"I love you."
ㅤㅤQuilliene blinked at him in surprise. Here they were, standing in the middle of her bedroom, and he just confessed the treasured three words neither of them had shared yet. They were just about to head out, to enact the plan. They were going to Glo Factory, to lure the shapeshifter - Axelius - out with his sister's words. Take him by surprise in a territory they knew, instead of following his paper trails.
ㅤㅤ"What?" She asked, breathless.
ㅤㅤ"I love you." Neo said again. "I haven't said it yet, but I mean it."
ㅤㅤHe looked so serious that she wanted to laugh, but she swallowed it back down. "Why now?" Quilliene questioned him. "Is something wrong? Is the sickness growing? Are you okay?"
ㅤㅤThis time, he laughed. "Can't I just say it?" He mused playfully, then gripped her hands in his. "You mean so much to me, and we're about to walk into danger again. I don't... want something to happen, and not have said it when I had the chance."
ㅤㅤShe knew what he meant. He didn't want them to die and not have said it. She smiled a little. "You're so sappy. We'll be fine, Neo. I promise." Her hands climbed to rest on either of his cheeks. "But I love you, too."
ㅤㅤNeo's eyes lit up like she had never seen them do before. He grinned, uncontrollably, and pulled her into a kiss so immense that it made their hearts intertwine. When they finally parted, she raised her eyes to him. Just trying this whole dating thing out, it made her want to melt every time she felt his warmth against her skin. She snuggled into his chest, humming quietly before pulling away.
ㅤㅤ"Let's go." She said, a new confidence in her chest.
ㅤㅤShe snuck in a kiss on his cheek before they made their way towards the door. Quilliene - instead of wearing a dress like usual - actually had dark blue jeans with a tan sweater blouse, along with boots. As they opened the door, they saw that outside the room was Circe and Kyrana accompanied by Raemith. They stood a few ways away, Circe's forehead resting against Kyrana's with their hands gripped together before their chests.
ㅤㅤ"I-I've never done anything like this before." Circe was whispering. "I don't know i-if I'm ready to do this, but I can't let you go without me."
ㅤㅤ"I will be fine," Kyrana said back. "If you don't think you can come, I understand. He hurt you before - but he will not hurt you again." She brushed Circe's lip with her thumb. "I promise, if you do come, I won't let him lay a finger on you."
ㅤㅤCircle shook her head, smiling as she cupped Kyrana's face and kissed her. "I know - I know. But I don't think I could l-let you go alone. And he doesn't scare me when I have you..."
ㅤㅤ"Good." Kyrana mused carefully, staring into her eyes. "Don't worry - like I said, he won't be able to touch you with me there." A smile flickered across her lips. "We'll be okay."
ㅤㅤ"We'll be okay." Circe repeated.
~~~
ㅤㅤThey were ready.
ㅤㅤThe group rendezvoused per Christopher's instructions at the gate, where he was waiting dressed in something much more specialised for combat. Once situated, Quilliene transported them all to the train station in a Welsh neighbourhood. She would never forget the area. The lights inside of everything were out, save for a candlelight next to an abandoned hut sitting beside the tracks.
ㅤㅤInside, the group found Alexandria, sitting down in what looked like to be a makeshift conference area. Boxes upon boxes of stock material scattered about, and the centre of the room had a stack of papers. She was sitting in front of it, playing with one, folding it over and making a paper airplane. She had a baggy sweater with tights and running shoes, her usually ponytail now back in a bun.
ㅤㅤWhen she noticed the gang, she looked up but didn't make an effort to move. Neo noticed that, since it was the first time Circe and Kyrana saw Alexandria, they seemed a little confused. Neo was sure they expected a dark and gloomy woman, which she was, but obviously a bit more powerful looking at least. He looked on, seeing her staring at them, but defiant in her movement.
ㅤㅤHe glanced at Christopher, who didn't make a move to approach her. Neo sighed, parting from the group and entering the hut, walking up. He wasn't afraid of her - if she tried anything, he was sure he could defy her this time. After all, Christopher told him she got a weaker hold on people she used her ability on more, and he was a very defiant individual.
ㅤㅤ"Come on," He said, stopping in front of her. "We're ready."
ㅤㅤShe looked up at him, watching carefully. "You're so impatient." She commented. "Give me a second, I'm thinking. With what you'll be paying me to do, I'm sure someone here could understand."
ㅤㅤNeo glared at her before he rolled his eyes, sighing loudly and obviously before moving on back out to the others. He was clearly annoyed, grinding his teeth as he crossed his arms and leaning against the wall next to the door. The others talked among themselves as Quilliene was the only one brave enough to approach him, looking him over.
ㅤㅤ"Is she coming?" She asked.
ㅤㅤ"She says she's thinking." He hissed, glaring at the door. "Whatever the bloody hell that means."
ㅤㅤQuilliene turned to watch the other woman carefully. She placed a comforting hand on Neo's arm without looking at him, but then moved to step inside. He reached out to stop her, but they exchanged a silent staring argument before Neo gave in. He stepped back, watching carefully as Quilliene went inside, standing in front of Alexandria. The girl seemed surprised for a moment before her expression hardened.
ㅤㅤ"I'm not going to rush you." Quilliene said calmly. "I understand. I want him dead, and you have voiced your concern in this matter. You want him dead, too." The girl grimaced as she continued. "But piece of advice? You don't have to go around pretending like it doesn't hurt."
ㅤㅤAlexandria gave her majesty a careful look, her gaze dancing between each eye as if to double check if she were bullshitting her. When the answer seemed unclear and Quilliene simply stood there, the girl looked down in silence and mulled it over. Finally, she stood up, her eyes downcast, as she followed Quilliene out into the open night air.
ㅤㅤ"Ready?" Christopher inquired.
ㅤㅤ"No." She responded solemnly.
ㅤㅤYet, she didn't have a choice, and both Quilliene and Neo knew this. They glanced at each other, gripping their hands together, as they started off down the street. A fight was about to ensue, and he was supposed to take it easy, as per everyone's request. He wasn't sure how to do that, but as he glanced at the peeking black vein on his chest, he knew he had to.
ㅤㅤFor Quilliene.