Hi-ya! I'm so sorry for the long wait, I have a valid excuse but I won't waste your time with that. HOW ABOUT A PLOT MOVING CHAPTER! :D

Chapter 9: Boom Boom

Hot steamed filled the small washroom, opening Fang's lungs and clearing his mind enough to think straight as he watched Prince standing under the shower of searing water. He watched as every droplet hit his face and slide down his torso and legs. Prince's head tilted left and right as he soaked down his raven hair, the long bangs that hid his snake eye sticking to the side of his face. Prince opened his eyes and he pulled his head out of the hot rain. Fang peered into those brilliant eyes. His left eye as dark as the night sky, shimmering as if it had stars—and his right eye, mysterious and snakelike, not odd to look at, it seemed to fit well into his face.

Prince pulled down the shower nozzle and knelt down next to Fang who sat in the tub, gently spraying down his body with the burning water. Prince's strong yet gentle hands brushing across his chest as he cleaned the sticky mess away, putting all his attention into Fang's body. Fang couldn't help his coy blush as Prince gave him a loving smile, taking hold of him as he leaned in, kissing his swollen lips gently as the hot water still sprayed in between them. Prince's lips were soft and wet and not as rough as usual, this kiss had no sadistic quality whatsoever. Fang's wet arms slipped around Prince's neck as he pulled the older boy closer to him, feeling his chest brush against his own.

Prince pulled out of the kiss and gave a small peck to his cheek. Fang hugged himself tightly to the older boy as Prince snatched up the bar of soap, lathering Fang's body in the foamy suds as well as the clinging boy would allow before rinsing him down again. Prince watched with all the curiosity of a child as each bubble popped or slid into the small stream leading to the drain. Prince pulled Fang off of him and thoroughly rinsed his fluffy dark hair and then he squeezed the cold shampoo into the soaked tendrils, his dexterous fingers massaging the soap in and catching the suds that fled for Fang's eyes.

Fang peered up at Prince rather cutely as Prince continued on with much care, a single finger delicately wiping away soap sliding down Fang's soft cheek. Fang chuckled very, very lightly and leaned into the caress. Prince smiled and cupped his cheek, kissing his soapy forehead before tilting the boy's head back and rinsing out his hair. Fang let his eyes slide shut as the water crossed over his face, little shining droplets sticking to his long lashes as he exhaled through the stream of water.

Prince let the nozzle fall, hanging only by the cord connected to the wall as he leaned back down and slipped his muscled arms around the smaller boy, pulling him up into his lap, Fang's arms and legs wrapping around him immediately. Prince reached back and turned off the water, the heated flow stopping with a small screech and a splutter. The silence that fell in the room was filled with the sweet sounds of Prince's heartbeat as he snatched up a towel, drying the tired boy around him.

By the time Prince had finished, the younger boy had fallen fast asleep, arms and legs still wrapped around him.

Fang woke from his dream to a glaring beam of light over his eyes, making the back of his eyelids glow red and breaking his peaceful sleep. He threw an arm over his eyes and groaned, not wanting to be awake yet. Fang felt awfully comfortable though, and warm… Fang risked opening a single eye and peering up at where he was sleeping. He was in Prince's bed. Again. This time though, he was actually in clothes (a baggy t-shirt and boxers he didn't remember owning), and Prince was curled around him, his muscled arms clutching Fang to his body, Fang fitting against him like a proper puzzle piece.

Fang sighed and closed his eyes again, letting his head back down on the pillow, not in the mood to panic this morning. He didn't really feel the need to anyway.

"Another good morning," Prince whispered and Fang's eyes opened again. He could feel the bags of exhaustion and the crust in his eyes. Was it odd that he felt suddenly self-conscious and immediately rubbed the exhaustion out of his eyes? Like hell if he knew…

"Yeah," Fang agreed, cuddling closer to Prince's warmth as the older boy's arms tightened around him. "You're not as panicky this morning as you were yesterday, I'm rather proud of your progress," Prince grinned and Fang scowled, "Progress? What am I, a psychiatric patient?" he asked bitterly and Prince chuckled, "No, no, of course not," he said and kissed Fang's forehead, a hot blush covered Fang's face. Prince smiled a little wider, "You're so cute,"

"Fuck you…" Fang grumbled and Prince gave a quick and tighter cuddle. With all the suddenness of a predator pouncing on its clueless prey, the bedroom door was slammed open and Fang found instinct throwing him out of the bed in surprise. Fang tumbled to the floor, tangled in the blankets. He looked up to see a very unhappy Ace in the threshold.

