Wishbones and Cracked Skulls

Chapter 03: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Part II)

(The Skull is Cute saga continues)

Warnings: Violence, mentions of human trafficking, sexual harassment and typical Mafia stuff. Oh yeah, grammar too hehe

~Royal Blue~

"Give that back Nello!" Arms tried to weigh down Colonello's right arm by hooking down the crook of his elbow.

Too bad that the person is too light for his own good to do much, that and Colonello's arm strength is no joke, hefting heavy artillery and big cargo packs gave him guns to be proud of.

Colonello's arm did not budge.

The blonde gave Skull a smug grin as he looks down at the shorter man. "Haha, reach for it then kora~"

The answering indignant pout was too cute for words and pictures were taken liberally. Because in Colonello's honest opinion, a pouting Skull is just as good as a smiling Skull. Anyone who says otherwise would be a liar and a candidate for target practice.

(A blushing Skull is best though, whether he was pissed, embarrassed or pleased, the context does not matter as pink taint on the man's cheeks become more pronounced.)

Skull changes strategy and pushes himself to stand fully on his toes with no difficulty, arms outstretched over his head. Colonello follows his strategy and does the same, but without the toe balancing, much to the stuntman's annoyance and to Colonello's glee.

Skull is by no means short, standing at a respectable 5'10. Too bad Colonello has a good few inches on him, being 6 flat and the second tallest of their group.

(The mad scientist holds the record of being the tallest among them and it never ceases to annoy the soldier with the doctor and his poor posture.)

"Come on Nello! Just give it back or I'm gonna, I'm gonna," Skull fumed, the red on his cheeks intensifying, stumbling over his breath as he made short jumps.

If squealing is not so damaging to his image, he would do it right now, but unfortunately, he has to keep his dignity or the bastard Sinclair would be snickering and making snide remarks at his failure to contain himself.

Ha! As if the narcissistic bastard has any say on that regard, asshole is worse than him in Colonello's opinion. Him and Fon.

"Try kicking him in the nuts. Trust me, it works everytime." Colonello whipped his head towards his traitorous superior, betrayal written all over his face.

"What the hell Lal! Don't put ideas in Skull's head."

Lal Mirch didn't even deign him a glance from her perch on the sofa, cleaning one butterfly knife from her collection of knives. As always, the woman managed to look dangerous and effortlessly cool, one of the major reasons for his previous crush in his superior.

She raises one imperious eyebrow. "It's better than having you teach shit to him."

"Oi! Don't curse! And I would neve—"

"Thanks Miss Lala. Why didn't I think of that?"

That was the only warning Colonello have before he reflexively squeezed his thighs together and brought his hands down to his groin area for protection. Dodging it flew out of his mind with the hand going way faster than his brain could catch up.

Skull, the gremlin, chose to use his fist instead of kicking him. Which in Colonello's opinion, an overkill since he knows how strong the other was.

It would fucking hurt and he might even die in the process, seeing that the man can punch a hole in a wall if he wants to. He should probably be grateful that he didn't follow through Lal's suggestion though, his leg power is way worse.

(God forbid Skull's first time touching him in the dick is via punching. It's not something that he wants or ever want, maybe Fon, because that masochistic – sadistic? – guy looks like he would like that. Colonello on the other hand, has his head straight relatively.)

Instead of going for his nutsack as Colonello first thought he would, Skull went for the object in his hand instead and backed away immediately, clutching it close to his chest. The man had his eyes narrowed at Colonello, which he's all for it, and fuck, Skull is pouting. When his gaze lowered to what the stuntman is hugging, the arms tightened on the item and he bodily turned away from Colonello.

And fuck it, he wants those eyes to return to him. To be the center of his attention no matter if it's annoyance or affection, Colonello would take all of it in and never let go. The latter is much more common than the other. Skull gives him downpour of affection and attention, not always on the soldier though, it's a shared competition between all of them who Skull gathered in his Sky.

And Colonello is greedy for all that is Skull as any of them.

He is envious of them for meeting the stuntman first, for the blonde only knowing him after disobeying Lal's command of being left alone, of coming across the man over the private property and promptly fainting after seeing his massive rifle. He can still grasp the memory quite easily, of Colonello noticing the man from afar in his surveillance of the property who might be holding his COMSUBIN commander as hostage.

He first caught a glimpse of Skull, surrounded by twittering sparrows, a murder of crows and local wild life like some fairy tale princess but douse it with gothic teen rebellion and biker delinquency, sitting at center with his woodland friends surrounding him. The purple haired man was too far away for Colonello to hear him properly, he could be singing or talking for all he knows but the soldier was too stunned to note any more of that. It was one of the strangest scenes he had ever witnessed and he gawked at the sight for a solid twelve seconds. The man just sat there, smiling kindly at the creatures around him, unknowing of the spectator watching him coo and ruffle feathers and fur. Colonello felt like a pervert for witnessing the scene before him, like he wasn't supposed to see it but he can't help himself but watch.

