Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Loid's P.O.V

He can't for the life of him, understand why his 'daughter' just could not grasp what he was saying. Granted she is 6-years-old, but even then...his daughter surely couldn't be this bad at studying. It feels terrible of him to think poorly of the girl, but after having explained the questions several times in many different ways, surely he has a small right to have a little freedom to vent his frustrations privately in his thoughts.

If things do not improve soon, Operation Strix will be doomed. The handler will only be willing to accept so many set backs, she will eventually want to have his head if they don't begin producing results soon.

Could Anya be traumatized from the bus hijacking still? Perhaps he should have had her see a proper psychologist-other than himself-, going through something like that could definately affect any childs grades. At least the event had somehow managed to improve Anya's and the youngest Desmonds relationship to some extent...so plan B is still on the cards for now, although their relationship could be considered to be on thin ice still.

As if sensing his silent frustrations, Anya suddenly looks up at him from the coffee table. Those adorable green eyes began glistening with yet to be shed tears, her bottom lip jutting out in a worried and frustrated pout.

"Papa, I'm sorry...I swear I'm trying! Papa must think Anya is dumb...maybe Sy-on boy is right...maybe Anya is a stupid uggo after all!" She begins to cry, her tiny hands trying to brush away the fresh tears from her face as she hiccups.

"What?! No of course not Anya! Some people just struggle with studying more than others, it doesn't mean you are dumb or stupid. You getting into Eden Academy is more than enough proof that you are a bright and intelligent girl Anya, especially when you really put your mind to things" he says trying to placate the crying child before him. However, her face remains the same as if she struggled to believe his words.

It is in moments like this, that makes him torn about how to approach Anya, sometimes it was like she can see straight through him, the girl was eerily perceptive at times. As twilight, he feels the need to be stern with her, be more logical and detatched. That part of him knew he shouldn't be getting too attached to this young girls role of being his daughter. She is after all not his actual daughter, and as much as it secretely pains him, he knew that this family was not going to last forever. Just until the end of Operation Strix, and then it's on to the next mission. Like always.

Thats how he is supposed to be dealing with things, but ever since the bus hijacking a few weeks ago and his breif moment with his 'wife' Yor, something in him changed. The fear and panic that he felt at knowing Anya was in danger, and that he wasn't there to protect her. As much as he tries to deny it, all of those feelings were real.

She had a bomb around her neck for crying out loud! Although through digging through the police and SSS records he managed to get a hold of, the 'bomb' was deemed inactive. However Anya had no way of knowing that, and his heart genuinely aches for  her. It made him wanna wrap her up in a wooly blanket and never have her out of his sight again, that is what he feels as Anya's father Loid Forger, but that was all a facade, supposed to be anyway...now he wasn't so sure anymore.

Suddenly, the sound of a door slamming shut brings him back to reality. He looks around the living room a little stunned to find it empty. Anya has seemed to have run off to her room, leaving her textbooks and homework scattered on the coffee table.

He sighs as he begins to pick up the sheets of questions the two of them had been going through together, they barely managed half a page. There hasn't been much improvement with Anya's penmanship either...it's as messy as it always is, even for a 6-year-old. He sighs solemnly as he begins gathering Anya's homework to place them in a neat pile.

He really should keep tabs of his habit of living in his head, what kind of tutor is he if he gets lost in his thoughts all the time. This was all still so new to him, he never once saw himself as father material, though Yor insists that he was doing well and for some reason. For some reason he finds himself prioritising what Yor thinks of him, finding himself hanging onto every advice she gives, every compliment she gives him. He is beginning to value her company, very much so.

As if Yor could sense his thoughts of her, she suddenly enters the living room from the kitchen, her striking crimson eyes confused as she looks between Loid and Anya's bedroom door.

"Oh my, what happened in here? Is Anya alright?" She asks as she looks back at Anya's bedroom door in concern.

In place of a reply, he heaves an exhausted sigh and flops back onto the couch. Pressing his fingers to his temples, he tries to stave off his exhaustion from the past few weeks. With Operation Strix, his job as a psychiatrist and the extra missions that wise has been assigning to him on top of everything else...it has left him with barely enough time for anything else.

Even tutoring Anya has been reduced to the equivalent of 2 hours per week. He hasn't been as attentive and around as Loid forger, and its not fair to Yor to rely on her so much with Anya, she too has her own life outside this fake family, her own job.

"Loid? Are you alright??" He hears Yor say, sounding concerned as she sits next to him on the couch.

"Im stretched to thin..." he mumbles mostly to himself. However, finds himself once again at the mercy of those kind crimson eyes, words coming out of his mouth without thinking for once.

"Im sorry Yor, work has been keeping me away from home more than usual, the hospital has been very hectic these past few weeks...I...Anya's grades in school are barely hanging on...and i feel terrible because i just dont have the time to help her with her studies as much anymore. And it would be entirely unfair to put that responsibility on just your shoulders alone" he confides, too tired to keep his usually carefully constructed walls up around her this time.

"Loid...you put so much pressure on yourself, its okay to rely on people. I really don't mind helping Anya with her studies, but I will admit that I'm not always going to be able to...I know how important it is for you that Anya becomes an imperial scholar, for Anya's mother-your previous wife's dream to become reality...but if you put too much stress on your shoulders it will cause more harm than good, and I'm sure Anya would be sad to see you so exhausted" Yor says with a kind yet sad smile on her face before seeming to be deep in thought.

"There is surely got to be another way that we can help Anya with her studies...outside of school" Yor ponders for a moment before a flash of an idea shone, brightening her eyes like rubies "thats just it! The school! Its an elite private school! Surely they have services to accommodate their students studies! Perhaps they can provide a tutor for her! She could stay back abit after school, sure we would have to figure out a way to get her home but im sure we can think of something!" Yor suggests in enthused determination, her words igniting a spark of an idea that could very well help with the progress of Operation Strix, as well as potentially strengthening the bond of his daughter and the youngest Desmond.

Finding his second wind, he immediately sit up and places his hands on top of Yors shoulders, trying to ignore how beautiful the woman before him looked as red coated her cheeks.

"Yor thats a brilliant idea! I cant believe i hadnt thought of this sooner! Thank you so much Yor...you truly are a wonderful mother!" he says as he finds himself getting up to make his way towards the phone, paying no mind to Yors flustered antics on the couch, or at least trying not to.

Picking up the phone on the apartment wall, he immediately dials the familiar number of Eden Academy. They answer after the 4th ring, having the flexibility to be available even after the school day ends, until 6pm.

"Hello this is Eden Academy's main office, how can I help you?" a tired sounding receptionist's voice answers, if memory suits him her name is Susuan Brightlee, 32 years old and had been working for Eden for 10 years now. She does her work diligently and quietly, however has a habit of smoking that she tries to hide from the other staff since smoking on school grounds is prohibited.

"Ah yes thank you, my name is Loid Forger, my daughter Anya is a first year at Eden, I was just calling in hopes to organise a meeting with the housemaster of cecil hall, he teaches Anya's class?"

"I see, and what is the reason for this meeting?" Susan asks professionally.

"I would like to discuss with him about Anya's grades" he explains politely.

"I see, please hold for a moment" the woman known as Susan says before the elegent tune of being put on hold rings delicately in his ear. After two or so minutes of waiting, the woman finally returns "Mr Henderson can see you tomorrow afternoon at 1pm if that suits you?"

"Ah yes, that should be fine, thank you very much for the help" he thanks the woman.

"Just make sure not to be late, this place runs a tight ship, we do not tolerate tardiness, even from the parents, so be punctual and bring your ID" she advices before ending the phone call.

With a relieved sigh he looks back towards Yor whom has seemingly gone back into the kitchen to finish preparing dinner. He goes to discuss the matter of tomorrows meeting with her, only to find himself at a stand still at the kitchen entrance. His stomach lurches in dread at the concoction that he was sure was supposed to be some sort of stew and was almost boiling over, he could practically see the concerning aura of death radiating from it...Yor may have gotten better with some dishes, but its always back to square one whenever she tries something new.

He can only hope that both he and Anya can even make it to Eden Academy tomorrow alive.
Yor was lovely company and a meticulous cleaner, cooking however...he sweat drops nervously as Yor looks up at him with a genuine and innocent smile, finally noticing his presence. He has been a spy for so many years, has gained the courage to rise up to many challenges in his life, but when it comes to Yor and gaining the confidence to tell her the truth about her cooking....he can't help but just leave it to Anya...every time.

Something about telling Yor the truth about her cooking absolutely terrifies him, and he just cant bring himself to do it.

Anya's P.O.V

"Papa is a big liar" she mumbles into her pillow, having finally calmed down from overhearing papa's thoughts. Tuning out her parents thoughts had helped a little, giving her mind the time to itself to think.

She knew that papa was a spy, had from day one, and she was often used to his overthinking and chaotic mind. However, today had hit differently for some reason, it had been a while since he had thought about that, about leaving. He at least seemed less distant, unlike the way things were when they first started, when he had only thought of her as nothing but a tool for his mission.

After so long of living together as the forger family, she had held the hope that maybe, just maybe, that although this family was just pretend, that it would one day become real, that papa would eventually love her for real. She held hope that this wouldn't end like all the others... however papas thoughts just then were...of him leaving..leaving her behind. Her only solace was that he didn't seem as confident and sure of himself as before, she knew he cared to some extent, however it doesn't change the fact that papa could still easily choose work over her, either way his big boss will make him leave one day.

She had gotten so used to living her life as Anya forger and helping papa with his mission, doing her best to make him proud and to show that she can be useful. That she had completely  forgotten or overlooked a very sad detail...that all of this, this life she has with mama and papa, uncle Franky, uncle Yuri, her best friend Becky and even Sy-on boy, will all come to an end and she will be alone again. Just like always.

She had just looked  towards her stitched up penguin, the first gift that papa ever gave her. When suddenly, she could hear papas voice coming from the hallway , she gets up and opens the door just a crack and peeks through. Papa is on the phone, he looks hopeful as he speaks to someone over the phone...she tilts her head as she peeks into his thoughts again. But that only left her with more questions, why was papa meeting with Mr Henderson tomorrow?? About her grades??

A feeling of embarrassment shot through her, she knows that she isn't the smartest...but she really has been doing her best. However, reading is so exhausting and hurts her eyes...especially when the words are so tiny on the page, she even swears that they turn into some other language that she just cannot understand. So she often opts for relying on  her mind reading abilities when she needs to, however that can only help so much.

It also doesn't help to use it too much during tests, because its a lot of effort to block out all the other students thoughts in favor of just one. It can make her just as exhausted as reading and studying does.

Suddenly, she hears papa get off the phone and she quickly shuts her door quietly and makes her way back to bed. She was nervous about what papa would be talking about with her teacher tomorrow, she sighs and tunes back into her parents thoughts, though once again she immediately regrets it...her mama was cooking something new again. And her papa was already predicting their demise...

A sudden familiar scuffing sound could be heard from her door and she sighs and gets back up to let bond in. As if having predicted what her plan was-which he probably did-, her big fluffy companion jumps up on her bed and gets comfortable letting out a 'huff' as if telling her to hurry up and join him. She smiles softly patting her dogs head but just as she was about to stop, the feeling of bonds familiar visions runs through her before finally she could see a crystal clear picture in her mind.

It was of her and Sy-on boy, hanging out together alone, and to her shock seeming to be enjoying each others company for once. Suddenly the vision cuts out and she suddenly finds herself confused as to why her and Sy-on boy would be hanging out alone together. Sure their relationship has somewhat gotten a-bit better after the bus incident but they still weren't exactly friends yet, even though she probably has herself to blame for that, she said something stupid that made him change his mind the last second.

She gives Bond one last pat before taking her place in bed beside him, too much thinking makes her brain hurt, so like Bond predicted she will have a nap for now, and hopefully when she wakes up next papa will have fixed dinner or he gives her mercy and lets her sleep until morning...

"Sorry mama" she says with a yawn before finally letting her eyes shut for just a little while.

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Chapter Text

Thankfully, when papa woke her up for dinner last night, he had managed to fix mama's mistakes in the kitchen. Whilst it wasn't the best stew she had ever had, it was at least edible. Last night neither mama nor papa brought up her sudden outburst, opting to leave it be for now. They had seemed to want to give her some space, although they were rather confused as to why she was so upset. However it's not like she can exactly tell them, they can't know about her mind-reading abilities, and if they find out then she runs the risk of losing them.

She looks up at her papa who is making one of her favourite breakfasts, bacon and egg rolls. Though nothing will ever beat peanuts, if it were up to her she would have peanuts for breakfast every day! However, papa says that only having peanuts for breakfast is not healthy enough. She was tempted to peer into papa's thoughts to know more about this meeting that he was going to have with her teacher today, but she was a little afraid to know at the same time...so she opts to leave papa be for now. Suddenly, she jolts when papa finally speaks up and places her breakfast in front of her.

"There you go Anya, the bacon extra crispy just the way you like it," Papa says with a smile, a smile she has gotten to know well. Papa was up to something, she didn't need her mind reading to figure that out. Papa has many different smiles, this one was the smile he makes when he wants information out of someone...or has something to say.

"So Anya" Papa says as he takes his usual seat at the table for breakfast, this morning it was just her and papa, mama had to go to work early today "are you feeling better this morning? is there anything on your mind?" he asks with a concerned smile. So papa finally has decided to bring it up.

"Anya is fine papa, why do you ask?" she says with her usual smile, playing dumb.

Papa just sighs "Anya, you know you can tell me anything don't you? I'm here to support you and so is Yor" he tries to persuade her, but she isn't that stupid, papa's spy tricks don't always work on her! Unlike mama, she is practically immune to his spy charms, especially after last night!

"I know papa! But Anya is fine, Anya was just a little frustrated from studying is all! Homework is hard..." she pouts, opting for a half-truth. She has learnt many things about lying from her papa's mind. A good liar mixes some truth with a lie or doesn't tell the whole truth.

"I see...speaking of homework, who would you say is the smartest classmate in your class?" Papa asks, but after she probes his mind a little she gets confused as to why he would ask her that when he already knew the answer to it. She answers anyway.

"Hmmm I would say Sy-on boy, though Becky is surprisingly very smart as well, they are the class rivals. Becky says she can't wait until she wipes Sy-on boy's smug smirk off of his face when she finally beats him" she answers in innocent honesty.

Papa looks at her in surprise and then sweat drops "Oh I see, that's quite the surprising remark from miss Blackbell" he responds a bit awkwardly.

"Narr not really, I'm her only friend in school, apparently she's considered an un-like-able person in the class, which is silly because Sy-on boy's monkeys should be the most un-like-able" she explains having a little trouble with her pronunciation.

"Anya, that isn't a nice thing to say, you should be kinder to your peers, I know that sometimes bullies can be hard to deal with, but try to take what people say with a grain of salt, okay?" he advises her, a soft yet serious look on his face.

"What is a grain of salt going to do?" She pouts, her head tilting in confusion as she finishes up the last of her breakfast, trying to make sure the sauce doesn't spill onto her Eden uniform.

Papa suddenly looks tired again and sighs only to look toward the clock on the wall. He then gets up having already finished his breakfast, a smile replacing the tiredness "let's finish up here, you don't want to miss the bus now do you?" he says as he takes their plates to put them in the sink. As her papa does that she makes her way to her school shoes to put them on, as she does this she opens her mind to papa's thoughts.

'I have to try and convince the Housemaster to designate Desmond as Anya's tutor, surely it won't be too hard to do, he is the smartest in her class after all. It only makes sense that they make the smartest help the...well...students that struggle more. Blackbell may be a problem though, if she's as smart as Anya says she is, Mr Henderson may opt to make her Anya's tutor instead, to prevent complications or drama. He may not want to partner Anya and Damian up due to their rocky relationship so far...but it has to be Desmond. I'm sorry Anya, as much as you don't like being around the Desmond boy, I'm afraid you will have to put up with him as your tutor for now' She hears papa think, his thoughts as strategic and overwhelming as usual, and what was all this about a tutor? Sy-on boy?

Something akin to dread makes her pause from tying up her second shoe, papa wants Sy-on boy to help her study?? That sounds like a nightmare! She could just imagine that arrogant and smug smirk on his face as he looks down at her, he would never let her forget it. Just as she thought that her school life was over, a familiar image flashes back into her mind.

Bond's vision of Sy-on boy and her, hanging out and smiling at each other, actually enjoying each other's company. Bond's prediction makes a lot more sense now! They must have been studying! Does this mean if she lets Sy-on boy tutor her, then Plan B will finally get somewhere? That they will become friends and she will get to go to his house!!

A sudden rush of nervous excitement runs through her, and even though it meant mission strix might be over faster-which still makes her sad- she is more determined than ever to make plan B a success. Her relationship with Sy-on boy has been a big question mark lately, so if this finally makes her become official friends with Sy-on boy and if she is successful enough, papa might even be so proud of her that he might stay!

'Alright! Anya will work hard to get along with Sy-on boy papa! Just you wait! We will be going to his house to beat the evil boss soon! For the sake of world peace!' she thinks to herself, as she finishes her shoe and gets up to grab her bag by the door.

She shouts goodbye to papa-who was still washing the dishes since he had gotten lost in his thoughts- then makes her way out of the apartment door. She has a bus to catch after all, and she is a big girl and knew how to get there herself!

.   .   .

Stepping off the bus and then making her way to the front gates of Eden Academy, she immediately goes on the lookout for her best friend. As if on cue, she hears the familiar voice of Becky Blackbell calling out to her. She turns towards the direction of her friend's voice, this time it seems she had made it to school just before her.

She watches as Becky gets out of her family's expensive car, her attendant, an older woman that she recognises from the bus incident opens the door for her. Becky, paying the woman no mind immediately runs towards her, excited hearts practically shining from her eyes. She didn't need to delve into her thoughts to know why she was so excited...like papa, Becky's expressions can be very easy to read, any moment now she is going to bring up 'Berlint in Love'.

"Did you watch the new episode of 'Berlint in Love' last night!?" Becky asks, and she was barely able to shake her head when Becky began her usual fangirling as they made their way onto academy grounds "Sonia had finally just convinced Vincent to confront his family about the marriage! However just before they could, a knock came from Vincent's apartment door, and it was his fiancé! Then the episode just ended with the three of them staring at each other! Talk about cliffhangers! Don't you think Anya?!" Becky finally finishes.

"Yeah, it sounds like it's going to be super duper awkward!" she says with a smile, despite not really being into all that romance stuff, she likes action movies and shows like Bondman better.

"Oh my god I know right!"Becky squeals, only to be interrupted suddenly by a familiar and annoying voice.

"Ugh! The uggo twosome are at it again bossman!" sneers Emile, his silly bucktoothed mouth unsure if it wanted to smirk or grimace.

"Yeah, who wants to hear your gross donkey squeals this early in the morning, right Lord Damian?" Ewen says a bit more elegantly, rude all the same though.

Like a moth to a flame, she finds herself locking eyes with the droopy hazel eyes of her target, Sy-on boy, as the boys made their way towards them coming from the school dorms. At first, they just glare at each other, but for some reason, Sy-on boy's glare still lacked the annoying 'Oomph' that it used to. Even his usual jabs and insults at her have been lacking compared to before, most of the bullying comes from his lackeys now. Things have been weird between them ever since the bus incident, it's very confusing, and it was hard to tell if they were friends now or not.

For the most part, things are still the same as before. However, she couldn't help but feel that even though she said a stupid thing to Sy-on boy, despite him immediately regretting his words, along with his offer of friendship. She gets the feeling that Sy-on boy doesn't hate her anymore...even though he seems to think that she was like everyone else and had been mostly avoiding her. Which she supposes is true either way, she had been trying to get close to him for papa's mission. A pang in her gut makes her feel a little sick at the thought, a part of her can't help but feel a little bad.

"Hey! Are you even listening to me Stubby legs!?" Sy-on's voice suddenly snaps her out of her thoughts. Oops, sometimes she can be just as bad as papa.

