Preemptive Orders, tag;; Eien Llewellyn

[Dimitri Mishkov]

cont. from // | Beauty| In Sinking {Ships}

From the restaurant center to the ECHELON headquarters Dimitri had walked in silence, his mind set one thing and one thing only: getting Eien to either of their offices to rest. The Specialist needed it and Dimitri would be damned if his closest friend failed to sleep at least a bit before the focus would be needed. Dimitri wanted to see his friend alright and at the rate that Eien was going remaining healthy would be a stretch. He brought himself to the doors, watching as they opened for him and revealing the beautiful foyer that was set before them. It was a great place of beauty despite the generic tendencies that ECHELON tended to have. He brought himself to the level of evil that they went through only for the betterment of the future. Mankind deserved to live as one again and he would be sure of that...

...even if it took his life.

He smiled a bit to Eien then as he waited for his friend to walk in first, watching the world pass by slowly. Specialists, Agents and Civilians bustled about in the main hall, showing that they were just as much sheep as the next person. The blue-eyed Russian and his dearest friend were the only anomalies around...even though they weren't noticeably so. Dimitri paused just inside out of the way of the door, his blue-gray eyes scanning the crowd for a moment before he saw him; one of the men that he was trying to avoid for as long as he possibly could. That wasn't someone that he wanted to deal with and he wanted to protect Eien from such a man.

Agent Marcus Mayhew was the only agent in all of ECHELON that could beat Dimitri at his own game. Had the Russian agent taken the position offered to him he would have been sitting on the Council next to this very man himself. Dimitri unconsciously moved a little, standing partly in front of Eien as if to protect him, watching as the Council member approached. They rarely left the chambers unless they had to or wanted to...and Dimitri was sure this wasn't because of the latter. Dimitri quickly spoke to Eien before the man could come any closer, his eyes narrowing a little as he kept sight of the Agent before them. "Don't panic, Eien..." He would wait for a moment before whispering the last part, seeing that Agent Mayhew was only a good ten feet away from them.

"...don't panic."

[Eien Llewellyn]

For once he was thankful for the silence that had fallen in their travel to the headquarters. Eien re-focused himself in this time on the mission itself rather than the possible aftermath. Out of the corner of his eye he kept his partner in sight, and that alone was all he needed to make sure he was going in the right direction. He had traveled the path time and time before, but the man didn’t and respects moving about exactly have a liking for crowds, even ones that were rather spaced out. The atmosphere in the masterpiece of a foyer was not as calm as it should have been, what with the people of many ranks. Eien lifted his head then, knowing that he needed to pay a bit more attention so he would not run the risk of getting off track – not that it would change much.

Dimitri’s movements forward were registered first. But Eien’s eyes fell on the Council Member that was before them, and even though he didn’t look at him directly, for the moment the Specialist had his gaze locked on the man. His heart sped up – he didn’t like dealing with those people. They were different, and Eien knew that just from the little there was on the Council members. He knew Dimitri was close to being a member, but Dimitri wasn’t like them. They were recluse and demeaning in a way, cold-hearted in the young man’s view, like many of the AEON Elite. It was their superiority that most got to Eien, though. They had power that he feared, and an amount he himself never wanted.

"Don't panic, Eien... don't panic."

Eien licked his lips and threw his eyes to something non-specific, not focusing on anything in particular. Though his heart did not calm with the unknown event about to unfold, he felt a little more secure. He had Dimitri with him, and despite the reality that anything could happen, he liked to think that there was nothing in that moment that would remove the safety the agent gave him. He stuck next to the man, at his side but still slightly behind him. His hands gripped at the strap base of his bag to keep them from shaking.

[Marcus Mayhew]

Out of every single member on the Council, Marcus Mayhew had to be the worst. He was the coldest, most ruthless bastard to ever grace the Earth with his birth. He was collected and had no qualms about attacking anyone and anything that came into his presence rather threateningly. Marcus drew himself towards the Agent and the Specialist, calm and collected as always. He drew his body to them, stepping calmly and in a regal stature, his mind set on one thing and one thing only: Specialist Eien Llewellyn. Marcus paused for a moment just several feet from them, watching as Agent Mishkov seemed to protect the Specialist from the purview of the Council member. Marcus was not surprised; many feared the five remaining and gave no thought to how others reacted.

Sometimes.