That, and he felt like he betrayed the torch that he had held onto and carried for Lal, for being entranced by an unknown man in the place where his crush could be being held against her will. So as to repent, even only for himself, Colonello sneaked closer towards the man, his rain flames held closely to his core.

The nearer he gets, more of the features of the mysterious man became clearer. One, there was so much purple, from the hair to his eyes and to the makeup and his clothes, it's purple or a hint of purple or a variation of it. It's interesting how the man make it look that it was his color and the rightful color only meant for him, and him being bathed in the orange glow of the dying sun make it seem like orange is his color too however unlikely that was. His voice was sweet whilst he talked to the woodland creatures, warm in a way that it is not misplaced and made warmer by the look in his eyes that were not so purple as Colonello thought it were.

It's damning that he also has one of the most gorgeous smiles the soldier had seen on a human being before, and for that, Colonello reasoned with himself. It turned to irritation and annoyance because why the fuck was he so entranced to an unknown man, a beautiful mysterious man who was stupid and careless and hadn't noticed that he was being watch by a dangerous person.

Wait.

Maybe that was his purpose for this whole bit. Maybe the man was here to lure Colonello or any outsiders in and then off them. A beautiful flytrap. Because otherwise, what type of normal person would longue around deep in the woods of Italy in fuck-knows-where talking to the local woodland creatures like some goth fairy tale princess. It would take an odd strange man to do just that.

Making a decision, Colonello took aim, hand steady and on his stomach, it's an easy shot that's for sure, with only a few yards between them and little to no wind within the forest. Colonello is going to take him out before the purple bastard became a problem and compromise him from his self-imposed rescue mission. He was extremely hesitant of what he was about to do, and maybe this was him just being stupid, maybe he got it all wrong and this man could just be an innocent person and was just taking a nature trip or something. Lal always did say that he always shoots before asking questions first, a flaw that could cause great irreversible repercussions. So far, the people he had the pleasure of shooting down are actual right bastard based alone on his gut instinct, and right now, his gut was turning by just the thought of injuring the man.

(And Colonello is so grateful that he didn't really go through it. Right now, just the thought of Skull getting sad is unsettling to him, but to hurt him with his own hands or him getting hurt in front of him? He would rather point his own gun to his head.)

The man didn't give him much time to process his decision when his head suddenly turned to Colonello's hiding place in an eerie accuracy, making him flinch and rustling the bushes he hid in. The whole clearing was quiet, not even a breeze passed through the leaves, the animals making themselves scarce with what can be concerned back looks to the purple haired man.

It was eerie. The darkening sky not helping the creepy atmosphere.

They, for all intents and purposes, were on a stare down.

Silence reigned for a heart pounding minute, Colonello lost in those purple eyes that seemed to flicker amber fire with the last vestiges of sunlight. It was exhilarating as much as it is nerve wracking to be under that unusual gaze.

Then, the man dropped in a dead faint, eyes rolling back as he hit his head at the bark of the tree. Colonello couldn't help the rise of panic in his heart, rising from his crouch in concern.

And as if he hadn't had enough mini heart attacks, wriggling snakes were suddenly wrapped around him then it was the dark and his worst nightmares come to life.

(So focused as Colonello was to Skull, he didn't notice Viper's arrival who was cloaking themselves with shadows. They were vicious, appropriately so in their point of view, getting to the right moment where the person they were looking for suddenly fell unconscious and an unknown suspicious man carrying artillery right in shooting distance. Viper didn't pay him any expense and threw him to visions of his worst nightmares in an unending loop, he was only released when Lal came to the scene along with everyone to tend to Skull and to pay Colonello, Skull's 'assailant', his due. Lal sure did.)

After so many months, he still beat himself sometimes for almost ending his destined Sky. His destined home.

(It's horrifying to say the least, Sinclair, Fon and Viper would never let him forget. Sinclair is still cagey around him, always trying to extract Skull from his presence. Fon is full on spite. He would smile and spit in his coffee face to face without missing a beat. Viper would straight up charge him just for breathing the wrong way, and until now would never leave him and Skull alone together.)

Shaking his head off from memory lane, Colonello returned to the present. Still facing Skull's hunched back and his full attention to the old ragged thing in his arms.

Should Colonello take it again to get his attention?

As if hearing his thoughts, Skull's eyes returned to him, gazed at him blankly, pout not in place no more, his eyes flickering purple and amber. Colonello's own flashed as a reply to his Sky. He has the feeling that Skull doesn't even know that he is doing Flame Resonance consciously.

Colonello knows a warning when he sees one.

"Why do you even bother with that patched-up old thing?"

And yes, it is one patched-up old stuffed bear alright.

Skull's arms tightened around the plush that Colonello is almost afraid that the stitches would burst.

"It's…" A slow beautiful smile replaced the blank expression and once again, Colonello is hit with the fact that his Sky is someone extremely precious. Too bad it is not directed to him but to the blasted bear. "The first gift I ever received from my family."

"Oh." Oh.

Colonello is stupid and should have expected that. Skull is only ever cagey and almost aggressive when it comes to his chosen family, the circus, it never fails to make Colonello envious of them for having Skull's full affection, loyalty and love.

