath against his shoulder were a kind of subtle intimacy he'd never known; he almost became emotional again, but he managed to swallow it back.  Johnny must have trusted him terribly to bring him to a place like this, when a few misplaced words of his could bring it to ruin.  And yet here he was, sharing their food and bed and comfort.  It was humbling, and his last feelings as he drifted off to sleep were that, for just this once, he had become innocent once more.

*****

Nestled in the corner next to Dizzy, Testament didn't sleep for very long.  Though he was equally subdued by the calm atmosphere, there was something about the shifting bodies that made him restless.  He wasn't used to being around so many people, and his instinct could not be so easily undermined.  Being careful not to wake Dizzy he climbed to his feet, moving slowly around the edge of the mass of bodies.  He wasn't sure where he might go—maybe just to the window to catch a breath of fresh air.  But as he reached one of the open windows he paused, following a stream of gentle moonlight to where it alighted on a man's profile.  His lips parted faintly at the sight of him.

Ky was stretched out on his side, covered barely by a light sheet and breathing deeply.  Bridget lay curled against his back, and though the mattress was dented in front of the man it appeared the girl who had once occupied the spot had rolled away in her sleep, and was now draped across a fellow crewmember.  Despite the movement that had taken place Ky appeared to be sleeping peacefully, his face arranged in a pleasant, almost boyish expression of content.  Testament was somewhat fascinated by the gentle curl of his lips; Ky had not looked quite so serene in all the time he'd known him, and he lowered himself quietly to his knees as if to better see.  With the moonlight painting his pale skin, and looking so calm, the officer was…beautiful.  It caused Testament's mind to spiral back, remembering all their strange encounters these past several days.  Ky's pain, his gratitude, his determination, his intensity, his uncertainty, his sincerity—so many different faces and appearances, and yet none of them fit that which he beheld now.  Testament was awed, maybe even envious, of the gentle, child-like grace his sleeping visage could convey. 

Ky stretched faintly, and slowly his eyelids fluttered open.  Even in the dark he could tell how blue Ky's eyes were.  Testament was too caught up in the tiny movements; it wasn't until he heard his name spoken that he really realized the officer was awake.

"Testament…?"

"…Yes?"

Ky craned his neck back to better see the Gear, watching him questioningly.  Testament wasn't sure what to say or do, and he shifted indecisively on his knees.  Ky's lips tilted in a thoughtful frown, and then he smiled.  "There's still room down here," he offered in a whisper.

Testament blinked.  That had not been his intention—he had been seeking some quiet isolation to better calm himself, and rationally his disquiet would not be dissolved by returning into the mix of tossing bodies and resounding human breath.  But he was being welcomed, and he slipped forward, settling himself on the mattress alongside Ky.  The officer's smile deepened, moving a bit so that Testament would have plenty of room.  Without a word he closed his eyes once more, and by his appearance was almost instantly asleep.

Testament rolled onto side.  He had no pillow so he twisted his arm beneath his head, brushing his hair back.  Though he wasn't sure if he would be able to sleep any better on the other side of the room, at least…he had something of a better view.  A tiny warmth settled in his stomach as he watched Ky's breath deepen, his face relax once more into unblemished tranquility.  After several long minutes he, too, closed his eyes.

*****

Ky slept later that morning than he had in some time.  It was simply too warm here, too comfortable, for him to want to give it up easily.  Even as the mattress beneath him was jostled by stirring bodies, whispered voices filling the air, he merely shifted closer to the subtle heat in front of him.  He could tell that it was old, powerful magic, like the familiar feeling of his own Thunderseal.  It had followed him into his dreams, even, as deep and unmemorable as they were, and he was convinced that he had just slept better than he had in years.

Eventually he was drawn awake by a quiet sigh in front of him; warm breath passed over the bridge of his nose, coaxing his eyes open.  He was startled to find himself staring directly into Testament's sleeping face.  He only just vaguely remembered inviting Testament next to him, but he was certain they had not started this close together.  Afraid that if he moved too much the Gear would awaken and find them in such an embarrassing position, he remained still.  It was strange how, up close, Testament's skin was just as flawless as from a distance.  He tried to push those thoughts aside and force himself to leave, but…somehow he was reluctant.  He couldn't help but wonder if this was how Bridget had felt when he'd spent the night with the Gear….

He tarried too long; Testament's eyes flickered open as well, and Ky held his breath as he waited for a reaction.  Testament seemed equally surprised to find them so close together, but he got over it quickly.  He blinked slowly.  "Good morning."

Ky gulped, baffled by the sudden tension that seemed to be stretching across the space between them.  He wasn't used to staring so deeply into another person's eyes like this, and it was intimidating.  "Um…Good morning."  He shifted back a little, a few strands of darkened hair falling over his face.

Testament reached out, and Ky froze as worn fingertips alighted just barely on his forehead.  They moved back, passing lightly over Ky's temple and the rise of his cheekbone; his fingers and toes curled at the brush of smooth skin against his face.  He stared back, questioningly, into Testament's bright eyes.

Testament pulled his hand back.  "You missed one," he teased lightly.

