…..

Twenty-three

Ghetsis really wasn't that trilled but then he of course preferred she was safe instead of fighting the snow. He leaned back in his chair looking out of the window for once he wished he had more paperwork to do, some busy work to keep his thoughts going. He could only think of before Touko was brought to that damn cage. He would talk to Colress but he didn't had to monitor him constantly he would go for a 'meeting' as he told his kids at first and just be alone. Before he met them he'd already agreed to the test it paid well, and of course then Colress had much more influence than he did now. Had he not gone through it he wasn't sure if he could have built up the followers to take over.

He hated being seen as weak and many of the Plasma members came from Archie so naturally they judged him harshly for his much more relaxed way of leading. He never thought it was too soft he just didn't see the need for pointless violence and death.

Yes he's fought to make a point, been rough on the Grunts just to prove he could but he didn't want to spare the employees he had. Archie said he was too sensitive then they were just cattle and the herd needed to be thin to keep respect.

Ghetsis didn't want respect that way.

He kept these thoughts in his head, taking pills to keep calm in between treatments so those extra employees didn't look for a chance to betray him. At least when Colress wasn't around him he could keep an eye on the kids once he was too deep in testing to just walk away even his light paranoia wasn't enough to call him away.

There was an addictive touch to the treatment one could say he rubbed his head he couldn't remember what he wanted most out of it. Yes the obvious benefits but he knew something else called him back just not what it was. When he thought too much he got confused it did little good he rubbed his temples this was what he hated.

"Ghetsis?"

He shook his head as he heard her speak.

"Is something wrong?..."

"No I wanted to talk to you."

She laughed.

"So you called and didn't say anything?"

"I'm just distracted, wasn't sure if you were in bed yet or not."

"Well I am but I'm not really tired."

"Paul is still there with you isn't he?"

"He's using one of the guest bedrooms, everything is fine here are you sure nothing is wrong?"

"Yeah I'm sure any more memories...?"

"Just a bit, like you hardly being able to sleep alone."

He sighed.

"I have work to do so it won't be an issue."

"Did you finish all you had to do?"

"Even with lost memories you know me too well."

"I should shouldn't I?"

At least he found something to occupy his time.

….

"...Oh Ghetsis?"

He shifted hearing her calling him she knocked on the glass he looked up then sat up quickly she laughed as he moved to the side to get closer to the wall.

"Touko what are you doing here?"

"Same testing, dehydration got a little too much so the Triad came to get me."

They sometimes listened to her father but usually they would obey Colress they liked him well enough since he was really Ghetsis's ally..

"Oh..are you alright?"

"I'm fine now, don't worry."

She looked pale as usual but she didn't seem to be red faced or sweating, or having issues standing he nodded relaxing slightly she really was fine. For now at least.

"..Happy birthday Touko."

She smiled wide showing the box in her hands and pointed behind him where another small green box was sitting on the bed where their meals were delivered. He moved to open it and saw a reasonably sized chocolate and vanilla cupcake. The swirl of white icing was drizzled in chocolate and covered in candy chips.

He looked at her seeing she had the same.

"Come on I got Colress to bring them out for us, I wanted you to celebrate with me."

He shook his head.

"You didn't take your meds on purpose to get here right? That's why you're here now and fine."

"Maybe, cheers."

He smiled then.

"Cheers."

…..

Ghetsis opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling he couldn't remember when he went to bed but he had slept enough to see those memories. They had talked for a while but really he wanted her well rested and able to return soon he hoped it would be safe enough for her come back soon.

He smiled slightly though.

It wasn't the worse memory to wake up from.

….

(Really short...yeah I know it's a filler I have a few ideas on which way to go not sure yet but just wanted something to show I hadn't just left lol.)