"You bitches," she said with a sour tone and with arms folded, making her large breasts look even larger. "You've slept in long enough! It's one in the fucking afternoon! I've been out all day collecting damn fucking cash and I'm bored out of my mind!" she growled. She was about to say something else but paused, looking at Fang. She grinned suddenly. "Are you in boxers? Oh hell! Take that shirt off and fuckin' strut for me!" she cackled and Prince laughed. "Uh—" was the only bit of words Fang could manage before being pounce by the little predator.

Ace literally tore the shirt off. "Hey, that's my favorite—"

"That's better," Ace cut Prince off, taking in the bod of the nearly nude Fang, who gave a rather petulant glance into Ace's gray eyes. The redhead only cackled. "I'll give you my half of the cash if you stay like that all morning," she said immediately and… well… Fang quickly calculated how much cash he'd probably end up with if he didn't agree. He sighed.

"Yeah, sure, okay…" Ace burst into a squeal that surprised and amused Fang all at once, he couldn't help a chuckle. Prince was suddenly at Fang's side and helped the tangled boy to his feet. "You really shouldn't encourage her," Prince said with an amused smirk, "I can't help it… I'm not entirely good at denying women,"

"Your girlfriend must manipulate the hell out of you!" Ace cackled and Fang shrugged, "Not really, Max is too busy with everything else to care,"

"Aw," Ace pouted dramatically, "does little Fang not get enough attention from his girlfriend?" she asked, swooping in close, grabbing hold of his boxers. Fang's face flushed, "I—" Fang was cut off as Prince grabbed his shoulders and pulled him away from Ace, "Stop it," he scowled at the redhead, "you're freaking him out,"

"Oh, hon'," Ace laughed, "I'm not the only one who's been freaking him out," she said with an odd and hinting wink. Oh god… she does know, doesn't she? She heard us last night! Damn you Prince… Fang thought in a panic, hoping the panic didn't show on his face. "I'm not sure what you're getting at," Prince deadpanned, looking bored with this, "Never mind," Ace snickered, turning on her heels, "So what are we doing today?" she asked as the boys followed her out. "With all the Eraser attacks I'm almost reluctant to leave the condo," Prince said with a restrained chuckle, "Oh yeah! There was another attack this morning while I was out,"

"What? Where?" Fang and Prince asked in near perfect unison, "Down the block on my way back, I had to circle 'round a few times before I lost them and could make it in the building."

"They're getting to us closer to the condo…" Prince said quietly, his normal eye visible through is bangs squinting in thought. "Yeah, I've noticed that too," Ace said, taking a long glance at Fang. It wasn't his fault that the danger is coming to them, is it? "Will you guys need to leave? Fall back from danger?" Fang queried. Prince and Ace exchanged an odd glance before shaking their heads, "Nah, we should be fine!" Ace laughed, "Yeah, like we've said before, it will take them forever to actually find us." In one way or another, Fang felt an odd aura of lies and excuses, but he didn't question.

"So, anybody want a sandwich?" Ace grinned as they entered the main room. Prince sat himself down on a bar stool with a goofy grin, "Why, how nice of you to offer that, it is about time you train those wife skills—" Prince wasn't able to finish his sentence due to a shoe being flung across the room and smacking him square in the face, sending him off his seat. Ace huffed haughtily, "Wife skills my ass! You can make your own fucking sandwich!" and like the flip of a dime the raging redhead turned to Fang with a soft expression, "Do you want turkey or ham?"

"Um…" Fang chuckled, "turkey is fine." As Fang sat down Prince stood and Ace came by and kicked the older boy in the rear, "Get moving hubby skills," she growled but Prince only laughed as he trotted around the counter to the fridge. Fang smiled the whole time he watched the two punched and dodge each other in the kitchen. Ace got a little cocky though and ended up pinned to the counter, but Prince got stabbed with a butter knife in return. By the time they could finally eat their sandwiches the two had thoroughly injured each other.

