[Sadrain]

December 5th, Chicago. Base.

"I... guess." Elek said, with small sight. He felt as if he was pestering Amante. When the man stood up and was about to leave, Elek suddenly spontaneously said: "hey, I hope you won't be more hurt when this all is finished." He had meant the trouble with Ryan and Alice, which certainly was bringing Amante down, but somehow, all the other factors spinning around them and pulling them into a hurricane summed together, and his voice was heavy. "Uhm, never mind. I am sure you won't. Stay safe. We've panicked about you for few year's worth," Elek smiled, trying to now look cheerful and a little cheeky.

When Amante left, Elek returned to his paperwork, feeling more mentally than physically exhausted. Some things did not fall in place, did not make a picture with sense, and in the current situation, even small piece had a big meaning. Finally, for first time in long time, he waved his duties off and just went to sleep, to stop thinking even if for some time.

December 6th, Chicago. Base.

Ryan tilted head to the side, as he watched Alice trying to tell him something. It took him a moment, but then it all became clear to him. "Oh!" He smiled. "You are going to have physical therapy for walking? That's great! When you are back on your feet, you can have many nice walks..." Ryan stopped, as if he nearly said something wrong, but whatever it is, he decided to smooth over it.

"That's really great, Alice. I am happy for you," he told her honestly. Ryan took one of her hands and squeezed it softly. It was a gesture he had gotten used to by now, as simple and natural as smiling at her, usually making him feel at ease. But this time Ryan tensed a little, and after a moment, gently put her hand down on the cover. They both were going to live on their own lives, weren't they? Especially after Alice could walk. It felt like these gestures tied them together even further, and, honestly, Ryan felt a bit afraid, and unsure, where this all would be end up with. Not to mention, there was the third path, running along theirs, always trying to entwine, or maybe rejoin Alice's. He had to take Amante into consideration.

"I... I have to go now. I will ask when your therapy starts. I will be cheering for you, even if I can't be there." Ryan stood up, but he didn't leave immediately. Suddenly, he leaned down slightly and cupped Alice's cheek softly. "What I am going to do with you and all this mess..." Ryan said quietly looking into her pale eyes for a long moment, and then abruptly turned around and went out. Doors shut behind him with a quiet thud.


Elek waited for the training to finish, sometimes stopping by the scene. He needed to talk with Eve, but as he had slept in, he had missed chance to catch her before training. Finally, the woman dismissed the 'class' and he fell in her pace, now walking next to her. "I need to talk with you about Evan. Do you have time now, or later?" For past few days, he wore dark glasses - not exactly sunglasses, but with toned lenses, so the blank stare or shut eyes would not be so noticeable. It felt somehow uncomfortable, but the reason was absurd, so he tried to overcome it.