They reached the docks of the Aethan district through the underground railway. Fifteen minutes their journey lasted, as Pits and Aethan were on complete opposite sides of North. By regular rail, that would've taken them forty-five minutes, but the "bullet trains" were able to go far quicker than regular ones. Through it all, Antithesis's journey provided Tyrant's head a comfortable place to rest. Ulterior smoked and snickered about their minimal but sweet interaction. Antithesis paid him little mind, however, instead focused on Tyrant. That, and some thoughts of his own.
The past few months had been a battlefield located on a steep mountain surrounded by a moat of lava, but he would rather that than rotting away in the Tombs. Tyrant proved rather nice to be around, too, even if he was a bastard. His subtle sweetness and generosity...well, they didn't outweigh his bitchiness, but at they were present enough for Antithesis's taste. His new life was more than adequate.
But memories of his old life in West still remained, ones that he wanted to destroy completely.
Ulterior had prepared a small boat to ferry them home. Tyrant's jetski had been confiscated in West, apparently, and its fate remained unknown. The water remained calm, and they managed to reach the island in only five minutes.
The moment Ulterior departed from their island home, Antithesis carried the extremely tired Tyrant bridal-style inside. He then deposited him on the couch, where Tyrant curled into a ball and instantly dozed off. In honesty, Antithesis was convinced that Tyrant had fallen asleep completely on the boat, and he'd only stood up through sleepwalking. Or, rather, sleep-standing.
Though it wasn't particularly cold, Antithesis acquired a blanket and sat upon the couch with Tyrant. He pulled Tyrant into his lap and draped the blanket over his lover. He looked so peaceful and lovely—like a little cat.
Antithesis sighed and stared up at the ceiling. He'd tell Tyrant he loved him when he awoke. The Roundfield was a poor place for a confession like that.
That, and his desire to tie up his loose ends in West.
He awoke a few hours later, with a soft yawn escaping his lips and grogginess covering his eyes. Strikingly he resembled a newborn. With fisted hands he rubbed his citrine eyes, and after he seemed to realize where he was and what he was doing, he sat up and hugged Antithesis.
"Morning," Antithesis said.
"Hi," Tyrant mumbled. Sleep still laced his voice. "You're so nice, letting me sleep…"
"You've been through a lot. You deserved rest."
He could feel Tyrant's smile. "I love you."
"I love you too," Antithesis murmured back, kissing his temple.
Tyrant looked up. "You do?"
Antithesis nodded. "I suppose I have for awhile. I just didn't know what to call it, I guess."
"Ah. I kinda assumed you'd figure it out sometime soon."
"You knew?"
"Had suspicions, more like. Glad to know I was right."
Antithesis nodded. He paused for a moment, then said. "I have a...request."
"Don't tell me you want another round."
"No, no, nothing like that. That'd be cruel to you, Tyrant. I want to go somewhere with you."
"But we just got home."
"It doesn't have to be now, or even that recently. I want to go to West."
Tyrant's expression went from groggy to curious. "Why for?"
"I want to speak with my brother," Antithesis replied. "You know...to properly end things with him. I don't think anyone really knows what happened to me after I escaped going to the Tombs. I just want to completely end everything instead of leaving a gaping hole of ambiguity."
"Ooh, big words," he mumbled. "I'm not sure if that's ideal. West is a little violent to our kind."
"I look relatively normal."
"Yeah, but I kinda just got arrested a few weeks ago. You think it's safe for me to go?"
"What part of West were you in?"
"The shitty part."
Antithesis stared.
"The criminal shitty part. The one with the bigass prison."
"Sulfuric Shithole?"
"Yeah, that one."
"Oh, in that case, you'll be fine. My brother's in the business district. Married to some bitch he barely knows and doesn't love."
"Repressed fag?"
"Absolutely."
"Fuck, those are my favorite types of fags."
"Don't bother trying to open him up. He's a bastard."
"I assumed. Well, I'm in no mood for anything but cuddles and dreaming."
"You're like a child. I love it this way."
"Me too."
