Legal Disclaimer: I do not own Red vs. Blue or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth.
Chapter Four:
Dylan Andrews' magic ability had always been difficult to describe in words. "Information Transference" was certainly useful, yes, but it needed to be experienced by someone in order to be comprehended. If Dylan had a clear mental image of someone in her mind, she could transfer any type of information or data directly to them. It was as if sharing information with others had always been in her blood, and she would be lying if she denied how journalism just seemed like a natural extension of her gift.
The female Orc had never used a state-of-the-art Unsc Relic Communicator to transfer data and intelligence beyond borders, let alone to people she had only seen a few seconds ago. Projection technology sure was fascinating! She supposed there was always a time for firsts.
Dylan sat in a chair in her room at the inn they were staying at while in Valhalla, looking directly into a blue-tinted holographic projection of Vanessa Kimball's office at the Guild Headquarters in Armonia. She had sent Jax out to get coffee earlier, knowing she needed a modicum of silence to concentrate for the endeavor of transferring information.
Sitting in the office on the projection screen was not only Kimball but also a sizable amount of Guild members, ones she had been introduced to briefly to make the transfer easier. Church and Carolina were cousins of the currently missing Simmons, as well as the nephew and niece of Malcolm Hargrove, leader of both the Unsc's Magic Division as well as its subversive shadow group Charon. North and South Dakota, C.T., and Washington had all been special agents of the Unsc's ill-fated Freelancer program along with the two siblings. It had surprised her only slightly to see that they had all migrated to an organization like the Guild. Lavernius Tucker, Sheila, Michael J. Caboose, and Frank "Doc" DuFresne were various Guild members who apparently all had reasons of their own to be invested in this information she'd be sending.
…And these were only the Guild members they could gather on short notice.
Truthfully, Dylan had been most surprised by the presence of Donald Doyle, the man running the Unsc's embassy in Armonia. However, before she could even voice her concern in words, Kimball had assured her that Doyle could be trusted, much to the human's own shock and incredibly pleased expression over the Seas' shoulder.
"…That is everything I know." Dylan concluded at length once the transfer process was all said and done.
Silence had enveloped the office on the projection screen as the news sank in, a tinny-like voice thanks to the double projection of a regular audio-only Relic Communicator breaking it: "So…I take it something happened then on your guys' end?" York, another former Freelancer turned Guild member out on a mission but keyed into the meeting, asked.
Dylan regretted that she hadn't been able to patch him in as well due to her lack of a first-time visual for him and his partner out in the field, Delta.
"Yeah, York, something the fuck happened." South told him tersely, "We're just trying to figure stuff out, which would go better if you weren't interrupting."
"I've missed you too, South." York's response was just as snarky, "Always a pleasure."
"Next time we meet up, my fist will be sure to show your face a grand old time."
Their rather hostile remarks evidently weren't anything the others cared to comment on as Doc relaxed visibly in his seat despite them, "I'm just glad that Donut's okay then." He stated, a sort-of smile crossing over his features.
"Well, as far as anyone living under virtual house arrest can be." C.T. responded with a rather thoughtful frown on her face.
Doyle was quick to respond, "Oh, I assure you, given his status, he is most likely being treated quite well." He coughed and fidgeted awkwardly when Kimball shot him a disbelieving look all the same.
Carolina, meanwhile, frowned and shot Dylan a questioning look that had her instinctively flinching due to the intimidating body language of the other woman, "That is all the information you have on Simmons then?" She asked, sounding rather hopeful and dejected all at once, "That's he's been shipped around and used to as a guinea pig by his father and the Magic Division?"
Dylan nodded her head in response, "That is unfortunately true." She reluctantly informed her, "Donut was able to keep some tabs on him, but he was limited in how much contact he had been allowed to have with Simmons since arriving here."
The two siblings briefly gripped one another's hands in a reassuring gesture that everyone else pretended not to see. Church frowned a moment later himself, "Then taking Simmons to different regions now for whatever the fuck they're up to makes it sound like they're definitely getting ready for something." He noted.
