DOGS of War

~ ~ ~

“Just let me grab a few things; it'll only take a minute.” Zack punched in the keycode to the apartment that he and Angeal shared. The door swished open and the two boys entered the dark, quiet room. “Hang a sec, I need to switch on the light over here; that big lamp's broken,” he explained, crossing the living room in the dark to flip on a small table lamp.

“What happened?” Haine asked, eying the mangled torch lamp.

“I was minding my own business, writing a letter to my mom and BAM, Angeal decides to ambush me with a tickle fight! Totally unfair, too! He's completely un-ticklish!”

“You're ticklish?” Haine glanced sidelong at Zack with a small, devious grin as he followed the soldier down the hallway to his room.

“You're missing the point here...” Zack opened the door to his room, moving aside to let Haine through first. “We're soldiers, not a couple of kids. I mean, we're lucky the lamp was the only casualty.” He grabbed a bag out of the closet, tossing it on the bed. “I just don't get him sometimes... One minute he's a total stick in the mud, the next he's like a big kid.”

Haine belly flopped unceremoniously onto Zack's massive bean bag, wriggling down into it. He peered up at Zack, watching him flit around the room gathering things up and tossing them into the bag, his endless stream of dialogue never ceasing. “We're just going down the hall, Zack. How much do you need?”

“Hey, you never know. Nothing wrong with being prepared.” He grabbed a few pairs of socks, tossing them into the open duffel. He noticed Haine looking up at him and stopped, a goofy grin spreading across his face. How cute. Kinda like a puppy...

“Zack... focus...” Haine nudged, flushing slightly as Zack stared at him.

“Okay, okay, sorry. Just lemme get my toothbrush, then we'll go.”

= = =

Genesis smiled warmly at Haine and Zack as they entered the apartment. Zack was carrying his duffel bag and he gave Genesis a sheepish grin as he waved.

“Hey, sorry that took so long. We stopped at Angeal's so I could pick some stuff up. Is it okay if I crash here tonight?”

“Of course. Everything alright?”

“Yea. I ran into Cloud earlier and he's going to do some training with Haine tomorrow. I'm just here to make sure that he,” he jerked his head toward Haine, “gets a good night's sleep.”

Genesis nodded in understanding as Haine plopped down next to him on the couch, leaning against him for support. He wrapped an arm around the youth, pulling him close and stroking his hair. “You know you're welcome here anytime. Does Angeal know you're staying?”

Zack nodded as he dropped his bag on the floor next to the loveseat.. “Yea, I sent him a text on the way back to HQ. It's cool. He's working late again anyway, so it's not like we'd get to spend any time together,” he said with a shrug.

Genesis heard the disappointment in his voice loud and clear, and he held out his arm to allow Zack to settle against his other side. The spiky haired youth had to scoot down on the couch in order to fit against him properly, but he did so happily, slinging an arm over the elder soldier's stomach.

Genesis turned his head, peering into the kitchen at the plate of forgotten hot dogs. He faced forward again, gently pulling Zack and Haine closer. He settled in, his eyes drifting shut. The hot dogs could wait. They were cold already anyway, and Genesis wasn't moving for anything.

+ + +

Zack smelled something warm. Comfortable. Soft. He nuzzled into it, holding it close. It smelled so good. Felt so right. Zack spiraled toward sleep, breathing in the scent. Warm. Comfortable. Soft.

Hurt.

Zack's eyes flew open, the cold of a stone floor seeping into his clothes and making him shiver. He felt heavy, his heart pounding with terror as he looked around the white, empty, cold, familiar room. No. No, he shouldn't be here. His hands shook as he reached up, his heart sinking and his mouth going dry at the feeling of cold steel, thick and heavy around his throat. No! This wasn't right! Angeal! Genesis!

Angeal had saved him! Had saved them. Haine...

He tried in vain to quell the rising panic he felt as he searched the room, trying to find any signs of Haine. Of anyone. Had it all been a hallucination? Had the truth been too much to bear? Zack slumped in the corner, struggling to remember the details of what had happened after the rescue.

He couldn't.

Everything was fuzzy. Vague. Wrong.

Zack hid his face in his hands, his entire body shaking as he tried to hold in the tears of pain and fear. He didn't want this. He wanted to go home. He wanted Angeal and Genesis and Haine. He wanted it all to stop.

