Chapter Text
Under a starry night’s sky, Evelyn slipped into view. She had just left Random Play with her latest gift — a navy-blue ceramic cookie jar filled with moth cookies, baked alongside Wise Arna, surrogate son of the infamous Carole Arna.
Even after learning the truth of his past, she saw him no different than before.
To her, he was still the same, quietly charming man she had grown attached to. Only this time, she couldn’t help but feel a little closer to him — a closeness that lingered in her thoughts as she walked to her pickup point, until the street around her began to blur.
Little did she know — she wasn’t alone.
Perched high above the streetlights of Sixth Street, someone was watching her — she had been the whole time.
From the rooftops, the street felt distant — but not distant enough. Every fiber of her being wanted to engage, but she couldn’t. All she could do was watch, nails digging into the handle of her umbrella, as Evelyn walked away, fawning over the love Lord Phaethon graced her with.
She had to do something.
------------ Random Play ------------
Sponge in-hand, Wise scrubbed the trays and bowls clean. His eyelids grew heavier by the minute, but what kept him awake were the memories of his little baking session — more specifically, the moments with Evelyn in it.
Her gentle smile, her laugh, the way she held him close while the cookies baked, her fingers combing through his hair and pressing his head gently against her shoulder. Those brief moments of joy replayed in his mind as water flowed from the faucet in front of him.
His only regret was not appreciating it enough. Before he knew it, she was gone — back to work as usual. He had his duties too, but that didn’t stop him from hoping.
Hoping for another chance — to see her again.
With the dishes clean, Wise called it a night and walked back into the main store of Random Play with a thought:
She looks cute when she smiles
He flipped the store sign to Closed and made his way upstairs, stretching his back before letting out a satisfied yawn. Just before he turned the corner, he heard something.
Knock knock
Two gentle raps echoed from the store’s entrance.
Didn’t they see the sign? Oh well… one more customer wouldn’t hurt.
Fighting through the drowsiness, he turned around and walked back down to see who would want a videotape at this hour.
The closer he got to the door, the clearer certain details became. Through the door’s window, he couldn’t make out their face, only the silhouette of a shadowy figure — about a whole head shorter than him.
The store was dead quiet, which only made the muffled sound of a shaky breath from the other side more apparent — a sound that just compelled him to act.
With hurried steps, he unlocked the door and pulled it open to see…
Vivian — all alone, blinking hard against the tears that welled in her eyes.
Before he could even get a word out, she wrapped her arms around his torso, holding on tight as if he’d disappear the moment she let go.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa—Vivian, it’s just me. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She didn’t respond. She pressed her face into his shirt, breath hitching like she was holding something back.
------------ HDD Room, a few minutes later ------------
Bangboo 06 opens the door to the HDD room, letting Eous in as he carried a warm teapot over his head — followed by Wise with an empty teacup in each hand. One for him and Vivian as she sat quietly on the sofa, eyes reddened and puffy from the tears she held back — her breathing disrupted by the occasional hiccup.
Wise sat next to her, extending a cup to Eous as he poured one for her.
“Tea?” Wise asked, offering the cup to Vivian.
She stared at the cup, her eyes following the rising steam until it passed Wise’s face, their gaze meeting in the middle. Even through teary eyes, she recognized his smile. Slight, subtle, but ever so present — another aspect she so deeply fell for.
She reached out, flinching halfway before cupping it in her palms and taking a light sip.
“T—Thank you my lord. I hope I’m not being a bother,” she said, fighting to keep her composure.
“Not at all, Vivian. I couldn’t just leave you out there, but what happened? Where’s Hugo?”
“W—Well…”
Vivian lowered her gaze to the teacup in her palms. Its surface shimmered faintly in the low light, the steam blurring whatever reflection tried to form.
All she caught were smudges of orange and black shifting with each ripple — reddened eyes, streaked cheeks, broken pieces of herself staring back. She wondered if this was how Wise saw her too: a fragmented, fragile girl he had unknowingly put back together — a breeze away from shattering again.
