Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Common, one bottle won't kill me. Plus no one will find out. My parents aren't here" Maddie had been trying to convince Caspian to give her a bottle of liquor for an hour at this point.
"Mads, we've been over this. Even if I'm 21, you're still 19." Caspian shot back, emphasizing 'You're.' His hands gripped the steering wheel slightly harder, and he said this sentence.
"So, why'd you bring me then?" She asks turning her body away from him in the passenger's seat. Caspian sighed and pulled off into a gas station he spotted on the empty highway in the middle of the night.
"Fine, I'm not fighting you but I'm choosing what it is." He says looking over at her once he had parked in front of the station. She looked at him and nodded.

A few minutes later Caspian walked out of the station with a bag in hand. He got in the car and handed this bag to Maddie.
"Vodka?" She questions looking back at him getting in the car. He shrugs and starts the car once more.
"Figured it would deter you at least a little. Tastes awful. " He says bluntly as he starts driving down the highway once more. Maddie rolls her eyes and opens the bottle taking in the smell. He was right it smelt gross as she took it in. However, she didn't want him to be right and took a swig of it almost instantly spitting it out the window.
"Told you." He says in a cocky tone looking over to her "tastes bad?"
She rolls her eye and takes another swig this time keeping it down.
"Worse than bad." She says looking out the window. Caspian keeps his eyes on the road waiting for the inevitable.

Sooner or later Maddie had managed around 1/4th of the bottle.
"Fuck, my head hurts." She said slightly mumbling her words. Caspian turned to look at her seeing her curled up in the passenger's seat.
"How about we stop at a hotel for tonight? I don't want you throwing up in my car." He says with concern for her behind his words although he was trying to keep those at bay. She nodded and turned her body to face him
"Please Cas." Her words still mumbled. It made his heart flutter. Cas. Just Cas, it sounded so right coming from her. Had anyone else called him that he may have sent them through walls, but it was Maddie. This girl he had fallen in love with so much over everything. He shook himself out of these thoughts, she was drunk.

Eventually after 30 more minutes he had spotted a sign for a motel. Maddie had been in tipsy rambling for the entire time.
"Maddie, You stay here. I'm gonna get a room, okay?". Maddie nodded. To this he went and got a room for the set of them. heading back out to the car to collect Maddie. He opened the door and helped her walk to the room he had rented for the night.

He set her on one of the two beds in the room.
"Let's get you some water" He said turning around before feeling a tug on his sleeve.
"Please-Please don't leave me" Maddie said almost begging although she was clearly drunk. He tensed up and sighed.
"I'm not leaving Maddie; I just don't want you badly hungover tomorrow" He said kneeling down to meet her eye level "Okay?" She nodded at this and let go of his sweater. He walked over to one of his bags and pulled out a water bottle before walking it back over to her handing it to her. She twisted the cap off taking a swig closing the cap.
"Happy?" she asked dramatically rolling her eyes. Caspian shook his head and sat next to her.

She stared at him for a moment before putting both her hands to either side of his face. His cheeks began to feel hot, he couldn't do this, she was drunk. She leaned in to kiss him, he pulled away from this and stood up
"You're drunk Maddie, we-I can't do this while you're drunk" He sighed closing his eyes pinching the bridge of his nose. she shuffled to the edge of the bed now gripping his sweater. She was fucking adorable, but this was wrong. Caspian didn't want this unless she was sober, herself and thinking properly.
"Cas, please" she said begging him still gripping his sweater.
"No, It's wrong. You're drunk. Not thinking right." he said sternly and took a set backwards sitting on the other bed. She fumbled to stand up Caspian putting his arms out in case she fell.
"I want this, I've wanted this, I want you." She slurs as she stumbles to him straddling him. His face burning red. Fuck if she was sober, he would've pounced at the chance. Instead, he picked her up and set her back down on the other bed.
"I wish you were sober." He says and hands her the bottle of water again "Drink it, please." He asks defeated.
"If I do, can we at least cuddle?" She asks her words all becoming one. Caspian tenses up, his face beat red at this point. Why couldn't she have just been sobered?

"yes" he says quietly. To this she quickly picks up the water bottle drinking it almost instantly. Once finished she looks at him with glee.
"Just cuddling, nothing more" He says sternly as a reminder before she fumbles her way back over to him sitting beside him. Fuck Maddie was everything he wanted but why did she have to say all of this drunk? Did she mean it? He gets knocked out of these thoughts by her pushing him onto his back before laying down herself. She rests her head on his chest one of her hands reaching for the fabric on his chest to hold on to. He freezes for a moment before feeling her fall asleep. It was peaceful, her breathing slowing, the soft rise of her up and down. He slowly wraps both of his arms around her as to not wake her. This was a feeling he wanted for so long, just not like this.

As if on cue 'superstar' by GRMLN started playing on the radio. One of his and Maddie's favorites. Fuck why now? He wanted Maddie, He knew that but now? He knew he shouldn't have given her the vodka but maybe what she was saying was true. Maybe drunk talks were sober thoughts, that's what Maddie said at least. Did it apply to her? He couldn't think properly. He suddenly felt a tug on his sweater from Maddie as if trying to hold him as close as possible. Maybe it was true. He tightened his grip on her as if she'd just vanish if he let go.

Eventually he had fallen asleep, waking up to Maddie getting out of bed.
"Fuck, my head hurts. What happened?" She asks in a tired voice holding her head in her hands.
"You insisted I get you liquor and wouldn't stop until I did" Caspian said sitting up rubbing his own eyes. Maddie looked at him as if in shock
"And you gave it to me?" She said almost angry. He nodded standing up and walking to collect is things from the room
"You said some... stuff too" he said keeping his back to her. Her face had gone bright red.
"Care to share?" She asked keeping her head down. Caspian took a deep breath
"We'll talk in the car." collecting the last of their things before escorting her to the car

"So.. What did I say?" her head down looking at her feet in the passenger seat
"That you 'want me' and went on like that for a good 10 minutes." He said before getting on the road "We didn't do anything. I have morals" He adds. heat rising to both of their faces. They remain in silence for a few moments.
"I kind of wish I stayed sober, so you wouldn't have had to hear it like that" She chuckles before looking at him. He tenses, up was this real?
"So, you meant it?" he asks gripping the wheel hard. Maddie nods trying to smile
"I wish you stayed sober too"

Chapter Text

Caspian and Maddie had been in his office all day. While Caspian had been working, she had been lying down on one of the couches, and Caspian was at his desk.
"Do you always keep it freezing?" Maddie spoke in annoyance going on saying stuff like this for 10 minutes complaining about the cold
"Do you only know how to complain?" Caspian shot back turning in his chair to look at her. She didn't look back at him simply lying on her side looking at the back of the couch. She grumbled and balled up trying to get warmer.

Caspian huffed and got up from his chair walking over to where she was lying.
"Do you want to get a blanket?" He asked in annoyance staring down at her. Maddie nodded feeling his warmth behind her, still looking at the back of the couch. Caspian left the room for a few minutes leaving Maddie in her own thoughts. When he returned he brought a large fluffy gray blanket with him. He tossed it at her before returning to his desk. She quickly unfolded it wrapping herself around it.

They remained like this for half an hour before a large thud came from Caspian's desk. Maddie looked up to see what had happened, noticing his head on the desk. She got up and made her way over to his desk standing behind him.
"That bad you had to give yourself a concussion?" She said sarcastically before looking at what he had been working on
"Mm" Is all he responded with before bringing his head back up almost hitting her in the process. Maddie leaned on the back of his chair still keeping herself wrapped in the blanket
"By all means figure it out if you can" Caspian said leaning back into the chair. Maddie kept her eyes on the screen subconsciously resting her head on the top of is. His eyes widened in surprise as it happened, but he remained still.

After a few moments more she stood up no longer leaning on the chair simply walking back to the couch lying back down. Caspian turned his chair watching her actions confused
"Not a clue, it's too cold in here to think" she said earning a large huff from Caspian
"Will you shut up about the cold?" He asked sucking in his breath standing up walking over to her. Maddie looked up at him rolling her eyes. Caspian sighed knowing he was fighting a losing battle.
"Fine, fine." He said defeated taking off his sweater handing it to her before returning to his desk.

Her face had turned hot as she put the sweater on. It was big on her, and warm solving most of her temperature issues. She had been tired for a while at this point but had been too cold to fall asleep. At last Maddie began to dose off, finally warm and comfortable enough.

"Maddie come look at this." Caspian called out half an hour later. Not receiving a response, he turned his head to see her asleep. His face softened seeing her sprawled out. She looked comfortable, her soft breathing, her chest rising and falling. After a moment staring at her he decided he could take a break. Maybe it was a bit too cold to think properly.

He got up and walked over to her deciding to pick her up as gently as he could walking to the other couch lying down with her. Why he not stays on the other one? He didn't know. she grumbled when he set her down atop of him
"Shhh" he said holding her close. She was warm, she was right. He hated that, but she was.

After a few moments he fell asleep too, her in his arms, in his sweater. It was perfect.

BONUS!
Maddies 'babysitter' walked in to check on the set of them, noticing them asleep together on the couch bodies covered by the gray blanket. Only assuming he quickly exited back to his post outside the room
"They tie the knot?" Caspians 'babysitter' asked turning to look at him smirking being the one to convince him to go in.
"Assuming so, they're both asleep cuddling, under a blanket. And Caspians sweater is on her now." He said keeping his face down before the other begins laughing out
"Only a matter of time"

Chapter Text

The terrified stare of Maddie. The gun pressed to her back. His hands holding her scaring her further. This image, this moment haunts Caspian every time he closes his eyes. Seeing her so scared, so terrified because of his actions.
Caspian woke up in a cold sweat, this moment replaying repeatedly in his head, haunting his dreams. He sat up quickly, breathing shallow, fast breaths. Looking at his left, seeing Maddie fast asleep on the bed across from him.

He let out a sigh of relief, seeing her safe unlike the scene taunting him every time he closed his eyes. He shakes his head, in an attempt to take his mind off of it. Rubbing his eyes he sits up taking his head into his hands. Would he ever get that image out of his head?

Caspian shakes his head looking over at Maddie again who is still fast asleep. He groans at the thought knowing he was the one who put her in that danger. He was the one who brought her here in the first place. Getting out of bed Caspian walks over to where Maddie is sleeping. He stared at her for just a moment before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Maybe just a few minutes sitting with her would make him feel better, like he knew she was safe. A groan came from Maddie, she had always been a light sleeper and had been slightly woken by Caspian. She glanced over to him, the lights still off not fully being able to make out that it was Caspian. Within half a second she quickly grabbed a pillow by her side and hit him over the head with it.

"Fuck Maddie" Caspian quickly groaned out laying down on the bed
"Shit, you can't do that" Maddie mumbled out in response before fully sitting up to look at him. Maddie rubbed her eyes for a few seconds before looking over at him, He was rubbing his head as just so luck happened the majority of the force had been right where he had gotten pistol whipped.

"You okay?" She asked looking over to him.
"Yeah I'll be fine" Caspian responded before sitting up an looking at her
They both stared at each other for a few moments. Maddie in confusion Caspian in concern.
"I just wanted to see you were okay" He mumbled before moving over to sit closer to her
"Why wouldn't I be?" Maddie asks, now looking at him with concern

"I just-." He cuts himself off before bringing his head to his hands again
"I feel bad, I shouldn't have brought you here" He adds after a few moments of silence. Maddie stares at him blankly for a few seconds.
"If you want to sleep in the same bed, you could've just said that. Now let me sleep" She says before laying back down facing away from him.

This comment stuns Caspian for a few moments before taking her offer. Maybe it would make him feel better, if something happened, he was right there. Sliding into bed with her he hesitates for a few moments before moving next to her. Wrapping both of his hands around her waist placing his head on her shoulder
"What are you doing?" Maddie asks in a slightly shaky voice, almost embarrassed
"Getting comfortable " Caspian mumbles into her neck holding her close, to him making sure nothing bad could happen while in this moment. Maddie chuckles softly before placing one of her hands atop of his and falls back asleep. Leaving Caspian in this moment. maybe creating a new scene to play in his head

Chapter Text

Caspian had been sat in the glass cube in the center of the building in a meeting. Same boring stuff, same boring meeting. All he wanted was to be out of these meetings. Maddie and Caspian typically would meet after these, she had no where better to be and would wait in his office.

30 more minutes had passed before they deemed this meeting no longer useable. Caspian was no longer listening to them simply working on his own keeping them for background noise at that point. Though annoying kept him working to avoid interacting with them.

From his focused state he was quickly shaken out of it by the bodyguard sent with Maddie. Caspian looked around for a moment, not seeing Maddie with him. "Where's Maddie? Why aren't you with her?" He asked, slightly annoyed that he had been disturbed

"She's in the office, she hasn't been responding to us. We thought we'd let you know. We can clear her out if she's still unresponsive when you go in" He stated bluntly. Caspian stared at him for a few seconds, still annoyed.

"That's it?" Caspian asks. The bodyguard nods giving him a questioning look. "Leave her there, use your common sense". Caspian didn't give it another thought before turning back to his work, sending the bodyguard off.

Another 5 minutes had passed before they finally ended the meeting, sending Caspian back to his office. As he entered the office he took a quick glance around, finding her sitting back to one of the couches, legs pulled to her chest and head on her knees. Caspian walked past her, sitting down at the desk. "They said you weren't being responsive" Caspian asks, almost as a statement apposed to a question.

He waited a few moments, not receiving a response from Maddie. Growing slightly frustrated with Maddie turned to work at his desk. After few minutes he finally spoke again "Are you ignoring me too?" This time as a question.

When he still didn't revive a response, he turned in his chair to look at her. This time noticing her rapid breathing, only taking quick shallow breaths. His mood shifting almost instantly as he got up and walked over to her, standing Infront of her. Examining her face for just a moment, seeing her panicked wide eyes staring at the floor.

He slowly knelt down, placing a hand on her shoulder attempting to keep his touch gentle "Maddie?" He asks, his voice softening. Her eyes finally looked up to meet his, her breath still shallow and quick.

Caspian sat down fully across from her, trying to be as close as possible without actually touching her. Removing his hand from her shoulder before speaking again "Can you take a deep breath?" Maddie nods and take her best attempt at one.

"Good, that's good. Can you take another?" He asks reaching his hand to her cheek, cusping her face in his hand. She nods again and takes another, and another, until her breathing is back to a normal pace. A small smile came from Caspian as he moved to sit next to her.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" He asks softly keeping his head forward in the same manor Maddie is.
"Yeah, Yeah. Im okay" Maddie responds turning to look at him. She lets her legs relax and lets them fall to sit more relaxed. "Do you want to talk about it?" Caspian asks with worry in his voice.

Maddies eyes fall to the floor "No, Not really." She says. "That's okay. You don't need too" Caspian says as he gets up and reaches an arm out for her. Maddie takes his hand and stands up sheepishly. Without warning Caspian pulls her closer into his arms. Wrapping both around her back. "Whatever it is, It's okay." He says whispering into her ear.

Chapter Text

"So what happens now?" Caspian asks still staring at the orb "You wipe my memory and throw me back in?" He adds. Maddie looks at him for a few moments. "I don't want that, I went all those years without you. I want to be with you again." Maddie says walking(floating??) over to him

"I don't want those universes, I want this one with you." She looks up at him, her eyes watering slightly. Caspin comes over to her, putting his arms around her. "Then what do we do?" He asks
"We can make our own universe" She asks more than states looking up at him and bringing her hands to either side of his face.

"We can make whatever we want, a universe where we can be together, a universe we want." She says looking at his expression and attempting to read it. He lets out a deep breath "Is that what you want Maddie? Is that what you really want?" Caspian asks loosening his grip on her. She looks at him confused for a moment before he speaks again "What if you grow bored of this? Grow bored of me? What if you only want that because you made this?" He asks now taking a step away from her.

"Maddie, do you want that?" He repeats. Maddie stares at him, her eyes growing with tears "What are you saying? I dedicated all of those years to bring you back!" She yells, not angry more confused why he was saying this. The tears in her eyes now flowing.

Caspian sighs and brings his hand to her cheek, cusping it gently. "Because I don't want you to be unhappy. I don't want you to decide that's what you want and regret it. We can code a world for ourselves here but if you are trying make something for us to wipe our memories and go into planning every moment to a tea how do you think I'll feel Maddie?" She looks at him confused, eyes still producing tears.
"Maddie, In all of these universes I was already a clone, everything was planned for me. I don't want that for you." He sighs and brings his attention to the orb in front of him. "This Caspian is me, that Maddie is you. When we were in those moments. Our memories make us Maddie. What more do we have to learn here?".

They both sit in silence for a few moments before Maddie speaks. "We can code something here for us, and if we get bored we we can go back into one of these universes. I just want more time with you Caspian. I fell in love and lost you in the matter of 1 year or 2 for them at least. I can't do that again. Not right now." She breaths out, shaking through her words as she brings her hands around his waist. "Please don't make me do that right now. Let me have some time with you."

Caspian sighs brings his hands around her waist. "I won't stop you, but if you end up wanting into one of these again one day..." He trails off leaning down to kiss her softly. Maddie melts into the kiss, missing the way it felt. It felt nice, just to have him again. It wasn't steamy or passionate it was just sweet, love bouncing between their lips.

They pull apart after a few moments. "I have one condition" Caspian finally speaks up. Maddie looks at him waiting for him to state this condition. He leans down close his head right next to her ear.

"If you ever want to go back into one of these again. We meet in person, and I get to be the edgiest damn hack lord" He whispers in her ear. Maddie punches him in the chest lightly "That isn't fair!" She yells fake upset, not able to hold this looking up at him with a smile.
"Its that or I get my memory wiped and tossed back into one of these" Caspian smiles bringing his face back to meet hers. He places a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Deal, Let's get to making our future together."

Chapter Text

Both Maddie and Caspian were observing the orbs in front of them, they had both grown a little bored of simply getting as close to the reality they had once lived. They started experimenting with what to do next. Of course, in every universe they had so far made they had kept their meeting online. Caspian insisted they kept it online until they both were going to go back into one of these. Looking back at the orb in front of them Maddie finally spoke up.

"You were right, I miss it. I miss ignorance, i miss pain. I miss life."

Her voice wasn't filled with anything, it was true, meaningful almost said like an apology. Caspian turned to look at her, confused for a moment, Maddie was still staring at the orb. He placed a hand on top of hers, to which she looked up at him at last.

"Do we code it till the end or see where what we have takes us?"

Maddie chuckled for a moment before answering in a mocking tone.

