Chapter 67:

  A Spoonful of Sugar

  (Lucas's POV)

  I floated in a sea of nothing. My consciousness slipped away. I had just been trying to pour some milk for cereal when it happened. Something warm trickled down my nose, and then I saw the drop of crimson fall upon the floor.

  As I went to wipe it away, the worst migraine I've ever had hit me like a truck. The world spun as my vision narrowed. The milk fell from my hands as my legs failed me. Even though she was nearby, Maya's voice carried as if from a great distance as she called out my name.

  I didn't hit the floor, but rather the gentle embrace of Maya's arms. The st thing I saw was her face contorted in worry. I found myself reaching up to her as I tried to smile. To assure her that I was okay. I could feel her clutching at my hand, holding it to her face, and then...nothing.

  In this sea of darkness that I found myself in, I felt strangely...calm. There was no heat or cold. It was honestly rather...comforting. Like a long-forgotten embrace, it was familiar.

  Rising from the depths of this pce came echoes of many voices yered over each other. All a cacophony of noise as they spoke over each other, while some mirrored the others.

  ----

  "Dead"

  "Dying"

  "Should be dead"

  "Shouldn't exist"

  "Why"

  "How"

  "Alive"

  "No"

  "Yes"

  "Unknown"

  "Dangerous"

  "Fool"

  ----

  The voices assaulted my senses, overwhelming in every sense of the word. I couldn't do anything except try my best to drown them out or simply ride the storm. I couldn't breath. I couldn't move. The calm that I had felt and the comforting embrace of the dark was repced by fear.

  I was terrified, and still...I struggled.

  I didn't know what these voices wanted or what they were trying to say. Dead? Shouldn't exist? Fuck that. Though, the st word...

  "Fool..." the word struck me like lightning as if I had heard it thousands of times over. It echoed in my mind as I repeated it to myself, and...it made me smile. Something was familiar in that word, and it made me almost ugh as a fsh of Elizabeth's face became burned into my mind.

  She had a pout to her lips, the word "fool" upon them as she huffed, arms crossed. She looked at me coyly, then smiled. Shaking her head, she embraced me. Warmth entered my heart as I smiled lovingly, but as I did, a sharp pain shot through my head. Immediately, the memory faded and the pain receded.

  "Was that...an old memory?" I wondered, struggling to hold onto any sembnce of myself.

  Before I could wonder any longer, another memory, this one less painful perhaps because it was more...recent. Maya, covered in blood looked down at me as I had embraced her out of impulse. She chuckled, her words echoing in my mind, "You really are a fool."

  This memory, like the other, faded away. One by one, other memories appeared of everyone I had ever known in my life that I had been close with. Each one with the word "fool" upon their lips. It was never said out of malice, but an affectionate warmth.

  As the st faded from existence, I realized something...it was suddenly quiet. The voices which had assaulted me had come to a chilling silence. I almost...missed it. Almost.

  I hadn't realized it, but at some point I had closed my eyes against the pain and the sounds. Slowly opening them, I was met with a gentle, warm glow of a familiar sight. An ethereal wisp of silver...no, was that...a teal light?

  "E-Ellie?" I muttered, my voice echoing throughout this abyss as I spoke out for the first time.

  Despite it not having a face, I felt like it regarded me for a brief moment. On impulse, I lifted what felt like my arm towards the mote of light. In its glow, I could see my hand...and I paused for a moment. That wasn't my hand. At least, not as I remembered it.

  Long, slender fingers that ended in sharp cws. I remembered seeing them somewhere, but...where? The light seemed to pulse with warmth as it settled into the palm of my hand. Blinking, I saw it shift back into what I knew as my hand. Had I just been seeing things?

  I held the light carefully, cupping it with a tenderness that just felt...right. Was this light truly Ellie, or was it something my mind conjured to give me soce in this moment of terror? I didn't know, and before I could contempte it further, the light flickered and became a silver mote of light, suddenly flying from my hand and towards my face.

  "Ah! What the hell...!?" I grumbled, grimacing away from the sudden brightness.

  "You are getting weaker," its small voice echoed.

  "I'm sorry?" I replied in confusion, "Can't really help that."

  "You need to be careful," it told me calmly, "It's getting closer."

  "What is?" I asked, my head beginning to throb.

  "The beginning of the end," it answered simply, "You have one chance. Don't waste it."

  "Only one?" I felt my chest tighten, "What about-"

  "No," the light cut me off, getting incredibly close to me to the point I was nearly blinded if I didn't advert my eyes.