“… Hugo’s been… busy,” she muttered, her voice trembling so much that the steam wavered with each word. “Too busy to notice… or maybe I just couldn’t find the words to say to him.”
Her grip tightened on the cup, as though it might slip through her fingers and spill on Wise’s carpet. “The nightmares… they’ve been getting worse. I—I…”
Tears welled up in her eyes as her throat closed up. Wise leaned toward her slightly, one hand resting on her shoulder — hesitant, but steady. He knew how Vivian’s epitaphic powers worked — how she foresaw disaster with perfect accuracy, and how those visions tormented her, a reminder of how powerless she was to stop them, like a self-fulfilling tragedy.
Could her nightmares be tied to that?
His hand still on her shoulder, he gave her a light shake — catching her attention and meeting her gaze as he realized the weight of the situation. “These nightmares… what were they about?”
She didn’t respond — breaking eye contact as she fought against her throat to utter a few words.
“I… I saw you.”
“Me? Did something happen to me?”
“… It was a d—dark room. I couldn’t see anything but y—you. And those eyes… how they l—looked my way but not at me. Empty, as if I never existed in your vision.
N—next thing I knew, you just… walked away.
I tried to chase after you, but no matter how much I ran…”
Vivian couldn’t control it anymore. Her hands trembled as she spoke, emotions spilling out faster than she could contain them — tugging at Wise’s heartstrings. Before he realized it, his hands were moving on their own. He didn’t stop to think — he just knew what he had to do.
With both hands, he reached out and cupped hers, steadying them as she processed her feelings. His gentle touch reminded her that she’s in a safe space, with no one around her to judge — only to listen, to let her vent her emotions, to let her heal.
“Hey,” he spoke up, his thumb brushing over hers. “I’m right here, Vivian. I’m not going anywhere — not while you’re hurting.”
“Ehna! (Me neither!)” Eous chirped, standing on his tiptoes as he stretched his arms forward with a tissue box. His visor lit up with a pair of green arches.
She took a tissue, wiping her eyes before mustering a small smile for them both. “T—Thank you. You’re both too kind… I don’t think I deserve it.”
“Ehna enh! Enuh-nah eh-nah! (Don’t say that! Of course you do! You’re always so nice to us. Now it’s our turn to pay you back!)”
Deeply touched by Eous’s words, she handed the cup back to Wise and picked him up, letting Eous rest on her lap as he hugged her stomach. Vivian hugged him back in gratitude, lightly patting the top of his head.
For the first time that night, she found peace.
Even if for a fleeting moment, she still found it.
Shortly after, the store entrance opens, the bell chiming as someone walked in — emerald eyes peering around the doorway to spot everyone on the sofa.
“Oh! Hey, Vivian! Fancy meeting you here,” Belle greeted with a wave.
“Likewise, Miss Belle. Lord Phaethon’s a lovely host.”
Wise crosses his arms at Belle. “Well, if you’d shown up sooner, we could’ve watched a movie together.”
“Hey, don’t blame me. Burnice passed out again and I had to push her bike into Steeltusk.”
“Wasn’t Lighter with you?”
“Who do you think carried her? Piper? Besides, he volunteered, so I couldn’t stop him.
Anyway, I’m calling it a night. This migraine’s killing me,” she said, heading upstairs with a yawn.
Wise called out, “Alright, I’ll head up soon. I got some things to take care of first.”
Vivian realized the time, immediately standing and setting Eous on the couch. “I’m so sorry, my lord. I didn’t mean to overstay my welcome. I’ll see myself out.”
She gives both of them a quick bow before making her way out, until…
“Hang on,” Wise said, stopping her at the doorway. She turned around to face him. “You don’t have to go right now.”
“W—What do you mean?” She asked, blood rushing to her cheeks as she knew what’ll happen next.
“Why don’t you spend the night here? You can go in the morning when you’re fully rested.”
“I—It’s okay! I’m sure H—Hugo’s worried about me!” She added with a nervous laugh.
“That’s fine. I’ll message him right now, at least he’ll know you’re here. I’ll crash on the couch, you can sleep in my bed.”