"Why do I feel like you two are trying to kill each other every other moment?" Fang asked before biting into his masterly made sandwich, "Oh it's not every other moment; it's every moment,"

"What?"

"Quiet Ace, he doesn't need to know," Prince hissed almost quiet enough for Fang not to hear it. But he did anyway. "Know what?" Fang demanded and Prince sighed heavily. "That we're trying to kill each other," Ace smiled innocently and Fang raised an eyebrow, "What?" he asked again and Ace laughed, "You honestly think I accidentally tried to shoot Prince yesterday? You think he accidentally tried to strangle me? We're attempting murder in the first degree!"

She says it so casually! Fang thought with panic. "Prince is the only one who succeeds so far."

"What?"

"It was only a few times," Prince added with a strange tone of voice. Ace cackled at him. "But… how are you still alive?"

"We don't know," Prince said with much irritation, "Yeah, I must have some form of regeneration or something, we found out when Prince and I first met, he had shot my five times in the chest, once in the head, and literally stabbed me in the back, and left me in a roadside ditch. All I remember is ending up knocking on Prince's front door."

Fang could only gape in shock and confusion, "But… why are you trying to kill each other?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ace gave Prince an almost affectionate smile, "we loathe each other!"

Loathe? No, no, no. Fang and Dylan loathe each other, Ace and Prince? That's something else entirely, that far beyond the borders of loathe.

Fang looked to Prince in hopes he'd tell him Ace is lying. But Prince only shrugged, "It is what it is," he said. "'It is what it is'?" Fang repeated, "Are you kidding me—?"

"Hey," Ace cut in, "We both have a strong sense of 'keep up or die', if we feel we're a danger to each other, we will carry out heavy deeds to guarantee our own safety, you're a team player, we wouldn't expect you to understand."

And yet, in some way, Fang could understand it (granted, you'd think they'd be over that by now, but he could understand it). Fang took a large bite out of his sandwich to occupy himself as he thought. Eventually he thought the subject was best changed. "So how much money do we have? Enough to send me to Russia?" he asked and Prince and Ace glanced at each other, a glance Fang couldn't read. "Uh, almost," Ace said, "Almost? After all the money you took?"

"Hey, I never said result would happen immediately, it's only been two damn days, big guy," Ace gave a grouchy look before gnawing on her peanut butter and jelly and pretzel sandwich. "Don't worry," Prince said finally, "you'll be back with your friends soon," the older boy gave a very sweet smile and a flirty wink that caused Fang's face to flush. He coughed and hoped the blush faded before Ace looked up. If she called it his "bitch face" again he just might not be the only one trying to kill her. He still has his dignity, you know!

Hours went by as they all hung out in the condo, all seeming to not want to deal with Erasers today. Somewhere along the way they got into board games and television, and left the darker subjects behind. It was actually rather quaint right now, there was no fighting, no danger to their lives; everything was okay. It was like the very moment Max would dread, because she knew something bad was about to happen. Sadly, Fang had actually let his guard down, being around Prince and Ace changes him somehow, they make him relax, wind down, he actually smiles and laughs and talk, it was strange.

All three looked up in surprise when there was a knock on the door. Fang tensed at Prince's side and the older boy took immediate notice, standing cautiously and approaching the door, he didn't go three feet before asking, "Ace, can you get the door for me, darling?" he asked with sarcastic affection, "Of course, dear," Ace growled as she stood as well, Prince taking Fang's side as she trotted over to the door, grumbling with much irritation. Ace glanced back at Prince with a hateful stare before pulling the door open.

"Hello, are you the Dooly's?" said the pizza boy on the other side. Ace visually relaxed and she laughed. "Oh, no, they live in the condo at the end of the hall," she said, pointing down the way. The pizza boy glanced at the condo number on the door and smiled apologetically, "I'm so sorry to bother you,"

"No problem."

