Ok, here we go! The unfortunate thing about long stories is that I tend to write the beginning and the end and fill in the rest to match them up. The really, truly unfortunate thing? If I hit a snag somewhere in the middle, we're all doomed. Bleh. However, I think I've got it sort of organized. Thank you so much to everyone who has been waiting so patiently and to everyone who reviewed! (if you sign in, I can answer you, so please do)

Chapter 7

"Farfarello." The single eye looked up from the paper, pencil paused. "Where would you like me to set up?"

A slow blink, paper rustling as it was set down. "What are you doing?"

"I said I would come and stay with you until Schuldig wakes up. And I brought the books I promised you." The empath smiled and held up the smaller book. "I thought, even if you're finished experiments for the day, we might do some reading and I'll try to tell you a bit about my talent. I also thought you might let me bandage your shoulder." The burn was nearly white, covered in blisters and at least a second, maybe even a third degree. There wasn't much he could do with the limited supplies but at least an effort could be made.

The blond considered, hands still, then reached up to touch his shoulder, almost as if he wasn't aware it was injured. His neck craned a bit so he could see and he nodded. "Ok." The filthy shirt was tugged over the long hair and tossed aside, leaving streaks of blood and burnt pieces on the pale skin.

Darias knelt and opened his case, digging out antiseptic and clean bandages. "Does it hurt?"

"No." Thin shoulders didn't even tremble as his trainer ran the stinging solution over tender skin before moving up to wipe his cheek down. Bone ground a bit under the brunet's fingers and he tried not to flinch at the awful sound; he never did do well with bone injuries. A pale hand brushed his away and firm fingers shoved the bone into place with a snap, grating the edges. "There."

Darias swallowed and continued, taping a bandage over the swollen cheek and applying a cooling salve to the clean shoulder, wrapping it gently. Blank gold watched him throughout the entire operation, staring straight into his eyes. When the brunet was finished, he was pulled firmly forward and pressed down on the nest. Farfarello rolled him to his back then crawled up to sit on his stomach, book in hand. "What would you like?"

"Read this." The book was pressed to the older man's chest and he opened it to the first page to begin reading. His voice was steady and calm, quietly instructing on the proper making and use of infusions, tinctures, and decoctions. The longer he read, the more relaxed the blond became, curling on his stomach, head pillowed on the slender chest, soft hair flared out over both their shoulders.

"Farfarello, are you tired? Should we take a break?" A faint mumble and he ran a hand through soft hair, feeling the need for a shower. "Would you like a bath later?" Another mumble and Darias started to roll to his side, arm lightly around the trim waist.

Metal pricked his side and he froze, off balance but not daring to move. "Yes?" The pale head was lifted and the cool eye watched him, clear and alert.

"I'm hungry. Bring me something."

"No." The eye narrowed. "I am not here to serve you. I am here to replace Frin until Schuldig wakes. I am still your commander and you have to show me respect, just like I show you respect." They stared at each other for long minutes, neither blinking. Finally, the boy leaned back and shifted his weight to roll them the rest of the way over; a truce and Darias breathed an internal sigh of relief.

If the blond gave a bit, he could too. "It is time for a snack, isn't it? I'll ask Taran to send us something. Do you have a preference?" Careful movements disengaged him from the slender arms and he stood, calling his partner lightly. Blond shook and he just asked for a tray to be brought to the door. "There won't be a problem with me opening the door, will there?"

A sly smile and Farfarello rolled again, flopping over on his back, stomach exposed. Darias shivered at the thought of being half naked in the cold room, especially lying on the floor with only a thin layer of blankets to sleep on. Another little smile and the blond rolled again, gliding to his feet, silver in his hands. "No, probably not."

There was a knock and Darias sensed his partner outside. Taran.

Open the door, Darias. Dark eyes shuttered but he pulled the door open quietly and let the taller man step by him. I'll deal with you later.

A tentative smile and a small hand fluttered down the solid arm, caressing gently before taking the tray. "Farfarello, come get this please. I need to speak to Taran." Pale hands reached around and covered his instantly; the tiny jerk at the unexpected contact was impossible to hide. A brilliant grin at his success and the blond retreated, taking the tray to settle in his nest. Taran.

Don't. I don't want to hear it. What the fuck do you think you're doing? You were out, the door was closed, you walked right back in here, you little, complete IDIOT! Darias shifted his shoulders to straighten them further, staring up at his partner; his lips tightened but he tried not to let Taran upset him. The older brunet was prone to yelling when he was angry but he'd hoped his partner would understand.

