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Chapter 11: What Comes to Pass
Kokobiel had followed Tom all the way back to the room they had stayed in before. Dragging a table in with a couple chairs he set down a bottle with shot glasses.
"I didn't realize you meant shots literally, also where did you get the bottle fr- that's my bottle." Kokobiel said to Tom recognizing the bottle of rum he kept in his bag.
"Listen unless this place has some, this is the only thing I can think of," Tom said as he crossed his arms.
"There's a few stashes in the kitchen but I'm not getting shit faced with the commander here," Morgan said as he sat down in a bunk.
"I never said we were getting shit faced, but maybe just right at the edge of there." Tom replied back.
"You can do that, I have to at least be comprehensible." Morgan snuffed. Tom rolled his eyes as he poured the three shots and slid the two over to the others.
"What are you? light weight? If so, maybe we should get you some water with lime," Kokobiel said as he picked up the glass.
"I know my limit, I'm not a child," Morgan replied back as he picked up his own glass. Tom picked up his own before he raised it into the air.
"Don't die tomorrow." Tom said sarcastically. Kokobiel rolled his eyes as he raised his own and Morgan huffed before joining them. They clinked the glasses before they all let back on their drinks. It was strong and bitter but that wasn't the reason he kept the bottle in his bag, the tinge of sweetness settled as it went down his throat.
"Bleh, why do you keep that?" Tom asked as he set down the glass.
"I like it, and it's not for you so what do you care?" Kokobiel replied in a sneer.
"Because I had to drink it," Tom said as he set down the glass. Kokobiel's face went flat as he realized how big of an idiot Tom was.
"I mean it's not bad, just not my thing it's kinda dry. But you do you," Morgan said as he set down his own glass.
"That's understandable, not everyone's drink of choice," Kokobiel said as he grabbed the bottle and poured another. Tom narrowed his eyes at Kokobiels double standards, looking up to meet his eyes Kokobiel winked at him once he could tell Tom figured him out.
"You're a real asshole sometimes, yknow?" Tom said to him.
"Do I have to remind you of your own incidents?" Kokobiel asked back. Tom crossed his arms as he huffed and looked towards Morgan.
"You two have known each for a while now and you bicker like exes, did something happen between the two of you?" Morgan questioned as he slid his glass over to Kokobiel.
"No, we just had a lot of nights alone. I hope you know he snores, loudly." Tom said to Morgan.
"Hey I snore rarely, mostly if I eat too much, can you blame me for indulging in pot roast?" Kokobiel said in retort.
"You kept me up all night, and you gassed me out of the tent. It was absolutely GROSS!" Tom bickered back as he slid his glass as well.
"Okay that's completely fair, I can't even have an argument over that." Kokobiel said, admitting he was wrong.
"Okay yeah definitely gross will note to get plugs for me, noise I can sleep through most stuff." Morgan said. Kokobiel poured another round before sliding the glasses back over to the other, another round done and over, no toast for this one. Tom made a face this time as he stuck out his tongue, Morgan didn't have a reaction other than an intense blink. Morgan set his glass upside down on the table as he leaned forward.
"Already done?" Kokobiel asked.
"Yeah, it just upsets my stomach. Normally I drink mixed drinks not straight alcohol," Morgan said as he put a hand up to his mouth as he burped.
"Mixed drinks? Like fruity ones?" Tom asked.
"Yes, like the fruity ones. I like to enjoy my drink when I drink." Morgan growled back.
"Hey I am not judging just never figured you too be into those, you've always been pretty moody." Tom answered back.
"Moody? I am not the moody one you are," Morgan said before sticking his tongue out at Tom.
"I don't know, you can be pretty moody at times." Kokobiel butted in. Morgan turned his head to Kokobiel as he squinted at him sternly displeased.
"I am not," said Morgan.
"Yes you are," said Kokobiel.
"I am NOT!" Morgan returned.
"Fine whatever you say, moody pants." Kokbiel said with a shrug.
Morgan huffed at him before he got up, he pushed the chair back where it came from before he walked out the room.
"I'm going to go get a shower." Morgan said as he walked out. Tom shifted in his seat before he picked up the bottle. He filled both glasses before he set back down the bottle.