Zack froze, his eyes going wide as a low growl came from behind him. The sound was dark, menacing; it chilled him to the core. Zack curled in more tightly on himself, whimpering as he tried to press more firmly into to corner of the room. He was against a wall, how could anything be behind him? He heard the growling again, his breath catching in his throat as realization hit him. It wasn't behind him. It was inside of him.

Zack clutched the sides of his head, tears dripping unchecked from his face. He wanted to scream out, to beg for help, beg for mercy, beg for anything, but he couldn't breath. It was as though all the air in the room had suddenly turned to ice. He gasped for air that wasn't there, his lungs burning and freezing at the same time. He was suffocating, his choking sobs unheard as the growling inside of him grew louder, deeper, drowning out everything.

The brightness of the room began to fade as Zack grew weaker, his limbs growing cold and numb as he fell forward onto the icy stone floor. His eyelids slid shut as his lungs finally gave up on trying to draw a breath. It was over. He was dying.

And he didn't care anymore.

+ + +

“ZACK!!”

Zack's eyes flew open, his chest heaving as he gulped down huge lungfuls of air. He tried to sit upright, panicking at the feeling of something heavy around his neck, holding him down. He jerked, his hands groping wildly at the obstruction. Finding something soft and warm instead of the expected cold, hard steel, Zack tried to relax, turning to see just what was weighing him down.

Haine was clinging to him, his small frame trembling and his eyes wide with fear.“You wouldn't wake up. You went cold. We couldn't wake you up,” he whispered, his voice taut with panic.

Zack looked up, Genesis' upside-down face coming into view, his usually placid features twisted with upset. Zack groaned, his head finally clearing enough to look around. He was on the floor beside the couch, the coffee table had been shoved aside to make room and his head was resting on Genesis' leg. The redhead was curled over him, gently stroking his face and hair. Haine was on the floor next to him, still holding on to him tightly as his crimson eyes studied Zack's face intently.

The terror from the dream beginning to fade, Zack sat up, pulling Haine into his lap and squeezing him tightly. With Haine in his arms and Genesis behind him, Zack was flooded with relief. This was real. He was home. He was safe. His fingertips tingled as his heart rate returned to normal and he rested his forehead on Haine's shoulder, his strength gone.

Genesis pulled the two shaking boys close, rubbing Zack's arms in an attempt to put some warmth back into the frigid limbs. Slowly the shivering subsided, Zack leaning back to rest against Genesis' chest. The SOLDIER first wrapped his arms around both of them protectively. “Why didn't you tell us you were having nightmares?” he asked softly.

“I wasn't. I mean, I haven't been. That was the first one,” Zack answered shakily, turning to give Genesis an earnest look.

Genesis nodded, tucking the long strands of Zack's bangs behind his ear to see his eyes more clearly. The usually bright blue was still clouded with lingering fear and Genesis was struck breathless by the intense urge to lean in and kiss it away. Instead, he swallowed, taking a deep breath and pulling away a fraction of an inch. “I believe you. Just know you can come to us any time, no matter what,” he whispered breathlessly.

Zack smiled at Genesis' genuine sincerity. The feeling of arms around his neck finally dawned on Zack and he looked down at their owner, his eyes lighting up with happiness. Haine was actually hugging him, not just slumping bonelessly against him. Zack couldn't fight the grin that spread across his face as he looked down at Haine. “If this is what I get to wake up to, maybe I should start having nightmares more often,” he laughed unsteadily.

Haine hid his own smile, wriggling in Zack's lap and burying his face in the larger boy's neck with a soft 'hmph'.

Genesis forced a smile onto his lips, even though inside he was seething. A normal dream shouldn't have had such a physical effect on him. It just made him wonder what else might be happening to Zack that no one knew about. Angeal would be hearing about this, for sure.

= = =

Genesis leaned over the back of the couch, sleepily hugging the two blanket-bundled boys. “I'm going to bed. You two don't stay up too late. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“G'night Gen,” they came the reply from both; one voice cheerful and bright, the other quiet and smooth.

As Genesis disappeared down the hallway, Zack gave a contented sigh, looking down at the boy who was snuggled against him, both arms encircling his waist. Zack held in a chuckle. It was as though Haine had just discovered the appendages and was trying to keep them wound around him at all times. He couldn't explain it, but it filled Zack with a happiness that he'd never felt before.

