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When he finally arrived at the Guild’s HQ, he sat down at his desk and awaited further instruction from Fitzgerald. He thought long about his previous interactions with Lovecraft. What was that feeling in his chest? Was it fear, or perhaps a longing? Maybe he was afraid, but not of Lovecraft. He was afraid of getting attached. Of falling apart when eventually they had to separate. After all nothing is forever, especially the Guild. None of them were too close, only acquaintances or friends but not the kind of friends who’d stick up for each other in times of need. And why would someone like him be friends with someone like Lovecraft anyway? “Just work partners, that’s all we are” John muttered under his breath. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice someone tapping on his shoulder. “Hey! Steinbeck!” He looked up and saw his colleague, Mark Twain, standing behind him, “You up? The boss called for us” Mark tapped relentlessly on John’s shoulder, “Alright, I’m commin’ just give me a sec would ya?” Mark backed off and John stood up. They walked over towards Fitzgerald’s office and in the meantime John made an effort to talk with Mark, even though he was a pain in the ass. “So, did the boss just call us?” He placed his hands in his pockets trying to appear relaxed, “Nah, he called for someone else but honestly I forgot who” Mark scratched his head trying to remember, “right! He called for Lucy and I’m pretty sure that’s it” John’s eyes narrowed and he scowled to himself, “So Lovecraft’s not commin’?” He asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice, “I don’t think so, why, you like ‘em or something?” Mark giggled. John stayed quiet for a second, maybe a second too long, “he’s a good partner, that’s all he is” John protested a little too hard. Mark backed off with his usual mockery and they walked the rest of the way in silence. Once they arrived Fitzgerald motioned for them to sit down. When John sat down he felt like there was something standing behind him. He brushed off the feeling as nerves but then he thought of Lovecraft. He thought of how he’d stand behind him while he was talking to other people. Of how he’d place his pale hand on John’s shoulder, it felt cold but that cold was comforting. Like a gentle frost during the first few weeks of winter. “Are you listening?” Fitzgerald’s voice cut through John’s thoughts, “oh, no, sorry what were you sayn’?” Fitzgerald cleared his throat, “I’m pairing you too up for this mission. You need to find and capture some rat and bring him in for questioning. And maybe you’ll get to see first hand what happens when you betray the Guild.” John removed his hat and pressed it against his chest. “Yes sir!” he still felt that ominous presence behind him but tried his best to ignore it. “Now, as for you two,” Fitzgerald gestured towards Mark and Lucy, “just try not to kill each other” Lucy sneered at Mark and he groaned rather audibly. “Yes sir” they said. Fitzgerald waved his hand, “you’re dismissed”. When John had entered the main hall, he remembered that he’d forgotten to ask Fitzgerald who would be accompanying him on his mission. He looked around but didn’t see anyone except for Mark and Lucy, bickering about something stupid. “Hey Mark, have you seen who’s supposed to be with me?” Mark shrugged, “I think he went somewhere that way,” he pointed down the hall. John gritted his teeth and marched off. He had a bad feeling about this mission and could probably guess who this person Fitzgerald paired him up with was. He had hoped to God he wouldn’t have to deal with that weirdo, and to his dismay he saw him standing by Fitzgerald’s office door. “Oh, hey, I suppose we’re partners for this mission,” he didn’t say anything, he was always like that; quiet when you tried talking to him. To John, and everyone else in the Guild except for Lousia (for some reason), he was an odd fellow. Truthfully, he couldn’t care less about that guy. He waved his hand back and forth in front of the other man’s face. He wasn’t entirely sure he could see it due to his bangs covering his eyes. He jumped a little, “Do you need something?” He muttered, practically whispering. “Huh?” John tilted his head to the side slightly and folded his arms. “What’dya say?” “... Uh, nothing, I guess,” a moment of silence was shared between the two men. “Anyway, what was your name again?” John asked, just so he knew who to complain about to Fitzgerald. “Ah, well, I guess I really haven’t properly introduced myself, I-” John cut him off, “God, can you speak up please. You’re mumblen’ a bunch a jibberish!” he placed his hands on his hips, “this is why I didn't want the boss pairin’ us up” he complained to himself. “My name is Poe” he said, “finally,” John groaned. “Are we gonna head out soon?” He asked impatiently, ready to get this mission over with. “O-ofcourse, yes, we can go now if that’s what you want,”
They quickly captured the traitor and returned to the HQ. The trip back was even more awkward. Sitting on the train in mostly silence for a bit, John attempted to make small talk. “So, d’ya have any friends outside the Guild” John asked. He didn’t expect Poe to have any real friends besides his pet raccoon. “Not really, I guess I’ve never had any friends…” he said in his usual quiet tone. That made sense to John, he was quiet, socially awkward, had a lot of grotesque interests, and he tended to stumble over his words a lot, especially when he was nervous. He was also quite tall (not as tall as Fitzgerald, but still tall) and very slender. He hunched over a lot and held himself in a reserved manner; holding his arms close to his chest, hiding himself in his cape, not talking all that much, etc. Some of his habits irritated John but he couldn’t help but find him a little cute. “What! No way, there’s no way! He’s not cute and there’s no way someone like him would catch my attention!!” Now that he thought about it, their mission together wasn’t as bad as he imagined it would be. It was fun, even…. He scooted closer to Poe and placed his hand between the two of them, touching the tips of his fingers ever so gently. “Ah! I, uh, s-sorry, am I too close?” John’s face flushed, “No, no you’re fine.” He patted the spot right next to him, ushering Poe to sit closer. “Wait a damn minute?! Why am I asking him to sit with me?!” John started blushing even more. How was he falling for the person he thought was too weird for him? “Really?” Poe chirped, John caught a glimpse of his eyes, oh his eyes. They were deep greyish purple that sparkled under the light. Their shape was like that of an almond,his lashes were long, and underneath, he was sporting some pretty dark eye bags. “Seems like he ain't gettin’ enough sleep.” John thought absentmindedly. Poe’s expression was a mix of shook and hope? Joy, or excitement perhaps? It was an expression that John hadn’t seen in anyone for that matter. Poe sat next to John, their shoulders touching. “You alright, you pretty tired” John ran his fingers through Poe’s bangs, revealing one of his eyes. “I’m fine, just a little bit sleepy,” he laid his head on John’s shoulder and closed his eyes. John caressed Poe’s cheek a little and rested his hand on Poe’s lap. “Maybe this ain’t so bad, yeah, I could get used to this” John rested his eyes and listened to sounds of the world