Chapter 72: Matters of the Heart

Entry 2508
What is this feeling?

Whenever I’m around Chiron it’s like my light has weight behind it. Not in a bad way, mind you. But maybe this is what it’s like when I hear people talk about beautifly in their stomach?

With Chiron, it’s like the past doesn’t matter. Even though I know I’ve done truly awful things. They’re more like distant unpleasant memories than things I’m constantly replaying in my mind and trying to justify as being necessary.

I’m going to ask someone about this.

UPDATE
Enamorus says I’m in love. What an absolute idiot! She knows full well I’m not the kind of person who deserves love. Much less from Chiron.

… Though I suppose sticking her head into a tree trunk was unnecessary. I should really go apologize. And tweeze out all the splinters I probably gave her.

Igneous had gotten what he needed from Vegna. He hastily left the arena, hoping that, at the very least, Seifer and Quetzal could keep him occupied. The grovlazzle kept to the grated metal walkways. It was probably unnecessary. Vegna was rather out of it. But Igneous had left enough to chance as is.

He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to stop it from prickling. Every word he heard from Bahamut’s journal unsettled him. As did Vegna’s assertion that Bahamut’s Phantom was out there causing problems. He was kicking himself for clinging to the dim fantasy that Bahamut had repented for his old mistakes. He was so sure Gene had left something out in his story. That Bahamut hadn’t betrayed anyone and was just as much of a victim.

Igneous staggered up the steps, forcing visions of Xeromus from his mind. His raspy laughter echoed in the grovlazzle’s head.

He knew. If Xeromus really was Nova, he knew the truth. So, why didn’t he say anything? If he was working against the resistance, wouldn’t he want to completely demoralize everyone?

“Finally! Did you turn your X-transceiver off or something?”

Starlene floated in front of him, small latias arms crossed and cheeks puffed out.

Igneous stepped back, grabbing the railing to make sure he didn’t tumble down the stairs. “Huh?” The grovlazzle felt around his head until he pulled the tiny communicator out of his ear frill. It had a blinking red light. “Oh. The battery died.” He abruptly tensed up. “Did something happen?”

“The two teams returned,” Starlene said. She looked down and poked her index claws together. “Not Gene, though. Hurt real bad. The monks had to warp him to their planet to get him away from the Phantom.”

“The Phantom?” Igneous shifted uneasily.

Starlene’s cheeks puffed out again. “Did you not hear Cid, either? So much for being on top of things. Sheesh!” The latias flicked her snout dismissively.

“I was preoccupied.” Igneous jerked his head in the arena’s direction. “Where’s Scarlett?”

“She went down with Queen Tarmac Head to see the others.” Starlene put her hands on her hips. “I’m the relay dragon! Here to pass stuff back and forth.”

“Right.” Igneous shuffled past her, anxious to get inside. It didn’t seem like the others had left the arena, but the sooner he could get away from the restaurant, the better. “Mind looping me in, then?”

Starlene proved quite the motormouth, rifling off everything Scarlett heard in the hanger without missing a beat. By the end of her explanation, Igneous could only stare blankly at the latias.

“Any questions?”

“Can you talk slower next time?”

“Oh.” Starlene’s electronic wings dimmed. “Sorry. I got excited.”

“I can tell.” Sighing, Igneous shook his head. “Thanks, I guess.”

“You’re welcome.” Starlene chirped. The blue musical note on her belly glowed. “Oh, I think Scarlett’s coming back.”

Igneous didn’t have a response. In fact, he had no idea what to do with this information. It sounded like Nikki went off to find Yuna. He could look for Valkyrie, but she’d probably shoo him away.

Was there really nothing the grovlazzle could do but wait around this stupid restaurant? Great.

At least Guzzie had closed it down temporarily. Igneous lazily walked toward the mechanical tauros in the center of the room and leaned against it. He flinched when Starlene zipped toward him.

“Seriously? You don’t have something better to do than be edgy and mysterious?”

“What am I supposed to do?” Igneous growled. “Everyone who needs tending to is getting tended to. I’d just get in the way.”

“Wellllllll…” Starlene leaned closer, fluttering her eyelids. “I’m no tech wiz, but you could proooobably start by finding a charger.” She jabbed the X-transceiver in Igneous’ hand.

Igneous’ head leaf simmered. It was a dumb suggestion, but it was better than having Starlene talk down to him.

“Hey, you’re not giving him any trouble, are you?”

