Someone to Love Me

Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt
Like Weiss on Rice

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Nero slept soundly despite the incredible weight upon his chest. He was chained to a stone pillar whenever someone important visited Deepground or if they simply didn’t have the manpower to keep him in check. There was a sort of energy being conducted through the chains themselves, an energy that left him feeling weakened once he was let down. Depending on how long they left him up there sometimes he couldn’t even stand afterwards. Weiss had a similar network of restraints where he was kept as well.

Nero wasn’t sure why he was being locked up today, but he didn’t mind having some time to close his eyes and rest his mind for a time. He heard the sounds of the keypad on his door and he was instantly awake. At the nearing footsteps his eyes flicked open. His vision was blurry and it took a great deal of effort to focus in on the person before him. Ha! He was getting a little better at this at least! He remembered a time when he could do nothing more than close his eyes and pray for them to release him. Now he had the ability to take in his surroundings. He had expected to see a scientist or his least favorite visitor, Restrictor. Instead his eyes widened a fraction when he realized it was a fellow Tsviet. “Argento.”

“N…” She stopped, unsure of how to address him in public. His brother’s title was the Emperor of Deepground, but goodness only knew what she should call Nero. She settled on, “Mr. Nero,” but somehow that didn’t even suit him. “I was ordered to retrieve you.”

Her voice was so cold he couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. “I see.”

“Please relax while I release you.”

Oh the fun he could have had with that statement if he wasn’t completely sure she would leave him strapped to that stake in the ground. “Go ahead.”

Argento merely nodded her head and went to a panel farther in the room. It took her a few minutes but the code was entered and the lock on the chains popped open. When she glanced back at him she saw Nero sliding out of the restraints, looking very much like a wet noodle when he hit the ground. “Oh!” She went to him and placed the sword down to the side of the stone pillar.

Nero righted himself hastily, deeply embarrassed for falling like that. He had tried to catch himself but his legs were so weak they gave way right underneath him.

“Are you able to stand on your own?” Argento wasn’t sure if she should really be asking him such a thing, but she didn’t think it would hurt anything other than his pride if she did. “Would you like my assistance?”

He might have asked anyone else to help him move, but something in him didn’t want to ask her to prop him up like a weakling. “I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself.” Argento nodded, she wouldn’t offer him her arm again but she would let him go at his own pace. “Please lead the way.”

As he walked at head he thought he would go ahead and ask. “Are you actually letting me down or is this just for a break?”

“You are being released until Restrictor deems it fit to place you back into your room.” Argento moved ahead of him and pushed the button to the elevator she used to come down here.

So they were going to use an elevator instead of walk all the way? It seemed like such a luxury. As they moved inside she kept her back to him and stood in that stiff manner he was accustomed to seeing. She was still acting so chilly towards him even with this minute amount of privacy. Maybe being on friendly terms with her was too much to hope for. There was a good chance that she had only been nice to him in his room because she was afraid of him, but there was something inside of him that didn’t want to believe it. “How kind of him.”

“Hm.” Argento agreed absently. Being trapped in a small area like they were she couldn’t help but notice a terrible odor coming from him. “Do you need to use the shower facilities?”

She was going to let him take a shower before hauling him off to his room? He felt he might weep with relief. “Yes, if I am allowed.”

“I was merely sent here to escort you to your other holding cell.” She glanced at him briefly before turning her eyes back to the front. “I wasn’t given specific directions on how long it would take you to get there.”

Oh… oh! He felt his eyes crinkling in the corners with merriment. So she had a bit of a rebellious side after all. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Something in her voice told him that she really meant it. She didn’t want him telling anyone about it. “I’ll try not to.”

“Hm.” She let out a small titter before going on. “We shall be stopping on the floor my room is on, there won’t be anyone in the shower room at this time so no one shall disturb us.”

“You mean to go in with me?” He was a little surprised that she would do such a thing. The elevator door opened with a ping and they stepped through into the hallway.

“I cannot leave you unattended.” She was shocked at the very suggestion that she should leave him in the room by himself. “If you try to escape I will be held responsible.” She was already going to get in enough trouble if they found out that she had let him go to the shower room first. Speaking of which, they were headed to that room now.

Nero opened the door to the men’s shower room and allowed her to move in first. He seemed to be getting around a lot better now than he had just a few moments before. The effects of the restraint system must have all but worn off. Either that or he had a gargantuan will that kept him from showing any weakness.

“Thank you.”

Nero closed the door behind them. “I’m surprised that anyone, especially Restrictor, would think that you could do anything to keep me from escaping.”

Argento felt a warning in her heart at his tone. When she turned around to look at him he was standing still at the door as if he had been waiting all along for her to glance his way.

His straightjacket like coat melted away in a wisp of smoke. He grabbed the locking mechanism on the door and gave it a long deliberate turn until it clicked into place. She tried to keep the shock from her face, he could tell, but the way her eye opened up ever so slightly he knew he had her attention. She didn’t even move as he walked up to her, seemingly frozen on the spot.

