10,005 gritted her teeth and winced at the loud screeching of the Metroās wheels braking. She lifted her head and looked out the window, and frowned. āExcuse me, C.Q., but I thought we were going to my next test on the B Line?ā She asked, looking down at the small blue sea slug on the floor.
āApologies, Number 10,005, but we needed to make a detour to Central Station to pick up a few new passengers. Weāll be headed to the testās station shortly,ā came his small reply, and she sighed.
āFine. I just want out of here.ā
The doors to the train car opened, 10,005 glancing over with a bored expression on her face. She blinked once, turquoise eyes meeting deep blue, and she sat up straight, now fully alert.
He was like her, she realized. A lost soldier with no memories.
ā10,005, Iād like for you to meet Number 10,008. He will be partaking in tests as well,ā C.Q. Cumber spoke up from the floor next to her. āWelcome aboard, 10,008 and guest.ā
10,005 didnāt respond immediately, some deep part of her screaming to be careful, to be wary of the newcomer, but didnāt remember why. She simply smiled and held out a hand to him. āItās nice to meet you, 10,008. Maybe we can find a way out of here together.ā
āWell Iāll be! I certainly wasnāt expecting to see another octoling down here!ā The elderly inkling said from behind 10,008. She blinked owlishly at him, and fought the instinctual urge to bare her fangs at him. She couldnāt remember why she felt a sudden anger at him, or at inklings in general. As far as she recalled, theyād never done anything bad to her.
10,008 smiled softly at her and grabbed her hand. āItās nice to meet you tooā¦ uhā¦ā he faltered, then sheepishly asked, āWhatās your name?ā
ā10,005 is the number they gave meā¦ I donāt remember my name,ā she let go of his hand and looked down at her feet. āAnd Iām not sure if I want to.ā
ā10,008 and 10,005 are quite the beakful. I think calling you Agents Eight and Five will have to do,ā the elderly squid piped up again, smiling brightly underneath his beard. āWelcome to the New Squidbeak Splatoon, Agents. Letās start on finding a way out of here, yeah?ā
āIāve already finished line A, and Iām working on line B. Thereās a thang between line G and line I. The sooner we get to it, the sooner we can leave,ā Five informed them, all cheerfulness gone from her voice. It was time to get to work.
āUh, Five? Iām not sure we can team up for the testsā¦ā Eight murmured. āIād like to, since it would make this much easier, butā¦ā
āIāve received word from the CEO of Kamabo Co. that it is alright for you two to work together. However, you will both need to take on your fair share of trials and tests to be considered even. You will also both need to retrieve two thangs each,ā the tiny conductor informed them. āI will now combine your C.Q. data so that it may be retrieved from either of your C.Q. 80 devices. Good luck, 10,005 and 10,008.ā
Eightās eyes lit up and he looked back at Five, grinning. āPerfect! I can tackle the next couple of tests, if you want to take a break, Five. Iāve been itching for some kind of action! Please?ā He added after noticing her hesitate.
Five slowly nodded, the exhaustion in her body suddenly weighing down on her. āY-yeah. Just be careful. The ink here is weird.ā
āIām aware. It likeā¦ sticks to you in a way that normal ink shouldnāt,ā he replied, adjusting his ink tankās straps, then looked up at her. āAre you okay?ā
Five sat down on the bench near the train carās doors and curled her knees into her chest. āThe octarians here arenāt normal. Theyā¦ itās like theyāre dead, in a wayā¦ theyāre so robotic.ā She shuddered.
Eight leaned down and placed a hand on her shoulder. āItāll be okay. Soon, weāll get out of here, and get up to the surface. From what the Captainās told me, itās a really nice place, full of really nice people.ā
The girl nodded and swallowed, finding it difficult to not trust Eight. āY-yeahā¦ yeah, youāre right.ā
āOf course I am. Iāll be back before you know it, Five. Sit tight,ā he smiled at her and stepped through the doors to his first test.
