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Chapter Text

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The distortion clouding Romeo's being grew with each blow until he could hardly remember where he was. The only thing keeping his mind in reality were the pulsating aches scattered around his body. The world around him spun, sending him to his knees. His head refused to rise, only allowing him to see as high as Jesse's boots. Through the corruption's short beeps and screeches came metallic clicks.

"You won't hurt anyone again."

Jesse's glare burned into Romeo's skull. He muttered, chanted something barely audible even to himself — "Please, I won't make it. I can't live like that" — as the footsteps became increasingly deafening, yet increasingly distant. Every hypothetical future that played out in his mind, start-to-finish in the blink of an eye, all ended in disaster. Even if he could still live normally afterwards, still an Admin and without fear of losing that. Assuming he would even leave here alive. Jesse slid the shining gauntlet back on their hand and wound back in preparation to strike. A glint managed to catch the Admin's eye before they swung.

"Jesse, please, don't take this away from me!" The Admin swung his head up and wailed as if he were begging for his life. "I-I'll stop hurting people! I'll undo every terrible thing I've done, to the best of my ability! Really." His arms swayed like an ancient house, finally ready to topple from the time it has endured. "I can fix this."

Jesse laughed.

"Alright, are we, uh, gonna knock this guy out or what?" Jack chuckled nervously, keeping his distance from the colorful, exhausted man on the floor.

"If you don't whack his ugly red head in the next three seconds, I'll go over there and do it myself," Petra snapped.

Jesse's arm faltered—whether it was out of guilt or pity they'll never know. The use of their name must've thrown them off, they thought. Or maybe it was his shaky breathing, right on the verge of sobbing. God, he's... such a mess. Or a really, really good actor. Either way, it was clearly getting to them.

Something they were so sure of doing just seconds ago now seemed like an impossible quandary.

"I... don't know what to do. I-I can't— I don't think I can do that to him—"

"This really isn't a good time for this," Petra said as she hurried to rip the gauntlet from their hand. Jesse spun around to keep it from her grasp.

"Wait! Wait, listen to me!" She didn't. "What if he really does want to change? I know he — ow! — he abused his powers, I know, but if we try he can learn to — PETRA."

"Are you braindead? You actually believe in the guy who trapped all those people under bedrock with those huge monsters? Or blew up a city as an intimidation tactic? Oh, oh, or my favorite part — sent us to his Super-Mega-Prison From Heck?!"

"May I remind you, the entire problem is the blasted powers of his," Jack added. "It'll just get to his head again and history will repeat."

Jesse tore their arm away from Petra's and their gaze, against their will, drifted back to the incapacitated Admin. He shifted one knee up in front of him, resting his arm and forehead on it, to better support his trembling body. Jesse only saw desperation in him, and their sympathy got the best of them. They knew it shouldn't. Especially not now. But even then...

"He can't hurt anyone as he is now. I wanna give him a chance to right his wrongs, y'know? Wouldn't that be a lot easier for him this way? A-and think of all the good he could do as an Admin. Right?"

Romeo's golden irises glowed brighter out of joy. It worked? His hopeless begging actually got to them? He almost... felt grateful toward them. Someone he had just gotten into what amounted to a fistfight with actually thinks he deserves another chance. Someone had an unfounded trust in him for the first time in years. It almost enraged him how easily that worked. "You're serious? ...I don't really deserve this. But— th-thank you, Jesse. So much." He strained himself trying to stand, startling Jack when he swayed in his direction. "You won't regret it — cross my heart!"

Both Petra and Jack scowled.

"Don't make them change their mind," Petra warned with a sharp glance.

With their gloved hand, Jesse gave Romeo a firm grasp, careful not to sap more of his energy. He shuddered at the sudden numbness spreading up his arm. They weren't holding on particularly tightly, which led him to believe it was a result of the gauntlet's power-removing... powers. Trailing behind Jesse and their friends, he silently hoped it wasn't weakening him this way.

"Not to doubt your judgment, but... You're really just letting this guy into town?" Jack blurted out.

"Everything's gonna work out fine. I know what I'm doing.

Probably."

• • •

"WOW that was horrific. WHY are we still alive?" Radar was the last to stumble out from the Terminal Space portal, and apparently the most disheveled as well. "Uuuuggh. You guys are better off than me right now, right? I'm just glad I managed to get that Enderman there in time."

"Okay, big guy, how about we get started by tearing this mess down?" Petra said, referring to the unsightly layer of unfinished bedrock.

Romeo felt the blood drain from his face. His only currently functional power was his flight, as far as he knew. "Right. Yes. Now don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to. But, y'see..." He motioned to his generally chaotic appearance.

"Oh, riiiight. Is that gonna get better, or...?"

"No idea," he chuckled. It wasn't that funny.

This did not sit well with Jesse. "Good god, I'm making a mistake," Jesse groaned. "I can't believe I'm letting you off the hook like this. And I'm guessing the only way we'll get rid of this crud is if you don't have powers at all, right?"

"W-well, possibly. Yes. But! But, hear me out!" He held his free arm in front of him cautiously. He didn't exactly have experience with his power being removed from him, let alone when some is taken away. "Let's wait a little while to see if the effects aren't permanent. Until then, I could help with... repairing Champion City, perhaps! That'd be a good start, 'ey?" Oh, no, it better not be permanent.

"You sure nobody's gonna know who you are? I'd imagine you wouldn't be welcomed very warmly, bud," Petra taunted. The fact hadn't even crossed his mind, and he wished it never did. All he wanted was to be liked, and he put himself the furthest from it. He always did. But of course, his selfish nature never bothered to stop him.

"You guys are done?" Lukas hopped up the remaining steps, his breaths shallow and quick. "What are we supposed to do about the bedr-ooooh whoa whoa whoa, isn't that the Admin? Jesse, what happened?!"

"Everything's under control, he had most of his powers beaten out of him and I can finish the job if I need to," Jesse reassured him, raising their gloved hand slightly. Romeo's spasming arm still remained clutched under their fingers, though luckily the tingling hadn't worsened.

Lukas studied the rapidly shifting face of Romeo with tensed eyebrows; he could easily recognize the flashes of slate-blue skin as the Admin's. His skeptical glare sent a stinging sensation through Romeo's body, turning his ears a darker shade. He hadn't felt this amount of vulnerability in his life, and he was still an Admin for god's sake. After several seconds of pondering, Lukas decided to relieve Romeo of his distress.

"You're sure about this?" He made it sound like a statement rather than a question.

Jesse glanced uneasily between their friend and their prisoner. "I wanna give him another shot."

Radar finally broke the silence after an uncomfortable eight seconds. "I'm... gonna go get a shirt. If I stay here any longer I think I might have a panic attack."

• • •

Now, are the shackles really necessary as I am now ?

Romeo repeated the words in his head as the redstone-powered door slammed shut. He supposed it was warranted after his actions, yet he couldn't help feel it was quite harsh since they made him unable to do... much of anything, actually, powers aside. He could just barely find his way to the bed since his own flickering, distorted lights didn't provide much room for his line of sight. The chains welded to the middle of the floor of his sleeping quarters clinked and scraped unpleasantly across the stone bricks.

"Oh, I'm sure this'll be quite a night," he whispered to himself.

He was, unsurprisingly, correct. The chains were too short for him to roll over on his side, and eventually his hands began to ache from being weighted down by iron. With enough time he resorted to sitting on the floor against the bed with a blanket shielding him from the concrete. Not the most dignified method of sleeping, but it was better than no sleep at all. But, miraculously, he quickly drifted off.

When morning came, the bedraggled Admin was jolted awake by a percussive thud. Before he could even process the situation or had a second's chance to check the clock to his left, the brilliance of the hall's lights jabbed into his dilated eyes.

"Alright Redhead, Jess left us in charge of you today. So, for your first task," Petra began as she unlocked the Admin's stiff hands from the shackles, "you're gonna need a whole lotta clay blocks."

Romeo was less concerned about having to build — which would be no trouble with his flight ability — and more worried about somebody recognizing him, and his jarring physical condition wasn't helping. Stretching out his now-mobile hands, he scoured his mind for any idea of how to attract any less attention to himself. Now that he thought about it, he was certain to incur the wrath of every surviving citizen of Champion City as he had done in Beacontown, nothing could be done about that, but looking like a redstone repeater in public wasn't something he was looking forward to. At the very least his skin reverted to a solid blue-gray overnight. When his pupils finally constricted enough to open his eyelids, he found Radar shifting back and forth behind the doorway.

"Uh- yeah. There's a chest down the hall... plenty of blocks in there." Radar avoided eye contact with Romeo as if he were the sun.

As the three silently strode down to the box of building supplies, Romeo made himself to be as minimally threatening as possible; arms folded, gaze to the floor, following behind. The shimmering gauntlet around Petra's fist with a matching sword wasn't helping him relax, however.

The deafening silence made the journey last hours longer than it should have. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning — the doors sheltering them from Beacontown towered over Romeo, mocking him for the consequences to be faced behind them for his abuse of power. Romeo just about froze to the floor when Radar twisted the handle and breached the last line of defense from public humiliation.

"This way."

Petra once again trapped his arm in the gauntlet and practically dragged Romeo out into the open like a terrified dog on a leash. Already, fearful whispers and gasps were emitted from the parting crowd.

"That's him, isn't it? The real Admin?"

"Looks like Jesse got 'im good."

"Shh! What if it hears you?"

Petra tried to ease the people's minds. "Hey, hey, no worries guys. We're not gonna let this guy hurt anyone. Not without a fight, anyway."

But the knives only got sharper.

"I wouldn't have trusted them, of all people..."

"Wonder why they didn't just finish him off after what he did."

"Why's he... blinking?"

"I hope they just throw him back in that portal and close it off. Wouldn't that be a lot safer?"

The Admin's palm began to sting from digging his nails into it.

"What if Jesse's wrong? About them wanting to change, I mean? What'll happen then?"

His attention is fixated on a section of the ground before him.

"If that thing stays here another night, I'm moving out."

Someone trips trying to escape.

"Not so cocky without his fancy powers. What a spineless jerk."

Blocks of cobblestone begin to rise from the road, sending surrounding townsfolk and Radar into a panic.

"What the hell do you think YOU'RE doing?!" Petra shouts, yanking on Romeo's arm to throw him off-balance. With a frustrated grunt, he slammed the stones back to the ground, turning them to rubble. Heat and adrenaline flooded his head.

"Listen to me, I don't care how forgiving Jesse is, I'm not. Screw up again and see what happens." She tugged on his arm to urge him forward.

The sun suddenly glared through a hole in the bedrock ceiling, giving Romeo a reason to keep his head down.

• • •

About halfway to the demolished city, Radar cleared his throat. "Uhhm. Admin... Sir? From what we found out about you, I uh, don't think you're completely bad."

Romeo barely glanced up.

"I mean, it seems like... you were, um, nice to your friends. Oh, s-uh, sorry if that's a touchy subject. I know that was... yeah. But my point is, y-you're not a bad person. I think."

"...Thank you, I guess." He was at a loss of words from there. The mention of his previous friends made him cringe. What did he know about the other Admins? And who else knew— Jesse, Petra, that Jack fellow, maybe? Radar's attempt at comfort was appreciated, but only sparked further rage.

"Yeah, I'll admit I kinda agree with Radar on that one," Petra muttered. "Although I still hate your guts for all the stuff you put me and my friends through... you might still have a heart in there somewhere." Her words were only somewhat more successful with their intent.

Champion City's crumbled walls grew closer, reminding Romeo of the work he's created for himself and whoever has taken it upon themselves to waste their days rebuilding. His guilt suddenly far overshadowed any lingering fear of having vile words slung at him. Though, strangely, his body wasn't very tense. He felt at peace, almost. Building has always served as an outlet for Romeo's imagination, an escape from the outside world. If he's lucky he might be able to tune out the metaphorical stab wounds for a while.

"Alright. Got your blocks?" Petra asked the two with her.

Each of them gave her an affirming hum.

Petra shot a glance at the Admin, whose arm was still being numbed by the gauntlet.

"Behave yourself."

Romeo shook his sensationless arm to life after it was released. Each tingle began to feel like a needle breaking skin after such a stretch of time.

His mind was immediately flooded with a country's worth of sky-piercing towers and villas the size of entire neighborhoods. He took no hesitation in propelling himself up and onto the closest foundation to begin bringing his ideas to life. He guessed from the cylindrical walls he stood upon that it was once one of the glass towers he saw while in Beacontown. From the vague mental image and his own creative intellect, concrete and cyan glass soon took the shape of a marvelous citadel.

Surrounding workers took apparent note of Romeo's lively behavior as he placed blocks at his feet. Most only stared, but one had the nerve to call out to him.

"HEY! What's with the weird glowy coat ya got there, bud?"

Romeo's eyes widened as he stopped in his tracks, nearly doing a flip off the edge of the nearly-finished wall. He wanted to pretend he didn't hear anything and continue on with his project, cling to his joyful high any longer, but his obvious reaction would've made it impossible. He spun his head in the direction of the voice with false confidence in his expression.

"Oh, you must mean me?"

"Yeah. You're not human, are ya? What brings somethin' like you here?"

This lady really has a way with words. "I'm, ah... I-it's—" Romeo cleared his throat in frustration at his own blatant nervousness. "Where I come from isn't anything that concerns you, no worries. All that matters is that I felt the need to help repair this city of yours, what with how miserable the place was looking, yeah?"

"That's insanely suspicious."

Dammit.

"Well hey, I'm not just going to sit and watch you folks do all the work yourselves when I could do something about it!"

She wasn't buying any of it, and Romeo was running out of patience. Fortunately for him, Petra swooped in to his rescue.

"Hey, don't worry about that guy. He's with me," she reassured her.

"What even is he?"

"Like he said, not important. He came here to help, that's all. No need to judge him based on appearance, ya know?"

"...If you say so."

The woman, along with any builders that heard the exchange, slowly returned to their duties.

Romeo had another person to whom he owed his life, it seems.

It wasn't long before he was adorning his creation with the finishing touches he envisioned. Gold blocks glittered along the edge of the rounded glass roof in a way that reminded him too much of the power-sapping gauntlet, but repressing thoughts was something Romeo did best, so he chose to do just that. Other builders stopped to momentarily appreciate his work as well (or so he hoped, at least). He then leapt and floated off to find an especially desolate area of the town that was utterly unrecognizable. It seemed to be located just about at the center, so it may have been some sort of central plaza, but there was no way of knowing anymore. He landed himself in one of the massive craters, wondering what he could turn this destruction into. His destruction. Sure, no lives were lost, but watching the fruits of your labor crumble before your eyes couldn't be pleasant. He couldn't help but feel his limbs grow heavy at the realization. Repression doesn't seem to be working so well anymore, not when he actually saw the consequences of his behavior.

But by god if he wasn't going to fix this now...

Chapter Text

Romeo's arm raised itself to the bedrocked sky.

Then another.

His fingers gripped the air in opposing directions.