Her vision was filled with black leather and the complicated series of belts across his chest as he moved up to her. She couldn’t even bring herself to look up at those red eyes that were boring holes into her even now. This had been an awful idea! She should have just escorted him to his room! He was more than likely insane after living here for so long. He probably knew more horrific ways to kill her than she could even imagine.

She looked so terrified that he didn’t have the heart to tease her any longer. “Argento, love?” His voice was filled with amused patience.

“Yes?” She blurted, not even hearing his term of endearment.

“Would you mind stepping aside? You are blocking the way.” He allowed the machinery in his wings to whir to life to get her attention and break whatever spell he held over her. “I would hate it if I were to slice you.”

“Oh, yes.” She moved aside quickly. “I apologize.”

He gave her a devilish grin before moving past her and into the room.

She didn’t even move from that spot until she heard the clack of one of the shower stalls being opened. The cowardly, self preservation side of her mind screamed at her to unlock the door, throw herself outside, and run for all she was worth. Argento took in a deep steadying breath and exhaled. When she came to her senses she realized how much room there was in the hall. He had more than enough room to move past her. Which meant she hadn’t been standing in his way at all! That was completely unnecessary! He had tried to make her nervous on purpose! She moved into the shower room and saw that he hadn’t closed the door yet. He was still arranging his things. Apparently he kept a change of clothing and his bathing supplies in his void, but she was too aggravated to be impressed with such a thing.

Nero felt her annoyance with him rolling off of her. So she had finally found the mind to be angry with him? There might be some hope for her yet. He found himself giggling and she grew even more aggravated with him.

“You tried to frighten me on purpose.” She tried to keep her tone even but she wondered if her feelings were filtering into her voice.

“You caught me.” He tittered, placing his change of clothing on the hook.

His shameless admission made her blood boil. “I was trying to show you some kindness by allowing you to come here. Why are you going out of your way to scare me?”

“Because I love to see your reaction.” Nero stopped to see just that. He wasn’t disappointed, her face was turning an interesting shade of red.

She couldn’t believe him! “You! You are a scoundrel!”

“Maybe so.” He admitted. “But I found out what I wanted.”

“And what did you find out?”

“That you must trust me.” He believed it was more subconscious than anything.

That took her aback. She was so cautious around him she didn’t know how he could make such a claim. “I don’t understand.”

“You obviously aren’t as afraid of me as you claim, are you?” He stopped what he was doing in the stall and moved over to her again. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be running up to me now, confronting me and calling me a scoundrel.”

She hadn’t really thought about it like that. “I…”

“Which means I make you nervous for an entirely different reason.” His eyes smiled knowingly.

She suddenly couldn’t look at him again. “I wouldn’t know what you mean.”

“Oh? How disappointing.” Although he didn’t sound very let down at all. “I suppose you shall just have to figure it out then, won’t you?” He shrugged his shoulder and moved into the stall, closing the door behind him.

Why did she feel so lonely all of the sudden? She shook her head as if to ward off such thoughts. It was no matter to dwell on after all. She glanced longingly at the counter where the sinks were situated. It might feel nice to give her feet a rest after standing at attention all day. But wouldn’t she look ridiculous if she plopped down like that in a place not meant for sitting? So she decided to stand in front of them instead. She heard Nero undressing not even a few feet away. A silly thought flitted through her mind, something about wondering what he truly looked like underneath all those wraps and rough clothing. She didn’t want to know for any other reason than curiosity sake. Certainly not! The shower turned on and the room was filled with the sounds of running water.

“Don’t you want to take a shower yourself?” She could barely hear him through the door.

Argento spied a small metal folding chair in the corner. Oh! She could sit on that instead. “No, I am fine for now. I’ll do it later.” She rested her sword against the wall before retrieving the seat and unfolding it facing away from the shower door.

“Suit yourself.” And that was the last she heard from him.

Argento glanced at herself in the mirror. Every time she looked at herself these days she almost always had to do a double take. She was simply unused to her face looking that way, not with that eye patch. Besides her vision impairment, did it really matter anyway? It wasn’t as if it made a monumental difference in the way she looked and it wasn’t as if anyone cared about it past trying to find a way to sneak up on her blind side.

She knew she was far from ugly but she had never been particularly beautiful either. She certainly never received any compliments of that nature. But still, humans were vain creatures and she had always prided herself on her eyes. Her mother liked them, and had said she was so beautiful with such dark hair and light eyes. It had been one of her few happy memories that she had carried with her until this day. Would she still say she just as beautiful now that she only had one?

Maybe her mother wasn’t even alive anymore. She had no way of knowing really. Argento found herself trying to shake off those thoughts too. It was best not to dwell on such matters either as they almost always depressed her into a bout of insomnia.

“If you stare at yourself too long you’ll go cross-eyed.” Nero chastised behind her.