Starlene turned around. She projected a blue halo over her head. “What, meeee? Pfbt. As if.” She waved Scarlett off, but the dragonair didn’t look convinced.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in control of her?” Igneous grumbled.

“It’s complicated.” Scarlett’s neck bauble glowed. A pouting Starlene disappeared into it, leaving the walkway clear for her to approach. “Why aren’t you down there with the others?”

Igneous scowled. “It’s complicated.”

“Doesn’t seem that complicated.” Scarlett smirked. “That’s Vegna down there, right? As in, the guy you spawned freaky hellfire powers to flee from?”

His scowl only intensified. “I’m finding that charger.” He crossed his arms, tucked his head down, and started forward. Scarlett was just an oversized blue noodle. He could push past her with little effort.

“Seriously?” Surprisingly, Scarlett curled up around a chair to let him pass. “C’mon, your scales aren’t that thin.”

Igneous stopped when he got past the dragonair. He didn’t look back, though. “Just teasing, then. I think I see why you and Nikki were so close.”

He was going to keep walking when Scarlett’s tail grabbed his leg. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The grovlazzle focused on a metal pillar. “Nothing. I guess—”

This was stupid. Igneous said he was leaving. He needed to do that before he stuck his foot in his mouth.

“You guess?”

“I thought the Scarlett at Kyoko’s house was closer to what you’re really like.” Igneous mentally kicked himself. He didn’t dare turn around. “But I guess growing up in Blightsmuth would give you a bit of an attitude.”

The tail tightened around Igneous’ leg. “And being Ryujin wouldn’t?” Scarlett growled.

A small part of Igneous told him to drop it and take the L. But the part holding his proverbial shovel decided to keep digging. “Of course it does. But talking with you back in Scale City…” Igneous shook his head. “I thought there was a connection.”

“Excuse me?”

Damn it.

But it was his own fault. He should’ve explained himself better. Instead, he was adding more dumb mistakes onto the pile.

“I can relate to you,” Igneous said, his gaze drifting to some old arcade machine pushed up against the wall between two tables. “Having people pile these expectations on your shoulders. And making some… questionable decisions because you’re afraid you can’t live up to those expectations.”

He didn’t have to go on, did he?

Igneous wasn’t expecting giggles, though. That was enough to get him to turn around. Scarlett let go of his tail and was trying to cover her neck bauble with her wings. Starlene slipped out, however.

“Oh my god. This is sooooooo dumb.” The latias shook her head. “You’re really doing everything you can to dance around saying you’re crushing on her. That’s hilarious!”

“What?!” Igneous and Scarlett blurted out in unison. They shared a quick glance, but Scarlett broke it off first.

“Starlene, you can’t just butt in like that,” the dragonair growled. “And not with something so… so…”

“Obvious?” Starlene’s electronic wings glowed. “Guy might as well be holding a big neon sign saying, ‘Have my eggs, Scarlett!'”

Igneous’ head and tail leaves briefly ignited. He turned away from them. “I think we’re done here.”

“Aww, he’s embawassed!” Starlene’s baby talk only made it worse. “Mr. Grown Ass Yakuza crushing on the noodle he barely knows!”

“Will you shut up?” Gouts of fire engulfed Igneous elbows. Wasn’t Starlene supposed to be some, like, ideal version of Scarlett? Wouldn’t that mean these were things she was actively thinking? Because if that was the case… he really was an idiot.

“I stuck up for you.”

Starlene didn’t retort. When Igneous turned around, pink mist faded from Scarlett’s neck bauble. The dragonair couldn’t meet his gaze.

Igneous’ heart sank.

“I appreciate it,” Scarlett whispered. “Really, I do.”

What was the problem, then? Was it Nikki? Did Scarlett think it was a choice between winning Nikki over and warming up to him any further? Because that was “sooooooo dumb.”

“But she has a point,” Scarlett continued. Her expression hardened. “We hardly know each other, yet you’re practically tripping over yourself to white knight for me.” Her tiny wings curled up against her head. “Maybe that’s how the Ryujin does things, but I… I can’t have you fighting all my battles for me. Not with the mess I made. And not if I’m going to win everyone else’s trust.”

Then she laughed. It was surprisingly bitter. She rested her head against the mechanical tauros. “It doesn’t even make any sense. Dragonite are far better catches. And even if you are into serpents, look at me.” She straightened up a bit, emphasizing her shabby, dull scales. “I’m not what you’d call easy on the eyes.”

Igneous had his mouth open. Ready to say that didn’t matter. It was that connection. The shared weight of expectations. But she’d just brush that off, wouldn’t she?