"We see where it takes us, what's the fun in coding till the end?"

Caspian shrugged pulling one of the blank orbs to him. Sliding it in between them as he spoke.

"We wouldn't know. You know my only condition Maddie."

A smile crept across both of their faces. He was right, when he agreed to stay he made only one condition and Maddie knew he wouldn't go with her if it wasn't met. And she dis promise him, as much as she disliked it she loved him more.

"Yeah yeah, how do we meet in person? School? a club?"

There was no dread, no annoyance nothing but happiness seeping through her tone. Looking to Caspian waiting for his answer

"I think, neighbors. One of us moves and we become neighbors."

Maddie snorts at his answer, finding it incredibly stupid but it had been his only request so she may as well fill it. Taking the orb in her hands coding in starting point for the set of them.

"So it is, I'll see you in there?"

Caspian stares at her for just a moment before coming closer to her. Placing a soft kiss on her lips before nodding.

"I'll see you in there, as long as its at least coded we start dating."

Maddie chuckles for a moment, smiling.

"Who do you take me for, of course it is. Can't have some 'Hannah' ruin our relationship now. Plus none of this would've happened had we not ended up together."

They both smile, bringing each other to one final embrace before pulling themselves into the world they had created.

"Maddie, some new neighbors moved in. Go say hi."

Chapter Text

"Theres a difference, all this really is my fault!" Caspian yelled his brows furrowing. Maddie growing increasingly frustrated getting up and walking to him.

"So what if it's your fault now we either get out or be left for dead!" Her voice rising not yelling quiet yet. She stared at him for a moment, frustration growing with each passing moment. "We get out, we give the cure to the UI we think is right." Her voice now lowering back to its original pitch.

Caspian groaned "Thought you didn't believe in the chosen one thing". Both individuals growing more frustrated as the moments pass. "Fine, do whatever. But I'm getting us out of here alive." Maddie responded in a cold tone, turning away from him back to her laptop.

They sit in silence for a few moments before Caspian sighs and walks over to her, sitting beside her. "Look, Maddie. Try all you want this place is basically steel. You won't get out, the best we can do is attack when they come back and they will." Caspian looked at her his face slightly falling with each word he spoke.

Maddie ignored his voice, simply continuing to work on her laptop. "Maddie," Caspian said again slightly louder than his previous tone. She ignored his voice again, typing on her laptop still. "Maddison Kim" He placed a hand on her shoulder and used the other to close her laptop. "What is your problem!" Maddie yelled turning to him, her brows furrowing and her eyes angry.

Caspian used the hand on her shoulder to pull her closer, her face only inches from his. "Maddie, please stop. We'll get out of here but you're wasting all your energy on something you can't crack." Caspians tone lowering almost in a mix of anger and sadness. Maddie sucked in a sharp breath.

"Fine, Okay. What do we do now? wait?" She spoke quietly leaning closer to him. Caspian nodded standing up reaching a hand out for her. She waited a few moments before taking his hand and standing up next to him.

The next few minutes were spent examining the room looking for anything they could use to defend or attack when Pope came back. Either one of them rummaging on either side of the room before meeting back in the middle and sitting down in a waiting game.

Maddie kept her eyes down, her hands by her sides lightly grabbing at the fabric of her jeans. "If we die, I'm glad its with you." She says in an almost silent whisper grabbing Caspians attention. "Maddie, We wont die." He says quickly turning to face her grabbing both her shoulders with his hands.

"Trust me Maddie, I won't let you die." This time speaking more slowly trying to level his fast paced breathing. Staring into her eyes in an almost panicked fashion. Pulling her closer to him hugging her tightly trying to reassure her.

As they tighten in this embrace the door opens suddenly. They quickly pull away from each other and scramble to stand up.

"I hate to break up whatever this is Caspian, but neither of you serve purpose to me anymore nor are you making it out of here with that cure" Pope enters pointing the gun he was holding at Caspian with 2 other men following behind him. Each of the two men run over quickly restraining Caspian and Maddie respectively.

Both Maddie and Caspian fight back against these restraints. Maddie being smaller and less strong required less to be restrained. Caspian on the other hand was fighting back rather strongly however lost his muscle control when a taser hit his back.

Caspian had fallen to the floor being held by one of the men. Maddie who was being successfully held back at this point across from him. Pope walked behind Caspian pointing the tip of the gun to his head keeping it there as he walked to the front of his body now in Caspians view.

"Caspian, You served us well. But you aren't getting out of here without that code. Its you or the girl." Pope states in a monotoned voice pushing the gun against his head.

Caspians eyes widen in panic. "Do whatever you want to me but leave Maddie out of this." Caspian almost scowls. Maddie who was blocked from Caspians view by Pope at attempted to speak, quickly getting a hand thrown over her mouth.

"Oh, So you die and we get the code?" Pope almost laughs. "What makes you think we'll let her walk free?". Caspians heart begins to race, Maddies in suit. "Leave her out of this." Caspian almost yells.

Pope takes the gun from Caspians head, walking to where Maddie was held. Standing beside her putting the tip of it to the side of her head. Maddies face in nothing but panic, her breathing heavy.

"Okay, Okay! Just dont hurt her." Caspian now yells, seeing her terrified face. Pope laughs. "I knew you'd come around. Makes sense you would when her life is at stake." He takes the gun and hooks it on a carabiner on his belt.

Pope walks back to Caspian, having the man behind him stand him up. "Let's make this clear. You put the cure in Stephens code, we let her go and Stephen decides what comes of you. Do we have a deal?" He asks

Caspian nods. despite Maddies muffled screaming behind him. "Just let me talk to her." Pope nods signaling the man behind him to bring Maddie closer, dropping her at Caspians feet. Quickly trying to regain her breath as Pope and the 3 men walk to the door, keeping distance but blocking the door.

"Caspian you can't do this!" Maddie yells looking up at him, almost begging with her tone. Caspian helps her up holding her tightly in his arms. "Just trust me, Maddie. Please." He whispers in her ear.

"I won't let you do this." Maddie says, bringing down her tone her eyes forming with tears. Caspian sighs taking a step back bringing his hands to either side of her face "Please Maddie, just trust me". He places a light kiss on the tip of her nose before backing up to Pope.

"Well then, grab her and lets go." Pope says as Caspian walks back up to her. Both of the men walk to Maddie and grab either side of her arms. Caspian and Pope begin to walk out of the room before a scream immerges from Maddie. Caspian quickly turns around as pope restrains either of his arms.

The site behind him was the same gun pressed to her head before a loud gunshot went off. Maddies screams terrifying and shaky. Caspian closed his eyes, unwilling to see the scene in front of him now. He could hear her body dropped to the floor as the footsteps of men exiting the room.

Pope laughs and leans down "You didn't think I would let her walk free and help you did you?".

Caspian opens his eyes, seeing the orb in Maddies hands. "And that's how this Maddie dies, only 20 of these I've died in luckily."

Caspian stares at Maddie for a second too long before replying "And 20 I died." Maddie nodded before putting it back in the row it was on before they arrived at it. "And 40 we both died"
Caspians eyes water as he holds Maddie close. "I'm sorry I let that happen."

Chapter Text

"So you're telling me you weren't going to your senior prom? why?" Caspian asks sitting at his desk and running through programs steadily working on them as they spoke. Maddie throws her head back onto his bed groaning before turning back to the book in her hands.

"I told you this because there's no point. It's just a dance and I have no one to go with. Justine has graduated and is in college." She says writing down the answers to the questions in her book. Studying for her test the following week. Caspian turns his chair to face her laying on his bed book in hand.

"It's prom Maddie. It's for the experience." He says wheeling the chair closer to his bed picking the book out of her hands and setting it on the desk behind him. Maddie glares at him briefly before sighing and gesturing for the book back.

"You sound like my mom. Didn't you skip both of your proms?" She asks. Caspian having no argument lets out a deep breath and turns back around facing his desk continuing to work.
"Yes, I skipped them, but this is different. Don't you remember 'Casper the unfriendly goth'?"

"So quit acting better than it." Maddie states standing up, taking a few steps over to his desk. She looks for the book he had taken, picking it up before Caspian grabs the wrist of the hand holding the book.

"Just allow yourself to experience these things. Dances, Clubs, You dropped from robotics Maddie." His voice keeping calm despite his heart beating through his chest. Maddie stares at him for a moment, her face just slightly softening before pulling her wrist from him. She grabs her belongings off of his bed packing them back into her bag.

"I need to go home." she says bluntly pulling on a sweater before leaving his room without a word. Caspian leans back in his chair pinching the bridge of his nose wondering how he'd be able to convince her it was a good idea.

Maddie sat at her desk at home only a few houses down from Caspian for 45 minutes before her phone started ringing. Looking down from her studies noticing a call from Caspian coming in. Groaning slightly she picks it up, putting it on speaker and setting it on the desk returning to her book.

"You left your sweater here, did you take mine?" Caspian asks cockiness in his tone as he speaks. Maddie looks down realizing in her fit of rage she had grabbed the wrong sweater from his room. mumbling a small curse before responding.

"They're the same colors. don't act so cocky"

"I'm literally twice your size Maddie."

A huff came from Maddie as she hung up, slightly annoyed with him. She truthfully had taken the wrong sweater without realizing, not noticing how big it was just that it was cozy in the cold weather. She took it off quickly setting it on the back of her chair as she turned back to her book, where she fell asleep.

The next day was a Saturday. Maddie woke up at her desk looking down at the open book almost letting out a small huff remembering she hadn't finished her work before getting jostled out of her thoughts by a voice behind her.

"So can I have my sweater back?"

Maddie turns to look behind her. The view behind her was Caspian sitting against the headboard of her bed a laptop in his lap his fingers typing quickly before he paused to look up at her.

"When did you get in here?"

"Your parents and mine left for a day trip remember? I came over first thing this morning when they left."

Maddie had forgotten that detail. Slightly embarrassed for forgetting something so trivial she gets up, stretching her arms out as she does. Grabbing his sweater off of the back of her chair as she walks to her door, throwing it at him before leaving the room.

Caspian watches her but doesn't say anything simply following behind her as she walks downstairs and to the kitchen. Following up right behind her as she reaches into a cabinet slowly and carefully snaking his hands around her waist.

This wasn't unusual for the set of them. They'd been rather close since they met and had always been physically affectionate.

"What are you doing Caspian?"

"It's cold, and you stole my good sweater last night"

Maddie rolls her eyes at this comment simply leaning her head back onto his shoulder. It was slightly cold in the house, not terribly but just enough to want a jacket or a blanket.

"You really won't go to prom?"

Maddie tugs away from him at this comment, getting slightly angry before taking a deep breath and walking across the kitchen to lean against a counter.

"Drop it, I'm not going."

"Maddie, be reasonable. It's your last chance to go"

Maddie glares at him for a second too long before he huffs and drags his feet over to her standing right in front of her. Placing either hand on the counter effectively trapping her between him and the counter.

She continues to stare at him, heart beating a bit too fast waiting for him to back down. Caspians face softens slightly from his stiffened expression.

A huff comes from Caspian as he lowers his arms and takes a step back.
"Fine, Fine. But I have something for you at home."

Maddie's ears perk up at this as she follows him out of the house and walks down to his. They walk through the house and to his room. Maddie sits down on the edge of his bed as Caspian disappears for a moment before returning with a small box and hands it to her

"Go on, Open it."

Maddie looks at the box in her hand for just a moment before opening it. A small simple silver necklace inside. It had a simple chain with a small circle in the middle with her initials engraved into it. Her eyes shoot up to Caspian

"How much did this cost?"

Caspian shrugs leaning back onto his desk.

"Didn't matter, my card went through"

Maddie's eyes furrow setting the box down as she stands up walking to him crossing her arms attempting to hold a serious face. Caspian sees through her poker face and chuckles lightly

"It doesn't matter Maddi, I promise. But if you really want to know we can make a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"You go to prom."

Maddie's brow furrow more as she brings a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"Fine, Fine. But you're going with me."

Caspians ears perk up as he stands up no longer leaning against the desk sticking his hand out to Maddie.

"Deal"

Chapter Text

Maddie knocked on the front door to his house. A few moments past before she got greeted by a clearly tired Caspian, half awake with massive dark circles.

"You look like shit"

Caspian chuckles and lets her in, the set of them walking to his room. Noticing his monitors turned on she sits down at his desk quickly eyeing what was on the screens before Caspian leaned against the side of the desk.

"So, What do you need Maddie? It's Friday and nearly midnight. How did you get permission from your mom?"

"A, She doesn't know. B, I couldn't sleep."

Caspian sighs heavily an moves slowly to his bed basically falling down onto it creating a large 'plop' sound. Maddie looks at him for a moment before returning her eyes back to the screen. Tabbing over to a one he had opened.

Caspian turns to his side watching her go through his tabs

"Maddie, whatever it is your looking for just ask."

"Why you've been so stressed and distant. I figured work or something was bugging you."

a groan came from Caspian before he sat up pulling himself up clearly sleep deprived. Stopping when he reaches the chair she sat in, turning it around to face him before he kneeled down to Maddies height.

"It's nothing. Just work"

Maddie frowns and crosses her arms knowing hes lying. Caspian sighs before pulling her out of the chair into his arms. She gasps in surprise for a second before noticing him halfway asleep.

"Just.. Stay with me please"

Caspians voice almost begging. his groggy demeanor as he holds her close resting his head on her shoulder

"Okay, okay."

Caspian scoots back to sit against his bed, opening his arms for Maddie. Maddie follows suit, turning around so her back his against his chest. As she does his arms close around her, keeping her close as he mumbles incoherently leaning his head back.

"I'm just overworked" he finally spits out, the only coherent thing Maddie managed to capture.

"It's okay, It'll be okay. just rest"

Caspian squeezes her as close as humanly possible, just wanting her to be here with him. Soon after he falls asleep with Maddie in his arms.

Chapter Text

"There must be something I can do for you"

Yair's voice grows more frustrated as each moment passes. Maddie remains quiet and keeps her poker face

"I said, I can't help you. I don't have the cure, I can't make the cure"

Her face remained still, how long had it been at this point? Yair leaned back in his seat pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You keep telling half-truths, why lie?"

Maddie leaned back in her chair, her heart racing faster now.

"I can't make the cure"

A chuckle came from Yair as he brought his hands back to sit on the table both of his hands interlinked.

"But you have it? Where is it."

Yair's voice growing more violent to this point. Maddie's still face remained. Was this her life until she figured out how Caspian made the cure?"

"I can't help you. I didn't make the cure and I'll be damned if I give that away to someone who clearly won't be what we're looking for. You got the wrong person."

"So it be little girl, stay here. No one will come looking for you, unless you figure out this cure again"

They both sat in a silent stare before something took Maddie's attention from the outside world. MIST. Maddie took her final look at Yair.

"I'll be damned if it comes to you. I will upload before I give you the cure."

With that she took of her headset and followed MIST out of the building. Running with MIST to a car they had found.

Maddie hadn't driven much before, but they didn't have time to worry about that. Taking the wheel and only nearly hitting 3 cars before arriving at the directions MIST took her to.

Looking out of the car noticing Caspian pacing back and forth. Maddie got out of the car walking up to Caspian. He quickly wrapped his arms around her holding her close.

"Are you okay? I was worried about you."

His voice quiet and cracking with each word. Maddie took a step back leaving his grasp and brought her hands to his face. Swiping her thumb across his cheek as she spoke.

"I'm okay. I can hold my own you know."

A quiet chuckle came from Caspian as he leaned into her hands. Standing on the tips of her toes Maddie placed a soft kiss on the center of his cheek.

"It'll be okay."

Chapter Text

It was nearing midnight in July when Caspian knocked on the front door of Maddie's house. Opening the door he was greeted by an anxious Ellen who looked relieved to see him.

"I'm sorry I called so late, Please just talk to her. She won't talk to me or David."

Caspian nods trying to rack what is going on. Ellen steps aside letting him in.

"In her room?"

Ellen nods gesturing to Maddie's room. Without another word Caspian walked up the stairs to Maddie's room, knocking on the door.

When he didn't receive a response he opened the door slowly. The first thing he noticed was the condition of her room. Sure Maddie could be messy but everything was everywhere.

Maddie was sitting in the corner of her room, typing on her laptop not seeming to notice Caspian. She had a set of headphones on, seeming too involved in whatever she was looking at.

Caspian walked in and shut the door behind him. Taking just a moment to look around her room as he walked to where Maddie was. This had finally made her notice him as his shoes poked out of the corner of her eye. She looked up at him slowly sliding her headphones to her shoulders.

"Your mom says you haven't come out of your room in weeks and won't speak to her or your dad"

Caspians voice was calm, he looked down on her. His face didn't have much of an expression. Maddie rolled her eyes before looking back at her screen

"What's it to you"

Maddie's voice was cold, her expression following suit. Caspian stared at her for a moment, thinking of an answer. He sits down next to her taking the laptop from her an scrolls through her tabs before speaking.

"It means something to me when your mom calls me in the middle of the night panicking over god knows what."

Maddie huffed at this reply before turning her head away from him as he continued to scroll through the tabs.

"When's the last time you slept Maddie?"

Caspians voice wavered this time, having more concern in it this time. Maddie turned her head back to him watching his eyes which had softened reading through an article she had opened.

When was the last time she slept? Had it been 2 days? 3 days? the silence spoke volumes to Caspian.

"Fuck Maddie, you need to sleep."

With those words Caspian stood up, her laptop still in his hands as he closed it and set it on her desk before walking back to her picking her up despite the screams to 'put her down' that came from Maddie.

He walked over to her bed, setting her down careful not to drop her as he leaned down close to her

"Just sleep Mads. You need it, you look exhausted."

"I'm fine, just go away."

A huff came from Caspian as he sat down on the edge of her bed.

"Fine, just lay down then. But whatever's going on isn't healthy for you "

Madie rolled her eyes and turned on her side facing away from him. Maybe she was tired. A shift in weight moved off her bed as Caspian stood up and sat down at her desk.

Maddie did end up falling asleep, maybe she did need sleep or a break. She woke up with Caspian sitting on her bed, his back against her headboard looking down at her

"Done being a bitch?"

Chapter Text

The cold air blew up on Maddie's back. She'd been standing on the roof's edge for a few minutes, just staring down. How far was the drop?

Someone had alerted Caspian to her actions when she had arrived up there. Caspian had been making his way up at a reasonable pace, not slowly, not quickly just making his way.

Maddie's eyes watered, was she going to do this? Was it worth it? Caspian wouldn't test on her dad without her permission, if she did this, he would have to find someone else to test on.