'What's up with her today?! She seems distracted about something...Dang it! I finally get the courage to come up and properly talk to her today and she just stares off into space! What could she possibly be thinking about that is more important than listening to me?? I thought...I thought that we-Aghhh! What are you thinking Desmond?! She's just like the rest of them remember! Yet I still-wait maybe it's a good thing that we don't talk yet, at least not in public, I hadn't told Ewen and Emile anything yet...what will they think? Even worse...what would my father think? Sure her mother and my mother are friends but brother and father on the other hand-' she suddenly pulls away from Sy-on boy's noisy thoughts, slightly dizzy from the ambush to her mind. She always has been more tuned to his thoughts compared to others, his thoughts always ringing through clearer than anyone else's. It seems he had been trying to talk to her about something.

"Huh? Did you say something Sy-on boy?" she asks coming back to reality, which showcased a very annoyed and red-faced Sy-on boy, practically grinding his teeth.

"Ugh! Never mind you stupid uggo! Let's go guys! Let's leave these squealing banshees before we get cooties!" Sy-on boy exclaims, before storming off towards the front doors of Eden Academy. She watches on confused as the two lackeys stick their tongues out at her immaturely before following their precious 'Lord Damian'.

"Huh?? what did Sy-on boy say Becky?" she asks her friend who was staring after the trio with a deadpan before turning back towards her.

"Hey Anya, I been meaning to ask this for a while but...did something happen between you and Damian? And don't you lie to me missy! Tell me the truth or I won't tell you what he said! Both of you have been super weird around each other lately!" Becky says with a serious look on her face as they finally begin walking in the same direction as the boys, so they weren't late for class.

'She's definitely hiding something from me, they both are, the evidence screams it, Desmond's lackeys may be turning a blind eye to it, but I won't' she hears Becky's thoughts and gulps nervously.

"Umm... Anya is confused too Becky, Sy-on boy has been acting weird...ever since the bus thing happened" she says, unsure if she should tell Becky everything, she has a tendency to make things way over the top.

"So you have absolutely no idea why he is acting like this? None at all?" her friend asks doubtfully.

"Hmm..well.." she purses her lips and then finally gives up with an exhausted sigh, she just hopes that Becky doesn't turn everything 'romantic'. They enter the school building and make their way through the school halls, beelining straight for their classroom "Sy-on boy and Anya talked after the bus thing, we were waiting for our mama's together and Sy-on boy said that Anya was uhh... In-cred-able and that he was sorry for picking on me all the time..." she says mispronouncing things as usual. She looks up and she regrets telling Becky already, the shiny hearts were back.

"Oh my god Anya that is so romantic! So that's why he's being weird? are you two friends now? dating?" Becky all but squeals excitedly, taking both her hands in hers. She sweat drops and clams up awkwardly even more, of course Becky couldn't help herself...Becky is too obsessed with romance. She sighs solemnly and looks away feeling a little lost.

"I- Anya doesn't know...he made it sound like we were friends but then I think I said something that might have made him change his mind...now I can't tell what he's thinking and I think he's avoiding me" she explains with a pout.

'Sy-on boy has kept avoiding me since then, and when he doesn't and I'm finally able to read his mind, his thoughts are almost always so loud, I can barely make sense of what he's actually thinking half of the time, he makes my brain hurt. He won't be able to keep avoiding me forever though! After all he is going to be my tutor! Maybe then I can get some answers!' she thinks to herself.

They finally walk into the classroom and take their usual seats at the front, completely forgetting that Becky was supposed to tell her what Sy-on boy had said to her. A few minutes later, just as she finished setting up her desk, Mr Henderson finally makes his way into the classroom and just like that, another school day at Eden Academy begins.

Chapter Text

Damian's P.O.V

He sighs, as he collects his homework and textbooks then tucks them away into his bag, only vaguely listening to Ewen and Emile's intentions to eat lunch out in the courtyard today. Having made sure to leave the second set of notes that he had written out on his desk-the notes he had written down for Anya- he gathers them into his hands and then gets up to follow his friends from behind so that they wouldn't notice what he was about to do.

Why he bothered doing it for that commoner at all he didn't know, it just sort of happened. Especially after he noticed her napping during class like she always does, being the lazy commoner she is, particularly since it was Mathematics her least favourite subject. How did he know that? He was just observant that's all! Plus the commoner has always been hard to ignore, she was just too annoyingly distracting, a complete utter nuisance!

The way she was always loud and giggling about something dumb with Blackbell in the middle of class, the way she always seems to sense when he was looking at her, then either looks at him with those stupidly green sparkly eyes or looks at him with that irritating smirk that she always does to annoy him. She's completely unpredictable, a wildcard, a mannerless commoner!

Yet...for some stupid unknown reason, he couldn't help but continuously be drawn to her, and as much as he had tried to deny it, Anya had plenty of good qualities as well. However most of all, unlike everyone else she had given him hope. The hope was that she was different from the rest of those mindless fools that suck up to him just because he was a Desmond, that she could be a true friend.

He lets his eyes be drawn to Anya yet again, as he walks behind his friends slower than usual, nervously clutching at the notes in his hands. Anya was still asleep on her desk and he could just make out the rise and fall of her even breathing from behind her, inching closer to her desk by the second. Suddenly, he accidentally locks eyes with Becky Blackbell, who had been trying to poke and prod Anya awake so they could both get lunch.

She watches him curiously, and perhaps just a bit suspiciously. He then quickly looks back down to the notes in his hands, feeling torn once more. Thinking back to the conversation he had with Anya after the hijacking. Back then he had realised that Anya almost had him fooled, suddenly a wave of disappointment plagues him again.

Before that conversation,  he had finally been willing to throw away his pride for her, because he had up until then, thought that she had treated him as if they were equals despite their differences in social status, with no ulterior motives. That she didn't suck up to him at all, she even punched him in the face the first day they met! He had never met anyone who had the guts to stand up to him and challenge him the way she does, and even though half of the time she knew how to push his buttons, the other half of her had just seemed so darn genuinely nice and innocent, a complete angel!

That is until something she said that day caused doubt to wriggle it's way back in like a parasite. He had finally offered her what she wanted, his friendship, his trust...and yet, she immediately became pushy about going to his house and having their parents meet just like the rest of the fools did, and randomly sprouted some nonsense about world peace! As if that had anything to do with anything!

What's even more frustrating, is that normally he would find it easy to just cut those people out, forget about them and treat them as if they're nothing. However, for some reason he just can't seem to do that with Anya...he thinks about her more than ever now, and it's completely frustrating! Just what kind of wicked spell does this commoner have him under!?

"Ahem! What do you want Desmond?" says the snarky voice of Becky Blackbell, suddenly making him realise that he had already reached Anya's table and that he had been standing there right next to it, looking down at the girls sleeping form, still dead to the world.

He immediately snaps out of it and glares down at his academic rival "tsk, none of your business Blackbell" he sneers, yet quickly checks to see if his friends had noticed that he had stopped. However they were no longer in the room with them, so clearly not. In fact, the three of them seem to be the last ones in the classroom.

"Well, Anya is my best friend, and you just came walking over here staring at Anya whilst she's sleeping like a weirdo after mostly avoiding her for weeks, so it kinda is my business Desmond" Becky sneers, completely unimpressed. Suddenly her expression changes, and he suddenly felt like he was getting studied under a microscope.

"Actually, since you're here Desmond, I have something to ask you" she states, her tone indicating that she was not going to let him get out of this.

"Wh-what do you want Blackbell?" he responds warily, as he takes in Becky's serious stare.

"What is going on between you and Anya? Anya has told me her part of the story, but I want to hear it from you too, I won't let you play with Anya's feelings Desmond" she states in complete conviction, before looking down at Anya's sleeping form right next to her "But first let's not have this conversation here, follow me" she says before taking him by the wrist and forcefully drags him outside of the classroom, closing the door quietly.

He almost chokes on his own spit, how dare she!? He rips his arm out of her grasp, his face red in anger "How dare you grab me like that!? A Desmond! Why can't you just stay out of anyone's business Blackbell!? Besides, she's the one messing with my feelings! Not the other way around!"

Becky raises an eyebrow "Tsk, Desmond this Desmond that! Well, newsflash to you Damian, I am a Blackbell, stop being so high and mighty, your family's not the only important family in this school! My family may not be quite as wealthy as yours, but one word to daddy and my family can become a thorn in your side 'Desmond', now tell me what is going on with you? "

He suddenly found himself at a loss for words, did Blackbell seriously just threaten him? He could feel his face run hot in embarrassment, his hands balling up into fists. He wanted nothing more than to put Blackbell in her place, and yet the words get stuck in his throat as if deep down he really did want to talk about everything...but to Blackbell of all people?

"I-I just told you what was up! It's the commoner that is messing with my feelings!" he hisses, making sure he peers around the hallway to make sure no one was overhearing their conversation. When he looks back at Blackbell, she looks to have a pondering expression.

"I'm going to need more context than that Desmond, I also can't imagine Anya messing with people's feelings, at least not seriously. She may like getting under people's skins sometimes but overall she is a nice person" Becky says stating her truth.

He purses his lips as he debates over what to tell her "What did Anya tell you? I'll answer if you tell me that" he mumbles.

Becky tilts her head and raises a brow "Oh just that you complimented her, confessed to being friends with her and then apologised for being mean to her. I was quite surprised Desmond, I didn't think you had it in you to drop that pride of yours to befriend a commoner".

A blush coats his cheeks and he puts his hand over it as if that would hide it somehow, he glares at the ground "Yea well...that was when I thought she actually wanted to be my friend..."

Becky blinks in confusion "what do you mean? Anya has been trying to be friends with you since the first day of school. Though I don't know why she would since you're a big pain in the butt".

He sneers at the girl before him "The feeling is mutual Blackbell, and I mean...she only wants to be friends with me because I'm a Desmond, just like everyone else..."

Becky looks thoughtful for a moment "she did tell me that she might have said something stupid to you...she looked genuinely upset about it...she was worried that you had changed your mind about being friends with her. What did she say exactly?"

"Sh-she tried to invite herself over to my house and then she said that it was because friends go to each other's houses to play and to introduce each other's parents and stuff...she then randomly said something about world peace. It was clear she only cared about introducing our parents and about the Desmond name. I had really hoped that...that she was different...Gah! Why am I even telling you all this!?" he puts his clenched fists to his face, trying to hide his red face.

"Do you really think Anya is that kind of person, Desmond? I get what you're saying, but can you honestly stand there and say that Anya isn't genuine about being friends with you? Sure, she can be a little socially weird at times, but she's had a completely different upbringing than us, honestly, I don't see a problem with what she said, It sounds like she was just really excited and had gotten a bit overboard, you're probably just reading too much into things" Becky says resolutely.

He thinks back to the times he has spent with Anya so far, of her bravery and how supportive she was on the bus, and how bright her eyes seemed to shine and sparkle whenever she spoke excitedly about something to him as if she really enjoyed talking to him.

~Flashback~

"You were super cool too Sy-on boy!" she says to him with a smile, as they stand there waiting for their parents. Her eyes then sparkle like emeralds as she excitedly leans into him with the brightest smile on her face "When you asked them to put my bomb collar on you instead? That was such a hero move!" she exclaimed in excited awe, her eyes were so pretty causing his entire face to flush, she was just too adorable sometimes, not that he would ever admit that out loud.

~Flashback ends~

A blush worsens his already red face, did he really think Anya was that kind of person? that she was capable of being like that? could Blackbell be right? was he reading too much into it? "I-I don't know...I think I need some time...I want to believe that she...isn't like that...but-"

"But you have been hurt before right? I get it. Just don't take too long Desmond she's already worrying, besides you should at least get to know her better before casting your judgment on her!" she says confidently. He was about to say something else when the school's speakers sounded above them.

"Anya Forger, please make your way to the housemaster's office, Anya Forger, please make your way to the housemaster's office, thank you," says the woman through the speakers.

"Uh-oh...she's probably still asleep. I should try to wake her up again" Blackbell says looking up at the nearest speaker, her eyes fell back on him and she purses her lips "Listen Desmond, for what it's worth, I think she genuinely likes you...that's my opinion anyway" she shrugs "anyways you better get to your lackeys, they are probably looking for you by now, see you" she then opens the door to the classroom and goes back in, leaving him behind with his thoughts and the notes that, in the end, he wasn't able to give to Anya.

"Gahhh!" he messes his hair in frustration "Stupid Blackbell, stupid Stubby legs" he grumbles quietly to himself, before another image of Anya's smiling angelic face flashes in his mind. His heart begins to feel weird again, as is sometimes the case when it comes to Forger, he clutches his chest out of habit.

He had to admit that maybe Blackbell was right...he barely knew Anya compared to her and he never actually tried to properly get to know her...all he knew about her is that she's a commoner, she loves peanuts so much that it is somewhat scary, she apparently has a dog, her dad is a Psychiatrist, that she isn't good at studying, she hates mathematics and her grades suck.

He will never admit this to Blackbell out loud but...she was right.

Chapter Text

Anya's P.O.V

Anya yawns loudly, as Becky drags her by the hand towards the housemaster's office. Using her other hand, she tries to wipe the sleep from her eyes as she ponders why the housemaster would want to see her. She looks towards her best friend, she was acting a little weird so she lets her friend's thoughts through, too tired to defend against other people's thoughts anyway.

'Jeez that Desmond is such a tsundere, I would find it kind of cute if he wasn't such an arrogant jerk. But I guess I can understand where he is coming from...it's not like I'm much better at making friends either...I only have Anya. Plus I'm probably a lot worse than him...finding genuine friends can be tough in our society. The sooner that idiot sees what I see and realises that Anya isn't like that, the quicker Anya can stop worrying over it' she hears Becky think, a little confused and concerned for her friend's line of thoughts. Did she miss out on something? what's this about Sy-on boy?

"Are you okay Becky?" she asks, picking up her pace to walk by her friend's side instead of behind, trying to peer up at Becky's face. Her friend just blinks at her and then smiles warmly.

"Oh it's nothing Anya, I'm fine, just Desmond being annoying, the usual," she says confidently, snapping out of her thoughts about Sy-on boy "So do you have any idea what the housemaster wants with you?"

"Uhhh...Anya doesn't know...but Anya feels like she is forgetting about something" she ponders, her head tilted. As if on cue, just as they rounded the corner to the hall just outside of the housemaster's office, the familiar thoughts of a very determined papa makes her jolt slightly.

'Just as I thought, Henderson is hesitant about pairing Anya with Damian, I have to convince him that he is the best option to tutor Anya, I can't afford any more setbacks. I'll also have to have a chat about Anya's habit of falling asleep in class, I managed to make sure she didn't get another tonitrus bolt but I won't be able to use that excuse too many times. Perhaps I can ban her from watching Bondman for a week or two. She has to learn that actions come with consequences. She needs to study harder, the mission depends on it'.

It was all coming back to her now, 'That's right! Papa was meeting with the housemaster today! About tutoring with Sy-on boy!' she finally remembers, until suddenly something else that he had thought dawns on her, dread shocks her system 'No Bondman for weeks! Papa is a big meanie! I didn't mean to sleep, my eyes had really hurt and I had to close them. It's not my fault I fell asleep!' she continues forward wobbly in despair, just barely hearing Becky's concerns for her as they made it to the door.

'Poor Anya, she looks so worried and upset, I hope she's not in any trouble...I'll ask about it later though, I'm getting super hungry' Becky thinks before squeezing her hand and finally letting go.

"I'm sorry Anya, I'm going to go get something to eat now okay? I'm sure everything will be fine, let me know how it goes later okay?" Becky says with a soft reassuring smile before heading off back towards the cafeteria.

Sighing, she looks up at the door with a pout, ignoring papa's thoughts on strategies to persuade the housemaster about Sy-on boy. She knocks then nervously opens and peeks through the door, Papa and Mr Henderson were in the middle of a conversation, but they stop talking in favour of looking towards her.

"Ah yes, glad that you are awake to make it Miss Forger, I was informed that you had slept in class again, though your father has just explained to me that you were up studying late last night, though it is very elegant to see you take more effort in your studies, it does not excuse you for sleeping in class. Make sure to organise your time better Miss Forger, now come take a seat next to your father" Mr Henderson says in his elegant yet professional voice.

Nervously making eye contact with papa, she sweats under his poised smile, but it didn't show in his eyes, papa is unhappy with her, she can tell. She gulps as she sat on the couch beside him, kicking her legs as she waits for the adults to start talking again, it didn't take long.

"Your father and I were just discussing your grades Miss Forger. Your father has come to me to express his concerns and I am inclined to agree with him. He explains that you may require some extra help with your studies, and as I told your father, we do have some services that we can provide for you. We can offer to tutor those who wish to improve their academics in certain subjects. Previously only the imperial scholars are offered the opportunity to tutor younger students, however this year we have decided that as long as the student was performing well enough, and is in the top three of their classes, then imperial scholar or not, we can offer them extra credit to tutor their peers during after school hours. Would this interest you Miss Forger?" Mr Henderson explains and asks professionally.

"You mean Anya will have to stay at school longer??" she asks with an unimpressed grimace, she doesn't like the sound of staying at school longer than she has to. However, papa's mission is counting on this!

"Well..yes, however, it doesn't have to be in the school building per se, as long as it is on campus grounds and is somewhere safe, you and your tutor can choose where to study freely. The dorm's common room may be available also" Mr Henderson reassures.

"Hm...then I guess Anya will be okay with that," she says nonchalantly, causing her papa to sigh in tired relief.

"Anya, we are being serious here, please take this more seriously," Papa says trying to hold back a chastising tone.

"Well Mr Forger, with Anya seeming to be willing to participate, we can go back to what we were discussing about the choice of tutor. Might I remind you, that we have many other well-versed students in the tutoring program? I understand that it is your wish that the young Desmond be the one to tutor your daughter, however, I cannot recommend it. Normally it would make sense to choose him, considering they are in the same class and Damian is a prodigy quite similar to his older brother. However, considering the well...less than stellar relationship between him and your daughter, then it may not be wise to pair them together, I fear that it may cause more harm than good in their case. Perhaps Miss Blackbell may be a more wise choice for Anya. Miss Blackbell is also in the tutoring program, and your daughter may feel more comfortable with someone she gets along with, Miss Blackbell is a responsible girl Mr Forger and the students she has tutored so far have had nothing but nice things to report about her" she listens to Mr Henderson explain to her papa.

'Damn it, I can't afford to seem too pushy about wanting Damian as Anya's tutor, it runs the risk of seeming suspicious. So what can I say to convince the housemaster that Damian is the best candidate?' papa thinks and she could practically see the wheels turning in his blue eyes.

"Sy-on boy and Anya are friends now!" she blurts out suddenly without thinking, she blushes slightly but tries to continue despite not knowing whether their being friends is true or not. Papa and Mr Henderson look down at her in surprise.

"Oh? and when did this happen Miss Forger?" Mr Henderson asks with a smile, however, she could tell from his thoughts that he was still sceptical.

"After the bus thing...we talked...and he said sorry for being mean to me...he said that we are friends now...he hasn't been as mean anymore...it's only his friends that are the meanies now" she explains, stating the truth.

"Hmm I suppose you and Desmond haven't been quarrelling as much as before...if this is true then it would be a very elegant thing for the two of you to finally set aside your differences," Mr Henderson says in a somewhat hopeful tone.

"Anya? is this true?" Papa asks still seeming to be taken by surprise.

"Mhm..." she nods determinedly.

"Well if what my daughter says is true, then maybe it will be okay for them to study together after all, I must admit I was worried about how they would interact with each other, nevertheless I wanted someone who would not go easy on Anya, someone I know who would challenge Anya...tutor her properly. She needs to have someone that can motivate her to be better...As lovely of a girl as Miss Blackbell is, she is still Anya's close friend, I fear that if they are paired together then hardly any studying will get done at all, no matter how responsible Miss Blackbell may be, when those two are together who knows what mischief they could get up to" Papa tries to subtly persuade.

"Hmmm, yes when you put it like that I suppose you are right...very well then, I will discuss this with the young Desmond before the end of the school day. Miss Forger, please stay back after school today, I will have Damian meet you in the Library" Mr Henderson explains.

Papa suddenly sighs in relief, and visibly relaxes "thank you very much for all your help, Mr Henderson, I am truly grateful".

Mr Henderson chuckles slightly "It's alright Mr Forger, it is only natural for a parent to try to do what is best for their children after all, well now that we have finished this discussion, you are free to go now Mr Forger, and you too Miss forger, you are free to enjoy the rest of your lunch break...remember to meet Damian in the library after school, okay? I will be coming in to check on the two of you" Mr Henderson says as he stands up from his desk, and then escorts them to the door.