Carolina's green eyes had hardened while her brother was talking, "I would very much like to have some words with my uncle." She stated in a rather clipped tone.
"Carolina…" York's voice over the communicator was soft and worried, though he trailed off as if unsure of what else to say.
Doyle coughed once more to bring everyone's attention back over to him, "Yes, well, as important and vital as getting news on our allies is," he began with a serious look crossing over his eyes, "I'm also concerned about the fact that it seems as if the Unsc and Orcs have formed some kind of an alliance."
For a moment, it almost looked as if Tucker was about to try debating the comment, but he merely frowned instead and asked, "Why? Of all the things we're talking about here, isn't that the one fucking good thing?"
After all, the tension and hostility between the two powerful nations that sandwiched the rest of the Outer Regions (in hindsight, a rather poor name for an area that was literally between two other countries) had always meant that the threat of all-out war had fallen heavily on everyone's heads.
Doyle nodded, "Normally I would be quick to agree with you. But the fact of the matter is that an informal alliance such as what we have here can be quite troubling indeed." He fixed Kimball in particular with a pointed stare, "Especially since the embassy here in the Outer Regions hasn't caught wind of it yet until now."
His concern as the person in charge of said embassy was quite understandable.
"That's troubling because it indicates that the ongoing talks are something neither side wish to include the rest of the world on, or it means that only a select few in the Unsc or Orcish ranks are even aware that they're taking place at all." Kimball elaborated for him, leaning over her desk, "Which would indicate both governments might be less stable than they want to admit."
Washington seemed to catch onto her meaning readily enough, "Charon could be working to set up some sort of coup using the alliance." He got out through gritted teeth.
"Which could also tie into whatever their plans were involving Magic Users and collecting Remnants." Carolina surmised.
"Fuck, all of this conspiracy shit is hurting my head." Tucker groaned.
Church let out a derisive snort, "You and me both, Tucker."
"It is too bad Red Sargent isn't here." Caboose sighed mournfully, "He loves conspiracies."
"Please, Caboose, that is one brain-break I'm glad to not be having right now." Tucker informed his friend.
Doc deflated at this newest bit of discussion, "B—but that means that Donut could be in even more danger than we know of!"
Kimball sighed tiredly and pressed her webbed hands to her forehead in thought as Doyle stroked his chin, "Yes, but what can we do in this situation?" the leader of the Unsc embassy queried.
Church grunted, "Isn't it fucking obvious?" He asked, continuing only when everyone's attention was fixed on him, "We find a way to expose whatever the fuck Charon's up to and we save our friends." He rolled his eyes, "Come on, guys, you know how much I fucking hate being the one to always come up with these awesome and heroic plans."
South snorted derisively, "My ass! You practically fucking live and breathe for it."
Doyle sighed wistfully, "You make it sound so very simple to do." He lamented.
"No one is saying that it will be, sir," North spoke up gently to the man that he was often assigned to guard, "But we can't very well sit here and do nothing."
"Yeah!" Tucker nodded his head fervently in agreement, "What North said."
South pinned the two of them with an annoyed glare, "Since when did the two of you become besties?"
Kimball slammed her hands down on the surface of her desk and straightened in her seat, causing a few of the people assembled to start slightly before Tucker could come up with an ill-advised retort to South's taunting, "Our best bet will most likely be to approach this from two sides currently." The Guild leader stated rather decidedly.
"It will be?" Doyle asked rather doubtfully.
Kimball nodded, her eyebrow only twitching slightly in annoyance at his question as the brown-skinned and ice-tinged Seas explained what she had in mind, "One of our next courses of action should be to smuggle Donut out of Unsc territory again since he might be able to help us properly negotiate with the Unsc if given more freedom." She continued after a few seconds of silent pondering to her remark from the group, "The second course of action will be trickier as it means we will have to somehow get into Orcish territory safely."
Doyle frowned, "How do you propose we even attempt doing so?" He asked.
