Chapter Text
The Zone was quiet. Too quiet.
Inside the abandoned lab they had long ago repurposed into a home, Tobias carried two chipped mugs of tea down the corridor. The building had become their base, their sanctuary—a small island in the storm of anomalies that ruled the Mid-Zone.
Francis was already in the radio room, the pale glow of monitors reflecting off his glasses. He sat slouched in his chair, staring at the silent radio on the desk in front of him, the way he often did when thoughts weighed too heavily to put into words.
Tobias smiled, setting a mug down in front of him.
"Here you go," he said softly.
Francis glanced up, warmth flickering through his tired expression. "Thank you." He leaned over, kissed Tobias, then wrapped his hands around the mug.
Tobias settled into the chair beside him. Neither spoke for a moment. Both were still shaken by yesterday's events: the Driver severing the bond with the Remnant car, Oppy leaving the Zone for good. It had felt like an ending.
Francis broke the silence, his voice quiet. "You know... I think we really helped them. The Driver. Severing the bond—it's over now. They must feel so relieved."
Tobias chuckled softly. "I can relate. Finally being free of something that could eat you alive... no longer afraid of losing your mind. Must feel incredible."
Francis sipped his tea, gaze distant. Tobias caught the look instantly. He knew that face—Francis's mind turning over some worry he hadn't yet voiced.
"What is it?" Tobias asked gently, placing a hand on his knee.
Francis hesitated, then glanced at the radio. "I was just thinking... what happens now? The Driver's free. But what next? Do they leave the Zone? Do they stay? Do they keep driving through it?" His eyes lingered on the silent machine, as though it might still answer back.
Tobias studied him. There was something almost sad in Francis's expression. And he realized, with a twist in his chest, that he felt the same.
"You're afraid, aren't you?" Tobias asked. "Afraid we'll never meet them. That now it's over, the Driver will just... go."
Francis turned to him with a small, honest smile. "Yeah. I am."
Tobias gave a nervous laugh. "So am I."
For a moment they sat in silence, just listening to the faint hum of the lab.
"It's strange, isn't it?" Tobias said at last. "We've never spoken to them—not really. Never seen their face. Don't even know their name. Don't even know if they're a man, a woman, or... whatever. And here we are, missing someone we don't know. Someone we've never met."
Francis's gaze softened as he looked back at the radio. "We do know them, Tobias. We've been with them since the beginning. Every step of the way through the Zone, we were there. We helped them survive. That counts for something."
Tobias nodded slowly. "Yeah. We got them through. And in the process, I suppose we... got attached. To them. To the idea of them. They're more than a stranger now. They're... family."
The weight of that word lingered between them.
After a long pause, Tobias slid his chair closer, pulling Francis into a kiss. When he pulled back, he let out a deep breath.
"...So what if we invited them here?"
Francis blinked at him, stunned. "Invite them? Here?"
"Why not?" Tobias said with a grin.
Francis's brow furrowed. "Tobias, we've been alone here for years. You know how dangerous the road is—anomalies all over the Mid-Zone. It's not exactly a friendly drive."
Tobias chuckled. "Did you forget who we're talking about? The Driver. The most badass person we've ever known. They've been dodging anomalies for months like it was nothing. If anyone can make it here, it's the Driver."
Francis laughed softly, shaking his head. "That's true... but those drives were about survival. Getting resources, escaping danger. Finding a way to sever the bond with the Remnant car. Visiting us would be different."
"Different doesn't mean impossible," Tobias said. Then, with a teasing smile: "Or are you just scared to meet them?"
Francis shoved his shoulder lightly. "I'm not scared. Just... concerned."
Tobias gave him a sheepish grin. "Then maybe we let the Driver decide if it's worth the risk. It's their choice."
Francis hesitated, then exhaled slowly. "We'd be bad friends if we didn't at least try."
"Exactly." Tobias leaned forward, flicking the radio's switch. The old machine crackled faintly as it powered up.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. After everything they'd been through, the act of reaching out like this made both of them nervous. But together, they leaned closer to the microphone, and Tobias cleared his throat.
"Hey there," he began, voice softer than usual. "It's us. Just wanted to say congratulations again—on breaking the bond. You're free now. You did it."
Francis added, his tone steady but tinged with hope: "And, well... we were wondering. If now that it's over, you'd consider visiting us. In person. We'd really like to meet you face-to-face."
Tobias glanced at him, then back at the radio. "No pressure. If you don't want to, that's okay. But if you do... we'd love it. We'll send our coordinates, just in case."
Francis pressed the button to ping the location. The screen blinked, sending their home's signal out into the Zone.
Then the two of them sat back, staring at the radio, their hands brushing against each other's as silence filled the room again.