Moment after episode 7. Takes place during the scene on the roof on episode 8.
"Don't get too involved."
How many times had Nine told Twelve this?
He leans back on the wall and observes the silhouette of his friend, haloed by the morning sun.
Twelve looks so content. As if hours before he hadn't snapped at Nine in worry for someone he swore he wouldn't get involved with. As if he hadn't put more importance on the life of a single individual than on those of hundreds of people.
He is shameless.
Nine isn't the only one with bruises on his back now. He had seen the reminders of their night and their impromptu rescue mission on his friend's skin after they got back to their apartment, specks of green and purples were already blotting his shoulder blades.
But Twelve hasn't even mentioned it, he doesn't show any signs of discomfort or pain. He even carried a sleeping Lisa to their couch after she fell asleep on the ride back home.
She, too, seems to lack any shame.
Lisa had barely gotten a scrape after jumping from that plane. Twelve had taken the brunt of her fall and yet, he had been the one asking her if she was okay, congratulating her on her courage, and reassuring her that all was going to be okay.
Nine sighs.
Twelve is in too deep. And now it's up to Nine to undo it, because things are about to get more serious than ever and he can't have Twelve distracted and worried about the safety of the girl when he needs his full attention on the plan. Another mistake and all of them could end up dead.
"Twelve…about last night—"
"Thank you, I'm sorry I hadn't said it." Twelve turns around and he's smiling, so very brightly.
When was the last time he had seen Twelve genuinely happy?
Nine opens his mouth but Twelve interrupts again. "You changed the plan, to save her."
"There was no plan at that point." Nine corrects.
"I know, but your initial reaction was to save the people at the airport, it was the safest move, the most logical. I realize that."
Nine doesn't disagree, a lot could have gone wrong while trying to save Lisa. A lot almost did. Logical and safe had gone out the window the moment Twelve decided Lisa was too important to become a necessary casualty.
Twelve's golden brown eyes narrow and he looks almost apologetic. But Nine knows better. "I just want you to know that I am aware of the risk we took by saving Lisa, and letting Shibazaki take care of the people at the airport. I know we put a lot on the line."
'I'm glad you're aware of it. Now, you'll know better than to let it happen again. It's time to let her go, Twelve.'
Nine knows this was what he should be saying but the words that come out of his mouth are in disharmony with his thoughts. "You were emotional. Five gaining the upper hand like that was something neither of us expected. You weren't thinking straight."
He doesn't expect Twelve's quick laugh "No, for a moment, I wasn't."
And that's how he knows it's too late. Twelve didn't just get too involved. He has formed a bond; a bond that isn't going to be easy to sever when he's no longer even trying to deny it.
Nine will try reasoning with him again, but not now. Not when he looks so happy it makes Nine's chest ache with something akin to jealousy and fear.
"We should go buy more food. Lisa's attempt at cooking a meal almost depleted our reserves."
Twelve laughs again, this time with fondness. "We need to teach her how to cook. I doubt she'll stop trying anytime soon, so might as well."
He's thinking long term. Long term has never been an option before. Nine turns around, shoving a hand in his pocket and curling it into a fist until it hurts.
Twelve walks by him, humming a happy tune and Nine relaxes again.
He would pretend for one more day. That's all he would give Twelve before he's forced to shatter his little illusion of normalcy. Before he starts getting ideas that will only cause him more suffering when he remembers they aren't supposed to have a future with anyone.
"Should we wake Lisa?" Twelve asks, looking up at him from the bottom of the stairs.
Nine shakes his head.
"I'll write her a note then. I don't want her to wander out on her own until we've dealt with that jerk, Five."
Nine starts to nod but Twelve has already disappeared inside their apartment.
Just one more day, and Twelve would have to deal with reality.