With all of his mental energy, he cast whatever power he could muster up into the veins of his arms.

His blood was scorching.

The world swayed beneath his feet.

Stars danced in his vision, taunting him.

...

A massive rift was split open with a startling crack of thunder.

The pressure instantly left the Admin's hands, dropping him to his knees.

Astounded gazes pierced into him, but he stayed in his place in the crater; the magma hadn't yet left his blood and his lungs fought for each breath. One of the fearful pairs of eyes were Radar's, as he'd been tasked with watching over him. He was already sure Petra could piece together what had happened, so after a moment of hesitation, he ran to help the fallen Admin.

"U-um — Romeo, right? — are you all right? What did you do there, exactly?!" Radar still hadn't worked up the nerve to help Romeo up and instead knelt down a slight distance away.

"I'm okay, I think... Auuugh, my god," Romeo gasped, raising himself back up. Radar sighed in relief. "I was... trying to take down that bloody bedrock, but clearly I'm not—" he stumbled as his vision filled with dots once again. "I'm not quite ready for that one." His forehead burned against his fevered hand as he ran it through his hair. It wasn't often that his abilities overloaded him to this degree — really, this was the weakest he'd ever felt, even worse than being hit by the golden gauntlet.

"Should I get—? I'm gonna get Petra," Radar muttered, half to himself.

He started to run off a few blocks away from the crater before coming to the realization that Romeo is in no shape to keep up even at a normal pace. Romeo held his arms out slightly, fully expecting to fall, while Radar watched closely to catch him if he did. The two sluggishly made their way to where Petra was last seen, grateful that every stare was centered on the newly-formed window to the sky rather than them. Well, except for one, at least.

"Wait! Isn't that the Admin guy? From Beacontown?!"

Shocked gasps erupted from whoever heard the warning. Some wondered aloud why he was here of all places and rebuilding the place he destroyed, some shot threats under their breath, others cowered silently. They seemed to be put somewhat at ease when Romeo lost his footing and fell to the ground; someone with the stability of a senior citizen didn't seem like they could put up much of a fight. Silently chastising himself for not catching him sooner, Radar offered his hand to the Admin, which he took. Radar called out for Petra when a blue bandana came into view from afar. She already appeared to be searching for them herself at the sound of a murmuring crowd, and came running at the sound of her name.

"I'm assuming that up there was you?" She asked.

Romeo chuckled nervously. "Yeah, not a great idea, turns out." He tends to talk with his hands, and they visibly shook in doing so. Petra (mostly) understood when dim, tired eyes met hers.

"Well... seems like you've freaked everyone out for today, and you've done a pretty good amount of building for such a short time, so... let's just get you back to Beacontown, I guess. Uh- Everyone!" She raised her voice for the civilians to hear. "Everything's alright, um. He uh- he was just trying to get rid of some of the bedrock. Okay? We cool? Cool."

Without waiting for any response, she and Radar attempted to rush the Admin through the nearest exit before somebody took his weakness as an opportunity to attack; Petra thought she had seen the hilt of a sword and didn't want to take any chances.

The trek back to town felt much shorter than before, possibly due to Romeo no longer having a metallic hand clamped around his arm. Hope rose in his chest as the city walls grew closer — maybe his attempt at releasing the sky from its cage would inspire some kind of trust in those he had done harm. Or at least pity, while he was in such a state of being. Still, he didn't get his hopes too high. Just as Petra was about to suggest they sneak into town as to not cause another uproar, Jesse stopped them a few yards from the gate. The sword sheathed to their back and a few potion bottles implied that they had just set off to check up on their friends.

"Hey, everything go alright over there?" they asked. "Nobody's hurt or anything? I brought a couple potions just in... case." Their eyes softened suddenly. "Is... he okay?"

Romeo was still experiencing a bodily earthquake and flushed with fever. He stared intently at the potions on Jesse's hip, thinking one might relieve some of his exhaustion.

"Everyone else is all good, this guy just tried to get some of the bedrock outta here and blew himself out," Petra explained. "He's, uh, not in great shape right now."

"No kidding. Uh, here — maybe, try this?" They offered Romeo a potion of regeneration, to which he eagerly accepted— maybe too eagerly—and downed within seconds, barely saving himself from choking. He laughed nervously at the three sets of confused looks set on him. What had Jesse concerned was the way he drank, like somebody who hadn't had a drop of water in weeks, but they continued on leading the group safely into town. Over-exertion makes him super weak. Noted.

They kept close to the left wall to stay out of the open, thankfully avoiding being seen. Through one of the alleyways, Jesse stopped to clear out a stray lava-fall with a bucket.

"That reminds me," Petra thought aloud, "how's the tower deconstruction goin', Jess?"

"Oh, it's going," Jesse grumbled. "Jeez, we weren't even gone for a week, how'd you get that thing done so fast?"

"I'm an extremely powerful being known as an Admin, nice to meet you too," Romeo said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Really, do you think I would build manually when I can fling blocks around with the flick of a wrist?"

"Mmm. Guess I never thought about it. But I'm sure you could do the same thing when un-building too, right?"

Romeo glanced over at his partially-dismantled creation, a hint of sadness crossing his face. The lava-coated tower was one of his finest monuments, as he called it, even if it was built to forcefully claim Beacontown as his. If it had to go, he certainly wouldn't be the one to do it.

"...Now, do we really have to? Personally, I think it compliments the place quite well—"

"Actually," Jesse interrupted, "Radar has been going on about how easier it would be to re-decorate rather than take the whole thing apart. 'Try to make it look intentional', he says. And hey, I get a huge tower to live in!"

"Now, wait... You'll be living in my tower, that I designed and built myself? Isn't that a bit unfair to me? Don't you think?"

"I thought building was super easy for you. What's the problem, then?"

"Wh— Because it's MY tower!"

"It's also right above where I currently live," they snapped. "And you did kinda take over my town and pretend to be an evil dictator version of me, so I'd say it's a pretty fair trade for me to have your big scary overlord castle."

That shut him up quick. He glared at Jesse without a word the whole time he was escorted out of the public eye. Now that he knew they'd be redecorating and using his tower—living in his tower, he would rather watch it be blown to bits in front of him. He even started to consider filling it with explosives once he was done recovering. Until then, he resorted to whispering obscenities under his breath. Build your own bloody tower, you... you loser.

"You say something?" Jesse asked.

"Huh—? No, nothing."

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Petra muttered, jabbing Romeo in the side with an elbow. He surprised himself at how he managed to stumble his way out of falling.

• • •

"Right, ah— could we maybe discuss this a bit? The chains, I mean."

"I know you would probably prefer not to be in these things, but you haven't exactly proven yourself very trustworthy," Jesse said.

"But — stay with me here — let me remind you I'm still so drained and helpless after all that's happened today! What harm could I possibly do as I am now, especially from in this room?"

"Hey Jesse, check this out." Petra took a false swing at Romeo with the gauntlet, causing him to yelp in terror. She cackled as he slipped and fell on his ass.

"Petra, c'mon, don't be like that... Okay, that was kinda funny, but let's be serious here for a minute."

"Ugh. Fine, fine, just lock me up already. I've had enough of you for one day," Romeo groaned, sitting up with his legs crossed. He wasn't in any mood to continue arguing and resigned to admitting defeat. For today, that is.

"Wow. Can't believe that actually worked, honestly," Jesse thought aloud.

"'Course it would work. He can't send bad people to jail without teleportation, after all," Petra sneered.

"Alright, that's enough. I can handle this on my own, you can get going if you want."

"Cool. See ya."

Before she left, she thrust the golden gauntlet into Jesse's chest, in case of an emergency. With her gone, the air was thick with tension. Chaining up Romeo would be much less awkward with two people, but Jesse couldn't trust her not to cause any more problems. They opted to keep the glove in their pockets in order to go as quickly as possible, at the risk of the Admin gaining the courage to fight back. They crouched in front of him, trying to ignore the increasing flames in his eyes. Still not as bright as before, they observed. It feels... really weird, to think about his eyes like that.

Romeo wasn't very cooperative in getting his hand into the ice-cold metal box, so to their dismay, Jesse had to get involved. They reluctantly grabbed his wrist and tried to maneuver it into the shackle, but he ripped it from their grasp, and... did it himself. Puzzled, they twisted the opening to lock it to Romeo's arm, causing him to hiss from the sudden pressure. Jesse flinched out of empathy, but still proceeded to lift the other shackle to his hand, hoping for another second of compliance.

"I can't for the life of me understand why you won't hit me with that thing again."

"Th-the gauntlet?" Jesse stuttered, startled by the sudden noise.

He only blinked in acknowledgement and slotted his remaining fist into the metal. Jesse secured it with a click and, in a split second, backed away to the door as if a crossbow was pointed between their eyes. Two yellow, blazing dots shone in their direction as if meaning to say something. Or do something, they couldn't tell. Their hand hovered over the golden weapon in their pocket, fearing the worst in the Admin. Flashes and blips of color still surrounded him, but they couldn't help but feel so vulnerable under his exhausted gaze.

As for the Admin himself, his heart was beating out of his chest. To him, Jesse was finally deciding to scrape the rest of whatever power he had left out of him. They'd finally lost all hope in redemption by whatever epiphany they just had, or perhaps fear had gotten the best of them, and he was finally paying the price. This isn't what he wanted, but at the same time, maybe it needed to happen. Maybe he deserved it. Or he could finally stop feeling like anyone who looked at him the wrong way was threatening his authority, who knows? Or maybe it wouldn't change a thing. It'd only give some human somewhere the opportunity to do something without risk.

Maybe. Maybe. The word repeated in his head as he silently studied Jesse's calculating expressions.

All he did know was that he had something to ask Jesse before they could make a move.

"Your friend mentioned something to me today."

"...What, exactly?" Jesse crossed their arms in a futile attempt to seem less anxious.

"He said you knew a bit about me and, my..." he cleared his throat, "friends."

"I-I'm sorry if it sounded like I was invading your privacy or anything. Trying to stop you ended with us learning a bit about your past, and telling the others about the good parts was the only thing I could do to get everyone on your side—"

"I'm curious... How much do you know about me?"

More than I should, they thought. "Well, from the stuff of yours in the Underneath, I know that you used to treat your friends like royalty, or something. I don't believe you were always a bad person.

"But I also heard some... uh, less than great things, from Xara."

Romeo slumped back against the bed frame. Xara. Whatever she said must've been an extra kick in the teeth for them.

"Go on."

"She said you were the one to take her Admin powers, and... about what... happened to Fred." They were mindful of their choice of words, yet it didn't soften the blow as much as they hoped.

"She dropped that one on ya, did she?" His voice was solemn, but his demeanor quickly turned venomous. "Yeah, well I'll bet she failed to mention that he wasn't the angel everyone thought he was. Maybe he didn't deserve... what I did. But he sure had something coming, 'right?" He spoke rapidly and didn't look Jesse in the eye. They didn't believe a word from his mouth, but decided that prodding any further wouldn't do any good.

"S-see you tomorrow, I guess," they mumbled after a moment. A loud clunk followed them out, leaving Romeo to himself. And then his mind was on the topic of Fred. Again.

Every time, every single time he starts to think about them, it doesn't stop for hours. It's like every memory he has with them, good or bad, tries to force its way in all at once. It's exhausting. With nothing else to distract himself with, he could only hope to fall asleep quickly. Ignore it. Don't think too hard about one thing. It's in the past. It's not worth the time.

...God, I forgot to ask Jesse to move the bed.

• • •

"If it's not too much to ask, er... you happen to know where Xara's been?"

"You're not— you're not asking to go see her, are you?" Jesse's voice rose.

"W-well! Not necessarily! I was only wondering... y-yeah, I kinda wanted to talk to her." Romeo's lie wasn't worth keeping up.

"Listen... I really can't trust you to go on your own, and I wouldn't wanna come with and intrude on something personal like that. I'd really love to let you go, but—"

"I wasn't asking for permission," he said, floating up above Jesse. "I asked where she was." The sudden shift in behavior almost made Jesse flinch.

"R-Romeo, listen to me. Let's not start anything. Are you sure seeing her is a good idea—?"

"Too late, my friend, we've already gotten started." As Jesse frantically searched their pockets, they were flung into the nearest wall. He telekinetically held them by the throat, their mind quickly blurring from a lack of oxygen.

"Sh-she's in the Underneath, somewhere, that- that's all I know, really! But she really doesn't seem like she'd be too happy to see you. You don't have to get yourself hurt, y-y'know?"

In a moment of hesitation, Jesse was able to fall back on their feet.

Without another word, Romeo vanished with a snap of his fingers, leaving behind only a burst of yellow particles.

There she was, just as he expected; she always did cry about wanting to see her old Oasis home one more time while she was a prisoner— a guest. She was still as a stone, leaning against a crumbled wall. He gently set himself on the ground a few meters behind her, hoping she'd hear his footsteps as to make his greeting easier. His head swirled — he wasn't sure whether to utterly break down in apology, scream every profanity he could until he was blue in the face, or turn back and cower in his cell for an eternity.

"Um... X-Xara." He could barely manage more than a whisper, and she didn't make it clear whatsoever that she heard him. Before he let himself react in a way he might regret, the words began spilling out on their own.

"Xara, I screwed up. So many times, and so terribly. And I know you probably can't forgive me, I'm not asking you to. I just want to... no, no apology could be enough." He squeezed his arms tightly to his body. "But I can do something. For you, especially. See, Jesse could've taken my powers, but they spared me. They gave me another chance in my weakest moment. I could... fix everything. Fix the Oasis— I'll do whatever I can. F-For you."

Xara's only sign of life was a shuddering breath. She wouldn't even turn to look him in the eyes, though perhaps that was a blessing.

"A-and maybe, if I can prove myself to you, then— then, maybe we could... be friends, again?"

...

"Please say something."

...

"Say ANYTHING, god damn it! What the hell else could you possibly want from me?"

...

Was that a chuckle?

"...Oh, wouldn't that be a dream come true?"

Xara shot up from the ground and approached him in an instant. She used all the force in her body to swing a fist directly into Romeo's temple. The cold metal brought stars into his vision.

Cold. Metal.

Something's not right.

...Where am I again?

Terminal Space.

The bruises ached all over again, and everything felt unbelievably heavy. As he struggled to reclaim any bit of dignity by sitting up, Jesse and their two friends — friends — only stared in pity. They wordlessly motioned with their hand for the others to follow, and left Romeo to his indeterminate fate.

Examining his skin, now more akin to a human's skin tone, he did all he could to convince himself he didn't truly deserve to die. Not yet, at least. Not without seeing her for the last time. But even he knew nothing could excuse all the crimes he's committed against both worlds he'd worked to bring life into; clearly the ones who put an end to him knew that too.

All he wanted now was lie on his back and watch the space around him disintegrate. All he could do was mourn what could have been, what he could have said or done. He didn't react to the blocks beneath him crumbling, and instead accepted his death below, whatever might await him.

At last, a fallen chunk allowed his weight to shift.

—!