"Program Specialist Eien Llewellyn..." He gave a nod in greeting, his eyes distastefully moving to the agent then. "And Agent Dimitri Mishkov." There was a hint of dislike in his voice but he went on, directing his attention to the both of them. They had no idea what they were in for and he knew it. The Council worked in mysterious ways obviously, with the fact that he was without a doubt the most angry minded out of all of them. Probably more so than Agent Johnathan Maverick. Which is what he was there to speak about.

"The Council understands that you two recently have been programming layouts of the Zodiun resistance's tunnels and homes. We appreciate the hard work." He paused then, sneering slightly in that domineering and dangerous way. "However there is an issue with the current assignment that is in commencement at this moment." Marcus let his cold blue eyes dodge to Eien then, his look growing far more sinister. Probably the most sadistic out of all of them. "We want Specialist Llewellyn here to guide our Agent and one Elite through a predicament that they have gotten themselves into."

And oh, he was doing this on purpose now. He wanted to see if his assumptions were correct. There was something going on...what with a Council Member running away without word and files disappearing from the ECHELON database. This was the best course of action and he had no reason to doubt what he thought for the past few weeks.

[Eien Llewellyn]

Eien’s gaze lingered around for a bit before they were confronted by the sinister man. He couldn’t completely understand what exactly it was – if he dared to think about it, it was also anger that fueled the fast pace of his heart. This was a man that ruthlessly did his job and had no sympathy for the lives he destroyed. But why should he feel bad? All of ECHELON did not think the Zodiuns to be people worth living with. Why should their genetic differences be sure a big issue? They were all human, and history had proven that no human community could ever achieve pure perfection. But ECHELON never took History 101, now did they?

The man spoke and Eien swallowed hard. His sapphire eyes lifted, only out of habit when being acknowledged. His eyes burned a hole in the middle of Mayhew’s forehead. Eien honestly wanted to drill something through that flesh that covered the man’s emotionless and close-minded brain. He was not one for such measures, however this was all in the Specialist’s mind, and nothing would ever leave that.

"We want Specialist Llewellyn here…”

Eien blinked in disbelief. What, they don’t know how to comprehend the maps that had been simplified enough that any five-year-old citizen could understand it? Oh, he wished he would’ve said it. But regardless of the fact that a very powerful and cold-hearted man stood before him, it wasn’t in the man to say such things.

His morals echoed inside of his head, begging him to figure out an escape plan from that moment on. ECHELON and the Elite were on the track to one of the largest safe houses in Washington, and it was a safe house Eien had contributed to protecting. But he had just discussed with his partner about continuing that duty – about saving who they could from being captured and then rescuing those who had been taken from the community. Eien’s expression was blank, not having any clue in what to say or how to respond to that. He parted his lips slightly as if to say something, his awkward nature completely obvious as he shut his mouth and looked away with knit eyebrows.

He couldn’t say ‘no’ – but he couldn’t live with himself if he followed through with saying ‘yes’.

[Dimitri Mishkov]

What Dimitri was told could have been something else entirely but as far as he knew that position on the Council was still open to him and only him. Were they wanting him to remain in that position of choice or had they already voted against him? Dimitri knew that there were supposed to be six on the Council and yet there were only five at the time. One had run and he was told of this; that was the only reason he still had the chance to be on the Council in the first place. Dimitri didn't like those on the Council and he didn't like the idea of being contacted by them in this fashion...even if it was for Eien and Eien only. So the Agent listened to the words that were given by the Council member, distastefully thinking how grand it would be to strike at the heart of offensive, sadistic measures just to ensure the safety of the Zodiun world. The Council losing another member would throw them into a panic...but would kill Dimitri at the same time.

He froze instantly, his muscles seizing up, when he heard what Marcus was asking of his friend. That wasn't right. Eien was in no position to put his sanity further on the line for something as simple and stupid as ECHELON's personal hatred of a race that was so far superior to their own. The Ariuns were crafted to perfection, yes...but they could not survive the outside world like the Zodiuns could. Dimitri's fists visibly tightened when he turned a little, seeing the expression on his comrade's face. That was it. He moved again, this time standing fully in front of the Council member, his steel blue eyes determined and angry at the same time.

"I will do it. I know the tunnels by memory and heart just as well as Specialist Llewellyn does. I can be as useful as he, Councilman." Dimitri was a notch away from growling his words, the Russian accent almost shining through. He wanted to hiss and spit at this bastard to the furthest of his hatred. He wanted to show the world that he was not above contempt for a man that was as unnatural as the Ariuns that surrounded them...as well as them being the same as all around. Dimitri would do anything for Eien...