The grovlazzle closed his mouth and looked down.

“Look.”

The tip of Scarlett’s tail touched Igneous’ chin and nudged it up. Embers jumped off his tails. His head leaf stuck up.

“You’ve got to understand where I’m coming from,” she said. “I don’t believe in the whole ‘fairy tale head over heels’ love story. And, well, I haven’t even known you long enough to call you a friend.”

Despite knowing how sad and pathetic it sounded, Igneous still let slip, “It’s been a week.”

“And I need more than a week.” Scarlett pulled her tail back. She moved away from the mechanical tauros. “Especially if you’re Ryujin. No, not just Ryujin— the next in line to lead them!”

I can change them. We can change them.

“Be honest with me.” Scarlett looked him dead in the eye. “Have you taken a life? Y’know, actually killed a ‘mon? For ‘the family’ or whatever?”

Igneous stiffened. He instinctively grabbed the right arm that didn’t used to be there. The grovlazzle turned away from Scarlett. He said nothing, but figured the gesture was more than enough of an answer.

“Maybe I did make a big mess as Starlene,” Scarlett said. “But it was out of my control. You chose to do that. Just like you’ll choose to take your dad’s place if we survive this whole ordeal.”

Igneous so badly wanted to snap at her. Tell her that it wasn’t his choice to be the firstborn of Radiance’s most powerful Yakuza. It wasn’t his choice to sit there, powerless, while a vicious toxin intended for his father instead sucked the life out of his mother. Slowly. Painfully.

… Except it was his choice to send Valkyrie after Medici ‘mons to try and find out who was responsible. It was his choice to storm a Medici base to avenge her with his own hands. It was his choice to coordinate things so poorly, that the ‘mon he brought thought it better to leave him on the floor of base, bleeding out from his severed arm. And it was his choice to never forgive Sakaki for remarrying.

Was Igneous’ life really nothing more than an endless parade of bad choices? Is that why Xeromus always seemed so excited to see what he would do? Because he always made things better for his enemies?

“You’re wrong.” Igneous tried to stand up tall. “I don’t want that life for myself. No one sent me off to Horizon. I enrolled myself. To put distance between myself and… all that stuff.”

Scarlett’s expression softened slightly. “What about Valkyrie?”

“Stubbornly insisted on following,” Igneous replied. It wasn’t much of an explanation, but he was trying, damn it. “Look, we both made decisions out of desperation. And now we’re dealing with blowback. But that blowback’s directly tied to… all of this stuff.” The grovlazzle spread his arms out. “We fix it by dealing with this. If I make it through to the other side… then I’ll figure out what I’m doing with my life. And I can at least say it’s not what you’re assuming.”

His shoulders sagged. “I’m not saying we have to grow close.” He shot her a pleading look. “But can’t you at least give me the benefit of the doubt? Like I’m doing for you?”

Silence. Scarlett was contemplative. Then the last of the concern melted off her face. “I think that’s fair.” The dragonair slowly nodded. “One step at a time, then.” Her neck bauble dimmed. “Sorry for snapping at you.”

“Thanks.” Unexpecting exhaustion draped itself over Igneous’ shoulders. “I, uh, ought to go find that charger, then.”

“Hmph. How touching. Am I to accept that spiel as your confession… Paper Boy?”

Igneous took one step and his blood ran cold. He focused firmly on the black metal floor, frozen in indecision. Caught between two voices. One telling him to run and the other telling him to stand his ground.

How much had Vegna heard? Just because Igneous implied he wasn’t interested in the family business anymore didn’t mean he wanted Vegna using him to get to Sakaki.

Vegna gave a weak, yet rumbling laugh. “In the hope of running from your troubles, you struck a deal with the devil.”

His accusation sent a fresh chill down the grovlazzle’s spine. He couldn’t possibly—

“How is that rusty old blade treating you, Paper Boy?”

Igneous’ tail leaves curled up. Embers crackled around his hips. He slowly turned, trying to ignore confused looks from Jade, Quetzal, and Seifer.

How? Igneous was at a loss for words. It was bad enough he and Scarlett were arguing in the first place. But now Vegna wanted him to fess up to all his other screwed up choices as of late?

His gaze fell. He swallowed hard. Maybe Igneous deserved this. To get buried under the consequences of his actions.

“If you’re here to reap my soul, then can it at least wait until after we’ve fixed the planet’s current crisis?” Igneous crossed his arms. He glimpsed Scarlett’s shocked expression, then returned his gaze to the floor. Maybe the next step after the dimension crisis was paying the piper.