Romeo let out a gasp as if he resurfaced from the ocean floor. His back hit something when he recoiled, causing him to zip into the air reflexively. Once he recovered from the disorientation, he was strangely relieved to still feel the weight of the chains dangling from his arms.

"Bloody hell," Romeo whispered. He almost tried to run fingers through his hair before feeling a tug from the chain.

Within seconds, a deafening click reverberated throughout the cell as the door swung open. He spun to see who entered, immediately aware of how suspicious he must have looked awake and levitating.

"Whuh—! Ugh. Y'know, you could at the very least knock, Jesse!" He glanced over to see the engraving of a sun was peeking up from the clock on the wall. "Whatever. What— what'd'you have planned for today?" It was then he remembered to set himself back on the floor.

To nobody's surprise, Jesse's eyes were wide with bewilderment, but not exactly for the reason Romeo thought. "Hey, are you doing okay? You, uh. You look like you've been crying."

"Wait, what?" Sure enough, he felt wetness smear across his face when he rubbed it with his shoulder. He blinked once the horrific detail of his nightmare flooded into him. "Wow, that's embarrassing. Wonder what I've been dreaming about, ah?" Nothing on this earth was making him tell the full story. Any more of this vulnerability nonsense and he'd send the nearest person's head through the ceiling... the nearest person being Jesse.

"Right. Um. Let's get you out of those and get going." Jesse stepped into the room with Lukas following. "Wait- before I forget, I meant to ask: you can't teleport out of those, can you?"

"I'd have to snap my fingers or clap or something to do any of that, so I'm very much trapped," the Admin assured them.

Jesse immediately began twisting the iron off of Romeo's wrists in blind faith. Lukas froze where he stood and let the fight-or-flight adrenaline fill his veins. What he saw in Romeo's eyes was that of "Jesse" during their tyranny. He wasn't afraid of the Admin trying anything once he was unshackled, but rather he was having a heated argument with himself over whether to kick Romeo's stupid teeth in. Or, wait, then he'd be really mad, he considered silently.

"Lu, you wanna help with this or are you gonna stand and stare at me?" Jesse joked half-heartedly.

Lukas abandoned the idea in favor of keeping Jesse happy. Yeah, that's what he'll tell himself. "Right, yeah. Just twist it, right?"

The trip back to town was like walking through a field of thorns. Jesse and Lukas might as well have been conversing telepathically; they both agreed that their plan was probably unethical and even considered locking Romeo back up until tomorrow. Romeo's thoughts similarly made a turn for the worst once he stepped from his cell; he planned out an escape route for when somebody charges at him with a weapon or orders a pack of wolves after him. He hadn't fully recovered from yesterday — as made evident by his heavy-lidded, dimly-lit irises — so teleportation didn't seem to be a viable option.

"You sure you're all good? You somehow look worse than yesterday," Lukas pointed out, waiting for Jesse to acknowledge it.

Romeo simply shot him a mildly threatening glare and kept on. Like he had a choice in coming out here, he thought. Once at the door, Jesse made the final decision to go through with their questionable plan.

"Listen up, everyone! Don't freak out yet, all right?" Jesse spoke up to the gathering crowd. "I, uh, I just brought the Admin out here to break up some of this bedrock for us." They muttered "hopefully" to themself, knowing that he might not have enough energy to make a dent.

Romeo hardly heard what they said over his anxious surveying of the crowd. No weapons or dogs as far as he could see. Were there always this many people in Beacontown? And wasn't he supposed to be taller than most humans?

"You ready?" Lukas said just loud enough for him to hear. The noise suddenly halted, bringing the Admin's concerns to his weakened abilities rather than assassination attempts.

"N-no, I'm not ready!" He tried to whisper, but far too loudly. "I couldn't break a block if I tried. Why couldn't this have waited until I—?!"

Jesse pulled the accursed golden gauntlet from their pocket, threatening to insert their hand. "Listen, I'm sorry. I need you to do this today."

His heart physically ached with cowardice, yet with a few shaky breaths, he once again raised his arm to the sun.

His hand clamped into a fist.

The bystanders stood in awe as a spot in the hole-dotted ceiling began to dissolve into yet another opening.

Heat quickly and painfully collected in the raised arm, but he persisted.

One by one, little by little, blocks fell away and dissipated. The sun's rays shone freely through the dissolving cage.

"Don't push yourself, okay?" Jesse said as if they were out of breath.

Romeo's other hand clung to his arm, now numb from the burns, in an effort to hold on a few moments longer.

He lowered himself back to the ground, steadying his body as much as he was able.

"Th-that's enough. You can stop," Jesse demanded.

Seconds later, the rope of energy snapped, leaving his arm jerking back.

His vision had long been replaced with patternless stars and static, and he could hardly hear over the sound of sand being poured into his ears.

"Oookay, c'mon, we're taking you back to your room," Lukas said. "Do you need us to, uh, help you out or anything?"

Romeo stumbled around to face them, having no clue what words were being said. Jesse nearly yelped as they realized the skin on his hand had actually burned — it was blistered and dark, almost certainly scarred. He muttered something incoherently, something about how he "can't", before falling straight to the ground unconscious.

Chapter Text

Jesse's heart dropped through their feet.

Their heart literally ached trying not to panic at the sight of the Admin's lifelessly-breathing body. They almost expected him to blow away in a cloud of smoke at any second — they still weren't used to seeing him so, incredibly weak.

"Ohh boy. Jess, help me get this guy up," Lukas suggested, hesitantly moving closer to Romeo. "I guess we should just- get him back to— oh, my god."

His train of thought stopped in its tracks when he too noticed the blistered, bleeding skin on Romeo's hand, which traveled up beneath his sleeve. Jesse's guilt rose in their throat at his reaction.

"Jeez. We'd better get him some water or something. Hey, anyone have some water on them?"

Few onlookers were willing to help, and those who would be fell victim to the bystander effect, cursed to stay and watch silently or flee the scene to clear their minds of regret. Lukas was soon aware of the fact and signalled to Jesse that it was time to carry the incapacitated man to his bed.

"...Jesse?"

"Lukas, I hurt him," they choked out. "I threatened him into doing something he said he couldn't and he wasn't lying. N-Now I'm worried about how he'll recover from this whole thing, I don't know—"

"Hey, hey, c'mon. Don't beat yourself up about it. Maybe he heals faster than we do?" Lukas tried to set a comforting hand on their shoulder, but they ripped themself from his grasp.

"I'll beat myself up if I want, all right?! I can't just pretend I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Well, we got what we were going for, didn't we? And besides, he's done far worse to you. And, well, plenty of other people. I wouldn't worry about it too much."

Lukas began lifting Romeo onto his shoulder and motioned with his head for them to do the same. They could feel heat emanating from his body, even through his coat. Though he was slumped over, he was still much larger than the two humans, filling Jesse with a strange sense of dread.

"I can... I can see if Ivor has any potions we can give him, I-I dunno if they'll help much, but..."

"Go ahead," Lukas replied simply.

They kept their mouth shut until Romeo was set in his bed — haphazardly and momentarily suffocating, but in the bed regardless.

"...Is it fine with you if I keep the chains off of him, actually? For today at least?" Jesse sputtered.

Lukas sighed into his palms. "Fine. Sure. I guess," he breathed. "No longer than tomorrow, though. We don't know how volatile this guy is."

He left with one last expressionless glance at Jesse. Only then did they fully carry the weight of being so utterly alone in trying to save the Admin. Not one person could place any trust or hope in him but Jesse, and even then it was not much. They wanted to believe he could do so much good for the world if he stayed an Admin, but imagining him as a benevolent being was near impossible.

They didn't have a clue where to continue from here in terms of restoring who he might have been in the past — which could have been centuries ago, for all they knew — but they at least felt they should treat his wounded hand. Fortunately, they had some experience in dressing the injuries their friends sustained on their adventures, and decided that simply cleaning and cooling his burns with water was the best course of action in this situation.

He looked so oddly peaceful in his sleep.

• • •

"J, you need help finding somethin'?" Axel intruded into Jesse's swirling, noisy thoughts.

Jesse simply slammed the disorganized chest shut with a forced sigh.

"Um. I'm taking that as a 'yes, but no'?"

Still side-eyeing Axel, they nodded.

"Hey, if it's about that Admin guy, I don't care that much. I know Lu and Petra are a bit pissed off about it, but I'll help ya out if you really need it."

"...We have any buckets? I usually have one, I think someone took it."

"I thiiink..." Axel trails off as he searches a chest on the opposite side of the Order's Hall. "Wait- yeah, gotcha, right here."

Jesse hurriedly took the item from Axel. "Thank you," they nearly whispered, turning to the door. "...Are those two really that angry at me? Petra and Lukas, I mean? I-I get why, but I—"

"Not gonna lie, I think it's totally reasonable that they're mad. But if you really think this is the right thing to do, then I'll stick with you." The two began walking out presumably to fill the bucket. "I mean, I don't like the guy, but I think it's really cool of you to try n' help him better himself. If anyone could do it, I think it'd be you."

Jesse gave their friend a nod that carried an immense thankfulness.

As Jesse lowered the bucket into the lake under the Hall, another familiar voice called out in their direction. "Axel! Did you get the torches I asked for or did you get distracted?"

"C'mon Olivia, why'd you always gotta assume I'd just forget about it?" Axel asks indignantly.

"Okay. Then where are the redstone torches?"

"...I uh. Before you say anything—"

"Oh, for god's sake."

Jesse giggled to themself as they slipped past their bickering friends with the water.

"Hey wait, one sec, Jesse. You don't need anything else?" Axel asked.

"No, I'm all good."

"What're you doing, anyway-? Ohh, wait, I think I heard Lukas mention something happening with... you-know-who," Olivia realized.

"Jeez, you guys act like you'll be cursed if you say his name out loud. Romeo," Jesse teases.

"I know, it's just... kinda weird. Like I thought he was you for a while, so in my mind he's Evil Jesse, or something."

Jesse lets out an empty chuckle. "Right. Yeah. L-Listen... I need you guys to be honest with me. Do you... think I made the right decision by keeping Romeo here?"

The two glanced at one another uneasily. Axel was the first to speak. "Hey, I already said it was up to you. If you think you can do it, then do it."

"Yeah, well... I might think it was a bit stupid. B-But that's not to say it is stupid! I mean, it's entirely possible that you can help him be a better person... eventually."

Olivia's uncertainty brought Jesse back to earth. "Right. Of course it'll take some time. Um. I think I can make it happen though. In the meantime, I should get going and get his burns fixed up."

"Wait, burns? What happened and why didn't I hear about it?!" Axel demanded.

"Uff. It's a bit of a long story. I really gotta go, I'll tell you later, all right?"

Jesse didn't wait for an answer before going off to retrieve the bandages. They wouldn't need anybody's help finding them this time; they were kept in a chest specifically for emergencies.

• • •

She doesn't have the slightest idea what's happening up there. She would never know unless someone came down and said it to her face. She simply told herself it didn't matter to her and pretended it was true, instead spending her time searching for building materials and putting them to use.

Xara had only sent Jesse off a few days ago yet it felt like months trying to keep herself busy. She wanted to rebuild whatever parts of the Oasis that she physically could, but as it turns out, being a psuedo-human was incredibly limiting; she can't fly, or draw blocks across the path of her finger, not to mention how easily exhausted she was, though getting not a minute of sleep in years doesn't help that either. She would try and try to mend her former paradise until either her energy or motivation were expended, until her mind told her it wasn't worth the effort, to rot away in her bed instead. Thank the stars she at least had her bed.

All the while, the minute she sent Jesse and their little friends off through that portal, she couldn't help but think up countless ways she would go up to that Overworld town — Beacontown, was it? — and take him out herself, if it came down to it. She tried not to, she really did, but in the back of her mind the horrible plots just kept coming. That awful, jerking twitch in her head would appear at full force whenever her mind drifted down that path, as if it were trying to shake the thoughts out. She never had to see him again if she could help it, assuming Jesse did their job.

However, going this long without an answer, with the knowledge that someone might have put a stop to him, was finally, finally driving her to the breaking point.

Step one was figuring out where to go from this... odd temple.

• • •

Fortunately for Jesse, the Admin was still unconscious by the time they returned. It was much less uncomfortable that way, they thought.

Jesse started by setting the injured left hand in the bucket, which caused Romeo to shiver slightly. They gently circled their thumb around what looked to be the most painful areas, with those being the most likely to get infected. They then lifted his arm from the water, which was now navy blue with his otherworldly blood, and tediously began wrapping bandages around it with their free hand.

Romeo squeezed his hand into a fist — which clamped around Jesse's fingers, to their horror — as he let out a few hacking coughs. They stayed frozen in place, shuddering for a moment, until they were sure he was still asleep before continuing. Jesse still couldn't shake the thought of how bizarre this scene must be — to be so intimately tending to the wounds of who was far and beyond the most dangerous person they'd ever met. And on his hand of all places, though they weren't sure what body part they would rather it be.

Just as they had wrapped the injury to their liking, before they could tear it from the rest of the roll, Romeo set his palm on the floor to steady himself during a particularly violent coughing fit.

"Hey, hey, you alright?" Jesse asked in vain as he struggled to take in a breath. Within a few anxious seconds, the coughing subsided enough for him to take in air, albeit through his scratchy, irritated throat.

"Fine- I'm fine, don't touch me," he slurred, only vaguely aware that someone was in the room with him. "What do you want? Why is—" He didn't bother to finish his sentence before thoughtlessly lifting the bandages from his hand.

"What are you doing? Stop, you gotta keep those on!" Jesse ordered.

Romeo sat up quickly, instantly sobered upon seeing the navy-blue blood dried into his skin. "What- did something happen while I was asleep? How long was I out? What could've possibly...?"

"Do you... not remember?"

"Yes, I know with the bloody bedrock, then I fainted— though I... suppose my memory is a bit hazy. But what in the world could have happened to me that I don't—" He trailed off as a few more coughs were forced out of his lungs.

"Uh, have your powers never done this before?"

Romeo let out a strained, incredulous chuckle. "My own powers did this? How could I have created enough heat to burn my own skin? I'm much more tolerant of heat than you humans, you kn—"

"I don't know how it happened, but nothing else could've burned you otherwise!" Jesse shouted. "I guess you must'a strained yourself."

Wonder who's to blame for that, Romeo thought to himself, not keen on starting an argument while he could hardly support his own weight.

"Yikes. I really did a number on myself, huh—?"

"I just- told you to stop touching those, god!" Jesse, without a second thought, took Romeo's hand and re-wrapped the defiled bandages. Instantly regretting their own impulsiveness, they backed off a bit after the bandages were fixed to their standards. As per usual, Romeo took that opportunity to take a jab at Jesse.

"Even when I'm totally powerless, you still act like I'd up and kill you at any given moment," he sneered.

Jesse knew better than to encourage him and chose not to dignify him with a response. They turned to leave with the bucket of contaminated water, but stopped as he wheezed out another sarcastic remark.