Ace turned to face the boys as the pizza guy disappeared out of the threshold. "See? Nothing to be scared of—!" in that very moment a fiery explosion burst through the wall, throwing all three experiments across the room and into the kitchen. Fang could feel his ears ring and the room spin to the point of making his stomach churn painfully. As his senses cleared he heard Prince groan. "Well, isn't that a bitch," the older boy said as he sat up slowly, rubbing his temples. "Everybody still in one piece?"

"God… fucking… damn… shit… fuck… bitch…" Ace grumbled, crumpled up beneath the bar stools she collided with. "I'm going to kill that pizza guy…"

"You might just get your chance," Prince said and looked up to see an Eraser in the same pizza delivery uniform, juggling a bomb between his mitts. "Okay, you god-awful son of—"

"Save your insults, I have no time for them," said the pizza Eraser, "You have time for the fight of you fucking life?" Ace growled as she stood, her body beaten by the explosions and the bar stools. "No, and neither do you," the pizza Eraser said and tossed the bomb. Fang had only a moment to see the five second countdown before Prince scooped him up and leaped into the hallway.

Another ear rupturing explosion went off just as Ace got out of dodge. "We need to get out of here, now!" Prince said and Ace scoffed, "Well no duh, shit-dick!"

"Window, or terrace; pick one!" Fang chimed in, not wanting to waste their precious time with arguing. "Window!" the other two said, "Then let's move it!"

"One moment!" Ace said, jumping up and running to her room. "Let's go—!"

Prince was cut off as another explosion tore down the wall they took shelter behind, debris crashing down on their heads. Fang scrambled away and Prince was right behind him as they ran into the older boy's bedroom. "Lock the door," Prince said and Fang couldn't help but look at him like he was an idiot, "The guy has bombs."

"I know, I know, but it buys us time!"

"Bombs!" Fang repeated but the older boy wasn't listening anymore and was quickly packing a bag. "What about Ace?" Fang asked as he started to help, "She can hold her own just fine, she's probably already in the air," Prince said as he ran over to the window and practically tore down the curtains as he opened the window.

Fang grabbed his own bag as Prince slung his over his shoulder, "Ladies first," the older boy said and Fang held back his growl as he perched himself on the windows edge, taking a breath, and leaping into the sky. Fang felt his wings cramp a bit as he stretched them out. He whirled to see Prince approaching behind him. Flames bursting out the window as another explosion went off in Prince's room.

"That was close—" Fang was cut off as he heard a scream and something drop out of one of the windows. He looked over to see Ace's red hair flying up behind her as she plummeted. "Shit," Prince deadpanned as he dove. Fang didn't wait a single moment and plunged as well. Why didn't Ace say she couldn't fly? I mean, Prince had told him that she could grow animal parts, and for some reason Fang assumed she could make wings as well.

Prince made it to the redhead first, swooping down under her, and catching her, taking another hundred feet before fully slowing down under her weight. From what Fang could guess is that he commented on said weight, because Ace then punched his jaw. Prince swooped upwards just as Fang heard an unmistakable screech of a bullet whizzing by. "He's got a gun!" he shouted down as he veered away from the condominium and higher into the sky until far out of range.

As he watched Prince catch up he saw Ace struggling against him the whole time, and as soon as Prince finally was beside Fang she kicked him in the head and shoved herself out of her arms and plummeted once again. "What is wrong with her?" Fang exclaimed as he went to dive again but Prince grabbed him, "Wait, she'll come back."

"She's falling to her death!"

"She can fly," Prince said, pointing down just as a pair of golden wings burst from Ace's back, tearing through her shirt and unfurling, shimmering in the light. Ace swooped upwards and back to the boys. "I don't need you to cradle me, bitch," Ace said to Prince and the young man rolled his eyes. "Where do we go now?" Fang asked and the other two looked at each other. "Russia."

Sora: You just took your sweet-ass time, didn't you?

Hiroko: Hey, there's no need for that language!

Sora: Oh, there is plenty of need. Have you even noticed all the flames you've gotten because you took so frickin' long?

Hiroko: Funny that people only comment if you don't update…

Sora: You're missing the point! I should stab you with a spork!

Hiroko: Good thing we only have foons… Sorry people, R&R!