“Whoa! Hey!” A squawking Jade got between Igneous and Vegna. “No reaping! Or any other form of vigilante justice, for that matter!”

The ground rumbled. Igneous glanced over at the bar, where Guzzie had stood up to narrow his small yellow eyes at the dusknoir.

“Guzzie’s is a violence free zone.” The guzzlord pointed at the glass wall. “Take all killing and maiming to Junior’s arena.”

“Or don’t do it, period.” Jade stuck her wings out. “C’mon. Why can’t we be fri— mmffffrgggh!“

Vegna grabbed Jade’s beak, forcefully shutting it. “You know he detested your big mouth.” The dusknoir held up his right hand, conjuring his Abyssal Tome. Bahamut’s old journal. “A mason I once executed told me: ‘silence is golden, but sheet metal is silver. Weld the latter to the mouths of those who can’t understand the former.'”

Jade’s eyes slowly widened. Vegna released her beak and floated past her. Griffon hopped to her side. “Hey, he does it to me, too. Although he usually doesn’t go that far with his insults…”

Vegna’s eye crackled with blue lightning. Zekrom’s powers, no doubt.

Zekrom’s powers…

That was it. Igneous did hold one thing over Vegna’s head. And he could easily blurt it out to everyone. Perhaps that would get the dusknoir to back off.

A small part of him wondered if this was yet another stupid choice, but Igneous had already committed. “So, you have Bahamut’s journal. And you have a Sage with you. Meaning you pulled a Needle at some point.” He stood up straighter. “I think… you know more about this vicious Phantom than you’re letting on.”

If Igneous’ claim had unnerved Vegna, he didn’t show it.

“Wait, what?!” Quetzal darted onto one of the metal tables in a blur of orange light. “You pulled a Needle?”

“I was angry with my foe. I told it not. My wrath did grow.” The blue in Vegna’s eye intensified. “Why do you think I could deduce your situation so easily, Paper Boy?” He dangled the journal in front of Igneous’ face. The fissures in his right arm pulsated with gold light. “I was there the moment it happened. The moment Bahamut destroyed his soul.”

Shaking his head, Vegna made the tome disappear in a swirl of light. “I was but a humble dusclops wandering the distortion, feeding off the fear of souls I ran across. And then I found Zekrom’s Needle. That’s when he showed up. Plunged a blade of light into his torso.

“The beast that emerged set its sights on me and the Needle. I didn’t want to die.” Vegna stared at his right arm. “So, I pulled it. I had heard rumors of what would happen, but I was desperate.” Electricity crackled around Vegna’s eye. “Zekrom’s powers allowed me to evolve. And escape that vicious daemon. But my body could barely hold itself together.”

Igneous could do the math from there. “You found his journal. And did that ritual to make yourself a necromancer.” The grovlazzle frowned. “All to… keep your body from falling apart?”

“I was young once, too,” Vegna said. And so casually, to boot. Almost like it was all a big joke to him. “There were still things I wanted— no, needed to do.” He glanced at his right arm. “But there is little chance I can accomplish them now. The more Needles get pulled, the less capable I am of staying together.”

“Seriously?” Quetzal looked between the dusknoir and Seifer. “Shouldn’t we, I dunno, arrest him or something?”

“Under what authority?” Seifer lowered his head. “I’m unemployed, remember?”

“And his ‘replacements’ consider you lost in action.” Vegna gestured to the zapdos.

“Meaning?”

“Dead as my old hag of a mother-in-law!” Griffon heckled. Vegna flicked his beak. The corviknight shuffled backward, grumbling under his breath.

“What’s the point of this, then?” Seifer asked. The keldeo looked a bit shaken and he kept looking toward the exit that led to the residential part of the outpost. “Are you here to help us or not?”

“With Necrozma? I can try.” Vegna crossed his arms. “But with the other thing I was looking into… someone else has to take up that cause.”

His gaze fell on Igneous. The grovlazzle took a cautious step back. “Me?”

“If you want to have even a sliver of hope of staying out of prison, then you don’t have much of a choice,” Vegna said, his eye darkening. He flicked his left wrist. A small envelope sealed with a wax skull stamp landed at Igneous’ feet.

“You’ll go to my office in the academy,” Vegna ordered. “Use that code to unlock the safe and take what’s inside. Follow the instructions pertaining to the restricted section of the library.”

Igneous frowned. “And if I refuse?”