"So much for celebration, not like we need a reason to drink," Tom said as he picked up the glass and swung his head back. Kokobiel looked at the glass, the brownish red liquid settled finally from the pouring.
"How was Sampi?" Kokobiel asked as he reached for the glass.
"I mean not terrible, saw my sister, she's getting married, uh went to my parent's grave. I killed a guy, that was an experience to say the least. Got shot at a lot, threatened at gun point," Tom said bluntly.
"Oh, sorry for asking," Kokobiel said, glass still in hand, his other hand tracing over the rim.
"Not your fault, but one good thing did come out of it. I found out the attack on my home was no accident, no dumb kids screwing around turning horrible. It was a direct attack from the house, turns out they logged a lot of their missions. I got curious and looked for stuff happening seven years ago in Sampi." Tom continued.
"So what was the reason?" Kokobiel asked as he finally swung his head back and drank the shot.
"Apparently they suspected my dad working in secret against them, something about the Hexagon corporation, unknown tech they haven't picked up. That doesn't sound like my dad at all, he was decently present in our lives, yeah sure he would disappear every few weeks but he was only gone for two days max." Tom said as he went to pick up the bottle again. Kokobiel stopped as he reached the beck of the bottle.
"You're not one to drink like this, what else was there?" Kokobiel asked. Tom squeezed the neck of the bottle as his nostrils flared up.
"Nobody was meant to survive the fire, they knew my dad had children, they knew we were inside. I am only alive by sheer luck, and it isn't that I'm not grateful but that should have turned out differently," Tom said as he picked up the bottle. Kokobiel didn't stop him this time as he watched him pour another drink.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Kokobiel said sternly. Tom stopped for a moment as he looked up at him in a mixture of confusion and shock.
"The hell do you mean?" Tom asked.
"Are you going to sit there and mope? It's not something you would do, I know you aren't the most determined but you have one hell of a bite back at any time. So are you going to do something about it or are you going to drown your sorrows in a bottle and sit around here?" Kokobiel asked, putting pressure on Tom.
"Go fuck yourself, you don't just get to boss me around like that. I don't plan to sit here forever, I just need some damn time," Tom said as he lifted up the drink. Kokobiel slapped the shot out of his hand as he got up and kicked Tom's chair forward.
"Dude what the fuck!" Tom said as he caught himself before standing up.
"You're going to do something about it now, no waiting while the coals are hot now. You are no longer that fifteen year old boy standing in front of a burning house, you are a man who has had the determination to live through this." Kokobiel let out firmly. Tom's jaw hung open as he didn't know how to respond as his eyes searched behind Kokobiel trying to get out.
"Look at me, you are my best friend and I care for you so with the most sincere words I have, go and do something about it." Kokobiel said his tone had become soft. Tom breathed heavily as he stared into Kokobiel's eyes.
"Okay, I will just need a bit of rest, maybe some water too." Tom said as he had finally quieted down.
Kokobiel nodded as he picked up the bottle and put the lid back on it. He opened his bag as he set the bottle back in it as he got his journal.
"We have been with each other for six months, you threw me a secret birthday party. I wrote something that night and I figure now is a good time to share that with you," Kokobiel said as he undid the band around the journal before looking through the pages. Tom sat back down as he looked up to listen to what he had written.
"This idiot found out my birthday was two days ago and set up a party. He somehow managed to get a cake all the way out here, or baked I don't know. By Omega he is ridiculous, he even got Raymond involved with it. I am way too drunk for this right now, but by Omega he is so sweet and stupid. If I were to die for anyone for any reason no matter how dumb, it would be him." Kokobiel said as he looked at Tom.
"I only did that because I know I didn't get to enjoy many of my birthdays, so I figured it as a way to get it back somewhat." Tom responded back.
"That's not the point I am trying to make, I am saying I am here for you at any point of time," Kokobiel said as he tossed his journal onto his bunk.
"I know that just explaining myself," Tom said as he sat down in his own bunk.
"Well maybe you don't have to, now just lay down I'll go get you some water." Kokobiel said as he made his way out of the room. He was angry, partly at Tom but somewhat at himself, he had stubbornly made Tom go to Sampi, it was his fault this is how he acted. Just more problems for him to deal with and now that Raymond was back what would he do with him. Maybe they could keep themselves occupied with each other as he sets out with Morgan for their next mission then the trip home.