"What? Don't tell me I've hurt poor Jesse's feelings now, have I?"

"Oh, now you care. Sorry, pal, you had your chance," Jesse quipped, not sure themself if it was out of frustration or if they were joking along with him.

"No, but really- could uh, before I forget, could you move this bed a bit closer to these stupid iron blocks? Can hardly get myself up on it otherwise."

He waited this long to tell me? So he's been sleeping on the floor these past few days?! Jesse somehow felt guilt for something they had no idea was happening. They set the bucket down for a moment and, getting closer to the bed, realized that Romeo had no intention of actually getting off the bed for Jesse to move it.

"...Uh, excuse me."

"Oh, am I in the way? Ohh, but I'm just so terribly exhausted, I couldn't possibly carry myself all the way to the floor." He dramatically fell back on the pillow with an arm to his forehead. Jesse let their sympathy slip and resorted to pushing him off with their foot.

"Jesus— Uff!" Before he even knew what Jesse had done, his body smacked into stone with a surprising amount of force. He hadn't considered that they might've grown a spine during the time he was unconscious.

"Way to show respect for the ill," he grumbled as he crawled his way back to his comfortably-placed bed.

Jesse suppressed a snort to no avail. They hoped it was out of spite. They swiftly took their bucket and their leave before they thought about it any further.

"...Th-thanks." The cell door had already clicked tightly shut before Romeo felt the need to speak. That was also when he was hit with the relief of being free of those godforsaken handcuffs. That hand of his would not feel too nice being cramped up in one of those.

• • •

"Hm-hrmm." Nurm heard the familiar creak of approaching footsteps and gave his best I'm-busy-right-now-but-take-a-look-around "welcome" whilst restocking a bookshelf in a meticulous order.

"Hey there, Nurm," Petra responded, silently gawking at the unfinished remodeling. "Is it cool if I just... hang out here for a bit? I've got a lot goin' on up here."

"Mhm!" He gave an understanding nod and scanned the area for anything that could serve as a seat. There wasn't. Luckily his husband appeared just in time to save him a trip to the crafting table.

"Think this'll be enough? Yeah? Where'd you say you wanted 'em again— ah, Petra!" Jack half considered dropping the bookshelves he carried just to greet her properly. "What brings you here? Felt the need to indirectly experience our countless adventures again?"

"Uhh, not right now, buuuut do you need any help fixing up around here? I came here to distract myself anyway, so..." She didn't wait for an answer before unburdening Jack of a few shelves.

"I suppose we appreciate the help," Jack grinned. "What exactly do you mean by 'distracting yourself'?"

Petra hardly heard his voice over her own thoughts of where to house the unending hill of books behind her. "Hm? Aw, it's uh, I just... got a lot on my mind. Nothin' much."

"What is it that's on your mind, then? Might help to talk about it."

Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn't help but to feel the butterflies in her chest again as if she were meeting a celebrity, despite being quite close friends at this point. They say to never meet your heroes, but in this case her admiration had only grown.

"I uh— I forgot my eyepatch in the other room, my apologies," Jack blurted out. Since losing his blind eye, he never let anyone other than Nurm see him without the scarred "mess" concealed, as he called it.

"Oh, dude, don't worry about that," she reassured. "Yeah, so... my mind. My uh... that stuff. That I'm thinkin' about." She wandered the shop leaving sets of shelves as if she hoped Jack would simply forget about his question, but all it took was one double-take to see the very real concern in his eyes to begin her tirade.

"Jesse just... really wants to help people. To the point where they're hurting other people without realizing. I-I love them for that, but man is it such a horrible feeling to have some- some idiot prioritized over you by your best friend. Really, I get that they're so loving and see something in everyone. But this is messing with more than just me, y'know? Like Lukas seemed upset the last time I saw him but he wouldn't talk about it — he'd just been with Jesse — and like... A-and not to mention her. Then there's something I've been waiting to ask them because I know they'll say no because of what's going on, I don't know that they've even slept the past couple nights because they're so anxious lately, they-they're somehow hurting Romeo even though they're supposed to be helping—"

"Petr-Petra, please," Jack held her shoulder, laughing nervously. Nurm squinted like he was taking a minute to process the essay he was just relayed. "Please slow down. I don't have a clue what you've said the past three seconds and it sounded important. Alright, one at a time. Let's start small; give me one thing — just one — that's got you an unholy mess."

She tried to speak but her voice wouldn't make a sound, she couldn't bring herself to look at his face, the tears just wouldn't stay in. It was all so painfully frustrating, all of it, and all she wanted to do was cry until she either felt better or the tears couldn't flow anymore.

But no, she couldn't let herself do that. Especially not in front of someone else, especially not in front of Jack.

"No, really, it's not that big of a deal. Jesse's got everything under control."

Chapter Text

Good–freaking-morning. Third sleepless night in a row.

Some time after the Wither Storm had been slain, Jesse would be thrust from their sleep several times a night, practically fighting for their breath; they've occasionally gathered their bearings only to find that their bed was several feet behind them. Once or twice they've taken off in a full sprint out of their room before the delirium subsided. In any case, false memories of that horrific Storm would eventually flood in, often including the sight of someone they hold close being absorbed — devoured — consumed. Even ones who weren't around one way or another during the event. Jesse was at least thankful that the frequency of these night terrors has lowered since then, and they can pass by their enderman statue without wincing at its emotionless purple stare — they always looked forward to the constant reminders during Founders' Day that it was over, gone, they had no reason to worry anymore.

This last night, something was a bit... off.

The day after Romeo was taken into Jesse's custody, they had another unrestful string of nightmares. Unfortunate that it happened right after such an exhausting, involuntary vacation, but nothing out of the ordinary—their ordinary. The night after, for the first time, something changed; they couldn't shake the feeling that someone different was in their dreams. Not someone that was crushed by the Wither's tendrils or drawn in by its beaming gaze, but... they were somewhere, without a doubt. They couldn't for the life of them make out who it was from their fuzzy memories. They weren't sure if they even saw a person, or simply "felt" someone looking at them. 

This last night, two dots of yellow light followed them, watching them, throughout whatever sleep they managed to get. Unmoving. Unblinking.

That was all the hint they needed.

Once Jesse felt it was a reasonable hour to be awake, they went straight down to the iron door. Click. Ka-clunk.

"GAUGH— A-Ah, Jesse, lovely seeing you."

Though Jesse had just decided now was a "normal" time to get up for the day, they were still surprised at Romeo already being awake. And, well, seems like he felt the same to them. Though judging from the torch dropped from Romeo's startled launch into the ceiling — or rather, attempt to do so; he only managed to trip over the note block that wasn't there yesterday — he must've been up for some time now.

"Sor- sorry, didn't mean to scare ya like that," Jesse said, almost considering pulling the lever back up and turning their words for Romeo into a rant for someone else to hear.

"What'd I tell you about knocking before— ugh. Forget it." He wobbled backwards off of the block and ran a thumb across the bandages around his burns. "So. I assume you need something of me, yeah?"

Jesse paused. "What'cha doing with that note block?"

"Kept it with me. That won't be a problem, now will it?"

"No, it's fine- I was just asking what you were doing." They took notice of his darkened ears.

Romeo glared at the wall. "Oh I don't know, what does one normally use a note block for?"

"Jeez, are you always this impossible to talk to?"

"Answer my question first: what is it you need from me? I'd really rather get this over with. I was busy, as you can tell." He carefully sat himself down, huffing as he did, and taking the torch from the ground.

Jesse stepped further in, leaning back on the wall. "I'm not making you do anything today, don't worry about it. Can I maybe... hear what that block sounds like?"

"...That's not what you're here for—"

"Alright! Fine, I'll drop it. I did wanna ask you something, though."

Romeo dug his thumb into the torch's handle.

"Right, so..." Whatever Jesse wanted to say originally had been drowned out by static. "How's your... hand doing?"

He seemed to stare directly into the flame with an unreadable expression. He inhaled deeply before replying. "Mm. 'S fine I think. Hurts." He gently squeezed the hand in question. Jesse watched it shudder. "Just needs time."

Their words had already come back to them, but Romeo's cold disposition wasn't too promising. Their throat tightened shut, and they glanced around the room in obvious discomfort.

"Yeah? Is that all, then?" They were startled to meet the gaze of all-too-familiar yellow dots.

"I, uhhh. Mhm." They stopped themself from scuttling their way out the door. "Guess I... didn't expect you to have an interest in music."

Romeo's giggling suddenly filled the silence. He didn't have a particularly evil laugh, Jesse realized. A mischievous one, at most. You could hear the smile on his face when he laughed, despite himself.

"Is that all so surprising to you? Haven't you heard the music playing in any constructions of mine?" He leaned forward with his hands interlaced under his chin. "Tell me Jesse, what do you think about me?"

"Wh-what? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on now, d'you think I'm that much of a heartless monster that I don't enjoy anything besides— what, torturing people? Even after all you've supposedly learned about me?" The incredulousness in his voice took it up almost a full octave.

"No, no. I don't think you're a monster. Maybe a bit of a jerk sometimes," they began to speak quickly, "but that's besides the point. I just, didn't think about it, is all."

"Uh-huh... clearly not too close with each other now, are we? Yet you seem to trust me so very much." He rested his uninjured arm on his knee, having been using it to emphasize his speech. "Do tell, what do you think of me? Not a friend, I can assume?" He studied Jesse with such intent that he might have been searching for an answer himself.

Their brows tensed further. He's just trying to mess with my head. Don't need to think too much about it. "You're right, we're not friends. Yet, anyway. We could be friends someday, if you'd— put in the work, ya know?"

"But again, you've shown enough faith in me to leave me unchained, alone, for a whole night? And — how could I forget? — you took it upon yourself to tend to my wounds here while I was asleep?" A terrible grin stretched across his face. "Awfully kind of you, for someone you don't consider a friend."

"Hey, I was only being nice. Am I not allowed to do anything nice for you?" Well, probably not, they thought. He definitely doesn't deserve any more than his powers, and even then...

He scoffed, seeming to share their thoughts. Their frustration grew at the smallest change in his smug expression, every sarcastic inflection in his words, every raise of his stupid eyebrows like he wanted to laugh in their face.

"No. No, in fact I don't think I should expect much from you in the way of kindness. But— what is it about me that makes you do these sorts of things? Are you afraid? Do you take pity on me for my past, or— What could it be? Or maybe..." He let a false softness creep into his voice. "Do you care a little more than you're letting on?"

"Uh... no? I-I care in the sense that I don't hate your guts, maybe." Oh, he's having the time of his life with this, isn't he? "Like, I think you have some good left in you. Hopefully."

"Ohh, how sweet. Went and took care of me without me even knowing, too?" Jesse nearly missed him coughing to cover a laugh. "What's next, I wake up and find you snuggling in bed with me?"

Jesse turned and nearly tried to slam the iron door shut without thinking. "What— No! No, I'm not—"

Not even a violent coughing fit could stop Romeo's cackling.

Jesse's face stung from the heat rising into it. They figured everyone within a thousand-block radius could hear his laughter, but they could at least pray nobody heard the reason why — though that seemed unlikely with how loudly he tends to speak.

Not having the dignity to even face his direction, they at least didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing them run with their tail between their legs. "Speaking of, those... shackles. I should probably chain you up now, in case we find out—"

"Oh no, no, that won't be necessary," Romeo interrupted. "I can't hardly stand on my own two feet; I don't see myself going anywhere just yet."

"Listen, I already promised Lukas you'd only be out for one night. Besides, you're right; I don't have any good reason to be doing nice things for you, right?"

"Well that's... well. Yeah, I suppose I did say that." Romeo found himself amused at Jesse's uncomfortable crossed-arm stance. "But you wouldn't do something like that to poor old Romeo! What, with my hand here—? No? Not buyin' it? Yeeaaah, alright, it was worth a shot."

Jesse lost any guilt they would've had and spared no time securing the cuffs around his wrists. They stopped for a moment to decide between properly checking Romeo's injuries, and simply letting him suffer for their own pride.

Twist.

"Augh— DAMN IT." The sudden pressure on his tender skin caused his whole body to tense forward. By the time he straightened himself up, Jesse had already vanished.

There go my plans for the day.

• • •

Jesse hadn't been too happy to hear the news about Petra's conversation in Champion City; from the way she made it sound, Jesse was in for an incredibly passive-aggressive lecture. Of course, they had no idea when it would happen, other than the next couple of days. Sometime "soon". It was yet another problem on Jesse's plate, one that they concerned themself with far less than the more pressing, glaring, utterly draining problems. That isn't to say it was never on their mind — their anxious nighttime thoughts made sure to include it. They'd almost forgotten entirely after their... exciting, visit with Romeo.

Almost.

"Oh! Jesseeee!" Somebody called to them with an unmistakable, sarcastic enthusiasm.

They WERE trying to talk with Radar about his idea to start a tree garden somewhere on Romeo's old tower, but the universe always had other plans for Jesse.

"Heyyyyy. Stellaaa. How's uh... How's everything going over there?" Jesse noticed that Lluna was nowhere to be found, strangely enough. "Yeah, Petra said you'd be coming... Is there... something you needed?" They stayed as far to the left as they could to avoid the rain sprinkling in from the bedrock crater above.

Stella strained to flash a grin. "Oh, did she not tell you? I thought I made myself pretty clear when I saw her."

Radar cleared his throat behind Jesse. "I think I'll uh, leave you two to this, if- if you don't mind."

"Actually, Radar." Stella stepped in front of him before he could make a move. "I was hoping to get someone else's opinion on the matter. Why don't you stay and chat with us?"

"C'mon, leave him out of this. He's got enough to think about today," Jesse interjected.

"So you DO know why I'm here?" She squinted harshly as she smiled, ignoring their request. "That's great! Glad we're on the same page— So I hope you plan on explaining yourself, then?"

Jesse suddenly became aware of the absolute scene Stella was causing. Radar's eyes darted rapidly between the two. "Alright, alright, fine. Can you at least try and keep it down?"

She crossed her arms and stared in response.

"Look— I know what he did, I've said it a thousand times. I know why you're upset and you have every reason to be—"

"And you still decided not to—"

"Please, let me finish." Going about as well as I'd expect, Jesse groaned to themself. "Someone with that kind of power could do so many amazing things, for us, for everyone. A-And I think he has it in him to—"

"We're talking about the same person, right?" Her grin finally settled into a grimace. "The one who was so kind to" —she motioned her arm towards the city from afar— "'remodel' my city for me?"

Jesse sighed out of deperation to finish a single sentence. Radar steadily crept backwards.

"Fine. Continue," Stella relented. "You stay here." Radar froze in an instant.

Jesse kept just above a whisper. "I can stop Romeo at any moment," they reassured, revealing the golden gauntlet. "This is what takes his powers away. I always keep it with me or whoever is closest to him. Okay?"

"And how does everyone else feel about that idea?" She took her chance to use Radar against them. "Surely they're not too thrilled to let the Admin off scot-free?"

He stared down at his feet.

Stella jabbed an elbow into him. "Right, Radar?"