  "You didn't even let me-" I began, but once again was interrupted.

  "Elizabeth cannot regress again," it was adamant in its tone, firm and unwavering, "She has done more than enough. Wouldn't you agree?"

  It was more of a statement than a question. One that I didn't disagree with.

  "Yeah..." I nodded, "She tends to take the world on her shoulders."

  The mote of light seemed to take a moment as if it was assessing me before backing off and allowing me to actually look at it.

  "She isn't the only one..." it said softly, as if to itself in contemption.

  "Who...what are you?" I had to ask, my curiosity overtaking me.

  "Who or what I am doesn't matter," it answered, "Only that you make the right choice when the time comes."

  "The right choice?" I was full of questions and no answers.

  "Yes," it bobbed in the darkness as if nodding its head, "And do not ask what it is, for you won't remember even if I told you."

  "Well that's...bullshit," I grumbled.

  I could feel the light was amused as it seemed to thrum in agreement.

  "You will know," it assured me, "Now it's time for you...to wake up."

  Before I could say anything, the mote flew towards me and into my head. I felt myself slipping from this pce, but the st thing I saw before I forgot it all...was a familiar sight.

  "The only thing that matters..." the small voice grew to a familiar one, my voice, "Is that I'll do anything for Ellie."

  That familiarity in its tone, and the use of Ellie's name shattered the veil between us. Like an ethereal mirror looking back at me, the mote flickered as I saw myself within it. Their gaze was determined, yet held an eternal warmth.

  Even if I wouldn't remember this, I was satisfied with the knowledge that instinctively...I knew. I knew that I would do anything for those that I loved, and Ellie was my first. She would always have my heart, as I would have hers.

  So what if I sacrificed myself so that she could live? However, it couldn't st. Something was breaking. It had to. The cycle couldn't continue forever. I wouldn't allow it.

  Elizabeth was tired. I was tired. This was our st chance. One way or another.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV, moments ter)

  My eyes flickered open as I grimaced from the pounding of my head. Trying to sit up, I felt a firm, yet gentle hand hold me in pce.

  "Rex," Maya's voice ordered, a comforting sound that brought me back to reality.

  Looking up, I realized my head was in her p and I felt a heat enter my face. This quickly faded as I saw Maya's expression. Concern was written all over her face. There was an intense worry buried deep within her heart, and at the edge of her eyes...tears.

  "I'm sorry..." I found myself saying, rexing my head on her p, "I caused you to worry...again."

  Reaching up, I cupped her face and gently wiped away the tears. Bringing her hand to mine, she held it close to her face as she shook her head.

  "No," she told me firmly, swallowing her tears, "Don't apologize."

  "But-" I began, and her other hand pced a finger over my lips.

  "Not another word, Mister," she ordered, "You don't get to smile at me when you pass out, as if I was the one in danger, and then worry about me when you wake up."

  There was a slight pout to her lips as she stared me down. Beneath her gaze, I couldn't really do anything except cave.

  "Okay, okay..." I chuckled, smiling the best I could, "Sorry."

  "What did I just say?" she raised an eyebrow at me, "God, you really are a fool."

  Though she didn't put any emphasis on the word, "fool" resonated deep within me. I completely rexed, allowing Maya to fuss over me for the better part of the day. She wouldn't let me sit up for a good twenty minutes, not that I wanted to. Her p was...comfortable.

  However, when I had to use the bathroom, she refused to let me walk by myself. Reluctantly allowing me privacy only when she had gotten me safely to the toilet, and afterwards, she barely waited for me to pull up my pants after hearing it flush before she barged in to help me walk back to the couch.

  "Now, you're going to stay here until I say so," she ordered, pcing me in what could only be described as a nest of pillows and bnkets from which I would be unable to leave, "Consider me Nurse Maya today."

  "Heh, do you have an outfit and everything?" I teased, expecting her to simply roll her eyes.

  Only, instead of that, her lips curved into a mischievous smirk.

  "That could be arranged," she said coyly.

  "Wait, I don't think...and she's gone..." I couldn't finish my sentence before she disappeared as she used [Fsh Step], "I don't think my heart will be able to handle this..."

  Sure enough, a moment ter, Maya made an entrance in a dazzling fashion. Petals swirled before me as she appeared with a bow, hand over her heart. She wore a custom bck nurses outfit with white trim. It hugged every curve of her body, yet was surprisingly modest despite the slightly revealing neckline and skirt which stopped just above her knees. It came complete with tights and even a little nurses hat.

  "Nurse Maya, at your service, Sir," she announced, her eyes looking up at me with that devious nature of hers.