Groaning as he thought about this as he made his way into the now almost empty cafeteria. A few groups were sitting around tables, either playing cards or just chatting amongst themselves. Opening a fridge he looked through it before he found a bottle labeled water, he took it out of the fridge before closing it back. Surely the owner isn't in desperate need of this bottle currently. Kokobiel began to walk back out where he spotted Morgan walking past the cafeteria. Kokobiel picked up his speed as he caught up to Morgan.
"So how was the shower?" Kokobiel asked, noticing Morgan's mane was still slightly damp.
"You can go shove it up your ass," Morgan repeated back. Kokobiel rolled his eyes as he swooped closer to Morgan butting up against him.
"I don't think I could do that even if I had wanted to, that's just way too much water for my liking." Kokobiel responded back.
"Ugh you cause me physical pain I swear, but I guess it was good I just needed some relief is all," Morgan said as he butted back. Kokobiel had a terrible smirk crawl across his face as he gave a hand motion in return.
"Ew no not fucking that I have standards, or I guess more able to resist temptations or some shit like that." Morgan replied back with a snear.
"I'm just pulling your tail, a shower has always helped me. Something about the steam really clears out the brain. I enjoy it." Kokobiel replied back. Morgan's feet clacked against the floor, Kokobiel hadn't noticed it last time because most people knew how to walk silently. Often someone making these noises would be a child who hasn't figured out walking just yet.
"What makes you walk funny after a shower?" Kokobiel asked. Morgan's face went blank as he brought it up, his face then shifted as he tried to give a response.
"I will tell you once we get to my room, too many ears around for that story," Morgan said as he turned down a corridor. Kokobiel huffed as he followed behind. From what he could see Morgan didn't have some funny limp and he wasn't dragging his feet either but Kokobiel didn't notice before just how small Morgan was compared to him. Without the jacket on it was clear Morgan didn't have the best lifestyle, he was on a much thinner side and his shoulders weren't very broad. His tail was always slightly bent to the right at the end as it waved back and forth as he walked. Morgan slid open a door as he stepped in before looking out to make sure Kokobiel had followed. Stepping in it was a decently small room, a bed that would barely fit him, a desk next to it with a lamp with cabinets above it. Morgan opened a draw as he got out a couple cloth strips, they were fairly long but not very thick.
"Shut the door please," Morgan said as he sat on the bed. Kokobiel slid the door shut and put the small latch in place locking the door. Morgan let out a relieved sigh as he lifted a leg showing off the bottom. It was bare where there would be pads and had more of a rough scar.
"You don't have paw pads?" Kokobiel asked in confusion.
"They got burnt off in the fire, without them I click my feet so I have had to wrap cloth around them to stop it from happening," Morgan said as he began to wrap his foot with the cloth. Kokobiel wasn't exactly dumbfounded, it made sense but he hadn't noticed the wrappings before.
"What's the water bottle for?" Morgan asked as he swapped feet. Kokobiel had forgotten about it even with it being in his hands.
"Oh it's for Tom. He needed some water. I guess I should go bring that to him. I'll be back," Kokobiel said as he turned around and walked straight into the door. Morgan chuckled as he got up and unlocked the door for him.
Kokobiel let out a grumble as he slid open the door, stepped out, then shut it behind him. Kokobiel shook his head as the pain finally settled in, it was more embarrassing then it actually was painful. Starting the walk back to the room Tom was in he caught himself in a moment of thought. If they were going back to his home, what would he wear, how would he introduce himself? It had been many years. He barely remembered how he acted back then let alone what he wore. What would it matter anyway it's not like that would matter to them. Kokobiel found himself tossing the bottle back and forth in his hands before he finally made his way into the room. Tom was sprawled out upon the bunk, completely passed out. Kokobiel set down the bottle onto the nearby nightstand. Scooting Tom further into the bed so he wouldn't roll off, he turned off the nearby lamp as he grabbed his bag.
Retrning to Morgan's room he was now sitting in the chair at his desk, patiently awaiting Kokobiel's return.