"I-I-I'm, uh... I don't- I don't think, I should... um." 

"Stella, that's enough."

"I-I don't think it's a good idea," Radar piped up. "But- I don't think it's a, a bad idea either, I mean. He- the Admin's just... kinda scary. I guess?" He took off his fogged glasses and fiddled with them as he spoke. "I trust Jesse."

Jesse wasn't sure what stance he was taking exactly, but the stress of the situation was certainly getting to them. They pinched the bridge of their nose.

Stella was not satisfied. "Is that all?"

Radar's eyes met Jesse's, both seeing the exasperation in the other.

"Well... no. Jesse, I won't stop you. But, keeping th- keeping Romeo here, it's just not safe for us." Jesse's heart sunk. They wanted to be proud of his boldness. "I trust you. Just... please don't trust him too much." He returned his focus to his glasses.

"As you can see," Stella approached them with decietful concern, forcing Jesse to back into the rainfall, "your people are just terrified. Rightfully so. You wouldn't willingly endanger them, would you?

"So I suggest that you do something about it."

Jesse stiffened up, leaving inches between their face and hers. "He is not going to hurt anyone. I'll make sure of it. I stand by my decision."

She lifted the soaked strips of hair from her face. "Now that I think about it, how has he been lately? Surely he's somewhere secure—"

"He is."

"Show me. Take me to him."

Jesse stomped off in the direction of the Hall, where Romeo's cell was located, without a word. They didn't glance back to be sure Stella followed; they just listened for the tap of her stilettos.

Romeo let his eyes shut as he flooded his thoughts with sound. He lightly bobbed his head to the beat that thrummed in his mind, unconsciously tapping his foot along with it. Hums resonated throughout the room, to the tune he'd been composing in his note block. He didn't have the slightest clue when it overtook him, but he didn't make any effort to stop.

No, something else made an effort to stop him.

Ka-thunk.

Romeo shot up to his feet, hunched over like a dog preparing to be scolded.

"What, what? What is it now—?"

Before he could complain about Jesse once again neglecting to warn him before entering, he caught a glimpse of deep purple.

"Really, just an iron door to keep him from just teleporting out?" Stella complained over her shoulder.

"S... Stella! Good morning...?" He shot a "what-is-she-doing-here" glare at Jesse. They whispered back an apology.

"Why hello! I'm glad to see you're well," she said, quickly dropping her bubbly demeanor, "Admin."

Romeo caught himself before he tripped backwards over the bed. The light radiating from the stairwell behind them was blinding, compared to the single torch in his cell.

"Well, he seems to be pretty well-contained in those cuffs, I'll give you that." Jesse sighed in relief, thankful that they chained him before Stella arrived.

"However." She continued, a bitter taste rising in her throat. "From what I understand you're allowed to just- wander around my town, without my knowledge. With only Radar watching you, of all people?"

"Yeah, I get that sounds bad." Jesse pushed their way past her. "Alright? But I made sure he didn't have the energy to do anything with his powers—"

"Oh I'm sure you did. I can rest easy knowing you made absolutely sure that he couldn't do anything like, let's say, tear open a big hole in that new ceiling we've got, and terrorize my now-homeless people in the process."

We f—" They hesitated to finish, immediately aware of the other presence in the room. "We found out that using his powers too much makes him too weak to use them for a while. We can just... tire him out before he goes anywhere, and he'll be totally harmless."

Something clicked in Romeo's head. The frustrated growl he let out let Jesse know this fact.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Do you really believe he can control himself?" Stella stared down Romeo as if she were asking him instead. "I've made some... questionable, foolish choices recently, but by now we should all know that he's— that YOU, are not worth anyone's time.

"Do you feel any remorse, for what you've done to my home? What, should I be thankful that you at least spared my citizens?" She stood as tall as her legs would allow, still several inches under the hunched-over Admin before her. Jesse physically felt relief in their gut when they heard confirmation that he really didn't have the heart to hurt all those people. "I don't know if you were aware but, for most people, we have these things called 'consequences' for our actions."

"Stella. Please." Jesse positioned themself next to the two, prepared to stop any physical altercation. "If this isn't working out for you, we won't bring Romeo to Champion City anymore, I get it. I just had him fix some of what he did over there."

"Is there a reason why Jesse hasn't done something about you yet?" She directed her full attention towards the Admin. Jesse watched helplessly, having no reasonable way of shifting her attention.

"If there is one, I'll be honest, I dunno what it could be." He matched the intensity in her unblinking stare, irises blazing.

"So you agree? That you don't deserve to be standing here in front of me, the way you are?"

"Oh yes, I agree." There was a twitch in the corner of his lip. "Think I'd be more suited back up in that tower I'd built? Sounds good to me."

"Ha. Very funny. No, I had something quite different in mind." She tapped her chin as if in deep thought. "Something along the lines of, oh I don't know... a certain friend of yours?"

Romeo's chains rattled as he snapped his posture straight. Jesse hovered a hand over their mouth, their legs not allowing them to move.

"You wanna run that by me one more time?" He tilted his head, breath noticably quickening. He wasn't all that interested in finding out which "friend" she meant.

"Yes, back when I was betraying you with Jesse — remember that? — I got to hear all about those two." She giggled between pauses, clearly entertained by the reaction she got. "It just solidified what a friendly, trustworthy person I should've known you were."

"That's enough." Jesse held an arm between the two. "Go home. Now. You'll never have to look at him again, alright? I promise."

Romeo shoved them away with his elbow. "Stella, Stella. To think I used to praise that attitude of yours." He forced a smirk. "Now you've stooped so low as to use my past against me? How evil."

"You're one to talk. Say, what is it that they did to make you angry? Couldn't put up with your bossing them around any more? Said 'no' one too many times?"

Without a second thought, Romeo reeled his arm back in some attempt to teleport, threaten, attack her — he wasn't even sure — only to strain himself against the chains. Jesse, reacting on pure instinct, latched onto his arms trying to stop him. "A bit rude to talk so much about something you have no business with," he said.

"Don't think I'm still afraid of you, Admin. Not while you're completely defenseless." She backed up just out of his reach.

Jesse groaned at the sound of footsteps approaching. They did not need anyone else to involve themselves here.

"For now, at least. They're putting everyone in danger the longer they decide to keep you around." Her trembling voice betrayed her ruse of confidence. "And for what? What happened to 'he must be stopped, he has to go, he's a selfish, twisted, vile...'?"

"You're one to talk," he mocked.

"Is there a problem, in here?" Petra called from outside the room.

"I'm TRYING to deal with Stella right now," Jesse shouted, their words coming out much more hoarse than they intended. Petra stopped at the doorframe as still as stone, widening her eyes at them. Stella didn't react to Petra's presence at all besides a short huff from her nostrils.

"They might forget every horrible thing a person did after a simple apology, but I'm not fooled by it. You've already done to them what you did to another one of your friends." Romeo rolled his eyes at the remark. "I just know they'll end up like he did. You know the one— Fred, was it?"

"You don't have the slightest idea what you're saying."

"What, about you and Jesse? Or you mean Fred? Because I think it's pretty obvious what happened there." Stella moved only an inch back to avoid Romeo, who had stretched the chains to their fullest trying to loom over her. "What are you so upset about? You're the one who killed him, aren't you?"

"STELLA." Jesse stood between the two going at each other's throats. "I'm not gonna ask you again."

"Yeah Stella, get on back to that sad little wasteland you call a home," Romeo spat over their shoulder.

"Wonder whose fault that is," Stella said, not willing to end it without having the last word.

"I'd do it again once I get the chance!" He flashed the widest, cockiest grin he could manage. "Finish off what's left, yeah?"

Before his thoughts could catch up with him, a dull pain was emanating from the left side of his chin. He staggered the opposite way, still processing what happened, until he was hit with the realization of... what hit him.

Stella had shoved Jesse aside and aimed a punch for his teeth, maybe his nose, but could only manage a swing at his chin. It wasn't excruciatingly painful, not at all. He simply hadn't been prepared to be attacked by someone who established herself as a coward. At least it was only a fist.

With no hesitation, Jesse pressed a palm against her shoulder and shoved her out the door, bumping into Petra on the way. They stormed out without a word until the door was shut behind them. Romeo could just barely make out their speech echoing down the stairs.

"I'm sorry, I cannot have you in my town if you can't handle being around him. I'm not gonna defend what he said, but you have to think about WHY he was upset enough to say it. Everyone hates him as much as you do — maybe more so in your case — but I made a choice, because I want to see him do better. And not to be arrogant, but what better person to do it than me?"

Oh my god, they really believe that. It's so... stupid, so naive. He let his trembling body rest right on the floor, the exhaustion finally catching up to him.

"We obviously don't see him the same way, but, I've seen more of him than you have."

That was the last he heard before their voice faded to near silence, along with the taps of their feet.

Now he's alone with his thoughts again. Great. Lovely. And what's more? It's Fred. It's all Fred. It's always Fred. Of course it is. When was it not, these days?

Awful bold of her to say what she did. She wasn't there to see it; how could she dare to use it against him in an argument like that? Taken at face value, it sounds... well. Not flattering. For sure. Until you see it from another point of view, that is! Right? Romeo's side of things makes it much less of a case of cold-blooded murder, and instead it's... not... cold-blooded, at least. In his opinion. Okay no, no. Back it up. Try that again.

No, he can't ignore the lingering regret — it's followed him all the way from the world underneath. Every little thing that they used to love always brought it rushing back: bees, like the colony they built a far-too-oversized-yet-admittedly-charming hive for; lapis, they used that in everything they built; chickens, like that silly little pet they used to keep; that disc they always had playing in their cabin.

That song — "far" was the word written on the disc — had been their favorite ever since the day they found it during a trip down an otherwise uninteresting cave. Romeo didn't mind that they liked some song by some unknown random better than his own. Of course not. But they listened to that thing over and over and over — it wasn't even all that good. Not as good as his, that's for certain. And that bumbling chicken they kept around the place, all it ever did was mindlessly wander around and drop eggs everywhere. It didn't even dance, like a parrot does! What's even the point, then? And their bees would up and sting you if you looked at 'em the wrong way, how rude. Blue is such a boring color. What did he ever grow that tree for? Fred wasn't his friend, what did they ever do to warrant any— Why did he make a memorial to begin with, when HE'S the one that killed them? What's this "regret" nonsense about? Nope, one more time. From the top.

Fine. So what? So what if he killed Fred, like some... heartless savage? So what if he is the horrible, evil monster who murdered his best friend? The Admin who killed one of the two people he held dearest to him? All that matters to him is that HE'S happy. He's the one who made this world; he's gonna do whatever HE wants, for HIMSELF. What's it matter what some humans think of him?

...Is he- Is he happy?

Well, certainly not, can't imagine anyone would be happy stowed away in a prison cell like this. Obviously he's not happy now.

• • •

"Found it!" Petra held a block of ice over her head for Jesse to see across the room.

"Cool, thanks." They turned to sprint back to the Admin's room once again, Petra trailing behind.

"Haha. Cool. Get it?"

"Oh. Yeah. Nice one." They only slowed for a moment to reply.

"...Nice one, you mean? Nice? Ice?"

They glanced over their shoulder with what might've been a smile. "Mhm."

Petra frowned in surprise at their lack of enthusiasm for puns. She took it as a sign they weren't doing too well.

Neither one exchanged another word until they reached the metal door.

"Jesse... if you're upset about—"

"I know." They were so sick of saying that. "I shouldn't feel bad for him. I know."

"That's not what I was gonna say." She leaned over beside them just enough to reach eye level. "I wanna let you know you can talk to me about it, if it's bothering you. Any of this. I might think he kinda sucks, but I'm willing to hear your side of things."

They nodded, with a genuine smile this time. "See ya in a bit." After she was out of sight, and with a long exhale, they tapped their knuckle against iron.

They heard metal clink against stone. "Juh— Jesse?"

"That's my name."

Romeo dropped his creaky, old body onto his creaky, old bed. Much cozier than the floor, he decided. "Uh. Come in."

Jesse oblidged, frigid ice in hand. They found a fresh bruise forming on his chin right away, though it wasn't as apparent as the bruises inflicted by Jesse themself. Yikes, he could've used some ice way earlier, they thought.

"I brought this. Um, in case your... face hurts." They held it out to him, apprehensive to apply it to the bruise themself but acutely aware that he would struggle with it on his own.

"Eh, it's nothing compared to what you did the other day." He spoke again when their eyes rolled. "Though you're welcome to if you're so worried."

They chose to ignore that statement and hide the block away. Their eyes met just long enough for Jesse to flinch away at the sight.

"I'm sorry, a-about Stella. Petra told me she'd be here and she was mad, but I didn't think she'd... do all that, bleugh." They scratched their neck, unsure of how to approach the topic. "Like, you said some pretty nasty stuff too, but I... I guess she technically started it."

"Oh, that— that's nothing." His shoulders sagged, appearing to shut down as he recalled their argument. Even still, he faked a chuckle — or maybe it was out of embarrassment, neither one could tell.

They wished they could take pity on him, but the story surrounding Fred's death was still shrouded in uncertainty. Despite their curiosity, they shook away whatever questions they had for the Admin and spun around to leave. "Uh, ta— take care."

"...How can I ever repay you?"

They almost didn't hear him, and stopped dead in their tracks before the exit. Real generous all of a sudden, they scoffed to themself.

"In regards to, allowing you the privilege of your Admin powers?" They didn't turn far enough to see him, slotting their thumbs into the belt loops at their hips. "Or saving you from Stella's wrath?"

"Mm. Both, why not?" That made them turn to him fully.

"I mean I'd like you to be a good guy for once, but I guess we can start smaller," they joked, glancing around. "How about... show me that note block you got?"

"You're really still on that?" Romeo tilted his head back pretending to consider it, concealing the bubbling excitement in his chest. He scooted himself off to the side and tapped a button with his foot. "If it's what you really want."

A beeping, sparkly instrument spelled out the melody that flooded their ears; Jesse wondered what item was placed inside to make the sound. Despite being fairly upbeat, it carried a somewhat somber tone, though they figured it was from a lack of other instruments.

All the while, Romeo had his eyes screwed shut, mouth moving as if he were humming — singing? — without a sound. At one particularly "empty" part of the song he flicked his head to the side in disapproval, mumbling something only he understood. Jesse found themself sitting cross-legged a few feet from where the music played, finding comfort in his unusally calm state. But, why is this somehow... so infuriating?

They cleared their throat in an attempt to break his trance, to no avail. "I uh. I like your song, it's nice."

Romeo jumped like he was awoken from a deep sleep. They stifled a laugh, amused with his apparent lack of awareness.

"O-Oh, save your praise, it's hardly even finished. No need to flatter me." The smugness in his face made it clear he enjoyed the compliment far more than it was worth. "Ah, but, in any case— What else did you have in mind to repay my debt to you, hm?"

The memory of their last nightmare forced its way to the front, sending a sickening pang through their chest. They rubbed at their eyes in vain trying to make it leave.

