Chapter Text
Ares,
Yue had a way of leaving him speechless. Started the first moment they’d meet, her boldness in asking a stranger for a dance and showing him the miraculous life of a baby turtle hatching, getting to hold such a fragile life in the hands that have killed programs.
Then, now, comforting him while Ares was threatening to take her life. Those grey eyes stayed level, an ocean of calmness, while Ares crumbled in fear, believing the illusions of his mind.
‘You're irreplaceable to me.’ Ares felt strange hearing those words, not wrong, but it filled his body with a weird sensation of warmth. In his whole existence, Julian Dillinger made it a point to show that he was replaceable. Didn’t matter how many times he died or was brought back; the pain was nothing but an annoyance to them.
Ares remembers Dillinger's mother, reacting coldly when he timed out. ‘Here we go, again, ’ she muttered under her breath. Face contrasting disgust as if his own reactions towards the pain were dramatic, and that he should suffer in silence.
‘If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.’ Yue didn't want him to stay silent or hide away the pain he felt; she wanted him to have a voice. Always asking for his input, whether it was on where they were heading or what his favourite color was. Ares had settled with blue.
“Yue.” He called out for her while exiting his tent. The one she gave him during Ares's first night camping, she called a gift. Never been gifted anything before.
She hovered by the truck’s open door, already sliding the rifle into its hidden corner. He’d known about the weapon even if Yue had never talked or shown, but it sat in its spot waiting to be called upon.
“Could we talk?” Ares asked, not exactly sure what they should discuss. He wasn’t sure if Yue would understand what he was; Ares didn’t even know what he was. A program with Premance. Not a human but bled like one, not a program but still had his abilities.
Yue’s lips pulled into her usual sweet smile, cheeks rosy from the cold breeze. Perhaps it might be in her best interest if their conversation holds off until sunrise, warmer temperatures.
“Start up a fire, and I’ll grab some hot chocolate,” Yue called out as her body slipped into the truck. His eyes caught objects moving, being adjusted, so that Yue could retrieve what was needed.
Ares complied, following the procedure he’d learned. There were several different methods of stacking wood; he settled on a teepee. Quick start and burns hot, but will dye fast if not properly provided with wood.
The flames lick the edging of the firepit, threatening to spill over but never stretching far enough to consume the surrounding grass.
Yue returned with a pair of mugs under one arm while her hand held a kettle, muscles flexing to keep the kettle from spilling.
A quilted blanket wrapped across her shoulders, providing a semi-protection from the cold. Though it was pointless due to her still being barefoot, she carefully stepped around pebbles and twigs.
She carefully placed the kettle on the grate, letting the fire form around the base before taking a seat across from Ares.
“What do you want to talk about?" Yue softly spoke, almost being drowned out by the crackling fire as it devoured the wood, leaving behind black smoke.
“I’m not sure.” Ares spoke while admiring Yue, her eyes practically glimmering in the firelight.
“Alright, then I have a story for you.” Her face lifted, smirking at a memory that rushed through her mind, clearly eager to tell. “Having to do with a misunderstanding, chickens and bubble gum.”
“I’d like that.” Ares smiled.