She took another step forward. Was this what she wanted? Staring down at the ground below her, Maybe a 20-second drop. Would the impact alone kill her?

The door on the other side of the rooftop opened. Maddie didn't look, she didn't care to. Footsteps walking over to where she was. They stopped maybe 4 feet behind her.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Caspian's voice rang like bells in her ears, returning her to reality. What did she have to lose? Arms reached out to either side of her body, she took a step back vision blurry with tears. When had she started crying?

She fell backwards into Caspians arms, they snaked around her body holding her in place.

"If you really wanted we could've come up with less violent ways to do this, but I don't think that's a good idea."

Caspian's voice was more distant in her head. Ringing in her ears each word spoken. She turned her body to sit face to face with him.

Maddie looked up to see his face, the moment she had however more tears started flowing, blocking whatever she had left of her vision.

Her arms brought themselves to him, seeming to move on their own accord. She didn't want to die, not yet.

She rested her head on Caspians chest, tears streaming. She had tried catching her breath but was unable.

"Let's get you inside, yeah?"

Caspians voice had softened significantly. Maddie nodded as much as she could still unable to control her body.

Caspian released his arms from her, offering his hand out to her. Maddie took his hand following him off of the roof back down the stairs.

Caspian led her down to his (holstroms?) office. Leading her to the couch, to which she sat down bringing her knees to her chest as he sat next to her.

"Do you want me to get Waxman, or talk, or something? I just don't think I trust you to be alone right now."

"Just stay, for a minute. Then you can get Waxman"

Caspian nodded, looking at her intently. She wiped her eyes slowly gaining back her vision. She turned her head to look at him. He ha sent something on the clunky phones they had before looking back up at her

Maddie took a deep breath before leaning over, wrapping her arms around him once more. Holding him closely. Caspian sucked in a breath before bringing one of his hand to her back.

"I don't know what came over me"

Maddie's voice was quiet, almost ineligible. Her knees falling down, still on the couch.

"It's okay. You're okay that's all that matters."

They sat like this for a few moments before Caspian spoke up again.

"If you need to talk, talk to me Maddie."

Hi voice was slightly quieter now, a hint of concern in his tone, or was it sadness? Maddie couldn't fully tell. Caspian let out a breath, his chest rising and falling slowly. His arms lowly reaching around her once more.

Caspians demeanor shifted, his breaths becoming more shallow. A tear fell down his cheek as he shifted his head to lean on her shoulder.

Maddie chuckled lightly through her tears before speaking.

"We both can't be depressed right now."

Caspian as silent for a few moments before looking up at her, his eyes red at this point.

"I can't do this without you Maddie. I need you here, or at least alive, or uploaded after we fix the flaw. I-I don't care which, just.. Stay please."

Maddie brought one of her hands to the side of his face, lightly rubbing her thumb across it.

"I'm not leaving. No yet. But I won't upload Caspian. Life has no meaning without the chance of death."

Caspian and Maddie both chuckled. A knock came on the door, with this noise Caspian pulled away from her and stood up walking towards the door.

"It's Waxman, I'll come back after you two are done."

Caspian opened the door to which Peter Waxman quickly walked in, almost running to Maddie. Quickly pulling her into a tight embrace.

Maddie looked up at Caspian once more, Caspian gave her a soft smile before closing the door leaving Waxman with her.

Chapter Text

Caspian got his damn mini muffins

Chapter Text

Caspian and Maddie had been walking down a street after leaving the joey situation. Both had been silent not daring to speak afterward.

Turning down a street corner they found the bus stop they had been looking for. Noticing the time it would arrive caused them both to groan, an hour wait before it would be there.

Both sighed and finally looked at one another. Still not making direct eye contact, just opening more of their peripheral vision to one another. Maddie was the first to speak up.

"Let's go find a Walgreens or something. You need it"

Caspian nodded, not wanting to argue or disagree after everything that had happened. Watching her be so terrified with a gun to her back will be an image that will never leave his head.

Within the next few seconds, Maddie had taken off in the direction of some shops she could see in the distance. Caspian quickly followed up behind her keeping his hands in his pockets as he walked.

Catching up to Maddie, he walked right beside her as she took another turn and they had managed to find a lucky CVS.

"You find some bandages and rubbing alcohol or something"

Maddie's voice had been quieter than normal. Was she angry at him?
Caspian nodded and took off down the medical aisles as Maddie began down the technology aisles sure to find something with the strike.

After Maddie found some heavily discounted headphones she took down the aisles to find Caspian. Caspian had still been down the med aisles. He had found what she told him to but now was looking for any sort of ice pack or pain relieve.

Maddie walked down the aisle spotting him. Watching him struggle to pick out medicine she sighed and handed him bottle of Advil.

Caspian kept his head down as he walked with Maddie. Her finding a gel cold compress and handed it to Caspian.

The set of them walked with all of their new equipment, looking lightly crazy to the employees as they checked out. After digging through her bag for a moment Maddie had found some loose cash and handed it to the cashiers.

Taking the gray plastic bag from the cashier, they both left and began walking back to the bus stop. Somehow finding a cvs and shopping had taken an hour, how was that possible? They didn't know.

Climbing on the bus Caspian had led Maddie and himself to the back setting their stuff down beside Maddie. She looked around the bus for just a moment before leaning over to Caspian.

"You see the bus driver?"

This sent a wave of panic down Caspian, was it someone she recognized was it someone from Logorythms?

"He looks like Bowser right, tell me I'm wrong."

Maddie chuckled lightly as Caspian looked down at her before slumping back in his seat with a small chuckle.

"I guess he does"

They both laughed for a moment before Maddie turned back to him gesturing to the gray bag beside her. Caspian nodded slowly and she handed him the cold compress telling him to put it to his neck.

Caspian obliged this action, looking back at Maddie she had turned away. rustling in the bag before getting out the headphones she had bought. Maddie spent a few minutes connecting them to the laptop MIST was on.

"So we can talk to MIST freely."

Caspian nodded once more as she handed him a headphone. Placing it in his ear looking back at Maddie who was now holding the alcohol and qtips they had bought.

Maddie shifted slightly closer to Caspian as MIST began speaking in their ears, they may have been hearing her but they weren't listening. Both too intrigued with the other in the current moment. Neither of them could deny they didn't have at least a minor crush on the other.

Caspian watched as Maddie placed a small bit of the alcohol on the Qtip she had pulled out. Looking up at him holding up the Qtip, silently asking for permission. Caspian nodded.

She brought her other hand to his forehead lightly pushing his hair to the side. Each of her small touches and movements sending sparks inside of Caspian. He moved his head down slightly as he brought the gel pack to the back of his neck. Not realizing he had been holding onto it but not using it.

He kept his eyes down, still avoiding Maddie's as she began to swab the area lightly. It stung like a bitch but right now he would do anything to keep Maddie's soft touch.

Lost in his own thoughts Maddie pulled her hands away from him. Caspian looked up, almost confused. Maddie had still been looking at him, almost forcing their eyes to meet. He brought the gel pack away from his neck looking down at it to avoid eye contact once more.

Each time their eyes met, sparks were sent down his body. Why did he feel like this towards her?
Maddie turned away, shuffling through the bag beside her looking for the bandage they had bought.

Unwrapping the bandage she brought it to him, before pausing and speaking while putting it on him

"Don't do that again, okay?"

Caspian wanted to chuckle, but smirked instead. Trying to lighten the tense mood between them tried to make a joke to her.

"Get pistol whipped? No promises."

Looking at Maddie, his joke did not work. Much to his disappointment, but seeing Maddie grow more anxious was worse to him. Although he couldn't deny she was kinda cute being so serious.

"I mean tell someone to kill you."

Her hands still lingered on the bandage, gently pressing the edges down. Caspians face dropped slowly realizing this had upset her more than he realized. Her hand stayed on his forehead, at this point just holding up his hair.

Caspian didn't mind, didn't care. He would've done anything to keep her warmth, her touch, just her.

"I can't do this alone, you know."

Her voice slightly breaking with the sentence. Caspian knew in his core, she could but it still sent butterflies in his stomach hearing Maddie need him. It brought a small smile to his face.

Then MIST spoke up, couldn't she read the room? Looking at Maddie who was slightly annoyed with MIST. Her hand had left his head, moving to his ear pulling the headphone out. Caspian almost missed her touch.

"I'm serious."

Maddie's expression had grown stern, did she really need him that much? Lost in his thoughts as he followed her eyes, they slowly grew closer to him before.. Had she kissed him?

Sparks, butterflies, everything was going through Caspian, Maddie pulled away just as fast as she kissed him though.

Her eyes slightly panicked, was she worried? It was almost cute seeing her so worried, he probably shouldn't have thought that.

He thought for only a moment before deciding that he wanted her, he needed her. Moving a hand to her face pulling her slowly to him. Maddie came without resistance.

A thought crossed his mind as they stayed in a soft kiss, was this her first? It wasn't his but it was the first one that mattered to him.

Within a split-second Maddie had pulled away, her eyes wide and in a light panic. Had he messed up? He watched as she pulled the headphone out of her ear. Maybe MIST said something to her?

She looked away from him. Maybe he had messed up, or MIST? Caspian would ask her later. But for now, he wanted to savor the moment they had had, replaying it in his head.

It was magical, special. While not his first kiss, It felt like it was. In this moment Caspian knew that this was the only girl he would want, she would be the only one that matters to him until he died. Maddie was perfect.

Chapter Text

Caspian had been gone on a work trip for 2 weeks now. Work trips for Logorythms typically had only lasted a few days, 4 at most as everyone had massive NDA's and the company couldn't risk any other information on any project getting out.

However, Caspian had just arrived back. It was 2 in the morning when he arrived at the site, he knew Maddie would be angry or upset the second he walked in as for the last 2 weeks he had no contact with her. The one thing he promised to her

His phone had been broken the whole trip, preparing himself for whatever Maddie had to say, and he would accept her being upset before his explanation. Walking down to the room they shared taking a deep breath before opening the door.

Within a few second a beer bottle was thrown at the wall beside his head, this he did not anticipate. Maddie was not typically one to drink after a road trip they went on when she was 19 getting nearly blackout drunk. However it was also the night that she, and he confessed properly to one another.

He jumped hearing the bottle next to his head, looking down noticing whatever small liquid was left in the bottle now on the floor with broken glass surrounding it.

"YOU! You leave for 2 weeks and ay it'll take 3 days!"

Maddie had definitely been drunk, hiccupping in her sentences as she stumbled over to him. Tears welling slightly in her eyes. Caspian looked at her noticing another bottle in her hands.

Sucking in a breath he grabbed the wrist holding the bottle, taking the bottle from her and setting it on a shelf next to him as Maddie stumbled closer to him putting one hand on his chest to stable herself.

"you can't even send a fucking text? Tell me you're okay! But no you leave without a word leaving me here to wonder if you're even alive!"

Still hiccupping between words, slightly slurring some together. She backed up keeping one hand on his chest. Caspian sighed and looked down at her.

"Maddie, I'll explain this all in the morning. You're drunk and not thinking right."

Maddie scowled at this, not liking this answer as she pulled entirely away from him, taking the bottle back off of the shelf before stumbling over to the bed in the middle of the room. Sitting down on it taking a swig.

Caspian exhaled heavily. Walking over to her and taking the beer bottle away from her once more.

"Please, stop drinking. Go to bed and I'll explain everything tomorrow"

"You can explain it to me right now! You made me think you were dead for 2 weeks!"

Maddie was angry, though Caspian couldn't tell if it was because she was truly angry or if he was just worried about him. Tears had been streaming down her face as she had been screaming. Kneeling down Infront of where she sat.

"Okay, okay. I'll explain everything. And I'm sorry Maddie, next time you're coming on these trips with me"

"You made me think you were dead or kidnapped Caspian!"

Each word Maddie spoke became increasingly slurred and hard to hear. Her tears streaming down causing the pajama pants she wore to become slightly damp.

Caspian had felt awful yes, but it wasn't entirely his fault. He has went alone on the trip as ordered and only found out after that is phone had been broken in transit with no other way to reach Maddie.

"I know, I'm sorry. Will you let me explain please?"

Caspian brought his hand to her face, gently whipping tears off of her face as he spoke. Maddie finally tried to calm down and nodded.

"I didn't mean to, my phone was broken somehow and each meeting seemed to somehow get extended and extended. Someone was supposed to tell you."

Maddie chuckled slightly

"I feel stupid now"

They both chuckled to that as Caspian rose off his knees and hugged her whilst she was still sitting.

"It's okay. Let's get you to bed and we'll talk more when you're not drunk and throwing bottles at me"

Chapter Text

It had been a week since Maddie died. Caspian didn't know what to do with himself anymore. He didn't mind dying for the cause, but he never wanted to bring Maddie down with him. MIST had gone dark shortly after finding out Maddie was shot.

They had promised Maddie would be fine once Joey was given the cure, but they lied. Once MIST gave Joey the cure, they shot Maddie. Caspian escaped just in time for them to not find him. Caspian barely wanting to continue finding a person to give the cure to anymore.

So he didn't. Not for now at least. As of now Caspian was sat on the top of a building, looking down at the city lights below him. It was a beautiful sight, one Maddie would've loved. He couldn't do anything but blame himself. Maybe it all was a mistake to continue working on UI's. MIST was right, all they caused was violence and pain.

He didn't know how he would, or could tell Ellen. Maddie was the only person he truly cared about. The only real person in his life, and now she was also gone.

At some point, tears had welled in his eyes. When had that happened? Caspian looked back down at the city below him, It didn't look real anymore. Maddie's voice ringing in his head. She was right, the world doesn't look real anymore, not that it ever did but looked more fake now. The only real thing was also now gone.

Sighing and pulling the last thing Caspian had of her out of the backpack they had, her laptop. Opening it to try and talk to MIST. Caspian sent a quick message in MIST's log, to no reply as expected. He wouldn't be responding either.

Staring at the screen, zoning in and out of this reality he now lived in. He didn't trust himself now, he wasn't sure if he would again. Maddie brought him back to reality many times, now there was no one but himself, and MIST if she chooses to come back.

Taking his eyes off of the screen and looking down at the city lights once more. Almost blinding this time. More real than before. Caspian set Maddie's laptop back in the bag beside him. He stood up on the rooftop. Debating between the choices he had.

He knew MIST wouldn't forgive him, not for a long time at least. She watched what she thought her dad and sister die before her and Caspian understood why, even agreed with her.

If Maddie wasn't alive, maybe he shouldn't be either. Without a second thought he closed his eyes and felt the wind falling against his back. He would see her again soon.

Chapter Text

"I just don't understand Maddie, it's all either of us work on and you won't even consider uploading? Even after We figure out how to stop the decay?"

Maddie sighed turning around in her chair to look at Caspian who had been looking out of a window sipping on a cup of coffee.

"I won't upload because I don't agree with it. I watched my dad die twice Caspian."

Maddie's voice cold, why hadn't he understood this isn't just moving on from all of your problems?

Caspian sucked in a breath, turning to look at Maddie who had still been turned around in her chair. Walking over to her Caspian set his mug down on her desk as he glanced at her screens.

"Maddie, why are you still working on these projects if you don't want to upload? Why aren't you doing something else?"

This wasn't supposed to be a dig at Maddie, rather a genuine question however she had taken it as one. Eyeing him down from her chair she spoke up once more.

"Because I'm supporting you Caspian. Just because I don't agree with uploading doesn't mean I won't help you."

Caspian sighed and looked down at her, Maddie was beyond annoyed at this point, her eyes cold and unwelcoming. He glanced back at the screen before returning his attention to Maddie.

"Maddie, if your unhappy just say that. You can do whatever you want be your own person. I'm working on uploading because it's keeping me this company. You're doing it for me do something for yourself."

Maddie's demeanor had shifted lightly. She took a deep breath turning around in her chair looking back at her screen. Caspian shifted behind her resting his head on her shoulder.

"I won't upload Maddie"

Caspians voice was a whisper in her ear, she froze up at this statement turning her head to look at him. Her voice skeptical as she spoke

"Why not?"

"There's no point. There's no universe in which I willingly leave you behind in this world."

Maddie turned her chair around to look at him again, this time him standing in front of her. When she fully turned around Caspian knelt down and rested a hand on her cheek cupping the side of her face.

"There's no point in leaving a world for a new one where the only person that 'challenges and balances' me isn't in"

Maddie stared at him, confused for a moment, Caspian caught on quickly.

"Maddie, you're one of the only real things in this world and I would never willingly leave that behind it"

Chapter Text

Caspian had been working at his desk whilst Maddie had been god knows where with her bodyguard. Caspian knew she wouldn't ever wander too far away from the building. Maybe out to the lake and that was it. She wasn't one to head off not now at least.

He was knocked out of his thoughts, or whatever work he was doing by ironically a knock on the door. He turned in his chair to look at the door calling out to whoever it was to come in.

A short moment later the door opened with Maddie walking in first, shortly followed by the man assigned to follow her.

"You can leave, she cant exit from anywhere but that door"

Caspian called out. he never really liked the fact someone followed her like a babysitter. She wouldn't go far. Maddie always came back to his office whenever she wasn't right by his side. She may have been heavily angry at him but she didn't trust Waxman and may as well get special treatment out of it.

Walking up to where Caspian sat, they both watched her bodyguard leave the room. presumably holding post outside the door. Maddie held something in her hand out to Caspian. Taking a quick glance at it before attempting to take it much to his failure.

It was his student ID card, how she got it he was unsure. He knew in all the chaos he had taken almost everything with him and it may have been stuck in the pocket of something when he packed.

"Where'd you find that?"

Maddie shrugged and moved to lean up against the desk where he sat.

"Does it kill you to smile. Maybe it would be nice every once and a while."

Maddie said this with a small chuckle following shortly behind it. Caspian groaned and now managed to take it from her hands whilst she was still laughing.

"Theres nothing to smile about in my life."

Maddie leaned fully against the desk now bringing her hand to her face to muffle her laughter. Caspian growing more irritated shoved the card in a drawer of his desk. Maddie had finally stopped laughing when he was finished and looked over to him, using one of her hands to turn the chair he was in to look at her.

"Not even me?"

Caspian sucked in a breath and exhaled loudly. Admitting a silent defeat. He turned his chair back around facing what he was previously working on before speaking up once more

"There's one thing worth smiling about in my life."

Chapter Text

A letter arrived for Maddie, both Elen and Maddie were slightly confused when they saw the sender was Caspian. Although Elen wanted to know what came in the letter, she decided it was best she let Maddie read it and tell her later.

Slowly opening the letter and setting it on her desk she began to read.