“But then, that would mean I’d have to… to…” she trails off. Eyes downcast in embarrassment as her face glowed red, steam rising from her cheeks.
“Hey, it’s fine. At least you don’t have to sleep alone. If you ever wake up in the middle of the night, I’ll be close by. Don’t be afraid to wake me up.”
“Nah! Ehna—nah nunah! (Yeah! It’ll be like a sleepover!)”
“So… whadaya say, Vivian?” He asked, rubbing the back of his neck — the one pose Vivian had too many photos of, much to her past delight.
She didn’t answer at first.
Vivian’s lips parted, then closed again, her throat tightening as if the words might shatter on the way out. Instead she stepped forward, looping her arm through his and burying her face against his sleeve.
She couldn’t bear to look up at him — afraid to meet his gaze and lose herself in his eyes once more.
With her words muffled by Wise’s sleeve, she murmured, “… if you’re sure… then… thank you, my lord.”
“Of course, Vivian. Just… make yourself at home.”
Without another word, they left the HDD room together — Bangboo 06 reassuming guard duty while Wise escorted Vivian upstairs in silence. The faint creak of the steps and Eous’s lightly squeaky feet being the only sounds that filled the air.
By the time they reached Wise’s door, Vivian loosened her grip, hesitant to overstep. Wise simply gave her arm a reassuring squeeze before pushing the door open.
His room was as she remembered — tidy but lived-in, with the faint scent of ramen, tea and his woodsy cologne lingering in the air.
Not much had changed, and yet tonight felt different — safer, quieter. She’d once slept in the HDD room while mourning Hugo’s “death,” but this was different. To rest under the same roof again, in another time of need, was something only Lord Phaethon was compassionate enough to offer… even to someone like her.
“Go on,” Wise said gently, nodding toward the bed. “I’ll go brush my teeth. You’ll rest better there.”
Eous waddled past them, hopping onto Wise’s bed and lifting the blanket — a small invitation for someone he knew was in pain.
Next thing Vivian knew, Eous had tucked her in and waddled back to his charging station in the corner. Wise returned soon after, hanging his jacket up by the door and flicking the lights off — the sight of his frame flustering Vivian, making her immediately cover her eyes with her palms.
------------ a few minutes later ------------
Vivian’s eyes were closed, but sleep wouldn’t come. She listened instead — the faint hum of Eous’s charging station, the rustle of fabric, the quiet rhythm of Wise’s breathing. Only when she was certain he had drifted off did she make her move.
With practiced efficiency, she lifted the blanket aside — moving through the dark as moonlight seeped through the blinds, her only source of light. Not that she needed it.
Even in heels, she didn’t make a sound. Her Mockingbird experience had trained her to move silently in them, aided by her knowledge of Wise’s room — down to which floorboards creaked at the slightest touch.
She reached the door, her hand brushing across the fabric of his jacket. Her fingertips curled around the collar as she slipped a tiny microphone into place. If only he knew the truth…
------------ Where fears are made manifest ------------
The nightmare hadn’t been about losing him in some shapeless void. No, she remembered it clearly.
Wise simply stood there, extending his palm in Vivian’s direction — a welcoming gesture, and yet his eyes weren’t focused on her.
She didn’t think. She just closed the distance in an excited dash — or at least that was the plan.
At first, she was just happy to see him — his presence radiating that usual warmth, like the summer sun.
It was only after what felt like a minute of running that she realized.
That nothing had changed.
Her position stayed the same, and so did the distance between them.
She clenched her fists, igniting the thrusters beneath her skirt. The air distorted around her legs as she lunged forward, certain this time would be different.
But nothing changed.
The harder she pushed, the more the void resisted. Her body strained against invisible chains, forcing her to burn every ounce of thrust until the engines sputtered out beneath her.
She crashed, stomach first, the floorless dark giving her no cushion. The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
Then she heard something.
The slow, rhythmic clacking of heels to her left, echoing in the abyss around her.
Still prone, Vivian looked up, in the direction of the sound.
And that’s when she realized what this was about.
She lost him to her.
From the shadows, Evelyn emerged — poised, radiant, tall enough to meet Wise’s eyes without effort. Her stride was steady and assured.