Getting up and tailing behind her papa they make their way out of the room and were now in the quiet hallway, the door shutting behind them. She looks up at papa tentatively, he sighs in relief again and then smiles down at her, softer this time before speaking up again.

"Anya, you have to promise me you will stop falling asleep in class," he says as they begin walking towards the cafeteria where Becky was probably waiting for her, papa continues speaking "you get plenty of sleep at home, so there shouldn't be any reason as to why you would need to...unless..is there something going on Anya? Are you not sleeping well? I know you tell me that you're fine, but you had just gone through something very traumatic a few weeks ago...so if anything about that day is hindering you, please tell me and we can figure things out together" papa says with his caring smile. However his thoughts, although concerned for her, were once again brought back to papa's mission.

'I need to get her sleeping-in-class habit under control before it really starts affecting the mission, it's no wonder she hasn't made much progress lately. If it's a mental health issue and it's affecting her sleep, then maybe I really should get her to see a psychologist, I have met many as Loid Forger that could do it. Perhaps I should also keep a closer eye on how she sleeps...nevertheless...she can't go unpunished this time' she gulps after hearing papa's thoughts and braces herself as they walk.

"Anya, regardless of the reason, I have been told that this has been a recurring problem and unfortunately, you will have to be punished this time, you need to take responsibility for your actions. So no bondman for two weeks, do you understand?" papa says more firmly.

"Yes, papa" she whimpers defeatedly and sags looking down at her shoes. After a few more minutes of walking they finally reach the big door of the cafeteria room, they stop just outside. suddenly, she could feel her papa's hand pat her head reassuringly.

"Enjoy the rest of your day Anya, and remember, with a pinch of salt," papa says with a wink "I'll pick you up after your session with Damian, now go in and have some food I'm sure Becky is waiting for you," he says with a smile before turning to leave and makes his way to the Academies front entrance.

She watches him go with a pout and weakly kicks the bottom of the door with her foot "Papa's a meanie..." she says, not being able that she will have to go a whole two weeks without Bondman.

Life is so unfair.

. . .

Damian's P.O.V

He purses his lips as he makes his way towards the Library, the rest of the school day had gone mostly uneventful other than his conversation with Blackbell and a surprise visit to the housemaster's office. As Becky had predicted, Emile and Ewen were getting antsy about his whereabouts, though he can count himself lucky that they had decided to wait for him in the cafeteria, he would just die if they had heard his and Blackbell's conversation. Either way, they believed the lie he fed them, those two would believe anything he says, he wasn't sure if it was annoying or flattering.

At some point during lunch, when he was sitting down in the courtyard with his friends, he could have sworn he saw Anya through the window. She was making her way through the hall that lead to the cafeteria with Loid Forger, her father. Ewen and Emile seemed to be convinced that she was called into the housemaster's office because of her sleeping in class again, he wasn't so sure about that though. Whatever it was about, it must have been important if her father was there also.

Finally, he halts just outside of the library, pulling out of his thoughts lest he walks right into the door, Desmond's must never disgrace themselves like that. He is reminded of his current predicament, he has a new student to tutor. He had been hoping to get some extra studying done in his dorm today and read the new volume of Bondman, a secret obsession of his...even Ewen and Emile don't even know...he is too worried about his reputation to be caught liking something that their society would see as childish, even though Bondman was far from childish..it was awesome in his opinion.

With a sigh, he opens the library door and makes his way inside, it was nice, quiet and very empty, just how he likes it. However, he knows it's not completely devoid of life, considering he was meeting the student he was supposed to be tutoring here. He looks around the Library, quickly spotting the librarian sorting books on one of the bookshelves. Still no sign of the student he was supposed to tutor...

'Tsk...this student better have a good reason to make me, Damian Desmond wait!' he thinks to himself as he scours the library until finally, a flash of pink catches his eye from a secluded space behind one of the bookshelves. He makes his way over, rounding the corner only to come to a complete stop, his eyes widening to find a sleeping Anya Forger at one of the more secluded study tables. Her cheek is pressed against her notebook and soft snores are escaping her, just barely audible. His heart suddenly feels weird again...he clutches at his chest as he feels his face flush for the thousandth time today.

Suddenly, getting offered a stella star to tutor a student made a lot more sense now, especially when that student was the girl that had been plaguing his mind so much lately, the very girl that he wasn't sure he was ready to face just yet.

Why? why him? and why did it have to be Anya Forger!?

Chapter Text

With his heart still leaping in his chest, he nervously makes his way closer to the sleeping commoner before him, her soft snores gradually getting a little louder. He couldn't believe he was in this situation right now, they could have chosen anyone to tutor her, an imperial scholar even! Yet here he was, trying to gain the courage to wake the commoner up after failing miserably at giving her his notes...Plus, after his conversation with Blackbell, it felt plain awkward to even attempt to talk to her again...he hasn't had enough time! He still had no idea how to feel about her!

"Ahem!" he sounds, trying to stir the slumbering Anya. However, there was no reaction whatsoever, with a quiet groan of frustration he tries again a bit louder "Ahem!!" no reaction. Pursing his lips nervously, he begins to prod at her shoulder, just like he saw Blackbell do that morning.

"Hey! Stubby legs, wake up!" he hisses as quietly as he could in the library, school may be over but the rules of silence still apply even outside of school hours. This time, Anya stirs a little before making herself comfortable again, continuing her slumber.

'Grr is this girl able to sleep through anything!? Just wake up already Forger! Stupid Uggo!' he thinks to himself as he shakes her shoulder more firmly. Suddenly, with a startled gasp, Anya shoots right up in her chair, making him retreat a step at the suddenness of it. He watches on with his heart in his throat, as he watches her look around in tired confusion, her eyes sparkling from the moisture of having just woken up, it made them shinier and more adorable than ever... ‘too cute..' he suddenly thinks his heart lurching again as she began to glow like an angel in his eyes. He watches on in his ridiculous stupor as she innocently tries to wipe the sleep from her face.

'I have to get a grip and fast! It's just stubby legs, there is absolutely nothing to get worked up over!' he further thinks to himself as he tries to get himself back to normal, preferably before she fully notices his presence near her. Unfortunately for him, luck was still not on his side today. Anya suddenly looks up at him, her tired eyes blinking at him. He could feel his cheeks warm up slightly as she became more aware, they say and do nothing but stare awkwardly at each other for a little while, until finally, she speaks up, breaking the silence.

"Sy-on boy, you made it, I been waiting for you," she says with a somewhat sheepish smile, as she begins to twiddle her thumbs nervously.

"W-wait what? You mean you knew that I was tutoring you??" he asks still recovering from his earlier lapse in mental fortitude. Suddenly, annoyance easily replaces his earlier inner turmoil "W-why didn't you say anything to me earlier Forger! " he suddenly shouts out a little too loudly, causing him to earn a warning glare from the librarian, he ignores it "If you knew that I was going to be tutoring you today, then why didn't you say anything to me! I could have had more time to prepare!" he hisses a bit more quietly.

She blinks at him in surprise and mild confusion "Huh? Anya thought Sy-on boy knew? Mr Henderson said that he would tell you" she says to him with a slight pout.

"I...I mean he said-he had said that I had a new student to tutor but he didn't tell me who...tsk, no wonder he practically offered me a Stella just to tutor someone, especially if it's you Forger" he smirks, feeling his usual sense of superiority. Clearly, Mr Henderson felt that the only person smart enough in their grade to tutor Anya was him, and since Anya's grades are so poor, it would be like performing a miracle if he manages to actually help her. Getting offered that stella star was making more and more sense by the minute, was this a test of his mental endurance?

"Practically offered a stella star Mr Desmond? I think not! Clearly you need a refresher on our earlier conversation" a familiar voice suddenly comes from behind him. Both he and Anya look up to find Mr Henderson a few meters away from them, by the opposite side of the eight seater table, his eyes were narrowed at him in disappointment.

"W-wait, what do you mean Mr Henderson? You said that-" he was suddenly cut off.

"I had said that if you are successful with tutoring Miss Forger and that if she continues to show signs of improvement, that I would think about rewarding you with a stella star. She will still have to pass her tests and exams too...I would never just simply give out Stella stars to students just because they tutored them...whether you get one or not entirely depends on the results of Anya's acadamic improvements" Mr Henderson explains with a stern expression.

He gulps as dread consumes him...he then looks towards Anya with a hard stare, 'how the hell am I going to make this commoner smarter when she's so...so...' suddenly, as if daring him to complete his thought, Anya whips her sights on him, staring right back at him, once again it felt like she could see right into him.

"Tsk...Hey Forger! You better take our sessions seriously you hear me! And that means no sleeping on the job got it!?" he says finally finding his voice again.

Anya blinks at him for a moment and then smiles broadly "hehe Anya will do her best! I promise Sy-on boy!" she says enthusiastically.

"Quieter you two, remember that this is a library. Well then if we are now on the same page, you two can count this as your first session, and Miss Forger I have instructed your father to pick you up at 4:30pm. That should leave you two one hour to study and discuss things amongst yourselves today, as it will be for every school day going forward. I will be back to check on you two later, study hard Miss Forger" Mr Henderson says before turning and leaving their sights, once again leaving him with Forger...

This was really happening wasn't it? Every day for an hour he has to hang out with Forger...Blackbell's words suddenly enter his mind again.

~Flashback~

"You have been hurt before right? I get it. Just don't take too long Desmond she's already worrying, besides you should at least get to know her better before before casting your judgment on her!"

~Flashback ends~

He locks eyes with an abnormally quiet Anya. She didn't look all that worried to him...but then again, he doesn't exactly know her as well as Blackbell does...so maybe stubby legs is just good at hiding it? In a way, now that he thinks about it, these study sessions will be a good opportunity to get to know Forger better and even though he didn't exactly prepare for todays session, he at least will finally be able to give her the notes that he had written for her in mathematics class.

"Ahem!" he clears his throat "Well...let's start by getting your textbooks and notebooks out..and stuff" he finally manages to say, already hating how stupidly awkward he sounded.

"Anya already has her books out though" Anya says as if he was stupid.

He was going to retort back but after looking down at the table awkwardly, he inwardly berates himself for forgetting, he was suddenly feeling very stupid. With his cheeks red in embarrassment, he takes a seat near hers on the corner side of the table, trying to reign in his frustration.

"W-Whatever. Let's just get started. For today we will just go over what we learnt in mathematics for now...you know the class you slept through moron" he all but sneers. He knows that if he wants to get to know stubby legs better he should probably try to be nicer but...he always ends up saying something mean or sounding harsh, it's practically his default when dealing with Forger or anyone really.

"Hmph! Why do we have to do maths? I hate maths...and there is no need to be super mean about it! Anya was just super sore and sleepy" she pouts in annoyance, as she reluctantly opens her maths textbook.

He deadpans "I just told you why moron, and the reason why you slept doesn't matter. If you hadn't slept in class we might not have needed to go over it now, so just deal with it" he then sighs as he peeks down towards the notes in his bag.

Pursing his lips, he opens up his bag to grab the notes that he wrote for her before he loses his nerve, he gulps as he felt Anya's curious gaze on him. Finally with a deep breath, he yanks them out and then all but shoves the papers in her face, a tinge of pink coating his cheeks again.

"We will start with something easy then, so here take these...they're the notes that the teacher wrote on the board today, copy them into your notebook or whatever" he finally offers, his heart pounding, he couldn't bring himself to meet those green eyes that looked at the papers in his hands in surprise.

"You ripped out your notes from your notebook? But why? You could have just opened your book up and I could have copied from there..." Anya innocently asks, clearly unaware that he had actually written the notes twice just so he could give her a copy, as if he would admit that to her though. Suddenly, he watches as Anya's eyes look towards him and widens slightly in surprise.

"Wh-whatever, just stop gawking and take them Forger it's fine, I don't need these notes anyway, all that stuff is child's play for me" he says, his words coming out harsher than they were meant to be. He was half expecting her to retort something back at him like she usually does, but to his surprise, he was rewarded with one of her rarer smiles towards him...It was the soft heartwarming smile that causes her eyes to sparkle, once again she was glowing and he found himself entranced.

"Thank you so much Sy-on boy" Anya says somewhat softly and he resists the urge to clench at his chest.

'Why does she have so much affect on me! This low-class commoner! How can I clearly figure out how to think about her when I'm thwarted with all these attacks...she is either seriously good at acting or she is...' Blackbell’s voice suddenly returns to him again.

~Flashback~

"Do you really think Anya is that kind of person, Desmond? I get what you're saying, but can you honestly stand there and say that Anya isn't genuine about being friends with you? Sure, she can be a little socially weird at times, but she's had a completely different upbringing than us, honestly, I don't see a problem with what she said, It sounds like she was just really excited and had gotten a bit overboard, you're probably just reading too much into this".

"Listen Desmond, for what it's worth, I think she genuinely likes you...that's my opinion anyway".

~Flashback ends~

'Ugh! Blackbell isn't even here and she still manages to be a pest...but even so..' he thinks as he watches Anya go through her pencil case. He finds himself sitting there awkwardly for a little while, until Anya suddenly brings out a pencil that catches his eye. Surprise runs through him as he spots the Spy Wars-themed pencil, could she like Spy Wars too? If that's the case, then that would mean that they actually have something in common, what should he do? should he say something? This would be the best opportunity to-

"Hm? Does Sy-on boy like Anya's pencil?" Anya suddenly asks him, snapping him out of it. Once again pink tinges his cheeks as he meets her curious and seemingly amused gaze.

"Uh-I...what makes you think I'm interested in anything you own Forger, anything you own is probably just all cheap commoners stuff" he snarks, acting as if a part of him hadn't been desperately tempted to out himself as a Spy Wars fan. Ewen and Emile didn't even know, so why would he tell Stubby legs anything.

"Then if it's not the pencil..." Anya ponders for a bit, lightly tapping the themed pencil on her cheek. He watches on in dread as the realisation began to shine in her eyes, it would have been kind of cute if that irritating smirk didnt find it’s way back onto her face "if it's not the pencil then...does this mean Sy-on boy likes Spy Wars??"

He might actually combust, due to the stupid amount of times he had flushed already today.

"I..." his words were suddenly stuck in his throat, does he tell her? Does he act like he doesn't care like he always does? He wars with himself in utter silence for a moment, until finally, that lonely part of himself -that desperately wanted to have someone to talk to about his favourite show- claimed victorious...this was his chance...he really wants to have someone to talk to about this stuff..and Stubby legs, if she liked Spy Wars too then...that means she won't judge him, right?

"Tsk..so...so what if I do?" he says awkwardly, not wanting to meet her gaze. However, when he hears her gasp he just couldn't help himself. The very moment that their eyes made contact his heart lurches, once again Anya had that sparkly and excited expression on her face, just like the one she had after the hijacking.

"No way, so cool! That's Anya's favourite show! Did you watch the most recent episode yet Sy-on boy?!" Anya suddenly shouts a bit too loudly, causing the Librarian to 'shush' her.

He suddenly finds himself thrumming with a weird energy, it was somewhat familiar and yet foreign at the same time...he was excited. The temptation to be swept up in Anya's excitement about Spy Wars was coursing through his veins, but he mustn't...he is a Desmond! Anya's eyes somehow brightened even more and then suddenly something in him broke, he couldn't take it anymore, the words escaped him before he could even think.

"I-I did...the one where he had to choose between disarming a bomb to save the hostages or to go after Princess Honey, right?" he says, surprising himself with how easy it was.

Anya nods enthusiastically at him her fists clenched to the front of her chest as she leans towards him "hehe yeah that one! I can't believe they left it on a cliffhanger like that! Like what about princess honey?" Anya fangirls a bit more quietly to him. Normally, he would find Anya's and Blackbell's fangirling annoying, but for some reason this time he finds himself being sucked in.

"What do you mean? Bondman is clearly going to go after her, she is his love interest in the plot after all. It will probably reveal that he put a tracker on the bad guys or something...well that's what I predict will happen anyway" he shrugs with ease, a feeling of relaxed contentment taking over his previous nerves.

"Hmm...that's true, Bondman always has a plan for everything after all, I wouldn't be surprised if your pre-dict-ion comes true Sy-on boy" she agrees with him with her cute bad habit of mispronouncing words.

Isn't that weird? Anya and himself agreeing on something for once? Talking to each other as if they were...Suddenly, as if realising this at same time, they just stare at each other awkwardly for a moment before looking away from each other.

"So uhh...have you read the comic's" he surprises himself again by breaking the silence first, with a weird sense of anticipation.

"The comic's? I haven't, I've only ever watched Spy Wars on T.V" Anya answers honestly.

He blinks in surprise, with how much of a fan she seems to be, he was surprised she hadn't read them yet "wait seriously!? you haven't?! Tsk, how can you call yourself a true Spy Wars fan if you haven't even read the comic's! The show skips at least 30% of the comics plot, by only watching the show you're missing out on some really good scenes!"

To his amusement Anya seems genuinely shocked by this, did she really not know? is this commoner that poor that she can't even afford to buy comic's? As if sensing his thoughts Anya pouts and looks away from him, seemingly embarrassed. Suddenly, an idea for their study sessions begins to turn itself over in his mind...an idea that could help motivate Forger and benefit himself as well. However, deep down a part of him is still hesitant about Forger, about getting too close to her, to be seen chatting away like this with her, a commoner...and yet...

"Ahem, y-you know Forger, I have the Spy Wars comic collection, I have all the comics,  even the newest release. I-if you manage to complete all the work in our study sessions...I might even maybe uh..let you borrow them...y-you know as in like..a reward or something. You have to give each volume back at the start of every session though and they better be in the same condition as when I gave them to you, got it! I'm not giving them to you for keeps, their mine!" he finally manages to explain, trying to keep up his usual arrogance.

However, in the end he was unable to stop himself from getting flustered. He never thought that he would see the day that he would offer to show his spy comic's to anyone. Let alone offer them to the commoner that everyone seems to think he hates, when in reality, he doesn’t. That is...he doesnt think he does anyway...

Anya's eyes practically shone like the sun "Sy-on boy...you..." but then suddenly her eyes began to look puzzled.

"I...what?? Why are you looking at me like that?" he asks in confusion, feeling awkward under her gaze.

"Does...this mean...that Sy-on boy really is Anya's friend?? I was worried...that I might have hurt Sy-on boys feelings somehow..and thought that Sy-on boy didn't want to be friends anymore..." Anya says her gaze turning solemn and worried.

'So she really was worried after all...Blackbell was right again, tsk' he thinks to himself and then sighs heavily, he had no idea how to answer her...he wants to believe her...but he has to be sure...

"Hey stubby legs...I'll give you your answer...if you answer one question for me, got it?"

"Okay Anya can answer your question? What is it?" Anya accepts with a hopeful smile, causing his heart to lurch again.

"Why?? Why do you want to be friends with me?" he asks seriously, trying to get his emotions under control. He had asked many other kids-that had also tried to befriend him- this question before...and they had all let him down, he shouldn't get his hopes up too high.

With his new resolve set in stone, he will finally decide on how to feel about Anya once and for all. All Stubby legs has to do, is give him an answer that won't disappoint him...

~To be Continued~

Chapter Text

Anya's P.O.V

"Why? Why do you want to be friends with me?" Damian asks, his tone and expression catching her off guard.

The reason why she wants to be friends with him was obvious, she needs to be for papa's mission, for world peace. However, the expression on Sy-on boy's face and his line of thoughts told her that she needs to choose her words very carefully. She manages to recover from her shock, however, that sickening feeling began to re-emerge in her stomach, she felt bad for Sy-on boy.

Honestly, she has no idea how to answer his question and yet she has to think of something and fast. So she decides to throw away any thoughts of papa's mission and began to ponder how she felt about him as a person, as if he wasn't her target.

Can't she just do both? can't she be Sy-on boy's friend and still help papa? but it would be wrong, wouldn't it? Can she be a true friend to Damian Desmond, her target? Suddenly, she knew what to say, Sy-on boy wants someone that will be honest with him...and although she can't tell him everything, she will at least be honest about what she thinks of him.