To Maddie
As I write this, Julius Pope is standing by my side. He knows this is a love letter but he's still sneaking peaks. Honestly no wonder the creeps still single.

Maddie's heart dropped. How was this a love letter? She had even said she didn't care, even after he gave her the bitcoin. Nonetheless, she decided to keep reading he had written it for her after all.

That said, he did give his word that he'd deliver this letter to you. He says he owes me, for coming up with him and creating the cure for the flaw. I'm sorry about it Maddie.

This was the first she heard about him creating the cure, why hadn't he called? Had he tested it, how?

I never would've imagined choosing this, creating the cure to the flaw over you. I'm going to die soon, but I'll die without regrets.

A tear slowly rolled down Maddie's cheek as she read. She knew he was suicidal or at least didn't value his life but giving it up? She didn't know it wasn't his choice.

Or that's what I'd like to say. The truth is, I do have one. It's that i never got the chance to marry you.
With love, Caspian Keyes.

Chapter Text

Caspian was in another one of his boring meetings. He found them useless, annoying even. there was no one else supposed to be in this one however footsteps approached from the distance. He didn't look up at first, figuring it was some random person for Pope. However listening closer he heard 3 sets, finally deciding to look up from his work.

When he did look up he was taken back, seeing Maddie. A panic almost crossed his face, he had gave direct directions not to bring her here. Why was she here?

Walking out into the hall, questioning why she was there. She wasn't supposed to be. All he could think of was the danger they just put her in by bringing her here.

After ordering everyone out, including Pope, he took a second to breath for himself, noticing Maddie stepping to stand right in front of him. Looking down at her, a smile finally crept across his face.

Caspian hadn't realized it until that moment, he missed her. The smile he gave was supposed to break the ice, let Maddie know that it was okay. He would do anything to protect her, even if it meant leaving her again.

He stared at her with a smile for a moment longer before realizing, she wasn't smiling, or happy to see him as she had been just moments earlier. His face dropped almost instantly. His gut dropped as well.

What did he do to upset her? She had been excited to see him just moments earlier and now she was staring at him dead eyed. He had missed her, hadn't she felt the same way?

"Maddie?"

"You're still testing on my dad aren't you."

His stomach dropped as she spoke. Maddie's voice was stale, almost angry but not yet. Caspians hands went to his pockets as his head slightly dropped, now no longer looking at Maddie. Looking at the floor, or lack of below him.

Caspian turned to walk back into the room he had come out of, only to have Maddie grab his arm. She didn't pull, didn't move, just held onto his arm in a silent ask to stay put. And Caspian listened to this silent ask, it was the least he could do.

Turning back around, just slightly farther from his original position. Once he stood still Maddie released her hold on Caspian bringing both her arms in front of her and crossing them in one swift movement.

Once in this stance Caspian scanned her up and down, slowly retreating his hands back to his pockets.

"Maddie, You have to understand-"

Maddie cut him off quickly raising her voice, slightly irrational now.

"I watched my dad die Caspian. There is no understanding there is only putting him to rest."

Caspian sucked in a breath, trying to remain levelheaded.

"I can fix the flaw, but your dad is the only one that can be trusted with it"

Maddie, now slightly angrier, uncrossed her arms, taking a step forward, closer to Caspian.

"Let him die Caspian."

Caspian staring at an angered Maddie reached his arm forward, holding her shoulder trying to bring her down from this anger, bring her closer to being levelheaded. Just to understand his point of view.

"Maddie."

"Caspian."

Her voice was low, not as aggravated but still not calm. Caspians hand began to move slowly across her shoulder. His hand slide up to her neck, holding the nape of it so she looked up at him.

"Maddie, you have to understand what I'm doing here. It's bigger than me, or you, or David."

With this sentence Maddie pulled out of his touch, taking several steps backwards.

"You said this flaw was the only thing saving us, now you want to erase it?"

"Well I was wrong, when the internet comes back on so do UI's and more beyond them."

Both of them had grown more frustrated as they spoke, brows furrowing and holding larger stances. Neither were sure if this was an argument they really wanted to have, but they both knew they weren't seeing eye to eye.

With a low sigh Maddie was the first to crack.

"Delete David Kim, see his soul to rest and I'll leave Caspian. Until then I'll be here."

Caspians eyes had slightly widened at this. She wasn't serious, was she? Before he got the chance to question or speak Maddie had already made her way down the glass hall walking out.

"Maddie."

Caspian called out, though wasn't completely sure why. Maddie turned her head to look at him from the other end of the hall, her face slightly softening.

"Caspian."

With this, Maddie opened the door in front of her and walked out of the hall. Leaving Caspian alone. He moved to one side of it, watching her walk down and be met by an NSA guard. With a low sigh Caspian made his way back into the room he came from before Maddie arrived.

In the next few days that followed Caspian and Maddie barley spoke. Maddie had sat in on almost every meeting within those days purely because Caspian had sent an order she had to be there. After each meeting he had hoped she would open up to him, or at least have the tension wear off, however without fail after each of them Maddie would leave without speaking to him.

With each day that past Caspian shifted from being frustrated to concerned. This wasn't the girl he had met, or the girl he had called just a few months ago. Through Pope he had found out the only person Maddie had spoken to had been Waxman after their interaction in the glass hall.

With concern washing over him each time he saw Maddie he finally decided to try and talk to her. When he realized this Caspian called off all meetings for the next 2 days despite getting everyone including Pope pissed at him. This had been known by everyone except Maddie.

Caspian had sat in the glass room, not doing anything just sitting and waiting for Maddie. Looking to his left he noticed her and the man following her walking up to the room. He kept his eyes on the set of them right up until they walked into the glass hall where the NSA guard left and stood outside the door as he had been instructed each time there was a meeting.

Caspian watched as Maddie walked in, still unspeaking taking her seat next to him as she had been. She looked around, slightly confused and turned to Caspian but still wouldn't speak to him. She simply sat there staring at him for a few moments before turning to look at the table they were sat at.

Once Maddie realized that no one else was coming she looked over to Caspian before standing up only to be met by Caspian grabbing her wrist. He stared up at her, met by a stern expression worn by Maddie.

"Please Maddie"

Caspians voice was almost a plead, with an attempt not to sound desperate.

"What is there to say Caspian."

Despite her words Maddie sat back down in her chair, with Caspian releasing her wrist once she was sat. Moving his chair to face her completely.

"We're not testing on your dad, but we can't delete him. If it works he is the only one that can be trusted with this."

Maddie stared at him for a moment, with the same stern expression she had worn when he first saw her arrive.

"Find someone else. There are other UI's that can handle this."

Growing now slightly frustrated Caspian stood up from his chair before speaking again.

"I don't know any of them I know your dad. I know David."

"What like when you 'knew' me."

Maddie's words stung as Caspian looked at her, his eyes now widened as she stood up from her chair. He watched slightly stunned as she made her way to the doors separating the hall from the room they were in. Right as she grabbed the handle Maddie turned to look at him.

"Our reality is other people Caspian. And its why we have to die, you are choosing to ignore that reality instead of accepting it. I'm not going to let you change life."

Once her sentence was completed Maddie walked out of the room leaving Caspian frozen in her words each one stinging on a new level. They had been frustrated with one another, sure but each word replaying in his head was a different level of pain.

Sitting back down in his chair, holding this newfound guilt something clicked in his head. Other people. He sat with this for just a moment before quickly getting up and walking to his office. Maddie found an angle, and he was going to take it.

Maddie hadn't realized what he took from her words, instead she had had found a need to take a break from the building he was in. The air in it was sickening in that moment. Looking over to the NSA man Maddie gestured to the doors leading outside. She didn't want to leave per say, just wanted fresh air.

The lights in the building started flickering, Maddie took this as her sign to exit the building and head outside with her guard following shortly behind her. Walking out to the edge of the property, to the lake that entrapped logorythms site.

She stood, staring out at the water, feeling the breeze of the wind. The waves of the water kept coming up to her feet but never touching her boots almost too perfect. And she stood just staring out for quite a few minutes taking in the air, the noise, the moment in front of her.

Snow behind her started cracking like someone was walking towards her. Maddie didn't look behind her assuming it was the NSA guard. She thought that until seeing the figure of Caspian appear beside her. She remained unspeaking until Caspian turned his head to look at her.

"Why do you get a Logorythms babysitter and I get an NSA one."

It sounded more like a statement than a question to Caspian before coming up with an answer.

"I think mine is to keep anyone from getting close to me and yours is to keep you from leaving."

Maddie shifted her head to look up at him. What kind of bullshit answer was that? Her brows furrowed before looking back out in front of her. Caspian followed suit looking out at the water she had been staring at.

"As if that'd make a difference, to anyone. Anywhere."

"I don't know. I think it would, you've already made a difference here."

Thye both turned to look at each other once more, Caspian now holding what looked like a small black box.

"What's that?"

"I did it, and I couldn't have done it without you. You were right, life's about other people."

They both remained in silence for a moment, Caspian holding the box out to her.

"It's the cure, if you want you can chuck it into the sea. It's the only copy."

Maddie held onto the box, staring down at it for a few moments before putting it in the pocket of her coat.

"What about saving the world?"

Caspian moved his head to look down, staring down at the water rising and falling on the shore.

"Someone else can do that. I don't want to become the person that think's hes better than everyone else"

This caused them both to stand in silence, Maddie with a thousand thoughts running through her head, Caspian in this moment being 900 of them. The rest being what happens next, if she did or didn't get rid of the cure.

The water coming up and down in front of them Caspian watched, waiting for an answer from her. Watching her head lean back and now stare at the sky. Her eyes almost watering but not quite. A thousand more thoughts running through her head as she looked back down and pulled the box out of her pocket. Handing it to him.

"I want to see him again."

It almost surprised Caspian but didn't. Maddie was a creature of love and she loved her dad. Taking the box from her, he added it to his pocket before turning back to her. Taking a step towards her. He took his hand and ran it up her shoulder the way he had the first day she was there. He led his hand to the nape of her neck, like he did when she first came his thumb on the tip of her ear.

"Thank you Maddie, I can't do this without you."

A small peck came across their lips after he finished speaking. It was short but still sent all the right messages to them, once they parted Caspian removed his hand from her neck but they remained in this silent trance before a commotion behind them took place. They both nodded silently, it was time to bring David back.

Chapter Text

Watching as Davids upload was delated, bit by bit Pope called to the men in the room. One to grab Caspian the other Maddie. Both now being held on opposites side of the room. Caspian watching as Pope spoke to the man holding Maddie, and shortly after left the room with Maddie kicking, screaming and crying all the while.

Once her screaming at muffled, not stopped Pope walked over to the man holding Caspian who was mildly disoriented at this point. He tried struggling against the man holding him, who was cutting off more and more air each second.

"Say the word."

Pope looked down at Caspian. Caspian was sure this was the moment he died, this was the moment his life amounted too. A flicker crossed Popes face, had it been pity?

"No, Stephen might want to see him."

The man holding Caspian didn't ease up however. Keeping the same pressure on him, didn't ease up but didn't tighten either.

"Stephen?"

Caspin questioned, wasn't Stephen dead? It clicked in his head the moment after however.

"You were a close copy kid, but you'll never match the real thing. You were just holding his place until this brain could make it safe to upload his."

Pope tapped on Caspians head as he spoke. Once Pope finished his sentence the man behind Caspian finally dropped him. Taking a moment to collect his breath once more, getting air back into his system.

"Let's go, we're on the clock and we have the girl to deal with."

With these word before the door closed Caspian remembered they took Maddie. Her screaming still muffled in the background. A panic fell across his entire body. What were they going to do with her? He didn't mind dying or the idea of death but Maddie? She wasn't supposed to be here, she wasn't supposed to go down with him. This wasn't supposed to happen.

As if on cue when he stood up the muffled screaming stopped. Shit. What had they done to her? He almost stumbled as he ran over to the closed door trying to find any clue as to how to open it. Looking around for anything to try and open the door with.

He found a laptop Pope must've accidently left behind. He quickly brought it over to around where the door was. Placing it on a tray close by to try and find anyway to open the door. Looking down, when had the keys become wet? Lifting a hand to his face, why was his face damp? When had that happened?

While trying to figure out a way out he heard something outside the door. Multiple pairs of footsteps and a yelling Maddie. He couldn't make out what she was saying but her voice was cracked and dry like she'd been screaming since they took her out. Her voice faded as quickly as it rose seeming to be walking down the hall. One pair however stopped in front of the door he was trying to open.

Slowly, Caspian walked closer to the door. Whoever it was didn't matter. The door did open, Caspian backed up a few steps first noticing the gun being pointed as it opened then he noticed Pope was holding it.

"Don't fight it Caspian and you'll be fine."

"This what you're doing to Maddie?"

Popes brows furrowed, his face dropping as if Caspian had told him he was a monster. Pope lowered the gun he was holding still keeping it pointed at Caspian however.

"We have different plans for her."

Caspians stomach dropped. His eyes widened as he took a step towards Pope who pointed the gun back at Caspian.

"Stay put Caspian."

They stood almost in a standoff before Caspian huffed admitting defeat before taking a step back.

"What are you doing with Maddie."

"Nothing we wouldn't have done with you."

His heart dropped with each word Pope spoke, the faint screaming of Maddie selling the story Pope was telling. Taking a step forward now more driven by anger over fear.

"You can't kill her, she wasn't supposed to be here."

Pope laughed almost too long for the moment they were in. Still pointing the gun at Caspian who was closer to it now, unafraid almost.

"Why would we do that? She's far too valuable to let go."

A click hit Caspian, almost on cue Maddie's screams had stopped. Pope lowered the gun no longer pointing it noticing even if Caspian wanted he couldn't attack. His eyes had watered and his body had begun shaking.

"Eternity is too cruel a fate for her Pope."

Pope chuckled once more, an evil deep within slowly coming out. The air suddenly seeming deafening. Eternity was a cruel fate for her, Caspian knew she wouldn't prevent people from uploading but never wanted it for herself.

"Don't be stupid Caspian. Why would we give her the cure? Even if we did it would be for our benefit. You can't stop us, you can die now or join her."

"What's the difference Pope? What you're doing to her is a fate worse than death."

The last thought Caspian had was simple, Maddie wasn't supposed to be here. Had she not, eternity is fate she wouldn't have suffered.

And he didn't join her

Chapter Text

Maddie had been following Caspian around the studio for near 30 minutes trying to convince him to pierce her industrial. Each time him turning her down. She didn't have the right anatomy for it and Caspian was unwilling to waiver his reputation as a piercer. Both of Maddie's ears had been almost fully decked out for years. She started getting them whenever she started working at the studio Caspian owned.

Maddie didn't have any facial piercings, not that she disliked them but never liked them on her. Caspian however had a few including an eyebrow, spiderbites, and two nostrils one on either side of his nose. His ears were also relatively decked out, while not as much as Maddie's he had quite a few. A number of which were done by Maddie.

Caspian was also a qualified tattoo artist however, he typically strayed and allowed his other employees to do them as he found more joy in piercing. Maddie and Caspian had exchanged several services with Maddie being a talented artist however didn't do them frequently. Caspian had ended up with some linework and other small tattoos on his hands in exchange for doing Maddie's ear piercings. Though truth be told he would've done them without getting anything in exchange.

When she had started originally she was his apprentice however a few months in the set of them realized Maddie wasn't to keen on actually piercing so when the receptionist quit she filled the role. She was good at piercing however and during her apprenticeship Caspian allowed her to do many of the piercings on his ears. This is also how he ended up with 2 dermal's on his hand one between his middle and pointer finger the other between the middle and ring finger. Every other piercing he had, he'd done himself.

"Please please It doesn't have to be a proper one what about a floating?"

Maddie was still behind him, begging him for an industrial or some form of alternative. Caspian who was sitting down in his bay setting up to close shop for the night.

"No Maddie, we've been over this. you'll go and stick a bar through it or do something stupid and it'll end up messing up your ear."

The set of them had been close ever since Maddie started working for him. It truthfully didn't feel like she was, more so spending time with a best friend or significant other. Everyone else that worked in the shop had all placed bets on when Maddie and Caspian would get together. Caspian had purposefully scheduled himself to only work the hours she was at the shop which happened to be most everyday.

"Come on. I won't I swear"

Maddie had been begging in an almost childish tone as she sat on one of the stools in his bay. Wheeling it closer to where he was sat cleaning his station. Everyone but them had left the studio for the night.

"How about a tongue piercing. It'd shut you up for a few days."

Caspian meant this jokingly of course, having one himself that Maddie did. Finishing cleaning his bay he gestured for Maddie to get off the stool so he could put it away. Which she did. However, she followed him out of the studio still trying to convince him. Both getting into Caspians car as they carpooled a few times a week when Maddie's roommate Justine needed the car and couldn't pick her up.

"You already did my naval and I said you could either do my tongue or naval. You picked if my memory doesn't fail me."

The set of them were still sitting in his car which hadn't moved from the studio quite yet.

"Yeah, yeah."

Thye both bickered rather frequently which Caspian didn't tend to do with any of his other staff. Not that he didn't like them but they weren't Maddie. Though pulling himself out of his thoughts he began to drive Maddie back to her apartment. He paid her well and she never lived paycheck to paycheck of course his other staff was well paid too but she had the highest salary between all of them. Occasionally he'd take up some coding jobs like he did in his teens to make sure Maddie was taken care of.

She lived in a nice apartment that Caspian had helped move her into as when she first started working she lived in a crappy one in a sketchy part of town. Although she could pay for it herself she lived with her roommate Justine because 'the silence is deafening'. Had he known this he would've offered his apartment to her.

Approaching her apartment building Maddie started shuffling through her bag to get her keys, seeming to take an odd amount of time to find them. Caspian parked and looked over to her, who was still shuffling through her bag.

"Do you have your keys?"

"I think I left them at the shop. Justine should be home though."

Caspians eyebrows furrowed as she spoke slightly concerned for her. Not angry at her of course, he just wanted to make sure he got inside safely.

"Text Justine first, If she's not home we'll go back to the shop and get your keys."

Maddie did text Justine, and much to her disappointment she was somehow got caught up at work. Turning to Caspian telling him they had to go back. She apologized the entire ride back to the studio to which he told her to stop.

Once they arrived at the shop, they both got out of the car as Caspian was the only one with keys to the studio as he was there every day. They both shuffled inside and for some reason neither turned on the lights simply beginning to search Caspians bay and the front counter for her keys.

Caspian was the one to find them on the floor of his bay. He figured she probably dropped them when they were closing up. Quickly thinking of a plan to give them to her he walked back to the front desk she was looking at.