Well, you certainly sound like you want to hear it. The smaller man glared up, nose scrunched in annoyance. I'm building here. I didn't have to come back, and he knows it. I surprised him and I've gotten him to acknowledge that we are deserving of his respect, at least a bit. Lying or trying to deceive him will turn him against us and we need him on our side. Because Taran would never reach out, Darias did, slender hand running over the tight arm to tangle lightly in tense fingers. Be patient. Schuldig will wake up and you can trade me for him. Farfarello and I have made a deal and we will uphold our end.

The older man looked down at his smaller partner, gentler but not weaker, and tried not to frown. Let me stay. You can trade the brat for me. Darias, go back to our room and wait for me.

Soft laughter and a softer kiss pressed to his mouth, the pressure returned by habit.No, I promised. It will be alright, I swear. Even if the telepath didn't say it, Darias knew he was his partner's world, and he had promised himself long ago to never endanger that, no matter what. I love you. Go sit with Schuldig, he'll be confused when he wakes up.Another tiny kiss and the empath nudged his partner out the door, waving as he closed it lightly behind him.

"Why do you like him so much? He's not that great." The words were slightly muffled, spoken around partially chewed food.

"Don't talk with your mouth full. You have manners, use them. As to why I like him, he's my partner. I just do." A blanket had been folded and set aside and Darias settled on it, legs crossed. "Why do you like Schuldig?"

A loud swallow and the blond spoke before shoveling more food into his mouth. "He's like me." A piece of bread and container of stew were held out and taken quietly. "Read to me."

"Certainly. Right after I eat. You didn't answer my question. Would you like a bath tonight? If I'm with you, we might be able to use the main showers." A change of pace from the usual ten minutes Farfarello and Schuldig were allowed in a locked, lukewarm shower room. "They're quite a bit nicer than mine even, you might like it." And maybe, if he knew what he was missing, the blond would be more inclined to earn privileges

A rolled shrug and the boy stood, stretching lightly. He continued to stretch, moving each muscle smoothly while Darias ate. The instant he was finished, thin arms folded over the brunet's stomach, pale hair resting on his shoulder. "Read." A soft command this time and the older man reached for the book, opening it to a new section before continuing. Greasy hair rubbed his neck steadily before coming to rest; quiet breathing signaled the blond was asleep.

The brunet stopped reading and set the book aside, running his fingers through long strands. 'Poor thing.' Usually, he believed in what they were doing, training those who would otherwise die in the outside world, but this child... He had no talent, he was just crazy. A fanatic with destroyed nerves and an active mind, filled with hatred and creative ways to cause pain. Pity welled but was brushed firmly aside.

If he wanted Farfarello and Schuldig to survive to fulfill his Vision, he couldn't afford to be easy on them.

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Hours passed quietly, the boy waking and wandering the cell, glancing from time to time at his quiet companion, who rested calmly against the wall. Stretching, hundreds of pushups and crunches, and suicide runs from wall to wall served to pass the time and Darius' respect grew for the young man. 'So this is how he amuses himself.' After the second hour of steady activity and a brief rest to draw, the empath stood and brushed his pants down. "Farfarello. Come here."

The bright eye blinked slowly before turning away, focusing instead on the page on the floor, pencil scribbling away. "Farfarello. Now." Another slow blink and the blond rolled to his feet and wandered over, pencil flipping through his fingers. "Would you like to play with me?"

Long hair tipped to the side and the cool gaze traveled over the slender body. "What can you play?" His contempt was clear, radiating from the crossed arms and roaming eye. Obviously, someone as skinny and soft feeling as the empath wouldn't be good for much.

Darius smiled a bit and rolled his shoulders before cracking his hands. "Put all weapons on the floor and I'll show you." The pencil clattered on the floor, followed by a pair of small knives. "Shirt too."

A mocking grin and the short sleeved shirt was tugged over the blond head. Another knife was tucked into the waist band of white pants. "Do I need to strip you?"

"No." The knife fell to join the others and a short piece of cord joined the small pile. "That's it."

Darias looked him over carefully before stepping forward. "Come, we'll spar. First blood wins." Yellow skimmed up and down his body again. The brunet grinned; this would be fun.