"Damian, you are an arrogant meanie, a big bully, annoying, and you can be very confusing, one minute you can be nice but then you become mean again" Sy-on boy looked like he was going to be angry at her, so she quickly covers his mouth with her hand and continues "but even though that is true Sy-on boy...Anya can tell that you are a kind person, like when you lost at old maid for me, then that time when I couldn't find a clover, you gave me yours...and when you held my hand when I was scared..." she suddenly tries to shake off the shyness that suddenly plagued her and looks back up into his widening eyes.

"You also have heaps of cool hero moves! Like when you saved Anya in dodgeball and when you tried to help Anya during the bus thing! I really like this side of Sy-on boy, the nice Sy-on boy...and I wanna be friends with him and get to know him better. We may fight a lot...but...instead of hating you for it, for some reason Anya thinks it's kind of fun! I like that you challenge me, even if you can get annoying at times. Knowing that you like Spy Wars is a big plus too! I can't talk to Becky about Spy Wars much...she is too obsessed with romance to want to talk about action and spy shows" she finally finishes, realising in mortification that she had rambled on. To her surprise though, she realises that despite everything, she really did mean everything that she just said.

She locks her eyes with Sy-on again, who was standing eerily still. His hazel eyes were wide in shock and his face and neck were red, but at least he didn't look angry anymore...so she finally removes her hand from his mouth. She finds herself looking away from his seemingly stunned face "sorry, Anya shouldn't have covered your mouth like that, but...I just wanted to finish what I was saying...so uhh..the-there Sy-on boy has Anya's answer now!" she says determinedly, she just hopes that she didn't just ruin papa's mission forever.

Sy-on boy just continued to stand there, not moving nor speaking. He just looked at her with those big, droopy wide eyes, she couldn't tell what he was thinking right now, not without using her ability. Anxious for answers,  she delves into his mind, she needed to know that she didn't just ruin everything. However, to her surprise, his mind was completely blank, which was very concerning since Sy-on boy's thoughts were usually very loud.

"Damian?" she beseeches in nervous concern, opting to use his actual name to get a reaction out of him, the only sign that he had heard her was the subtle twitch of his left shoulder. She instantly regrets it though, because almost instantly his thoughts came at her like a giant wave.

'What?...How?...How am I supposed to respond to something like that!? Oh no! She looks worried, I need to say something, anything!' she listens and watches patiently as Sy-on's lips move up and down slightly, only to see him bite down onto his lower lip instead, his eyes were becoming slightly watery, 'thank goodness..thank goodness that she isn't like the rest of them, I'm such an idiot for doubting her...but what do I do now? She's still a commoner...if my father and brother find out that I've befriended one they will...I don't even know what they would do...and what of Emile and Ewen? They think I hate her guts and are just as phobic towards commoners as my brother is...at least mother likes her though...not that dad would ever listen to her opinion on the matter...'.

Despite knowing that she probably shouldn't take Sy-on's spiralling thoughts too personally, she pulls out of his thoughts and she couldn't help but be a little hurt by them anyway. It must have shown on her face because suddenly he speaks up.

"No wait! I-it's not what your thinking!" Sy-on boy all but chokes out, his face still flushed.

"Then what is it Sy-on boy? If you don't want to be my friend just say so" she says with a pout, despite knowing exactly why he is being like this...kind of, not that she could ever tell him that.

"I'm telling you it's not like that!-" suddenly someone's shadow was cast over them, causing Sy-on boy to stop and look up alongside her, it was a very furious-looking librarian.

"That's it you two, take your so-called study session elsewhere right now! This is a library, not a circus!" she says hissing furiously as she points towards the library exit. With a gulp and an awkward glance towards each other, she suddenly finds herself packing up her things and then follows Sy-on boy towards the door.

So much for having their study session in the library...

. . .

Damian's P.O.V

The world around him seemed quieter than usual as he walks side by side with Anya Forger, the very girl that had just blown his mind. Even though he had resolved to make his decision about her after she gave her answer, he didn't expect or wasn't prepared for the answer that he had been given, it blew past any sort of expectations-good or bad- that he had. Leading him to fall back into the terrible habit that he has always had, overthinking, and because of that he undoubtedly caused a misunderstanding to form between them. Now he thinks that Anya seems to have taken his silence as a rejection, however, that wasn't the case at all.

'Tsk that Librarian couldn't have came at the worst time!' he thinks to himself, as they awkwardly make their way closer to the now-empty school courtyard. They make their way to one of the outdoor tables, it was the same table that he and his friends Ewen and Emile often eat at. He could just imagine what his friends would do if they saw Anya sitting at their table...with him, they would probably try to force her to leave and assume she was there uninvited.

'Anya...how can I explain to you that I do want to be friends but don't want anyone to know that we are? You're such an honest and open person... I accept that now and I could tell that you truly meant what you just said. In saying that though, I really can't see you accepting to keep our friendship quiet...you are much braver than I am...tsk'.

Suddenly, a shiver runs through him as he could feel Anya's eyes on him from behind as they finally made it to the table. When they finally got their things set up, he finally wills himself to meet her gaze to say something. However, Anya beats him to it, her words making his heart clench painfully, causing his sense of guilt to make him a little nauseous.

"Is it because I'm a commoner Sy-on boy? Do you and your friends hate commoners that much?" she asks him earnestly, her eyes sparkling, but not in the way that he liked.

She almost looked guilty...but why would she feel the need to feel guilty? He is the one that is about to tell her that he can only be friends with her in secret, because of that exact reason...he hates having the pressure of his family name at times like these. A name and reputation that he must not disgrace or tarnish in any way, but he couldn't expect a commoner to understand that. He takes a deep breath, and finally releases the words that had built up in his throat.

"It's...It's not what you think Forger, well I mean..maybe a little bit..." he shakes off his fumbling nonsense and then looks her dead in the eyes, he had to make her understand "It's not that I don't want to be friends with you Forger, I-I do...want to be f-f-friends...with you" he takes a deep nervous breath.

"It's just, not as easy as you think it is...us being friends" he watches as Anya blinks blankly at him, and then does that adorable tilt of the head that she does.

"What's so hard about becoming friends with me?" Anya asks innocently, free from the burden that he has to carry.

"How much do you know about high-class society?" he asks seriously, and by just looking at the blinking before him, he knew she barely knew anything. He was about to speak up again when Anya suddenly speaks up first, surprising him.

"I only know a little from Becky, I know that...you all have stricter parents...that all of your parents expect a lot from you...and that, some students of the higher class don't have close relationships with their parents...I learnt that last one from you" Anya then purses her lips as if she was pondering something.

"It must be very lonely, Sy-on boy..."Anya says softly, and once again she began to glow as she sent a sad, knowing and understanding smile his way. His heart summersaults, as he remembers what he had said to her after the bus hijacking, and he immediately flushes.

"Ahem! Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that we aristocrats have strict rules we must follow, and my family well...other than my mother, the rest of my family doesn't take too kindly to commoners, and though I don't particularly have a problem with you being a commoner myself, it may uhh...not be the same for the rest of my family and friends..as a Desmond, I have a strict reputation to uphold...it has been drilled into me since I was 3...so uh..." he suddenly finds himself fumbling to finish his sentence but suddenly, to his shock Anya finishes it for him.

"You...want our friendship to be a secret?" she says solemnly...his heart aches at the sad disappointed smile that she gives him, it was as if she could read his mind at times, but this was no fantasy or science fiction movie.

He gulps trying to hold his ground "If we want to be friends...then it will have to be, at least until I know it is safe to tell everyone..." he watches as Anya bites her bottom lip.

"I guess, we can try to see it as being our little secret then...something that is just between us...right?" Anya says with a slightly brighter smile than before, a look of understanding shining in her eyes. He had worried that Anya would kick up a fuss about it, but it seems that he had underestimated Forger, again. Turns out that Anya can indeed hold a serious conversation, which is a little surprising, considering how she usually is in school.

"Y-yeah, I guess we could...so uh...if your really okay with those terms then" he looks into those green eyes that stared back at him "then I guess this makes us friends then," he says, a small shy smile trying to make its way onto his face as his heart skyrocketed.

The excitement began to bubble its way back up after such an awkward and sombre talk, there was no going back on his word now. He was officially friends with Anya Forger, and he's a lot happier about that prospect than he ever thought he would be.

For the first time ever, they share their first genuine smiles...as friends.

. . .

Since their talk had taken up a lot of their session time, the most that they thought they could do in that time was have Anya copy down his notes. Which was what they were supposed to start on a while ago before they got distracted. He couldn't believe the number of discoveries he had made today about Forger, it was as Blackbell had said, until now he hadn't tried to get to know her.

'Tsk, why do I suddenly feel indebted to Blackbell all of a sudden? What a pain...' he sighs, as he looks up from the book that he had decided to read as Anya read and copied down his notes.

He narrows his eyes as he takes in the sight of Anya studying his notes, it was the first time he has ever seen her study and work up close, he was always either behind her or at a different table, except for art class, but that class doesn't count. She seems to be a very slow reader and writer, so far it has taken her almost 20 minutes to get one full page out of three done, and he had prided himself on being a pretty neat writer for their age, unlike Anya's whose was the complete opposite. It shouldn't be taking her this long, and they only had maybe 10 minutes of their first session to go.

"Ugh...sorry Sy-on boy but Anya can't do this anymore, Anya is tired and sore...can we just stop now...Anya promises to finish it at home..."Anya suddenly groans out, her head plopping onto her notebook, seemingly already braindead when she had barely done anything. He could feel his annoyance spike, they may be friends now but that didn't mean he was going to go easy on her, he has a potential Stella Star riding on this.

"What do you mean you're tired!? You have barely done anything since we started! It's bad enough that we spent the first half of this session talking! And why are you so slow!? We have 10 minutes left of this session, at least finish the first page!" he couldn't help but exclaim, immediately settling back into his habit of getting angry at the commoner like he always has.

"B-but Sy-on boy..." Anya looks up at him, from her notebook, comical waterfalls fell from her eyes, but that only irked him more.

However this time he manages to hold it back, he should have known it was going to be like this, he knew that even with his IQ he would need a miracle when it came to Forger. He has to figure out a way to get her to at least finish the first page, he may need to use unconventional methods to tutor Anya, bribery for example.

"Look, if you manage to at least finish the first page and promise to do the rest of it at home, t-then...before you leave today...I'll lend you the first volume of Spy Wars...deal? and you better actually do it, I'll be checking it tomorrow." he haggles, feeling confident as Anya's eyes morphed from running waterfalls to sparkly emeralds in seconds.

'Maybe tutoring Anya won't be as hard as he thought...she can be very simple-minded...' he thinks to himself, only to flinch when he sees Forger deadpanning him.

"Wha-what? Why are you looking at me like that??" he snarks.

"Sy-on boy just thought of something mean didn't you" she continues deadpan.

"Wha-what!? What gives you that idea!?" he exclaims as he suddenly found himself sweating awkwardly.

"Sy-on boy tends to make a snobby face when he is up to no good or looks down on Anya" she retorts with a knowing smirk.

"Wha-" he finds himself blushing in embarrassment 'How is she so perceptive!? and what does she mean by snobby!?'

Suddenly, Anya begins to genuinely laugh at him "Haha! You should see your face right now, you're like a lobster!"

She then calms down and sighs "but fine Anya will try to finish the page" she assures, before finally resuming her work.

He pouts, partly annoyed and embarrassed about Anya calling him out, and yet he was glad that he finally managed to get her back on track. However, as he observed her more, concern began to edge its way in. The way she is almost nose-deep into his notes and periodically squints at the pages, before writing it down in her notebook in her messy penmanship. Her way of studying is weird...her face doesn't need to be so close to everything, and despite the seemingly little progress she has made, it looked like she was trying too hard at something that should be simple...

"Why do you study like that? it's weird" the words came out of him before he could even think.

Anya looks at him confused "Is it?? but this is the only way Anya can study.." she says with a pout, continuing with her task nevertheless.

A sudden memory pops into his head, a memory of his brother of all people. Now that he thinks about it, Anya's way of studying seems a little familiar, he may not see his brother much but they still go back to the Desmond manor almost every holiday. They are mainly left to their own devices and don't hang out much, the most they had done is study together. He remembers seeing his brother studying similarly to Anya...and then not too long after, mother had taken Demetrius out for a day for some reason. In every study session since that day, his brother had started wearing glasses...

Suddenly, a realisation hits him as he is pulled out of his thoughts, he looks carefully over Anya once more...the answer is suddenly obvious.

Could Anya need glasses!?

Chapter Text

Anya P.O.V

Anya was tired, and her eye's felt like they were burning after her session with Sy-on boy.

When Mr Henderson had finally found them in the courtyard, he had immediately scolded them for getting themselves kicked out of the library. He had said that it was inelegant to be so loud in a quiet space, neither she nor Sy-on boy had said a word, too embarrassed by their display even though no one but the librarian was watching.

In the end, she wasn't able to finish the page in time. However, to her surprise, Sy-on boy had told her that he will still lend her his Spy Wars volume since she at least got pretty close to finishing. Though his mind had told her that it was more than that....what exactly is an Opto-me-trust?? Why does Sy-on boy think that she needs to see one?

In fact, he seemed to be acting a little weird and kept on staring at her...as if he wanted to say something. She could have read his mind more if she wanted to, but she decided against it. Thus, didn't bother asking what was wrong before he left her at the front steps of the school, as she waited for her papa to pick her up. Sy-on boy had said that he was going to go get his volume of Spy Wars from his dorm room and had made her swear not to leave before he gets back.

She thinks back to their conversation from earlier, as she continues to wait for papa alone. Was she okay with being a 'secret' friend? No, she wasn't, in fact, she almost felt like punching him again. However, papa needs her to be friends with Sy-on boy for the mission, so she can't risk ruining their progress so soon. Plus, for reasons outside of papa's mission, she genuinely wants to be friends with him, though there are still times when she can't help but question why, feelings are confusing.

So even though Sy-on boys 'terms' had hurt her feelings, she must endure it for the mission, Sy-on boy's attitude was nothing new. However, how can she and papa get close to the evil boss when Sy-on boy doesn't want the boss to know they are friends? She looks towards the dormitory building, where Sy-on boy had run towards. He still wasn't back yet and papa will probably be here any minute now.

'Wonder what is taking Sy-on boy so long?' she thinks to herself, as she pouts in the building's direction.

Suddenly, just as Damian's figure emerges from the building, the familiar sound of a car horn gains her attention. Her father has parked right outside the school, though trying to look at things long distance made her eyes hurt even more today.

She gets up and gathers her bag, then jogs towards the front gate, watching as Damian tries to quicken his pace to meet up with her halfway, thankfully without his two lackeys. She can't help but wonder, how will Sy-on boy act around her during school now that they are secret friends? Sure they have to keep their friendship quiet, but surely this means Sy-on boy won't be as mean anymore right?? Maybe he will stop altogether? Or would that be too suspicious?

As Sy-on boy got closer, his thoughts encroached into her mind 'I wonder if she will still come to school tomorrow...Mr Henderson said that he will call the Forgers about it later...I might not get my comic back tomorrow after all...well as long as she doesn't ruin it and actually brings it back, I suppose that's fine...'

Sy-on boy's thoughts confused her again, why would Mr Henderson need to call mama and papa? Did he say something to Mr Henderson? Why wouldn't she come to school tomorrow? For someone who is supposed to be the smartest in their class, Sy-on boy seriously makes no sense sometimes.

Loid's P.O.V

He honks the car horn and then sticks his head out the window, he was about to call out to his daughter only to suddenly freeze at the sight of the Desmond boy talking to her animatedly.

'Is that the young Desmond? I suppose that I shouldn't be that surprised to see him since he is the one who tutored her today. It is just odd to see them interact so casually, he seems more relaxed around her now...perhaps I should have kept an eye on their session today after all...it would be good to make sure that the friendship scheme is benefiting from their time together...oh what is this? Did Desmond just give Anya something just now?' he ponders and analyses, watching as the two children seemingly say their goodbyes.

He watches in rapt curiosity, as Anya waves goodbye excitedly at the boy as she makes her way to the car. He glances towards the retreating form of his target's son, unlike his daughter, the boy didn't turn to look back at Anya. However, he did at least give his own half-hearted wave back, before sticking his hands back into his pockets as he made his way back up the steps to the dormitories.

When his daughter finally reaches the car, she opens the door and jumps into the backseat, seemingly full of energy. He winces as she all but slammed the door in her excitement.

"Anya, how many times do I have to tell you to be careful with the car doors." he half-heartedly scolds, much too curious as to why she seems to be in such a good mood, a vast improvement from the previous night.

"You looked like you had fun at school today, how did your first tutoring session go?" he asks, looking back and smiling at her through the car's rearview mirror as he drives back onto the road.

"It went good papa! Sy-on boy even let me borrow his Spy Wars comic book! Look see! He said it's the first Volume! Anya has only ever watched it on TV!" Anya says exuberantly, he didn't need to look away from the road to know the exact look on her face.

"That was very nice of him, Im glad to see that your first session with him went well, but remember to take your sessions with Desmond seriously, as glad as I am to see the two of you getting along better, I hope that in time we will see some improvements with your grades as well," he says, glad to see that his assumption about his daughters and his targets sons friendship held more weight than he thought, perhaps there was a chance for the friendship scheme after all.

.   .   .

When they finally made it home, Yor was already back from work and putting the groceries into the fridge and as usual, he comes home to a sparking clean house. Yor Briar was almost the epitome of a perfect housewife and although her cooking skills are still a work in progress, she had shown the resilience needed to play her role perfectly, Anya also seems to adore her...she is perfect.

'I hope for Anya’s sake that Yor will be willing to keep Anya after I leave...I would hate to see Anya go back into the System...she had been put back into it so many times already, that can't be good for a child's psych' he thinks to himself as he hangs his coat on the coat rack next to their front door. He watches on as Anya hazardously throws her school bag without a single thought or care, clearly not caring about anything other than the comic book that she clutched to her chest.

"Mama look at what Sy-on boy let me borrow! It's the very first Spy Wars comic! Sy-on boy said that if I manage to complete all my work each session he will let me borrow even more! It's a shame I have to return them though....can Anya get some comics too!? Anya wants to collect them too!"  he hears Anya announce excitedly and she shows Yor the comic.

'The reward tactic huh...the boy really is smart, it's the perfect way to keep Anya motivated, consider me impressed Desmond' he thinks to himself as he watches Yor bend over to smile warmly and encouragingly at Anya.

Yor’s face practically glowed before his eyes... stirring up a concerning feeling in his chest 'yes...the perfect wife indeed'.

"Oh wow Anya, that was so nice of him! Who would have thought that your favourite show was a comic as well, be sure to take good care of it! And I tell you what? If you promise to work really hard on your studies, I’ll be glad to try to talk to your papa for you" he listens as Yor persuades Anya with fine finesse as he makes his way towards them.

"What's this I hear about collecting comic books?" He says with his usual charming smile, a fatherly smile that he created for his role as Loid Forger. However, these days it has been coming to him almost naturally, with complete ease.

Anya immediately turns towards him, clenching the comic into her chest as her eyes sparkled with hope, an innocent pleading look that could make any normal man give in-in an instant.

"Please, papa! Anya promises to study very hard!" Anya pleads, causing a sigh to escape him, a part of him wanted to give in to her demands, however, he hasn't forgotten that he was supposed to be teaching her about taking responsibility for one's actions and facing consequences of one's actions.

"I will think about it, but don't think that I have forgotten about you sleeping in class Anya, I still stand by my words from earlier. No watching bondman for two weeks" he warns with a soft glare. His daughter pouts.

"Reading spy wars is allowed though right?? Reading isn't the same as watching right papa?? Plus Sy-on boy gave it to me as a reward!" Anya asks stubbornly.

"I suppose I can allow you to read the comics he gives you, however, you will not read them until you have finished all your homework. Understood? The quicker you get your homework done the quicker you can read them" he persuades his daughter. Anya just smiles broadly and then runs to get her carelessly discarded schoolbag.

"Don't worry papa! Anya also had promised Sy-on boy that I will finish my notes today! So Anya will do that now!" His daughter shouts before beelining into her bedroom, he could barely get a word out to her as she closes her door.

The feel of lightning shooting through him renders him speechless...did Anya just willingly run into her room to do homework? Was the world about to collapse in on itself? Was he asleep in the car this whole time and this was just a vivid dream? He has been feeling a little overworked by WISE so the idea is plausible at least.