"I found these."

Caspian held the keys in his hand, Maddie letting out a sigh of relief before reaching for them. Caspian pulled his hand back holding them just out of her reach.

"Common give me my keys Caspian."

Caspian leaned forward bringing his head to her level.

"Stop begging me for a piercing I've said no to and they're all yours."

His voice was lightly teasing her, he'd give them to her regardless of course bit he still wanted to tease her just a bit. She couldn't deny that in the moonlit studio that he wasn't attractive. The light reflecting off of his piercings and him holding her keys in the same hand she had tattooed and put dermals on. It was her work on Caspian.

She leaned forward almost as if she was going to speak before quickly grabbing her keys leaving Caspian in a shocked state before lightly laughing. Once he recollected himself he laughed slightly and walked towards her and she kept walking backwards. Within a few seconds she had backed herself into a wall with Caspian right in front of her trapping her against the wall. He was attractive in this state now more than before.

"Common Maddie."

He brought one hand to her face, the one with HER work on it knowing it did things to her. Slowly bringing his hand to her keys grabbing them once more. Both of them had started breathing heavily simply waiting for the other to crack and Caspian was the one that cracked first leaning forwards and kissing her softly.

They remained like this for just a few moments before pulling apart. They stayed in the stance they were before they had kissed before Maddie spoke up.

"I get to pierce your industrial now or I quit."

This was a bluff of course and Caspian knew it but for her he would've done it with a sewing needle. (PLESE DONT DO THIS AT HOME)

"Deal."

Chapter Text

Both Maddie and Caspian had been sitting in silence for a few moments before a beep came from MIST alerting them she was back. Both of them sitting up immediately staring down at MIST waiting what had happened.

"MIST, what happened?"

Maddie spoke first. both still staring at the body they gave MIST.

"It's done. Holstrom is deleted."

MIST had followed Maddie and Caspian's orders in the end, deleting Holstrom. Both Maddie and Caspian stood up in surprise, happiness and any other emotions they had. They looked at one another before quickly embracing and pulling away just as fast. It was done; it was finally done. Now the question left for both of them was, what now?

They both thought the same thing however Caspian beat Maddie to it.

"Can I make you dinner?"

Maddie chuckled and brought both of her hands to his face. Nodding slowly as they both embraced once more. This time longer, almost forgetting MIST was in front of them before she made the noise of clearing a throat causing them both to turn a dark shade of pink and pull away from one another.

Maddie making her way over to MIST picking up the body they had given her pulling it into a hug.

"Thank you MIST."

Caspian watched as Maddie and MIST exchanged a few words before she set MIST back down. Once MIST was back on the floor Maddie gestured for Caspian to come to her, which he did. Walking up to her and once more pulling her into a tight embrace, this time picking her up and twirling her around. Maddie was slightly surprised yet didn't stop him. Neither of them could describe just how happy they were in this moment, they now had the rest of their lives together and if they chose, eternity.

MIST was slightly annoyed by their lovey dovely actions, not that she didn't like them or want them together. More in the sense MIST had just saved earth and they weren't even paying attention to her. MIST rolling her eyes and exiting the room leaving Maddie and Caspian slightly embarrassed.

Caspian leaned in to kiss Maddie, only for her to bring a finger to his lips leaving him confused for a second before she explained.

"I want to take us slow, we have the rest of our lives together and I want to cherish each moment."

Caspian let go of Maddie pretending to be upset, dramatically flinging himself onto the bed behind them. Maddie giggling all the while, she knew he would respect this of course he would but he had to be dramatic in the moment. He laid like this being dramatic for a good 5 minutes before sitting up. Once he sat up Maddie walked over to stand in front of him.

"Your right. We have all our lives. So, Let me make you dinner, or take you to dinner Maddie."

The set of them chuckled for a moment, this was the happiest they could be in this moment.

"I want to go home, and once we're there we can do that."

Caspian nodded, just exited to spend it with her. He truly did love her and only wanted to do this with her. Things had now changed, they were different. Looking up at Maddie he couldn't help but smile, bringing his hands to her waist. Only wanting to be closer to her, while doing what he thought was within her boundaries.

Maddie just as excited as him wrapped her arms around his neck, lightly kissing the top of his head. They both wanted nothing more now than to get Maddie home so they could properly start a relationship. Slower, not rushing, not driven by lust this time.

They stayed in this embrace for just a few more moments before deciding to get MIST and begin heading back home or Maddie's at least. Though wherever Maddie was is where Caspian considered home. Of course there was still a bunch going on with UI's and a tech strike but they would take care of it later down the line, right now they just wanted to be happy. They'd figure it out together.

The next few days were simply spent getting Maddie home. (I can't and dont wanna right this soo time skip)

Maddie was asleep in a car they had rented. Caspian was driving and they were maybe 10 minutes out from Maddie/Ellens house. Neither were sure that Ellen was there but they both hoped she was, they didn't want to go on another wild goose chase. Caspian came to a stop at a red light, turning to Maddie. Taking her sleeping state in awh for just a moment before taking one hand off the wheel to try and shake her awake. Not that he wanted too but he did figure she'd like enough time to wake up and be ready for her return to her mom.

Maddie slowly stirred from her sleeping state, taking a moment to look at her surroundings. She looked over to Caspian who now had all of his attention on the road.

"We're just a few minutes out, are you ready?"

Maddie sat upright as she listened to him speak, nerves slightly shot over her. What would her moms reaction be to her and Caspian? Would she accept their relationship? Maddie sat lost in these thoughts for a few moments before looking up, noticing they were parked in front of her house. She turned to look at Caspian who appeared to be thinking the same thoughts she was.

Maddie brought one of her hands to his, bringing his attention to her.

"It'll be okay. Let's go."

Both of them took a slow breath before getting out of the car. Caspian holding MIST as they knocked on the door in hopes Ellen was here. Luckily for them, she was. The moment she opened the door and noticed Maddie, Ellen broke down in tears pulling Maddie close.

The next 2 hours Maddie and Ellen had spent together, primarily Maddie explaining everything and Caspian sitting in the basement with MIST.

Caspian and MIST were waiting for Ellen. Caspian was slightly terrified of what Ellen was going to say to him. Who would have a good reaction about their daughter vanishing with a boy they've met once?

He was slightly terrified; Ellen was a bit of a scary person to Caspian. His heart began to race as he heard a pair of footsteps on the stairs. Looking over he saw it was Ellen. Caspian stood up quickly, he couldn't tell the expression on her face as she walked closer to him. She stood a few feet away from him and stood crossing her arms before speaking.

"Don't get my daughter pregnant Caspian."

Caspian sucked in a breath, he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad response to hearing about him and Maddie.

"Yes mam"

Ellen sighed softly and uncrossed her arms calling Maddie down before returning her attention to Caspian.

"Look you're a good kid, but you best treat my daughter right. Don't even think about getting her pregnant before marriage"

Caspian nodded. His face as hot with embarrassment, that was something he hadn't considered doing with Maddie. He didn't care about her body, simply her. As Ellen finished her sentence Maddie was down the stairs. When she saw Caspian looking embarrassed she said something to Ellen he couldn't make out.

Once Maddie finished speaking to Ellen, she left leaving Caspian and Maddie in the basement. Maddie smiled and walked over to Caspian quickly wrapping her hands around him, looking up at him with a massive grin on her face.

"You want to go to dinner?"

Chapter Text

During this particular game night, Maddie and Caspian had been down each other's throats all day. No one was fully sure why, but they were both getting slightly more angry with each other as each round went on.

Caspian somehow this round had gotten down to one card, Maddie taking notice after his turn and already angry with him was now yelling at him. Standing up from her chair placing her 2 cards face down and putting both her hands on the table.

"You cheatin son of a bitch! You're supposed to say Uno when you only got one card left!"

Game nights could get pretty intense especially when Maddie and Caspian were tied neck and neck.

"I came out of a robot! and I said One!"

Caspian had followed exactly what Maddie did, placing his card face down and standing up. Everyone else playing uno had already accepted they would lose to one or the other. Simply sitting back finding it entertaining, more so than playing uno.

"You're supposed to uno. It's a MEXCIAN game"

Most the other staff was laughing now as Maddie and Caspian were yelling at each other. Maddie picking up the deck and throwing it at him before they both started running out of the room they were in. Caspian screaming with Maddie following shortly behind him as the rest of the staff were trying to catch their breath from laughing.

They all continued uno as normal whilst Maddie and Caspian were still screaming, running through the building arguing over who won.

Chapter Text

Caspian being the incredibly stressed and annoyed person he was had been rambling on and on for half an hour about how useless people at Logorythms were. Maddie growing slightly annoyed yet listened to his rant with nothing better to do. She had been reading a book before he came in after a particularly rough meeting. Maddie swore smoke was coming from his ears.

Now however he had slightly calmed down but still was pacing in his office with Maddie sitting on the couch closest to the wall and her book on the other. Growing more annoyed with Caspian she got up and got her book, sitting back down reading it which went unnoticed by Caspian who was too caught up in his rambling.

And Caspian went on for another 15 minutes before turning to look at Maddie. That's when he realized she hadn't been paying attention to him. Walking up to her, standing right in front of where she sat. Maddie looked up at him, keeping her book open in her hands as she did.

A now slightly irritated Caspian grabbed the book from Maddie, closing it and tossing it across the room despite Maddie's disagreements towards the action. Wearing an almost disappointed face whilst Maddie kept her poker face.

"You're just like them, ignoring me not listening to a word I say!"

Caspian didn't mean this but was simply enraged that the one person he would come to actually talk to wasn't listening in either.

"When you make it sound like everyone, including me is nothing to you I'm not exactly inclined to listen."

This suddenly caught his attention, while yeah he was angry with the others he wasn't with her. He turned wide eyed simply staring at her as she got up and walked to the door of the room turning to him before leaving.

"I'll be back in 10 minutes. Please calm down before I come back."

Caspian stood there for a moment, sitting in his own guilt before doing as Maddie more demanded than requested. He realized maybe he was being a bit much. Walking over to his desk he looked over, seeing Maddie's book ... that he had thrown sending a wave of guilt over him. Picking it up as he walked back to his desk, now gently setting it on it.

Caspian sat down, taking in a few deep breaths now waiting for Maddie's return. Closing is eyes he heard the door open, and close all in one swift movement. It was Maddie. He opened his eyes watching her he noticed a small bag in her hands. She came up to him simply setting it on the desk and stood in front of him.

"So, are you done?"

Caspian nodded sheepishly not wanting to admit his temper right now.

"Can I do something?"

Maddie asked this question, her voice sounding gentle. Caspian looked up to her, nodding once more. In one swift movement she sat down in his lap so she was facing him and grabbed the bag beside her.

This surprised Caspian of course, leaving him wide eyed but not rejecting it. He moved his hands to either side of her hips, just so she didn't fall. Or that's what he told himself. Maddie now not digging through the bag pulled out a small bottle of foundation a beauty blender. She turned to look at him, a silent ask.

Caspian didn't reject. So, she leaned forward and put some on his face, it was definitely NOT his shade but it didn't matter right now. All that Caspian was focused on was the fact Maddie was so close to him.

He had almost zoned out staring at her, she was focused as she did his makeup, moving from foundation to concealer to bronzer and so on. She hadn't noticed him staring right up until she went to do his eye makeup. Causing both of them to look away ever so slightly embarrassed for just a few moments.

Maddie did end up putting eye makeup on him. Right as she was doing the finishing touches the two men assigned to Maddie and Caspian respectively had walked in for whatever reason. They had a bad habit of doing that.

Both of the men went wide eyed before exiting. They hadn't noticed Caspians makeup. Only the fact Maddie was basically straddling him, and Caspian was holding her in place. What were they to think?

Both Maddie and Caspian turned to look at the men, who had already left before lightly laughing together. It was an odd way of making Caspian relax but it had worked despite the fact he now looked like a drag queen.

Chapter Text

"There must be something I can do for you"

Yair's voice grows more frustrated as each moment passes. Maddie remains quiet and keeps her poker face

"I said, I can't help you. I don't have the cure, I can't make the cure"

Her face remained still, how long had it been at this point? Yair leaned back in his seat pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You keep telling half-truths, why lie?"

Maddie leaned back in her chair, her heart racing faster now.

"I can't make the cure"

A chuckle came from Yair as he brought his hands back to sit on the table both of his hands interlinked.

"But you have it? Where is it."

Yair's voice growing more violent to this point. Maddie's still face remained. Was this her life until she figured out how Caspian made the cure?"

"I can't help you. I didn't make the cure and I'll be damned if I give that away to someone who clearly won't be what we're looking for. You got the wrong person."

"So it be little girl, stay here. No one will come looking for you, unless you figure out this cure again"

They both sat in a silent stare before something took Maddie's attention from the outside world. MIST. Maddie took her final look at Yair.

"I'll be damned if it comes to you. I will upload before I give you the cure."

With that she took of her headset and followed MIST out of the building. Running with MIST to a car they had found.

(new content begins here)

Maddie hadn't driven much before, but they didn't have time to worry about that. Guns were firing in the background and she couldn't risk being shot. Not now.

However the second she thought she was safe and out of reach from anyone else it happened. Maddie didn't realize it at first, just hearing another shot go off and pain in her abdomen as MIST took control of the car and drove.

Maddie fought for her consciousness as the car drove, finally looking down realizing what had happened. Her eyes went wide with panic, immediately thinking about Caspian. The place of the wound was the same spot Cary was shot. It may not be fatal, she hoped it wasn't.

Luckily the spot Caspian was at wasn't too far out. MIST had managed to find the quickest route, speeding even to try and get Maddie there faster. Maybe Caspian would know what to do. Even though MIST was CI she still got overwhelmed by emotions, unsure what to do.

Pulling into the lot the car came to a stop, Maddie used whatever strength she had to exit the car. She wanted to at least see Caspian once more before she lost consciousness deep down knowing she wouldn't wake back up once she lost it.

Caspian, almost panicking at her state, quickly sprinted to her. Maddie almost collapsing in his arms. A soft smile across her face. At least she saw him. Caspian didn't know what to say, what to do. His wide panicked eyes speaking for himself. Maddie chuckled slightly, his eyes looking like they were going to bulge out of his head.

"You're freaking me out with those eyes Caspian"

Her voice was almost laughter, though she couldn't exactly laugh in her current state.

"And you're freaking me out with a gunshot wound Maddie."

His voice was filled with concern and fear. He lowered both of them to the concreate beneath them. Should he have put her in the car and gotten her to a hospital? Probably. However he wasn't thinking straight.

Tears now streaming out of his eyes as he held Maddie close to him. Maddie was fully sitting down whilst Caspian was only on his knees. Maddie smiled though, she knew she was going to die but at least she'd die with Caspian.

Bringing her hands up to his face, rather weakly holding it now bringing it closer to hers. Rubbing her thumb across his cheek wiping away tears that were quickly replaced.

"It's okay. You can do this on your own Caspian."

Her voice was soft and gentle, like it was on the bus, like it was when they were waiting for Olivia. She didn't want him to worry. This however broke Caspian, who was now far beyond what his breaking point was.

Caspian cried in her hands, subconsciously knowing this would be the last time he felt her touch.

"I can't do this without you Maddie."

This caused her to chuckle lightly, coughing right after. She was losing her consciousness now.

"You can Caspian. I know you can. K(no)w this is for the better."

With this sentence the last breath she has was made. Causing Caspian to collapse next to her. Tears fogging his vision all together. Her last words didn't make sense to him and he couldn't figure out if she meant 'no' or 'know. Ethier one didn't make sense to him either way.

Chapter Text

Caspian and Maddie had been sleeping in the same room for a couple of days now. Maddie had gotten night terrors since arriving to the data center, paired with her panic attacks never lead to a good combination throughout the day. Most of her night terrors had been tame until recently, that's when Caspian invited her to sleep in his room.

She didn't take his offer for a few days however eventually decided to. Being alone was worse than being with Caspian right now. Although she was irritated with him, he was familiar, a safe person at the end of the day.

That said, she was currently asleep on the bed they shared. The data center wasn't made to host couples so rooms only contained one bed, the size of which was adjusted per person. Luckily or unluckily depending how they viewed it on a play-by-play basis Caspian had a larger one.

Caspian worked later nights typically returning to his room nearing 1 am, Maddie was always asleep when he got there. She occasionally (almost every night) would wake up due to some form of night terror, however because of the schedules they both had Caspian would almost always be awake when this happened.

Tonight was no exception. Caspian had gotten back to the room later than normal having some of his theories run on longer than expected and it was now 1:30. Walking into the room Caspian glanced to the bed noticing Maddie. She had been sprawled out on the left side of the bed. His side of the bed.

He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, almost awaiting Maddie to wakeup due to a night terror. He felt awful he was thinking about it like that but it was true. Not 5 minutes later Maddie's breathing started to change, like it did right before she woke up.

He turned his head to look at Maddie simply waiting. Not that he minded much, it wasn't a burden to him. It almost made him feel wanted, needed. He took a closer look at Maddie, not noticing her clothing at first due to the only light being the moonlight. She was fully clothed of course but it was what dressed her that intrigued him, making his heart flutter slightly.

One of his lesser used sweaters had adorned her. He sat there admiring the way it clung to her, though he wasn't able to for long as Maddie had finally succumb to her night terrors. She had been having a recurring nightmare about digging up Davids body.

They both looked at each other, farcical expressions shifting in a silent conversation. It had been the same nightmare. Caspian moved from his position on the edge of the bed to sit against the headboard, opening his arms to her. To which she followed, slumping down against his chest. Facing towards him

This was what they did, they would sit like this or a few minutes as Maddie calmed back down and went back to sleep. She would move to the right side of the bed when she was about to fall asleep, however tonight she was already half asleep as she laid against his chest.

Caspian went to move her so she could lay down fully but was stopped by Maddie. She lightly pushed him back against the headboard and resumed her position from before now almost asleep. She curled her face into the side of his neck as she now was asleep.

Caspian moved one of his hands to sit on her lower back. He sat admiring her sleeping state, it made his heart flutter. Just everything about her being so close to him, asleep on him. Though he didn't stare at her for long, slowly falling asleep himself.

Chapter Text

Sorry for this disruption between reading however for anyone interested in Pantheon dives I have officially posted a Podcast on Spotify called "Pantheon deep dives"

Chapter Text

"You don't have a choice, Maddie. You're going."

Ellen and Maddie had been fighting for nearly 20 minutes. There was some dance going on at her school and Caspian had asked her to go on account of Renee telling him to. Neither had wanted to go but neither was willing to fight with their parents.