"Right... How about you answer this question for me? Truthfully," they said once the worst of their intrusive thoughts subsided.

Romeo waited a moment before agreeing.

"You knew about the Wither Storm while it was around, right? I assume you did?"

"Yeah, how could I not?"

Jesse struggled to deepen each breath.

"Why didn't you do anything to stop it?"

Chapter Text

≓/⋉⊖/∭

Today I met someone who might be able to help us. Their name is Jesse.

They and their friends come from a world above the bedrock, and they say they know how to take away Romeo's powers. They might be able to stop him and take revenge for everything he's done! Of course I didn't believe it at first. None of us had seen them before, for one, and they claimed to be from a world above ours that we didn't think existed. And get this, they wanted to go into Fred's house. Fred's house! I wasn't going to let  anyone just waltz in and rummage through his stuff, so I told them what they had to do if they really wanted in.

I figured Kent would win like he does every year, especially against some outsider, but... Jesse won. They beat Kent. Knew the answer to a question he didn't. That's when I realized they must be serious. I let them look for this "weapon" they claimed was hidden in Fred's house, but they found out from his journal that it might be in his old cabin... The one behind Romeoburg's army. Yet they still went. I really hope they'll be okay.

Before they left, Jesse told me they could bring all of us to the above-world, too. They met Xara, THE Xara! And she has a portal that can get us away from here! I managed to convince everyone to start packing tools and food before we get the signal to leave.

When Jesse left their Fred's house, for a split second, they looked completely different to me. They almost looked just like Fred. I almost gasped. I've seen multiple people in those same pajamas (mostly Kent), but still I've never once mistaken anyone for Fred, not for a minute.

I feel like they can save us.

∀/⋉⊖/∭

We did it. They did it! We can see the sky! The sun, the clouds, it's all so wonderful to see again. It sure was scary terrifying to fight back a giant enderman, but we all pulled through! Well, except Xara, she wouldn't leave her Oasis, and... one of Jesse's friends. He stayed behind to get everyone out safely. I'm so, so grateful and I couldn't thank him enough if I got the chance.

Right now I'm with Jesse and their other friends and we're on our way to their town. Apparently that's where Romeo is causing trouble and I wanted to help. The rest of Fred's folk are staying at the entrance to something they called a "heck mouth?" which is much safer than anywhere near him. I'll go see them when my job is done.

It's done! Jesse's plan is set and I made sure to watch them fly off with those elytra before I left. I went back to check on the others, most are getting some rest. The ones who were awake came with me to sit and watch the sunrise. The stars still look like Fred's freckles.

⊁/⋉⊖/∭

The sun disappeared again.

They lost.

It's been quite a while now and the bedrock hasn't completely blocked out the sky yet. There are still some holes that I can see through. Maybe they did beat him? I hope that doesn't mean the bedrock is stuck forever if that's the case. I'm going back to see what happened.

We were betrayed.

I got there just in time to hear it. I shouldn't have trusted Jesse. I shouldn't have believed them. I should never have trusted a stranger. But they seemed so genuine. Too genuine to be a lie. They even offered us all a place in Beacontown when it was over. What happened? Why are they protecting him? Is it all one of his tricks?

For now, we're setting up camp near this "heck mouth". I'm not taking any chances.

≬/⋉⊖/∭

Everyone's fighting. I didn't sleep last night.

≐/⋉⊖/∭

she's here she's here she's h

I'm still a bit shaky writing this. I talked to Xara just a minute ago and words cannot explain how excited I was to see her after all this time. She told me the story of how she was rescued by Jesse and what she I'm going to explain how it happened before I get ahead of myself:

Fred's people were still upset with me and arguing among themselves, so I went for a walk to get away from the chaos. I went to that temple we got teleported to, since it was the only safe place I knew to go. I just wandered around for a little while. Then all of a sudden, someone was dropped from a portal, right where we did. I recognized her violet hair right away. She didn't recognize me at first, and screamed when I gave her a hug. I calmed her down pretty quickly, then she told me not to hug her again.

The bedrock in the sky filled Xara with a rage I never would have expected from her. She just kept yelling and shouting and I didn't know what to say. I didn't have the heart to tell her about Romeo. It didn't take long for her to go quiet and collapse on her knees. She just stared at the ground with such a bitter look in her eye. Once she stopped, all I could say to her was that "Jesse took care of him." It wasn't exactly true, but I didn't think her heart could take anything more. I don't know how she became so fragile. I told her not to worry about the bedrock.

I had her talk about how Jesse broke her out of a horrible prison underground, that Romeo locked her up in, and how she fought their way out of the maze surrounding it. (I stayed focused on the more positive parts.) I had her tell me how she got Jesse below the bedrock through a tower she built herself long ago, escorting them all the way to her Oasis. "You're just as tough as I remember", I said to her... That also wasn't true. The second she mentioned the Oasis, the little light she had left in her face went out. She started babbling about how it had been destroyed and I thought she'd cry at any moment, until I told her she can always rebuild. She actually had started rebuilding, but came here to see if Romeo was dealt with. I kept her talking about what she did after we left, to distract her.

It sounds like Jesse's friend, Radar, might have survived. Xara kept running with him trying to shake the enderman off, and it started tearing chunks out of the ground and throwing them if he got too far away. One of those chunks revealed a portal hidden underground, one that Xara had never seen before. She rustled up the materials to repair it before the enderman could damage it further, and sent Radar through. The enderman stared at the portal before vanishing, so we both hoped it didn't somehow go after him.

Tonight, she's decided to stay at the temple away from the others. She's not ready to be around so many people yet.

≺/⋉⊖/∭

I went back this morning to check on Xara. She's started talking about going into Beacontown to check on Romeo or something, but I've been trying to talk her out of it. She wasn't thrilled about that. I can't imagine what she'll do when she finds out what's going on up there. The sky still hasn't come back.

Her eyes are much less tired and dark compared to a few days ago. I just wish she'd stop looking so sad.

Chapter Text

"I beg your pardon?"

The corners of Romeo's mouth threatened to perk up. Jesse shoved away the ache that wormed its way into their head, an ache that screamed at them to smack that stupid look off his face.

"'Do something about it'? Do what?" He spoke after a pause, as if waiting for his laughter to subside. "What, d'you expect me to just— boop! that thing away?"

"I- Yeah, I would've expected you to just blip it away! Like you do to everything else!" Jesse's inflection made it sound more like a question than a statement.

"Well— Yeah, I suppose I do... do that— But to where? Even if I could teleport something that size, I can't just make it 'go away'; it'd have to go somewhere."

"I mean... Seeing what you did to the Underneath I would think you'd send it down there, right?"

"Ohoh, goodness, no! I'm afraid not even the most indestructible substance in the known worlds could hold the bloody thing. You should'a seen it— I-I threw a wall of bedrock in front of it, up the clouds above, and it ate right through! Like it was nothing!" Romeo's words bubbled out from his throat like he was a child laughing at his own joke. Like a child. Like he thought this was a joke.

Jesse got on their feet. "So... you didn't try to go inside it? And destroy the command block? Or... do literally anything to kill the Witherstorm?"

"'Course I did! Uh, heh, after taking a minute to observe it. Fascinating creature it was. Using all sorts of materials to build itself an armored body, what a novel concept... Ahem. Before I let myself get carried away." Romeo chose not to acknowledge the side-eyed glare Jesse shot at him. The enthusiasm beaming from each of his features would probably be endearing to them if it were in any other context than this. "I really did try to stop that Storm from helping itself to MY world, don't get me wrong, I— 'ey, believe it or not, even I was getting tossed around by that thing. Withers are hard enough for me to deal with, but with all the wither sickness and its— ugh, its awful, writhing tentacles, it was hopeless in there.

"Ah, but once I got ahold of the heart of that thing, to tear it right out of its socket, it... I couldn't do anything to it. Like the rest of the Storm, it just— i-ignored my powers."

"What, the 'great mighty Admin' couldn't handle one little command block?" Jesse taunted the floor in front of them. "I didn't have much of a problem doing it; what was stopping you?"

Romeo straightened up, crossing his arms the best he could with his hands bound in chains. "Pardon me. I didn't have the help of whatever enchanted trinkets you got from your little potion vendor. You were just lucky enough to be the big hero that day. Didn't look all that easy for you, either..." He let his arms fall back into his lap, stopping another word in its tracks. "Oh, alright, I can't say I'm not impressed."

Judging by his averted eyes, Jesse assumed he meant it more as an admission of weakness rather than a compliment. They made a dismissive huff.

"No, really. Honest. Back then you looked like you'd never held a sword in your life, heh, but you've certainly proven yourself as a force to be reckoned with."

Certainly. Only took a threat to your fragile sense of pride to figure that one out.

"...Jesse?" Romeo tilted his head forward,  finding his reflection in Jesse's empty, unblinking stare.

Finally, they pulled the brakes on their train of thought. "Yeah. See ya," they grumbled on their way out, stopping themself just before they could glance back. He'd better hold onto that luck while it lasts.

...

Clank.

...

Chains clatter onto the floor.

The one time. The one time I try to show kindness, I'm reminded of exactly why it's never worth it.

Romeo's irises flood the room with light.

Really makes you wonder if they're being genuine as well. Do they really want to "fix" me, or is it all some kind of act? Or maybe revenge under the veil of heroism?

He dug his nails into his palms from within the shackles. He ignored the ache shooting up from the burns on his hand.

Whatever the reason may be, I don't need their help. I'm getting myself out of here. One way, or another.

He relaxed his hands as much as he was able, releasing a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

Well... No sense in dwelling on that now.

His eyes shifted over to the note block to his right, practically mocking him and his useless extremities. He squinted in uncertainty at the idea that popped into his head.

Carefully, Romeo flipped the side of block open with his boot.

Using every ounce of concentration he could muster, he set on stabilizing his ankle just enough to flick those little note switches in that section off to the left, a bit higher, and...

Instead of arranging a melody to fill the space in his composition, Romeo's foot slipped and his ears were filled with the shrill echoes of a note placed two octaves above where it should have been. A squeal tore out of Romeo's throat, rivalling the note in pitch, followed by a whispered curse as he dropped his heel into another section of notches. Delicate, carefully-positioned notches, might he add.

Still deciding what to blame other than himself, he slammed the hatch shut with his foot, audibly disturbing yet another switch or two judging by the beeps it emitted. Only for its hinges to whine as it slowly drifted back open a mere inch. He frowned in the opposite direction as if the wall itself would take pity.

As if by instinct, he raised a hand in front of himself, only for the weight of solid iron to stop him halfway. He settled for slamming the cuff into the floor, sending an uncomfortable jolt up to his elbow. Energy that would've went into carving a rift straight into the floor instead discharged from his hand in the form of burning heat. He then kicked the hatch a second time, holding it shut for a moment before letting go.

Losing his powers almost seemed enticing right about now.

At least the heat took some of the pressure off his shackle.

• • •

It was far past the time for everyone to be asleep, Jesse thought as they slung a spare iron sword behind their back and quietly slipped through the Hall draped in nightfall. Hardly a few steps outside, swoops and bat-like screeches filled the air; sounds they haven't heard since their last sleepless adventure, or maybe the time Lukas felt that the day wasn't long enough for his writing. They stood to search for a moment for the poor insomniac the phantoms were harassing until they watched one nearly ram into one of the Hall's windows from the corner of their eye. Luckily those things were skilled enough in flight to dodge whatever they might hit by a mere inch, otherwise they would be patching up every sheet of glass in sight—there had to be a dozen of the creatures circling the sky. Nevertheless, they felt it wasn't something that needed to be dealt with right away and carried on beyond the gate.

Jesse crossed their fingers hoping the lights in Lukas's cabin were on, yet cursed silently when they were.

The cabin suddenly seemed much taller than they remembered. Maybe he put in a taller door, they wondered. He wasn't that tall, was he? He's only like 5'9, I don't— it doesn't matter. Let's hurry up and get this over with. They banged the side of their fist against the door, quickly aware of how threatening it may have sounded to the person behind it.

"Hey, uh, 's just me. Can I come in?"

A few seconds of silence was enough for them to consider turning around and going back home. Just as they started to spin on their heel, the muffled sounds of a book closing and a sigh pulled them back by the reins. 

"Yeah?... What's up?" Lukas's blank stare didn't bode well.

They cleared their throat, though it didn't stop them from tripping over their words anyway. "Hi. Hey. What, uh, what's up with you?"

"Y— What? You came here."

"Yeah—  it's just I noticed your, uh, your lights were still on... and came to tell you that it's getting late!"

Lukas was entirely unimpressed with their excuse.

"Y'know... don't want you staying up too late again! Writing your, uh... books."

Still the silence grew.

Finally, Jesse looked him straight in the eyes. "Lukas I spent the entire day debating whether or not to even come here to ask what I wanted to and I'd prefer if you pretended I was never here so I can go back home."

Lukas's dead expression was unchanged. "Well, now you've got me interested. You've gotta tell me now."

"Okay, alright," Jesse interrupted. "Okay. I was gonna have Petra do something tomorrow but she'll be going out somewhere, and Axel and Olivia are at home for a few days, so, I— and it's fine if you don't want to..." They trailed off, hoping Lukas would get it over with and cut them off.

He squinted, his thinly-veiled irritation growing ever apparent. "Do what, exactly?"

"Uuhhhhm. First, can you promise not to get mad?"

"JESSE."

"ALRIGHT. Fine. Sooooo, last time there were some issues when Romeo went to Champion City—"

"I can imagine, yeah," Lukas blurted out.

"Not like— No, he wasn't the one causing problems. Er, not directly, anyway. Let's say, he... wasn't very welcome there."

"I stand by my previous statement."

"Fair enough, but he made some good progress while he was there last!" Jesse had to restrain their voice from becoming a yell. They continued after his tired eyes remained unchanged. "I'm serious! He actually built a whole... thing! And didn't fill it with death traps or cover it in lava! ...Anyway. I need someone to help watch him, y'know? Make sure he doesn't get assassinated when he goes there again?"

During their incredibly uncomfortable staring contest, the night breeze shifted, sending a shiver through Jesse's body.

Finally, the prickly aura surrounding Lukas faded away in the form of a loud sigh. But before he could get a word out, Jesse spoke over him.

"Y-You don't have to. Like I said."

"...I'm sorry, Jesse. I don't—"

"Or! Or you could gather a few materials for me. If you want."

"All right, let me finish," he chuckled, trying desperately to lighten the mood. "I— hm. I don't think I can be around him. I'm sorry. I know this whole thing is important to you, okay? It's just..." Lukas stopped before he made the situation worse. He took Jesse's attempt at a smile to be a disappointed one. "Hey, I'd be happy to get whatever stuff you needed, though."

"Really? You sure?" Jesse nearly hopped up and down from how grateful they were.

"Jeez, is it that bad?" he joked.

The next morning, with Lukas off gathering their building materials, Jesse set off to find someone else to recruit as a bodyguard. Their next option, Jack, was instantly cooperative, to their surprise. Not one objection before he kissed his husband goodbye and strutted out behind Jesse. They're certainly not complaining.