āGood luckā¦ā she called weakly after him. How the hell was he so good at comforting me, even though we just met? She thought, watching him go.
She jumped slightly when the Captain sat down next to her on the bench. āWell then, Five, was it?ā She nodded. āItās nice to meet you. I was worried Eight and Iād be down here without a familiar face for him. Iām Capān Cuttlefish, by the way.ā
āBut Iāve never met him before in my life,ā Five tilted her head slightly.
āNot what I meant. Just someone who was like him. Amnesiac and lost. Plus, youāre both octolings. You can talk to him in a way that I most likely canāt. Itāll be good for the both of you,ā Cuttlefish hummed with a twinkle in his eye. āEveryone could use a friend in times like this.ā
Five nodded again, but didnāt respond. She just hoped that Eight made it out okay of whatever test he was being forced to take.
A/N: Hey, sorry for lack of an update last week! Iāve been working on this piece on and off for the past two weeks, trying to get it just right. As always, thank you @splat-kostecko for editing for me, and @enchiladahomie for letting me write Eli! Yāall are the best <3
Bit of an angst warning, by the way. This isnāt canon, I just had an idea and wanted to run with it. Enjoy~!
It was late evening, and the Turf War lobbies were closed for the night. The Square was mostly empty, save for a couple of Inklings and Octolings sitting at one of the tables talking quietly. Graham wondered to himself why they were still here, since the shops were all closed.
An Octoling girl kept glancing up to look at the alley over by the cafe, a look of fear and dread plastered on her face. What is she so scared of? The sea urchin who eats there everyday? I canāt understand why, he seems really niceā¦ Graham thought to himself, following her line of sight. Maybe Iāll should check it out for her. He pushed back his chair and walked across the Square, cries of warning falling on (literal) deaf ears.
He stopped walking when he found himself in the dark alley, nothing really scary jumping out at him. He felt a wary hand fall on his shoulder, and he turned to face his companion, a relatively tall Octoling boy with red headphones. He shook his head, blue eyes wide with the same fear the Octoling girl had. Graham furrowed his brow, looking down at the other boyās lips to try and understand what he was saying.
āTrust me, you really shouldnāt go down thereā¦there are monsters worse than what we lived with in the Valley down there. You really should stay here, in the Square.ā
Graham tilted his head, now even more confused than before. Monsters? There werenāt any monsters in the Valley. Maybe DJ Octavio was one, but he was just trying to help his people, albeit in the wrong way. He shook his head and pointed at himself, then at the gate. He was going no matter what.
The other Octoling paled and took a step back, not making a move to stop him again. āI tried to warn youā¦butā¦ā he visibly faltered, āBe careful of the man in the suit.ā
What in the world was this guy talking about? The Octoling girl from before poked her head out from behind him, teal eyes owlishly wide with unease. Graham took note of the oddly colored scars around her eyes and peeking out from behind her face mask, now more confused than he was before. He really wished he knew what she was saying behind the mask but couldnāt quite make it out. He shook his head at her and pointed to his ears, then shrugged. They seemed to understand and motioned urgently for him to follow them.
He scowled and shook his head, pointing adamantly at the gate again. He only faltered when he spotted Eli, his boyfriend, approaching.
āListen to them. Theyāre saying itās really dangerous,ā he signed to him, a worried expression clouding his features as his eyes flicked between Graham and the two terrified Octolings.
āBut they could be exaggerating! Itās just a subway station!ā He signed back with a pout. āIām going down there, and you canāt stop me.ā To emphasize his point, he hopped through the fence, and looked back at the three of them.
The girl rushed forwards and caught his arm, her eyes somehow wider than before, and filled with tears. Graham looked over at Elijah for a translation, but only got a shrug in reply. He placed a hand on the girlās shoulder and gave her a reassuring nod. He signed something to her, and Eli translated.
āIāll be okay.ā
This seemed to placate the girl, and she let go of him, looking over at Eli, who nodded and jumped the fence.