Both teens had changed into their sleep clothes, Haine dressed in the same baggy tee-shirt and pajama bottoms that he'd been given upon arriving. Both were huge on him and the shirt had a tendency to slip off of one shoulder from time to time, but the fabric was soft and well-worn. And, while Zack would never admit it aloud, there was something undeniably appealing about seeing Haine wearing something of Angeal's.

Zack, on the other hand, was wearing only a pair of dark blue, soft flannel sleep pants; the white gauze around his neck standing out in stark contrast against his tanned skin and dark hair. Haine was transfixed. He rolled to the side, resting his upper body on Zack's legs as he leaned in to study Zack's scars. There weren't many, but Haine traced them each reverently. Most were small and raised, though some were larger, leaving a shiny pink dip in Zack's otherwise smooth skin. He asked about each in turn, Zack more than happy to share his tales of victorious battles. ...And the occasional mishap.

Zack hummed contentedly as Haine ran his fingertips over the scars on his chest and arms; the glow of awe in crimson eyes both gratifying and a little embarrassing. He didn't understand Haine's fascination with the marks on his skin, but he certainly wasn't going to begrudge him the satisfaction. Not with slim fingertips trailing so gently over his chest like that.

His thorough inspection complete, Haine wrapped his arms around Zack's midsection, resting his head on the soldier's stomach. Zack's half-lidded eyes glowed with happiness as he looked down, gently stroking Haine's soft hair. It wasn't long before his eyelids slid the rest of the way shut.

He was awakened a few minutes later by a gentle prodding to his ribs. “You okay?” he sleepily asked the boy now looking up at him.

“Mmh. We should go to bed,” Haine yawned.

Zack blinked, some of his sleepiness fading. “Your bed?” he asked as Haine slid off of him.

“Well, yea. There's not enough room on the couch for both of us. My bed's not much bigger but at least we don't have to worry about falling off of it,” he said, already heading towards the study.

Zack hesitated only a moment before trailing after the smaller teen. He followed Haine into the makeshift bedroom, closing the door quietly behind himself. He crawled into the small bed, scooting himself toward the wall and trying not to take up much more than half of it.

Zack's eyes went wide as he looked up to see Haine pulling off his shirt and tossing it into the laundry basket in the corner. “What are you doing?” he asked quickly as the pale teen slipped easily out of the baggy pajama bottoms as well, leaving him in just a pair of boxers.

Haine raised an eyebrow at Zack's question. “What do you mean, 'what am I doing'? I don't actually sleep in those... I get all tangled up and it's uncomfortable,” he explained drowsily as he slid into the bed beside Zack.

As Haine settled beside him, Zack tried to press himself as flat against the wall as possible, suddenly wishing that his sleep clothes were a bit more concealing. A parka perhaps. And snowpants. And thick foam body armor. And-

Thin arms snaked around Zack's torso, pulling him away from the wall as Haine snuggled against him, resting his head on the larger boy's shoulder. With a small grumble, he sat up and pulled Zack's arm away from his body, slipping under it so the raven was holding him. Satisfied, he gave Zack one last squeeze before falling still.

Zack's pulse raced and he struggled to bring his heart rate back down. This was okay. This was fine. It was no different than that night in the lab. It was just for comfort. It was just... a leg wrapping around his and sliding up his thigh and it was suddenly not okay. Zack shifted restlessly, giving a silent prayer of thanks to whoever was listening when the smooth, bare thigh sliding up his own had stopped just below his embarrassingly growing bulge.

He swallowed nervously, the sound far too loud in the silence of the room. He lay as still as a stone, silently cursing Haine for having such smooth, flawless skin and soft, kissable-looking lips and an irresistible scent that made Zack wonder if he tasted as good as he smelled--and then cursing himself for having such thoughts. But seriously, why the fuck did he have to smell so damn good?!

Zack tried to clear his head, attempting to focus on only un-sexy thoughts. Sports... Funny movies... Kittens dying in a fire! He grimaced. Alright, that one was working.

Something warm and wet gently traced his collarbone, utterly derailing his train of thought. He felt the brush of a single, sharp canine as Haine shifted in his sleep, his tongue flicking out and softly licking at Zack's skin.