Maddie, now more annoyed than before was headed to her room before looking down at her phone and receiving a text from Caspian. He had asked about the color of her dress. Maddie rolled her eyes seeing this, what cringy thing was he trying to do?

She didn't even know, she wasn't going to get a dress. She made Ellen get one for her. Maddie plopped down on her bed knowing this stupid event was coming up in just a few days. She didn't want to go with Casper the unfriendly goth.

Maddie did know Caspian better than most anyone, they had lived across from each other for years now with Ellen and Renee being close. During some of the nights his dad was home, Caspian came over to avoid him, and Maddie despite what she said always allowed him to sit with her.

Maddie now sat at her desk looking over some school work. She was smart, one of the top in her class with some credit going to Caspian who tutored her when she needed it. Staring at it for a moment longer she sighed and looked to her phone. Texting Caspian asking him to come over and help her.

Caspian didn't respond to her text. However a few minutes later her door opened. She knew it was Caspian, her mom always knocked and Caspian didn't. Maddie didn't look back, simply keeping her eyes on the work ahead of her.

Caspian, being the boy he was. Leaned against the back of her chair pushing her forward. This caused Maddie to lean back and slap his arm.

"Ouch, I thought you called me over to help."

Maddie rolled her eyes before responding.

"Quit being dramatic and help me."

Caspian did help her. They spent a solid 2 hours doing her schoolwork before Caspian went home. Ellen always questioned Maddie after he came over, to which she never had anything to share. They never did anything they were just friends.

Ellen always found it a little odd. She knew Caspian had at least a small crush on Maddie. Renee and Ellen talked about it often. Caspian knew he did, to an extent. But Maddie? Maddie was clueless.

Days later the day of the dance came. Ellen had basically forced Maddie into a short dark blue dress. Her hair was lightly curled and her makeup was done. Maddie didn't wear much makeup normally so this felt caked on. She felt artificial.

Ellen, Renee and Caspian had been talking downstairs whilst Maddie was 'finishing' getting ready aka holding off going downstairs as long as she could. This wasn't her. Her face felt suffocating with the makeup caked on.

Despite her thoughts, she couldn't stay upstairs forever. Slowly picking herself up and opening her door. All of the talking downstairs stopped as it opened. Taking a deep breath Maddie walked towards the stairs quickly noticing Caspian.

Caspian looked different, cleaned up. He was wearing a suit and his hair was actually tamed. Taking notice of this before his facial expression. Caspians expression was almost in shock.

Caspians thoughts had been running through his head, knowing Maddie didn't want to go, knowing he didn't want to go. Maddie looked beautiful though. His breathing wavered slightly seeing her look so pretty.

As Maddie reached where the rest of them were standing Ellen and Renne almost instantly started forcing them into pictures. Both Renne and Ellen just wanting memories. Maddie and Caspian both obliged them for a few pictures.

Both quickly growing annoyed with the never ending pictures. Eventually they did stop allowing them both to leave.

Luckily for the set of them Caspian was the one driving them. Getting into the car Maddie slumped back into the seat. Caspian didn't seem bothered by this, simply pulling out of the driveway and beginning to head to what Maddie thought was the dance.

However, when she opened her eyes, Maddie didn't recognize where they were. Turning to Caspian confused.

"Where are you taking me?"

Caspians expression seemed to soften slightly hearing her talk.

"I know a place."

She questioned this answer but didn't argue it. At least she wasn't going to that dreaded dance. Maddie closed her eyes once more, now awaiting where they were going.

The next time she opened her eyes, the car was parked and Caspian was sitting in silence. Sitting upright Maddie took in her surroundings. They were in a parking lot, looking to her left was a beach. It was pretty, she couldn't deny that.

"So what now?"

Maddie asked while looking out the window not truly expecting an answer.

"We have one dance?"

Caspians voice was almost scared to ask, he was looking straight ahead his knuckles almost white from holding onto the steering wheel. It made Maddie chuckle slightly, easing some of Caspians anxiety.

"What?"

Caspian was smiling while speaking. Both stopped for a few moments before both began laughing.

"One dance. Then we go home."

Caspian nodded, getting out of the car Maddie following suit. They both walked to the center of the empty parking lot. Neither really knew how to dance but they tried.

Maddie stepped on his toes quite a bit, not that he really minded. Caspian tipped her down speaking so suddenly.

"You look beautiful"

Maddie frowned slightly.

"I look artificial."

Caspian chuckled lightly as their dance ended. He still held her just lighter now.

"You could never look artificial, you're always Maddie."

Both stared at each other for just a moment before Caspian leaned in to kiss her.

Chapter Text

It had been 3 months since Caspian went to Norway. To say he missed Maddie was an understatement, though they were never close she was the one who taught him about UI in the first place, she was the one he went to after leaving his home, she was the one he gave the bitcoin to.

Though they hadn't made contact in those 3 months, since the black site had to be run wireless only the phones given were able to reach anyone outside, and Caspian wasn't allowed to leave yet.

Caspian had been arguing against this, so they were finally letting him leave. Just for a few days but he was otherwise threatening to quit the project entirely and they couldn't do that. So now he was on a plane to Sacramento, to see Maddie.

Pope had said if Maddie would come to Norway with Caspian she would be allowed to be on the plane back. A part of Caspian almost hoped she would come with him but another knew there was a higher chance she wouldn't.

Maddie had been living her life, Caspian didn't know how she would react to seeing him again. Looking out of the window he noticed they were getting close to the airport.

A while later Caspian was now in a car, driving to her house. He was on the phone with Pope as he was driving giving instruction for the few days he was gone. Caspian found Pope annoying however he did give Caspian the company. They were currently signing over the company to Caspian legally.

Caspian hung up on Pope as he was turning into the neighborhood Maddie lived in. The feeling of missing her came back stronger now. He was excited to see her in an odd way, to see a 'friend' again.

Driving up to Maddie's house, he stayed in the car for a minute. Breathing. His heart was racing, was it anxiety? He didn't know but he got out of the car. Slowly but surely walking up to her house each step he grew more thrilled at the thought of seeing her.

He now was in front of her door. Nerves now shaking his body but regardless he knocked. one, two, three.

It felt like ages before..Maddie. Maddie was now at the door.

Caspian smiled, exited to see her. Maddie? Her face was a mix of anger, confusion, anxiety. Her heart had dropped the second she opened the door.

Caspian leaned down and hugged her. She remained still before pulling back quickly.

"You leave for 3 months. No fucking contact! Only I'm going to Norway and you show up at my door!?"

Her eyes were now filled with tears. Justine had appeared behind her at some point. Caspian stepped forward before responding.

"I had to! I had to shut down the UI program Maddie!"

A simple 'fuck you' was all that was stated by Maddie before she ran inside. Leaving Justine and Caspian staring at one another. Justine held a poker face almost defensive he had made her cry.

"Caspian I presume?"

Justines voice was just as cold as her face was making her out to be. Caspian nodded and Justines face only fell further but invited him inside. Maddie had long ran to her room. As they walked inside Justine spoke once more

"I don't know you, but make it right and figure it out."

Her tone sent shivers down Caspian, not much truly scared him, but Justines cold voice was now on the list. Caspian nodded quickly and made his way to her room.

He waited outside the door for just a moment before entering. Finding Maddie crying on her bed. He walked over and sat down beside her to which she shuffled away.

"Not a text, a letter, a hi or a fuck you. For months Caspian. "

Her voice was stale cold if it could've been.

"I'm sorry Maddie. I thought you knew."

She now got off of her bed and walked to her desk, sitting down now to face him.

"If you wanted to, you would've, but you didn't. That alone shows me all i needed to know. Let alone the fact you didn't want to help until it was too late."

His heart dropped, he didn't know she had felt like this. Getting up now he stood in front of her chair, getting down on his knees.

"Maddie. I'm sorry. I was wrong. I should've helped you then but now I can. I'm working day and night to create a cure and we have a copy of Davids code"

This took Maddie's attention, who now was upset. More so than before.

"I watched my dad die Caspian. Put him to rest. Why do you even have a copy of him?"

Her voice got increasingly loud, eyes once more filled with tears as she spoke.

"Maddie. Please. Come to Norway with me, see your dad. He'll get the cure."

Caspian did mean this, he cared for Maddie in every way shape and form. He wanted her there for a reason. He just missed her.

"Get out of my house Caspian. Go back to Norway."

Caspians eyes started to water as she spoke. He now reached for her hands and held them in his.

"Please Maddie. This isn't for me. It's for everyone."

Maddie stood up. Walking over to her door before looking back at him who was still on his knees.

"Go back to Norway. You aren't the guy I trusted, tell me when he's back."

Chapter Text

As some of you may know I have become incredibly burned out with writing the past few weeks. I want to produce the best quality work i can for you guys and don't want to put out bad updates. My school, work and the Pantheon Podcast are taking my main focus for now. This is not a goodbye and I will update/ write these again when I am not burnt out again. I hope you guys understand and if you want any work from me Pantheon deep dives will be the most consistent for new content from me. Thank you for your support so far and I will hopefully be back and writing in just a few weeks time!

Chapter Text

Maddie and Caspian had been sat on the top of the data center, their feet dangling over the edge. Both had been holding a small mug of hot cocoa which had long grown cold at this point. Neither were really looking at one another, just ahead.

Snow was falling down on them but they still weren't moving. The water they were staring out at was roaring and violent, but their eyes never strayed from it. Maddie was the first to set down her mug, just to the side of her.

Caspian heard this noise, but his eyes stayed still. Neither of them were fully sure what they were even staring at almost as if they were attempting to find a dead pixel in the sea. One they wouldn't find no matter how much they convinced themselves something was there.

They weren't fighting necessarily, but they weren't exactly friends right now either. They were just company to one another. Maddie gained benefits from being Caspian's right-hand man and Caspian gained a warm body he could trust.

Maddie was the first to speak up, her voice was somber, and it reminded Caspian of the first call she had ever made to him.

"It's interesting. It's like the water taunts me, reminds me."

Finally Caspians eyes strayed, turning to look at Maddie who was still staring straight.

"What do you mean?"

His voice was also low, it reminded her of their conversation in her backyard those months ago.

"It's like it's reminding me of a life I never lived and never will."

This confused Caspian, unsure of what she meant. She almost looked as if she was going to cry, but not quite. Just the slight discomfort in her eyes, the slight frown to her otherwise still face. Maddie turned to look at Caspian.

"It's like looking for something that isn't there. Just out of reach, just out of mind but still there."

Both of them now sat staring at one another in a weird silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but wasn't vulnerable either. The set both still had their walls up, not sure if the other at an alternative motive than what was put up.

Nevertheless despite it they were also the only one the other could trust now. Both of their lives were flipped upside down but they were at the same time. An understanding no one else had. It was one slip up that caused them to meet. Projects that weren't supposed to overlap, but they did.

Maddie took a breath, blowing air out. They both watched the air around it change color. It looked unreal to them.

"I think everything will just out of reach Maddie. Everything is set in motion just with different choices ending to the same thing."

This caused Maddie to chuckle slightly each side of her face turning up for just a moment. A smile they both missed seeing. They never had the same way of thinking but both were able to see and understand the other.

They both knew, listened to one another. Far beyond what anyone else did. A silent conversation happened every time they were in a room together.

"With different choices, you lead to different endings. They're never identical Caspian."

Both of their voices now lightened up a bit. Just a bit.

"I didn't say they were identical, just the same ending. If I died in every life it doesn't matter the steps it took for me to die."

Both laughed just a bit longer than before. It was these conversations that drew them to one another, they balanced each other well.

"Physical death or uploaded death? Without a body can you really die?"

Caspians eyes softened, just slightly but it didn't go unnoticed.

"I think you die the second you believe its over. We could be dead tomorrow."

"So, is that what's just out of reach Caspian? Death?

Chapter Text

Maddie had been waiting for MIST and Caspian to return. She couldn't tell if she was angry, or worried, or concerned, or a mix of all three? She wasn't truly angry AT Caspian more so the situation that came with him.

Had this situation not been a package deal with Caspian maybe all these underlying feelings toward him wouldn't have been there. When they met in those chat rooms all those months ago they talked nearly daily for one reason or another. Back then they didn't have these complicated situations.

Maddie didn't want to be angry or upset with Caspian. Right now they were the only one the other could fully trust. As much as they WANTED to trust MIST, they didn't fully know what she was. Of course she was parts of David, but also parts of Laurie. While at times they did trust Laurie, near the end they almost couldn't, or Maddie couldn't.

Being knocked out of her thoughts Maddie heard a car fast approaching. Quickly standing from her previously sitting position, both hoping and not hoping in a weird way it was Caspian. Maybe it was selfish thought to have, to hope it wasn't him.

The car now was stopped a decent distance in front of where she stood. She stared ahead but was unable to see through the tinted windshield. Terror washed over her for a moment, if it wasn't Caspian who was it?

Though luckily for Maddie, Caspian opened the door and took a few steps forward. Relief now washed over her overtaking the feeling of terror. Staring at him for just a moment, almost making sure it was really Caspian.

The moment she felt it was safe, the moment she knew it was Caspian, she ran towards him. Though not entirely sure why she ran to him after her thoughts just minutes ago. Caspian opened his arms to her, to which she quickly embraced him.

They stayed in this embrace for a few long moments, neither wanting to let go. Maddie didn't know when she had started crying, but she did and was now almost trying to hide it by resting her head on Caspians shoulder.

Caspian didn't want to let go of her either, as stupid as it sounded to him. He missed her, even if it was only for a few hours, maybe a day. Being without her was weird after what they went through.

Maddie finally pulled away from him, quickly wiping her eyes before looking at him fully. All the feelings of anger, worry and concern washing back over her and Caspian could tell. He quickly took a step back, not sure what to expect.

Though he quickly found out. Maddie now had both of her hands pulling him down to be face level to her. Slightly choking him in the process as his shirt came forward with him. Maddie's eye quickly began to water before speaking.

"I'm going to talk and you're going to fucking listen to me Caspian."

Her voice was almost yelling, but not quite loud enough to be a yell. Caspians eyes went wide for a second before quickly nodding and responding.

"Okay, okay. I'm listening."

They stared at each other for just a moment, Maddie's breathing growing heavy as each moment past.

"Quit trying to get yourself fucking killed. Quit running around acting like if something happens to you I can do this on my own!"

Caspian knew that she could handle it, but with Maddie pulling him down and her grip only increasing now wasn't the time. He quickly realized he may have been looking at her a little too blankly as she now yelled.

"Are you hearing me Caspian!"

A tear rolled down her cheek as she yelled, there wasn't a need to yell but Caspian let her. He knew she just needed to release whatever pent up frustration she had out. He now brought his hands to her shoulders.

"I got it."

This didn't quite please Maddie however. Now for whatever reason she pulled him farther down.

"Say it like you mean it, say it like you understand each word coming out of my mouth Caspian."

Her face was now stern, it almost reminded him of Ellen. Caspian stared at her longingly, that probably wasn't the desired effect Maddie was aiming for but it was working to some extent.

"Maddie." a long pause rested between words. He brought his hands now to either side of her face. "I got it. For as long as we're looking for someone I'll stop."

He was being truthful, but he also knew he was going to upload. If it gave Maddie a sense of security for right now, that was all that mattered. Caspian knew he had to tell her, but not right now, he'd do it when Maddie wasn't able to strangle him within 5 seconds.

His words did end up pleasing Maddie, finally letting him go. They looked at each other one more time before Caspian took a step forward now hugging Maddie. Holding her tightly, was it to cover his own guilt? A little bit.

He let go not 5 seconds later however, now gesturing to the van suggesting they leave. To which Maddie nodded and got in. Leaving Caspian in his own thoughts for just a moment, he was going to tell her he had to be the one to upload.

Chapter Text

Maddie had been sitting in her living room with Justine and the other teens that had been slowly added to their group as the weeks went on. She had been holding and staring at a small card in her hand, one Renee had given to her. It was an offer to go to Norway, all she had to do was call.

Maddie twirled the card around in her hands, again, and again, and again. She was sat in the chair of the living room. Justine was on the couch on the seat closest to her and the others were sat on the floor playing a game of who knows what.

Justine had been focused on the game they were playing, acting as a referee of sorts, she glanced to Maddie every now and then seeing the same thing. Her legs held to her chest, her chin on her knees, and that damn card in her hands.

Justine wished she'd let the card go. She knew Caspian was in Norway, and she was never his biggest fan. From the way Maddie spoke about him, Justine always worried he was simply using her to advance his own selfish needs.

She always thought of Caspian far from what he was. Justine imagined him as this geeky jock that only came to Maddie when he needed something. Justine never read Caspians files, she never found a want to.

Ever since Caspian had become a bigger part of Maddie's life, Justine didn't like him. When he was states away she didn't mind him as much. He was more of a presence Maddie would mention on occasion, not a person in her mind, but when he drove down Sacramento that changed.

He became an actual person, not something Justine could just ignore or pretend to forget. The moment she decided she didn't like Caspian was the day he arrived. Justine had drove to Maddie's house to find her crying on the sidewalk.

Maddie and her mom disagreed sure, but Justine could tell this was different. This crying was at least started by Caspian. Thats the day Justine formed her extreme dislike for him.

But now, Justine glanced back over to Maddie who was still holding that stupid card. She didn't understand why Maddie was debating it so much, she herself said her father was dead and had no intention of EVER bringing him back. Paired with her dislike for Caspian, Justine just didn't get it. If Caspian actually wanted her there, he should've called. Or that's what Justine believed.

Her dislike for Caspian was growing to more of a disgust with even Caspians name. Now, of course she wanted Maddie to be happy but why was it right as she was getting better Caspian just appeared back in her life?

With each thought, and more anger growing in Justines head she finally spoke to.

"You're not actually considering going to Norway Maddie?"

It stunned Maddie slightly, and the other teens didn't pay Justine any mind being too involved in their now ever-growing game. Maddie quickly lifted her head off of her knees to get a full look at Justine.

"I don't know, maybe. Just to delete whatever they have of my dad?"

It was like Maddie was trying to convince herself of going. This answer displeased Justine who knew Maddie wouldn't do a one and done regardless of what happened. She had spoke of her minor crush on Caspian before and Justine was almost worried it would carry out in Norway if Maddie went.

Though biting her tongue just a bit she responded with the politest answer she could.

"Maddie, if Caspian WANTED you there he would've called. Not send some random girl to get you."

Maddie stared blankly at Justine, despite not meaning it to be it cut deep. Maddie knew why he couldn't call but Justine didn't. Maddie knew he cared, at least a little. Justine disagreed.