"Did Anya just rush into her room to do homework Loid-san? Oh, how wonderful! It looks like the tutoring has struck a chord with Anya. I'm glad that you were able to sort something out for her. Oh! I know! I should make something special for dinner to celebrate!" Yor says animatedly as she makes her way into the kitchen.

Suddenly, the thought of Yor cooking something special, took over the fear of the world collapsing. And he finds himself making his way into the kitchen to assist.

A spy's work is never done it seems, there is unpredictable danger at every turn...even at home.

.   .   .

The phone rings just as Yor had started plating up and when he was about to go check on Anya, she had been abnormally quiet this afternoon...though it would be a miracle if it was because she went back to studying. He had checked on her half an hour ago only to find her asleep at her desk, and judging from the only half page of written notes he saw, she hadn't managed to study much.

He hears Yor pick up the phone and greets the person with that polite sweet voice she usually does. It was 5:30 in the evening and he hadn't been expecting a call from anyone today, so curiosity nagged at him. He then washes his hands and wipes them over with a towel before making his way into the hallway.

The person seems to be talking, about what he couldn't discern, however an inkling of worry tinted his system as he watches Yor's ruby eyes turn into those of concern. Clearly whatever was said wasn't good news. He finds himself leaning against the wall as Yor finally responds to the person.

"Thank you so much for notifying us of this Mr Henderson. I will discuss this matter with my husband. It may take some time for us to sort things out and find a good doctor for Anya, unfortunately, it may also mean that we will have to schedule for Anya to have a day off-" Yor is suddenly cut off by who he now knew was Mr Henderson, Edens Housemaster, the very man he had a meeting earlier that day with.

He must admit, he also is getting a little concerned about having the words Anya and doctor in the same sentence. Did something happen to Anya at school today? She looked fine when he picked her up from school... now that he thinks about it, he has no idea of Anya's medical history.

The squalor of an orphanage he got her from had very little information about the children up for adoption there, it was perfect for the mission...However now that he thinks about it, he barely knows anything about Anya at all -Other than that she has been returned on multiple occasions- but why though?

At that time, he didn't think it necessary for the mission. The only thing he worried about was whether she could read and write. So in the end, he didn't dwell on anything else, could that have been a mistake?

'Perhaps I should do some digging into Anya's background and medical history, just in case' he thinks to himself decidedly, just as Yor finally gets off the phone.

He was once again so deep into his thoughts that he had missed the rest of the conversation. This was disgraceful as a top spy...perhaps Agent Nightfall was right, could his skills be diminishing? Had he truly become complacent in his role as Loid Forger?

“Loid-san, as you probably heard...that was Mr Henderson” Yors voice snaps him out of his thoughts yet again.

He looks into those seemingly troubled ruby eyes, that seemed to flicker between himself and Anya’s bedroom door. She looked like she wanted to pry about something, it was all over her face. He gives her his charming smile, trying to ignore how charming the woman was being herself.

Yor Briar truly was a woman with a pure heart, a kind-hearted woman, he could see why her brother was so protective of her-as exceedingly overdramatic as the guy was- he could understand.

“Yes, I heard...did something happen to Anya at school today? What's this about Anya needing to see a doctor?” he enquires, playing his role as the worried and doting father, though it hardly feels pretend to him anymore.

“I wouldn't say she needs a doctor exactly but uhh...sorry if I'm prying Loid-san..but when was the last time you and your previous wife had Anya’s eyes checked?” Yor enquires right back.

It didn't take long for him to piece together what this meant. He hurriedly tried to think of what to say next “ah, not for quite some time I'm afraid. Anya had seemed to be in perfect health so far, we had barely needed to see any sort of doctor. Is Mr Henderson concerned about her eyesight?”

“He said that Anya’s friend, the young Desmond boy, had spoken to him about it after their study session. What a truly remarkable boy to have noticed something as important as that, why even you and I didn't even notice...this could be what is affecting her grades and studying so much Loid-san...poor Anya” Yor explains to him, as he felt the dreaded feeling of incompetence take over his soul.

‘Donovan Desmond's 6-year-old son had managed to catch on to this before me? How could I have not noticed? I'm supposed to be WISES' top spy, having the ability to read people was one of the major aspects of being a spy...Not only that but what kind of father doesn't take notice of things like this? Would this make me seem suspicious?’ he finds himself all but collapsing into the couch where his feet had unconsciously taken him.

“Oh, my Loid-san are you alright?” Yor’s voice suddenly stresses to him, however, he merely tilts his head back to let his tired eyes look up at the ceiling. However, his view was suddenly obstructed by Yor’s porcelain features, her eyes boring into his with the same beautiful concern that she had shown towards Anya.

“Loid-san?” she beseeches.

“What kind of father...isn't able to figure out that his daughter needs glasses? A 6-year-old was able to find out before me...” he finds himself saying out loud meekly, his words following his earlier thoughts.

Yor merely smiles in understanding “how about we wake up Anya and ask her about it at dinner? Hm? Dont worry Loid-san, I didn't notice either, these things just happen...please don't beat yourself up too much over this” she says before finally moving off towards Anya’s door.

His eyes followed her retreating form as if it was the most natural thing in the world, then takes in the red comfortable-looking dress that Yor usually wears. However, a sudden thought about how Yor’s dress clung to her form had him jolting back into reality. He did not just think that, no way, clearly he needed a good night's rest tonight.

First things first though, they need to speak to Anya.

Chapter Text

Anya's P.O.V

She awakes with a startled gasp, immediately sitting up in her chair then wiping away the drool that had fallen down her chin and the tears from her cheeks, she had been crying. She looks up to see her mama, who seemed to be looking over her weirdly, she hasn't seen her mama make that kind of face at her before...and despite the concern that she saw in her mama's eyes, it was as if she was being studied as well. A cold shiver runs through her as another memory tries to force itself into her mind again.

-Flashback-

There were people with white lab coats, writing stuff down, studying and observing her actions from behind a glass wall. She could never tell what they were saying or thinking when she was in there, something was blocking her telepathy from reaching them. The voice of one man, in particular, had often filled the room from above, giving instructions to the kids that were waiting for their turn. She was currently with many other children-that were apparently 'sick' just like her- in what the Doctors called the play area.

This was where they let them play before their appointments...as if it would make them less afraid to be near those scary people, thinking they could unwind before they make them sicker. Besides her, the only ones that figured out the truth were the older children that have been here longer...she only knows because although her telepathy couldn't reach the minds of the ones in the white coats, she could still hear the children that were on her side of the glass.

She didn't speak to many of the other kids much, she had quickly learnt that getting attached was not a good idea. After all, one by one their numbers kept lessening...and then a bunch of new kids come to replace the ones that she now knows...may be dead.

Thanks to the minds of some of the eldest of them, she had found out the truth about this place and despite mostly keeping to herself, there was one older kid that she did talk to. He was a telepath just like her and although they never spoke out loud, they spoke often, in the only place that the awful doctors couldn't pry without their scary tools...their minds.

They were the only successful 'test subjects' that were being tested for mind reading so far, and ever since she had awakened her ability, the boy had secretly become like an older brother to her. He was often a guardian angel that helped her when the drugs made her too sick or taught her how to use her ability properly, to the best of his ability anyway.

Unlike her, he did not remember his real name at all, so she only knew him as 003. He was getting thinner by the week, his long shaggy blond hair had long lost its lustre as well as his hazel eyes, but she still admired him...he was too headstrong to give up easily.

He was very smart, even smart enough to make a decent-though dangerous- plan of escape. They had only a few more appointments left to endure...and then they would make it out of this place... together...

"007, Dr Dominik will see you now, please make your way to room 3" the voice from above instructs her.

She shivers as she hears the deep, low and stern voice of a man that she barely saw the face of. She only knows that he was on the other side of the glass with the people who wear the white lab coats like the doctors, and some days they can be just as scary as the doctors...and really mean.

-Flashback end-

"Anya? Anya, are you okay?" mama's voice suddenly drags her back from the depths of her memories and back into the present.

'Oh no! Is Anya alright!? She looked so vacant for a minute there...it was as if she didn't see me here at all. Could Loid be right? could she be more affected by the hijacking than she is letting on? If only I had found out sooner...I could have-wait no it probably wouldn't have been a good idea to mass murder those people in front of the children. Perhaps Loid-san is right, we really should take her to see one of his coworkers. Her sight should hopefully be an easy fix with glasses but the mind is a whole other issue...she is too young to have that expression on her face, I think I'll talk to Loid after Anya goes to bed'.

She hadn't realised that she had been staring at her mama this entire time, and her heart felt too fast like she was on a sugar rush. She blinks and then smiles up at her mama who now looked at her in concern, no longer having the careful and studious look she had before. Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling in her chest and stomach, she gives her brightest smile even if it felt forced.

"Sorry mama, Anya just feels bad because Anya said she would study but was caught sleeping again... I'm sorry mama! Please don't tell papa, I swear Anya is trying very hard!" she tried to convince her mama. In response, she is given a sad smile and her mother's hand begins to pat the top of her head softly.

"It's alright Anya, there is still plenty of time for you to finish your homework...I just wanted to tell you that it is time for dinner, so come join your father and me for something to eat okay? We made something super special tonight!" mama explains as she tries to usher her out of her room. Anya suddenly feels herself perk up at that.

"Does it have peanuts in it!?" she asks excitedly, her memory suddenly being pushed to the back of her mind for now. Mama chuckles.

"Dinner doesn't but dessert might" mama winks as they finally leave her room.

"Yayyy peanuts!!" she cries out excitedly and then runs towards the dining room only to freeze last minute.

Which parent cooked this again??

. . .

The peanut dessert had been a trap!

She now finds herself in a confusing and scary conversation with her parents after mama had cleared the dishes away from the table. They sat in silence for a moment longer, before she finally realises that she just doesn't get what papa was trying to say at all, let alone why they would want her to see such a scary person. Doctors are scary and mean, their job is to make you sick, why do her parents want her to be sick?! Have they finally decided that they don't need Anya anymore?!

"Anya doesn't get it? Why does Anya need to see an eye doctor? Anya is fine, Anya promises she has been studying very hard! Anya doesn't want to see a doctor! Doctors are scary!" she says trying to hide her desperation as best as a '6-year-old' girl can. However, the concerned glances that she saw mama and papa give each other only made her own heart beat faster, her breath quickened and tears overflow just as quickly.

"Anya sweetie, there is nothing to be afraid of, an optometrist isn't a doctor exactly, but is someone who makes sure that your eyes are healthy, we just want to make sure you are okay, we just thought maybe the reason you're struggling so much with school is that maybe you see the world differently to us, right Loid-san?" mama tried to persuade her and then beseeches her papa with an awkward smile.

'Please give me a hand here Loid-san I don't know if I'm saying the right thing at all... it's also concerning that she looks so afraid just at the mention of the word doctor' mama's thoughts seep through to her, only confusing her even more.

"Not a doctor? Do mama and papa promise?”she sniffles trying to rub away the tears that had managed to escape.

"Oh Anya… of course we promise, right Loid-san?" Mama beseeches papa again, however, once again got no answer. Both she and mama take a proper look at papa, he seemed to be deep in thought about something. She opens her mind up to papas thoughts too.

'Could she have a bad history when it comes to doctors? Whilst it isn't uncommon for children to be scared of dentists and doctors...having gotten well-versed in my new role as a psychiatrist, I can tell that this reaction from Anya is not normal. She looks like she is on the verge of a panic attack at the mere mention of the word...This was no normal children's fear of doctors, this is a clear sign of trauma. This is further proof that I should get Franky to do a thorough search on her background...now how should I approach this...' papa's thoughts continue to ponder, causing a jolt of panic to rush through her.

'Eek! Oh no, papa is sus-spish-ush! What can Anya do!? If papa finds out it is all over! They will get rid of Anya too! Got to be brave Anya, your fear is making you look sus-spish-ush!' she thinks to herself, as she takes a deep breath and steels herself to seem less frightened. She can't afford to look scared! She can't let her papa feel the need to dig into her past!

"Oh! Anya gets it now! Haha silly Anya, so Opt-ome-trust isn't a doctor!? Okay, Anya will go get her eyes tested! When do we go papa??" she forces from her mouth with a big closed smile, in hopes to drag her papa out of his thoughts.

'Hmmm the classic art of pretending they are okay, she gets points for poise, however, her physical distress gives her away, she is shaking like a leaf...I better deal with this as gently as I can...I'll contact Franky tomorrow as well as my coworker Dr Linda. For now, Anya needs support and guidance' papa thinks, making lightning strike her a second time. Her attempt didn't work!

"I'm sorry I was deep in thought about something, but of course we promise, there is nothing to be scared about...would it help to know what an optometrist is Anya? Papa can explain it to you if you like?" he says with his usual fatherly smile, his question giving away the fact that he wasn't paying attention to the conversation at all.

"Mama already explained what it is papa..." a sudden jolt from papa made papa look like he needed to poop...his smile turning awkward.

"O-oh I see. I'm sorry I been getting too stuck in my head lately haha, silly papa huh?" he says chuckling awkwardly whilst scratching the back of his head, papa was embarrassed.

"But papa, what does mama mean when she said that we may see different worlds? She didn't explain that yet! Right mama!" she asks him, feeling a little bad for papa despite her ever present sense of doom. Mama catches on quickly.

"Y-yes that's right! I hadn't explained that yet, why don't you explain that to her Loid-san you will probably explain it much better than I can" mama says to papa as if to placate or mend papa's pride.

"Oh...well" papa finally sits up straight, new life springing from him.

"You see Anya, everyone's eyes are different, and depending on a person's eye health many people can see differently from others. For example...say..." papa looks around the table for a moment and picks up his empty coffee cup.

"Take this cup for example, for me, this will look like an ordinary cup, because my eyes and vision are very good. However, that may not be the case for another person...so if someone else looks at this cup, it may appear blurry, or just look like a blob of white. Not being able to see things clearly is a sign of poor vision...and there can be many health problems that cause this to happen. We are worried that this may be the case for you...that is why you need to see the optometrist, is this making sense Anya?" papa asks her after giving her a major information dump.

However, in saying that...she thinks she somehow managed to keep up enough to get the jist of it. She suddenly begins to question everything she ever knew about the world around her, she looks around at the apartment, to her parents and then to the cup in her papa's hand...and lightning struck her-unbelievably- for a third time.

Blurry wasn't normal? What she had been seeing so far wasn't normal? She had never once questioned how everyone or the world looked around her before. All this time she had thought that was just how the world was, this was becoming too much to take in...Suddenly, mama's voice makes her jolt from her inner turmoil.

"Oh! I know! How about we do a little test? It can be practice for your appointment so you will know what to expect, the optometrist will likely get you to do similar tasks, what do you say Anya? Want to do a little experiment with your papa?" mama says with bright determined eyes...and although she knows that mama meant nothing bad by it, after the memory she had earlier, the word 'experiment' sent chills through her tiny frame.

"W-what kind of test mama?" she stutters a little.

"I see, that's not a bad idea Yor" papa suddenly speaks up with a pondering look on his face "how about we test on how far away you can see, we will first start with having Yor standing in front of you, and I want you to describe what you see to us okay? Then we will have Yor slowly back further away after each answer you give, how does that sound?" papa explains with a confident smile, seemingly back to his normal self.

"Uhhh...okay papa" Anya blinks blankly up at him, suddenly feeling very tired despite having just had a nap.

Just like that, for the next hour or so, she participated in all the many different tests that her parents came up with and although a part of her felt immensely uncomfortable with it...she played along to their whims to the best of her ability.

.   .   .

She sighs heavily as she flops onto her bed, her mind was crowded by her own thoughts for once. A lot of things happened today, some good, some bad and some just plain confusing.

But one thing was for certain now at least...according to all her parent's ‘tests’ tonight, her sight was indeed what they considered, bad. In her parent's un-pro-fresh-enal opinion, they had said that they think that she is 'near-sighted', that she can't see things from far away.

However, now that she understood that blurry was not normal...she had also taken notice of a lot of other things too. Though she was still inclined to believe her parents, this new insight made everything so much more noticeable now. Things that should have been so obvious to her ages ago kept catching her attention and it was weird to watch Mama's form slowly get weirder and weirder the further she went away...until suddenly mama dissolved into a blurry figure when she reached the other end of the apartment.

They had started from the front entrance and had used the hallway for their first 'experiment'. Mama and papa had deemed her distance to be almost the length of their small apartment, and from the descriptions she gave them, they believed that her sight began to go bad when mama was halfway through the apartment.

Once again, she can believe it. Though, in her own opinion, mama had already looked just the littlest bit blurry from the beginning, after all, she saw it happen with her own eyes. In fact, she had always seen it happen every day and yet tonight was the first time she ever truly noticed. Even up close it was like her parent's outlines were weird, even though she could mostly see their features well enough.

She was willing to bet that this was also not normal...and will probably make her parents question their thoughts on her being nearsighted. If she had actually said anything however...it would have just led to more 'experimental tests', and she was more than over them at this point. In fact, she was so relieved it was over that she realises that she would have preferred to continue with her homework than go through that again...it didn't help that it had hit a little too close to home after the...

'Oh right...that happened...' she thinks to herself, choosing to forget one problem for a completely different one.

It was a problem she hasn't had for a long time...the last time she had dreamt or had flashbacks of 'back then', was when she was still in the orphanage. She takes a deep breath and then tries her hardest to not let any more memories through...even if it felt like betraying 003's memory. She would have never escaped if it wasn't for him after all, and she still had no idea if he was okay.

Now that she thought about it...003 and Sy-on boy were a lot alike, somewhat. Does Sy-on boy remind her of 003? They were both super smart, confident, had hazel eyes, and both liked to look tough but were actually kind-hearted.

She then looks towards the unfinished notes and homework on her desk. She had promised Sy-on boy that she would finish her notes, yet she was only able to do an extra half a page before falling asleep. She then looks towards her alarm clock, it was 8:15 pm, and it was getting late. Normally, mama and papa would make sure she was asleep by now, however, for some reason they were suddenly super 'not strict' tonight -though she still isn’t allowed to watch bondman- and hadn't even tried to force her to go to sleep yet.

She then gets up off of her bed and then goes up to her desk to look at all the work she managed to do so far. When she spots the familiar comic book on top of her homework folder, a sudden warm and fluttery feeling consumes her as she finally remembered that despite the bad things, good things have happened too.

One, she was finally friends with Sy-on boy, and he had trusted her with something that even his lackeys didn't know about!

Two, Sy-on boy was letting her borrow his comic volumes and she gets to experience Spy wars in an entirely new way! It was so hard not to just ignore her notes and homework to just read it first anyway.

Finally, three, the friendship scheme for papa's mission is back on track and she could tell that papa was very happy about their relationship progress. Though she is glad that he had decided not to spy on them today, the alone time she had with Sy-on boy was nice and she couldn't wait to hang out with him again, even if it was in secret.With renewed energy, she sits back in her desk chair and looks at her notes and homework in determination.

'The quicker I finish, the faster I get to read Spy Wars!' she thinks to herself, as she foregoes all the day's worries and hits the books once again.

She won't just make her papa proud anymore, she will make Sy-on boy proud as well, proud enough to be friends with her in public!

'Just you wait Sy-on boy, I will make you admit to the whole class that we are friends!’

Chapter Text

Anya looks up at the building before her whilst wedged between both of her parents, her palms sweaty in theirs as she tries to hide the fact that her knees shook like leaves. She didn't want to do this, she couldn't bring herself to go in there despite her parents' assurances that the man she was seeing was not a doctor.

The previous night had been tense and confusing, but it at least ended with her finally being able to indulge in Sy-on boys volume of Spywars. It was a great distraction from the life-changing realisation that was thrust upon her. However, distractions don't last forever and she remembered that clearly after her parents told her that there would be no school for her today, their minds explained the rest. Guess she won't be returning Sy-on boys volume today...will he be mad??

Her heart pounds as her mama and papa began to walk her to the front doors of the building. She was so nervous that she almost didn't hear her mama's reassuring voice.

"Just remember Anya, there is nothing to be afraid of. This man just wants to help, it will be over before you know it, and then we can all go shopping together!" her mama says looking down at her with that kind of reassuring smile, that normally would have worked. However, she couldn't get the image of white labcoats out of her mind, and she finds herself all but being dragged towards the building, which sent concerned glances her way from her parents.