Farfarello suddenly launched himself forward, small fists swinging but the older man was long gone, out of reach, his own fists raised to eye level. Around the cell, they moved in circles, the blond attacking steadily. He got a few hits in but barely enough to bruise.

Darias laughed and switched from defending to attacking, driving the smaller body back under a hail of controlled punches. Body hits were the most effective, sending the smaller form stumbling back instead of going for pain centers. He watched the slightly panting boy pick himself up from the last one. "Farfarello, you can't just throw yourself forward. Brute force is all fine and good as long as your opponent is some idiot from the street. Technique will win, even against you."

An annoyed grunt and the blond shoved against the wall, propelling himself forward, a scream on his lips. Again, Darias led him in circles, defending until there was a break. And again, he knocked the boy backwards to roll head over heels into the wall. The brunet was on him before he could bounce back to his feet, a firm hand pinning the thin neck to the floor. "Stop." Blood trickled from a shallow cut on the high forehead as the blond head thrashed from side to side.

Thin hips jerked under his and soft grunts vibrated through the delicate chest as the blond tried to control himself. Battle lust rode him hard and Darias pushed quiet and calm at him, leaching the rage away. "Good. Do you understand?"

"Yes." The restraining hand pulled away and the older man began to stand. Slender legs twisted and wrapped around his throat, dragging him backwards in a choke hold. "Win at all costs."

Darias slid his arms between the tight legs and shoved at the joints, breaking the hold. "No. Never, ever risk your partner. He is the only thing to exist for and he needs you more than you need to live." There would be no one who would teach the boy that here, but the empath was determined to meld both boys into a perfect team. "Even if you lose, you make sure Schuldig lives."

Amber stared as he sat up, leaning back on one arm, defenses down. They were tangled together, the smaller body hot wherever it touched his. "Yes, Guilt. Only I can kill Guilt, he belongs to me."

A chill ran down Darias' spine at the calm proclamation. Maybe Farfarello really did hate Schuldig as much as he loved him. The boy suddenly grinned and rolled away to his feet. It was almost magical, the way he contorted his body to disentangle their legs. "Again."

'Taran is gonna kill me.' Darias shifted to his feet and took a step back, lifting his fists to shoulder level. "Alright, go ahead." The charming grin shifted to a maniacal smirk as the blond charged, fists swinging again.

The older man stepped back again, thinking to lead his student in a circle again and wait it out. A flash of white and a slender leg caught him on his side even as he moved to block it. The next strike came from the opposite side, a hard little fist slamming into his upraised arm before the calloused palm slid down his arm to his shoulder. It was almost a shock to feel his joint strain. The brunet lashed out quickly with his foot and caught the boy hard enough on the hip to throw him enough off balance that he had to retreat.

'If he'd had a weapon, I'd be dead.' Dark eyes watched the bouncing blond. 'I'm lucky he didn't dislocate my shoulder as it is.' Yellow stared back, the rush of a good fight lighting it. "That was good, Farfarello. Come here, I'll show you how to do it properly."

The empath dropped his fists and held out a hand. When it was taken, he drew the boy in and positioned his hands at the proper pressure points. "Push here and here. It'll dislocate almost anyone's shoulder and cause enough damage to incapacitate the entire upper side." Pressure increased as the young killer tested the hold. "You depend on your weapons too much. Use your legs more, they're stronger than your arms."

They practiced different forms and attacks, working over strategy. The brunet was amazed; he'd known Farfarello wasn't half as cracked as he appeared at first glance but the way he was picking up the basics of boxing was on par with his killing abilities. Taran. A wide flung call and he could feel his partner push back, even if he didn't say anything. Can you bring me a chess set?

Why? Not like he can play. Taran groused from the office and Darias smiled, pushing a sense of teasing back.

Even when he was pouting, his partner was adorable. Please? The dark head snapped back under the blond's fist. The empath jerked back to look at the skinny boy who had his hands on thin hips, yellow eye narrowed at him.

"No talking!" He looked so serious, outraged even, that his trainer wasn't paying attention to him.

With that thought, Darias froze before lowering his fists. 'That's it. That's why he and Schuldig are a pair. They both need attention and to be the only focus in this hell.' But was Schuldig really the only one who could stand the blond's mind long enough to be with him? It seemed so, at least so far. "Let's stop for the day."

An uncaring shrug and Farfarello wandered off to snuffle through his nest, rummaging at the far end. He dragged a book out and crawled over to sit on the edge of a blanket. "Read this."