āWhat did she say to you?ā Graham asked. āI was gonna go alone.ā
Eli sighed. āShe asked me to come with you and keep you safe. From what, I donāt know. But she and the guy were really freaked out that weāre going down here.ā
āIām not a child! I can take care of myself!ā he signed angrily, glaring at Elijah.
Eli grabbed his arm and turned him around, so they were facing each other. āNot from this, she said. You wonāt be able to hear it coming. She said it would take advantage of you, then use you. Since I can hear, Iāll be able to stop whatever it is thatās down here before it hurts you.ā
Graham scowled and looked away. āFineā¦ā he sulked and crossed his arms. A soft smile rose to his lips when he felt Eli press a gentle kiss to his cheek.
The proceeded downwards, fingers interlaced as they held hands. The sloped hallway eventually flattened out, and opened up into a large railway platform. The platform was darkened and mostly empty, save for a few giant pieces of shattered glass on the floor from what looked to be from an enormous blender. Graham pulled away to kneel down next to it and get a closer look. It was nothing like the technology he had seen or used back in the Valley, and just the sight of it instilled a sense of apprehensiveness in him. He stood up and took a step back, his eyes wide as he inspected the base.
āSomeone tried to blend them upā¦ā he signed slowly. āThatās the girlās inkā¦ā he pointed at the floor at various places, where there was, in fact, teal ink splattered on the ground, next to a large rotary blade, which was coated in it.
Eli just stared, slack-jawed and wide-eyed. āWeā¦ā he hesitated, waved his hand, and started over. āWe should leave. Itās not safe, and this place really gives me the creepsā¦ā
āNo. Iām gonna find out what happened to them. I may not know them personally, but theyāre my family. I need to know what caused them to be so freaked out and scared of this place.ā Graham dropped his hands in finality, then moved to examine the glass and blade closer.
Elijah jerked a little, reaching to cover his ears. Graham took note and furrowed his brow, quickly turning around to face the quickly-approaching light.
A long train squealed to a halt right in front of the two boys, and Eli finally relaxed when the train doors opened. Elijahās eyes widened as he watched Graham straighten up and climb aboard the train. He barely caught him by the hem of his sweater and yanked him back onto the train platform. āAre you fucking insane?!ā He pulled down his mask and snarled at Graham, baring sharp teeth. āYou donāt know where that train is going! Youāre gonna get yourself killed!ā
Graham curled his own lip in a growl, then pushed Eli off him. āStop treating me like a fucking kid! I can handle myself. Just go home. Iāll be back after I find out what happened.ā
āNo! Those Octolings said thereās something down here that will hurt you. I canāt let that happen.ā His face fell, and a clouded expression of worry covered his features. āI love you too much to let that happenā¦ā he said aloud, and although Graham didnāt hear him, he fully understood what he said. āBesides. How will you be able to ask questions if you donāt have a translator?ā He pointed out with a shaky smile.
The Octoling sighed, nodded, and climbed aboard, his Inkling boyfriend begrudgingly dragging behind as he fixed his mask.
Graham looked around the train car, taking note of the few passengers: a small blue sea cucumber, a tall isopod carrying a briefcase, and lastly, a tall Inkling man with dark blue tentacles, which faded to green on the tips. He took note of the formal-looking suit he was wearing and narrowed his eyes. Man in a suitā¦ but he doesnāt look very threateningā¦?
He sat down on an unoccupied seat, near the sea cucumber. Eli sat down next to him, turning his attention downwards in surprise. Graham tilted his head as he watched Eli, and tugged on his sleeve. āWhat are you doing?ā
āHeās the conductor of the train.ā
āItās a sea slug.ā
āHis name is C.Q. Cumber and heās asking us if we have ridden the Metro before. Which, obviously, we havenāt, but maybe he can provide us some answers?ā
āItās a startā¦ I guessā¦ā Graham frowned and chewed on his lip in thought. āAsk him about the Octolings. He might know something about them.ā He shrugged and looked down expectantly at the tiny conductor.