'This isn't good, she's scared stiff....just what happened to her to make her this traumatized by doctors? She can barely walk...what should I do in this situation? The most fatherly thing to do would be to comfort her of course, but I have a dreaded feeling that we will need more than that to ease her. She doesn't even look like she's present with us...I hope Franky doesn't take too long with his search, the quicker we find the reason the quicker we can rectify the issue' her papa thinks, reminding her of yet another problem...her papa was onto her.

She forces herself to take a deep breath and wills her feet forward, marching towards the front doors with her eyes shut tight while she clutches onto her parent's hands for dear life.
When they finally enter the building, she opens her eyes to immediately find a lady behind a big desk, she blinks up at the woman who smiled patiently at her before looking up to greet her mama and papa.

"Hello, how can I help you today? Do you have an appointment?" the lady asks with a slight blush on her cheeks.

'Oh my gosh! This man is completely stunning! What a shame he seems to be already married...damn..why are all the good-looking ones taken?...-' she shakes her head and tries to ignore the woman's thoughts, she was too used to hearing the same things from other ladies minds when it came to her papa. She then focuses on looking around the opt-ome-trusts, it was kind of weird.

On either side of the re-sep-shun-est, the place looks so much different. The left side, was just a hallway with chairs lined up against the wall and on the other side of the hallway seemed to be three doors...that is she thinks there are three. She only sees up to the second door then it starts turning into blurriness, the blob-like shape after it though makes her think there was another.

A sudden shiver runs through her as the familiar yet unwanted voice of a certain someone fills her mind.

-Flashback-

"007, Dr Dominik will see you now, please make your way to room 3"

-Flashback ends-

She suppresses a whimper as she suddenly finds the third blobby door to be scary...the third door...room 3. She could practically feel the sting of injections in her arms, which throbbed like the dull aches that had long been forgotten during her life as Anya Forger. Irrational fear begins to plague her mind, the blurriness suddenly seeming more ominous to her.

When the blurriness clears what will she see? The world beyond the blurry is such an unknown to her...the world is much bigger than she thought it was, and that was suddenly very scary.

She shivers and then turns her head before she mildly takes note of her parents talking to the re-sep-shun-est at the desk. The left side of the building suddenly seemed like a place of nightmares, so she scurries as far away as possible. Her parents were too busy talking to notice, as she scurried to the right side of the building which seemed much safer. She needs a distraction.

She looks around, it looked like one of those fancy sunglasses shops that Becky goes to, they even had a sunglasses section. The store wasn't that big, it was no bigger than half of their apartment, but it was quite spacious still, despite the hundreds of different glasses that hung up on almost every wall and display shelf.

Suddenly, one pair of glasses caught her attention. They were red like Mama's eyes and seemed mature-looking just like Mama too.

'If Anya wears this will she be mature and brave like Mama?? Smart people wear glasses too right?? A lot of smart characters in shows and Becky's mangas all seem to be wearing them...will they make Anya smarter too??' She thinks to herself curiously, her mind pondering over different questions.

She peeks over towards her parents who seemed to be finishing up with the re-sep-shun-est. They both looked blurry from where she stood on the opposite side of the store, but she could make out just enough to know it was them. She looks back towards the red glasses before her, she was tempted to try them on...but just as her fingertips touched the glasses' delicate frames, a voice startles her.

"Excuse me, little miss? Would you like some help?" a male's voice says, making her turn to see an older man-though seemed much younger than Papa smiling down at her.

"Mama and Papa say that I need glasses and that Anya has to go for a test" she suddenly finds herself saying, this just makes the man smile broadly.

"I see, are you trying to pick out your glasses before your test? I can help you if you like?" the seemingly kind man offers but the man's thoughts shocked her.

'So this is agent twilights child for the mission? No wonder the progress has been so slow, the girl couldn't even see properly. Not her fault of course but it has set the mission back, the handler has been beside herself with stress because of it and now instead of going out on a mission with nightfall I got stuck with making sure this girl could get an appointment at my place of secondary work...twilight owes me for this' the man thinks and she suddenly finds herself resisting deadpanning the guy...

'This spy isn't as cool as papa...papa isn't mean like this poopoo head' Anya thinks to herself, though smiles despite how annoying the WISE agent seemed despite his cheerful and helpful smile.

"No thanks, Anya doesn't need help. Anya is very helpful and cape-a-bel, so she can do it herself!" she cheers with hidden irritation.

"Are you sure you don't need help? You are currently looking at the adults section, why don't I show you the kids section? I'm sure you can find a similar style over there?" The man says as he gestured towards the selection of smaller looking glasses, seemingly trying to look helpful, but she knew better.

'A head strong child I see...no wonder twilight is having problems, he could have chosen better in my opinion...I would have chosen someone much more obedient...plus I heard rumours that Agent Twilight has gotten soft because of this little brat. I wonder if agent nightfall would have finally looked at me instead if I had such an important mission, I would have made her my wife! Damn it they should have chosen me! Oh crap he's coming!' she hears the guy think, not even bothering to hide her deadpan this time and as if on cue her papa's voice comes from their left.

"I'm so sorry about that, it appears my daughter has gotten a little curious(good afternoon agent midnight, thank you for booking us an appointment so soon)" papa says to the other spy.

"Oh it's alright, its no problem at all, I was just trying to assist your daughter in finding a style she likes(your welcome, though I did have plans... operation strix comes first. As it always should, right agent twilight?)" the man replies back. Though she had a strong feeling that they were probably speaking in code, however their minds didn't give too much away if they were.

"Oh I see, thank you for trying to assist my daughter, we will be sure to be back after her test(sorry to hear about your plans and yes of course it does, thank you again agent midnight)" papa says to the spy before looking down at her with a controlled smile, judging from papa's thoughts, he does not like the other spy very well...she can't blame papa though, he was a meanie.

"Come now Anya, your mother is waiting for us outside of room two, we should sit with her" papa says offering his hand. She looks at the red glasses once more before looking back up at papa with a nervous smile.

"Okay, papa..." she says as she tentatively joins hands with him once more.

'Anya seems to have a mature taste in glasses, a little surprising I must admit, do they even have that style for kids?' Papa thinks to himself, completely unaware of the turmoil roiling inside of her as they approached the hallway.

.   .   .

'He's not a doctor, mama and papa are here, he's not a doctor, mama and papa are here' she begins to chant almost desperately in her mind, the environment around  her hitting a little too close to home. They had been waiting for what feels like forever to her, though in reality it had only been 10 minutes.

Suddenly, she flinches as one of the doors opens and an older-looking man came out with a clipboard, he looked to be older than papa by a lot...though still not old enough to be a grandpa.

"Miss Anya Forger?" the man calls out making her jump in her seat.

"Eek!" she squeaks as both her parents stood up on either side of her. She really doesn't want to get off this chair.

"Ah yes that will be us" papa says with his poised smile before looking down at her "it's time Anya, let's get this over with quick and easy, okay?" papa says obviously trying to be reassuring. Regardless though...she clutches her chair even tighter.

"Don't wanna!" she pouts defiantly, she doesn't want to do this anymore, she wants to go home!

"Anya, we talked about this, there is nothing to be afraid of, this man isn't going to hurt you, I can guarantee that, I chose this person just for you" papa tries to persuade.

'Considering this place is under Wises protection and half the staff are wise agents, it's the safest place for us to go...but I can't exactly explain that to a 6-year-old, Yor is also here as well, so I have to be careful' papa thinks, his thoughts surprising her and sending a small wave of relief through her.

'Woah this place is run by papa's work! A secret Spy hideout! So cool!' she thinks to herself excitedly almost completely distracted by the concept, however...

"Fine, but I want mama in with me! Mama is stronger than papa so Anya wants mama!" she exclaims stubbornly, causing papa's eyes to widen almost comically.

"A-Anya?..." papa stutters seemingly at a loss of what to do.

"Is there a problem here?" the opt-ome-trust says patiently at the door, they were keeping him waiting. Meanwhile, mama seemed to be blushing and her eyes looked all sparkly.

.   .   .

'Oh gosh, I can't believe Anya wanted me to go in here with her! Not with her father but with me?! And she thinks I'm stronger than Loid-san? What does she mean by that!? I feel bad for Loid-san but I'm also so happy that Anya has gotten comfortable enough to rely on me! Anya is relying on me as her mother! I can't let her down!' Yor's thoughts spiralled emotionally as they sit in the chairs next to the opt-ome-trust's desk.

"Well hello there young Miss Forger, I hear this is your first time getting your eyes checked is that right?" the man says with a smile and kind eyes.

'So this little girl is agent twilights daughter for operation strix, as I was warned she does seem quite nervous, poor girl...what can I do to help her feel at ease' the mans thoughts seeped into her. The opt-ome-trust seemed to show no intentions of harming her and the mans concern managed to help her gain the courage to speak up.

"Yes...this is Anya's first time..." she manages but still clings to her mama's sleeve.

"I see, first times are pretty scary aren't they? But I assure you, once you gain the courage to overcome something, you will never have to fear it again. You Miss Forger, strike me as someone who is very brave and couragous. Unlike me, when I was your age, I was a big fraidy cat, when it was my first time going to the dentist...I cried and cried, but after my first time there, I had come to realise that it wasn't as scary as I had thought it would be I ended up coming back out with the biggest lollipop I had ever seen back then, I was never afraid to go to the dentists again" the man low-key enthuses to her.

"Anya prefers peanuts...but lollipops are nice too...does this mean Anya will get a lollipop?" she asks, her nerves easing a bit more...

"Unfortunately, we don't have any lollipop's on hand here...I'm sorry little lady..what I'm trying to say, is that I assure you that there is nothing to worry about, you are safe here" the man explains and apologises.

"So no lollipop??" she pouts, a little put off that she wouldn't be getting one like he did for his first time...not fair.

"I tell you what sweetheart, if you be a brave girl and finish all your tests, your papa and I will take you to the candy shop on the way home, how does that sound hm??" Mama says to her with an encouraging smile. She purses her lips and gives the man in front of her one last careful look-over.

"Okay...I'll do your tests...but Anya better get lots of chocolate peanuts!" she finally relents.

"As many as you want!" Yor says brightly.

'Within reason of course...we don't want to go broke after all...sorry Loid-san I fear I may have jeopardised our wallets today' mama thinks, sweat-dropping awkwardly.

"Well in that case, let's get started with the first test shall we little miss?" the Opt-ome-trust says with a kind smile, as he gestures to a big machine that looks like super weird bine-ock-ula's, it seemed to face a big poster up on the wall ahead of it...

"If you could make your way up here Miss Forger?" the man adds.

With one last deep breath, she lets go of her mama and makes her way forward. She is not going to be afraid of some silly test...especially with chocolate peanuts on the line!

'Anya can do this!' she thinks to herself as she pushes away the fear, sending it to a place where it can't hurt her anymore.

. . .

She doesn't know how much time had passed, but she was relieved when the tests were finally over. It wasn't as scary as she thought it would be, in fact it was kind of boring.

Though boring, she struggled through it a lot more than she thought. Reading the letters from the wall was easy at first...however, they kept getting smaller and smaller, then she suddenly couldn't tell what letter was what and they melded together into that weird language that she couldn't read. The man also kept shining lights in her eyes... and did all sorts of other weird tests.

Nevertheless though everything was finally over. She now finds herself sitting between her mama and papa again, her mother was profusely apologising to papa about the promise she made to her in the exam room. Whilst papa, was despairing over the sad misfortune his wallet will go through because of it. The eye doctors, were currently looking over all the things they managed to get from her tests and had asked them to wait in the waiting room.

Suddenly, as if on cue, the familiar voice of the opt-ome-trust rings through the hall.

"Mr and Mrs Forger, we are ready for you now, if you can make your way back inside?" the man says, gesturing for them to walk through.

"Ah yes, thank you. Yor darling, Anya sweetheart, let's go and get our results" papa says, suddenly back to his usual poised form, as if he wasn't just upset over potentially going broke today.

Grabbing her papas hand they all make their way back into the exam room.  Mama and herself sat back down in the chairs and papa stood elegantly against the wall.

"So...how is our Anya doing? It's not too serious I hope?(whats the damage? Will it affect the operation?)" papa asks the opt-ome-trust, she understood the coded message that time.

She looks from her papa to the man who was also a part of papa's work. The man seemed concerned and serious, which made her feel uneasy...was she really that bad?? Was her eyes sick??

"I have to ask Mr Forger, had Anya ever had a serious accident to her left eye? Anything that would warrant surgery? Because well...she seems to have moderate to severe Astigmatism in her left eye...now the most common way people get astigmatism is being born with it. However, our findings showed that in this case... the only way it could be in the one eye is if there was physical trauma to that eye in particular...which we did find a few signs of" the opt-ome-trust explains, but the mans words only made her confused...she didn't know what this Astig-ma- ism is but papa and the eye doctor are looking very scary all of a sudden, she gulps as she looks between the two WISE agents.

"Anya has always been a little on the clumsy side, so there had been a few accidents but nothing I thought warranted getting her eyes checked" papa says, lying smoothly in front of mama. Papa's thoughts were suddenly in turmoil and she did her best to ignore them for now.

'Papa's a big liar' she thinks to herself before mama suddenly grabs her into a side hug.

"Oh no! This sound terrible, poor Anya! What of her right eye?" mama asks seeming to be concerned and taken aback by the news.

"Her right eye is far less severe than her left, though she does show mild signs of Astigmatism in that one as well. She also seems to have Myopia, nearsightedness. She is quite the interesting case, I'm afraid...she may need to have glasses custom-made to her needs... we do not have any suitable glasses available here right now, not for her particular condition" papa's fellow agent explains.

"How long will the glasses take to make?" papa asks seriously.

"It may take a week or two...potentially more" the man replies.

"Is there any way we could get it done faster?" papa says seriously again, his blue eyes boring into the mans meaningfully.

'Since Anya's condition affects the mission, WISE should be able to procure her some glasses within two days at most, no doubt they sent faxes of Anya's condition to headquarters already...knowing the handler she probably already has organised for them to be made...it seems Anya may not be able to choose her glasses after all...she's not going to like that' she hears papa think, worrying like usual.

Meanwhile, she herself, couldn't help but find it so cool...WISE agents are going to make her super cool spy glasses! She can't help but marvel at the possibilty of having special glasses...surely they won't make boring normal glasses right?! They will probably add some cool things to it right?! She silently enthuses to herself as the other agent responds, but she was just barely paying attention at this point.

"You will need to have special permission from my superiors, is their some kind of rush Mr Forger?" the man says meeting Papa's stare.

She could have sworn papa said something else but her mind continued to swarm with imaginative ideas on what kind of glasses she would get...

'Imagine if they put a secret spy camera in the glasses!! Or a secret listening device!! That be so cool!' she thinks to herself as she lets her imagination run wild.

She suddenly couldn't help but admit, that this trip to the eye doctors didn't turn out too badly after all.

Chapter Text

Damian's P.O.V

It's been three days, that's how long ago his first study session with Anya was. He had suspected that he might not see her the day after, considering what he told the housemaster when he went to grab his spy wars comic. He had tried to draw as little attention to himself as possible, however, he wasn't stealthy enough in doing so, since Mister Henderson had caught him as he had rounded the student dorms hallway.

He didn't know if Anya will be upset with him for telling Mister Henderson about what he found out about her, he just thought that it was the right thing to do. Friends are supposed to look out for each other after all -although he isn't used to doing so- and if Anya was doing so poorly in school because of her eyes, then he would be more of a bad friend if he didn't do anything about it. He felt bad enough about having to keep their friendship hidden, he has to make up for that as best as he can. Plus, if Anya needing glasses will help make her smarter, then he will be even closer to getting that Stella star.

However, again...it's been three days. One day he expected but three? Were Forger's eyes really that bad? He sighs quietly to himself, as he makes his way down the halls of Eden Academy alongside his two closest friends. The two certain friends that had been picking on Blackbell in Forger's stead for the past few days.

He couldn't help but feel awkward around them whenever they spoke badly of Anya, as for Becky, she is fair game. Previously, he had no issues about calling Anya names like shrimp and uggo, however, that was before he actually got to know her and he will admit that he never actually thought she was ugly.

Even now his friends were badmouthing Forger right in front of him,  mainly about her reasons for being away. They were making up rumours about her disappearance, rumours that could be stopped if he just spoke up about what he knew, but he couldn't...probably should...but couldn't.

"Heh, maybe she really did get expelled...from all the times she slept in class," says Emile to his left.

"It's about time I say, why they let a commoner into Eden Academy is just plain weird...can her 'feelings doctor' father even afford this place? Maybe they couldn't afford to keep her here, right bossman?" Ewen says to his right, while he awkwardly tries to keep his mouth shut in the middle of them, barely able to let out an awkward "yeah". To think that less than a week ago, he was bullying Anya alongside them...

A strong part of him wanted to defend her when normally he would be going along with their whims, adding something nasty to the conversation himself. However, he no longer has the heart to go along with their usual bullying of the commoner. Unfortunately though, if he doesn't pretend to still dislike Forger, then his friends will suspect something.

So for the past few days, he had found himself bullying Anya's best-friend Blackbell alongside them. Even if it was only for the reason that their families were rivals. The Blackbell family was the only other family in this school that could even remotely rival his own and he used that knowledge as fuel to get him through his charade. Though if he was honest, whether Blackbell was Anya's best friend or not, the girl isn't exactly the most likable person to begin with, so it wasn't that hard.

Why Forger was friends with her he couldn't understand. Even more so...why a spoilt girl like Blackbell would even bother being friends with a commoner to begin with. He may be rich but at least he isn't the spoilt type-at least he doesn't think he is. Becky practically flaunts her wealth like the other stereotypical rich girls that normally look down on commoners... and yet her only friend was Forger. He supposes that it's a good thing in the end, just a little surprising.

When they finally walk into their classroom, he looks up to find Blackbell once again alone, she was looking at Forger's seat seemingly worried. Suddenly, as if sensing his gaze, Blackbell looks up at him with a glare locked into place, even though it was Ewen and Emile that did most of the bullying.

"Well well, what a shocker, you're alone again Blackbell? I told you that Forger probably-"

"Tsk whatever, just ignore her Emile, dealing with Blackbell is getting boring, I have so much more important things to worry about than a spoilt daddy's girl, let's just take our seats" he finds himself interrupting, trying in his own way to put a stop to Ewen and Emile's advances, even if it meant being a little mean himself...he has a reputation to uphold after all. Though if he was being honest, it wasn't exactly a lie either, he was getting over teasing the Blackbell heiress, it just isn't the same without Anya.

He ignores the slightly surprised looks of his two friends and makes his way to his seat. Then as he sets up his things, he watches as his friends shrugged at each other and then come up to take their usual spots beside him. He peeks over at Blackbell once more as Ewen and Emile set up their desks, to his surprise she was looking at him with a surprised yet suspicious look on her face. Suddenly, he finds himself automatically looking away from her and towards Anya's seat, worry nagging at him as well. Suddenly, Mister Henderson makes his way into the classroom like he always does for homeroom, stern looking as always.

'Guess Forger isn't coming again today...' he thinks to himself in hidden disappointment, a sigh escaping him as he finally wills himself to pull his thoughts away from his new friend.

However, the sound of the classroom door bursting open makes half of the class almost jump out of their seats. When he looks back towards the door, his heart hammers in his chest to see Anya Forger bent over her knees and panting for breath as if she ran a marathon...

"I-I...I just made it! Hehe," she huffs out then looks up at everyone with her beaming smile, a smile that could light up the entire room.

The shock of Anya's entrance finally diminishes enough, so that he could take in her appearance properly. His heart suddenly does that weird flip feeling again, as his vision of Anya became oddly shiny and sparkly, she seemed radiant to him at this very moment. The first thing he took notice of, is the new bright red glasses that were propped up on her nose, they were sleek, delicate and mature-looking. Which kind of surprised him, he would have thought she would go for something a bit more childish or daring, considering how she usually is.

However, to his pleasant surprise, the commoner had taste after all, the glasses she had chosen seemed to suit her so well. Anya's green eyes seemed brighter than ever, contrasting against the red of her sleek and delicate red frames as she looks around the room. He watches her look around the room seemingly fascinated, as if her eyes were seeing this classroom for the very first time.

