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The warmth of the sun danced with the bitterness of the air. There was a bit of a breeze but it was being easily kept at bay, though his ear felt bitten. Was the chill in the air caused by the onset of winter? The fresh air felt good in his lungs as he inhaled deeply. The sounds of the ships in the harbor, the gulls. Everything that currently entered into his senses felt wonderful. It had been so long since he'd last remembered feeling this level of comfort. It was blissful. Arms wrapped further into himself and nudged his face into a relaxed chest.

[color=gray][i][b]You have the most soul crushingly blue eyes[/b]...[/i]

Gunshots. [b]This is who I am[/b], combat boots and water. [b]That's not fair[/b]. Pleasantries, insecurities, and travel, oh my. The Haollow. Laughter. [b]You don't deserve to have kids[/b]. Ramses, Aaron, Cosette, and... [b]Save Cosette, please[/b]. You'll die unwanted and alone. Gunshots.

[i]...[b]mon amour[/b].[/i]

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The blurred vision of a harbor came into sight as Nick jolted upright. He looked all around him, wide eyed. His breath was hard and he was confused. He spoke just as rapidly as his heart did in his chest, trying to make sense of everything as he looked to Thierry, [b]"What, where? Aurélie? Where are?!? HiveMind?"[/b]

Thierry did his best to keep his calm. Nick was already upset, he'd been out of it the entire way to the surface. [b]"We're in Syracuse."[/b]

[b]"[i]Italy[/i]?! H-h"[/b] Nick blinked as he tried to gain his senses, but was unable to form any other words, let alone sentences.

[b]"I signed some papers."[/b] Thierry spoke softly while clutching Nick.

[b]"Wha- paper-"[/b]

[b]"Everybody got out. Aaron and Ramses are just fine too, well... [i]cranky[/i], but you know how it is after getting back to civilization. Subject #0003... she's Cosette, [i]my child[/i]. All my life I've neglected everybody around me for my life's work. But this time,"[/b] Thierry whimpered as a single tear threatened his dry face, [b]"This time I chose [i]you[/i]."[/b]

What? Did he hear Thierry right? No. The confusion danced with a lump in his throat as Nick scanned the birds that flew by. After a minute of silence he then brought his attention back to Thierry's facial features. The man looked rough. Like it'd been the hardest week of his life, but the reality of it was that it had probably only been a day. The words rang heavily in the forefront of his mind. [color=gray][i][b]I chose you.[/b][/i][/color] Nick was like a [i]deer in headlights[/i] as Thierry gently ran a hand across his face. [i]Nobody [/i]had ever chosen [i]him [/i]over [i]anything[/i]. He didn't completely believe Thierry, despite the pointedness of it all. Either Thierry was flat-out lying, or Nick was certain he was drugged... He did feel stiff in the neck.

The noise didn't stop their conversation, despite it being a tourist attraction. In Nick's mind, he was floating out somewhere beyond the clouds. Or? He was trying desperately to ground himself as he fell deeper. He couldn't breath, but was breathing just fine. He pushed Thierry away then asked, [b]"What [i]exactly [/i]did you give him? And where's Aurélie?"[/b]

[b]"Von Galloes is now the proud,"[/b] Thierry paused pulling out a single [url=https://i.imgur.com/0GPXHMi.jpg]artifact[/url] from his inner coat pocket... [b]"or potentially [i]disappointed [/i]owner of all my Louvre assets."[/b] The savvy man pocketed the hard earned trinket then pointed to a coffee shop behind them. [b]"She [i]hates [/i]me! But with every right, oui? I think Sabrina might be coming to get her. And from the sounds of the call I had with her, she's not very thrilled with me either. I imagine that Sabrina will think I should be holding Aurélie right now and [i]not [/i]you, but... c'est la vie."[/b]

There was relief in knowing that Aurélie was safe, along with a certain lack of jealousy, but he still questioned his husband. [b]"I don't get it."[/b] He paused and shook his head. [b]"You never told me what was so fucking special about that pendant. I fell off a damn semi getting it for you, but it's just a Spirit Halloween purple tear drop."[/b]

Thierry laughed softly, and shook his head in disagreement. [b]"This was forged from Dark Energy by Khufu's priests."[/b]

[b]"Wait. Why would Khufu even need... Oh"[/b] Nick's pause caused Thierry to slowly nod in agreement, [b]"Shit."[/b]

[b]"We'll lie low for awhile. Let him [i]think [/i]he's got all the cards. In the meantime..."[/b] His voice trailed.

...

A honeymoon might be in order.

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