She must have lost track of time. Argento looked up at his mirror imagine in the glass. Nero was fully dressed, muzzled, straightjacketed, uniform and all. He seemed rather snug and relaxed despite his uncomfortable looking clothes. His hair was still damp and flat looking from the shower. He would probably catch cold if he didn’t dry it, but she wasn’t his mother and it wasn’t her place to tell him to do such a thing. “No one would know I was cross-eyed.” Argento tittered. “At least not without the other eye to compare it to.”

“I would notice.” He glanced down at her reflection before clearing his throat. “You know Miss Argento,” He waited until she turned around to look at him. He let a mechanical arm drop to his side, meaning for her to take it to stand. “There are worse things than losing an eye.”

She stared at that prosthetic limb for a moment, taking in the meaning of his words. “You are right of course.” She took his hand and climbed to her feet. When he didn’t release her right away she looked up at him.

“Try not to be too self conscious.” His eyes raked over her face. “I think it makes you look rather fetching.”

His compliment flustered her to no end. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, but the next words out of her mouth weren’t ones she wished she had said. “Aren’t you a little too young to be saying such things?” He paused for a long time at her words and without seeing his mouth she couldn’t be sure what he was feeling. His eyes were suddenly hooded and she half wondered if he was aggravated or amused. When his other prosthetic limb came down and clamped down on her arm, her heart skipped a beat.

“I wasn’t lying to you in my room.” He sounded so deadpan she couldn’t be sure of him. “I’ve already had a birthday since we saw each other last. I’m of age.”

“I’m sorry.” Even if it didn’t seem like he would bring her to harm, she still needed to remember herself. She couldn’t just say whatever she wanted without consequences. If she had tried to speak to Restrictor Fleuve in such a manner she would no doubt be tasting blood in her mouth right about now. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I just didn’t want you thinking I was a boy.” He let go of her and rested his limbs behind his back.

“Were you ever one?” She asked before thinking.

“Hm hm.” Nero sounded oh so amused once again. “Now I remember why I enjoy talking with you so.”

When he said nothing more on the matter she cleared her throat. “Are you finished? Would you like to return to your room now?”

“No, I don’t think so.” His tone was very offhanded.

“Mr. Nero?” She asked nervously.

“You said your room was on this floor?” He went to the shower room door and unlocked it.

“Why, yes it is.” She snatched up her blade and followed after him, hoping he wouldn’t cause her any trouble.

“Where is it?” His eyes swept up and down the hallways. There was an endless sea of doors with numbers stamped on them. He wondered which one was hers.

“Why would you want to see my room?” Her voice still carried a nervous ring to it. “It isn’t all that interesting.”

“You’ve been in my room before, both of them actually.” Nero seemed affronted. “Aren’t you going to show me yours?”

She wondered silently if he would take no for an answer. “I suppose I could show you.”

“Splendid, lead the way.”

Argento refrained from letting out the aggravated sound she wanted to make and lead him down the hallway to her room. She mashed the buttons on the keypad and the door snapped open.

Nero looked inside. It was tiny dwelling, but one with few personal belongings would be more than comfortable living in such a place. “You also have a room to yourself.”

“Yes.” It was probably the only pleasure she received since she earned her Color and rank as a Tsviet.

Nero made himself at home and plopped down on her bed. He placed his feet squarely on the floor and bounced a little as if testing it.

“What are you doing?” She got over her initial frustration of him entering into her room, after all he had been more than hospitable with his own dwelling, but he was acting strange. That and those sharp ends of his wings were very nearly stabbing into her mattress.

“Nothing.” He patted the side of the bed as if asking her to side beside him which she did very reluctantly.

“This is highly inappropriate.” She muttered.

There she went again, talking about being inappropriate again. “Yes I know, which is why it is so much fun.”

“Mr. Nero,” She began.

“Miss Argento…” He mimicked.

“I don’t want you to get into trouble. You were only just taken down. You don’t want to go back up there do you?” She tried pleading with him for his own sake.

“I think you are just worried you will get into trouble.” He teased her.

That had honestly been the furthest thing from her mind. She knew someone who would be thrilled at the chance for her to gather more information about the man sitting beside her. “It’s not that at all.”

“I…” He paused for a moment, inhaled and let out a loud sneeze.

“I knew it.” She sighed, snatching up her spare blanket from the foot of her bed.

“You knew what?”

“I knew you would get sick if you left your hair wet like that. It’s freezing outside.” She tossed the blanket over his head.

“But it’s warm in here.” He sniffled.

“It isn’t in your room though.” She sighed. “Really, you are causing me no end of trouble. I suppose you’ll need to stay here until your hair dries.”

“If it is too much trouble I can always go.” He sounded like he actually meant it.

“Don’t be silly.” She huffed. “I already offered you to stay.”

“If you insist.” He said a little too quickly.

“You are an awful boy.” Argento chastised none too seriously. It seemed like his playful mood was finally starting to rub off on her. She felt his hand on hers and she only just realized he released his arms from his jacket.

