I heard footsteps approach from outside. By the stride, I knew it was Lance, so I turned my head away from the door to face Osamu as I closed my eyes.

Softly and carefully, he opened the door and stepped in. He strided over to Osamu and gave him a sweet forehead kiss to wake him up.

With a deep inhale and a smile, he woke from his slumber and nuzzled up to the pillows and my head.

I opened my eyes to look up at Lance who wasn't smiling, per sey, but had a contented face. He looked at me and cracked a faint smile as he reached out to pet my hair. "Morning, lovelies." he hummed.

"Morning~..." Osamu groggily hummed back.

"Baby, Marcy and I are gonna go shopping. She's been itching to go out, so I'll humor her."

"Mm~... I'll go with..." Osamu said as he sat up.

Lance pushed him back to the bed. "Nonononono. Rest, rest. I need you to keep an eye on Sai."

Osamu softly whined and made a pouty face with his lips.

Lance chuckled and pecked his pout. "We'll go out together some other time, I promise."

"Hmm... Okay~."

"Itterasshai."

"Itterashai..."

Lance stood up and waltzed out and closed the door behind himself. Soon after, the front door shut and locked.

Osamu let out a lonely sigh and sat up, leaving me alone at last. He swiveled and rolled off the bed to his feet. It was obvious neither one of us were gonna be able to go back to sleep. I just stay in bed, keeping my eyes away from Osamu, fixed on the door.

Osamu picked up some pants on the floor. "..Do you wanna shower before you get to work Vigil?" he asked, stepping into a leg.

I sighed and nodded, sitting up.

He picked up his shirt and stood still, looking at me with a worried expression. "..I'll fold the laundry and put in the new load for you."

I bowed my head. "Thank you.."

..There was a moment of silence where I just stared at the wall in front of me while Osamu idled at me.

"..Here..."

I looked over at Osamu's hand to find my underwear in his palm. I looked up at his face. "Thank you."

He smiled deeply, revealing the faintest dimples at the corners of his mouth.

I gently took my underwear and slid them on.

Afterwards, I stood up and turned to Osamu.

He furrowed his brows in confusion. "..What is it?"

My face heated and I began darting my eyes everywhere but at Osamu. "M-may-- May I...?"

Osamu let out a chuckle at me being flustered about wanting to shower. "Of course, baby. Go and shower. Take as long as you need."

Again, I bowed my head and left the room with Osamu in it.

I stepped out of the room and found myself near the undefined line between the dining room and hallway just before the kitchen. I'd actually forgotten I'd spent the night in Marcy's room.

..I'm an idiot.

I sighed and rounded the corner to walk down the hall. I made sure to make quick, fast strides, but I wasn't sure why... I had no reason to rush... Without Marcy or Lance badgering me, I had all the time in the world.

Habit...

I slowed my pace just a little and rounded the other corner to go to the bathroom that was down this hall. I.. was met with a window. One that filled the whole wall.

If I got a running start, I'd bust right through it.

My feet slowed to a stop at the bathroom door. I sucked on my bottom lip and threw my head behind me and then back at the window. I ran my tongue hard back and forth over it.

I could just do it.

Right now, I could just bust through, hop a fence of two, and be gone. Gone.

-I won't let you.-

Wh-- Why!!? This is our chance to get out!!!

-And do what?-

Go back to living like a normal person!!

Vigil laughed. -"Normal??" You think we're normal, Sai?-

...

-You're not the only one with a smartass mouth.-

Vigil put my hand on the doorknob and twisted it. He turned my body and forced me to the door.

I cried bloody murder.

VIGIL!!!!

VIGIL, WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!?

STOP!!!

NO!!!

"Good boy." Osamu praised from around the corner.

!!!!!!!!

I jumped and squealed, my body paralyzed with fear. I whirled around and locked eyes with him.

"See, you're loyal."

I swallowed. "...Not by choice."

With that, I scurried me and my shaky voice into the bathroom.