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Day 1
It’s almost time.
The car decoy has been prepared, with the bomb set to go off inside. All Twilight needed to do was make it seem as if he was inside when it goes off, causing an explosion and a fiery mess.
Save for a few identifying accessories, such as his pin and watch, his corpse would be nearly unrecognizable.
This kind of plan isn’t foreign to Twilight. It isn’t his first time doing such an event, nor is it for his fellow agents.
It would simply be one of the many times he’s discarded an identity.
Twilight would normally feel alright with such a protocol. It would be a regular Tuesday, except one that’s for spies.
But he can’t help but feel something in his heart, clawing at him bit by bit.
It’s painful. And Twilight doesn’t like it. It distracts him so much that he nearly doesn’t hear Handler call his name for a fourth time. “Twilight? Are you listening?”
Twilight nods a few times, trying to shake off his current thoughts. He is a spy. And spies shouldn’t be distracted by their heart.
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t sound like you are,” Handler says. An expression of concern mixed with doubt is written on her face. Twilight sighs.
“I’m sure. Just…. Worried is all.”
“About your death not going well?”
Handler jokes a little, but the hidden question underneath the humor is plain to see to both individuals.
“My fake death is only part of it,” Twilight answers, adding nothing else. Handler frowns, then shrugs.
“Whatever you say. Anyways, do what you need to do before it’s time. You know the drill.”
Twilight nods, and he begins to turn around to leave.
She definitely knows he’s hesitating. The agent can feel it in his bones, making him shiver a little.
Before he steps out of her office, however, she speaks once more.
“Make the right decision, Twilight.”
Her eyes, now staring at reports in her hands, do not show much emotion. Only focus. He doesn’t know how to respond, nor can he quite figure out his handler’s intentions. In the end, he nods curtly, ignoring the discord in his stomach.
Day 2
There’s some details Twilight has to work through before the death of Loid Forger arrives.
While this wasn’t normally the case with his putting his past identities to rest, Yor and Anya’s involvement with him meant a few things to think about.
Namely, the fact that the Forger family would be without a father and husband. Finances aren’t particularly an issue, due to the fact that his “will” would leave more than enough for his wife and daughter thankfully. And even if Yor is unable to cook at home, Twilight knew that she and Anya would get on fine.
It’s the finer details that make his head hurt.
If Yor isn’t available to take care of Anya on the days she works, then who will? Franky or Yuri most likely, but even they had their own work to take care of. Not to mention that Anya may be pulled out of Eden to go to a public school, where she’d be in an entirely new environment. And considering that she would still be affected by her father’s death, Twilight felt nothing but worry for her.
Yor had lived by herself just fine before she became a Forger, but becoming a widow could result in all sorts of problems. Unwanted attention from those with nothing better to do, along with undeserved judgment as a result of her widowed status.
And if someone were to try and approach Yor with ulterior motives—
Twilight shakes his head, leaning over his desk and rubbing his temples. He doesn’t want to think about it.
The spy wishes that there was an easier way to go about it all. Though WISE would be helping, he can’t help but worry. They don’t know Yor and Anya as well as he did. They never lived with them, laughed with them, smiled with them.
It makes his heart ache to think about. Sighing, he ignores what dissonance he feels.
The man has no right to feel guilty when he’s the reason why this family would break apart.
Day 3
While Twilight is out of the house, he buys his family gifts.
Maybe it’s wrong to do so. Cruel even, to give them something when he is soon to disappear.
Still, he can’t help it. All of the things he thought of or saw, whether it was with his family or by himself, Twilight wishes to give them. At the very least, they’ll have more than the very few photos of him and even fewer belongings he has when he leaves.
A ring for Yor, something he neglected to give her since they married on that fateful day. A beautiful one, with a gold band and a diamond encrusted on it. Delicately engraved roses decorated the band.
A teddy bear plush for Anya. Twilight had caught her staring into the window of a toy shop they had passed before, and her eyes were glued toward it. Even if she clearly wanted it, Anya merely shook her head and went along with him and Yor that day.