President ShinRa naked on a cold day! President ShinRa naked on a cold day! Zack's mind screamed at him. Breach of trust! Honor! Discipline! Oh gods! Tongue! He had never been so painfully hard in his life and he thought for sure that his heart was going to explode as he gripped the edge of the mattress tight enough to tear the fabric. He bit down on his lower lip, hard, the flash of pain and taste of blood helping to distract him from the altogether different sort of pain he was experiencing elsewhere.

Slowly, he managed to reign himself in, a sigh of relief escaping him as Haine turned in his sleep, pressing his back to Zack's side and resting his face on the raven's arm. This, he could handle. His adrenaline rush beginning to ebb, Zack finally relaxed enough to fall asleep. He rolled, curling around Haine protectively and wrapping the arm not currently being used as a pillow around his stomach. This time, Zack managed to keep his mind clear and focused as he kissed the smaller youth on the shoulder before tumbling over the edge into the realm of sleep.

So focused was he, in fact, that Zack missed the small, sad sigh and the flash of disappointment on Haine's features as he buried his face in Zack's arm and finally allowed sleep to claim him.

= = =

Genesis woke early, the sunlight streaming in through the windows, launching a full-on assault on his eyeballs. He grunted as he got out of bed, grabbing some clothes and heading to the bathroom for his morning shower. Normally, he would have simply traveled to and from the bathroom in a state of undress, but that had changed when Haine moved in. And as for the beautiful-yet-impractical bathroom connected to his bedroom? It was nice for storage, he supposed. Sometimes he wished he'd kicked up a fuss like Angeal had and been transferred to a cheaper, more economical suite. Though he did have to admit, the balcony was nice. Haine seemed to like it, at any rate.

Once out in the hall, Genesis paused in front of the bathroom door, looking out into the living room with a questioning gaze at its vacancy. He quietly set his things down on the counter by the sink and walked back to Haine's door, silently opening it just enough to peer in. Seeing the snoring tangle of pale and tan limbs, he let out a relieved sigh and returned to the task of getting ready for the day.

+ + +

“Did you know that Zack's been having nightmares?”

“What?” Angeal looked up from his desk at Genesis as the fiery first stormed into his office. He set down his pen as Genesis flopped into a chair in front of his desk. “Did he say something to you?”

“No. We all passed out on the couch before dinner and he woke Haine and I up. He was crying and shaking like a fucking leaf and then he just stopped moving. He went as cold as ice and he stopped breathing, Angeal. It took both of us shaking him and shouting at him to wake him up.” Genesis watched Angeal carefully, garnering a small amount of satisfaction at the way the larger man blanched. “He said it was the first time it's happened but I'm not so sure I believe that,” he finished quietly.

“You don't trust him?” Angeal asked, affronted.

“I do. More than you fucking know. But if we hadn't been there to wake him up, how do you know he'd have remembered it? Have you even been there for him?” Genesis' voice was quiet but sharp, the accusation making Angeal's blood run cold.

“I've been doing what I can, Genesis. But it's not like I can just up and leave my duties here.” He motioned to a large stack of documents that still needed to be read and signed or replied to, sending a meaningful glare towards his childhood friend. “Someone has to be responsible.”

Genesis stood abruptly, grabbing the stack of papers and splitting the pile in two. He tucked one half of the stack under an arm before slamming the other back down onto the desk. “Consider your load lightened!” he snapped viciously. He turned then, heading for the door but stopping just before he got to it. “I don't care what you think you have to do here. Zack is the most important thing in your life, and don't you dare forget that.” He turned back, locking gazes with Angeal. “When he gets home tonight, you had better be there.”

= = =

~Sorry, Gen. I've gotta help track down some spies here in Midgar... I'm not gonna make it back in time. You guys go ahead and start without me though. Cloud should be able to fill you in on what they've covered so far, just don't try to push them too hard. But don't go easy on them either!~

Genesis shook his head and rolled his eyes with a smile. “Yes sir, Instructor Zack! I'll try to be a good sub,” he teased, laughing at Zack's indignant squawk on the other end of the line. Sometimes it was just too easy. “I'm sure we'll be fine. You just be careful, okay? You'd better make it home safe. Hear me?” he finished seriously.

~Yea, I got ya. Thanks, Gen. I'll be home as soon as I can.~

Genesis flipped his phone shut, putting it away as he rounded a corner, the training room coming into view. Haine was standing by the door, a small teen in a cadet's uniform beside him. Must be Cloud.