He could only hope that he could get to that level one day. To be promoted from just tentative friendship into something more familial and affectionate, or maybe even way past that because Colonello is an ambitious overachiever.

But for now, he has to cultivate what he's got, to nurture it. If only it was easier with Skull being stupidly oblivious and all, but Colonello takes it as a gift and a challenge. With him being dense, that means the others haven't had that much progress either. A challenge because Colonello loves testing his skills to the limits and improving them, the satisfaction of overcoming a hurdle is not lost on him. Two things that he annoyingly shares with the cocky Sinclair and the Triad bastard.

"Would it be alright if I give you something too?" It came out of his mouth before he could think. Colonello could only curse himself for the impulsiveness.

Skull looked like he had been slapped by a bird, all gaping mouth and staring at him in disbelief.

What?! Does he really look like someone who would not give something to someone else?

The expression did not last long on Skull's face and Colonello is gifted with the purest smile to ever grace humanity, by Lal's loud inhale and knife fumbling, she is in agreement with the assessment. He didn't miss his chance to take the needed photos to add to his growing collection, Lal following him after settling her knife down.

"Of course Nello, and I'll make sure to cherish it."

Mio Dio, why is his Sky too adorable?!

"Wah! Hey! Are you alright?! Your nose is bleeding!"

~Navy Blue~

Lal Mirch would kill a bastard.

Specially a bastard who doesn't know the meaning of space when someone already said, "Fuck no" to their face.

"Excuse me," A familiar voice entered her ears. It's cold, in all the way that it shouldn't be. It calmed her frazzled nerves. "But she's with me."

Wide shoulders replaced the view of the asshole's face and Lal had to look up to catch the bed of wild purple hair with fiery orange tips. Usually, when someone butts into her business where she can take care of, she would get annoyed and yell at the person. Lal can take care and protect herself Goddamnit, she's no frail princess. Lal will not hesitate to bust someone up when necessary to put them in their fucking place for a great lesson.

But Skull is different.

He knows damn well that Lal can protect herself, has no grand idea for chivalric bullshit of protecting her because she's a woman. Skull respects her prowess and her ability to be a self-sufficient individual, whether to decide when to kick someone's balls or to shoot it clean off.

Skull very well knows these facts.

(And to Skull who is a wholly independent person, respects freedom most of all. He is still a Cloud after all, the strongest Cloud. Friendly as he is, Skull is dangerous, nevermind that he could be a coward and a crybaby. For the record, Lal had never seen Skull get seriously mad, and if the tip of that is the display he did with Sinclair when the arrogant bastard mocked the stuntman's family, then his true anger is something that should not be provoked.)

And usually, Skull leaves her to deal with assholes like this guy, but today, it's a bit different. They just both finished a mission together that almost costed Lal's life and since yesterday, her Cloudy Sky had been particularly clingy and cagey and extremely attentive to her. She guesses that the protectiveness would go down eventually but today is not that day.

Lal can't help the surge of warmth and calm that doused her irritation at the sight of Skull's back. How can she be irritated when her Sky obviously cares for her so much that his instincts are going haywire at any sign of danger and discomfort in Lal's part.

Not to mention that Skull is also an inverted Cloud, someone who takes people as his 'territory' to protect and Lal, much to her surprise, is considered as one.

(She absolutely didn't fucking giggle happily when she took in that information, she absolutely did not, as far as everyone knows.)

His Cloud and Sky instincts must be blaring loud in his head to take action on something he usually wouldn't do, the threat of their fledgling bond being broken between them because of Lal's challenged safety must have set his teeth on edge since the mission.

For that, Lal tolerated – reveled – in his clinginess to her since yesterday after the fucked up mission. She herself felt the bond be threatened, and since Skull is already volunteering to stick close to her, then Lal finds no issue with this arrangement.

To relax, Lal proposed to going into a pub to get some drinks or more, there's nothing like getting hammered after a near death experience after all, then maybe Lal can relax too.

But too bad, a fucker is here to ruin her night out with Skull without the others hovering his shoulders.

It was supposed to go great and Lal even changed her outfit into something casual and pub worthy, got complimented by a sweet blushing Skull and now this. Just fucking great.

"And why should that matter to me?" Asshole's voice is greasy and slimy, arrogant and extremely punchable.

Skull didn't have any reaction to that, still standing rigidly in front of Lal, tall and an imposing wall of black and purple. He loomed over the bastard with his superior height.

"Because I'm the lady's company for the night and she firmly said no to you I you cared to listen. And if you could just back away kindly then that would be appreciated." His voice was even, but lacked the warmth that it used to. It sounds so fucking wrong to Lal's ears.

It's a warning.

"You?" The bastard scoffed and Lal bristled at his roaming eyes to Skull's figure. She is so gonna poke his fucking eyes out with the annoying metal straws they have in this place if he doesn't stop. "I guess you're not half bad." Please, you're not even a speck compared to Skull. "But Miss here would probably want someone who's not obviously bent and so feminine. I can show her what having a great time with a real man can give her."