"So did he enjoy his water?" Morgan asked as he kicked up his feet onto the bed.
"I am sure he will when he wakes up, I think his most recent trip gave him too much to think about." Kokobiel replied back.
"It was an emotional leap if he went and saw Scarlet, I do hope she wasn't too angry with him or blamed him. She knows what happened wasn't his fault in any way." Morgan continued on.
"I think he will do fine, if not we can just kick his ass till he does." Kokobiel replied back with a smirk. Morgan smiled at that as he pushed back on the bed leaning his chair backwards.
"So other than your metal working what do you do?" Kokobiel asked.
"What do you mean, like for fun?" Morgan asked, confused.
"Yeah that's what I mean, like as you know I draw or at least light sketching." Kokobiel responded back.
"Yes I do know that, uuuh you probably don't know this game but me and Tom used to play it, now I mostly do it by myself. We called it Screwdriver, you would run around and unscrew as much as possible, the highest amount of screws without getting caught. My highest score so far is thirty nine, Dingo didn't like me disassembling the coffee maker." Morgan explained to Kokobiel.
"Sounds like you had nothing better to do with your time." Kokobiel replied back.
"Well getting sick for the fourth time after playing in the snow you have to do something else." Morgan said with a shurg.
"I mean here, you have nothing better to do here." Kokobiel rephrased.
"Oh well I paint when I'm not stuck in here," Morgan said as he got out of the chair and opened the cabinet. He got out a few tiny canvases before sitting on the bed. Kokobiel took one from his hands as he looked it over, it was a painting overlooking a lake and the evening sky of Sirca.
"Why don't you hang these up?" Kokobiel asked as he looked over the rest. They were all landscapes of Sirca, a mountain, the desert, the high walls of Omegarad.
"I just never thought about it, no one cares to see them when they can just make their way there." Morgan responded with.
"Well I like them and all of these places are so far," Kokobiel said as he set the final one aside, restacking them before handed them back to Morgan who set them on the desk.
"You really think they're good?" Morgan asked as he sat down next to Kokobiel and leaned into him.
"Better than anything I could do with paint, your brush strokes are just filled with passion. Maybe you should spend more time doing that," Kokobiel suggested as he laid his head on Morgan's.
"Maybe I will, as soon as I can make more paint. Dye isn't easy to come by," Morgan said as he let out a yawn.
"Tired? I totally get that," Kokobiel said in response to the yawn before he flopped backward into the bed. He scooted around so he laid lengthwise of the bed before he patted his chest with a hand.
"A nap wouldn't do us terribly," Morgan said as he joined Kokobiel resting his head upon Kokobiel's chest. Kokobiel breathed softly as he ran a hand through. Morgan's mane, it was soft and light. Hell Morgan himself was light, it felt more like a pillow was laying on him then another person.
"I swear you're skin and bones, do you need me to cook for you?" Kokobiel asked with a small laugh.
"I'm not against it but no need to go out of your way I'm not a big eater." Morgan responded, his face was focused clearly but his body was relaxed.
"Your heartbeat is so soft, mine feels like it's about to explode. I guess I am way more nervous than I should be." Morgan said abruptly.
"Well this isn't the weirdest possible thing we could do." Kokobiel responded, trying to ease Morgan. The response he got wasn't what he expected but wasn't the worst.
"The weirdest thing we could possibly do?" Morgan asked, confused.
"I just mean we aren't being weird, this is pretty normal for people dating, I think, none of my relationships were seriously more sexual in nature. Not to say I don't think ours isn't special in some way." Kokobiel said now nervous himself.
"I am going to be honest when I say this, you are the first person I would say I actually have dated or done anything with," Morgan said as he scooted further up Kokobiel.
"Really that's a bit of a surprise now I get why you're nervous." Kokobiel said as it clicked.
"What all have you done?" Morgan asked with curiosity.
"You don't need to hear that, some of that stuff is very embarrassing to say." Kokobiel responded back with a nervous chuckle.
"Cmon tell me or you're lame." Morgan demanded. Kokobiel let out a groan as he wiped his face.
"Fine, but you definitely owe me." Kokobiel said back.
"I promise to not tell a soul," Morgan said as he put his hand up.
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