“I know I am.” He said softly.

“I…”

“I’m cold.” He interrupted. “Would you mind keeping me warm this time?”

“Of course.” What on earth had she just agreed to? Her brain must have popped out of her skull halfway between releasing him and traveling to the shower room. The silver ornament that rested against her forehead was removed and tossed on the side of the bed. Afterwards she felt him pulling her close to him before he lifted the blanket over her head as well. There she found her head resting on his shoulder while his leaned against hers. He had closed his eyes and relaxed, so she did the same.

It might not have been much but the warm skin against his cheek felt so nice against his own. It was probably during those long minutes sitting next to Argento that he decided to seriously pursue her. Yes, teasing her was fun and he enjoyed her company more than anything but he was having serious doubts he could simply remain friends with her. Not with the way he wanted to claim her. If it was nothing more than to satisfy that damned ache inside that dogged at him whenever she was around him then he would be happy. If it became something more then so be it.

This would take some planning of course. He didn’t want to frighten her or for it to turn into a onetime fling. He doubted he would be satisfied with something like that.

His thoughts were interrupted by her even breathing. She had fallen asleep? He let out a sigh and removed the blanket from atop their heads. He supposed he should let himself out. It was so dark in the hallways and with the lights being dimmed for the night he wondered if the cameras would even pick him up. Nero laid her out on the bed before he began loosening her belts and clothing to make her more comfortable. He managed with great difficulty to take her chest and shoulder plates off, but didn’t feel quite brave enough to remove anything else.

He really should go now, before any ideas rolled through his head. There would time for that sort of thing later. He almost felt like a windup doll after that, getting up jerkily and standing straight as a board. He let himself out of her room and into the hall. His room was a few stories down from here, it shouldn’t take him long to get there.

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A few days later Nero was given quite a surprise. Restrictor was actually leading him to the deepest part of Deepground. There was no mistaking where they were headed but he felt it was almost too much to hope for.

Restrictor wordlessly punched in the combination to Weiss’ chamber door and stepped aside so Nero could go in before him.

Nero took his cue and passed him, walking through first. The door closed behind him but he heard no footsteps following after him. He turned around, thinking he might see a man shrouded in a dark mask and cloak, but there was no one there. And then Nero felt rather than saw his brother appear behind him. He took a deep breath only for it to be forced out as he was lifted from the ground. He always liked it when Weiss held him in that iron grasp of his, the kind of embrace that made one’s ribs pop. Nero tilted his chin up and kissed Weiss’ cheek in greeting. Weiss kissed his eyelid by mistake. That gesture sent them into a fit of laughing before Weiss finally released him. “Weiss.” It felt like an eternity since Nero saw him last.

“Nero.” Weiss mimicked, gesturing over to his chair. “Come, sit with me.” Weiss sat down first and Nero followed. Once they were settled down they spent long quiet moments just enjoying each other’s company. The older brother almost smiled as Nero looked at him for the hundredth time. He knew well enough when Nero wanted to say something to him. “What is it?”

“Why was I allowed in here?” Nero looked around nervously. Restrictor hadn’t followed him in yet and it wasn’t often that he was escorted into this room unaccompanied. The two brothers often only saw each other during chance meetings or when Nero escaped to see him secretly.

“I don’t know.” Weiss shifted his elbow to the armrest and placed his chin atop his fisted hand.

But something in Weiss’ eyes told him that he did. “I see.” Nero wouldn’t press it but he hated not knowing as well. His brother kept many things from him, trying to shield him from the harsh reality all around them. Weiss just didn’t understand it hurt more not knowing the truth.

“I missed you.” Weiss said instantly, trying to avoid an awkward silence. It worked.

Nero’s arms went around his brother’s neck again and held him fast. Even if Weiss didn’t tell him everything, he knew better than to waste time. It was too precious. “Me too. I missed you too.” He felt Weiss’ hand on his lower back.

Weiss had meant to ask him something earlier. “You met someone? A friend?” It seemed from Nero’s expression that he had been taken off guard. “I am right?” A pleased sound passed between his lips.

Nero shook his head as if to clear it. That was sudden! How did he know? He released his elder brother to look him squarely in the eyes.

“You look surprised.” Weiss seemed so very amused with him.

“Well, yes!” Nero sputtered. “I was going to tell you actually.” He got into a comfortable, almost conversational position before speaking. “Argento, we met her remember?” Nero waited for his brother to nod before speaking further on the subject. “Did you meet with her recently? Did she tell you?” She must have told Weiss they met! How else would he know?

“No, someone else mentioned it.” Weiss looked away as if thinking about what he wanted to say next. “I’ve not told you this, mostly because it was of little importance, but I remember fighting against her when I was younger.” She wasn’t much of a challenge really but she was definitely not a drone either. “We’ve talked about things as well.” He gave Nero a look that clearly spoke of his rebellion against the Restrictors. “I heard that she lost her eye a week or so ago.”

“Hn.” Nero nodded, affirming what Weiss said was true.