As Genesis walked over, Cloud snapped to attention, saluting crisply. Haine watched him sidelong, glancing at Genesis to try to figure out what he should be doing. He settled on a lazy half-wave half-salute. It seemed to be the right move as Genesis broke into a wide grin, beaming at him as his eyes danced with laughter. He felt good knowing that he'd made Genesis happy and returned the smile. “We waiting for Zack?”

Genesis felt his smile fade somewhat. “No. He just called. His mission's running long. Hopefully he'll get here soon, but he told me go ahead and start without him.” He swiped his keycard, punching in a few numbers and motioning for the other two to enter once the door slid open. He walked right to the second door, ignoring the VR console; they wouldn't be needing that tonight.

Cloud and Haine followed him into the training room, the lights coming up as soon as they entered. Once they were all inside, Genesis turned to Cloud. “Zack speaks very highly of you, cadet. Are you ready to show me what you've got?”

Cloud stood straighter, reaching up to pull his helmet off and giving Genesis an earnest look as he nodded. “Yes sir.”

Genesis made a small choking sound, hiding his mouth behind his hand as he tried unsuccessfully to stifle a raging fit of giggles. “Oh Gaia,” he nearly squealed, “he really did charm the feathers off a chocobo.”

Cloud flushed crimson. His hands twitched as he fought the urge to shove the helmet back on his head, forcing himself to remain standing tall. He looked to Haine, the albino's evident confusion helping to ease his self consciousness. If this were some sort of inside joke, at least it seemed he wasn't the only one on the outside of it. He decided not to read too much into it. Zack had said Genesis was a bit eccentric, after all.

After Genesis managed to pull himself back together again, he grinned warmly at Cloud. “What have you guys covered so far in your training?” he asked, nodding as Cloud rattled off a list of stances and basic techniques. All the things that Haine had watched Zack do a hundred times. Genesis nearly bubbled with excitement at finally being able to see just how right he was about Haine's uncanny ability to learn. “Okay. I want to see how much you've picked up already. I want you to attack Cloud.”

“Attack?” Haine asked him, his brows drawing together as he turned in surprise.

“Yep,” Genesis nodded. “You attack him and he'll defend.”

Haine looked very uncertain, but fell into an offensive stance nonetheless.

“Alright! Ready Cloud?” Genesis waited for the blond to nod and assume his own stance. “Okay. One. Two. Thr-ohshit!”

Genesis lunged forward, grabbing Haine's outstretched hand a fraction of a second before he fired the pistol he'd pulled out. The shot went wide, barely missing Cloud's head as the blond threw himself backward out of the line of fire.

Cloud looked up from his position on the floor, his eyes wide. “What the hell?!” he shouted, visibly shaken.

Genesis kept a hold of Haine's hand, holding the gun pointed upright. He stared down at Haine, stunned.

Haine turned to Genesis. “You told me to attack!” he explained in a rush, his own eyes flashing with panic.

Genesis could have kicked himself. He should have known better than to be so vague. He had never felt so awful as he looked at Haine, the pale youth as close to tears as he'd ever seen him. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, that was my fault. I should have explained better. This is just practice, I didn't mean for real.” In his excitement, he had forgotten that Haine still had a tendency to take direction too literally. He had also forgotten that Zack spent most of his time training against VR sims; the pixelated enemies fighting and falling like real people.

He smoothed his features into a soft smile, gently rubbing Haine's back. “It's okay. Everything's fine. But Haine, listen to me carefully. No matter what your instructors say, or how things are worded, you are never to hurt your allies. And never ever attack your fellow cadets. You have to all work together and train together so you can fight your enemies. You never fight each other for real. Do you understand?”

Genesis relaxed as Haine nodded, though the panic in his eyes hardly faded. “Why don't we try again? I'll hold on to this,” he said warmly, gently pulling the firearm out of Haine's grip. He looked down at it, his eyes narrowing. “Haine, where did you get a gun?”

“Tseng gave it to me.”

Genesis looked up quickly, wincing inwardly as Haine flinched. He immediately capped his anger. Tseng had most certainly just earned himself a place on his shit-list, but that would have to wait. For now, he needed to focus on Haine. Oh, and Cloud. He turned his attention to the floor where Cloud still sat, rubbing one of his wrists with a grimace. “Are you alright?” he asked.