Oh.

He is so fucking dead.

So fucking dead that she is hearing funeral music instead of the blues, hearing the roaring fire in her ears and shrill screams from hell where she's gonna fucking place a reservation to his very soul.

"And if you want," But asshole didn't stop there and continued, leaning into Skull with the cloying scent of alcohol and cigarette in his breath. "You can join us too if you want some fun time."

The roar in her ears is loud, she vaguely heard glass and wood breaking, someone yelling joined by others. But all she can focus on is the Bastard and the fear dawning in his face.

Lal is a Rain. The Strongest Rain. And in her moments of real rage, she is swept with the calmness of her element, focused on her target to wash it all away with flood that slowly rises that catches her victim unaware until the water level has them gasping and drowning. The hum of the wide ocean right at her ears.

Lal will pull him under the crush of a storm surge, leaving nothing behind. A tsunami without the earthquake, a great tidal wave brought by the rising sea level and the harsh blowing winds. She'll drown him under heavy rainfall with nothing more but a sweep of her ar—

All of it zooms into a halt with a pair of arms hugged her from behind, a body curving to cocoon her back. Low hums reverberated close to her ears, traveling through her spine in a tingle of warmth to douse away the cold with the heat of a hearth in a home. Clarity buzzed in her senses and she is left adrift at the sudden awareness from the flood of calm.

The pub is in chaos, tables overrun, broken glasses littered the floor glittering against the orange lighting. People had vacated the general area, only a few remain to watch her apprehensively, the Fucker is backed against the corner of the bar, quivering and holding a chair in front of him as if it would protect him from Lal's wrath. She is holding a shard of glass in her left hand and a loaded caliber gun in her right. Blood is already dripping on the glass shard, and for a second, panic ceased her body at the thought of hurting Skull, her Sky, in her frenzy. The alarm went away when Lal saw the thin line of red along the Bastard's neck, panic turned into vindictive glee and disgust when Asshole actually wetted himself when her gaze fell on him.

What a pussy, she scoffs, even her Sky can hold his bodily functions in his fright, though fainting can be called a sign of patheticness as others might say.

(That is, unless, you are Skull, a man that can turn into one badass motherfucker while literally asleep when danger is right in front of him. Even the arrogant genius Sinclair or the prodigious talented Fon can't literally fight in their sleep, only Skull, only him and his impossibilities. As they had investigated, it first happened during the Cathartic Incident, then it happened again when Skull made the mistake of drinking tampered tea from a motherfucker who tried to kidnap Skull during a supposed negotiation meeting. They only learned that he was sleeping during the whole fight was because Verde's secret camera on Skull and Viper – who was his partner for the mission – recorded his recognizable light snore when he's conked out and his eyes were slid close the whole damn time.

Fuck, her Sky is so damn cute, so fucking dangerous, and so fucking impossible.)

"What the fuck is this shit?!" A woman in her 40's, salt and pepper hair, mocha skin, and severely unamused, glared at them with a gun steady in her hands, her men behind her did the same. "Skull, you better explain yourself and your little friend over there for trashing my damn place!"

Lal didn't know that Skull is familiar to the pub's owner.

Nor that the pub owner had a mafia background. Viper would laugh at her when they hear this.

(Though really, where the fuck where this old lady's goons earlier?!)

"Let me handle this, Miss Lala." Skull whispered.

The whisper reminded her of their proximity from each other, back to chest, the Sky's head nestled on her shoulder and his breath panning to her neck. Lal felt warm and not just by the calming strokes of Sky flames brushing against her akin to a hand petting a startled cat. She withheld the shiver that wants to run across her spine, going stiff and sending the wrong message of being uncomfortable.

And because Skull is very much a gentleman and not like the cowering Pig in front of her, slowly, the stuntman separated himself from Lal, putting himself in line with the barrel.

Her instincts roared and snarled and she did. What the fuck? As if she would let him put himself in danger!

Skull turned his head to look at Lal over his shoulder, the gleam of amethyst glowing like starfire in his eyes.

Oh.

With much difficulty, Lal threw away her make-shift knife, lowered her gun but didn't put it away and shifted her face into something neutral. It was difficult for her self-control to be tested like this, to not immediately eliminate a threat to her Sky.

But Skull told her to stand down so she will.

For now.

(But if that Bitch pulls the trigger, that would make a different ending for tonight's plan to relax. Bribing Viper to keep the events hush and not be linked to her and Skull is negotiable enough. Dear God, that sounds like a migraine, but damn worth it if it's for Skull's safety.)

Lal internally sighs as she watches her Sky negotiate to the pub owner, pulling all the charms he can afford in his body, all apologetic smiles and open body language. In no surprise, within five minutes the Owner sneers at the Pig like the lowest scum that he is and he cowers and squeals as a bullet lodges near his crotch to the puddle of piss.

"Take that thing away from here, and make sure that he is blacklisted. Spread the word to the others," She commands the burly men behind her. "How dare a scum treat our Principe like that." Much to Lal's amusement, the old lady turned soft as she touches Skull's cheeks.