Vivian froze, the horror prickling through her as Evelyn’s silhouette cut across her vision, stepping between her and Wise like she belonged there all along.
Wise didn’t hesitate. His outstretched hand bent naturally toward her.
Their fingers intertwined.
And together, they turned.
Evelyn glanced back for a moment — not with pity or indifference, but with a deliberate, curling smirk.
Vivian opened her mouth to scream, to beg her darling Lord Phaethon to turn around — but no sound came.
Her throat strained, her voice locked in silence as the darkness swallowed them whole.
No matter how hard she tried, her pleas would never reach him.
And before she knew it… he was gone.
------------ Random Play, Wise’s bedroom, late at night ------------
Such a horrid dream. Vivian thought to herself, gripping the collar Wise’s jacket.
I had always been suspicious of you, Scheele’s Green. From the moment you walked through that door, on that fateful morning — how you tried to take him away from me by force. The audacity to call me the dangerous one — in front of him.
Do you have any idea what we’ve been through? The things he’s done for me? What I’ve done for him?
If not for Lord Phaethon’s fondness of you, I would’ve killed you where you stood.
But no matter.
I’ve been idle long enough.
I will protect him. I swear my life on it.
I won’t let you hurt him.
------------ Random Play, the next morning ------------
Warm light pressed against Wise’s face, pulling him out of sleep. He squinted, forcing his eyes open as sunlight streamed through the blinds and bounced off the wall in front of him. His neck ached, his back protested — the price he had to pay for crashing on the couch again. At least this time, it was for Vivian.
Speaking of which, where was she? He lifted his head, peering over the couch cushions to his left, to see his bed neatly made — as if no one had slept there at all. Then there was that… smell.
It didn’t smell like Vivian’s perfume — this was something else. Something savory
He followed the scent to a plate of curry rice and coffee on the low table to his right, a small sticky note propped beside it.
Confused, he hovered his hand above the plate, feeling the warmth radiate from the meal. Then he sat up, plucked the note from the table, and gave it a read.
Dear Lord Phaethon,
Thank you for your hospitality. Your kindness knows no bounds, and I’m glad I’ve met you. Please enjoy the meal I’ve prepared for you. I made one for Ms. Belle too, so you won’t have to cook.
Until next time,
XOXO, Vivian <3 <3 <3
“Huh,” Wise blurted. “Curry rice, complete with a caramel macchiato.
How did she kno—?” he started, before his phone began to buzz in his pocket.
He blinked the sleep from his eyes, fumbling for his phone. The name on the screen made him sit up a little straighter.
------------ Wise’s DMs ------------
HV: Good morning, Proxy
HV: How’ve you been?
HV: I just got your text, is Vivian still there?
W: She just left Random Play
HV: Oh, thank goodness you found her
HV: I’ve been trying to reach her for days
HV: In hindsight, I should’ve called you too.
W: Wait, she’s been missing?
W: Did she tell you why?
HV: Nope
HV: She seemed tired… depressed even
HV: I tried to reach out but she wasn’t in the mood to talk
HV: So I just let her be
HV: Did she tell you anything while she was there?
W: Well…
HV: Wise, my dear friend
HV: You know how far I’d go to keep her safe
W: I know…
W: I’d do the same for Belle
HV: Then you’re aware of what she means to me
HV: Look. If it means anything, I don’t plan on scolding her.
HV: I just want to help Vivian
HV: She’s like a sister to me
HV: So please
HV: What did she tell you?
Wise sat there in silence, his palm clutching his mouth has he stared at the phone screen in his other hand. Quietly debating to himself, uncertain of what would happen next. He started typing a reply, but before he could finish, another message came in.
HV: Never mind
HV: She just walked in
HV: Thank you for looking out for her
Wise blinked. He froze mid-keystroke, eyes flicking towards the still-warm curry on the table.
------------ Mockingbird HQ ------------
Vivian gently shut the door behind her, the soft click echoing down the long corridor.