Cloud stood, nodding. “I've had worse,” he said lightly. Zack always spoke of Haine like the boy was a saint, there was no way he would have tried to hurt Cloud intentionally. He could see that Haine was upset and he smiled, hoping to relieve some of the slimmer teen's tension. Unfortunately, the gesture of kindness seemed to startle him more than settle him and his smile faded as the white haired boy turned away.

“Would you be okay with trying again? This time Cloud will be on the offense and you can just work on dodging.” Genesis looked to Cloud, the blond giving him a small nod to show he'd be alright with that. “Haine, do you remember the way that Zack sparred with Angeal? That first time, when they weren't using weapons and Angeal was going easy on him. Do you remember that?” A slight nod. “Okay, that's what this is going to be like. Cloud's going to come at you, but he's not really trying to hurt you. You just have to react to what he does and move accordingly. Can we try that?”

Haine closed his eyes, clearing his head before looking up at Genesis. He could read the hope on his face and didn't want to let him down. “Ya.”

Genesis' grin came back full-force. He was still excited to see how much Haine had retained just from watching Zack. He had a feeling it would be pretty damn impressive and was looking forward to seeing Haine in action. “Okay then.” He took a few steps back, standing against a wall. Deciding to forgo the countdown, Genesis opted for a simple “Ready, Go!” after they had assumed their stances.

Cloud jumped forward, keeping his movements slower than he normally would have in a spar. He drew his fist back, aiming a simple punch toward Haine's head-something he should easily be able to dodge.

Except he didn't.

As Cloud approached, panic flared once more in Haine's vermillion eyes and he immediately dropped his stance, bracing for impact. Seeing that, Cloud had a minor heart attack, throwing his weight to the side and managing to reroute the momentum of his swing. He half-turned, plowing into Haine and sending the both of them sprawling to the floor. Cloud let out a pained yelp as he landed on his ankle, twisting it.

Genesis was on them in an instant, fretting like a mother hen. Seeing Haine shut down like that had been terrifying and he was beyond frazzled. Cloud was tossed roughly aside as Haine pushed him off before running for the door and disappearing into the hall.

“Haine!” Genesis shouted, taking two steps before turning back to Cloud with concern written all over his face. “Cloud!”

“I'm fine, sir,” he said bravely, despite the fact that he was holding on to his twisted ankle, clearly in pain.

“You're not fine! You're hurt. Oh shit. Zack's gonna kill me. I'll take you to the infirmary,” Genesis said in a rush, picking Cloud up.

“Sir! I'm fine, really. You- you have to go after Haine!” Cloud pleaded hastily, feeling ridiculous as he was hefted by his commander.

“You're right!” Genesis said, dropping Cloud; another squeak being expelled from the blond as he landed on his already injured wrist. “Wait here, I'll send someone to get you!”

“Wait! Sir! I'm fine! I don't-”

“Stay!”

“Sir-”

But Genesis was already out the door. His mind raced as he walked swiftly through the halls. He couldn't call Zack. Even if the teen wasn't on a mission, Genesis knew he'd be killed for letting Cloud get hurt and upsetting Haine. He couldn't call Angeal because if Angeal knew, Zack would know and that's back to a Genesis-splattered square one. That only left one option.

Genesis came to a halt in front of the elevators, repeatedly mashing the arrow-shaped button. He pulled out his phone and hurriedly dialed in a familiar number, fidgeting as much as Zack as he waited for the call to connect. “C'mon, c'mon... Oh! Hey, Seph! Look, I don't really have time to explain but I need a favor.” The doors finally parted and he stepped into the elevator, hastily poking at the button for his floor. “No, listen, it's an emergency. I mean, it's nothing huge, but I just need you to go to the level forty-nine SOLDIER training room and take a cadet to the infirmary. Like. Now.”

~ ~ ~

Lots of stuff going on from here on out. I promise the UST will be resolved very shortly. :3

Just in case it hasn't been made clear yet; pay attention to small details! Everything that people say or do, no matter how trivial, may wind up being referred to later. In this chapter it's Genesis referring to what he said to Sephiroth about Zack. Later on it may occur with substantially more important things. So bear that in mind as you read. Nothing is random and if something doesn't make sense right away, give it some time; it probably will later.

No quotes in this one, save for the small Austin Powers reference. XD