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Golden eyes looked at the Stellaron Hunter that appeared before him with apprehension. The young Trailblazer's body was set in a defensive position as he looked at the sharp tip of the ancient blade pointed at him.
A small voice in the back of Blade's mind whispered to him to grab the boy, bring him into his arms, hold him close and drag him away with him no matter what stood in his way – but the man quickly snuffed the voice out, facing away from the boy and diving after Kafka off the Matrix of Prescience.
If he were to look at the grey-haired boy any longer – he could've ruined the flow of the script that has been set in motion.
Blade couldn't stand the sight of the boy on the other side of the story. He couldn't stand hearing the younger be related to the Astral Express in any way. Just the mention of it sends an itch deep in his skin – making him wish to slowly carve that irritating sensation out of his skin.
Caelus. The young Trailblazer beloved by everyone.
No – that's not who he is.
He belonged to them. He belonged to the Stellaron Hunters.
He belonged to Blade.
"It's for the sake of the best possible future."
"... 'Best possible future'?... What utter nonsense."
Kafka sighed. "Elio said 'it's what's necessary for the script to continue'," She repeated with mild frustration leaking into her tone. "If Elio said that – then we have no way to say otherwise."
Blade could only glare at the purple-haired woman. His arms were folded, though his fingers were clenched tight, digging into his elbows. He was slowly but surely losing his hold on his emotions. It was unusual – but in this case, it was bound to happen.
Kafka knew the man was slowly losing it. She could practically sense it – but she didn't do anything to calm him down. She doesn't tell him to listen to her nor does she hold him back. She understands the reason for his growing madness.
After all – she's just as livid as him.
Though she hides it under her beguiling smile, anger simmers under her skin – it's boiling in her blood, bubbling more and more as she remembers the script Elio had foretold. The anger within her threatens to pop out of her skin – seeping through her arms and clothes, drenching her in hot, scalding rage.
All the while, she smiles, showing nothing but her usual calm, collected yet hollow expression.
Blade on the other hand, could barely stand still as he recounts the script. The necessary steps for it to play out – the one variable that will change the outcome of their future. He could barely believe it the moment he heard it from Kafka – no – he didn't want to believe it. The one who will play the biggest role in it – the one chosen to become the 'hero' of that story –
Caelus. The young Stellaron Hunter beloved by everyone.
The boy who Kafka treats like her own son – and in turn, he looks up to her, seeing her as his mentor and mother figure he never had. The boy who Silver Wolf drags away to play games with all day – and in turn, he lets himself get dragged, competing with the hacker, smiling despite losing to the girl numerous times. The boy who Blade finds annoying – and in turn, the boy merely laughs at him, following him everywhere despite the many glares and threats the man sends his way.
Caelus just grins and lights up at the sight of him. No matter how many times Blade shrugs him off – he'll keep coming back to the older Stellaron Hunter, playfully jumping into his arms, giggling as the man catches him.
And Blade does just that. He would always catch him – steady arms quickly gripping the boy's waist, making sure the boy wouldn't slip from his hold – waiting for Caelus to gradually stop giggling. He'd watch as Caelus looked up and smiled at him fondly – thanking the older man before placing a kiss on his cheek.
This act never fails to make Blade freeze – Caelus taking advantage of it and squirming out of his hold, running away, whooping in joy.
After multiple quick catches of an overly affectionate boy alongside soft pecks on the cheek, Blade doesn't know what he feels for the boy – but he knows he no longer finds the boy an annoyance. Instead, he finds the boy to be a strange entity – one that does not feel fear strike into his heart or be intimidated at the sight of the taller gloomier man. Compared to many others, Caelus was an enigma – that which Blade could never understand.
He could never understand how – despite being involved in the Stellaron Hunters, criminals wanted by the whole universe – the young boy continues to have a heart of gold.
The boy reeks of pure goodness, his love stretching its grasp and latching onto many others – holding onto them, cradling them in a soft embrace. It follows them, a warm presence that feels just like the boy himself – the feeling of Caelus by their side. As he always is.
And yet –
"... He won't remember us." The dark-haired man spat, walking past the woman, escaping into the unlit corners of their headquarters.
Kafka stares at Blade for a moment. "... No, he won't." She looks out of the huge window in their headquarters, admiring the vast space outside – stars and planets littering the universe itself. "But we will." She looks back at the man – now standing within the shadows, rigid.
"If fate allows us – then one day, when the universe has no need for a hero to save it from the brink of destruction – we'll bring him back." She hums to herself before smirking. She snapped her fingers. "Here's an idea – Silver Wolf still has those aether cartridges of hers – we can always put them to good use."
She tilted her head at him. "What do you say to that?"
Blade slowly turned his head back – just enough that the Kafka could see those bloody red eyes glowing in the dark.
"... I'll go find Silver Wolf myself."
Kafka chuckles. "You really ought to hold back with all that devotion, Bladie." She strode across the room, slipping into the shadows after Blade.
"Besides, there's no denying you're Caelus's favourite out of all of us. He'll jump into your arms once more when this script is over and done with."
Blade holds those echoing words near his cold heart that beats for no one but the one who truly loved him. A flicker of hope through his warped mind.
The next they meet, he'll have to watch the boy from afar without interfering, allowing the script to play out.
He'll have to stay in the shadows and watch as his enemy – the dark-haired sinner who will soon face death by Blade's weapon – looks at Caelus as if the grey-haired boy had hung the stars for him.
He knew many were infatuated with Caelus – but he won't stand by and let him of all people get his hands on the boy.
So he'll wait for when the time is right – when there's an opportunity given for him to step onto the stage and finally lay his eyes on the main star of the show. He'll show everyone that Caelus was his from the very beginning. He'll show everyone that Caelus was meant for him to love and be loved in turn.
Blade awaits the day Silver Wolf uploads Caelus's missing memories back into the boy's consciousness. He awaits the day Caelus finally remembers him – jumping into his arms and kissing his cheek lovingly.
He awaits the day Caelus is back in his arms once more – where he always belonged.