Vegna’s eye glowed blue again. “I’ll drag you out of the Qliphoth myself and force every little thing you know about the Ryujin out of your lips until they go still.”

Seifer’s hoofbeats carried down the cold, metal corridors. The keldeo’s instincts kept telling him someone was following, but he already told Quetzal not to after excusing himself from the restaurant. He had heard enough. And mentions of Igneous’ dead X-transceiver in his argument with Vegna gave him an excuse to leave.

… And find Cyril.

He mentally kicked himself with every corner he turned and metal staircase he descended. Yes, there had been trouble for Team Bastion, but Gene got the worst of it. All his training told him he should locate Noctum or Yuna and jump a rift over to Chakran.

Instead, he reached the hanger. Cid and Widget were the only ones there, the former trying to get the latter onto the couch. He spotted Seifer and begged the keldeo for help. Seifer begrudgingly agreed.

“What happened to him?” he wondered, using his torso to help support Cid’s levitation attempts.

“Cyril muttered something about overclocking before leaving,” Cid replied. The orbeetle’s spots stopped glowing. Widget’s unconscious form flopped onto the couch. “I’m supposed to put ice packs on him.”

“Where’d Cyril go?”

“His workshop. But couldn’t you just ask over the X-transceiver?”

Seifer stiffened. The keldeo abruptly turned and galloped away from Cid, ignoring his shout of, “Wait, what about the ice packs?!”

He went back the same direction he came from, headed up a cramped stairwell, then rounded a corner. Seifer found the unassuming workshop door and slammed his right shoulder into it.

That was a bit too forceful. The door flew open, striking a metal wall with a claaaaang as loud as the dinner bell at the Radiant Guard training barracks.

Then there was a thump, followed by an, “Ow! Shit!”

Seifer winced, then quickly recomposed himself and stepped inside. Cyril sat on the floor by his workbench, rubbing his head.

“Ever hear of knocking?” the cosmic zoroark grumbled.

He had to stand tall. “Well, you ever hear of using some common sense?”

… Damn it, not that tall.

Cyril looked like Seifer had slapped him. “I beg your pardon?”

“You could’ve died out there!” Seifer said. His horn flickered. He was almost tempted to take the prosthetic off so it wouldn’t undermine him. “And right on the heels of driving some bizarro truck into the heat of a firefight!”

Cyril stared back blankly. “And that’s a problem, because?”

“You’re not a front line guy.” Seifer stomped his right forehoof down. “You told me yourself that you didn’t have powers.”

“And now I do.” Cyril ran his yellow claws through his spectral mane. Twinkling lights sprinkled all around him like stardust.

Seifer stomped his right forehoof again. “It doesn’t make you hot shit!” He flinched, then held his head up. Couldn’t undermine himself with one dumb swear.

Cyril tilted his head slightly. “Are… are you worried for me?” He put his hands on his knees and leaned forward slightly. “Oh my god, you totally are!”

“Of course I am.” Seifer kept his tone firm. He couldn’t let Cyril loosen him up. “You’re too valuable an asset here. Cid’s trying his best and we found that sickly human, but you built this stuff. If something bad happens to you…” His voice trailed off. He hadn’t thought out the end of that sentence.

“It’ll break your heart, huh?”

There it was. One well-aimed verbal strike. The cracks were already spreading through Seifer’s mental armor.

“It will… put us in a real bind.” Seifer needed a sharp breath mid-sentence. Focus. He was better than this. He was—

Cyril lay down on his side, resting his head against his left hand and putting his right hand on his hip. “Yeah, you’ll be in a bind. Because then you’ll be kicking yourself. Wishing you admitted to having the hots for me.”

Seifer’s next breath in was too sharp. It left him coughing and staggering back toward the door. “Th-that’s—” He had to buck up. “You’re completely wrong. And unprofessional!”

“And you’re too afraid to admit you like it.” Cyril moved his right hand up and tapped between his eyes. “Flickering horn doesn’t lie, buddy.”

Seifer’s tail shot up. He shook his head until there was a tiny click. His prosthetic horn fell to the ground with a clack.

He could still salvage this.

“Well, I think you’re projecting.” Seifer took a more confident step toward the cosmic zoroark. “You’re clearly lusting for me and think this… whatever this is will somehow win me over.”

Cyril swung his legs around and sat back up. “If you want me to stop, then say it.”

Seifer almost lost his footing. Cyril was… giving up? And all it took was one flimsy lie the keldeo put a bit more backbone into?