...and throwing himself in front of danger and ECHELON's wrath was on that list. All for the sake of someone else and their happiness that was sorely lacking.

[Marcus Mayhew]

Watching the Specialist writhe was something he had looked forward to. Eien was a twitchy creature by his standards and he was willing to bet that the world was going to see him the same if he wasn't so obsessed with his pathetic little programming life and his weak excuse for a partner. The Agent Mishkov wasn't so much a ghost as he was a weakling; Marcus knew this. He was probably the only agent in ECHELON that could kick the Ghost's ass. He found a growl inside of his throat that escaped with his words, speaking rather calmly for the moment even though his own hands were tightening into fists. "Agent Mishkov...I am sure you are aware that you are on good terms with the Council. Despite my valiant efforts at dissuading them from letting you take over if you deem it necessary..." He wasn't too happy with the bastard before him but he had to say it. "They grant you permission to do as you see fit."

Visibly he wasn't happy with what the Council had voted on, but he had to comply lest he be destroyed for a reason as trivial as the one that had just come up. It was the right thing to do even if he didn't like the right choice. "Agent Mishkov...you will report to the Washington Trailway Station immediately. Specialist Llewellyn will return to his station in order to assist you. End of story." With that Marcus gave a nod to Dimitri, be it rather unenthusiastic whilst he turned to Eien then, smirking all the while once more. One hand was extended out towards him in a greeting, the shining black leather gloves just as intimidating as his cold eyes were.

"It was a pleasure meeting you for the first time, Eien...in person. I'm hoping that I see you again very soon." He wanted that handshake...because he wanted to crush Eien's hand a little...perhaps to see just how strong he really was underneath. "Very, very soon."

[Eien Llewellyn]

"They know nothing of your mind, of your intuition and intelligence. Give them the appearance of whatever they want – but your mind is your own sanctuary."

His mother's voice whispered through his head as his sapphire orbs continued to look down ward. She wasn't exactly in the right mind, yet she was the one person he had listened to when he was younger. Eien didn't know who 'they' ever were, exactly – he had honestly, even now, assumed she spoke of ECHELON. The Specialist had little disposition toward the government at that age, seemingly knowing his mother was not 'all there'. No, he didn't despise the controlling government until they took her away. They thought it had not really made an effect on Eien – but that had just been him giving them what they wanted.

"I will do it…”

Wandering eyes caught the balling fists his partner made. The man’s following words and movements made him adjust his gaze upward, looking at the back of the man’s ear from the view he was in. Dimitri stood in front of him, protecting him, and once more the Specialist was lost for words. He never expected anything of the sort out of anyone, regardless of what the circumstances were. But his doubts had vanished almost completely over the years he had known Dimitri, at times making him realize that he used his partner for support more than he wanted to admit to.

He wanted to tell Dimitri to reconsider, but of course even the Specialist knew that the man was better suited – at least he was familiar with a gun. Eien was hardly capable of shooting one and the aim being somewhat on target. It was rather pathetic, he’d admit, but it wasn’t what he did, it wasn’t what he wanted to do, actually. Eien shifted his eyes again, his expression without protest to his partner’s words, nor to the decision that the Councilman announced soon after.

"Agent Mishkov...you will report to the Washington Trailway Station immediately."

Wait, did that mean that Dimitri would leave now? Eien blinked his eyes and shifted his weight as the man finished the ‘orders’. He didn't want his friend to leave now. Eien then saw the hand that had been extended toward himself. He looked at the leather that covered the man’s digits, taking a second to truly wonder if he should or not. Socially, it was something he should do, seeing as there was a Council member attached to the outstretched hand. But the young man wasn’t comfortable with it, and he never was. He had not even shaken Dimitri’s hand the first day he had met the man. That had been when he had lost faith in the system and did not really care much.

Eien’s blue orbs lifted and darted to Mahyem’s forehead again. His hands writhed on the strap of his bag and his gaze lowered once more, this time to the distant ground behind Agent Mayhew. His shoulders came together slightly as they tensed, part of him regretting his action of not shaking the man’s hand. His lips awkwardly turned, trying to force some sort of a smile. Compared to what all of ECHELON saw, it was a smile or a greeting. To others, it was an attempt at seeming content.

But he knew social standings were rather important. So, with his mind changed once more he released his left hand from its grip on his bag, taking the offered hand before him. He expected a strong grip and gave one of his own. But even he did not have the strongest of muscles, not when it was coupled with a rather recessive demeanor. He didn't expect what was planned, and the discomfort in his reaction would be evident.