"He has a point." Dylan spoke up before an argument could break out between the two leaders, "Neither region is very open to outsiders traveling there."
Even an Orc such as herself wouldn't be welcome in the Orcish region given her lack of permits and citizenship status.
"I believe we could provide some assistance." A cool, unknown voice to Dylan spoke up from York's communicator just then.
Several figures in the office stiffened at their inclusion, South positively seething, "Florida!"
"What's going on, York?" Carolina asked, concern suddenly making her form all the more rigid.
York let out a loud sigh, "Yeah, for the record? They kind of set up me and D, and threatened us to join in the conversation now." He informed them, "Not my idea."
"That's painting a mighty poor picture of us, York." Florida admonished gently.
"Us?" Church narrowed his eyes, "Then that means…"
"Hit the nail on the head, didn't you?" Another new, heavily accented voice cut in, "Hello, old chaps."
"Yeah, it's Florida, Wyoming, and Gamma here." York helpfully tried elaborating.
"They stipulate that they only wish to talk." Delta stated quietly.
"Fucking hang up." Church told Kimball curtly.
"Hey!"
York's indignant response was cut off by Florida, "Hear us out first, Church, before doing anything too hasty." He stated calmly as if very much expecting that type of a heated reaction, "Reggie, Gary, and I did some work for the Orcs awhile back by tracking down some rogue elements for them. I'm sure our paperwork is still in order and could help get you inside their territory, no questions asked." He paused briefly to let his offer sink in, "All you have to do is just ask and we'll be pleased as punch to help."
"Really?" Washington looked extremely doubtful, "What's the catch?"
"Well, of course we just want to provide what help we can to the cause." Florida stated pleasantly, "Though I do admit to feeling just a tad guilty about letting one of Connie's old friends listen in to the discussion too."
"What?" York demanded, "You never said a damn thing about that!"
"Water under the bridge now, I'm afraid." Wyoming told him as the sounds of heavy, muttered cursing occurred, "Do calm down, York."
"Charon has been spying on our lovable prince using our friend Sharkface, and since it is obvious to everyone by now how the Insurrection has been used by both Charon and the Unsc, I thought letting them be privy to more intel to help them make up their minds quicker might be beneficial to all." Florida sounded rather pleased with himself as he evidently added to someone else, "Ball's in your court now, Terrence."
"Terrence!" C.T. shot up from her seat, a pained look on her face.
"Damn it." A gruff, heavily filtered voice spoke up before the sound of another communicator clicked off.
Dylan felt a cold sweat form on her skin. What would this spy do now that his cover was so thoroughly blown?
"Should be interesting to see what he decides." Florida said rather jovially all the same.
"Hmm." Wyoming hummed in agreement, "Though the others might think differently, Butch."
"You really think so, Reggie?"
York groaned loudly from wherever all of them were.
"You're playing a very dangerous game, Agent Florida." Kimball told him succinctly, "But you've forced our hand at this point."
"Did I now?" There was an almost knowing quality to his voice just then.
Kimball sighed, "We would be extremely grateful for your assistance in getting into the Orcish territories, Agent Florida."
"I had a feeling you might." He was definitely pleased.
"Which brings us to who is going where." Sheila noted from her spot by the door.
C.T.'s fists were clenched at her sides, "I'll go with whoever is going to the Unsc." She said quietly, "I can't let Sharkface possibly do something damaging."
South regarded her with an unreadable look for a second before she smirked over at Kimball, "You know what? That sounds like the more interesting choice too. Sign me the fuck up."
C.T. shot her a grateful look as Kimball nodded, "The trainees, Caboose, Tucker, Doc, and Washington will also go." She paused and considered for a moment, "North and Theta will also come along, continuing in their capacity as Doyle's bodyguards."
"M—me?" Doyle swallowed and nodded his head when Kimball fixed him with a stare, "Yes, I suppose my time to visit Valhalla again is coming up."
"Perfect." Kimball smiled at him, and the human ducked his head to the side.
"I can remain here to support the Guild and watch out for Junior." Sheila offered.
