With a great sigh and satisfying stretch, Tatsumi flopped back on his bed, basking in the fluffed sheets. He could only think nothing but happy thoughts. The dinner was so home-like, along with the hilarious bickering between Lubbock and Lauren, and Tatsumi wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever. However, as always, all good things come to an end eventually. He knew Lubbock must be feeling the same way.

Tatsumi softly punched his own cheek to focus back on the positive aspects.

"This is just a step forward." He whispered to himself with a determined smile. "Being with Night Raid will be much more fulfilling." This thought satisfyingly brought him in a ray of memories since he first joined the time. There were brave deaths, like Sheele, Bulat, and Chelsea. He will make sure to make one for the team with three times the effort he ever made. Everyone won't see him as some dependent newbie anymore. He is committed, and he will damn well show it. Him and Lubbock.

'We're not out of the game yet!'

He still has his mission of supplying money for his home village, taking down the corrupt government, and creating a new fair political system.

Sighing, Tatsumi turned to his side. Since Lubbock's feelings for Najenda are slowly fading from the distance, he wondered what his friend's motivation for being in Night Raid will be now.


Tatsumi jolted upright when his door was slammed open. However, it sounded like it was closed lightly in an apologetic manner.

"Hello?" The only light provided was the moonlight from behind the satin curtains. The figure walked up and before Tatsumi could prepare himself, he was suddenly met with weight settling onto his chest and arms encircling his stomach.

"I uh..?" He began not sure if he should hug back with person.

"T-Tatsumi..." At the familiar voice, he immediately held Lubbock tightly against him.

"What's wrong? Was it a nightmare?" He questioned and his heart sank when he felt his shirt began to soak.

"I-I should be grateful..." Tatsumi quietly listened, slightly confused. "They took us in. Gave us a place to stay. Made a whole dinner. M-my own mother welcomed me after what I did..."

"Lubba-"

"But I'm not!" Lubbock sobbed into his shirt. "I'm so fucking selfish! And for them to forgive me so easily, they shouldn't have! All I feel is guilt and it hurts to sleep knowing they're okay with this!"

Having Lubbock rant like this even made Tatsumi's eyes water, but he stayed strong for him. His hand continued to rub his friend's back, quivering from his tremulous breathing. His other hand stroked Lubbock's silk green hair.

"Then what will make you feel better?" He asked calmly and Lubbock looked up with a tear-stricken face.

"I don't know!" He cried. Tatsumi desperately wanted to sacrifice the whole world in order to cheer up his friend.

"Well..." Tatsumi moved his hands up in favor of wiping the tears off of Lubbock's face. "I know it must be hard to accept that they are capable of tolerating everything. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself so easily either, not to make you feel bad. However..."

As though there was a force pulling between them, Tatsumi lightly pressed their foreheads together. He wanted to make his statement clear. "It's never too late to forgive yourself. I think you're just having a difficult time acknowledging your mistake. But think about this, haven't your last several years been partially dedicated to creating a better continent? You can't beat yourself up forever. Eventually, you'll understand why they wouldn't give a damn if you even came back after twenty years." He said with a soft smile.

"..." Lubbock looked down with flushed cheeks before burrowing his face back into Tatsumi's chest. Seeing as this was a good sign that he will think it over another time, Tatsumi patted his shoulder.

"I'm gonna get you a glass of water. It should clear your mind for a bit to help you sleep." He said and tried to stand. It did not seem like Lubbock was budging so Tatsumi took matters into his own hand and swiftly flipped them over. He ignored the butterflies in stomach when he ended up pinning Lubbock below him, staring back at the surprised expression of his friend. "You can stay here in the mean time. Is that okay with you?"

Lubbock gave a hesitant nod and Tatsumi stood up with an encouraging grin.

"Great! See ya in a bit."

Tatsumi stepped out the room and lightly shut the door before heading down the spiral stairs. Thank goodness there were candles lit on each side of the walls. Otherwise he would have been as good as lost. Remembering where the kitchen was, Tatsumi quietly walked toward its opening and froze when he heard hushed voices.

"... do it now."

"How could you suggest something like that?"

Tatsumi leaned against the wall and edged closer to hear more clearly. It sounded like Lauren and the butler, Weis.

"They are known criminals to the Capitol. I cannot have my masters stuck in the middle of this." Weis argued.

"I don't give a damn. They may have done something wrong, but I don't believe they are some evil terrorists running around."

"They are rebelling against Parliament."

"Yeah we'll maybe something's wrong with it if Lubbock and his friend thinks so. You will not tell anyone about them, Weis. That is my order." Lauren finalized.

"... Yes sir." Hearing their footsteps, Tatsumi quickly hid in the dining room as they passed by. He thought he saw Lauren glance at him but he ruled that out in spite of it possibly being his imagination. Once they were out of sight, he walked into the kitchen filled up a glass of water with shaking hands.

Well, now there is even more to discuss with Lubbock.


"Tatsumi..." Said male furrowed his brows when he felt something poke his cheek. He tried to go back to sleep, but his attempt was fruitless when the jabbing became more apparent and a snigger followed the action.

"Whazza..." He slurred tiredly and his answer is even more quiet laughter.

"Hey there sleepy head." Lubbock greeted. Tatsumi's vision finally cleared and he could see Lubbock laying beside him, resting his head on his hand with an amused look. "Took you long enough."

"Ah..."

"Hehe, your hair is a disaster." Lubbock teased while playing with Tatsumi's bed head. Tatsumi hummed and faced away from his friend with a great desire to sleep more.

"You should see yours. You look like a grass head." He muttered, barely paying attention to the "Eh!?" and punch on his shoulder. "What time is it anyway?"

"Dunno. I just know its super bright."

"Very helpful." Tatsumi commented and took it upon himself to look up at the clock on the wall. He slowly say up and ruffled his already messy brown hair. "Hey how come you're in my bed anyway? I thought you said you were okay enough to go back to your room last night." Tatsumi said. Lubbock glanced out the corner of his eyes with an embarrassed look.

"I-I was planning to, honest. But I just got sleepy and I um... well I was already comfortable in the bed and..."

Tatsumi gave a look of disbelief but did not comment on it. His arm has been punched plenty of times since their stay at the mansion.

"Sure. Well if you ever need anymore consolation, my arms are always open." He said and Lubbock huffed.

"No worries, that's the last time I act like a baby."

Tatsumi shrugged. "It's always good to let out your bottled up feelings every now and then."

"Then why don't you?" Lubbock asked. Tatsumi had a double-take.

"Huh? I mean... I do sometimes, but probably not as much. Most of the things I think about are not even that important." He reassured while waving his hand.

"Oh. Well then... i-is it strange that I kind of... want to know what you think about?" Lubbock asked apprehensively. Tatsumi felt his face burn and his chest gave a series of irregular heart beats.

"N-Not at all. But... why?" Lubbock finally looked at him.

"You look like you let a lot of things go unsaid. You can always talk to me about anything. Or just... feel free to say whatever's going on in your mind at the moment. Y-You know, team work and all." Lubbock quickly justified even if his own red face contradicted his statement.

"Aha, yeah." Tatsumi said and took a deep breath before his wild-running emotions could make him say something stupid. "Let's uh get ready to meet up with them again." He suggested. Lubbock hopped out of the bed and nodded.

"And try not to make us sound suspicious." Lubbock said. Tatsumi made an unsure sound after thinking of last night.

"Gotcha."

"Good, now fix your hair before my eyes get a hernia." Lubbock joked before leaving. Tatsumi sighed exasperately, but nonetheless prepared for another restless day.