"I'm sorry for pointing a gun at you sweetheart, but Nana's gotta do everything for good business and make sure everyone knows that my establishment is not to be messed with."

"It's fine Nana." Skull reassured, "Besides, at first glance, we were the ones who made trouble." The tall man wilts, and impossibly, even his messy hair wilts with him. "I'm sorry for ruining your business and your property."

Then he looks up from his wilted stage, and based on the lady's reaction and the flushed men behind her – that she wants to fucking shoot howfuckingdarethe— Skull is doing the deadly puppy dog eyes.

"O-Oh, there's no need for that sweetie," Lady shakes her head, then her eyes move to the Scum. "I'm sure that he could pay for it." Lal is starting to like her.

(So far, none of them can say no to him when he pulls that face, and it's a good thing that Skull hadn't picked it up yet or just have mercy on them and did not use it often. Even Viper can't say no to him when he pulls that weapon at.)

God, if only she can take a picture of him right now but keeping the Pig down and intimidated is more important in the series of priorities, Lal just had to make sure to overtime her teaching lessons with him for making her miss out a new facet of Skull in her collection.

"Are you sure Nana?"

"I'm quite sure my Little Prince. It's no skin off my back."

And just like that, the whole ordeal is placed under the rug. All because Skull seemed is seen as a precious son by the owner. But then again, it all started because her Sky is too fucking cute for his own good.

Please, if there is a God out there, have mercy on them as his Guardians. At this rate, they would die of stroke from sheer rage towards coveting fools who don't know not to touch what isn't theirs. Or die from fucking cuteness overload.

Fuck, why did Lal got stuck with a troublesome one? But either way, Lal smiles to herself as she watches Skull get candies shoved into his hands, she couldn't think of a better one to be her Sky.

~Indigo~

They watch Skull above them, humming and making little braids on their hair. Viper is out of their usual guise and they are out in the woods near their mansion, just camping out because Skull misses living on a tent sometimes. The crackling fire outside and the warm lap underneath them made them want to curl up and purr like a pampered cat. It's turning out to be a comfortable relaxing break where the other annoyances cannot interrupt their time spent together.

Both of them are excused from the current mission, with Viper being injured from the last one, and Skull being told to stay back because a few disgusting pigs made unsavory comments towards him and what to do with his plump posterior. The annoyances were useful for once, running the assholes through the grinder but Viper thinks that it's enough. Sadly, they cannot kill them because of Skull's intervention. Not to worry though, Viper had already scheduled them to be murdered financially, socially and mentally. The esper would surely enjoy the slow burn of their upstate careers.

(Muu, I hope the little inconveniences I gave those annoying flies work. I want to at least spend my vacation week with quality time with Skull. The scheduled flight delays and rebooked hotel reservations and some 'unprecedented cicumstances' should keep them a bit busy.)

Viper sighed in content.

The annoying flies might not know, but Viper had known Skull even before the seven of them were brought together by suspicious creature who calls itself Checkerface.

It's by coincidence really, and it was all during their first dip to the dark side of the underground world, when Viper was young and so was Skull.

The moment the stuntman walked into the mist barrier they've setup around the cabin, the meeting place, Viper already knew who he was, has been surprised, full of disbelief, to see he—him again.

(Viper thought that kind sweet young girl they met from that dark twisted place was dead. Or maybe it wasn't too far off. It's Skull now, a man, not a little girl, it wasn't just Viper who reinvented themselves apparently, how unsurprising. But in all honesty, that kind sweet girl still lives on in Skull, Viper can only feel both fear, disgust and relief to that.)

And in turn, Skull knew who they were, even though under disguise and shadowed by the dark, somehow, he still knew. Knew who Viper once was, even when they had thoroughly killed that weak, naïve and helpless child they once were.

When their eyes met, through the veil of Viper's illusion, sh—he smiled like he used to before, and for a moment, Viper is a child again, crying, grimy, weak, abandoned and a payment, with another child beside them, wiping their tears as the little girl smiled with her eyes a beautiful shining amber.

(In that dark cell filled with other desolate children, sold or kidnapped or used as debt payment, the only bright light was her who wasn't even the oldest, even younger than Viper was. She, who is the daughter of two of the higher-up guards that roam that fractured piece of hell, sold, just like the most of them, for payment to a debt. Viper had always wondered how she was born off of a piece of scum and a horrendous bitch.)

At first, Viper thought that Skull was a ghost, come to taunt them for their weakness from the past, to torture them, to punish them for being too late, to haunt them for being a selfish coward.

(For leaving their Sky to a sadistic mad man to save their own skin.

Viper was a young flame active with awareness to what it entails but no control. Skull then was still passive, her Sky flame unknown to their captors and herself, a great boon considering their situation. But even so, that little girl's flames are nothing to scoff at even under a dormant form. It was warm and as welcoming as their owner.

The sickening realization of the child they were then. Little, weak and cowardly MonMon, of having found out that their Sky is in that little girl only coming to them when the enveloping – unnoticed – warmth nestled beneath their breastbone suddenly disappeared along with the pleas after the round of gun shots.