“That’s a shame.” Weiss looked troubled at this news. While he had no use for her in battle, he still needed her to carry out his plans. Maybe Shelke would be alright by herself, but he was sure Argento sped things along.

“It is.” Nero nodded his head once more. “But she is fine as far as I can tell.”

“I suppose Restrictor only has her guarding the hallways now.” Weiss guessed she wouldn’t be a decent instructor until she got used to her disability. “Keeping her like a pet canary.”

Nero narrowed his eyes at that, he had heard some rumors. “She talks to him often?”

“Very often.” Weiss gestured his hand to the side. “But she speaks to him in riddles or doesn’t tell him the whole truth.” Or so he hoped. He hated to believe that this was all an elaborate ruse.

Interesting, he would have to talk to her more about that later. “How do you know?”

“I just do.” Weiss smiled, shifting his weight to the other side. “I can tell from when Restrictor interrogates me. She often leaves out key points so I do the same.”

“Ah.” That made Nero feel a little better.

Now that they had broached the subject of Argento he needed to mention something that had been bothering him for a while now. “I was wondering if you would do me a small favor, my Nero?”

Nero wasn’t sure if he liked his tone, it meant something was afoot. “Yes Weiss?”

“Restrictor is planning on you accompanying Argento in the hallways, and he might even send her out on missions with you in the future. I’m not sure what his plans are, but please keep an eye on her for me.”

“An eye?” He wondered.

“I am sure Restrictor knows I am starting to have my doubts about Argento.” He tried explaining. “I know that without trust we will never be rid of him, but I would be a fool to trust just anyone, especially anyone very close to that man.”

“But she is afraid of him.” Nero said softly.

Fear was one of the biggest motivators of all down here. He knew he had succumbed to it more than once in his young life. “All the more reason to be suspicious.” Weiss sighed. “Just speak with her, if you trust her than I will.”

He had such confidence in him, he wondered if it was misplaced. “I am not sure if I can be trusted to be objective on the matter.”

It wasn’t like Nero to refuse him anything. “And why is that?”

“I am friends with her.” He didn’t want to admit his plans for her just yet.

“I see.” Weiss frowned at that, his brother was so transparent. “Isn’t she a little old for you… to be friends?”

“Only by a year.” Nero protested. “And we are just friends.”

“Hm, really?” That was surprising. “And here I thought she was much older.”

“It’s her personality.” And her vocabulary, and probably the way she looked too damned serious all the time.

Weiss shook his head as if the subject at hand was a small matter. “Well, in either case I still trust your judgment.”

“Thank you for believing in me.” He sure hoped Weiss knew what he was doing.

“Report back to me if you think anything suspicious is going on. We’ll need to throw her off our scent if she is snooping around for Restrictor.”

Speaking of Mr. Fleuve… He didn’t know if he wanted to ask or not. “Is he in here often?” His glance at the door indicated who he was talking about.

“Yes, he comes in here quite a bit.” Weiss didn’t say anything else on that.

Nero waited for him to go on and was sorely disappointed when his brother didn’t elaborate on the matter. So he was going to have to dig for answers then? “Does he hurt you?” He knew he did, but he just wondered to what extent.

“Not like you are thinking.” The quietness that followed told Nero clearly he didn’t want to talk about it. “But he only hurts me when I am provoking him or he’s aggravated, so almost all the time.”

But Nero didn’t give up just yet. “Does he still talk to you?”

Weiss’ lip curled up in a grin, Nero was asking quite a few questions today. “When he feels like it.” He ran his large palm through his platinum hair.

“That’s sad.” They had all been such good friends when they were younger.

“Yes, it is.” Weiss shrugged. “But people change.”

“Yes.” For the worse. Nero looked into his brother’s eyes. “Is this all going to end soon?” It was something he always asked. One could never tell when the rein of the Restrictors would come to an end. It could be whenever Argento and Shelke found a replacement for Restrictor, or it could take longer. It all depended on the replacement.

Restrictor Fleuve, he held the power to kill Weiss. Not just by conventional means, but by dying himself. All of the Restrictors had a particular ability over all the experiments. They had the power to paralyze them via a chip implanted near their spine. They merely needed to raise their hand and issue a word of subjection and all those around them would be crippled. Even he had one and it was damned annoying. Still, it was better than what Weiss had been injected with on top of having that paralyzing chip. He had a virus lying dormant in his bloodstream, something powerful and awful. It would never bring Weiss to harm unless Restrictor Fleuve died. He wasn’t sure on the particulars about how it worked, but he knew a signal would be sent out at his death and Weiss would die three days later.

It was a sort of failsafe. Even if Weiss grew too powerful to be contained, if he dared fight against that man then he would follow him to the grave. It kept him planning a coup and Nero from escaping or trying to kill the man himself. Everything was convenient in that way.

But Weiss found a way around the virus. He found a file that stated that they only needed to find a replacement for Restrictor, someone with a great deal of strength and most of all… someone who didn’t have a chip implanted inside them.