Mockingbird HQ stood as elegant as ever — the deep violet walls, amber lamps casting soft light, purple carpeting that muted the sound of her heels. It’s just as she remembered it — the only proper home she’d known since Hugo took her in.
And yet… it didn’t feel the same.
There was a stillness in the air she couldn’t make out. The gentle hum of the lights, the slight creak in the floorboards — sounds that made this place feel alive — were now subdued, hollow, almost haunting.
She pressed through the silence, her reflection trailing faintly across the polished display cabinets and framed portraits lining the walls. For a fleeting moment, it felt like she was walking through a memory of Mockingbird rather than the place itself.
Thankfully, nothing had changed in her absence.
The others were rarely here this early; most preferred to operate alone, in safehouses scattered across New Eridu. Only Hugo insisted on working with a partner. But even by that standard… this felt unnatural.
Eventually, she reached her door — its placard buried beneath a cluster of Phaethon stickers. Relief flickered through her at not having met anyone along the way.
Until a familiar voice cut through the silence.
“Where have you been?” the voice behind her carried no anger — just exhaustion, laced with the faintest edge of relief.
She didn’t flinch. Slowly, she turned to face the one person she’d hoped to avoid.
Shuffling a coin between his fingers, he leaned against the wall to his right — looking at her with his mismatched eyes, torn between worry and irritation.
“Greetings, Hugo. How are you?” she asked in a flat tone.
He tucks away the coin and places a hand on his chest. “Oh, me? Quite well, as a matter of fact. Scouring half of New Eridu for you has been a lovely little workout.
Speaking of which, you’re a very difficult woman to get a hold of. Left your phone on silent again?”
“Apologies, I was busy with work.”
“Riiight… ‘work’ you say. Care to explain why it didn’t involve me?”
“I’ll explain later. Right now, I need some time to myself—” she reached for the doorknob, only for Hugo’s hand to intercept her’s in an instant, him holding the door shut.
“I’d hate to interfere with your beauty sleep, young lady, but you owe me an explanation.”
“Do I?” Vivian looked up at him with half-lidded eyes.
“Yes, you do. As the head of this household, I demand answers.”
Vivian broke off eye contact, looking down at the patterned carpet beneath her in quiet frustration.
Hugo lets out a sigh. “Look. I’m not asking much. At least leave a note before you vanish, next time. You’ve been gone for days, Vivian. I shouldn’t have to chase you.”
“…Why do you care now?”
Hugo blinked. “What was that?”
“Never mind. You want your answers? Fine.
Let’s take this elsewhere.”
“Very well then, lead the way, Miss Banshee.”
------------ Mockingbird HQ, common room ------------
The door clicked shut behind him, Hugo’s hand still gripping the door handle as Vivian sat on the sofa, the roses on the low table in front of her contrasting the room’s aesthetic. He turned to his side, taking out a gift basket and placing it on the low table before her — careful not to look too long at its contents.
“Bumped into Lycaon the other day — asked me to pass this on to you.
I’d be jealous if it didn’t contain his ‘delectable’ sweet rolls.
Here," he nudges it closer to Vivian, “it’s all yours.”
“No, thank you. You can have it,” she nudged it back, tone polite but distant.
“Oh! How thoughtful…” he said with a smirk that didn’t quite reach his ears.
“Though, if I were him, I’d be heartbroken to know my ‘famous’ pastries got rejected by the one and only ‘Ms. Banshee of Mockingbird’.
He's been taking quite a liking to you lately. Now, why is that?”
“Perhaps he realized someone sensible finally joined this household.”
“Really?” He sinks into the armchair beside her, crossing a leg over the other. A coin spun between his fingers. “Would he still call you that after disappearing for so long?”
“He’d understand.”
“And I wouldn’t?”
“Yes, he would.”
The coin slipped between his fingers, hitting the carpet with a muted clink but neither bothered to pick it up. His hands stayed suspended a moment too long.
He let out a tired sigh, “… Then help me understand, Vivian.”
She froze, unsure whether to speak. Hugo wasn’t looking at her now — just staring at the carpet to his side, his iconic smirk gone before either of them realized it.
She’d forgotten Hugo could sound human when he wasn’t performing.