And for Bond, a chew toy. He honestly isn’t sure why he never thought of buying toys for their dog, but it was most likely because his playmate is Anya, making it so that dog toys weren’t very needed.
Before that fateful day arrives, he’ll give them to his family one by one.
Day 4
After his shift at the hospital is done, Twilight walks the family dog. The route he and Bond take is as usual, except for when they reach the intersection. Particularly, the intersection that Loid is meant to die at.
Bond doesn’t move, only staring at the road in front of him. Twilight tugs on the leash but the large dog stays still.
“Bond? Is there something there?”
Twilight tries to look for anything out of the ordinary. There’s nothing of course, with there only being pedestrians and passing cars.
Maybe it’s just something that only a dog can sense, he thinks. It causes him some discomfort, however, knowing that this is where he is supposed to die later in the week.
Shaking his head, he calls Bond and once again tugs on the leash to get the dog’s attention.
“Alright, Bond. Let’s get going before Anya and Yor start to wonder where we are.”
The pup stares for a moment longer with his ears perked up before turning back to Twilight. Then, Bond begins to nudge his owner’s leg with his head. Away from the intersection, and toward home.
The spy isn’t sure what to make of it, but regardless, he pets him anyways.
“Good boy.”
He makes a mental note to give the bone he bought to Bond after they arrive home.
Day 5
While both parents clean up after breakfast, Twilight takes the chance to ask his wife out.
“Yor, may I invite you on a date tonight?”
She nearly drops the plate she’s placing back into the pantry before catching it with her other hand.
“T-Tonight? Really?”
“If you’re busy, I understand. I just wanted to ask,” He explains, back peddling a bit.
“I’m okay! I’d be happy to join you, actually. It’s just, we haven’t gone out together in a while, so I was as little surprised,” Yor quickly says, a blush coloring her cheeks.
Twilight smiles. “It has been a while. It’s why I asked you, to be honest. I thought it’d be a good idea to go out today, since we both have the day off.”
Yor nods in agreement, the blush still bright as a smile is painted on her face. “I- I’d love to, then. To go on a date with you, I mean.”
His heart feels both light and heavy when she accepts.
Once Franky arrives at the Forger home to watch over Anya, both husband and wife make their way to dinner.
A simple, yet high quality restaurant that Twilight knew wouldn’t make Yor feel too self-conscious of those around them. And one where he knew that they would both have decent privacy.
The food came swiftly, and conversation flowed between them. Twilight tries to enjoy himself as he talks with his wife. To not think about the end of the mission which hung over his head. It works to some extent, as he does find himself smiling without trying.
It’s when Yor asks him if he’s alright that he stiffens like a corpse.
“Loid…?”
Twilight coughs for a moment before replying. “I’m— I’m fine. Just a little tired from the overtime work at the hospital recently,” he says, giving her an apologetic smile. Yor frowns slightly.
“If you don’t feel good I don’t mind leaving—”
“Oh no, no. I- I’m alright Yor, really. Just… a little nervous.”
The small box in his hands feels hot as he holds it. His wife blinks, unsure of what her husband says.
“Yor, I… I have something to give you. Something I neglected to give you since we first married.”
Slowly, he opens the box to reveal the ring. It sits there, delicate and neat on its cushion as it gleams in the soft light enveloping them.
What follows next is the fork that Yor held breaking in half due to her sudden grip, along with her jaw dropping open.
“Loid?! W-Wait, what?!”
Her voice sounds like a mouse when she tries to speak, staring back and forth from the ring to her husband. Twilight chuckles lightly.
“I really should’ve given you an actual ring instead of um, that, at the time. I’m sorry it took me so long to give you one until now.”
“Oh Loid, you didn’t need to! I mean, this must’ve cost— gosh, I don’t know if I want to even ask!”
She rambles on, her eyes still wide in shock as she looks back and forth between the ring and anything else until she finally takes a deep breath.