Still, such a thing was risky business and Nero was reluctant to believe something they found in a file. Goodness knew how old it was or if it would even work! What if Weiss died? What then? He didn’t know how he could go on without him. He silently hoped his elder brother was never ready or that they would never find a replacement because that meant that there was one more day Nero could spend with his Weiss.

“No, we haven’t found a proper replacement yet.” Weiss frowned. The last person Shelke and Argento had found had a chip inside them, it just hadn’t been activated. The one before had one as well, but the chip had been broken. It had made him act all the more cautious. One false move and he would die. He needed to make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that whoever they chose would be a suitable replacement for Restrictor.

Nero let go of a breath he didn’t know he had been holding in his lungs. Thank goodness. He was surprised when Weiss took him in his arms and held him. He placed his dark hands on his brother’s naked back.

“I love you.” Those words were so simple and clear.

Nero both loved and hated them because that meant they would be parting soon. “Weiss,” He grew tearful. “I love you as well.”

“Be safe.” Weiss allowed Nero to stand before getting up himself.

Nero took this chance to hold him again. “You too.”

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This was so incredibly boring. If the view wasn’t so nice he might have revolted hours ago. Nero’s hands rested lazily on the handguns belted at his waist. He couldn’t believe Argento did this sort of thing day in and day out. She greeted another new comer in her usual flat tone. She always inspected them with her eye, gave them hints on how to survive and sent them on their merry way. If a seasoned soldier approached them, then she checked on their progress. He liked the latter, they didn’t take as long. He yawned openly for what seemed like the fifth time in that very hour.

“Bored?” She asked once the last recruit left. He nodded in response to her question. “It isn’t an exciting life, but it’s what I have.”

“Information gathering?” He surmised, his thumb caressing the handle of semi-automatic. He only had to pull it out once today. Some green recruit thought he could earn a name for himself by killing Argento and himself. It was just rudeness is what it was! He could still see the blood smear where a couple of the soldier’s friends had to drag his body down the hallway. He imagined they were grateful he didn’t just blow them away for being associated with their idiotic friend. He might have to later if they were the vengeful type.

“Hn.” A soft smile touched her lips. “The Restrictors like to know how the soldiers are coming along.”

“Don’t they have scientists for that sort of thing?” Nero asked curiously, letting his hand slip away from his weapon. She was eyeing him and he didn’t want her to think he was going to hurt her if she didn’t answer to his liking

“True, but the soldiers don’t tell them everything and they can’t see everything.” She tried explaining. “The soldiers seem to be more open when it’s not one of the scientists asking the questions.”

“And that’s when you gather the remaining data?” His voice was almost accusatory.

“I suppose.” His tone wasn’t lost to her.

“Don’t you think that’s a little manipulative?” He finally asked what he wanted to the whole time.

“I tell them what they need to know and nothing more.” Argento frowned, not liking where the conversation was heading. “Some lonely soldier gets an ear to listen and I get to live.” She turned to him full on. “I cannot function as a solider like you. I have no offensive capabilities bestowed upon me like you or the other Tsviets.” Her fingers griped the sword she carried. “And my vision is impaired. What would you have me do?”

He almost felt ashamed. It’s not like she was doing her job because she wanted to, it was because she had to. No one had a choice down here, no one. He supposed it was Weiss and his conversation from earlier that put him on edge. “I apologize.”

She visibly relaxed, glad that he seemed to understand her position. “That’s quite alright. You didn’t know.”

“Do you…” Even still, something was bothering him. “Do you write things down? Things you’ve seen and heard?”

So he wasn’t going to let it go. “I must make my reports.”

“Oh.” That was disturbing. “What do those reports contain?”

“Nothing too incredibly personal.” She remained vague, thinking she had already answered this question earlier.

“I see. Like what?” He wasn’t about to let her dodge him.

Argento smiled patiently. There was nothing for it. She was either going to answer him or he was going to keep asking. “Injuries an experiment may be hiding, their mental state. Those sorts of things.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “I hope you understand I do not tell the Restrictors their personal business. For example, if the subject misses their brother or not.”

“Heh.” Her answer made him feel a little better. Now that that was out of the way he desperately wanted to know how she could make a report without having lifted a pencil all day. “How do you remember everyone? How can you make an accurate report if you don’t write things down right away?”

“I do sometimes.” She admitted. “But it gets rather easy after a while, especially when you’ve met everyone and talked with them everyday.”

“Do you know everyone’s name?” He couldn’t imagine it! So many people lived down here.

“Hn.” She nodded. “It takes me a while to remember the new ones, but I’ll eventually get them right.”

“That’s amazing.” Nero was impressed. Sure there were a few that survived quite a while down here, but more often than not soldiers died and people were brought in to replace them.

“Not really.” She said modestly.

Gods help him, he knew she wouldn’t but it was better to ask now rather than just go on being suspicious. “Do you write about me?”

