The sun’s light had begun waning when Lucien, accompanied by Lector, made his way back to the uncompleted building where Mikky was watched by another one of Lector’s partners.

Evelyn, carrying the target of their operation, had gone off to deliver the unconscious man to their superior, leaving Lucien and Lector alone to bask in a quite uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch as they walked back.

Lector had a certain... heaviness to his expression. A far-off, downcast look. It was strange to see the blond man appear that way. And it was sufficient to say that Lector wasn’t looking all Lector-ish.

’It seems letting those kids... die had a really negative effect on him. Just like in the novel.’

Lucien straightened his back, facing forward. That hard fall to the ground hadn’t so much as bruised him. Although it had stung a bit initially. An effect of [Steel Body], he reckoned.

’And just like in the novel...’ Lucien gazed at the kid flung on Lector’s shoulder. ’She was the only child to survive The Cerulean Orphanage.’

Suddenly, the air around them became thick, heavy, stale. Lucien felt his resolve lessen, and the enforcement around his mentality trembled softly.

’Shit, but it’s my fault,’ he thought. ’I was so focused on saving only Amira that I disregarded the life of every other tormented young soul in there.’

He sighed.

’If only I had planned better...’

Lucien gazed at the skies. They’d taken on a certain quality now, streaked golden by the evening sun, more mellow. More visible amidst the clouds.

He shook his head, wearing a somber smile. And then, he gazed back, watching the last trails of smoke from where they’d come from waft into the air in the distance.

Smiling and feeling something bitter swirl within his heart, Lucien whispered:

"Rest well."

And he faced forward, eliciting, for the first time, a gaze from Lector, who tightly held on to Amira.

His reddened hazel eyes were fixed on Lucien’s silver hair, which made the young man raise a brow as he regarded him.

"What is it?"

Turning away from Lucien, Lector let out a small huff sound.

"I didn’t take you for the sentimental type."

Lucien chuckled softly, shrugging.

"Me neither."

With his heart feeling a bit more relieved, Lucien felt his resolve return, hardening.

Meanwhile, Lector stared into the distance, silent.

"You know," Lucien said, "It wasn’t your fault."

’It was mine.’

"There was nothing you could’ve possibly done in that condition."

Lector clenched his fists.

"I know," he said. "I... know."

Lucien tapped his shoulder.

"You know, not long ago, someone told me something." Lucien smiled. "And what he told me might’ve sounded simple, but it stuck with me. And I think it might do the same with you, too, Lector."

"What was that?" Lector asked, curious. "What was it he said that stuck with you?"

"You’re a good man, Lector," Lucien said. "Don’t let your smile get buried by the storms of this dirty world."

It was getting too weird seeing Lector without his annoying bright smile.

Suddenly, Lector paused.

Lucien didn’t. He kept walking, smiling. But he did look back at Lector over his shoulder.

The blond, model-like Prowler was smiling.

"I won’t," he said in that heavily accented voice of his, white grin toothy.

Lucien scoffed, facing forward.

’Now that’s Lector.’

And Lector followed behind.

Slowly, gradually, the atmosphere around them lightened as they eased their way with conversations, walking back to the uncompleted building.

"You think this kid would try to attack us if she wakes up again?" Lector suddenly asked.

"She... probably might. What’s this, the fifth or seventh time you’ve knocked her unconscious because of that?"

"Haha... the girl can really bite."

***

Lector’s laugh was bittersweet as he and Lucien approached the entrance to the uncompleted building.

The blond man’s mood was looking a bit better. Less solemn. But Lucien could still detect a teensy bit of bitterness in his voice, the way he laughed, the way his shoulder seemed to tense whenever he stared into the distance for too long.

Anyway, it was already sunset when they arrived. And the evening had taken on a more romantic quality as the bustling of the streets in the distance seemed to have mellowed significantly, casting a sweet type of silence that would’ve been better enjoyed with a pot of stew garnished with just the right ingredients, nothing too spicy–

"LUCI!!!!!" A young, childish voice growled.

Blink.

’Ah, yes.’

Lucien hadn’t even fully stepped foot into the building when a raging storm in child form sprinted from the end of the room, jumping and wrapping all four limbs around him.

Chuckling softly to himself, Lector walked into the building with Amira still on his shoulder.

While Lucien stared into the eyes of a... puppy?

Large, glistening blue eyes. A wide smile, black hair, outstretched tongue, wagging tail– okay the last parts were lies.

But damn, this kid was cute.

Smiling brightly, Lucien ruffled Mikky’s black hair, emerald eyes softening.

"I’m back," he said. "And, like I promised, I didn’t take much time, did I?"

Mikky nodded incessantly.

"But I was waiting. I thought something weird must’ve happened to you. I was about to–" Michael paused, frowning slightly as he stared at Lector at the end of the room. "Who’s that?"

Lucien blinked, feigning ignorance.

"Who? Lector? You don’t know Lect–"

"Not Lettor!" Mikky stood straight now, pointing at Amira, who lay on the ground next to the blond man. "That one! With purple hair!"

’Still calling him Lettor, I see.’

Lucien grinned.

"Oh! You mean the child, right?"

"YES!" Mikky’s skeptical expression suddenly brightened. And his eyes widened as he gazed at Lucien. "Is she–" He pointed at Amira. "The one–" He pointed at Lucien. Then at himself. "The one you..."

Lucien nodded.

"Mn hm."

"The new sibli–"

"Not yet, though." Lucien stood straight, walking into the building, Mikky following beside him. "Let’s just say she needs time to adjust first. She just survived and escaped one of the most brutal moments of her life. She’ll need to heal a little before she’d accept us–"