Tucker grinned at her, "Thanks, Sheila, you're the best!"
"It is no trouble at all, Tucker." The crystalline woman smiled at her friend in turn.
"I wish I could go with you, but…" Kimball frowned and trailed off.
Doyle, staring at her with a knowing look, put a hand briefly on the woman's shoulder, "The time for you to travel will be upon us soon enough. We'd rather have someone in charge here that we know we can trust for the time being."
Kimball nodded, her expression as she stared back at Doyle both surprised and oddly touched.
"That means that everyone else will be heading to the Orcish territories, right?" York asked a second later, "Should D and I meet up with them just to make sure these three keep their word?"
"Where did the trust go, York, old chap?" Wyoming joked.
"Of course, York." Kimball informed him, "We'll let you know when they are setting out."
"Oh, oh!" Caboose waved his hand in the air excitedly, "We can use my sister's ship!"
"I just fucking love to travel." Church muttered sarcastically, "Simmons had better be okay after all of this."
But Dylan was already shutting down her Relic Communicator since the conversation was wrapping up, her heart thudding loudly in her chest as she raced to the door.
"Whoa, Dylan!" Jax exclaimed as she ripped it open, two steaming mugs of coffee in his hands, "I don't want to get scalded by doors slamming on me a fifth time!"
Dylan almost wanted to ask just why that had been such a common occurrence for him, but there was no time for her usual pause that so many of the young man's comments often caused her to have. Instead, she said, "We need to move, Jax. The prince is in danger."
"Aw, can't we drink these first though?"
She rolled her eyes, "Chug them on the way if you want."
As Dylan walked past him, she reached out and sent a warning message to Donut, hoping they weren't already too late. She didn't know what they could do to stop a Charon agent exactly, but she was going to try regardless.
The ruins that the generals were bringing their human guests to this time were located on the western area past Iris. They were generally considered sacred by the local populace, something about how an elven village had once existed in the now crumbling structures, complete with Dwarven storage tunnels. The ruins were kept clear of Plague Beasts as a result, which wasn't too much of a problem anyway considering how the area had been pretty much stripped clean of any and all Relics and Remnants that might have attracted the monsters there in the first place.
All in all, beyond maybe being something of a sightseeing spot for history nerds, Dexter Grif could just imagine Simmons' eyes lighting up if they were traveling there under normal circumstances and that thought made him smile slightly despite everything, there wasn't anything that he knew of there to warrant the military sending out a patrol currently.
…Which was an opinion apparently shared by the Blues and Reds too.
"Why are we doing this again?" Buckey complained loudly from his spot to Grif's left as Temple was on his right, having insisted Grif walk up front with the two of them on their journey from Iris following Grif being assigned separate guard duty rotations from the rest of them back at the fort, "There's nothing fucking here!"
"Maybe there is, but it is hiding." Loco spoke up from behind the three at the front, "This will be a treasure hunt!"
"I'll look into any holes we find!" Cronut was quick to exclaim, "The deeper, the better! You'd be surprised just how far I can get my whole fist into a tiny hole."
Grif suppressed a shudder and tried really hard not to think too much of Caboose and Donut then.
"Oh, I'm sure the higher-ups have their reasons." Temple stated pleasantly enough with just a little sharp edge to his tone, dark eyes scanning the area around them intently, "We just have to observe until we see it for ourselves."
"Sounds pretty boring if you ask me." Buckey declared.
Surge harrumphed, "Which is why no one did."
The same asshat general who had been stuck to Felix's side on their last outing came striding over to the trudging along group and Grif found himself glancing over at Simmons once more thanks to his now currently unobstructed view.
Like before, Simmons was understandably stressed and all out of sorts at being around Felix and Locus, which was no surprise given his current situation in general. But even so, his green eyes were wide with curiosity as he glanced around the area, and Grif couldn't help but feel the edges of his lips curving upwards slightly once more at the sight which was almost exactly like he had pictured.