A haze of madness, guilt and regret raged inside them, as the full brunt of the power of their flames were released to the world – toolatetoolatetoola – like a true element who lost their Sky going berserk from grief. The insanity that swallowed Viper whole that day is still with them today, held down by the chains of promises and vows to a then broken fledgling bond. A promise between two scared children to live on for themselves to adulthood, to be happy, safe, free and healthy. The first one unfulfilled, for how was Viper to live on happily carrying the sin of letting their Sky be killed right in front of them.)

But then, a familiar flame reached halfway to Viper – that little girl had always been so considerate unlike other Skies – their Mist rushing to meet it halfway, to greet, to intertwine, to make sure that it was no illusion.

(But maybe now, it can be different. Viper maybe be able to find their happiness now. The little girl came back from the dead as a grown man, still kind, still just as sweet as their first shared contraband of chewy strawberry milk candy. That is, if the man lets them have it. Viper is squeamish at the thought of being forceful to Skull, it makes their skin crawl just by the idea of not giving the man any options, it reminds Viper too much of what Skull's 'parents' did to the stuntman.)

It was not. It was not a cruel daydream.

The surge of fear, guilt, relief and true happiness warred inside Viper along with the questions of how and why. It was overwhelming, but Viper had to carry on with an act of indifferent coldness. The flash of hurt in Skull's now purple eyes felt like to their heart. It disappeared soon enough when wariness and realization came to him as he looked around to men and women who exude the familiar aura of the underground. Brilliant Skull picked up their queue and acted his part of an eccentric cowardly civilian carnie. Somehow, he still knows their tells even though they haven't even made a move. The charade is important, for the others to not pry, for these dangerous people to not know, dangerous people who have ties of the much hated mafia grounds that Viper wanted to burn all those years ago.

Once it all clicked, the question of why she—Skull was right there and not somewhere where she—he is living a normal life, of why he is dragged to this meeting. Cold, burning anger ignited inside Viper.

How dare he?!

Viper wasn't able to control their reaction and hissed, making he—Skull, jump from surprise from his seat beside Viper. They gave it no mind, because how fucking dare that Checkerface drag Skull into the underworld again.

(Even if it meant Viper not knowing that he survived that hell.)

Viper's first work was to cover up the life of that little girl, of how she was taken away from her loving paternal grandparents to disappear and appear in the underground world. The documented transaction of that girl being used to replace the money owed by her parents. To erase her record as a future luxury item for disgusting pigs, with transactions already placed for her 'services' when she turns fourteen.

Viper made sure to tie the noose on every existing record to the girl named Zenechka Solovyova to the mafia, to make the world believe that she had lived a mundane fulfilling life, short but filled with happiness and sweetness.

By the time that they had erased the girl's underground ledger and in turn theirs, Viper's name has started gaining fame as an accurate information broker with the right money to avail them. A greedy strong unbound Mist known to allude Skies, blackmail them or push them to the brink of insanity if they were displeased enough. Or worse, the downfall of their family. The treatment to those who ran away from them without payment is left to be told, either they become unable to tell tales or there was no body left to be found.

(Viper did all that for her, a vain attempt for atonement. How dare that fucking Checkerface to drag Skull back to this man-made hell that even they can't crawl out from.)

Viper had bided their time for the right moment to make their relation to Skull to become more public so to speak, not that it stopped them from covertly meeting Skull the first time.

(They had expected anger and betrayal to be shouted right at their face, but what they got was happiness, relief and a tight hug.)

Skull let them do all this, let them explain. Viper told the man that it would become understandable if he does not wish to associate with them or see them.

Viper can deal with that; however painful the notion is. Viper had always been selfish and greedy, but for Skull, for the Sky they let down, they would give him freedom to decide. Funny, seeing that whatever happened to that little girl fractured her flame that turned her pure Sky flame into a Cloud. A reminder of Viper's failure to protect her.

But this time it would be different. It would be fine. They'll make sure of it. Viper is capable enough to protect him from the shadows. This time, they would be powerful enough to protect what's the most important to them.

Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, Skull vehemently rejected to severe their ties, crying and yelling at them to not leave just as how he finally found Viper.

("Please, don't leave me." Amethyst eyes speckled with the bright amber that it used to be, stared at them with plea. Like always, they could never reject any request from him.)

Their severed bond reconnected, the abyss, the cold hollowed hole carved deep into their chest for once was filled with warmth. Acceptance, forgiveness, relief, happiness, love, faith, and care choked Viper into shock when it happened. Tears began to swell in Viper's eyes for the first time since the death of their found Home, since their betrayal.

It's fragile but it's there, pulsing and writhing close to their chest. It's all Viper can ask for.

And just like old times, Skull cradled their crumpled form, crying, humming and soothing their back with small relaxing circles. It was by far the most exhausting day of Viper's life. The cycle of emotions they went through during those nerve wrecking four hours are more than what they had experienced for the past thirteen years without Skull in Viper's life.