His heart pounds erratically and he ignores Emile's and Ewen's snickering at Forger's new 'four-eyed' appearance, their reactions being nothing new for them. As for himself, he couldn't help but continue to watch Forger take in her surroundings as she spoke to Mister Henderson at the front of the classroom. When she finally turned to go to her usual seat -where Blackbell was seemingly staring at her friend with wide eyes, or so it seemed from his angle of vision- Anya looks up in his direction and finally her eyes lock with his.

He holds back a gulp and he could feel heat begin to radiate his cheeks as she gives him a small, barely noticeable smile, before quickly looking away and taking her seat.

'Heh...I guess today isn't going to be so boring after all' he thinks to himself as he calls out "present" when Mister Henderson calls for him.

. . .

Anya's P.O.V

She looks around the cafeteria as she follows Becky to their usual lunch table, the cafeteria was so big! In fact, everything seems so much bigger than she ever thought, taking away the blurry had opened up a whole new world for her and she is still yet to get used to everything. When Papa had come home last night, she finally managed to try on her new glasses since Papa's work had finally finished them.

To her immediate despair though, as far as Papa's thoughts were concerned, they were just ordinary glasses...so no super cool secret spy stuff. However, they did at least manage to make them look like a smaller lookalike of the glasses she had admired at the store, all thanks to Papa!

As they take their seats, she notices Becky looking at her curiously for what felt like the thousandth time. However, she continues to try to ignore it, so she opens up the big bag of chocolate-coated peanuts that she had snuck into school. She had gone all out at the candy store after her opt-oni-trust visit, and with her papa's increasing despair, her parents had to eventually draw the line on how much she could have.

As they began to eat, they begin to talk about everything that she had missed so far. Becky being Becky, made sure to catch her up on all kinds of gossip, both good and bad...she will have to talk to Sy-on boy about his friends being mean to her bestie and about his friends spreading rumours about her being away!

Despite them talking almost all through the break, they still haven't spoken about the big elephant in the room just yet. However, she didn't need to read Becky's mind to know that she wanted to ask her something about it.

'I can't believe I never noticed that Anya needed glasses! I mean, no wonder why she could barely keep up in class...I wonder how they found out she needed them. I'm tempted to ask but...first....oh my god Anya looks so adorable!!! Eeeeep!! I've taught her so well! Those glasses are just stunning on her! I wonder if this is what a proud parent feels like! Even that stupid Desmond couldn't help but stare at her throughout class, he might have thought he was being subtle but I noticed easily, subtlety was never his strong suit! Well done Anya!' Becky's thoughts all but screamed in glee.

She purses her lip as she plops another peanut in her mouth, a slight blush coating her cheeks.
She had noticed Sy-on boy's stares as well and Becky was right, he was very obvious, even though he was the one that said that they should keep their friendship a secret, silly Sy-on boy.

Just as Becky looked like she was going to say something, the annoying voice of Emile beat her best friend to it. Only, what came out of Emile's mouth was not very nice, as usual. When she looks up towards the buck-toothed boy, she adjusts her glasses on her nose, a fast habit that she finds herself naturally forming whilst she gets used to the feel of the frames against her face.

"Well well, look at who is finally back, could have sworn I heard rumours that the school finally expelled you Forger" Emile snarks with a smirk.

"Yeah, what a shame, this place was finally peaceful whilst you were away. To think you would come back as a four-eyed, did you think wearing glasses would make you smarter or something??" Ewen adds, standing beside Emile, seemingly trying to be as prim and proper as ever. However, his words betrayed his efforts.

"Yeah! You've always been an uggo but now it's even worse! Right Bossman?" Emile says viciously before turning towards Sy-on boy who has remained uncharacteristically quiet.

Finally, she notices that for once, Damian was behind his friends and not front and centre like he usually is. She locks eyes with his hazel, only to have him look away from her.

"Yeah...so weird" Sy-on boy says still looking away from her, as if he couldn't bare to look at her. If it hadn't been for his thoughts, she would have maybe been a little hurt.

'So cute...so cute, so cute! so cute!!' his thoughts continuously seeps into her.

'Sy-on boy thinks Anya is cute??' she thinks to herself, feeling oddly giddy at the prospect.

Suddenly, Sy-on boy snaps his head towards her again then smirks at her, however it didn't quite live up to the confident arrogance that it usually had. It was a seemingly poor imitation, plus he almost looked like a ripe tomato.

"Heh...Ewen is right, having glasses doesn't mean you will get smarter stubby legs! I bet you will be just as stupid as ever, that is...unless you prove us wrong..." Sy-on boy challenged her, having successfully avoided Emile's question about her looks.

'I hope she gets the real message...oh who am I kidding she probably won't, she's too dense to read between the lines. Ugh, this is so awkward! It's hard to confront her like I used to...but if I don't treat her like I used to then everyone will get suspicious....how does someone be mean but not mean at the same time?? Either way...if she starts crying I don't know if my heart will be able to take it...plus Anya with glasses is just...just so...so..'

She quickly pulls away from Sy-on boys thoughts as he began sounding a bit too much like a certain Becky, who looked like she was about to blow up at the boys before them. However, before her best friend could argue with them, she merely gives Sy-on boy her trademark smirk. She had gotten his message thanks to her mind reading ability...or so she thinks she has.

Sy-on boy was probably trying to encourage her, whilst refusing to break character-even though he was definitely not much of an actor-guess she has her answer to how he plans on treating her in public...the same as always it seems-though perhaps not quite. Oh! Maybe they can make up some secret way of speaking to each other! Just like Papa and his work! That would be so cool! She will have to bring it up at her afternoon session with him, if they have one that is...she will have to ask.

"Oh don't you worry Sy-on boy! Anya is going to get super smart! I can even see the board now! And reading is suddenly so much easier! I'm going to work hard and become an imperial scholar before you, just you watch!" she exclaims back determinedly.

'Wait...what?? Was her sight so bad that she couldn't even see the board!? How has she been keeping up with us at all so far!?' Sy-on boys shocked thoughts infiltrated her. Despite his thoughts another smirk graces his face, though his eyes were far from the mean bully he was supposed to be pretending to be.

"Heh, oh yeah? I'd like to see you try stubby legs! I tell you what? Let's make a bet? If you manage to pass our midterms, and I don't just mean barely scraping by got that! You have to actually get a decent grade for once, then...I will do whatever you want for a whole week! But if you don't...you will have to do whatever I want for a week instead, so what do you say Forger? You game?" Sy-on boy continues to smirk, seemingly enjoying their conversation. His goons were thankfully none the wiser to Damian's poor attempt at seeming mean.

"Heh, as if she could ever beat you Lord Damian! Your going to beat her easy! It won't even be a competition" Ewen says looking down at her condescendingly.

"Heh yeah, you have no chance of beating bossman Forger, you might as well just accept being Lord Damians errand girl right now" Emile adds.

"I believe the terms were for Anya to pass with a better grade, not compete and beat Damian stupids! Do you not have ears? Plus Anya and I might as well start writing a list of what we are going to get Desmond to do, because Anya is going to prove you all wrong! In fact, I'll make sure of it!" Becky exclaims in her defence.

'Heh, we will show these goons that Anya is plenty able to get a decent grade! I'm part of the tutoring program, if I become Anya's official tutor then there is no way we will lose this bet...Desmond is going to be eating his words heheh...though I have to admit, his words didn't seem to be as mean today...in fact Desmond is acting strange...like he's forcing himself or something...hmm meh what do I care about him anyway' Becky's thoughts flowed to her.

'Uh Oh! I forgot to tell Becky about the tutoring! Becky can't be Anya's tutor because Sy-on boy is! What should she do now?? Does Anya tell Becky the truth?? Do I tell her that Sy-on boy is already my tutor?? But wait...Sy-on boy wants our friendship secret so does that mean I can't even tell people that he is my tutor??' her mind begins to spiral, however, she is suddenly brought out of it when Becky's hand grabs hers to get her out of her seat.

"Heh, let's go Anya! Let's go see Mister Henderson! I'll just ask if I can be your tutor! Then there is no way we will lose to them!" Becky says determinedly as she tugs her out of her chair and all but drags her around the table.

"Eh!? Uh..but Becky-" she says only to have Sy-on boy's voice interrupt her.

"Tsk, don't bother Blackbell she already has a tutor! Don't just go stealing other peoples clients got that!" Sy-on boy shouts pointing at Becky in his usual fashion.

"Eh?? What are you on about Desmond??" Becky pauses and then asks.

"Are you deaf or something Blackbell? I said she already has a tutor now back off!" Damian shouts again, his face redder than ever.

Becky blinks and turns to her "is that true?"

"Heh..heh..yeah Papa and Mister Henderson spoke about it and got me one.." she says awkwardly as she straightens up and adjusts her glasses again. She then she locks her eyes with Sy-on boys for a moment, he seemed unsure and flustered.

'Why did I have to go and shout that out!? It was my idea to keep us hanging out and being friends a secret! But the very thought of Blackbell stealing her from me just...I spoke before thinking! Ugh! Should I just tell them?? I mean admitting to being to being her tutor isn't the same as admitting we are friends...so maybe...' suddenly she is distracted by Becky's voice.

"Oh! So that's why you had to see Mister Henderson the other day! But wait...how does Desmond know before me??" Becky pouts and then glares at Sy-on boy "how did you find out about this Desmond, I doubt Anya told you!" Becky says accusingly.

She looks towards Sy-on boy again, curiosity over how he would respond nagging at her. Will Sy-on boy tell everyone? Will he keep quiet about being her tutor? However to her surprise, she watches as Damian straightens up with his head held high, only giving her the slightest of glances.

"That's because I. Am. Her. Tutor. Duh! Who else other than me, do you think has the skill to make Forger smarter? You? Don't make me laugh Blackbell, you would only distract her with that stupid drama of yours! Plus if I'm successful I get to get a Stella star!" Sy-on boy retorts, surprising her with his open admittance of being her tutor.

Becky and the two goons just look between her and Sy-on boy. All conversation coming to a halt. Until finally...

"Whaaaaaaaaat!?!?"

Chapter Text

Damian's P.O.V

His mind goes blank as soon as the words leave his mouth, along with the heat rising in his face. He was beyond mortified by his big stuff up, in fact, his flushed face might as well become his new skin colour. With his heart reaping havoc in his chest, he looks at the stunned faces of his two best friends who stood there gawking alongside Becky, Anya and the rest of the kids that had paid attention in the cafeteria.

However, out of all of them, he couldn't help but return his sights to Forger. He shares a panicked look with his new friend's surprised green eyes, all but begging her to help him out here. However, the girl merely blinks at him curiously.

'Seriously?? she's not going to help me out here at all!?' he thinks frantically.

Anya's eyes suddenly changed into confusion, almost as if she heard him. However, that was impossible, this isn't some superhero universe where powers exist. She was more than likely confused as to why he was so upset, in fact, he dared say he probably even sounded jealous.

Becky was about to try to replace him as Anya's tutor-not that she could have possibly known that. In hindsight, he should have known that it was never going to happen, he was specifically chosen by the Housemaster after all. Yet, the very thought of Blackbell taking Anya away from him when she gets to interact with Anya so much already-compared to him- made him lose his cool. Which in his family...is definitely not cool...at all.

He could just hear his brother Demetrius now...

"What are you thinking making a scene at school? Don't embarrass me or father! You won't become an imperial scholar at this rate. Father will be so disappointed" says Demetrius's voice in his head.

"You have disappointed me for the last time Damian...mingling with the common folk and causing scenes at school...you bring shame to this family. You are no longer my son!" his fathers furious cold voice appears straight after. A familiar fire began to burn in his stomach and his heart hammered achingly, then he found himself shouting the words before even thinking.

"Tsk! Don't think this makes us friends Uggo! I'm only tutoring you because I'm forced to got that! I will never be friends with a commoner like you! You just wait Forger, I will make every session so hard that you will beg the housemaster for another tutor! Then I can be free of you! My skills are wasted on a shrimp like you!" he exclaimed.

However, his chest ached and stomach churned as he saw those green eyes begin to water behind those red frames. His vision was suddenly solely focused on how sparkly her eyes get when she cries. Immediate regret coursed through him straight after.

'Oh no...damn it, I didn't mean that! I swear i didn't mean that Forger! I promise! I just panicked so please don't cry!' he thinks with a terrible sense of guilt.

However, he didn't dare speak up, he was a coward. Instead, he was left there dumbfounded as Forger turned away from him and ran out of the cafeteria, with Blackbell on her heels, however Blackbell being Blackbell, didn't leave before putting in her own two cents.

"Why do you have to be so mean you-you big bully! Well don't you worry i'll ask to be her tutor instead, no way am i going to let Anya be in the hands of someone like you!" Becky exclaimed before continuing to race after Forger.

He gulps as he looks around the room, the rest of the kids had begun to go back to their own business. However, he could still hear some whispers from a few tables, he quickly shoots those tables a glare and they suddenly go sheepishly quiet. Suddenly, a hand pats his shoulder.

"Way to go bossman, you sure told her! With how stubborn Blackbell is, that commoner will be out of your hair in no time!" Emile praises him with a smug smirk.

'No stop...don't praise me...' he thinks to himself ,however, Ewen joins in.

"To think you almost had to waste your time trying to study with that commoner, you're totally right, your skills would be wasted on Forger" Ewen pitches as he leans his elbow on his shoulder, however he merely shrugs him off in annoyance.

He and Forger had made so much progress merely days a go...and already he had managed to royally stuff everything up.

'What have I done...damn it!'

. . .

Looking at the clock that was ticking against the library wall, he squirms restlessly as his eyes keep migrating to the library door. He has been waiting for Anya to enter the library for their next study session. Thankfully, despite how stubborn Blackbell is known to be, she wasn't able to replace him as Anya's tutor.

He needs to apologise to her for how he acted in the cafeteria. He has tried multiple times throughout the rest of the school day, but all of his attempts kept failing. Whenever he tried to have moments alone with her, she was taken away by Blackbell faster then he could even say 'hey'.

To his relief, despite the slight evidence of Anya's previous tears, she didn't seem to be upset anymore, which was good. Surely she knows he didn't mean it right? Maybe she thinks it was just an act to keep up appearances? He truly wished it was, it would have been a grand performance and he doesn't even like drama.

Either way, even though he didn't mean what he said about her, lashing out just because he was jealous or panicked was still mean. He had promised her that he wouldn't be like that anymore...they are supposed to be friends now after all, even if they are keeping it a secret. However, with all the sudden pressure that had consumed him in that moment, even from his two best friends whether they knew it or not..had made him fall back into his old habits when it came to Forger.

The clock continues to tick, Anya was 10 minutes late. He was beginning to think that she wasn't going to turn up, even though she still had his comic...Suddenly, a thought pops into his head, a way to cheer Forger up and make amends. He could let Anya keep his comic! He could probably buy a new one easily anyway!

He manages a small smile before the sound of the library door finally opens. His heart lurches as soon as familiar pink hair peeks in through the door, those green eyes nervously looking around, probably looking for him. He should probably make himself known, however, as he watched Forger look for him the weird sparkly stuff showed up again. Anya looked like she was glowing, her new red glasses sitting elegantly on her face...she looked so...so...

'Cute....' He thinks to himself.

Suddenly as if she heard him, Anya's head swivels towards him, causing him to jolt in his seat. They lock eyes for only a few seconds before he suddenly found himself fussing over the setup of his stationary. As he hears Anya's footsteps approaching, he racks his brain for something to say, he wanted to say that he was sorry and that he didn't mean what he said earlier...that they really are friends.

However instead...

"You're 10 minutes late Forger..." He blurts out, immediately wishing he could bang his head into his homework. However, just as his parents always taught him...a Desmond must always uphold a certain 'decorum'. A Desmond never grovels and doesn't lower themselves for anyone. A terrible family trait that he knows he needs to work on, since he had quickly learnt that it was a trait that many kids at school disliked.

Anya looks at him warily before taking a seat opposite to him. She remains quiet at first, setting up her homework and pencils before finally looking at him, eyes unsure behind her frames. She looked like she wanted to say something , making him fill up with anticipation, but then she suddenly changes her mind and goes through her bag, then hands him an all too familiar comic, along with her notes from a few days earlier.

"Uh...your comic book...here" she finally says, however uncharastically meek. It was upon hearing that very tone of voice that finally kicks him into gear.

"Oh, uh thanks..." he finally says , he takes the notes but leaves the comic in her hands.

"What about your comic?" she says, clearly just as affected but this awkward atmosphere as he is.

He takes a deep breath and then gives her a somewhat sheepish and apologetic smile "uh, you know what? Keep it, i want you to have it..." he says hoping it was enough to stave off this awkwardness and put a smile back onto her face, so they could talk like they did during their first session again. However, instead of getting excited like he hoped she would, she merely blinks in suprise.

"Oh..uh thanks?.." she responds and then the awkwardness continues.

Finally, he just couldnt take this anymore and the dam flooded through him, words spilling anxiously out of him, desperate to fix their new friendship.

"Im sorry!...I-about what I said at lunch...I-I didn't mean to say that.. it's just that..everyone was looking and Emile and Ewen were pressuring me and expecting me to say something mean like I always do and... I-I fell back into old habits!.." he takes a deep breath and finally continues to explain himself more calmly "I was worried that Blackbell was going to try to take my place as your tutor and I didn't want that. She already gets to hang out with you way more than me and at least with our tutoring sessions I get a chance to hang out with you, without our friends to worry about"

Anya blinks at him "I know"

He finds himself blinking back "you know?"

Anya purses her lips and nods before taking a deep breath "Anya knows you didn't mean it...even if I did get sad at first...Anya knows how hard it is to stop habits, even though I have these glasses now and dont need to squeeze my eyes anymore, Anya still finds herself doing it anyway...but then I stop because I realise im being silly and don't need to anymore".

Relief immediately consumes him "well you can still keep the volume, I can just replace it anyways..it's your 'im sorry' gift".

He settles himself more relaxedly in his chair, as her eyes shone like the sun and he watches in a mixture of horror and amusement as she clings tightly to the comic against her chest, as if christmas came early.

"Don't squeeze it like that! You will get the pages wrinkled!" he scolds before sighing exasperatedly "you know what never mind, it's yours now so you can do what you want..let's just start the lesson shall we?"

Anya suddenly panics and checks the comic for any damages before setting it down on the table looking sheepish "sorry Sy-on boy, Anya promises she will take good care of it. Ooh, Sy-on boy should look at Anya's notes!-" suddenly, the librarian comes around the corner to glare at them.

"Shush, or you two can go back outside" the woman whispers intently. After saying their quiet sorry's, they share a sheepish look before Anya finally speaks up first, though much more quietly.

"Hehe I think I even improved a little" she whispers excitedly.

He smirks "heh, well we will see about that, Forger".

. . .

He has to admit, Anya has indeed improved in at least two areas. Her handwriting has gotten just a smidge neater and although still bad compared to the more educated students in their class, Anya's spelling is showing signs of improvement as well. There are less mistakes in her work now compared to any work he had ever seen previously from her. To think she has only had her new glasses for a few days...this was a good sign, very good.

"So?? How is it??Anya's gotten super better! Right Sy-on boy?" Anya whisper yells excitedly, looking so proud of herself.

He merely raises an eyebrow " I will admit, you have improved, the tiniest bit. Your handwriting is getting better and there are less spelling mistakes, but you still have a long way to go".

"You just can't give a com-ple-ment can you sy-on boy" Anya deadpans.

He couldn't stop the snort that escapes him "hey, I said you improved Forger, I can praise people just fine, I'm just being honest. You won't get better any quicker if you have a tutor that just tells you what you want to hear".

Anya puffs her cheeks out and pouts, she looked like a stuff-faced chipmunk. He stifles a laugh.

"Fine...Sy-on boy wins this time".

Meanwhile...

Loids P.O.V

He couldn't help but sigh in relief as he looked through the vent as the two young kids below him started their study session in earnest. Was he going overboard again? Probably, but he would be darned to let the youngest Blackbell ruin the process of this new budding friendship between Anya and his targets son.

When he overheard their confrontation in the cafeteria, his heart nearly froze over. In that moment, many plans to keep the young Blackbell from reaching her goal had crowded his mind. Luckily, the young heiress was very easily distracted and easy to manipulate. Although he feels a little bad for making the young heiress think she has a secret admirer, the romance addict fell hook line and sinker. She then thankfully forgot all about seeing the housemaster.