Carefully, she holds the box in her hands as her eyes travel to meet his.
“I’ve never been given something like this before,” she says softly. “I really don’t know what else to say but thank you, Loid. I’m glad that I married you.”
Yor smiles at him with a warmth that squeezes his heart. A bittersweet and aching pain which reminds him of what he’s doing to her.
Day 6
The days leading up to the final day have been strange to Twilight. Not because he was worrying about his eventual fake death, but the fact that Anya seemed more clingy than usual toward him.
She would spend every second of free time she has with him, even if it was just simply being in the same room as Twilight. At night, she would make him linger a moment longer with questions of a bedtime story.
When he asks Anya whether or not she wants to go on an outing with just him today, she reacts in a way that Twilight didn’t expect. The ball of sunshine that he thought would appear happened to be one that looked at him in disbelief, as if this kind of action from her father was unheard of.
He supposes he has to blame himself for this reaction of hers, due to how often he works. Regardless, he took the surprise hug around his leg as a yes after he asked her again.
It was a simple enough outing. The weather was slightly chilly, so Twilight opted to treat her to some hot cocoa and a small walk in the park.
Anya is normally bright, going out and about on these outings. Not too far away, but close enough where her parents could watch her play and call out to her.
Today, there was never a moment where she wasn’t by his side. The child was always partial to holding hands, but today she seemed even more so. Through the gloves that he bought for her, Twilight could feel her tight grip on his hand. He doesn’t know what to make of it.
He isn’t sure what to make of her being quieter than usual, either. A stiffness is what coats her voice, along with her shortened replies.
No matter how many times Twilight asked her if there was something wrong, she would simply shake her head. Whatever it was, he had a feeling that he was one of the reasons behind her mood.
At the very least, he has one final card up his sleeve after they arrive home.
“Hold on for just a moment, Anya.”
Twilight leaves her for a moment in the living room, disappearing behind his door before appearing.
In his hands, of course, is the plush he bought for her three days before. Her eyes went wide at the gift, unsure if she was looking at it correctly. His daughter’s shocked expression is somewhat amusing, and he can’t help but smile lightly. He leans down enough to sit down, holding the toy out to her.
“You can take it, if you want.”
Anya blinks and stares for a few moments, processing what was happening. Gingerly, she takes it from his hands and holds it. It was a little strange seeing how awkward the child behaved around it, knowing that usually she would be over the moon.
“Is there something wrong, Anya?” he asks, genuinely worried. The possibility of him getting the toy wrong enters his head, but Anya shakes her head. Strangely, she sets the plush down and instead latches onto her father’s torso.
There isn’t a sound she makes as she hugs him tightly with her face buried in his chest. He tries to ask her what’s wrong, but he receives no response.
The spy isn’t sure what to do. Anya’s behavior was already out of the ordinary, and he has no idea what to do in this kind of situation.
“You won’t leave me and Mama, right?” she asks, her voice muffled and quiet.
The sudden question makes Twilight feel as if an arrow was shot through his heart. Swallowing down the tightness in his throat, he tries not to worry her.
“I won’t leave. You don’t have to worry, Anya. I’m right here with you.”
He strokes the crown of her head, but Twilight knows that she doesn’t believe him. Not when she holds onto him so tightly, as if he were to really die.
It reminds him a little of how he was a kid. Clinging to his mother, afraid of the bombs and what would happen should they fall down.
Twilight bites his lip, feeling the taste of blood in his mouth.
Silently, he apologizes to his daughter.
Day 7
The final day started out almost as normal as it would any other day.
Twilight wakes up, washes himself up, and prepares breakfast for the rest of the family. He makes sure that Yor and Anya’s food is done just right, along with ensuring that Bond’s bowl is full before he begins to paw at his leg.
He tried to ignore how his hands feel numb. How it doesn’t feel real to him, and how it feels as if someone else is making his body move.
The rest of the morning goes on as planned. The call he was expecting arrives, and he answers the phone mechanically.