Argento paused for a moment, not knowing if she wanted to answer. She supposed she should tell him, there was no point in lying about it. “Yes.”

He figured she would give him the same answer as before, but he thought he would ask. “What did you write about me?”

She sighed, he just wasn’t going to drop the subject. It was best to have a little fun with him at any rate. “That you are quite out of your mind. When you sleep, you snore loudly. Your favorite color is not black as your name suggests but beige. You enjoy petting small animals and reading articles on space travel by one Cid Highwind.”

Nero choked. So she had a sense of humor lurking somewhere deep inside that icey shell of hers. “So nothing personal?”

“No, nothing personal.” Argento tittered. “Restrictor Fleuve seems pleased that you are so relaxed around me. He hopes I can learn more about the powers you possess and how you are coming along.” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to say this in the hallway, just in case someone was listening, but she said it anyway. He seemed so curious about her line of work and it was appearing to be better to volunteer information rather than let him go on and ask the same thing over and over. “I’m not going to tell them anything of importance and nothing they don’t already know. So please do not worry yourself.”

Despite the insane amount of boredom he was rather happy about being here today. It really cleared the air and helped erased many of the doubts he had about her.

“Besides, it’s the secrets that make life more interesting.” Her voice held uncharacteristically playful ring to it.

Nero smiled at that, although she could not see it. “So he is actually happy that we spend time together?” He meant Restrictor.

“Oh yes, he is very pleased.” Argento repeated, placing the point of her blade into the ground. She then rested her hands on it.

“That’s why I am standing here right now?” It seemed Restrictor was doing him all sorts of favors recently.

“Yes.” She rested her good eye for a moment. With Nero nearby at least she didn’t have to worry about someone sneaking up on her.

Nero thought she looked like a statue standing like that. “Do you think he was trying to put me in a good mood by letting me see Weiss before I came here?”

Her eye opened and she glanced at him. “I wouldn’t know anything about that, but perhaps.”
She appeared confused by his words.

Nero was surprised to hear that she wasn’t aware of the visit. He had been so sure Restrictor planned the whole thing.

Argento didn’t know if she should ask, not after what they just talked about, but it seemed as good a time as any. “There is a rumor circulating that the Restrictor of this sector knew the two of you when you were younger.”

“Yes, we were placed in the soldier program around the same time.” Nero offered. “He and Weiss were friends, I just tagged along.”

“I see. How things change.” She didn’t know if she should press the matter further.

“That’s what Weiss said.” Nero shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He renewed his grip on his handguns when he saw someone walk by in an adjacent hallway. They kept moving along so he relaxed ever so slightly. “He was taken away from us when we were still young. Weiss was maybe fifteen years old at the time. Restrictor was probably seventeen. He didn’t take it to well.”

“I can imagine.” Although she really couldn’t could she? She had never had a friend besides Nero, and their relationship was still fresh.

“Then he appeared again one day. My brother didn’t know it was him until later. He swears it is him, but Restrictor has only ever revealed himself to Weiss. It’s not like I can confirm it myself but I believe my brother.”

“He has no reason to lie.” Argento nodded.

“They don’t like each other and Weiss will kill him one day… but I think they talk sometimes.”

About what they could only guess.

She didn’t know if she should share this with him. “I’ve also heard a rumor that they have been having an illicit affair.”

Nero craned his neck towards her awkwardly. He didn’t like the implications, but he was bored and this conversation just kept getting better. Besides, he didn’t think she was trying to be disrespectful. It was just something she heard and wondered if it was true. He heard stranger things before. “You don’t say?” He shook his head. “No, no, my brother... er… Weiss would never do something like that.” At least not anymore, but he would save that tale for another day.

“I didn’t think so either.” She seemed disappointed. “I thought he might have told you something.”

“No, nothing.” Nero affirmed.

“Would he tell you?” Argento wondered, leaning forward on her blade ever so slightly.

Nero wanted to say right away that there were no secrets between them but he knew Weiss sometimes had things he kept to himself. He wasn’t perturbed at his brother by any means. After all, they all had their secrets. But he really hoped that Weiss would tell him something as important as that. “He might not.” Then he thought about it. “Well, maybe Restrictor was doing him a favor?” What was wrong with a little speculation? It was kind of fun. “When I was allowed to see Weiss earlier?”

“Maybe.” Argento made a pleased sound.

Apparently she enjoyed gossiping. Nero grinned, that was okay… so did he. “There is a rumor being spread about us too.” It was a lie, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Is there?” Argento asked curiously. “I haven’t heard it yet. What did we do that I should know about?”

“They say we are having an illicit affair.” Nero tittered. He wanted to say something like: “Would you like to prove the rumors true?” but he wasn’t quite brave enough to say that just yet.

How could a rumor like that have started circulating already? They had only stood side by side once in public and that was today! “Oh my!” She tisked. “What a terrible rumor. I hope it hasn’t caused you any problems.”