"Monmon," A new batch of tears fell from their eyes, the childhood nickname of what he used to call them falling from his lips for the first time in a long time. "Can I see you? It's alright if you don't want to." Skull asked softly.

It's a question on the matter of trust, not that their found – alivealiveALIVE – Sky knows it. Viper had never shed their disguise under the layers of illusion, what they appear to be upfront even with the hood and the shadows, all of it is a mask, even the height, the voice, the dark purple hair and marks peeking from the hood. It's all a big ruse.

("Wha-What's your favorite color?" "Hmmm… I have a lot and it is so hard to choose. But, right now, I really, really like dark purple, it's all cool and mysterious and pretty and soothing. What about you?" "Muu, I think, I think I like that color too.")

Nothing about them is who they are right now, but the mask they wore has become second skin by now, and has long since started seeing themselves as such. Viper never really thought of shedding the skin-deep illusion once until this moment, it's all whether they trust Skull enough.

They checked if there's no one aside from them were in the thickest part of the woods, searching for hidden cameras and humans or other creatures. Finding none and with Skull's reassuring arm squeeze, slowly, they started detangling the weaves of illusion around them, Viper felt like a butterfly breaking away from the cocoon they had been shrouded in.

The hood fell away, limbs growing longer and lankier. Fair skin comes away darker, cheek marks disappearing to a rich mocha that greatly contrasted their Sky's porcelain countenance. Their hair grew longer, wavier, losing the purple and shifting into something monochromatic, lightening into a pale gray, to match their pale diamond pupiled eyes that they were named after. Their face changed shape, losing the soft bland features into something sharp and intimidating. Cheeks coming up higher, jaws tapering into a masculine profile. Their lips thinned and stretched, losing the pouting-frown into an actual frown. Their nose bridge came up higher, brows broadening, eyes sharpening into a natural glower with even longer pale lashes.

Viper is intimidating in this appearance, cold like cut diamond in its purest form, hard and unforgiving. It did not intimidated Skull, only making his smile all the bigger, he had always been weird like that, even as a little girl.

It was a bit awkward, their limbs far too long to fit inside of Skull's arms but not uncomfortable. At this form, they are taller and lankier, maybe even a few inches taller than Skull, but that did not deter the man from scooping them in his lap and carding a hand through their hair and back. It had never deterred him before either, as a five year old girl cradling a child older than him.

Even so, the feeling of security and belongingness never abated. It felt right, despite all of Viper dislike to exposing their face in any shape or form. They've always felt naked and raw once their hood was off even while under guise. All the eyes that would stare at them make them uneasy and panicked, even when their gaze would slide off like water or their senses, never really registering the usual skin Viper wore.

(It reminds them of being in that cage, observed like an exotic animal. The name Diamont is arrogant enough for a failing famiglia that their gene donors ruled to ruination, it was an embarrassment, they've always hated it. Their uncreative 'parents' named them such for Viper's strangely shaped pupils and their color. And at that time in that horrid place, they always advertise them as a precious gem, as valuable as a diamond they were named after. Viper knows that they are pleasing to the eyes and would be fetching high in the market, the only reason their gene donors got out free from giving them away.)

From there, they talked and talked. Catching up to the years they've spent apart with the hours they've got before returning to the charade of indifference in front of the others. Skull told them his story of being found by the circus he now considers as family, the impossibility of his alive state, and of how he was taught to manage the Cloud flames that seeks out in rage for something missing – of Viper missing, they thought to themselves – according to Skull's mentor who are their troupe's magician. He told Viper about being taught just the minimum to control his wild flames, by a Stormy Mist – one that didn't fail to make Viper's hackles rise, because they could feel the almost familial string of bond – apparently, some of the performers of their troupe were former part of the underground but left it or ran away from it. Skull wasn't taught further than reigning his flames in and suppressing it, the group feared what the underworld would do once they got whiff of a strong Cloud in their midst.

Viper in turn divulge information about their life without prompting or any fee. They told Skull about their work and how efficient they were in it, told him small anecdotes about their life just as Skull did, told him about their rise to infamy and the notoriety they held now. They never told him the insanity that Viper suffered through, the grief and raw-eating guilt that weighed on them until to this day. Viper knows that Skull would blame himself otherwise.

"So, you're saying that I'm talking to one of the big shots in the Mafia realm, right now?"

"Muu, the people you met earlier are also big shots."

"MonMon I think I'm gonna faint. I called Fedora dude earlier Mafia Cliché, maybe I should start rewriting my will now so it'll include you too."

"Don't worry." Viper's grip around Skull tightened. "I won't let him touch you. Any of them"

It's a promise they intend to fulfill.

The whole night, they stayed together, camped in an emergency tent that Viper produced, just bantering. They only returned to their rooms once the Sun was about to peak over the sky, warm and tingling from the renewed bond.

Viper does not think Skull is aware of the Sky he truly possesses, only the Cloud that made itself abundantly clear from how it changed Skull's hair and eye coloration. The orange in the tips notwithstanding. From what Viper felt through the kindling bond, the Sky in Skull is still fractured, with parts that didn't mend quite right.