āHe says that there are multiple enemies in the testing chambers, some of which are Octolings. That sounds kind of weirdā¦ Octolings attacking other Octolings?ā Eli translated to him, a look of worry on his face.
āWhat about the two in the square? Have any Octolings ridden the train?ā
Elijah nodded. āHe says there were two, a boy and a girl. Something happened to the girl that caused her to become a part of one of the tests? He says the boy saved her and they broke out of the underground. But she came back?ā Eli held up a hand to silence C.Q., who was still talking. āShe came back and turned into one of the enemies again. But she was more powerful than the ones in the tests. But then the boy and two squids took her back. None of that makes sense.ā
Graham frowned, his brain muddled with a plethora of thoughts. āWhat if the man in the suit was what turned her bad? His ink is like hers, but a little different.ā
āI mean, is that even possible?ā
He nodded, his expression turning grim. āIt is incredibly easy to brainwash someone, especially someone who has been brainwashed in the past.ā
Eli furrowed his brow in worry and placed a hand on Grahamās leg. āIs that what happens in Octarian Society? Did that happen to youā¦?ā
The Octoling turned his head away and nodded. āMusic...Glassesā¦ I only managed to break free because I lost my hearing.ā
The squid covered his mouth through the fabric of his mask, his eyes wide at this new information. He moved to the other side of his boyfriend so that he could see his hands. āBaby, I am so, so sorry that that happened to youā¦ but we have to get out of here immediately if thatās the case. You just said it yourself that the girl was brainwashed and used. Itās really not safe to be hereā¦ā
Graham balled his hand into a fist and slammed it down on his knee. āI justā¦want answers. Then we can go homeā¦ā he took a deep breath, trying to fight off the tears. He jumped a little when he felt a cold...something touch his leg. C.Q. Cumber was looking up at him, and he pointed at the man in the suit.
āHe says the commander has answers. But the orange Octoling said to be careful of himā¦ā Eli signed for him.
The Octoling got to his feet and walked to stand directly in front of the slender Inkling. āI was told you have answers to the questions I have.ā He signed quickly, ignoring Eliās desperate attempts to make him come back.
The ācommanderā lifted his head from the newspaper he was reading to meet his gaze, causing Graham to take a step back in surprise.
His eyes were unnaturally black, with bright turquoise irises.
The man folded his paper very carefully and set it down next to him. āYou have questions for me?ā He signed, his movements more fluid and practiced than Eliās were. Graham blinked, watching him in awe.
āYes, and Iām not leaving until I get my answers.ā
The Inkling smirked. āStubborn, just like they were. Itās a good trait to have, dear, but that trait will get you in some trouble someday. Why donāt you follow me off the train to the next stop? We can speak, or rather, sign, more privately there. Your friend will have to stay here, unfortunately.ā
āWith all due respect, Eli has to come. Heās my translator,ā Graham faltered, his gaze flicking over to aforementioned Inkling, before returning back to the one sitting in front of him.
He shrugged and reached to pick his newspaper back up. āThen you wonāt obtain the answers you seek.ā
Graham threw out a hand, and the man looked back up at him with a knowing smirk. āFine. Iāll come alone. I just need to know what happened to them.ā
āAll in due time, dear. Whatās your name, by the way?ā He asked with a small smile.
āGraham.ā
āCommander Tartar. Itās a pleasure to meet you,ā he held out a hand, which Graham took and shook with uncertainty.
Eli rushed over and pulled Graham back to their seats, his eyes betraying his panic. āWhat did you just agree to?!ā He demanded.
He didnāt meet his gaze as he signed back. āIām meeting with him on the next stop. Alone. He has answers and I need them.ā
āNo, I canāt let you do that, Iām coming withāā
Graham swatted his hand away and let out a warning growl. āHe said he wonāt tell me if youāre there. I have to do this alone.ā
Eli sighed and shook his head. āIām staying on the platform at least. Just in case something happensā¦ā
Graham nodded, reaching to fiddle with the Squidfin Hook Cans that hung from his neck, then pulled Eli in for a kiss. The train pulled to a halt, and the Commander got to his feet, motioning for Graham to follow.