“Terrible?” He put his hand over his heart as if wounded. “Would it be so horrible to be with me?”

“Well, no.” She didn’t realize how insulting that must have sounded. “Well, what I meant was ‘how terrible for you.’” Argento felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. She wasn’t used to discussing such things. “I’m sure you don’t want to be associated with me in that way.”

This was the first time Nero had ever seen her act so bashfully. She was a different person when she was taken out of her comfort zone. “It’s not horrible for me.”

His unexpected answer took her off guard. “Oh well, that’s nice.” Wait a moment! What did she just say?

“Nice, hm?” Nero raised a brow at that.

Could she say nothing right today? Maybe she could start over. “Mr. Nero, I-” Argento began, trying to bring back a sliver of normalcy to a conversation gone horribly wrong.

“So formal.” He purred, interrupting her. “Although I must admit, it sounds strange since I have no last name.” He stepped closer to her and she moved a step back. Ah, so this was a dance. It seemed the shyer she grew the bolder he felt. “Do you remember a few days ago Miss Argento?” He mocked her formality from earlier, moving in a way were she had no where to go but back into the wall. “Have you figured out why I make you so nervous yet?”

Argento moved back just as he predicted. “Well, no.” She almost dropped the sword she carried when she felt the wall against her back. She didn’t flatten herself against it though, wanting to retain a small measure of dignity. “And you don’t make me nervous.”

“Is that so?” The toes of his boots were practically touching hers. He almost felt bad for her the way she was shaking so that he could feel her chest plate practically vibrating against his breastbone. “Then why have you squashed yourself against the wall to get away from me?”

Had she pressed herself against the stonework after all? So much for dignity. “Because, you were so close… and I…” Argento had no idea how to answer. She was too busy watching as he placed a palm on either side of her of her form, effectively blocking her from any escape.

Maybe this was a cruel game for him to play, but it was fun to see her reaction. “Because what?”

Their noses were almost touching. Rather than going cross eyed to look at him she turned her head to the side and closed her eye. “Why are you doing this?”

It was times like these when he hated having this damned mask over his face. “Doing what?”

Her mind was so far gone that she let her blade clatter to the floor. He was so close that she could feel his warm breath seeping through the cloth he wore over his mouth. The worst part of it all was she wanted to move forward and press herself into the warmth his body was giving off, but there was something inside her that wouldn’t allow her to act on that impulse. It was a silent fear maybe, that he was merely teasing her just to see if she would fall into his trap. That he was just staging it all to humiliate her. If that was the case, it was almost too awful to bear. “Please, stop this.”

“Stop what?” Nero pressed his forehead against hers. “I don’t want to do anything you wouldn’t like.”

“S-stop.” She felt his face brush against hers briefly, as if he was simply turning his head and it was only by accident that their skin met.

Nero couldn’t help but hope she felt it too, that electricity between their skin. It would be disappointing if it was only fear that made her tremble. “I can’t stop unless you tell me what you want me to stop.” He teased.

“Don’t…” Argento whimpered. She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Don’t what?” He wasn’t going to let her go until she told him.

“Don’t toy with me.” She trembled with the effort it took her to speak.

And then he got the chance to say what he wanted to say all along. “I’m not.”

She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. A pleasant sensation rolled through her, followed by the need to run as far away as possible. “I… I think I should be going.”

It seemed the spell was broken for now. “Is that so?” He frowned. Ah well, he would get her next time.

“Y-yes. I should report back to my living quarters. My shift ended a while ago. I shouldn’t be late. There could be consequences.” Her voice was hurried and so unlike her.

He moved away from her enough to where she could bring her face away from the wall behind her. “And we wouldn’t want that.”

“No.” She shook her head, barely able to look him in the eye.

“Then go.” He moved his hands away from the wall, allowing her to retrieve her weapon and scuttle out of sight. “Talk to you later Miss Argento.” He headed back to his own room, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

Argento kept a brisk pace all the way to her room. Once there she did something she hadn’t done in years… throw herself down on the bed and cover her head with a pillow.

How embarrassing! How embarrassing! Why couldn’t she just act normal? Why was everything always so awkward with him? It was as if the moment he came around she couldn’t think straight and was reduced to a babbling fool.

It was just that stupid fear inside her that wouldn’t allow her to accept it. She was used to being in control of herself. There wasn’t much she could control, but controlling her emotions had been one thing she prided herself on. The only recent time she had broken down was when Restrictor put her eye out. All the torture, all the beatings and humiliation… she always took it silently or with dignity.

It’s not like she could stop herself from feeling this way. It wasn’t as if she hated Nero. If she did then he would be easy to ignore. His kindness just made things so much more difficult. But tonight… what in the world was that? He took her completely off guard by acting in such a peculiar way!

Argento sat up suddenly, realizing how utterly stupid she was being. She just needed to clear her head. She stood up, grabbed the hilt of her blade from where she carelessly dropped it earlier and walked out the door. She would just go for a walk. That should do it.

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To be continued…