"He can't just 'call' me Justine. And maybe I will go, I need to see my dad completely to rest."

Maddie's voice was rising with each word, the tension growing between the two. The other teens in the room had taken notice of the om going argument now and had left the room. Maddie nor Justine noticed this however.

They both were slightly angry. Justine less at Maddie more so that Caspian would be taking her from Justine, harming her again. Maddie at the fact Justine didn't understand the situation no matter how many times Maddie explained it to her.

Maddie was the first to move, getting off of her chair now holding the card in front of her. Turning to Justine who was still sat on the couch.

"I'm going to Norway Justine."

Now, Maddie had fully convinced herself. Almost saying this to prove a point now. Justine's eyes had went wide, annoyance quickly advancing within her.

"What's in Norway that isn't here? Caspian?"

Justine almost spat this as she stood up, keeping her distance from Maddie as she did. This ticked Maddie slightly, was that all Justine saw?

"My dad is in Norway. A copy of his code is. I don't care who's running it I'm doing it for my dad."

The emotions in the room were rising, anger fueling both of them as they spoke.

"Your dad is dead Maddie. He's been dead! Whatever is in Norway isn't your dad, isn't your family and it sure as hell isn't going to put you at ease. All it is, is Caspian's name being attached getting in your damn head!"

Maddie froze slightly, though Justine kept her expression not fully processing what she had said. Though Maddie quickly glanced down at the card memorizing the number before looking at Justine.

"I'm going to Norway. If you can't understand what's going on that's fine but Caspian does know what's happening. He can help more than you can."

This had stung Justine. Being told this random guy helps more than she does was far beyond what she would call an insult. Neither were fully processing what they were saying at this point.

"Fine go to Caspian. When he disappoints, uses and hurts you don't come running back! That man won't love you or care for you!"

A hand quickly went over Justines mouth as she finished her sentence, realizing she had crossed a line. Justine quickly tried apologizing to Maddie but that was useless.

Maddie had already took a deep breath, collecting herself before walking to the front door.

"I'll be in Norway Justine. Whatever 'that man' does will be whatever he does. He'll help me delete my dad."

Maddie walked out leaving Justine standing frozen with a hand over her mouth. Justine's eyes had begun to water. She didn't know what else to do. She didn't want to run after Maddie after what she had just said, but she was scared.

So, she didn't do anything. It was stupid, letting the girl she loved so deeply walk out like that but she couldn't deny she had fucked up. Maybe Maddie would come back safe and in jut a few weeks' time.

She surely wouldn't disappear for months on end. Right?

Chapter Text

Maddie had been sitting in the corner of whoever house Justine had dragged her to. Justine wanted to go to this party but refused to go alone. Now she had full intentions of staying sober and taking Maddie home ... but now she was drunkenly telling Maddie to have Caspian come get her.

"Common, I'm about to get this chick. Just have Caspian come get you and I'll see you tomorrow mk?"

Maddie tried protesting this but was waved off as Justine was now being dragged away in hand with this girl. Being left now with two choices, call Caspian or hope Justine sobered up. Sighing and leaning her head back, Maddie took out her phone quickly looking for Caspians contact.

She knew Caspian would pick up, he always did for her. He always made sure she was safe and was even her secondary emergency contact when they couldn't get ahold of Ellen. Both Justine and Caspian were seniors, Maddie only being a sophomore and was only here because Justine wanted her to be.

Looking back down at her phone she clicked on his contact, her finger hovering over the call button for just a moment. Almost debating if she wanted to call him. Maddie knew he would come get her in a heartbeat, he had even protested her going in the first place much to his dismay.

All three of them were outsiders, they didn't have many friends with Justine being the most social of the three often leaving the other two for whatever reason. Maddie's eyes stared at her screen for just another second, glancing over the photo she had set for his icon before clicking the call button.

It rung once, twice and then "Hey, you okay Maddie?"

A sigh of relief came from her before responding. She had almost thought he wouldn't pick up for whatever reason.

"Hey, yeah I'm okay. Can you come get me?"

Maddie's legs tightened to her body as she spoke. She could drive technically but they brought Justines car, and Justine had the keys. The sound of Caspian getting up and moving around was in the background as he spoke.

"Yeah, is everything okay? Are you sure you're okay?"

Maddie chuckled slightly, finding it almost overbearing. Caspian was only concerned for her well being, he had never been to many parties himself however had overheard a handful of times the gross things some of the boys had said about Maddie.

"Everything's okay Caspian I promise. Just come get me. Justine's drunk and probably shagging right now."

A grunt could be heard on Caspians end followed by some mumbling about how Justine was irresponsible. Keys could be heard jiggling followed by Caspian getting in his car.

"Alright, I'll be there in 15. Call me if you need anything."

Maddie chuckled once more, hanging up on Caspian and bringing her phone back down to her lap. Once more looking at that stupid icon. It was a picture of them together on a road trip they took during her 16th birthday. It wasn't a memory she really thought of much, but Caspian had pointed out that he thought his hair looked weird in that picture but that she looked pretty.

Smiling once more Maddie stood up, putting her phone in her pocket as she did. Looking around noticing some couples making out, some unholy noises that could be heard, music that was far too loud and finally the front door.

Slowly making her way over was stopped by some 'friendly' boys in her grade. Offering her some spiked punch, to which she declined. However they didn't take no for an answer but in the moment it didn't feel like pressure, having them word it a "Just missing out on the fun" or " A normal experience she would want". Maddie sat rethinking for a moment before taking the red solo cup from one of them only after having them pour her a new one.

Taking the cup with the cheers of the boys had drank it. Maddie found it disgusting, that was definitely not all it was made out to be. Now Maddie was a smaller girl for her age, she didn't do sports or extra circulars and didn't grow quite as much as the other had. A hazy feeling came over her as she swallowed it.

She stared at the group of guys in front of her for a moment before deciding it wasn't in her best interest to drink it again. Deciding to slowly but surely back away from them. Slowly indeed. But at last she had finally made it to the front door slipping her way out unnoticed.

Staring out at the road Maddie took notice Caspian wasn't there yet. So she sat down on the sidewalk pulling out her phone to see where Caspian was. Once more opening his contact clicking the call button.

"How far out are you?"

Her words were slightly slurred, not fully. She wasn't drunk but she really sober either. Justine had told her drinking felt like the best thing in the moment, but it didn't feel like it. Did she not drink enough?

"I'm pulling up now. You should see me."

Caspians voice seemed slightly confused by Maddie's slurred but figured it was his phone acting up. Maddie looked up from her phone now noticing his car in the road. She quickly stood up and walked over to his car almost toppling into the passenger's seat.

Caspian stared at her for a moment but didn't question it, figuring it was just her being tired. Or that's what he thought before taking a better look at her face. His brows furrowed as he grabbed her face with one hand bringing it to meet his almost examining it.

It wasn't really noticeable but to Caspian? It was a different person. He knew Maddie inside and out, maybe to a creepy point but regardless any tell she had Caspian knew of it. Maddie wasn't even able to white lie with Caspian without him knowing.

"Did Justine make you drink?"

Madde quickly shook her head, her eyes going wide.

"No, Justine left me."

Caspian let go of her face almost slumping back in his seat bringing his hand to hold the side of his head mumbling to himself.

"Jesus I told Justine one thing, one thing and that was to keep you out of trouble and she runs off."

Caspian wasn't truly angry at Justine, more so upset in the moment. Moving his head over to look at Maddie who now had her head down fidgeting with her hands in her lap. Sighing lightly he spoke up as he began driving.

"I'm not mad at you Maddie. Or Justine. It was bound to happen but now I have to explain to your mom what happened."

They both turned to look at each other, chuckling slightly as the mood eased up just a bit. Now would Ellen be mad? Yes, but more so at Justine than either Caspian or Maddie. She was an overprotective parent but chances were if Caspian got her to bed fast enough Ellen wouldn't notice.

The drive wasn't that long, only 20 minutes to Maddie's house. All three of them didn't live more than 5 minutes apart so Caspian never minded getting Maddie from whatever she needed. He would much rather her be safe over going 30 minutes out of his way.

Truth be told Caspian wouldn't care to go 4 hours both directions if it meant Maddie was safe. There had been several times Maddie would call out of the blue asking Caspian to come get her and each time he obliged.

Caspian remembered one specific night this had happened. Maddie had called around midnight, she had been crying begging him to get her. Neither could remember the reason why but he had jolted awake and drove to get her. It got him in a bit of trouble with his parents but he couldn't be bothered to care.

Now being brought back to reality Caspian pulled up to her house. He paused in the driveway as Maddie got out of his car and was now waiting for him. He now quickly got out of his car following Maddie inside. Both trying to be quiet going up to Maddie's room.

Caspian had helped her into bed and he himself now sitting on the edge. They had remained like this for a few minutes because Caspian wanted to make sure she was okay. Getting up to leave after conforming she was he felt a tug on the edge of his sweater turning his head to see Maddie having a hold on it.

"Stay, please?"

Her voice was soft and sweet. It wasn't suggesting or anything like that. Caspian couldn't fully tell what was going through her head but truth be told he didn't care if he got in trouble. After all, he just wanted Maddie to be safe. So he stayed. At some point they had ended up falling asleep on the floor against her bedframe with Maddie in his arms.

Justines plan had followed through. She would make them confess one way or another.

Chapter Text

There was a routine set in place for Maddie and Caspian; it had been the same for years. They both would go to Caspian's place after school until Ellen got off work, with the exception of Friday nights when his dad would be home.

When Caspian moved across the street when Maddie was 6 this routine started. Ellen and Renee had quickly become friends so there was no worry when Maddie was there. Even when Maddie got older and entered middle school this stayed the same no longer because Ellen didn't want her to be home alone now it being just normal for them.

Maddie had a key to the house, but she always stayed with Caspian until her mom got home, sometimes a bit after. However this year the routine was changing, Caspian had finally graduated, and Maddie was still only a junior. They all knew it would happen eventually; they were 2 years apart after all there was no preventing it.

The routine changed when one of them left the school, as they went to all elementary, middle, and high together. This came with its perks like Caspian being able to tell Maddie what teachers to not get or Maddie telling him all the stupid drama that went around.

In Maddie's freshman year she was bullied awful hard but luckily or unluckily no one ever wanted to be associated Casper the unfriendly goth not even by bullying so once they found out Maddie and Caspian were close, it stopped. That and the fact Caspian could throw a mean uppercut when he was truly angry. He was suspended during his junior year.

Over the last 10 years they knew each other they had grown unbelievably close. They knew the ins and outs of one another to the bone. Every tell, facial expression or simply a gesture they were able to read like a book.

The school they went to was also close by thankfully, just close enough to walk to and from, they both skated to school though finding it more enjoyable. Something that seemed to take forever for Caspian to teach Maddie, but he did it, nonetheless.

She still skated to and from, just finding it a bit weird now. They had done this together every day for 10 years of course it was going to feel a bit odd now. Just felt weirder than she expected, like a presence was still there but when she turned to look it wasn't there anymore.

It was almost like an uncomfortable silence as she skated just wanting to reach his house faster. Caspian while in high school had taken dual credit classes and wound up with an associate's degree at his graduation. So he for now he wasn't going to college. Caspian had found a decent job listing online to find bugs in programs and it was paying well enough to have Renee off his back.

All and all they still had the unwritten agreement that Maddie would be at his house afterschool so that's where she was headed only being a few minutes out. It was still weird and new, it was only 2 weeks into the school year after all.

Now approaching his house she slowed down and picked up the skateboard. It was one of Caspians older ones like most of hers were. Maddie always claimed she would get a new one but always ended up forgetting and used them until they broke.

Maddie opened the front door and headed to Caspians room. She didn't stick around in other parts of the house even after all those years still finding it slightly uncomfortable without at least Caspian in the room with her.

She opened the door to Caspians room. His room had been the same set up for a while now with his desk and shelves on them blocking his view to the door along with his bed so you had to step in and around to see the back half of the room. This also meant if he was wearing headphones he wouldn't realize anyone had entered the room until you stepped around.

Today he was wearing headphones. Maddie set the skateboard to lean against the wall by the door and set her bag down by it. Walking around and into the view of Caspian who was staring intensely at his screen.

He didn't notice Maddie walk in though it wasn't a big deal. She simply walked behind him and hopped onto his bed. She sat back and took out her phone simply scrolling on social media and the conspiracy chat rooms they were both in.

Every now and then Caspian would grunt or let out a deep breath and Maddie would glance over noticing whatever website he was now on. Though mostly they just sat in silence, a now comfortable silence.

Eventually Maddie moved to lay down, still scrolling on the chat rooms and actively participating in them before hearing Caspian move. Looking over she noticed him reaching for his phone and typing on it a moment before

ding

'Where are you? School ended like an hour and a half ago'

It made Maddie giggle slightly now noticing Caspians chair move and turn to the side now putting her in his peripheral vision. A now slightly panicked Caspian was holding his chest yelling something about how he scared him, and Maddie was laughing.

It was comfortable, was he really scared? No. But he did miss her slightly. They lived across the street and saw each other 4 times a week at bare minimum but it was still different not seeing her quite as much.

It was also weird admitting to himself that he missed someone living across the street. Nevertheless he caught his breath and began to laugh with Maddie.

"Okay, that was good. How was school?"

They both eased up slightly, they were never uncomfortable with each other but they could get more relaxed around one another. Caspian leaned back in his chair and Maddie moved to sit criss cross on the bed.

"It's different still, but it was okay enough. I'm still debating taking the dual credit offer."

Caspian nodded as she spoke, putting his phone down on the desk giving her his full attention now. Maddie following suit setting hers down on the headboard.

'I think you should, I'm just saying it saves some later on and shouldn't mess with scholarships"

Truth be told were either of them actually focused on the conversation? No. More so focused on the other person, they would be lying if they said there wasn't a minor crush on either end. Maddie nodded as a response to Caspian.

And they returned to how they were before, Maddie participating in the chat rooms and Caspian working. Just sitting in a comfortable silence, just happy to be in the same room even if they didn't speak.

Chapter Text

When Caspian uploaded, it hurt everyone but Maddie took the hardest blow. After the months they spent trying to find someone else to replace David the possibly of Caspian becoming the holder always lingered but she didn't think he'd follow through.

It hurt her on both a physical and emotional level, wasn't she worth staying for? Maddie knew that was maybe a selfish thought to have but she loved him, and he loved her. Deep down she knew it would be okay, eventually but time moves so slowly.

MIST kept her company sure but not like Caspian did, she trusted him, cared for him. MIST just was different. Everything was different, unreal again like it was when her dad died. Waxman had been the one to take care of Caspian physical body. When he did he gave Maddie the sweater Caspian had worn in his final moments.

For weeks Maddie didn't touch it, almost was angry at it. Ellen was the only one to understand the emotions Maddie was going through and helped as much as she could guide her through them.

And eventually Maddie came downstairs wearing the hoodie, now finding it almost comforting. It was the one thing Caspian left behind. All of their other clothing she had either thrown away or was destroyed. A part of her regrated it, another didn't. The loss of her boyfriend messed with her head.

But today she seemed okay, not good, not bad but just okay. Like life was worth living again. It was weird to her at first, reaching for her phone and going to text someone she knew was gone. The same pattern Ellen had went through the same pattern Cody went through. The difference being she knew there was no copy of his code, everything was lost. Caspian wouldn't just come back like David and Laurie did.

Maddie was finally coming to terms with that. It didn't make the pain any better but it gave her that little bit of reassurance. Being able to know that all that pain wouldn't just come back in a few years like it did with Ellen and Cody.

It helped her move forward, helped her move on. She wasn't fully over him per say, she wasn't sure if she ever would be. Maddie had been intimate with Caspian, they had been through things that were unforgettable. She watched him upload.

For a while she debated taking her own life, but that wasn't what Caspian would've wanted, wasn't what she wanted. School was starting back up in the fall and Maddie knew she needed to grow move beyond what happened.

So, She and Ellen were making cookies. Maddie was still wearing his hoodie it almost being his finally thank you to Maddie. At some point during the process they had started making them to look like Caspian.

Though, it didn't create the same emotions she had at first. She wasn't angry anymore, she wasn't filled with grief or self hatred anymore. They almost made her happy but sad at the same time, like he would always be with her.

It was just a cookie but it still filled her with emotions. She missed him. She really missed him. These cookies weren't him, but they were all at the same time. They were a memorial for him. In memory of him.

They were great cookies too, sugar cookies. They iced them to look like Caspian too. Each cookie a different outfit they remembered, one from London, several from the data center and of course the one he died in. Most were made seriously with Caspian looking happy.

However as they made each one Maddie's mood lifted. He was gone, but he would always be with her. Always, he mattered to her. So near the end, the last 5 or so cookies they made looked like Caspian in different expressions that made Maddie laugh. The one she was holding was an angry expression that was slightly dragged out. It made her chuckle, he got mad easily but that face was always funny.

Ellen had taken over icing the cookies as Maddie held this one. This one in her hand stuck out to her so much, it reminded her so much of Caspian. Not that the other didn't but this one was Caspian.

It was his stupid facial expression and his hair going out looking like spikes. It made Maddie happy and sad all at the same time. She missed him, and Caspian would miss her. She never knew in his final moments he as thinking of her but he also didn't know how hard she cried in that room.

A tear rolled down Maddie's cheek, grief coming in waves. She remembered that room, remembered MISTs voice telling her Caspian was gone she remembered Caspian saying he loved her that final time, it all came back to her.

Maddie lifted her sleeve to wipe her tears, with the fabric came the scent of Caspian. She hadn't worn the hoodie enough for it to wear out yet. Maddie wasn't sure if she was ready for it to wear out.

Looking back down at the stupid cookie with blurry vison she smiled. Caspian would be with her, even if just in cookie form. She missed him, and for now this cookie was him. They had gotten the expression of it spot on.

Maddie didn't let Ellen ice this one, instead eating it without after all they had many that were iced. It was weird without the icing but so was he. Caspian was always a little ... weird without Maddie.

They balanced each other out, even Ellen agreed with that. Maddie vowed when UI's came back and they would Renee would make sure of that. That she wouldn't try to delete them again, after all that's what got her boyfriend killed and she didn't want anyone to lose someone like that the way she had.

Chapter Text

Caspian was waiting online for Maddie. Ellen, Petter and MIST had already spoken to him, Maddie was the last one he wanted to talk to. She wasn't sure if she fully wanted too after all it wasn't him anymore it was an uploaded version of him. She couldn't hold him, couldn't touch him as real as the vests and gloves made it.