Vivian had known him for ages and he wasn’t the best at these types of talks, he knew that, but right now… he’s trying.
It's only fair that he gets a chance.
Vivian looked down at the coin — dull gold, scratched by its face, it’s shine worn thin with years of habit. She’d seen him flip it a thousand times but never like this, never still.
She pinched its edge, shuffling it in her hand before presenting it to Hugo on an open palm. Their hands brushed when he took it.
With a softened gaze, her eyes met his. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
He gave a short chuckle through a sigh. “It’s alright. You’re an adult, I tend to forget that. Still…
A little note wouldn’t hurt.”
“Well… if I told you, what I’ve been doing… would you be mad?”
“That depends. If it’s reasonable, I won’t. But that’s not how you usually start a reasonable story, is it?”
“Well…” She clasps her hands together, her grip tightening as she gave her words more thought. “Ever since our encounter with Scheele’s Green, I just… couldn’t shake this feeling, like there’s something about her.”
“Did she do something?” His words carrying a hint of anger.
“Not to me… but to Lord Phaethon.”
“Hmm, what exactly?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs.
“They’ve gotten closer.” She hesitated. “Much closer. In next to no time at all. Don’t you think it’s strange, Hugo?”
“Perhaps. Though from my experience with the proxy, he’s quite patient in the way he handles people.”
“True, he’s humble beyond belief! He’s everything I dreamed of him to be! But I fear it’s what puts him at risk.”
“Are you implying that he’s being played?”
“From the stories you’ve told me of her, she’ll do anything to accomplish her goal. It didn’t matter who she slayed, she was ruthless.”
His eyes narrowed. “Vivian, what are you trying to say?”
“I think Lord Phaethon is in danger. Of her.”
He doesn’t respond immediately. No jokes, no quips, no words in his dictionary to dismiss the sudden pressure in the air. Just silence as his gaze flicked between her trembling face and the coin in his hand.
He exhaled through his nose. “Let’s say you’re right,” he finally said, each word weighed and slow. “That our beloved proxy is at risk… what exactly supports your claim?”
She hesitated, unsure whether he’d mock her or take her seriously. “Well… I remember one night, at Lumina square — about a week ago.
It was late, I hadn’t seen him in a while, and I assumed he was sleeping by then. And yet… there they were. Walking past Gravity theatre. Scheele’s Green holding onto his arm… laughing, smiling, dragging him around like a plaything—”
“Vivian, focus.” He cut in, measured and firm. “Please. What happened next?”
Her breath faltered. The words felt wrong, even at the idea of it, but she pushed through. “She t—took him to a capsule hotel. From there I could only assume she… she…” she trailed off, gripping her skirt tight as she steadied her breath.
“… to think she’d stoop to such lowly tactics.”
“Exactly! I could see it in his eyes. He couldn’t take it anymore, but he couldn’t break free! She had him wrapped around her finger. But I couldn’t engage lest she takes him hostage.”
Hugo pinches his chin, “Hmm, a strategic play from her. Clever girl… In that case, we must warn him as soon as possible.” He gets up from his armchair, pulling out his phone and dialing in a number. “I’ll contact Wise to see if we could meet in-person. If she’s manipulating him, he deserves to know.”
“No! We can’t!”
“Hmm?” He pauses, thumb hovering over the call button. “Why not?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Vivian.
“Even if we tell him—she’ll twist it. She’ll make him think that I’m the problem.”
Hang on… you’re the problem?
The words echoed in his head, souring the air. Something didn’t add up.
Glancing at the screen for a little longer, he closed his phone with a click, slipped it back into his pocket before sitting back down, leaning in more intently.
“Besides what happened on Sixth Street, has she spoken to you recently? Did she hurt you directly? Or shown any threat to us?”
“Well… no. But that doesn’t mean she won’t! You’ve seen what she can do, maybe she doesn’t see us as a threat! We could use that. That way, when she least expects it, we coul—”
“Then why not get him involved? He’s the one in danger.”
“What are you plotting, Hugo?” she asked, with a hint of venom in her words.