Ky blinked, still and silent as he tried to rally his senses back to him.  He was jarred to life once more with the sound of someone giggling overhead.  Ky and Testament both tilted their heads back, only to see Bridget watching them with a grin.

"You're gonna miss breakfast, sleepy heads," the boy chided, and with another fit of giggles turned to scamper out of the room.

Ky sighed quietly.  "I suppose…we should go."

"Yes."

Both hesitated a moment; at last it was Testament who moved first, pushing to his feet with a wide yawn and a few stretches.  Ky watched him, still confused, as if suddenly not knowing who the Gear was.  At last he climbed off the mattress as well, rotating his shoulders slightly against a dull stiffness between them.  A glance out the window showed the morning had indeed progressed far without them, and he turned to Testament with an embarrassed smile.  "Did you sleep well?"

"I suppose," he replied simply.  His gaze escaped Ky's with a duck of his head, and he turned toward the room's exit, pausing to wait for him.  "You?"

"Yes…."  Ky's fingers tightened faintly at his sides.  "Um…you can go on ahead," he suggested lightly.  "I'll be right there."

Testament frowned slightly, but he nodded, and without another word strode from the sleeping room.

Once he was gone, Ky released his breath in a long sigh.  "What's come over me?" he wondered aloud as he shook himself.  Now that he was free of the bed, of Testament's bright stare, his mind began to clear once more.  He hadn't done anything, and yet he felt…foolish.  Even more so when he raised a hand to his face, recalling the touch of worn flesh, the way it had made his heart skip—just a little—in his chest.

"Foolish," Ky repeated to himself, shaking his head again as he finally headed toward the door.  It was only…these children, making him sentimental, reminding of how long it had been since he'd known intimacy.  Nothing more.

*****

It had been so peaceful before; a quiet, warm, drifting kind of feeling, like a hot bath after a rainy day.  Like thick blankets and a soft mattress on a winter night.  At least, it was as Chipp had imagined those things to be.  In truth he hadn't had such luxuries in a long time, making the sensations that much more welcomed.

Presently, however, he could feel that he had been removed from the soothing environment.  He could only just barely detect his surroundings—something cold against his back, rough fabric against naked flesh.  His throat was sore and it was hard to breathe.  He was especially aware of eyes moving over him, and distantly, someone spoke his name.

"Ah…."  When he tried to speak, to question the perceived presence, he found his lips curling numbly around some obstruction in his mouth.  A cold shudder ran through him as he at last managed to open his eyes, only to find his sight blurred by harsh, neon lights.  He winced and tried to turn weakly away.

"Professor."

"Hm?  Oh."  The voices grew closer, and Chipp could just make out the silhouette of a person shifting in the light.  "You're awake."

"Wh…."  But again Chipp found that he couldn't speak, and instead focused his energy into awakening his senses.  He was lying on something long and flat, like a table, which was cold to the touch.  He couldn't move his wrists, ankles, or legs, though his limbs weren't responding well to his prompts anyway.  The thought that he had been drugged sent something cold and bitter into the pit of his stomach.

"You have an extraordinary tolerance to sedatives, Mr. Zanuff," a female voice was saying, confirming his suspicions.  He squinted against the light, but he was only able to make out the shape of her, no characteristics or features.  "I didn't expect you to be awake for this."

Chipp's expression hardened.  It was then that he began to remember the robots—their flashing eyes, the charge of heated electricity that had felled him.  Hissing in frustration he tried again to struggle with little success, and after a moment set upon trying to gnaw through the plastic tube obstructing his throat.

"You shouldn't do that," the woman advised.  Gradually her face came into focus, and though he recognized the slim features and short, red-brown hair he couldn't place it right away.  As if she were something he'd seen in a dream, while floating so comfortably….  "That tube is helping you breathe.  Your body is still numb from the drugs—there's no telling if your lungs will function without our help."

Chipp glared up at the woman defiantly, though he did stop; he wasn't thinking too clearly, and there was no way of knowing if she was bluffing or not.  His eyes were able to convey his demands well enough.

"We received a call from our superior some time ago," she explained, moving out of his sight for a moment.  He could hear more people bustling about, a rustle of metal.  "It seems he's going to need more help to finish what he started.  Though we'd been hoping to save you for a full procedure, we'll have to settle with something more temporary."  She reappeared, one hand dropping stealthily out of Chipp's field of vision.  "You understand."

Chipp squirmed, eyes narrowed and hateful, until he felt the prick of a needle against his neck, even with his dulled senses.  Almost immediately afterwards he felt his veins begin to burn, and he gasped against the plastic breathing tube.  But he couldn't move, couldn't even cry out as the heat collected in his chest, and from there began to spread all through him.  Like the lightning that had burned his blood that night when the robots found him.

"There."  Chipp could still hear her, even as he shuddered and fought on the table.  "He's ready."

Chipp turned his wide eyes on the woman, but by then she had already stepped back.  In her place appeared the figure of a man.  But as he leaned forward Chipp felt a jolt—the face the man bore was one of crude steel and gleaming yellow, and it was the last thing he saw before being dragged suddenly into unconsciousness once more.