āEli wants to stay on the platform, if thatās okay, Commander,ā Graham signed to him, biting his lip in worry.
He nodded. āThatās fine, this wonāt take long.ā
The younger octopus looked back at his companion, suddenly feeling incredibly nervous, though he couldnāt put a finger on why. He took a deep breath and walked up the sloped floor, following closely behind the Commander. The bright light caused him to wince and hold up a hand, then slowly lowered it as his eyes adjusted. āWhat is this place?ā He asked.
āSimply a rendezvous. You said you had questions for me.ā Guess there was no beating around the bush.
Graham nodded. āI-I do. I met two Octolings that were terrified of this place. The conductor told me that you knew something about them?ā
āAh, yes. 10,005 and 10,008. Fine subject, 10,005 was. 10,008, not so much. But Fiveā¦ Five had an immense amount of potential to be great. So, I took it upon myself to make sure she used that potential to reach amazing heights. If it hadnāt been for that blasted 10,008, I would have succeeded.ā He balled his fists in anger. āHe and those blasted Inklings ruined everything for me.ā
Graham lifted his hands to say something, but dropped them as the Commander continued.
The tall Inkling smirked as his gaze slowly drifted back to Graham, his unnatural eyes twinkling in the low light of the station platform. āI see that potential in you as well, Graham. Will you allow me to make you great?ā He extended a sickly green hand out to him, grinning.
His eyes flicked down from his face to his hand, then back up to his face as he shook his head. āYouāre what theyāre scared ofā¦ I need to goā¦ā
Tartarās grin grew, and he grabbed Grahamās wrist before he could dart off. āI think you misunderstood, dear. You no longer have a choice.ā
Grahamās eyes widened, and he tried to free himself, opening his mouth to scream, only to find Tartarās free hand covering the lower half of his face.
Thoughts raced at lightning speed through his head as he struggled. I should have listened to them. I should never have come here. Heās going to kill me. Iām going to die! Eliā¦!!
Tartar grinned and let go of his face and arm, holding a finger to his lips. Graham shifted his gaze to the side of him, doing his best to calculate his escape. He broke out into a run, only to be caught by the collar of his shirt and flung into the wall.
The Commander tutted and shook his head. āAnd here I thought this would be easy,ā he murmured to himself as he approached the dazed Octoling. āStay still for me, wonāt you, dear?ā He crooned as he pulled out the needle and syringe. āI honestly wasnāt expecting company today, much less an Octoling. Itās a shame you canāt hear me. But you should know that I wonāt allow you to run out of here and tell the world of my failures. No, the world will only know of my accomplishments. You could have been one of them, you know, if only you had complied with my wishes. Such a shame, my dear Graham.ā
Tartar uncapped the needle and rolled up Grahamās sleeve, slowly pressing the tip into his arm and emptying the barrel of a sickly, teal fluid. He stood up and discarded it over the side of the platform, pushed his hands in his pockets, and walked back to the train.
āCommander? Whereās Graham?ā Elijah asked, instantly getting to his feet.
āHeās fine. Said he wanted to enjoy the scenery for a while. Youāre free to join him now, if youād like,ā he purred and waved a hand, climbing aboard the train.
Elijah blinked and took off into the hallway, skidding to a halt when he spotted Graham sitting on the ledge of the platform silently, his back to the entrance of the platform. Everything seemed to slow around Eli, and he heard his pulse racing in his ears. He slowly approached him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, and turned him around. āGrahamā¦?ā
Instantly, he recoiled and gasped, as if heād touched a hot iron. Grahamās normally lively and excitable eyes were dull, his sclera black, just like Tartarās were. Elijah took a step back, then fell to his knees. āWh-ā¦ what happened to youā¦? What did he do to youā¦?ā he whispered hoarsely, his voice cracking as tears threatened to spill over onto his cheeks.