  I was completely taken aback, mouth half open as my heart beat wildly in my chest.

  "Did you just...have that?" I asked, blinking in disbelief.

  "Maybe," she answered, standing as she put a finger to her lips, "It's. A. Secret.~"

  I had no idea how or why she had this outfit, let alone when she had gotten it. For all I knew, she could have pnned this for just this occasion. The thought was terrifying because it made me wonder how many other things she had pnned for.

  My reaction was apparently satisfactory, because she couldn't stop glowing. It was like the air around her simply sparkled as she took care of me. She knew I was watching her, making exaggerated movements, gncing back at me every so often. It was enough to drive me insane, and I couldn't do anything about it because I had strict orders to remain in the nest that she had made for me.

  Honestly, I wasn't compining. Who would? In fact, I couldn't help but smile fondly as I watched her. It was like she was truly in her element whenever she was helping me. When she wasn't teasing me, there was a warm glow about her. A constant half smile that told me she was genuinely enjoying herself, and that...that's all that mattered.

  -----

  (Maya's POV)

  Her heart was beating faster than ever before. She was inexperienced with being in a retionship, and so didn't really know what to do, but what she did know was how to care for someone. Not emotionally, though she was working on that, but rather the literal definition of it.

  Ever since she was a child, she was raised to be a specific way. The perfect Lady. The perfect assassin. Two sides to the same coin. She knew how to seduce and where to strike to kill immediately. She knew how to make people sing, prolonging their pain as she extracted information. There were many skills that she had acquired via her upbringing. None of them very dylike, but...there were some that transted into everyday life for her.

  The way to make the perfect bowl of soup for when you were sick. How to tend an injury and ensure that it healed properly. The way to sew a piece of clothing so that it looked as if it had never been damaged. How to properly clean so that nothing would go amiss. Everything in its pce.

  Above them all was the ability to sing. Not only was she taught to dance, but her voice had been trained so that she could lull her targets into a false sense of security. This skill, however, came in handy beyond what it was intended. When Hannah, her little sister, couldn't sleep because she was sick or scared due to a nightmare, Maya would sing to her a lulby.

  ----

  ~Softly does the wind blow.

  Softly does the night grow cold.

  Don't worry, dear, I am here;

  To warm you for the night.

  So, hush now, rest your head.

  I'll keep you safe and sound in bed.

  By your side, I will stay, till the light of day.

  Hush now, rest your head.

  I'm by your side until the end.

  Hush now, rest your head...~

  ----

  Hannah would almost always fall asleep to her voice on nights when she had trouble sleeping, and it warmed Maya's heart. Now, it could also be used in moments like this where Lucas was having trouble sleeping because of worry for Elizabeth and all that was going on. To be able to care for him when his head was trying to kill him. Literally.

  She had pnned for such an occasion. Knowing that one day, he would need someone to care for him. It was the least she felt like she could do, and was pleased with the results. She knew he was watching her and loved every second of it. The uniform she wore was a nice touch, and she had a few others she might try out...eventually.

  For now, she was simply pleased that everything she had learned, and once resented, was coming in handy. She had grown to love cooking now, knowing that he enjoyed it so much. More than that, she enjoyed doing it for herself. She had always cooked for other people, and while she still did that, it was for her as well. Her enjoyment of seeing those she cared for enjoying her food, and being able to enjoy it with them.

  That's why she hummed as she cooked, feeling the intensity of his gaze at her back. She made a few teasing movements with her hips, catching him clear his throat and look away shyly. She smiled, her heart trying to leave her chest. It was too fun to tease him, but at least he was listening and staying where he was.

  She had almost been lost to worry about him after he had colpsed. He was out for a good couple of hours before he finally had come to. Like always, he was more concerned about her than he was about himself. The damn fool. Though, she didn't hate that about him.

  Tasting the soup she had been making, she was satisfied with it and dished out a bowl for him and a bowl for herself. She knew he wouldn't eat if she didn't, though she could probably force him, but right now she wanted to use a gentler touch. She was still worried, after all, and didn't want to cause him any stress. At least, not that kind of stress.

  She smiled to herself, smirking with a mischievous delight as she pced everything on a tray and began to carry it over to the coffee table near him. There were two steaming bowls of chicken and mushroom cheese soup, along with a big bowl of fresh fruit. There were two cups and a pitcher of apple juice.

  "Here we are, Sir," she told him, setting the tray down and sitting next to him in the nest of pillows and bnkets she had created for him, "It's hot, so I'll let it cool down for a bit. For now, try some of the fruit."