“Don’t get me wrong, my dear, I’m not saying ‘use him as bait’ or form some elaborate scheme that’d fall apart.
What I mean is… don’t you think it’s wrong to leave him out of the loop?”
Her eyes widen at him before looking away. “I—It’s for his safety. To make sure our influence is kept a secret from her.”
“So he has no idea of what you’ve been doing all this time?”
“I…”
“Anything at all?”
“…”
“Vivian, I just need to know.
Does he or does he not know about all of this?”
“… no.”
Hugo’s breath caught for a moment. He leaned back slowly, the pieces falling into place — forming a picture he hoped wasn’t the end product. He knew something like this would happen. A moment where he had to step between Vivian and her unhealthy obsession with Phaethon. To ground her back to reality, but of all the times…
He exhaled through his nose, pinching the bridge of his nose. Vivian wincing as she braced for what came next.
“… So for the past few weeks. No calls, no messages, not even a tardy messenger bird back, because you’ve been playing guardian angel?”
“Hugo, I—”
“Vivian… you do realize how this must look?” he asked, his voice calm but edged.
“I swear, it’s not what it seems.”
“Then what is it then?” he meets her worried gaze.
“… I’m protecting him.”
“Really now? If that’s protection, you’ve got a funny way of showing it.”
“The situation is fragile! I can’t risk his safety for any possible reason.”
“And he’d deeply appreciate the thought. But are you sure you can call this ‘protection’? What you’re doing is tantamount to stalking. You don’t even see the line you’re crossing, do you?”
“It’s not like that! What if something does happen to him? Who will save him when his back is against the wall? Or when Scheele’s Green eventually makes her move? She’s already lured him into a capsule hotel—”
“Okay, let’s take a step back. What else can you tell me about what happened back then?”
“W—well, she held onto him arm tight, to where his jacket sleeve crumpled at her fingers—”
“Not like that,” he said softly, shaking his head. “Forget what you felt. Tell me what you saw. Details, Vivian. Focus.”
“… her face was really red. And she was smiling a lot. Way too much.”
“And?”
“The way she walked seemed off. Like she frequently lost balance.”
“Smiling… lost balance… clinging onto his arm… wait a minute.” Then it clicked. He facepalmed, half-snickering and smiling despite himself.
“What is it?”
“She wasn’t manipulating him at all, she was drunk!”
“That’s absurd. Why would Scheele’s Green get herself drunk on a night like that? Maybe she pretended to be drunk?”
“Hey, look. With all the plotting, planning and physical labor, even I can’t resist the occasional bottle of wine or three. And I don’t even work for Odeum.”
“Even then, you can’t deny what she did that night seemed suspicious, right?”
“Fair enough, and I’m glad you were there if things did escalate. But this can’t be the only instance. Is it?”
“Oh right! Last night, they were…”
“Something happened?”
“Indeed! I was strolling through Sixth Street late at night, when I saw smoke rising from Random Play, so I had to investigate.”
“And what did you find?”
“Smoke was flying through a window at Random Play. Once it had cleared, I saw her again, wiping soot off his face. This has to be another trick—”
“Okay, ambiguously flirty soot wiping aside, what else did they do?”
Vivian paused — looking down and gripping her skirt tighter. “They… baked cookies. Just the two of them… with no one else to interfere.”
Hugo’s smile softens. Though thankful that Wise wasn’t in danger, he realized what all of this was about. The final piece clicking into place, and it completely altered the finished picture. This wasn’t just some unhealthy obsession taken too far; this was something more personal.
She’d looked so certain a moment ago. Now, with her eyes down and breath shaking, she just looked… lost.
Hugo gets off his armchair — sitting next to Vivian and gives her a light pat on the back.
“It’s not like he forgot about you, right?”
She looks up, startled by the contact, not quite ready for it.
“I don’t mean to dismiss your theories, but it sounds like they’re just… y’know. Getting along?”
She doesn’t respond, just looks away.
“Hey, why don’t we put all this nonsense behind us.
If he’s ever in danger, it’s not like he will be for long, right? He has us after all. The indomitable Phantom Thieves of Mockingbird. Watching his back as if he were one of us.