Graham stood up and stumbled, then fell to his knees in front of Eli, causing the squid to scramble backwards to get away from him. āN-noā¦ Graham, no! Say something!ā
His head lolled to the side, his eyes blank and lifeless. His hands remained by his sides, then slowly rose to sign something.
āIām sorry. I love you, Elijah.ā
Eli felt his heart break as he watched Graham succumb to whatever virus Tartar had implanted in him. He felt his hearts shatter when he realized that his love had just died right in front of him, and he hadnāt done anything to help.
He caught Grahamās dead weight as his body fell forwards, and he let out an anguished scream into the devastated nothingness.
A/N: I really recommend listening to the songĀ āCome Homeā by OneRepublic when reading this! Thanks for reading!Ā
Boii hadnāt moved for what felt like hours. She hadnāt moved for what felt like hours. Her eyes, black and soulless, were glazed over and stared at nothing. Boii would have been scared had he not faced what lay before him dozens of times before. Sheād come back to him anytime now.
Wouldnāt she?
She always had before, but she hadnāt been this far gone for this long in the past. He wished he knew what was going on in her head, what that bastard of a phone was telling her.
He just wanted her to come home, to come back to him.
He ran a hand over his face, and reached to grab his phone to resort to the old-fashioned healing method: the Inkantation, but let out a groan when it refused to turn on. He mustāve forgotten to plug it in during the chaotic moments when the episode hit. The octoling groaned and ran a hand over his head, trying to think of something that would wake her up.
āDonāt move, Bo, Iāll be right back,ā he whispered to her, pressing a firm kiss to her forehead before getting to his feet and going to his room to grab his keytar that Marina had given him for Squidmas last year. It was a replica of her own, handmade by the idol herself. It was his prized possession.
He returned to find that Mambo hadnāt moved, save for her hand that had shifted slightly to the left. That was a good sign, at least. He set up the keyboard across his legs, and began to play and sing to her.
āHello, world, hope youāre listening.
Forgive me if Iām young, for speaking out of turn.
Thereās someone Iām missing.
I think that they could be, the better half of meā¦ā
Boiiās voice flowed through the empty apartment, his eyes trained on the keys as the melody of the song seeped from his fingers. Memories of the time they spent together in the Metro, the fight for her freedom, then both of theirs, worked their way to the front of his mind as he continued to sing. He didnāt try to fight the tears that fell as he moved into the chorus.
āCome home, come home...
'Cause I've been waiting for you,
For so long, for so long...
And right now, there's a war between the vanities,
But all I see is you and me,
And the fight for you is all I've ever known,
So come homeā¦ā
Boii choked back a sob as he finished the first chorus, but didnāt stop playing. Music had always woken her up in the past, and he was sure it would this time. His fingers continued to flow across the keyboard, and he took note of her fingers twitching. She was fighting.
Just like sheād always had.
Visions of Mambo struggling against the ink that covered her, coursed through her, changed her, made themselves clear to Boii, and he remembered watching in horror as his best friend and test partner was rendered helpless at the hands ofā¦ His breath caught in his throat, and watched his memory of her collapse to the floor and beg for him to help her.
The memory was whisked away and replaced by another: of him cradling her in his arms, telling her that it would be okay, that she was safe. He remembered trying to ignore her ink color changing from itās once bright, neon pink to the sickly greenish-teal that he was so familiar with.
The one sheād been stuck with since they escaped.
He took a deep breath, trying his best to steel his nerves to keep himself from crumbling at the thought of losing the battle he, no, they, had fought for so long. He needed her to wake up, even if it took all night. All week. All month.
He needed her to come home.
āI get lost in the beauty, of everything I see
The world ain't half as bad, as they paint it to be
If all the sons, all the daughters, stopped to take it in
Well, hopefully, the hate subsides
And the love can begin
It might start now,
Well, maybe Iām just dreaming out loud
Until thenā¦ā
Her hand twitched again, her eyes shifting slightly, but didnāt change back to their normal color, not yet. He flowed through the second chorus, and found himself not caring that his voice was cracking and wavering through the notes. He was so damn close.