The fucking nerd, he thought fondly. He tried to do them both a favor at the moment and not think back to that very good yet emotionally exhausting dream he'd had before. It was weird how vividly he remembered it, and how it simply reminded him that he wanted to just get Simmons the fuck away from the very shitty situation they were stuck in.
"We're heading to the center now." The general informed them as Grif tuned back into what was being said, "Your pathetic lot will be tagging along this time so that I don't have to hear any whining about injuries later, Temple."
"Thank you so much. Sir." Temple managed to grind out through clenched teeth before motioning for the others to quicken their pace.
From where they had been standing farther away, Felix suddenly reached out and grabbed Simmons roughly by the elbow. He ignored the grimace on the redhead's freckled face at his action, forcefully pulling the redhead along towards what could be equated to the ruined village's square with Locus following just a step behind.
Grif grit his teeth at the sight, gripping his staff tightly in his hands until his tan-skinned knuckles started turning white with the pressure.
"Don't worry, Grif!" Loco's voice startled him temporarily out of his swirling emotions, and he realized that the two of them were now a few steps out of formation. "I'm sure that Simmons will be fine." The younger Orc in blue stated reassuringly before hurrying to rejoin the group.
Grif gazed at Simmons struggling to keep up with Felix's quick stride a second longer before reluctantly doing the same, wondering how Loco had even known what he had been worried about in the first place.
…Maybe he was way more obvious with his feelings than he thought. He hoped it wouldn't cause him or Simmons any trouble. They were in enough of it as it was, much as he was loath to admit it. At least this time, he got to stay close by Simmons. He wasn't going to let the kiss-ass out of his sight for anything.
The Relic, if it could even be called that, was a small sliver of pale blue glowing faintly as it struggled to stay floating at roughly eye level in the center of the ruins. Richard "Dick" Simmons stared at it in awe, nearly forgetting his predicament in light of what had just been revealed to him.
"And you're saying it just appeared here one day?" He breathed out rather incredulously.
From where he was standing off to the side with his arms crossed over his chest, Felix rolled his eyes. He was clearly as bored as Simmons was fascinated, "That's what these guys said." He swept an arm out grandiosely to seemingly indicate the Orcs at large, "Supposedly this sacred area, or whatever it is to them, birthed a new Shard because they had cleared out all of the Plague Beasts."
"Penserei che i dettagli reali potrebbero essere importanti." {"I would think the actual details might be important."}
Where the Throw Aways known as the Blues and Reds were standing not too far away, Cronut tapped his chin following whatever it was that Lorenzo had said and mused allowed, "I would have thought a birth would be messier."
"Shut up, Cronut." Temple warned him as Felix and Locus both turned their heads in their direction.
Grif was standing by Temple and Surge now. Their eyes met briefly before the Orc quickly averted his gaze. An all-too familiar ache settled in his chest as Simmons was quick to do the same in order to keep anyone else from noticing.
"But this is hardly a new phenomenon if you think about it." Gene couldn't help but speak up in a supremely know-it-all voice, "Shards have appeared at locations wherever Relics and Remnants have been farmed clean at random points in history. It's just been at far too few instances to count as a true replication process."
"Nerd!" Buckey coughed behind him.
Gene fixed him with a glare as he continued, "Not to mention that Shards are useless compared to the magical energies stored in their full-grown counterparts." He finished rather smugly.
"No one was asking for any of your lackluster thoughts." Felix told him abruptly and Gene shook slightly at the dangerous mercenary's attention being fixed on him.
Simmons almost felt bad for the Orc. Almost.
Felix ignored the gathered Orcs then, reaching out and grasping the Shard as he might the hilt of one of his beloved knives. Simmons watched him warily, thinking over what Gene had just said. If it was true, then…
"Wh—what are we doing here then?" The redhead spoke up nervously. It didn't seem as if his power could heal something like the Shard.
Felix smirked and Simmons felt a chill run down his spine as he turned to face him, "We're here to do a little experiment."
"Wha…" Simmons fearfully took a step back as Felix inched closer until he practically collided with his back against the iron wall that was Locus.