"Farfarello, can you not read?" The brunet still walked over and settled on the floor, taking the book held out to him.

The bright eye stared at him, a dark brow arched. "Certainly. How else could I read God's word and prove it false?"

Of course. 'How could I be so stupid?' Darias resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Fine. I'll read you a chapter then you read me one." Time to teach the concept of teamwork. Another shrug and the blond climbed into his lap, curling around his waist.

They read steadily until Darias' voice gave out. Farfarello settled in to eat his supper, chopping it up into shreds of carrot and bun. Each vegetable was picked carefully out and cut up before being mixed back in; the mixture was tossed and played with until Darias spoke. "Farfarello, why are you wasting your food? Aren't you hungry?"

"I'm not wasting it. Food is precious, it must never be wasted." The single eye peeked through long bangs. "Being hungry is not good."

The empath watched as the blond started to eat, licking his fingertip to collect every crumb. "Do you do that when Schuldig is with you?"

"No. Guilt does not like to eat, so I have to be fast." Farfarello chewed quickly. "He gets sick."

'Does he?' How interesting. The brunet leaned back on his elbow. "Why is he sick? Does he not like the food?" This was more personal information than they had gotten in the last three months.

"He hears the echoes from those who make it. They make him sick." Thin lips slid into a smirk. "My Guilt is as cursed as I."

'Psychometry? No, can't be. He came up negative on everything but telepathy and a minor in biokinesis.' Darias sat up and rested his hands on his knees. "Farfarello, what does he hear?" White flipped at him and he glared. "He'll hurt himself and he needs to eat."

"I make him eat." A statement of fact and the blond continued shoveling food into his mouth. "He is my tool and must earn a death by hands other than mine." Darias' plate was eyed then grabbed and finished off quickly while the brunet stared.

"Farfarello, do not ever say that again." The amber eye glanced up at the bite in the words. "Schuldig is your partner; he is not a tool or a toy. He is the reason you exist, to protect him and keep him safe at all costs is your duty." How, how could he get through to the boy? "He is the air you breathe and the food you eat. Without him, you would fade to nothing."

Long hair swung as the blond leaned forward, head cocked. He rolled to his knees and slunk towards his experiment subject. "I was born to end the reign of the false God. Guilt is nothing, as you are nothing, this place is but rubble and dust to my destiny." Pale hands slipped into Darias' hair then trailed over his eyes to wrap around the slender neck. "Should I remove you from my presence?"

"That wasn't part of our deal, Farfarello." Deep eyes looked straight into the single pale one staring so intently. He would just have to wait it out and hope it wasn't a fit. Stopping a fit would be far, far beyond him.

Long minutes, fingers flexing slowly, almost a pulse, and the blond pulled away. "Read." The brunet remained still for a moment then reached for a book and opened it to an unread section. He read for an hour, until the boy fell asleep in a ball on the floor.

A quiet knock and the older empath stood and answered the door, silently allowing his partner to enter the cool room. "Hey. I brought a cot and some blankets. Thought you might be cold." No mention of their argument or what, if anything, Taran had seen from the window.

"Thank you." Darias leaned up for a quick kiss, and hugged his partner briefly. "It will be fine. But, it is cold here. Can they warm it up a little?"

"I'll ask." They set the small cot up as quietly as possible and settled heavy blankets in place. "Number JD910 is doing well. His shoulder is nearly healed though the lash marks aren't making much headway. His minor is kicking in strongly, he'll need to be tested for it." Darias shrugged. "He was making noise earlier. The doctor said he could be awake as early as tomorrow."

"You could call him Schuldig, you know." A thin hand slid into the bigger one. "I won't tell." An annoyed snort and Darias laughed quietly, leaning his head on a wide shoulder. "Have you been trying to talk to him?"

"Yeah, yeah. Nothing. Like he was never there." The brunet found it strange that there was no response; even in extreme cases, he could usually get something back, even if only babbling. "Damn brat. Do you think he's doing it on purpose somehow?" The only other answer was his own talent was fading and that would mean expulsion from his position.

"Maybe. I wouldn't put it past them." Darias shrugged and rolled his head on his partner's shoulder. "You should go. Stay with him, please?" He heard the huff of annoyance in his mind and squeezed the trim waist gently. "It's only a few days."

A few soft kisses and the older man slipped out, watching the door close behind him. 'Now what?' He wanted to stay and watch through the observation window but if he did, Darias would be angry and know he hadn't been with Number JD910. Slow steps turned to the medical ward and he trudged along with his hands in his pockets.