Down in Romeo's cell, he appeared to Jesse like he hadn't moved an inch since they'd checked on him last night, still laying with one leg hanging off his bed. It took a few seconds for the iron door swinging open to register in his mind.

"Huh— what's... hm?" Romeo quickly hid his bewilderment as if he hadn't been completely off on another planet mentally. "Good— what time is it? Uh, great to see you again, Jesse. Always a treat."

"Yeah, hey, going to Champion City. Brought a friend." Jesse put on a cheerful façade as they went to work on releasing the cuffs from the Admin's wrists, Jack following after.

"What's this one doing here?" Romeo asked.

"Me? Oh, I figured you'd be causing trouble out there, so I agreed to watch ya today," Jack explained. "Helped 'em out this far, so why stop now, eh?" Something was hiding just barely under his otherwise sincere tone, but Romeo couldn't pinpoint what it might be.

"How... thoughtful, of you. Wonderful." His glare met Jack's eyes only halfway. At least until Jack went ahead and unlocked the cuff that Jesse hadn't gotten to, at which point Romeo stared head-on, eyes wide as if this were the greatest insult to his bloodline he'd ever experienced.

Even after Jack staggered a few steps away, the Admin's arm stayed rigidly in place, as did his gaze. Jesse quickly swung their head in Jack's direction, then to Romeo, to which he relaxed his features slightly. Jack simply cleared his throat and muttered something to himself before finishing his task.

"Oh, uhhhh. Guess I found out what he's so touchy about. You mind me asking what happened here?" He faced Jesse as if he wanted an answer from them instead.

"Yyyeah, that." Jesse looked to Romeo for his approval, to which he just shrugged. After removing the second shackle, they dug through their pockets for the roll of clean bandages. "So y'know the big hole in the sky above town? Yeah. Long story short, it's from that."

Jack chose not to press further, while Jesse kneeled down and began removing the bandages from Romeo's hand. All three of them winced at the sight of the pale, exposed areas of flesh. Yikes, this is definitely gonna leave a mark. Doesn't look much better than yesterday. They were relieved at his cooperation as they rolled new bandages over the burns. They took a moment to find the right balance between secure and loose before they were satisfied.

Romeo continued to stare daggers at the floor as he, Jack, and Jesse all made their way out.

...

It took until the three were halfway across town before realization decided to strike him.

"No, no, we're not going back after what happened with Stella, are we? Are you insane?" He jumped as if his own thoughts had startled him.

Jesse blinked. Romeo held his crossed arms close to his body, hunched over in apprehension. "Hey, don't get too freaked out. I made arrangements with Stella and she agreed to keep everyone off your back."

"Oh, that includes herself, I assume?"

"Haha, what? Don't tell me you're scared?" They still weren't used to seeing him as openly vulnerable as he had been lately, let alone afraid of someone like Stella.

"'Course-bloody-not, I'm scared of the sword she might be swinging at me while I can't defend myself," he spat.

Jesse snorted. "I told you, you'll be fine. She's the least of your worries. Right, so I'll leave this with you," — they handed the golden gauntlet off to Jack — "and you two'll be back in a few hours or until something goes horribly wrong. That sound good?"

"Got it. Got it all under control," Jack assured. Meanwhile, Romeo was using all his willpower not to grab Jesse by the shoulders and scream at them.

With that, the grizzled adventurer and the disgruntled deity began their journey without a single word spoken to one another. A few times Romeo tried levitating to save himself from having to walk — god save his knees — only to lose his energy a couple seconds in and cause Jack to jump out of his skin. And each time, he expectantly zeroed in on the shining gold that encased Jack's hand. Why he chose to wear it now, I'd love to know. Eh, actually, not sure how much storage space he has in just a tank top and trousers.

"...So. How's it goin'?" Jack suddenly decided to speak after what felt like an hour to the two of them.

Romeo answered only with a short hum. He hadn't prepared a response under the assumption they wouldn't say a word to each other for the rest of their lives.

Jack only pressed further. "I hear you, uh, you've been cleaning up your act a bit. Fixin' up over in Champion City, huh?"

Apparently not in the mood to talk, Romeo willed himself to float just ahead of Jack's pace. At least, until a sharp jolt ran up from his arm all the way to his chest. He might've fallen flat on his face had it not been for what caused the jolt in the first place.

His head swung around to see Jack's wide-eyed, blank stare, then to find the gauntlet tightly wrapped around his elbow. Romeo fruitlessly pried at the glove despite the numbness in his fingers, gasping for air like he'd just run a mile. His vision began to fill with stars, and through his delirium he clawed at his shoulder as if he were trying to tear it from his body.

Jack eventually came down from his adrenaline rush and freed Romeo from his grasp. The Admin stepped back and cradled his trembling arm, still catching his breath.

Jack sputtered out whatever words came to mind in hopes it would form an apology. "I'm s— I-I didn't mean... It was just, I— ...Um."

Once he had the cognitive ability to understand that he was safe, Romeo slowly turned back to face the city, continually shooting glances over his shoulder as he walked.

The last few minutes of their travel lasted about a century to them. The two kept their distance from one another, each watching the other bracing themselves to react.

"'Cleaning up my act,' is that what you heard? Yeah..." He stopped just a few steps before the city, taking a deep breath before entering. "Yeah, well, I'm trying."

Blocks already in hand, Romeo took no hesitation in beginning his work. Pretty gracefully at that, Jack admitted to himself as he went to work on a nearby library. It almost looked like some kind of dance, he thought.

Quartz crystallized from his fingertips where he traced along each wall. Glass spilled into form in each window like waterfalls. In mere moments a new building sprouted within the barren city walls, its purpose yet to be given by its inhabitants. Townsfolk kept their grievances about Romeo's presence silent, likely begrudgingly, both at their leader's request and out of relief that one less building has to be repaired.

Once he felt it was finished, his attention drifted over to what used to be the central garden. Endless inspiration took over his mind, sending him straight to the center where he quite literally brought those ideas to life; bluets and daisies bloomed and birch saplings sprouted in the once barren expanse in a matter of minutes.

Stella watched him from atop one of the garden's walls. She was almost jealous of how much she liked this design more than the previous one — a fountain in the middle, why hadn't she thought of that?

"Too bad this guy's the one doing all the work," she half-joked, "am I right, Lluna? Not looking forward to giving him all the credit for my own city."

Lluna grunted and tucked her legs under her body.

Even from this distance, Stella could clearly see how Romeo periodically shook his wrist and stretched his fingers. Stiffness, maybe? Why not use the other hand? she wondered. Another habit he seemed to have was stumbling off to one side after landing — you would think he'd only been an Admin for a couple days. Eventually her curiosity got the best of her and Stella went off to find a safer ledge to hop down from, leaving Lluna behind; the poor llama had been in enough perilous situations as it is.

From Romeo's perspective, on the other hand, today was going HORRIBLY. Well, not entirely — he was somewhat enjoying his time with all his creations, hoping the citizens would find a good use for them. But good LORD, was it absolutely draining. No thanks to that moron holding the gauntlet, panicking at the... slightest... Hey, why can't I see the ground anymore—?

Thud.

By the time he could see anything again, all he saw was a vast expanse of swirling clouds. He couldn't tell if they swirled on their own or if his consciousness was still coming back to him.

"Are you... Are you okay?" A voice broke his trance like a slap to the face.

Today just kept getting worse.

Romeo whipped his head up — well, "up" if he weren't horizontal — to find who the voice belonged to. And there they were, the striped purple slacks he prayed he wouldn't see.

Instead of giving a response, he rubbed his eyes with both palms and groaned.

Jack and Stella shared a look for a moment. "Geez, sorry for asking. Oh, what's with your hand...?"

"ENOUGH with the— ugh, it's not important." Romeo's arms flopped to the ground before shakily lifting his upper body. "Wonderful running into you, Stellie, we were just leaving." He stood up and pinched the bridge of his nose as a throbbing ache rushed to his forehead.

"Yeah? I was under the impression you'd be here a while. Make yourself at home, I insist!" Stella put on a convincing show of sounding like she was inviting an old friend over for dinner. "Everyone's just been dying to see you!"

"Why, I'm sure they have. They're all practically lined up to take turns kicking my ass. What, was yesterday's 'incident' not enough for you?"

"What? Whuh— Of course it wasn't enough! In fact, I think you deserve far worse!" She spoke louder as if addressing an audience. "But, because Jesse asked a favor of me that I so graciously accepted, I — along with my lovely citizens — will not be doing anything violent and/or traumatizing to you."

"Well thank heavens you'll spare me, I'm lucky to have survived." Romeo found himself laughing right in her face.

"Sorry about him, Stella," Jack interrupted as he reached for the Admin's arm, this time with his ungloved hand. "He's just tired from all the... building and whatnot. I think he needs a little break. Don't ya think so too, er, Romeo? Buddy?"

"Get your hands off me," Romeo spat, his arm clinging to his chest.

Stella straightened her back suddenly. "Y'know, I noticed earlier you kept—" she demonstrated by shaking her wrist, "— messing with your arm, while you were flying around. Something happen to that one, too?"

He scoffed and began walking off, not quite sure himself where he was going. "What's it matter to you?"

"Just curious." She caught up to walk by Romeo's side, where she looked up at him with a corporate smile and his stare burned into the ground ahead of him. "Do you always get this tired out from using your powers?"

Romeo ignored her.

"I wonder, does it have anything to do with that gauntlet Jack's wearing? I... actually only noticed it just a second ago— Wow, that thing is... insanely shiny." Stella nearly considered asking for a closer look, but stopped before she got carried away. "Anyway. Not so much of an Admin anymore if that's the case, huh?"

"You wish." A bitter cackle bubbled in his chest.

"I dunno, seems like you were having a hard time." She stepped in front of him after he stopped near the garden wall. "What'll you do once you're just like everyone else? Aw, you'll have to learn to walk places instead of flying and warping around. How horrible."

Romeo faced her dead on, dramatically rolled his eyes, and flew his way over the wall. "Good thing that's not happening," he taunted from above, catching himself before he fell back into the dirt.

"Yeah? You seem awfully sure of that," she taunted right back. Meanwhile, Jack scrambled his way up the rubble to keep close to the Admin, calling after him. Stella took a safer (and probably faster) route up by using the stairs, following them to an in-progress greenhouse.

"Quite sure, yeah," Romeo said casually. He produced a glass block, intending to help repair the greenhouse, and then proceeded to drop said glass block on the ground as his arm spasmed painfully. "UGH— Ffffffor the love of..."

"See, I appreciate the work you've done around the place. Really. It almost makes up for a fraction of the property damage you caused." Heels tapped against stone to Romeo's left. He stayed bent over, studying and grimacing at his own hands. "If you keep it up, maybe you can get that number up to a tenth. So let's get back to it, huh?"

"I'd be delighted to," Romeo huffed through his teeth, "after I get a moment to rest. If that's alright with you, your highness." He snatched the glass back up, more aggressively than what was necessary, before letting himself sink to the ground. Jack sat cross-legged a comfortable six feet away, yet it still earned him a scowl. Those eyes were somehow even scarier when they weren't glowing.

Behind him, Stella was checking in on the two other people rebuilding the greenhouse. "Looking great so far! You guys need anything? I brought everyone some melon slices," she offered, the tired workers accepting gratefully. From behind his crossed arms resting atop his knees, Romeo listened in enviously; being an Admin, eating was more of an "as needed" sort of thing rather than a daily necessity, and right now it was very much needed. No chance Stella would even think of giving him food except to throw it at him. Luckily, that won't be a problem.

To Jack's utter bewilderment, Romeo sat up, swiftly pulled out a quartz block, and took a bite clean out of it.

"...I feel like I shouldn't be surprised."

"Hrm? Oh, the uh. Mm. Yeah. Humans can't eat this, can they? I forget."

Jack squinted. "I'm going to assume that was a rhetorical question."

About halfway through his interesting choice of a snack, Romeo was rudely interrupted by Stella. "Jack, could you please ask your friend here to get back to— What. What are you eating?"

"I'm not answering that." Romeo tossed the remaining bits of quartz in his mouth and rose to his feet. "And I'm right here, you don't need to have him tell me what to do."

"And he's not my 'friend'," Jack mumbled.

"I figured you would listen to him over me," Stella explained. "Or rather, you'll listen to whoever's got that gauntlet on."

Romeo shook his head as he made his second attempt at the greenhouse. He was met with apprehension as he landed on the open roof with the two other workers.

"Hey— look, this'll get done a whole lot quicker if you'd let me do it," he offered.

"I'd rather you get lost, Admin," one of them said while the other continued their work. "We wouldn't be doing this at all if it weren't for you."

"Things change. For god's sake. I'm trying to help." When he was given no response, he chose to take matters into his own hands.

Two triangles formed on opposite ends of the glass frame, joined together at the top by a line of glass that flowed outward to meet the edges of the frame; the builders jumped down from the walls before they could be encased within it. And just like that, it was done, as quickly as Romeo had promised.

He glanced between the two expectantly, waiting for the praise he felt he deserved. But, instead, they were angry. He did a good thing, didn't he? Why were they angry?

"We don't. Need. Your help," one of them finally said. "Take a hint and get outta here before we make you."

Why were they angry?

"Not even a 'thank you'? How rude," Romeo pouted.

"Do you think this is a joke?!"

"Ohh, you wanna know what I think? I think you all need to learn to be more grateful for the things you're given!"

"Hey! You're a guest here, remember?" Stella interrupted. "If you're gonna start picking fights with my people, I don't have to keep my promise to Jesse. Got it?"

"I'm just doing what I've been told to do, aren't I?" The Admin kicked himself into the air, causing Jack to panic. "What else do you want from me?"

"We made it pretty clear what we want—"

"Shut UP! I heard you loud and clear!"

"R-Romeo," Jack called out helplessly. "That's enough. Let's calm down, and go do this elsewhere, okay?"

The sudden reminder of that godforsaken gauntlet nearly snapped him out of it. Unconsciously, he slowly sunk closer to the ground while Jack spoke. "I just want to help and you're all making it so... Ugh!" He threw a punch into the glass wall, sending a wave of energy crashing through it.

Jack latched onto Romeo's ankle using the gauntlet. Again, he shouted something that Romeo didn't hear. He might have heard someone else shouting, he wasn't sure. He didn't care. The numbness in his leg meant nothing to him. With a downward swing of his arm, another blast was sent through the roof of the building, the piercing sound music to his goddamn ears. Catharsis rang out for the whole city to hear. For all those ungrateful bastards to see what they brought him to do. The whole city could burn for all he cared; what makes them think they can disrespect him and get away with it?

And before he knew it, he had teleported a blade several feet away before it could slash through his shoulder.

...Oh, no.

The Admin stood face-to-face with his attacker, now unarmed yet unafraid. They grabbed his coat at the shoulder and narrowly missed a punch right above his eye. He scrambled out from their grasp and tripped over his paralyzed foot, giving them the opportunity to land a forceful kick into his side. Then, the minute Jack entered his field of vision —

Blip.

