This takes place after Arch Enemies. If you haven't read it yet, I would strongly advise against reading this. And I am sorry if this has been a spoiler for those who have not yet read Arch Enemies.
Adrian stared at the rubble of the quarantine that once held his brother. He had no tears left to cry. He felt empty, scared, and worried, and his sketches have struggled because of it.
A few feet away stood Nova, wondering whether it would be ok to approach him.
He looked so sad, sitting there on the bench, and Nova tried to not care. She really did.
Finally, she sucked in a breath and approached the bench. When he made no movement, she decided to sit.
Neither one said a word, but sat in a comfortable silence.
Thoughts raced through his head. Will Max be ok? What are his dads going to do when they try to rebuild this? How long will Max be in a coma.
And thoughts raced through her head. Will Max be ok? Does Adrian suspect anything? Will I be able to free Uncle Ace?
"My dads keep telling me Max will be ok. I know they're lying to me so I won't worry," Adrian finally said, so quiet that Nova could hardly hear him.
"The universe has a way of righting itself, Adrian. Things usually happen for a reason." Nova knew it was weak, but she cared for Max, too, and she was upset, too.
"You don't have to be strong, Nova. I know you cared about him, too." Adrian said.
Nova was shocked. It was like he read her mind.
Nova would not cry. Nobody sees her cry, but maybe she could let her guard down, just this once, because Adrian really did know her, or at least, the part of her that she showed.
She shifted a bit so that she and Adrian were hugging.
"It's ok, Adrian. We'll get through this. I know it," Nova said.
For a minute, she felt sad that Adrian would never know the truth, that she was Nightmare, and she wasn't trying to kill Max. On the contrary, she was trying to help him. But when Adrian would find out she was Nightmare would be when the Anarchists overthrow the Renegades and fix up society their way. Adrian would stop loving her. She and him would be enemies again. He would hate her guts, and she wouldn't blame him. He would never see her side of the story...
Nova silenced those thoughts. All that mattered right now was Adrian.
Adrian and Max.
Adrian and Max and Nova.
Nothing else.