Hey, pain in my ass, wake up already. The boy didn't even flinch, not even a mental reaction to the shove. Look, Darias is in there with that psycho and you just lay here. Still nothing. The brunet sighed and slumped forward in his chair, head in his hands. What would happen if the redhead didn't wake up? What about Darias? What about him?

When he looked up, glazed eyes were watching him, blinking slowly against the overly bright lights. Taran scanned immediately and picked up the faint signs of consciousness, a soft pulse at the edges of his mind. His eyes narrowed when it blinked out of existence, leaving only the physical reaction to his presence. "JD910, are you awake?" It seemed a pointless question but he had to know if the child was suppressing his mental signature on purpose or if he'd lost control of it somehow.

"Yesh." A slight slur and a pale hand lifted an inch. "No?" The brunet leaned in and checked the dark pupils; normal enough. His big hands ran over the thin shoulder, easing around the bandage, checking for inflammation, tenderness, and signs of infection. "Far.." The name dissolved in a coughing fit.

"Here." A glass was pressed to dry lips and water spilled, soaking the thin shirt. "Dammit." Taran sighed and took a sip, leaning in to pass it from mouth to mouth. Schuldig turned his head as much as he could and clamped his lips together. "Look you stupid brat, just take it." A stubborn shake of long hair and the older man smacked a hand down on the flat stomach.

A startled gasp and he swooped in, forcing water into the open mouth while holding the small nose closed. Frantic choking and the smaller male swallowed quickly, harsh coughs racking the thin body. No! Weak hands tried to bat at the offending form but couldn't move very far.

"Stop it. You listen to me and listen well." Taran wiped his mouth and glared at the coughing boy. "Darias is risking his life to buy enough time for you to wake up. Now I don't know why he's so fascinated with you two worthless brats but he's got it in his head that you're faking being as weak as you are." Green stared straight up at him, fearlessly meeting his gaze. "I don't give a shit. As of this instant, you either behave yourselves or I'll break you both over my knee." A flash of insolence in the calm eyes and he leaned forward to whisper against pale lips. "Don't think I won't, not even for a second. You are worthless to me, not even worth a thought. If not for Darias, I'd have had you put down months ago." He pulled away to look the white cheeks over, smirking slightly; finally, a bit of fear. "Now, you and I are going to go and trade partners."

Schuldig remained silent, staring up at the brunet. He wasn't scared, he knew what that felt like and this was something else. Respect maybe? He'd never had anyone that was worth respecting in his life before so maybe it wasn't. It might be a kind of envy, that this man, Taran, would care enough about someone to risk his life just to make sure they wouldn't be harmed. It wasn't a bad feeling, just strange and he shook it off to watch clean clothes be put on.

His arms felt weird, as if they were beyond his control. Trying to lift one was painful and he didn't bother to try the injured shoulder. His shirt was changed quickly and professionally, with no straying hands, and a pair of white pants was eased up his legs carefully. "Good. I'm calling someone to carry you out and we'll do the trade fast and easy."

"No. Not yet." The redhead shook his head slowly, flinching from the tight pull of healing scabs. "Not yet."

Taran leaned over the bed and forced the small face to look directly at him. "One good reason why not. Just one, and I'll let you stay here."

Green stared, debating what to tell him. That Farfarello would rip him to shreds if he smelled the blood on his skin? That his mental facilities were too weak from the shock to be fully controlled? Perhaps playing the weak child would be the best choice. Trembling fingers lifted slowly to clutch at the loose shirt, curling into soft fabric. "Please." Delicate tears shone in green eyes, clinging to long lashes.

He knew he looked adorable and helpless. "Ha. Ha, ha, ha, ha!" The brunet leaned forward and laughed, shoulders shaking almost violently as he howled into he thin shoulder. "Maybe you will be…" He paused, then pulled back to look down at the boy as he frowned slightly. "Maybe."

The white shirt was yanked abruptly from the tight grip and heavy steps clicked rapidly out of the room. Two days. And you contact Number 928TX if you can. No harm to Darias and you can stay. They might, just might, be able to pull this off. Something about those two, subtle and sneaky, a slightly disquieting feeling that was easy to miss or pass off as nerves, that something was the key to everything. 'Be safe, Dar. Just a few more days.'

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I tried to make all mental speech in bold, so let me know if it didn't work. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.