In the blink of an eye, Stella and her two citizens stood alone.

She said not a word to reprimand them.

Off in the distance, a bearded man crouched over a barely-conscious one on the grass just in front of the city gate. The latter hardly had any breath to cry and beg the other for forgiveness.

By some undeserved miracle, Jack instead chose to lead Romeo by the arm and return home. If he hadn't earned Jack's trust, he at least earned his utmost pity. And he owed Jack his life for that.

This isn't over. I'm not worthless. I'll prove to Jesse— prove to everyone, what I really am.

• • •

So Fred's people are still kicking, Xara thought to herself as she leaned against one of the temple's walls. Some of them, at least. And Binta leads them now...?

She still remembers the last time she visited Fred's Keep, after all this time. Binta was only little then, but that shine of admiration in her eyes must have really meant something if she's their leader today. Well, either that, or she's the only one left capable enough to lead. If only for her own sake, Xara hopes the former is true. Speaking of, if she's been gone long enough for Binta to grow up, then Xara was right — she hasn't been aging even after having her Admin powers revoked. Guess he couldn't take all the Admin out of me. She grinned at the thought. Tough luck for him, huh?

After setting foot through the portal, her plan to find Romeo seemed initially hopeless, until Binta was there to tell her otherwise. Now, she only has two more obstacles to cross: her complete and total distrust of others, and Binta, specifically. Normally she wouldn't take much issue with barreling past a group of people to get to where she's going, but she could at least assume the people of Jesse's town were decent enough. Not deserving of the incidental effects of her wrath, at least.

If she could set that worry aside, all she would have to do is find a way past Binta's almost motherly concern. "Are you sure? I don't want you making any rash decisions," she had said. "What do you mean 'rash decisions'? I've been waiting to do this for years," Xara replied in a similar way to each of Binta's arguments. She gave varying responses in her attempts to deflect Xara — "you might regret it, maybe he regrets what he's done, that town is full of people, you know" — and as much as she vehemently fought against it... Binta's probably right.

No, not about any regrets either ex-Admin might have; nothing she could do would be any worse than what Romeo's done, and she doubts he even understands the concept of guilt anymore. Binta is right, however, that Xara might not be ready for social contact on such a large scale. Now that she's been able to maintain any semblance of a sleep schedule, she's felt less apt to start a fight with anyone or anything she perceives as an obstacle — she hasn't seen many inanimate objects that illicit a violent reaction lately. In other words, traversing the town might be a bigger task than she planned for.

Even besides that, the thought of going against Binta's wishes kept her tethered in place. Maybe it was her connection to Fred, but Xara inexplicably held Binta in high enough regard to postpone her objective.

"Something about this bedrock, just... isn't right," Xara whispered to no one. "If it's something to do with an Admin, I'm probably the one who's gotta figure it out.

"Maybe I'll pay a visit soon."

Chapter Text

"You still with me, soldier?"

The Admin's shuffling was getting a bit too labored for Jack's liking and thankfully his voice seemed to snap them out of it. In his fleeting moment of clarity, Romeo steeled themself to keep his weight off of Jack and instead on their trembling knees. Between the ache shooting up both his legs and the delirium clouding his mind he almost didn't have time to worry about... what was he worried about again?

Romeo made a strangled groan as a migraine surged into his skull.

"Is that a yes, or...?"

"Mmh... what? Gh— quiet, head hurts," Romeo mumbled.

"Geez, you really aren't doing too hot," Jack muttered to himself. "Whaddaya say we get you back to my shop and you can get yourself some rest, huh?"

"To... where? Shouldn't I be in— W-What'll Jesse think?" Panic flooded Romeo's chest. "Wait, n-no, no, Jesse's going to be—"

"Hey, now, no need to get all worked up about it," Jack steadied them with his arm, "I'm sure they won't be too upset. They left me in charge of you, and I trust that you won't cause any trouble right now."

"No, I mean about what happened in the city. I was sent there to help, what'll they do when..." He rubbed circles in the side of his head, "when they hear about the stunt I pulled?"

"Like I said, you don't need to worry right now. What happened wasn't... well, entirely your fault. Just let me talk to them, alright?"

"If you say so."

"They've been awfully forgiving to you, y'know," Jack attempted to lighten the mood. "What's got you so worried?"

"Well, I'm not saying— I'd rather not test my luck, is all." Romeo resigned himself to watching his boots scuff against the ground.

Soon they approached the town once more, and once inside Jack tracked down a guard to ask of Jesse's whereabouts.

"Er, no, we haven't seen 'em back yet," the guard replied, frantically swapping their attention between Jack and the crumpled-looking Admin beside him. It tore its bandages with its fidgeting, and his hair concealed his darkened eyes. "Is there something you need?"

"Just, when you see them, could you tell them to see me at their earliest convenience? It's not urgent, but it's important."

"Right, gotcha... Is- are they okay?" The guard lowered their voice as if the Admin sitting about five feet away wouldn't still hear them.

Jack sighed. "...Probably. Uh, thank you for your time."

• • •

Romeo found himself sobered instantly at the sight of the recently-repaired shop. While many display cases appeared to still be empty, they silently admired the craftsmanship elsewhere; the warm lighting enveloping the room instilled a sense of wonder he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Like what you see?" Jack quickly brought him out of his thoughts.

He cleared his throat. "It's not bad, adventurer." Though a little empty. Wonder how that happened, hm?

"Huh-hrmm?" Nurm stopped just before greeting his husband once he caught sight of a bright red head of hair he could never forget.

"Hi, honey," Jack said, approaching Nurm with concern in his eyes, "so it looks like we have a guest for a little while today. Is that gonna be alright with you?"

Nurm hesitated. Keeping his gaze locked on the Admin, he nodded. Just before their most recent adventure it was just a myth to him, a deity who had been long lost to time. Now to be in the presence of The Admin, the creator of the land he called home, the cruel ruler of the temple his closest friends were lost to... it was strange, to say the least. Especially when said deity currently looked like a starving animal.

"You're sure?" Jack whispered. "I don't want you agreeing just because I—"

Nurm interrupted with a hum. That put Jack's mind at ease, at least enough to silence him. Meanwhile, Romeo couldn't help but notice something odd about the way they spoke.

"So, you two... don't speak the same language to each other?" it asked after a moment.

"Well, uh, yeah. That's just what we're used to," Jack explained, and Nurm shrugged in agreement.

"[He's just self-conscious about his accent,]" Nurm added in his native villager tongue. Jack scolded him in a whisper, coercing a laugh out of him.

Romeo raised an eyebrow. "Here— forgive me, my pronunciation might be a bit rusty. Ahem." He let out a series of hums and grunts in the Villager language, forming a simple greeting addressing himself as "The Admin".

While most of their pronunciation was correct, Nurm noticed, the word "Admin" sounded much different from what he expected. "[You meant 'Admin', right?]" he corrected.

"[I'm... well, I was fairly certain I was correct,]" Romeo replied, "[though I think the language has changed some in the years since I first learned it, just by comparing the two of us.]"

They were right; their inflections on some words and odd ways of shortening others seemed to be more than just a lack of practice — still understandable to Nurm, but certainly outdated. Even the older villager folks he knew only remotely spoke the way Romeo did.

"'Scuse me, you two, could I offer you a seat?" Jack decided to stop them now before Romeo collapsed where he stood; he had been leaning on a nearby shelf like his life depended on it.

And they spent the next hour or so in the back of the shop, sharing stories back and forth while Jack just listened and threw in a joke or two every so often. Though, it was clear neither was sure whether to keep the discussion going — Nurm had to remind himself occasionally of who exactly he was speaking to and refrained from getting too comfortable, while Romeo seemed to want to talk for ages about its life in what was now the Underneath, but would stop mid-sentence with the excuse that they "don't want to bore anyone".

Once the conversation began to fizzle out, Jack offered Romeo a quiet place to rest and clear away the dark circles under its eyes ("Oh, god. Do I look that bad?"). Alone and relatively comfortable on a makeshift bed of wool, he finally allowed himself to sleep for the first time in weeks. Being an Admin they had no need to sleep any more than about once a month with regular activity, but even they could admit they were doing themself no favors by putting it off this long.

But before he drifted off, he wondered what was making him want to bite the bandages off his hand. He just had his most normal, civil conversation in years and yet it made him as angry as anything else that happened in the past week.

Maybe he's just tired.

Yeah, that's it.

• • •

It was about 2 hours later — hell if he knew how long it's been, though — when Romeo was awake enough to start recognizing sounds outside the room. Their headache was probably even worse than before, but he'd be lying if he said it wasn't the best sleep they'd gotten in ages. And he would've went right back to sleep, too, if he didn't hear the squeak of a door hinge followed by a muffled voice he knows all too well.

"Shh! ...asleep in the back. Last I checked he was out like a light, but let me..." he heard Jack half-whispering just before peeking into the room where Romeo lie facing away, motionless aside from its breathing; it was curious to see what those two had to say about him behind its back.

"...didn't have to rush over, it's not... So, he had a bit of a disagreement with... but nobody got seriously hurt, and that's—"

"Okay, come on. Tell the truth. Did he pick a fight with someone?"

"No, no, it wasn't his fault. He really put in some effort out there. Got a good amount done before we left. That said... I think it's best if he doesn't go back there again."

He's... actually defending me. Interesting.

Jesse sighs. "Alright. I'll... I'll probably have to apologize to Stella later. Uh, you said no one was 'seriously hurt'?"

"Eeeeyeah. Romeo got beat up a bit, but nothing I'd really worry about."

A pause.

"That's all, though? He didn't, y'know, fight back?"

Another pause, somehow even quieter.

Guess that's my cue.

Upon sitting up, his body immediately let him know how much it did not appreciate that. Amidst stretching their sore body, they were stopped by the sound of Jesse's voice.

"That— Y'know what, that's good enough for me." They dropped their hands onto the countertop. "They didn't try to strangle anyone, so that probably counts for something."

Tch. Would I be so out of line if I did? They were practically asking for it.

"Now, don't beat yourself up over it if he's not where you want him to be. It's not your fault if he still has, uh, some issues to work through."

Jesse exhales deeply. "I know I shouldn't feel guilty about what he decides to do, but it still feels bad when you're supposed to be in charge of them. Y'know, keeping these sorta things from happening."

"Nobody said it had to be your responsibility."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure where I'd find someone fit to rehabilitate a freaking god. And besides, I get the feeling that person wouldn't wanna do it either."

Aaaaugh, cry me a bloody RIVER. It's always about how hard this whole thing's been for Jesse, 'oh our poor hero has been just run RAGGED by that loathsome admin' but not one person stops to think about what I'VE had to—

"But I... guess you're right. I know they've got their own things going on. Maybe I should check up on him when we get back."

Oh.

No, dammit, we're doing this again?!

A soft creak makes the two former adventurers jump.

Both of them stumble over one another's words as they attempt to cut through the awkward air filling the room. "Hey th— Uh, good mor— Mm."

Romeo kept a jovial tone despite the obvious, piercing glare. "Well, I've had just a lovely time here, my dear friend, but it seems it's time I got out of your hair, eh?" He condescendingly leaned over Jack, not once looking Jesse in the eye. "We'll just be taking our leave, then; sounds like Jesse and I have plenty to catch up on!"

Jesse turns to Jack. "Thank you." Then, under their breath, "Hoo boy."

• • •

"Hey. Um. Yyyou feelin' alri—"

"Don't talk to me."

Jesse stopped in their tracks, leaving Romeo to continue floating onward, arms crossed and back hunched.

"...Whuh— unh? 'Scuse me?" Wasn't he the one who said he wanted to 'catch up'?

"Not in the mood."

They caught up to walk backwards in front of him. "Alright. Fine. Didn't have anything to talk about anyway." It still refused to make eye contact and tilted its chin up.

Jesse turned back around. "Yup. Real glad I don't have to talk to you, actually. Soooo fun sitting here in dead silence with you."

Romeo curled into himself even tighter.

They slowed their pace, still directly in front of him. "It's not like I had anything, like, super interesting to tell you, or anything. And I don't even care how your day went, either—"

"Could you find it in you to shut the hell up for even a MOMENT."

"I AM TRYING TO BE FRIENDLY." Their whipping around caught Romeo off guard and they momentarily locked eyes, though he immediately corrected that.

"You're doing a pretty lousy job at it!"

"Well— you're not making it very easy!" Jesse slid their hands down their face. "Okay. Whatever. This can wait."

And wait it did.

Down the steps, past the various warning signs and banners littering the walls, right up to the tempered iron that seemed only to serve as another deterrent for intruders rather than to keep the Admin contained.

After Romeo was done tripping its way down the stairs — it'd long since lost the energy to levitate — Jesse hopped over to the lever with a smirk that made Romeo consider teleporting back upstairs just to scare them.

"May I present to you..." they bowed as they pulled the lever down, "your new-and-improved... uh... bedroom? Just- Just check it out."

Inside was...

Oh. Huh.

They... weren't kidding.

The back wall was lined with jungle stairs in a rectangle shape, with an ivory paper lantern on each of the inner sides and mangrove logs filling the rest. In the middle sat an empty flower pot atop one of the logs. The walls to the left and right each had three stripes of different prismarine blocks — a swirl pattern at the top, then dark bricks, then a wave at the bottom. It was certainly much brighter than the single torch that lit the room previously.

They almost didn't react to Jesse suddenly rambling behind him. "Figured, y'know, you were probably sick of lookin' at the color gray all the time, and uh... put this whole thing together. Was gonna have you do what you wanted with it but I knew you were gonna be tired, and didn't, like, completely trust you, with... A-And I thought it would be a nice surprise. Y'know." They couldn't seem to settle on a reasonable volume for their voice.

Romeo remained a closed book.

"...I can change it, if there's, like. Something you don't like—"

"No no, it's... Um. It's nice." His voice decrescendoed into barely above a whisper. "I haven't... You did this for me?"

They nodded at first, forgetting that Romeo was facing the opposite direction. "Mhm. Yeah. Pretty- Pretty bang-up job I did, if I... say so, myself."

Romeo took in a shaky breath. "Jesse. Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah? What's—?"

"...It's been a while. Since somebody's done something nice for me willingly, I mean." The pause he took to compose himself felt like hours to the two of them. "I don't know what ulterior motive you have here, or if there's some kind of catch, but this... it's... Th-Thank you."

Jesse could finally breathe. Not only did they worry their earlier interaction would sour the reveal, but the conflict of treating someone like him so kindly sat on their tongue like medicine. Seeing Romeo choose to be so vulnerable and even grateful kept that last flicker of hope going.

"Ssssssoooo... I do still need you to put the cuffs on. Sorry."

"There's the catch. All this and you still have no faith in me," Romeo laughed, his usual demeanor showing itself. "Fine. Bring 'em here."

Sometimes he didn't mind being treated as less than a god. It was a nice change of pace.