“Yeah, I do like you.” He ran yellow claws through his starry mane. “Not just looks, either. Because, truthfully, I prefer two legs to four.” The cosmic zoroark crossed his legs and leaned over, resting his chin on his hands. “But you’re out here, giving it your all. Despite your life crumbling around you.”

Seifer was ready to admonish Cyril for bringing that up, but he held up his right hand.

“I’m saying I respect your drive to do the right thing.” Cyril’s starry mane dimmed a bit. “It’s… something I wish I’d done after first waking up mutated from Malice.” He pushed hair out of his face. “And it drives me wild.“

The keldeo looked down at the prosthetic horn between his forehooves. An early favor Cyril had done for him. He sounded more sorry for Seifer at the time. Had Seifer really not noticed things changing?

“But I thought I had a decent read on you,” Cyril continued. “The proud soldier. Steeped in honor and tradition. I couldn’t just shoot my shot with someone like that.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “So, yeah, I went for teasy flirting. Guess I thought if I could poke a hole in that gruff exterior, I’d have a chance.”

Seifer didn’t know what to make of that. Should he feel guilty? Surprised? Mad at Cyril or himself?

Cyril leaned back against his workbench. “I’ve been around the block enough times to know when a guy’s never been in a relationship before. Figured if I made any move too quickly, I’d scare you off forever.”

“I’ve had dates before.” Plenty, actually. A keldeo Radiant Guard officer made for an alluring suitor to other nobles.

“Arranged by your parents, I imagine.”

Seifer’s legs locked up. “How did you—”

Cyril smirked. “Like I said. Been around the block.”

“Right.” Seifer looked down at his hooves. “Still don’t know what that means.”

That one got a laugh from Cyril. His hand hit the shelf underneath the workbench. “Ahh, you’re too much sometimes, y’know.”

Silence followed. Seifer couldn’t muster a response. He knew he had to say something. Cyril poured his heart out to Seifer and deep down it was everything the keldeo wanted to hear.

But could Seifer act on that? Should he act on that? They hadn’t solved the dimensional crisis. What if this just distracted them both? There was too much at stake here.

“Lost in thought, huh?”

Cyril’s red jewels flickered dimly. He sighed. “I’ve said my piece. I can’t— no, I won’t make any decisions for you. If you really aren’t interested, then tell me and I’ll— mmrrrffffggghhhh!“

Seifer surprised himself with how quickly he moved. Closing the gap… and pressing his round snout into the cosmic zoroark’s face. It was clumsy. And foolish. Seifer realized he was squishing Cyril’s head against the underside of the workbench.

No, this was fine. Cyril’s mane was shaggier than a quartet of mops. And he wasn’t pushing Seifer away, either! Even though the keldeo had no idea what he was doing!

Though he could only go without air for so long. Seifer pulled his head back, taking a deep breath… and looking at Cyril’s damp, bewildered face.

He brought his right hand up and touched his snout. Glanced at the saliva on his yellow claw. “Wh-huht.” A laugh swallowed up that word. “You really don’t know what you’re doing, huh?”

“Then teach me!” Seifer blurted out, almost smacking his head against the edge of the workbench when he leaned over again.

“… Please.” His mind raced with thoughts of the startling events back in the arena and the restaurant. Things he really should’ve reminded himself about earlier. Hindsight being a bitch.

“There’s just too much insanity happening all around us.” Seifer was sure Cyril would understand. “I need someone to get me through this.”

He shook his head. “No, I need… a boyfriend to lean on.”

Yellow claws danced across the edge of Seifer’s snout. Nudged it down ever so slightly. “You’re sure?” Cyril said.

Images of Igneous and Scarlett staring each other down flickered in Seifer’s mind.

“Yes.” Seifer stepped back to give Cyril more breathing room. “It’s the first thing I’ve been sure of since this whole mess started.”

Cyril stood up. He put his hands on his hips and arched his back. “Weeellllll, we probably got some time to kill. Just how much do you want to learn?”

Though silent, Seifer’s gaze drifted toward Cyril’s hips. The cosmic zoroark caught this, and leaned over, putting a yellow claw on Seifer’s snout again.

“Really? Jumping into the deep end, huh?” The smirk on Cyril’s face grew larger. “I can work with that. I’ll even throw in a life vest.” Cyril crouched down, reaching between Seifer’s forehooves. He popped back up holding the detached horn. “Sound good?” He playfully bapped Seifer’s snout.

Seifer nodded, unaware of the dumb smile plastered on his face.