  "What about-" he began to ask, but the moment his mouth opened, she had pced a cube of melon inside of it.

  "There's enough for both of us," she assured him, and then ordered with a gentle smile, "Eat. Unless you want me to chew it for you."

  He blushed and shook his head, beginning to chew. While he did, she used the same fork to eat a piece of the melon herself. He looked at the tray, his eyes softening as he saw the two bowls and cups, apparently satisfied that she was eating as well.

  "Say ah~," she told him, lifting another piece of melon to his mouth.

  "I can-" he began again, but she wasn't about to let him say another word as she inserted the melon into his mouth.

  "I'm sure you can eat yourself," Maya said softly, her tone gentle, "But..I want to do this."

  He glowered at her but relented to her request. She also took another piece of melon for herself, and before she could get another piece for him, he swallowed quickly in order to speak.

  "At least let me breathe!" he excimed, covering his mouth defensively, "I want to talk, you know!"

  "Heh, okay, okay," she chuckled, waiting for him to open his mouth, "I'm sorry, I just know how stubborn you get."

  "I'm naut shtuhbhorn," he spoke defiantly with his mouth full.

  "Really?" she raised her eyebrow at him, "Finish your food before talking."

  He sulked, chewing and swallowing before talking again as she savored a piece of freshly cut apple.

  "I'm not stubborn," he repeated, crossing his arms, "I just don't want you doing more than you need."

  "Oh?" she queried, picking a piece of apple for him next, "And what it's what I want to do? What I like to do?"

  She held the piece of apple to him, waiting for him to take it as the question hung in the air between them. He took the apple and began chewing, swallowing after a couple moments of thoughts.

  "Well...I want you to do want you want," he admitted with a heavy sigh, "I just don't want you to do it because I want you to or something like-"

  Not letting him finish his sentence again, she pced another piece of apple in his mouth.

  "H-Hey!" he said through the apple, begrudgingly taking it.

  "Well, you're speaking nonsense," she told him firmly, "I want to do what you want, and I also want to do what I want...which just so happens to fall into what you want. So, shut up. I'm enjoying myself."

  "...Hrmm," he growled, grumbling to himself, "Fine. I just feel guilty is all."

  "Why?" she questioned, taking an orange slice and eating it.

  "Well, I just..." he sighed, his tone becoming soft and gentle, "You've always done what others want, so maybe I'm overly cautious and conscious of you doing things for me. You should live your life, you know?"

  She finished her orange slice and smiled. "Gods, you are a fool..." she thought fondly and leaned towards him. His eyes widened in surprise and awe as she pced a kiss upon his cheek, lifting his hand to the spot in a daze.

  "What...was that for?" he asked, and she simply smiled, her heart feeling like it would burst.

  "Because I wanted to, and..." she gazed into his eyes longingly as she spoke, "This is what I want. I am living my life, and you're a part of it. Get that through your thick skull, Luke."

  "...It is pretty thick, huh?" he muttered as he blushed, "I'll try my best."

  "Good, now open up," she ordered, sitting back up and grabbing the bowl of soup, "It's still a bit hot, but I'll blow on it for you."

  He began to protest, but thought better of it as she simply nodded. It took every ounce of composure for her not to immediately melt on the spot as he watched her. His gaze was hot. The way they fell upon her was with such compassion and love, an understanding and appreciation for her that she had never felt from anyone else. He didn't want to ruin her enjoyment, and was enjoying it himself. The best of both worlds, and she was touched by it.

  "Here," she said softly, blowing upon the spoonful she brought up to his lips, "Slowly, now. I hope it's good enough."

  He took it gratefully, savoring it perhaps a bit too much. He was doing it for her benefit, which made her giggle a bit. His exaggerated moans broke the tension in the air, rexing her immediately.

  "That good?" she asked as she ughed.

  "It's perfect," he answered honestly after he had finished the spoonful, "Truly."

  She blushed, looking away as she felt a little bashful from his honesty. Happy with that, she continued to feed him as he continued to give her a dramatic dispy of how much he loved her food. She succumbed to her ughter, and he soon joined in. It was infectious.

  The atmosphere grew to a point that all other thoughts became background noise. Neither of them thought of the dangerous, changing world, or the fact that his life was coming to an end. If Maya and Elizabeth had any say in it, that wouldn't happen, but until then...it was all on a clock. An invisible timer that no one was able to see, but in that moment, that timer didn't exist.

  It was only them and the ughter, warmth, and love between them.

  -----

  Nikushimi