Felix was now outright sadistically grinning as he tossed the Shard into the air and caught it with his other hand, "Didn't you know there were multiple ways to use your power?"
Before Simmons could even react, Felix was thrusting the Shard at his gut as if he was going to stab him. But as Simmons instinctively recoiled from the intended blow, a sharp piercing sensation never came.
Instead, the Shard seemed to disintegrate the second before its sharp point even touched his clothing. He felt an odd burning sensation at the very core of his being, his entire body glowing briefly for a moment as he gasped in pain.
"Simmons!"
He felt rather than heard Grif's mental cry of his name, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Temple and Surge both holding the Orc back from running over to avoid getting the rest of them in trouble, his expression absolutely tortured.
Simmons tried smiling weakly to assure him that he was okay, really. The pain was fading even as an odd, gentler warmth overcame him. His legs were still weak though, and he collapsed to the ground at the mercenaries' feet gasping for breath once more.
"What did you just do?" He heard a surprisingly tense-sounding Locus demand towards his partner overhead.
"Just testing out a theory our buddy Price had. Relax, Locus." Felix smugly responded, "All's well that ends well, right?"
Simmons' whole body felt warm and rather tingly, and he wrapped his hands tightly around his stomach where the strange sensation appeared to be the strongest.
"You never told me about any of this." Locus was still berating Felix.
"Must have just missed the memo. Partner."
As Locus fell silent following Felix's mocking tone, Felix knelt down beside the still shocked senseless Simmons. He smirked and put a patronizing hand on the redhead's shoulder, "Think of yourself as a walking Remnant factory now." He informed him, "That Shard is going to stay inside you and grow until it is useful to us, thanks to the intensity of your fancy little aura within your own body." Felix's teeth were nearly as pointy as his ears when he grinned, "You're going to produce even more power for your daddy than you ever thought possible." He patted Simmons' shoulder, positively gloating, "So get up already. We're going to be visiting a shit-ton more places, after all."
Simmons was sitting on his bed in his tiny guest room in Grif and Kai's house back in Blood Gulch. It was the one place where he had truly felt carefree, if only briefly, though not at this particular moment. He was crying, and he supposed it was only fitting that his mind should bring him back to the only place he could never return to thanks to that fire and everything else that had happened since.
It reminded him of how this wasn't real, that his current nightmare was his actual reality. He sniffled, burying his head in his hands and hating how truly and utterly pathetic he was. There were footsteps hesitantly walking over, and then a noticeable dip in the soft, cushiony mattress as considerable weight was added to it.
"Simmons?"
Grif's voice. Fuck, he didn't want him seeing him like this! He curled around himself tighter, trying to stifle the sobs. Nothing was working though, and he hated himself.
Strong arms were suddenly enclosed around him, pulling his back flush against Grif's chest as the Orc wrapped him into a soft, comforting hug. The warmth of it was nearly enough to break him, even though Grif was acting so uncharacteristically gentle, as if Simmons was some incredibly fragile thing.
"What happened back there?" He asked at length when Simmons had quieted some.
Simmons shook his head, "I—I don't want to talk about it." He finally managed to get out in a strangled whisper, "I just…I just want to go home, Grif."
He didn't even know if he really had ever had one though, and that thought made him want to cry even more.
Grif's embrace tightened, and Simmons let himself sink into it momentarily, "It…it's going to be all right, Simmons." He told him earnestly.
"How…" Simmons frowned, "How can you even say that when we can't talk directly right now?" He tightened his fingers around the tan and orange-swirled skin of Grif's biceps, desperate for the warmth emanating from them, "Grif, I fucking miss you!"
He felt Grif's frown against the back of his neck, "Simmons…" The Orc began, his hold around Simmons tightening. He appeared to be debating something, and just as he opened his mouth to speak…
Something bumped into Simmons' shoulder, jostling him awake. He started upright, surprised to see Gene standing there over his bed with a tray full of some kind of meager-looking breakfast he couldn't identify the contents of.