And if my hunch is right, he’ll have Scheele’s Green too.
So… how about it?” he asked softly. “Wanna just… put this to rest?”
“… No.” she said, calm but firm.
“Wait, what are you—”
“It’s only gotten this far because I let it.” She got up from the sofa.
Hugo does the same, “And that’s fine—”
“No, it’s not. We can’t just wait for something to happen to him. We need to do something now.”
“So what?” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
“So what?! This is Lord Phaethon we’re talking about!” she shot back, disbelief cracking through her voice. “Aren’t you worried he might be walking into a death trap?!”
“That’s not what I mean’t—”
“Then what do you mean, Dear Leader?”
The air hung still as she glared at him — no witty comeback to save him now.
“He’s far more capable than you think. He didn’t become ‘Ridu’s most wanted proxy through sheer luck. He’s smart, quiet, and careful in the way he handles his allies and clients. Like he handpicks them.”
“You think I don’t know that, Hugo?!”
“If you knew that, you’d have left him alone.”
“But I can’t! Inaction is also a risk. If we don’t do something now, she’ll take him away from us!”
He scoffed, a question slipping past his better judgement. “From us or you?”
“What did you say?”
“It’s nothing, just thinking out lou—”
“DON’T YOU LIE TO ME!”
The room fell quiet once more, her words hanging in the air and echoing in Hugo’s mind — overpowering his thoughts.
“Answer. The. Question.” She asked, in a low tone — glaring up at him.
“… what if you’re the other woman in all this? What if you’re just—”
“What? What am I, Hugo?”
He hesitated, the words catching in his throat before he forced them out. “… jealous.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Neither moved.
The silence that followed hurt more than the word itself. Like a stake to the heart.
Her lungs tightened. Heart sank. Each breath she took more labored than the last. Tears welling up in her eyes, but nothing came out. All Vivian could do was look back at him, as he stood there frozen in place, wincing.
Her lips parted, then pressed shut. Gritting her teeth as the tremor in her chest finally broke.
“Why do I even bother with you.” She snatched her umbrella off the couch and headed for the door.
“Vivian, I—” he followed her.
“From the first day I got here, I was at your beck and call. ‘Vivian, nab that portrait’, ‘Vivian, crack the safe open’, ‘Vivian, turn off the lights.’”
“And I’m grateful to have you—”
“Every demand, every scheme, every petty little heist that placed you in the spotlight. I played along because I thought you’d have the heart do the same for me.”
“And that hasn’t changed.”
“Oh really?” She stopped at the door, quickly turning to face him. “Have you ever cared about someone so much that you’d sacrifice everything to have them back? To see them safe and sound even if it meant losing it all?
Of course not! You never cared about anyone! The last person you ever ‘cared’ about lost an eye and his legs because of you!”
“That’s not true. I’ve always been there for you.”
“Then where are you now?! When someone I hold dear is on the line. When he’s being taken by a force beyond what either of us can handle.
I thought maybe — just maybe — you’d have my back, just this once. That you respected him and I enough to be my ally. And what do I get?
You, turning a blind eye because you think I’m overreacting.”
“Vivian—"
“Don’t act like we’re family.”
“…”
“Lord Phaethon is all I have left. Can’t you see that? He’s the only one that’s ever cared about me, and I’m not going to gamble his life away because your ignorance!”
“… Fine.
Fine.
You know what? Go ahead. Play the hero.
Do what you think is best for your ‘darling Lord Phaethon.’” He leans in close, mismatched pupils glowing faintly. “But when everything comes crashing down, don’t expect me to pull you out of the abyss.”
“FINE!”
The door slammed, and the silence that followed felt heavier than ever. The echo lingered. Hugo stood there, staring at the door — the coin still cold in his hand as he clutched it tight.
Of all the adventures he’d survived, of all the trials endured since childhood, he thought he’d grown numb to the pain. That nothing in this world could shake him.
And yet — there he stood.
Letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Looking down at the carpet with the familiar ache in his chest.
“Damnit,” he muttered. “Damn it all.”