Ellen had came into the room Maddie was sat in, it was the same room Caspian and Maddie had spent their final night in. Ellen told her that Caspian was waiting for her. That he really wanted to talk to her.

So he obliged walking to the room they had everything set in. After david's code got destroyed Maddie refused to step foot in that room. It was memories she didn't want, it was the same room she watched her dad die for the 3rd time, the same room MIST was created in and the same room her and Caspian began truly seeing one another.

Between everyone else talking to Caspian they had transferred it all to the Glass room along with all of the item needed, the vest, gloves and vr rig. Walking down that hall brought so many memories each one just slightly worst than the last.

It was the hall she walked down when she first arrived, the hall she saw Caspian in. Now opening the door Maddie watched as Peter Waxman finished getting everything fully set up and was now holding out the goggles to Maddie.

"You don't have to see him if it's too hard Mads."

Maddie stared at Peter blankly for just a moment too long before taking the goggles in hand and gesturing everyone else to the door. They followed her silent request. Maddie looked down at the goggles, taking a deep breath before putting them on.

It was black for a moment before she clicked on the goggles. Now adjusting her eyes to the scene in front of her. It's just a screen, that's what she reminded herself. She kept telling herself this wasn't Caspian, not really.

Her eye adjusted now looking around it was her bedroom. Why of all places did Caspian pick her bedroom? Now looking around she noticed Caspian, he had loaded in behind her.

She quickly turned around and crossed her arms, almost blocking herself off, shutting herself down. Caspian on the other hand was easing up, a soft smile across his face his eyebrows turning only furthering this pitiful expression.

"Why my bedroom?"

Maddie's voice was almost cold but still had that hint of care, one she couldn't get rid of no matter how hard she tried.

"Figured all of this would be unfamiliar, so I wanted at least one thing to be familiar."

Caspians voice was gentle, full of care. His reason was truthful, he knew she didn't want him to upload let alone be talking to him right now.

"Don't act like you care now. You know we could've kept looking."

Maddie' emotions came in waves, one moment she was mad the next sad. Capsian understood why of course and didn't blame her or respond with anger of his own.

"That would've taken too long, Holstrom plan would've followed through"

Maddie rolled her eyes. She knew this was true but it still didn't help. She wasn't talking to Caspian, just whatever code they had of him it wasn't him.

They stayed silent for a moment, both not sure what to say. They were both going through the motions. Caspian had accepted he was going to die in just a few short hours whilst Maddie was still trying to fully understand the fact he was uploaded.

It all happened so fast, just days ago they were looking for a holder. All Maddie could think is why of all people it had to be Caspian. She knew why but part of her still didn't fully understand why he decided to follow through.

A deep sigh came from Maddie as her arms dropped. Caspian walked up closer to her now just a few inches away from her.

"This isn't real."

This confused Caspian, it was a weird statement to make. As well as he knew her, he didn't fully understand this statement.

"What?"

"You know those AI chat bots? It's like that, I'm not talking TO Caspian anymore just whatever code they put in."

Now they both were silenced. Maddie didn't fully believe this it was just what she was trying to tell herself. Caspian was stunned, she had believed David to be real so why wasn't he? Maddie looked up at him, with tears now running out of the goggles.

"There's a dead pixel in the upper right corner of these goggles; it's reminding me that this isn't really Caspian. I can't hug, hold or touch you. I can't reach out and grab you. It ruins the illusion"

"Maddie.."

Caspian didn't have a response, nor was able to give one as Maddie took off the goggles leaving Caspian alone in that room.

He called out for her but she was long gone, didn't want to talk to him right now but she did sit in the room as Ellen and Waxman now put him into contact with Holstrom's server allowing. Part of Maddie wanted to leave, but the other knew she had to stay, sadly it meant she had to hear Caspian die.

Chapter Text

Maddie and Caspian had been fighting. It was normal to wake up during the night to them fighting and although annoying they didn't harm anybody. Often times simply arguing in Caspians office.

The two didn't separate much but they also weren't on the best terms. Anyone with eyes could see how they acted. They didn't fully hate each other but they did trust each other. They stuck to one another because they were familiar, more so than anything else at Logorythms.

Often times Caspian kept her around to bounce ideas off of her. It was a bit selfish, and he knew it but at the same time he didn't really care. He was only focused with the next jump in the project, whatever grew him more power, whatever made him seem better than Holstrom.

They were both in his office, Caspian at his desk and Maddie with her back to him currently looking out a window. It was a weird silence, not quite uncomfortable but it was tense. Neither were talking simply being there for the other.

The silence was deafening, neither wanted to break it but both knew they had to. Caspian had refused to test on David any further without the consent of Maddie, however she wasn't giving it yet.

She was still in the headspace of deleting David all together. She had watched him die twice already and wasn't sure if she could handle a 3rd. Caspian knew this too, it was part of the reason he didn't test on him.

"When will you delete him, Caspian."

The silence was broken now almost like a sound barrier crumbling. The sentence itself was fine, expected almost but the way it was delivered sent a wave of anger through Caspian. His name was said almost as if a slur, something she regretted saying. Maddie's back was still to him and her voice was quiet yet filled with indignation.

"When we give him the cure."

His voice responded with displeasure of his own although trying to cover it in his voice. Caspian attempted to keep it still but couldn't help the emotion slip through the cracks. He had now slumped back in his chair turning all his attention to Maddie subconsciously.

Though Maddie didn't turn, she could feel his eyes burning holes in the back of her head. She almost felt it as a sign of defeat to turn around now. No matter what there was no fully stopping Caspian from testing on David, only prolonging it for now.

"No. You won't give him the cure. You'll put him to rest."

Caspian now stood up quickly, allowing his anger to get the better of him. He had been growing more irritated as each second went on. He sucked in a deep breath before letting it out. He knew deep down he could never hurt Maddie, not purposefully anyways.

"This is stupid Maddie. I could be saving humanity but instead we're here at a standstill."

His annoyance grew in his tone, each word taking more emotion into it. Caspian wasn't an expressive person, but this simply irritated him.

"Are you saying you're better than this?"

Maddie's arms finally dropped. She now turned to look at Caspian. She remained in the same spot just made a turn, Caspian staying where he was as well. His brows furrowed and his eyes grew dark.

"I'm saying I'm meant for more than this!"

Maddie's face grew in a mix of disgust and distain, she brought her arms back up to her chest. Hi words had struck a cord with her, made her angry.

"So am I, but here we are."

Caspian scoffed, almost amused by her words. In the moment he didn't see her view. He was created for greatness, made to be Holstrom. She was just some girl.

"I was made for this, I was made to create this cure, not be held still by someone."

Maddie's face dropped quickly. Whatever respect she had for him had suddenly dissolved. She could do so much more than what she was. All that was needed was the opportunity, one that wasn't handed to her on a silver platter.

"Everything is being handed to you Caspian. Just because I wasn't handed anything like this doesn't mean I'm not made for more than following you around like a puppy, or trying to prevent you from being an idiot."

Caspian heard her but his own disinterest wasn't allowing him to listen her. Though Maddie realized that quickly. She was sharper than him in many ways, this just being one.

"You're hardheaded Caspian. You think you're better than everyone. I've seen you, I knew you and we both know all you have on everyone is the fact your Holstrom's clone."

Maddie regretted her choice of words quickly, though she wouldn't admit that to him. She didn't want giving him the satisfaction of knowing that. Caspians face said it all. It dropped completely to nothing but shock.

To an extent it was true and something he needed to hear but why did it have to be from Maddie? He didn't have a response simply standing frozen. He watched as Maddie began to walk out of the room stopping by the door before looking at him.

"I'm meant for greatness Caspian."

Finally, she walked out. Leaving Caspian in his own thoughts now mixed with everything Maddie had said. Truth be told he would do anything to prove he was better than Holstrom, and had he not been his clone he wouldn't have any power he did.

It left him slightly angry at Maddie, but deep down he knew it was true. Maddie wasn't going to sugarcoat things for him. Not now anyways.

Chapter Text

It had been raining all day, gloomy and boring as Maddie put it. It wasn't raining hard but just enough to where neither of them wanted to go outside, as of right now they were both sat on the living room floor of Maddie's house. Ellen was still at work, staying late as she often did so Caspian kept Maddie company in the meantime.

They weren't bored but weren't entertained either. Maddie had been lying in front of the couch watching whatever show they had put on. Caspian was sitting in front of the chair diagonal to her, he had been on his phone scrolling through who knows what.

Either way they were both occupied. The only noise in the room the sound of the rain falling outside and the sound of the show going. Caspian had glanced over to Maddie, noticing she had been half asleep. The sound of the rain always lulled her in one way or another so this wasn't much of a surprise.

Though it gave him a thought, a slightly mischievous one but he thought Maddie would forgive him. She was kind after all, being one of the few kids that gave him a chance before jumping on the unfriendly goth hate train.

They hadn't known each other very long, a couple months maybe a year but they had grown close in that time. So little pranks here and there weren't out of place for them, nothing too big or that would cause any actual harm. Slowly Caspian stood up, careful not to wake Maddie as he walked over to her.

Looking over he quickly checked the lock on the patio door, it was unlocked. Looking back down to Maddie, he had decided to follow through. He didn't go to the gym often and was rather scrawny for his age but still had teenage boy strength. So in one swoop he managed to pick Maddie up jolting her awake as he ran towards the door. Maddie wasn't heavy by any means but Caspian was rather weak so he had a short time window to get outside.

Luckily for him he managed to open the door and run outside whilst carrying Maddie despite her yells to be let go. Though they were both now wet before he finally set her down. Now of course he wasn't cruel, Caspian set her down on her feet and held her arms just to be sure she wouldn't fall from being so suddenly woken and now in an upright position.

A large smile came over his face, it was funny to him. Maddie on the other hand now looked up at him with a stern expression on her face. It was funny to her, just not in that very moment as just 30 seconds prior she was comfortably dry.

Caspian kept his smile, now giggling like a small child as he released his hands from Maddie, now certain she could stand on her own. The rain was still coming down but it had slowed down a significant amount. Maddie, now finding the light humor in all this gave Caspian a light shove before speaking in a false angry tone.

"You had to take me outside of all things, you couldn't have let me stay dry?"

If Caspian's smile could've grown any more, it would've. Instead his eyes softened and the rest of his body became more relaxed in the rain. Each drop damping his hair farther dragging it down his head.

"Tomorrows not promised, I may as well do it today."

Maddie rolled her eyes, now pushing her now wet bangs out of her eyes. She found his comment corny, but sweet at the same time. He was always saying these sort of stupid corny things but Maddie didn't dislike them.

"And your point being?"

Maddie' voice was a mix of joking an stern, more so asking to hear his voice. Caspian brought his hand to his hair and raked it back, getting it out of his eyes as he walked closer to Maddie. Leaning down in her ear he whispered his response.

"If it's not promised tomorrow, I'm going to do it today and you just so happened to have me over while it was raining. You set yourself up."

They both chuckled, a smile creeping across Maddie's face as he spoke. Neither had much to say, however Maddie took his arm and dragged him around to the front of the house. Looking out at the road and noticing no cars coming she pulled him to the street.

Caspian looked at her confused for only a moment before Maddie kicked up the water on the side of the street effectively soaking him further. Caspian gasped slightly, before doing the same to Maddie.

They both were going to catch a cold doing this, but neither cared. Right now they were in the rain acting like gitty children and they were happy doing

Chapter Text

It had been a few weeks now since Caspian had run from Maddie’s house, well run may not be the correct word. He left and decided to go far away, become his own person. Whilst trying to decide what ‘person’ he wanted to be, he had train cart hopped, hitchhiked and walked to Wyoming. He didn’t intend on ending up in Wyoming but it had just happened.Luckily for him when he arrived at a small church in the corner of town they took him in quickly. After they heard his sob story they had offered him a job at the church, though he declined. Instead they called the local ranchers in town, to which they decided they could take on an intern. Although he was new to town and the crew, they took him in quickly needing all the help they could get in the current months.

He had done his job, and done it well. Caspian wanted to be the furthest thing from Holstrom and becoming a cowboy seemed to be as far as he could get. He sold the look, he bought nice boots, good jeans, several work shirts and the forman; William had given him a cowboy hat. Whilst not required, it’s what the crew did. Each one has a cowboy hat gifted by WIlliam to them.

Caspian really was becoming a proper cowboy, he learned to rope bulls and cows, ride horses, load and deal with hay, even bought a horse and started going to church with the other ranchers. He still didn’t really believe in religion, not yet anyways but he went because he wanted to stay in the crew and almost wanted them to like him.

It was weird at first, being in Rural Wyoming with no one who knew who he was. The other cowboys often make fun of his name for “What kinda name is Caspian?”. Whilst it wasn’t the 1800’s and he had full access to technology, his phone etc he wasn’t on it often. It was a reminder of his past, not where he was right now.

There were constant reminders from his past, from just a few weeks ago. Every now and then he would look down and notice a notification from the chat rooms him and Maddie met in. Although he never checked them, he couldn’t bring himself to delete the apps, almost holding on to the one real person he met from his copy and paste life.

Today, luckily there wasn’t much work to be done. Most of the other crew lived close by but the foreman WIlliam decided to let Caspian live in his house, it was rather large. It was clear at one point William had a large family that lived with him, though he never spoke of it.

For now, Caspian was sitting atop of a small hill overseeing the ranch. The ranch was built in the base of the mountains,it gave plenty of room for them. From where he sat though he could oversee a lot of the town, and the lights although small.

He drove up the hill in a small truck that he had helped William fix, so he let Caspian have that truck. Caspian was smoking a cigarette, not that he needed too but it made him feel farther and farther away from being Holstrom with each one smoked.

He still wasn’t technically able to buy them himself, being 17 but the other crew would buy them for him on their way into the city anyway. They never minded, they all fairly liked Caspian just finding him slightly standoffish.

As he sat on the hood of this truck, he inhaled the cigarette holding the smoke in his mouth for a moment before breathing out. Repeating this a few times before it was already gone. He decided he didn’t need another one, not right now anyways.

Caspian was always thinking in one way or another, sometimes it was how weird the boots felt compared to his normal sneakers, other times it was thinking about David, and Maddie, Carry and Renne, and everything that was scripted in his life.

Right now, he was thinking about the latter, being so in his thoughts he wasn’t aware a truck had pulled in and stopped next to him. He was staring out into the sky, sun setting. His thoughts overwhelmed every emotion. He didn’t want to think of Maddie, and David and those people he called parents, but he was and he did.

A hand was now felt on his shoulder, he knew who it was. It was William. This was his form of greeting, especially towards Caspian and the second youngest boy Micheal who was 22. William was a kind man, an understanding man despite his Foreman title and occasionally harsh demeanor.

They both sat in silence for a moment before the croaky voice of the foreman spoke. “Son, the church is requesting us to go tomorrow. Normally I wouldn’t go for no reason but they are doing this induction for a new children's Pastor. We haven’t had one since my boys were going to church, so we're going, or at least I am. Free day off work if you decide to come Cas.”

‘Cas’ was the nickname William had for him, he was the first one to criticize his name and said he wouldn’t be calling him something from narnia. So they agreed on Cas. A few seconds of silence followed before Caspian took a deep breath, turning his head just slightly. Thoughts just slightly crossing his head, a debate between if he'd rather work or go. “I’ll come with you boss.”

A silent nod happened between the two. Neither were really talkative so most of their interactions happened through silent conversations if it wasn’t about the animals or something that needed fixed.

Silent understanding is what they called them, these interactions they both knew happened. Caspian had picked up more and more through each one. He didn’t want to go to church really, but he knew it was important to William. Not that he cared much, but it was still the polite thing to do for him, as he took care of Caspian for the most part.

“How’d you end up in Wyoming kid.” Williams' voice sounded almost saddened, or as much as he was willing to show, he wasn’t an emotional man. “Everywhere you could’ve gone, and you come to Wyoming?”

A deep sigh came from Caspian, he hadn’t spoken on how he came here, or why. The only thing he had told any of the crew, or the church or the townspeople was he ‘just did’

“I didn’t plan on it, it just happened. I wasn’t planning to become a rancher, live in Wyoming or be orphaned, it just happened.” Both men sat still, the air slowing down around them. Almost slowing to grow heavy on their chests, wind blowing against them as the sun had long set.

“Let’s get back to the house son, I'll meet you down there. You should get to bed, we’ll be up early for church tomorrow. Wear your best clothes, it is an induction.” Caspian chuckled lightly at this. He watched as the older man walked to his truck, starting it and driving back down to the base of the mountains. Allowing Caspian to sit in his thoughts for just a moment. He truly didn’t want to go,but he knew William wanted to. None of the other crew members would go, not willing to miss a day for church or they would take them off to see family. Having no family, no friends or loved ones, Caspian always went with William. A slow bond growing between the two, you could almost call it friendly.

Caspian let a deep breath out, taking a final look at the now night sky. The stars were so pretty in rural Wyoming. Taking his eyes off of the stars he jumped off the hood of the truck, slowly walking to the drivers side door before opening it and getting in. He stared at the steering wheel for a moment too long, and then started the truck. Another large exhale came from Caspian as he began turning the truck around and began driving back down the mountain to the base where the ranch was.

It wasn’t a long drive, maybe 5 minutes down. His phone buzzed as he was driving and because no one else was on this one way trail he slowed down slightly and pulled his phone out. It was another one of those stupid notifications from the chat rooms. Disappointed for some odd reason he threw his phone into the passenger's seat and kept driving.

The path was rocky, it never was a true road. It just had been carved out by the vehicles over the years. Though it never bothered Caspian as he wasn’t always the safest driver, it simply gave him an extra challenge.

Before he knew it, he was sitting in the driveway of the house on the ranch. A part of him not wanting to go in, the other begging to. He wasn’t really sure why but he was scared of growing close to anyone on the ranch, or in the town. Maybe it was his trust broken after “Rachel” or something else, but he wasn’t sure.

Another deep breath, and one more and then he got out of the truck. Slowly walking up the driveway almost delaying his entrance. He did enter, slowly but surely. Caspian did have a room in the house that was just his, something none of the other crew had. The rest of them lived off site, closeby but off site.

He walked to the bed in the corner of the room, sitting down he began removing his boots. They were simple, traditional western cowboy boots, nothing fancy though he didn’t need or want fancy. Setting them to the side of his bed on the floor before removing his hat. He set that on the bedside table as he began to set his alarm for 6am. Giving him enough time to get ready and do the drive down for the 9am induction. Before drifting off he removed his shirt, throwing it somewhere out of site.