He tells his wife that he needs to step out for a bit, and she nods, believing it to be just a simple matter. Before he turns the handle on the door, however, Anya runs up and clings to his leg tightly.
“It’ll only be for a little bit, Anya,” he chides her, but it doesn’t lessen her grip.
She buries her face into pant leg, shaking her head.
“I w-want you to stay,” she hiccups. “I don’t want you to leave me and Mama.”
He tries to ignore how the rope around his heart tightens, instead facing the door in an effort to distract himself. Slowly, he takes a deep breath as he quickly recalls why this is happening.
The mission is done, and his skills are needed elsewhere. Staying would only bring complications, along with other consequences.
It doesn’t feel very convincing when he thinks of it. If anything, it only makes his head hurt.
Then, he remembers a few words from days before. It echoes in his mind, making everything still for just a moment.
Make the right decision, Twilight.
The door handle is cool against his skin. Clear and sharp as it reminds him of the decision awaiting before him. He leans his forehead against the door, eyes creased closed as a sigh escapes him silently.
Yor says something, but he doesn’t hear it. Instead, he hears himself speak.
You’ll regret it.
That voice, controlled and rational in front of him. Cold and calculating to the very degree. A familiar voice, yet one that feels miles away.
Something terrible could happen if you stay. They’d be in danger.
It almost makes Twilight laugh a little to his surprise. A small, amused smile appears on his lips, unseen by the others.
“If I leave, it’d be worse,” he whispers underneath his breath.
His hand loosens around the handle as he lifts his head away from the door, turning around to face his family.
“You know, I just realized that I have the day off today.”
The words come out light, a sensation that he is just barely used to. A lie, normally heavy in nature, gently steps out. He crouches down for a moment, setting down his briefcase to pick up his daughter so he can comfort her.
“Sorry for the scare, Anya. I’ll be here, alright? It’s okay,” he softly says, wiping her tears away with the side of his finger. The child appears somewhat surprised at first, before a grateful smile appears on her face. Then, Twilight faces his wife with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry to you too, Yor, for the confusion. I got my days mixed up is all.”
Yor blinks for a moment, not entirely sure what just happened. Regardless, she shakes her head and smiles.
“I know you’ve been a bit tired lately, so it’s okay. It can’t be helped sometimes,” she says, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
“I suppose this means you’ll be spending the day off with us, then?” Yor asks, a small chuckle weaved in her voice. A smile, one full of warmth, full of love, is his reply.
“Of course.”
An hour passes by the scheduled time until the phone rings. For a few moments, Twilight prepares himself for what’s on the other side. Or rather, what could be.
He isn’t quite sure how his handler would react. So when he brings the receiver to his ear, he’s caught off guard.
“You’ve made your decision, haven’t you?”
Her voice holds no frustration or disappointment. It surprised Twilight a bit, though he expected a more muted tone than one of amusement.
Carefully, with some tension in his throat, he speaks.
“I have. Is there anything I should—”
“No, no. Let’s not worry about that right now,” Handler interrupts. She sighs lightly, with a hint of a smile lining it.
“I had the feeling you’d do this, honestly. For now, however, just enjoy the day off with your family. We’ll discuss everything else tomorrow.”
Twilight isn’t sure what to say. In the end, he lets out a relieved sigh.
“Thank you.”
There’s the sound of ruffling papers and Handler’s humming. Even through the phone, the agent could see her smile in his mind.
“Of course. Have a good day, Mr. Forger.”
At that, Twilight hears her put down the phone. He does the same, albeit with a strange restlessness in his hands.
Approval from Handler. A day off. Even knowing that this would be his decision in the end.
Of course she knew , he thinks. He smiles, shaking his head. It must’ve been quite obvious to her from the start, with how long they’ve known each other.
The Forger father’s mind can’t help the worries that stay in the back of his mind, even after everything. It’s in his nature to worry, especially with what would happen now, but for today, he would set them aside.
Just for today, he’ll let his inhibitions go and smile with those he loves as that ache in his heart scatters away.