"Um, you were crying and…" Gene trailed off apologetically, weakly holding out the tray again, "It's time to eat. That, um, thing takes a lot of out of you it seems, so you probably need to replenish your strength. Or something."
Simmons sat up, resisting the urge to snap that he didn't need Gene to tell him that. It probably wasn't fair of him, but he couldn't help but resent the brown-haired Orc for his waking up. There was just something about the guy he didn't like.
Simmons' mind drifted to his dream as he failed to work his appetite up, and he couldn't stop himself from blurting out, "Where's the orange-armored guard from before?"
"Grif?" Gene knitted his eyebrows in thought, "Probably off sleeping somewhere."
…Which would explain why the Linking Magic had connected their dreams again.
Gene frowned at the contemplative look in Simmons' green eyes, "Though I can't figure out why you'd want to ask about him." He sniffed dismissively.
Yeah, Simmons really didn't like Gene all that much.
He felt a slight wave of heat on his face, both out of indignation on Grif's behalf and flustered embarrassment, "Oh! Um," he tried wracking his brain for a plausible excuse, "He just…reminds me of someone, is all."
"There's a lot of that going around with that guy." Gene muttered darkly under his breath.
Simmons raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" He asked curiously.
But before Gene could respond to his question, Locus was standing in the doorway to Simmons' room. He stared at the mousy-looking Orc in maroon rather impassively, "Leave." was all he said to him.
Gene didn't need to be told twice, and Simmons gulped nervously since that left him and the rather murderous mercenary alone. Locus regarded Simmons for a few tense moments of suffocating silence before…
"Are you all right?"
That caught Simmons off-guard and he blinked, his fear momentarily forgotten at the absurdity of the question coming from someone like Locus, "Why would you even care?"
The mercenary in steel and green frowned, the X-shaped scar on his forehead becoming more pronounced as he did so.
"Something isn't right here." Locus finally stated, "Felix should have told me what he'd planned."
So he was having trust issues with his sadistic partner then? Simmons simply gaped at him, not sure how to even respond to this bit of news. It was surprisingly Locus who fidgeted then, a slight grimace on his features, "Perhaps even coming here was a mistake."
He turned to leave, and Simmons stood up abruptly. "W—wait!" He was shocked that he had managed to work up the courage to speak, even more-so that Locus actually paused.
Simmons took in a deep breath and decided fuck it. "I—if you aren't sure you like how things are…things are going anyways," he got out in a shaky tumble of words, "Could you maybe…do me a favor?"
Locus frowned and Simmons hoped his gamble wouldn't turn out to be really bad.
"A—a simple one!" Simmons tried reassuring the mercenary since it was really such a simple thing, but it would mean the whole damn world to him, "N—nothing that would probably ruin things for you or my dad in any way."
Locus fixed him with a considering regard, and finally nodded, "I'll hear you out, at least." He informed him succinctly.
Simmons let out a sigh of relief, determination clouding over his features a second later. No point in backing out now that he had gotten this far, and he really didn't want to: "There's a guard here that I'd like to meet face-to-face."
Author's Notes: Four chapters in and I'm FINALLY arranging for our two heroes to have a proper reunion with one another! What is this "slow burn" everyone keeps mentioning? XD
Lol, and I'm far too amused that I'm not the biggest fan of coding and therefore wrote in an extreme amount of italics coding into this chapter in particular. XD I NEEDS HELP. :)
Why yes, this IS the start of me writing a Locus redemption plot because I love that aspect of his character in the show. :) And yep, the Blues and Reds are definitely going to be up to something too. XD But what about Sharkface? 0_0; …I might just leave the reveals about him until the next chapter to give you something to look forward to! :D
I feel like I should be apologizing in advance because while I have been trying to get at least an update a week posted, there is going to be quite a bit of hectic-ness next week in RL that might make that impossible. So if there is a longer wait for an update to any of my stories I apologize in advance!
…Maybe I will write something even longer when I am able to post just to make up for it! :D
Thank you so much for reading, as always! :D