("I died that day; I'm sure of it. I was shot in the head and then pain and then nothingness. Something happened then, I don't know what, but I felt lost and empty. Then I opened my eyes again and was on fire." The chill in Viper's bones were not only from the midnight breeze. Viper regrets asking for clarification on what truly happened that night.)

It's a stark reminder of the scar Viper left him, their failure, quite literally etched to Skull's very soul.

They have no one to blame only but themselves.

But right now, as they reach out for the warm hearth of Cloudy Sky, Viper can see that the cracks are mending, the new bonds introduced to the mix sewing, filling and gluing the fragments back together. The countless bonds wrapped around his warm Sky before they reunited had held on the patches the best it could, and with guardian bonds introduced to the bowl, all from strong and pure flames, had made the cracks and the missing pieces are coming together now. It's slow, but this event has never happened before either. Older and experienced Skies can take the toll of a broken bond with difficulty, but to someone young and developing, it might as well be a death sentence.

Viper is sure that in time it will fully mend and for that, however annoying it is, they can't get rid of the annoyances permanently in Skull's life, doing so would end nastier than it did last time.

(But Viper is extremely curious of whom the Cloud in their Sky is, they've already did an investigation to find out who they are but the endeavor came out fruitless. The Cloud is strong but not pure, it is something else first before a Cloud, whatever it is, it makes Viper uneasy and cold when they touched the bond. It was so cold it burned, unsettlingly hollow, it lashed out to their Mist violently but it clings to Skull's Sky like a well-tamed beast. Whoever they are, they are highly dangerous and it annoys Viper that they can't find anything about them and if they are a threat to Skull.)

That Cloud, Viper had already looked through every single associate, acquaintance and people who interacted with Skull and none of them are fit to be the unnatural Cloud flame.

A warm finger massaged the forming ridge between Viper's eyebrows, smoothening them, taking Viper out from their musings and taking them back to the present. Their eyes opened up to see Skull's face peering down at them, all soften by the glow of the fire of their little camp. Nostalgia seized Viper when Skull's eyes appeared amber by the orange glow of the fire.

Even now, Viper is off the opinion that Skull is the most beautiful being in the world. He will always be.

"What got you frowning so much?"

"I'm just annoyed at someone."

"Of course you are," Skull rolled his eyes, but his smile never wavered. "How about a slice of strawberry shortcake to improve your mood?"

"Muu, make it three. After all, it's the right payment for making me annoyed."

"Hey! Don't take it all! I want some too, and why is it my fault again?!"

"Muu, there's too many annoying pests that clings to you."

A sigh.

"For the last time, please don't call them pests, that's so rude! And at least leave one slice for me, I made that!"

Skull at the height of exasperation and annoyance is cute, but if Viper continues the younger man would break into tears. Again. And Viper can't deal with a crying Skull because it always made them feel guilty and be reminded of the little girl's pleading cries. If Skull knew about the last part, he would probably stop using his tears on Viper, but Viper would rather die than say it and make Skull feel guilty.

If they were not a Mist, they would be mentally and emotionally drained everyday with all the emotional calisthenics they're doing.

"Fine." But they have another idea. "But first, you have to promise to give me a picture of you as a modernized Victorian maid."

A blush crept in Skull's cheeks and it is the most distracting image ever, so they took a picture of it. As much Viper wants to keep the photo to themselves, it is not practical, plus they can make copies of it. Viper can use it as bribe, the image of 'blushing Skull' is a hot commodity for the blonde puppy and the fedoraed pervert. It's a common enough picture but those two greet in high regard.

(Viper's own personal collection are extra rare and limited-edition events, like for example, Skull in a maid uniform. No one but them have access to these golden egg events. Well, maybe Verde has some since it is his technology being used, but the other photos are taken by their own devices or by Skull himself.)

Viper used their own version of puppy dog-eyes towards Skull to be extra convincing, on anyone else it would never be effective, intimidating yes, but cute? No. Viper and cute should not appear in the same sentence when it comes to his real appearance, in their guise they would understand. That skin was made to let Viper appear harmless and unassuming, soft and breakable.

To Skull, however…

"Fine! Just promise that you won't show it to the others!" He grumbled as he took the plate with a slice of the strawberry cake made by his own hands. Skull is worryingly too easy.

"And since we're at it, make sure the outfit looks cute at least, I always wanted to wear one and pretend that I'm cute."

"But you've always been cute." Is what Viper would have said if they were a shameless being, so instead they said. "Done."

The man nodded and proceeded to stuff his mouth full of the beautiful cake, his cheeks puffing out adorably with a blush, left over cream near his purple stained lips.

Hmmmm… another SSR photo for themselves, how nice and generous of their Sky.

*Zenechka Solovyova – Skull's birthname. Zenechka means "noble" and Solovyova means "nightingale" the female variation of it.

A/N: All I can say is that Viper's portion got out of hand and wrote itself and I'm too lazy to remove some details. Enjoy I guess, college life just started and I don't know when I would be able to update again so here is an 8k+ unbetaed monster.