ā...But all I see is you and me,
And the fight for you is all I've ever known, ever known
So come homeā¦ā
Boiiās mind drifted back to the present, back to the girl who was nearly lifeless in front of him, back to waking her up and snapping her out of her doll-like trance. He didnāt dare lift his head to look at her face. He couldnāt bear to look at her after the emotional and mental marathon through his memories. He just wanted his beacon of hope to wake up and come back to him.
āEverything I canāt be,
Is everything you should be,
And thatās why I need you here,
So hear this nowā¦ā
A gentle, scarred hand caressed his face, but the owner didnāt interrupt him. She simply used whatever little strength she had to brush away his tears with her thumb, and let his voice carry the final chorus through her and sever the final tether that bound her to her mental captor.
āCome home, come home,
'Cause I've been waiting for you,
For so long, for so long...
And right now, there's a war between the vanities
But all I see is you and me,
And the fight for you is all I've ever known, ever known
So come homeā¦
Come homeā¦ā
Boii lifted his head to meet her clear teal gaze, and let out a powerful sob of relief that wracked his whole frame. The keyboard now forgotten, he launched himself into her arms and pulled her close for a desperate kiss. āBoā¦! Youāre okay, youāre backā¦! Donāt ever fucking scare me like that again, holy fuckā¦ā he rambled, cupping her cheeks and kissing her face and tentacles.
She let out a weak laugh, followed by powerful coughs, and she buried her face in his chest. āSorryā¦ I didnāt hurt you, did Iā¦?ā Even her voice was so tiny, so powerless, but so, so her.
āA couple of scratches but nothing major, thank god. You were out for likeā¦ six or seven hours, what happened?ā He asked, despite knowing the answer.
Mambo fell quiet and didnāt respond. Minutes passed, and Boii began to think sheād fallen asleep, until she finally spoke up.
āHe listed off every single per-ā
āAnnnnd Iām not going to let you finish that sentence because Iām happy that youāre back,ā he cut her off with another kiss. āLetās get you in bed. I bet youāre exhausted from whatever happened in that head of yours, love.ā
She didnāt fight him, luckily. He kissed the top of her head as he tucked her in under the covers and climbed in next to her.
āI want my first kiss to be super cliche, but I donāt want to plan it out. Feel me?āĀ
Eight quirked a brow over at Five. āNo, not really. What do you mean?ā The cacophony of the train racing down the tracks nearly drowned out the sound of his voice.
She shrugged. āBack home, er, well, in the Valley, I never really allowed myself to get close to people due to my line of work. Because of it, Iā¦ Iāve never been kissed, and I like thinking about what its like, being in love. I liked watching all of the really cheesy romance movies that were produced, and putting myself in the protagonistās shoes.ā She felt her face warm as she spoke, and she looked away from him. āImagining myself being kissed by someone in the rain sounds niceā¦ā
Eight looked down at her bare arm and both of her wrists. āYou never told me how you got those bruises and scars on your arms.ā
She shrugged. āJust occupational hazards,ā she said dismissively, studying the lines on her skin.
āWhatā¦ā he hesitated before continuing, āwhat was your line of work? It sounds like it was really dangerous, since you couldnāt get close to people and you still have scars and bruises from it.ā
Five took a deep breath and averted her gaze from his. She mumbled something, which was carried away on the tracks of the train. āWhat was that? I couldnāt hear youā¦ā Eight leaned in a little.
āI was Octavioās assassin,ā she lifted her gaze to meet his, her teal eyes wide and brimming with tears. āI was his dog to command.ā
He blinked owlishly at her. āHow did you end up here, then?ā
āJob gone wrong with an Inkling, I think,ā she offered him a shrug. āCan we not talk about my life before the Metro? Its something Iād rather lose to the sands of timeā¦ā
