TWs: Smoking, mild panicking/claustrophobia, trespassing, mention of violence/dying. Stay safe :)

"Remember full charge, Matt," Arthur spoke as he heard his son packing some stuff for the trip.

"I know, Dad," Matt said, putting two daggers into his bag.

"And Matthew?"

"Yes, Dad?" Matt turned towards him.

"Tord's in charge," Arthur stated.

"Wha- but, Dad!" The younger whined.

"No buts- he has more experience than you."

"Edd's older than him..." Matt muttered, crossing his arms as he looked away.

"It's not about who's oldest- just about who has more experience in this, and that would be the military soldiers."

Matt huffed, "Fine..."

"I just want you to be safe."

"You think Tord's safe?" Matt raised an eyebrow.

"Matthew." Arthur gave him a stern look.

"Oh, alright." Matt sighed, zipping up his bag. He glanced over at his father, who stood there with his cane, eyes staring past him, "Dad?"

His father hummed, frowning, "Yes?"

"Thank you!" Matt hugged him, making him freeze.

'Still not used to this...' Arthur thought as he awkwardly wrapped his arms around Matt, "For what?"

"Everything."

"Are you sure we have everything?" Pat asked, squinting at the road ahead of them.

"We're already a mile in; we're not going back now," Pau spoke, smoking a cigarette while holding a map.

Tord sucked in a breath as there was a bump in the road, causing him to shut his eyes as he felt the walls closing around him. Sitting between Matt and Edd didn't help his claustrophobia; whenever they moved, it seemed like Tord's lifeline was cut short.

"Tord?" Edd whispered as he softly placed a hand on the back of Tord's head.

"I'm fine- just tell me when we're there." The Norsk forced a smile as he tried not to tense up so much, balling his fists instead.

Edd knew about Tord's aversion to enclosed spaces; he avoided them at all costs when he could.

The taller continued to play with Tord's hair, hoping it would put him at ease. Tord slowly relaxed, leaning against Edd as he let out a quiet breath.

"Are you alright?" Edd asked.

Tord hummed, nodding a bit, "Now I am..."

Despite saying that, he still tensed up at the little bumps and movement of the car. Edd kept him close, continuing to mess with his hair.

"Matt, what are you doing?" Edd raised an eyebrow as he looked over at his friend.

"Sharpening my claws, Edd; what does it look like I'm doing?" Matt scoffed as he flexed his hands.

Edd opened his mouth to speak; he decided against saying anything, 'Those claws look as if they can tear someone's eye out.'

"Are you going the right way?" Pau muttered.

"You're the one with the map." Pat glanced at him.

"Oh, yeah-" He paused to look at the map, "Take a left up ahead."

Once they stopped at a light, Pat rested his hands, stretching them. Pau blew smoke out the window, tapping his cigarette against the car door to let the ashes fall. He caught Pat's hand in his own, holding it gently. Pat continued to drive with one hand, even if it was difficult with his vision.

Arthur worked in his bunker, or the basement, as Matt called it. It was a basement, but Arthur wanted to appear refined when he called it his lab or office. He waited for a signal when the others got to their destination, keeping his senses open.

Maybe that's why he was alarmed by footsteps above him, descending into the basement. They were familiar, agile, and quick on their feet. Arthur relaxed as soon as he realized who invaded his home.

"You know trespassing is against the law, right?" Arthur questioned as soon as the person entered the room.

"Hello to you too." A grumble came from the other.

"Just because you can lockpick your way into places doesn't mean you can do it on a whim because you want to, Larry." The older sighed.

"I know." He shrugged.

"So, what do you want?"

"Have the others already gone?"

"Mhm, why?"

"Something is going on." Larry crossed his arms.

"What do you mean by that?" Arthur turned towards him.

"Corvidae, he visited me."

"What? William was there, and you didn't tell me sooner?" Arthur stood up, grabbing his cane as he stepped towards the other.

"I didn't tell you because I had to think." Larry averted his gaze to the floor.

"Think...?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"He, William, said something... 'the Black Army will live on; some things are meant to last forever.'" Larry quoted.

That sounded familiar to Arthur.

"Something about this- it all seems scripted." The sandy blonde glared at the ground, "Like he has something bigger planned; why would he be this confident otherwise?"

"I see what you're saying..." Arthur uttered, "So you think we should go as well- to be back up?"

"Exactly." Larry nodded.

"Well, lets-"

CRASH

There was a sound of glass shattering upstairs, making the two look up as they heard it and the sound of swearing.

"Larry." Arthur frowned, "Tell me you didn't bring..."

"I wish I could." Larry sighed. Arthur glared at him, "What? He was feeling left out."

"When he dies, you're the one to tell Matt." Arthur began walking up.

"If he dies. I cannot have that on my conscious again." Larry followed him.

"Bing died twice...?"

"No, I can't have a depressed Matt on my conscious again."

"This'll be the hotel we're staying at tonight," Pau spoke as everyone stepped out of the car.

Tord stretched out his limbs, feeling the cool breeze against his face as he breathed in and out, "Finally..."

Stepping inside, they all took notice of the customer service counter before them, as well as the person behind it.

"Diwi...?" Edd spoke, eyes wide, "Man, it's been so long since I've seen you!"

"Edd, hallo!" Diwi grinned, his eyes wandering to the others, "Tord, Matt, nice to see you guys!"

"Nice to see you too, Diwi." Tord smiled.

Matt raised an eyebrow, trying to remember who this guy was. Probably someone from their high school days, that was for sure.

Edd reached out to shake his hand, Diwi following suit.

That's when Matt noticed something sticking out from underneath his sleeve. It was a bracelet with an aquamarine charm.

A skull charm.

Matt audibly gasped, making everyone look at him weirdly.

"What's up, Matt?" Edd quirked an eyebrow, glancing at him.

"Uh- he's- I-" Matt pointed at Diwi, then his wrist.

Diwi understood the gesture, and before anyone could acknowledge it, he pulled his sleeve over his wrist and hid it behind the counter, "Ah, you know Matt, always messing around. Now, can I help you guys?"

"Oh, we would like to check out a room."

As Diwi grabbed a key from the rack, Edd frowned as he heard something from underneath him. He shrugged it off as the floorboards, but it didn't sound right.

"Do you guys hear something?" He asked the others, looking around. Matt and Pau hummed, also hearing something.

"Ah, must just be the open window in the back." Diwi dismissed their worries, handing them the key, "Here you are."

"Thank you." Edd cracked a smile as the group walked away.

Matt glared at Diwi from the corner of his eye as he left with the group. He felt the glare back at him.

It looked like he wasn't going to get any sleep that night.