He sighs again, thankful for how many times his daught-Anya, has complained about the young girls obsession with love. After one last peek, he tries to crawl through the cramped space once again. A job as a spy is never done, even little children seem to be making his mission difficult.

Chapter Text

Anya P.O.V

Anya finds herself practically skipping to the front gate after saying her goodbyes to Sy-on boy. The study session went so well that she thinks that they have become better friends, despite what happened earlier that day in the cafeteria. She even got to keep Sy-on boys comic and was even still given the next one too! Though she has to give the second one back.

She finds herself suddenly slowing as guilt begins to dim her excitement. She remembers what she heard in Sy-on boys mind back in the cafeteria, she wishes she could tell him that she wasn't upset because of what he said, not really. The picture that his mind created of his own father and brother were really scary, were they really like that? Is that how they would react to their friendship? Sy-on boy seems to think so, and he was so scared...it made her feel just as overwhelmed as him.

The sound of the car horn breaks her out of her thoughts, she looks up to see her papa looking out the window and treating her with a smile. Shaking off her thoughts, she races towards the car and gets into the back seat.

"How was your session today Anya? You seem chipper, did something good happen?" Papa asks, as if he didn't eavesdrop and follow her for half the school day.

However, she merely smiles and says "it was good papa, Sy-on boy let me keep his comic book, and gave me this one to read too!" She holds the second volume up excitedly so her papa could see it through the mirror.

"That was nice of him, it's nice to see you two getting along so well" papa says as he turns a corner.

'She has been doing really well ever since she got those glasses, not only that, but with how fast her friendship with the Desmond boy is progressing. Maybe I should take her out somewhere fun, I have no missions today and I'm still waiting on Franky's intel. Perhaps whilst we are out I'll stop by and check on his progress'.

She looks excitedly towards her papa, her papa is going to take her out on an oo-ting! However, her excitement didn't last long as the rest of her papa's thoughts catches up with her...It was like freezing ice-cold water was dumped onto her, quelling the excitement abruptly. Instead, excitement was replaced with dread...papa is still looking into her childhood.

Panic begins to rise, uncle Franky is super good at finding out things, what if he finds out the truth!? That she can read minds!? What if he already knows!? If he tells papa....

Suddenly, her tummy was feeling sick. If papa see's uncle Franky today, will her life as Anya Forger be over!? Suddenly the oo-ting doesn't seem so exciting anymore. Papa's thoughts intrude her mind once again, causing her unsettled mind to unsettle even more.

'I hope he managed to find something. There is just something about Anya's background that I can't shake...shes a very astute and charming child, so I can't understand why she had been returned as many times as she did...and her aversion to doctors...it gives me a bad feeling'

What can she do!? She can feel tears threaten to spill, getting overwhelmed for a second time today. Her stomach nauseous. Suddenly, an idea hits her and it won't even be a lie! Well not really anyway...She then clutches at her stomach and frowns exaggeratedly.

"Ooh nooo....ughhh papa...Anya's tummy hurts! Anya thinks she is going to be sick..." she says putting a hand to her mouth and sways for good measure. She then peeks up towards the mirror so she can see her papa's face, he peeks at her from the front in concern.

'Anya is sick?? But she was fine just a moment ago, there was no sign of her being sick at school either...what could have brought this on? Is she car sick? That doesn't usually happen...then again...they did eat Yor's special back-to-school breakfast together this morning...and whilst Yor has gotten somewhat better at breakfast dishes... She did try to go all out again for Anya's sake...and when she goes all out...' .

Papa suddenly sighs 'maybe I'll let her rest at home for a while, I'll let her go out another time, at least this way I can speak to Franky without having to keep watch over Anya, she is getting used to the world around her again and I have no doubt that she would probably wander off if I'm not careful enough'.

She freezes in horror, dread befalling her face. This was not the outcome that she had hoped! Not at all! She had to find a way to stop her papa from going to uncle Franky! Op-er-ra-sion, make papa stay cannot fail!

Meanwhile...

??? P.O.V

"I've found her, a little girl with the exact description that you gave me, she exited some heavily secured elite school, and entered a vehicle driven by a blond adult male, looks to be either in his late 20s or 30's, potentially her father, most likely adopted considering they look nothing alike. What would you like me to do?" he asks his client as he starts the car to follow said vehicle that is now two cars ahead of him. God knows why his client was interested in this little kid. However, money is money he guesses, no matter where his client managed to aquire it, as long as he gets his pay at the end of this he couldn't care less.

"Just keep an eye on them for now and report back anything noteworthy...what is this schools name?" his client asks in response.

He looks up at the schools sign as he drives passed the school gate in pursuit "Eden Academy, a pretty prestigious looking place".

"I see, so thats where she has been hiding...you seem to live up to the hype, I admit I was a little dubious of you at first, but you have done your job well enough. Just don't lose site of them and the next time you report back, I will arrange so that you can collect your payment".

"Perfect, until then" he says before hanging up, finally putting his full focus on tailing his target.

Anya P.O.V

'We are being tailed...black car with tinted windows, two cars behind, it was parked across the street near Eden Academy, I wasn't sure at first but now I'm almost certain...if we are being tailed then I can't risk leading the person to our home...maybe I can stop by the pharmacy to buy Anya some stomach medicine...see if the car follows' papa's thoughts distracts her from her inner panic. They were being followed??

"We will stop by the pharmacy to get you some stomach medicine, I think we are all out at home, just hang in there Anya" papa says to her with a caring yet cautious gaze...papa is in spy mode. She tries to look behind her through the back window but can only see the car behind them.

"Anya sit in your seat properly please" papa then says, scolding her as he turns a corner.

She readjusts herself and resists the urge to look again. Instead, she looks at her papa's face through the mirror, watching as his eyes narrow dangerously for a second before being schooled into his normal expression. Papa means business. Was some super cool spy stuff about to go down?? A part of her thinks she should probably be super scared right now, but she knows her papa is super tough, he will definately kick the bad guys butts!

'This could be bad, is my cover blown? But how?? I have been meticulously cautious, I made sure that everything was perfect! I made sure there was no errors in my facade!' she tilts her head slightly at her papa's thoughts. It is super weird to hear her papa sounding so upset, when his face mostly remained as calm and fatherly as always.

After what felt like ages, they finally arrive at what papa says is the closest available pharmacy. Papa gets out of the car and opens the back door for her, and offers her his hand with a fatherly smile, as if nothing is wrong and that they really were just getting some tummy medicine.

"Come on out Anya, lets go get you some medicine, plus a nice walk out of the car would do you some good, fresh air helps with stomach sickness" papa says with a fatherly smile, hand outstretched.

She blinks for a moment, then gets out of the car and accepts her papa's hand regardless. As they walk towards the pharmacy entrance, she takes a chance to look around. She spots a black car parking on the other side of the road, a little further down, she couldn't see the inside. If it wasn't for the situation, she would have gawked for longer at how long the main street actually was.

It didn't end at the crossing on the corner like she had always thought, and all sorts of cars lined up on either side of the road, it was almost like the road stretched out as far as she could see. An odd feeling settles over her, it was a familiar yet unwelcome feeling, she felt like she was being watched... Taking a deep breath, she quickly clings to her papa's arm then follows him into the store.

They roam around the store casually, like they were just any other customer, papa makes his way to the medicine section and looks as if he was reading the bottles. However she knew better, she could see papa occasionally look in the direction of the store window secretly, checking their surroundings like the pro that he is. It's amazing how clear things become when you have proper vision...it still amazes her how many things she had missed all this time. Shes constantly getting surprised by something around almost every corner.

She looks at the shelf before her then spots the vanilla and strawberry flavour, she likes that flavour-even though she doesn't exactly need it anymore, not really. She looks up at the one in his hand, he obviously wasn't paying too much attention on which one he was picking up because her stomach lurches at the gross cherry flavour he holds in his hands. Yuk!

"I want vanilla and strawberry! Please papa!?" she grabs the bottle she likes and showcases it to him. With one last subtle look to the window, her papa looks down at her and smiles.

'"If that's the flavour you want Anya, just be careful not to drink too much of it okay, the last time you were sick you almost drank the whole bottle, that can't happen again. It's not good for you" her papa warns, but takes the vanilla and strawberry from her then puts the yucky cherry back.

'It's no use...I still feel like we are getting watched. Even in here...' papa thinks as they make their way to the store person.

As her papa pays for the medicine, she finds herself peeking out the window, her eyes searching the semi-busy street. If only she had better control of her mind reading, if she knew who to listen to she could listen in on them. However, there was way too many people to let in for her to handle, she will get dizzy if she tries.

She does one more sweep outside the window, then suddenly for a split second, she could have sworn she saw a figure near the entrance of a small alley on the other side of the street, mostly hidden from view. She tries to focus on him but his thoughts were to distant to make out and there was way too many people out and about.

'A man, seemingly 5'10 in height, alleyway, it would be best to deal with him as fast as possible...but I can't leave Anya here unattended...damn it!' It seems papa found him too .

'Uh oh! Papa needs to beat the bad guy! Papa needs an oo-paning!' she thinks to herself and tries to come up with a plan.

"Papa! Anya needs to go to the toilet! It can't wait papa, I must go now!" She says desperately, yanking on his coat. Her papa looks down in surprise, but then turns back to the girl at the register and turns up his charms ten fold!

"Excuse me ma'am, you wouldn't happen to have a toilet in your shop would you? It seems my daughter is desperate to go..." he asks the girl who flushes at her papa's charming smile. She smirks knowing she didn't need to read her mind to know exactly what that woman was thinking, the usual reaction that most girls get to her papa.

"Oh! Umm..." the woman blushes, seeming flustered "I could escort her to the staff toilet, if you feel comfortable entrusting her to me? I promise to take good care of her!"

"I would appreciate it so much, I will wait here for your return...." He then turns to her and places a gentle hand on her head "now be a good girl Anya, I know you don't feel well, so take as much time as you need, okay, this nice lady is going to take you to the big girls toilets" papa explains to her.

'I need as much time as possible to take care of that guy. Who knows how much time I actually have until they come back out from the toilet though, I'll have to handle this as swiftly as possible' his thoughts betrays her papa's true intentions.

"I'll be right out here if you need me" papa says to them for good measure, as she reluctantly follows the lady to the female staff toilets, just barely holding back a small cunning smirk.

'Papa is such a liar' she thinks to herself, as she makes a plan to take as long as possible, so that her papa can kick some bad guys butt!

Chapter Text

                        ??? P.O.V

He was digging through his closet, pushing back the row of coats to get to the secret lever. Pulling the lever, the back wall of said closet slides open to reveal an all too familiar room. It wasn't anything grand like in those spy movies he's seen on the motion picture contraption, but it was enough to hide the important things; his safe for example.

He makes his way past the rows of wigs, outfits and the select few weapons that lined his walls. Making his way to the back of the room, where his safe was tucked safely under his messy desk, he bends over and opens said safe. He begins tucking the rolls of cash into an envelope, promptly deciding to give the guy a little more for his troubles.

After all, completing the mission he gave the poor private detective was no small feat...at least not to him. Not only that, he was the only one that didn't fail...and now...he finally has a location. The man had said that he had laid eyes on her and that news in itself is huge..because that confirms that 007 is still alive.

A rare small smile was about to grace his face when the burner phone on his desk began to ring. Which was odd since only one person would be calling him on that number, and they just very recently spoke.

A frown finds his face instead as he fumbles through all the old confidential files on his desk, mainly about a particular project. Finally, he finds said phone underneath subject 007's file and quickly answers.

"Hello, what is it? Is there any new information?" he quickly asks, however, concern begins to plague him as all he can hear on the other end is the man's frantic breathing and he could have sworn he heard crashing noises on the other end.

"What is the situation, answer me!" He growls, worries itching at him, this was not sounding good, not good at all. Finally, the man speaks in panted breaths.

"Sorry...sir...I was..." another crash "damn it! This dude is fricken fast!"

"What's happening!?" he shouts into the phone, his hand clenching on top of the desk.

"I was spotted!" the investigator gasps out.

"Crap! He's gaining on me! Damn it! Beware of the father! He's-" suddenly there was an even louder crash and then suddenly all was silent. He kept the phone in his ear just in case...however, the voice that graced his ear was not the detective but another man...

A firm, dangerous-sounding voice took over
"Just who is this?"

He doesn't dare answer, instead, he quickly hangs up and stares at the burner phone in disbelief, a growl escapes him as frustration gets the better of him. He then throws the burner phone at the wall and then steps on it so it breaks even further. He then looks towards the cash-filled envelope...he has a strong feeling he won't be needing that anymore...

He takes a few deep breaths, he needs to calm down and think. At least this time around it wasn't a total failure, he now knows that 007 is alive and even has a location...However what the detective said at the end concerns him, this so-called adopted father of hers, clearly he was no ordinary man...and that could mean trouble.

He needs to look into this so-called father...perhaps it was time to get more personally involved since everyone he has sent out has failed him so far. As the saying goes, if you want something done right, sometimes you just have to do it yourself. He goes back to his safe and digs through all his IDs, there has got to be a way to get into that school...it was his only real lead. He has to find her...no matter what.

His heart aches as he remembers being separated from her so long ago... Would she even recognise him after all these years? For a long time, they were all each other had, and all these years of not knowing if she was alright and if she really made it out. It ate him alive...because it was his plan and he just simply would not have been able to take it if he had survived the escape alone. They were supposed to be in it together, survive together, she was family.

~flashback~

He could feel his heart race as Anya's small frame crawled through the suffocating space of the ventilation system in front of him, all that could be heard were their breaths making frantic music. His eyes determinedly sought the vent exit that would lead to the staff's laundry room. However, they were racing against time and he could feel himself begin to panic. He takes a deep breath and tries to sort out his thoughts.

Phase one, sync his and Anya's appointments up, then during his appointment, take out the Doctor with the sedative he managed to steal from his last visit and block both exits to buy them some time. Then, used the desk to reach the vent in the roof, once the vent was pried open,  take whatever seemed useful; he managed to plunder some medical supplies and some extra sedatives. Then uses whatever furniture he can to get into the vent safely.

They only had a limited overlap where Anya and his appointments truly sync, as her appointment starts a bit after his starts. This leaves him with 15 minutes at max to make his way to the third appointment room via the vent, where Anya would be waiting for him. After bursting in through the vent and taking out the second doctor, he uses his height to help Anya into the vent even though it hurts like hell considering how lacking in body mass he is. After blocking off the room exits as well, make his way back up into the vents through similar means as before...then-

"Hey, I think this is it!" Anya thinks loudly in his mind, pulling him out of his mental spiral and back to the present. Anya had turned around to look at him, gesturing towards the vent that was now between them, the med kit still secured to her back with tape...they had to use what they could get. Plus it could protect her from behind, so no harm no foul.

He looks through the vent exit and sighs in relief as he spots the large bin-like clothes hamper, this seems to be the place. With his makeshift screwdriver, he manages to loosen the nails and with as much force as he can, brings his foot down onto it, it took a few tries but it eventually caused it to give way and fall into the large hamper below.

With a better look, he notes that the hamper was half full, which gives him hope for a somewhat soft landing for the both of them. He goes to ask Anya to go first, however upon looking at her fearful and teary face, seemingly scared of the drop, he decides to go first. Without a word, he takes a deep breath and takes the plunge. Thankfully he only gets mildly winded as his body collides into the sweaty-smelling uniforms.

After regaining his bearings, he stands and looks back up to the vent above, looking into the tear-filled eyes of the young girl who was the closest to a family he has ever known. He was sure he had one once, but he has long since accepted that his memories of that time in his life were never coming back. Anya is his family now.

"Jump! I will catch you" he whisper yells.

"Promise??" she whimpers to him in uncertainty.

"Always...".

~Flashback ends~

He shakes off the memory, as a somewhat subtle alert that was connected to his bedroom door lit the room, just a flashing red light just above the entrance door.

"Looks like all this will have to wait a little longer...tsk..damn aristocratic rules..." he grumbles, as he cleans up his mess then quickly makes his way out of the secret room, making sure to seal the entrance.

He admits that after he escaped the facility, he truly has gotten lucky. Turns out some aristocratic wealthy couple, was not able to conceive a child, so in order to have a family, they had spent seemingly endless amounts of money on trying to find the perfect son, and by using his mind-reading abilities, he was able to win them over. Despite still having no recollection of his previous life, he had managed to slip into his new role as a dutiful aristocratic son suspiciously easily.

His current mother and father come from new money and have come to Ostania from overseas for their expanding business. They are good people, and he somewhat feels bad for using them and their wealth to achieve his goals. However alas, he will not stop until that wretched place was metaphorically burnt to the ground or actually burnt to the ground...provided the kids weren't in there of course, but he can still dream, right?

In fact, by all means, his new life was pretty much almost perfect, minus one thing and he will not stop until he gets her back. He finally pulls out of his thoughts again and opens his bedroom door to find his housemaid Lucia waiting patiently for him.

"Your parents wish to speak with you in the living room Young Master Ranaldi" Lucia informs him graciously.

"Thank you, Lucia, I will be right over" he responds to the woman courteously. With a quick bow Lucia goes on her way back to do whatever it was she was up to before retrieving him.

With a sigh, he closes his bedroom door and makes his way down the hall, quickly stopping by the hallway mirror to check his appearance. His new parents are strict on etiquette in all forms, in fact, before they made him public to society, they had permitted him to have a complete makeover. Well not a complete makeover, in the end, he just asked to dye and style his hair when he first moved in.

Luckily, they were eager to please him and they accepted his request without question. Instead of his shaggy dirty blond, it is now a light brown to match his new mother's, which she utterly seemed to adore the idea of. He currently had it tied up into a low somewhat short ponytail, his fringe styled and slightly swept back to the side, it was like he was a completely different person minus his eye colour. Thankfully it was a common enough colour to help him blend in and not stand out too much. He wore a simple outfit, a green sleeveless sweater over a beige shirt and brown dress pants combo, it was good enough.

He makes the rest of the walk to the living room, finally having calmed himself down from his earlier distress. As he entered the room with a charming smile, only to see his parents talking in hushed voices on the couch but stopped the moment they saw him.

"Marcus darling! I'm glad you could join us, please come sit with us!" his mother says overly enthusiastically, terrible at hiding things as per usual.

"Cordelia sweetheart, remember to use your inside voice" his father teased his mother.

His mother Cordelia Ranaldi was a carefree spirit, and his father Arnold loves to poke fun at her from time to time. He rarely shows it in public though, he's normally all business. The fact that he is suspiciously not right now, makes him all the more wary. He decides to let the barrier to his telepathy down just for a little while, deciding to aim for his mother's mind since she was less harsh to listen to.

'How can we possibly tell him, he seemed to have finally found a tutor he genuinely liked this time around, honestly, I can't believe he went and moved away like that, how rude, and what's worse is no other tutors are willing to make the long travel here... I know he prefers homeschooling but it's coming to a point where..'

He quickly put his barrier back up, having heard enough to get the gist of the situation, and it's a situation that he could use to his advantage...what a convenient and happy coincidence.

"Is there something you guys wanted to speak to me about?" he asks, trying to cut right to the chase. His parents blink at him for a moment, his father clearing his throat somewhat nervously.

"Well son, we were thinking that perhaps it is time for you to branch out a bit more, and become more active in society, You are turning 16 soon and your mother and I are worried that by keeping you cooped up at home so much, that you may be missing out on so many wonderful opportunities

Plus social skills are a very important skill to learn my boy, so we were thinking that perhaps...you might want to consider attending school. There are plenty of fine private schools here in Ostania, or so I've heard...so what do you think??" his father tries to explain to him as persuasively as he can, though clearly deciding to not tell him the complete truth.

Trying to spare his feelings perhaps, though to be completely honest -don't get him wrong he did enjoy his time with that tutor- but he is not one to get too overly attached to just anyone.
He pretends to give it some deep thought for a moment, trying to hide his amusement at how his parents squirm while waiting for his response.

"If you think that it is best, then I suppose I can attempt to be social...however I want the best of the best father I think I know just the place, I think it will even be good for the business father" he says finally reprieving his parents from uncertainty.

"Oh? Do you already have a school in mind? Which school darling?" his mother asks seemingly surprised by his reaction.

"Why Eden Academy of course".