[Marcus Mayhew]

Victory was a sweet nectar granted to only the most intuitive and involving of peoples. There were too many people in their world that needed to either grow a backbone or die sooner rather than later. Marcus believed things like that. He wasn't sure if he could handle more than his fair share of attacks and other such good things but he knew that starting there, with 'Ghost' and Eien was a good way to advance himself. Perhaps soon he'd be the leader of the Council and he wouldn't have to worry about taking orders from anyone else. That's why he liked his job; there was always career advancement to be had. So when Eien finally hesitated in shaking his hand Agent Mayhew scowled a little, about to speak to the Specialist in a reprimanding tone when he saw the hand come out at him, his smirk all the more evil.

His own hand gripped the thin and weak digits of the Specialist, squeezing hard and then harder. He waited for the tell-tale pop but it never came, 'Ghost' taking an interest in his actions. The other agent's hands lashed out then, striking at the black-gloved appendage until Marcus felt the pain that was sudden in his wrist, releasing Eien's hand. He didn't like that motion but he knew that a majority of the Council loved Dimitri and his work. That's what happened when someone so high up was belittled by someone so common and normal. He growled then, adjusting his coat before he smoothed one hand over his hair. This wasn't right; not any of it anyway.

"You'll regret that, Agent Mishkov." He backed up a little and nodded to the both of them, his blue eyes settling on Eien in a sadistic kind of way. "Expect to be hearing from me again, Specialist Llewellyn..." He then growled and narrowed his eyes on Dimitri, his hands going for his hips where the guns were strapped beneath. "And you, Agent Mishkov." He didn't draw the gun though, instead vouching for himself in the sense that he wanted to stay alive and get back at the bastard later.

Marcus moved then, pivoting on one heel and directing himself away. He watched the people pass before disappearing in the crowds back to the elevators near the back. He had to return to the Council chambers since there was a meeting to be had. A meeting about a certain individual that Marcus had just paid attention to.

--Exit Marcus--

[Eien Llewellyn]

He should’ve gone with his natural actions, the ones he was used to.

Eien tended to be rather quick to recover from surprises, most of the time ones that were fairly dramatic when compared to prior conditions. This time, however, he was not so quick. His nerves got the best of him when the second bit of strength encircled his fingers and squeezed down on them. He inhaled sharply, his arm attempting to retract quickly out of instinct, and he assumed that was what had prevented the bones of his fingers from immediately crunching under the pressure – they were saved when his partner lashed out. The vice on Eien’s hand was removed and the young man brought his hand back to his back, placing it under his unharmed appendage. His jaw set as he tried to ignore the throb, waiting for it to go numb for a few moments. Soon after he knew it would bruise quite a bit.

"Expect to be hearing from me again, Specialist Llewellyn..."

There was no civil reason that the Council would want to speak to either of them. As far as Eien knew, there was no need for re-assignment, as they did not do such a thing when both partners were equally alive and capable of their duties together. Eien blinked, his heart sinking as he saw the Council member walk away. Maybe the man was bluffing; trying to freak Eien out. Well, it was working. Had he left a presence in his past work, namely the projects he had recently completed? Most were useless to ECHELON at a first glance, but they were never looked into enough before being deleted to see that it was actually vital.

He stood there; his feet were planted as he lowered his eyes once more and looked at his hand, bringing it away from his bag and an inch away from his torso. It was stiff, his digits curled limply. The lengths of Agent Mayhew’s fingers had already started to leave a mark, the areas beginning to darken. He flexed his fingers slowly, bringing them together to make a loose fist. He would probably be fine in a while, if he didn’t think about it.

”I don’t think you should’ve done that,” he said softly, turning his attention to his partner. His hand still flexed, but with a bit more ease than moments ago. He looked in the direction that the Councilman had disappeared off to. ”What do you think – what do you think that was about?” he asked, his paranoia keeping his words from sounding like what he was thinking; what did they know?

[Dimitri Mishkov]

As much as this bastard wanted Dimitri to be afraid he wasn't going to get his wish. The agent aptly named 'Ghost' wasn't fearful of much and even then when he was confronted with his fears they were held back and inside, always letting him deal with what he needed to deal with. Dimitri was a monster inside but at the same time he was softhearted and kind. It was hard for him to attack a defenseless person and even then it wasn't in him to do something as painful as murder. He had a conscience and it wasn't until someone truly got to know him that they would realize this. Dimitri watched Mayhew jerk back after he struck him, the glaring and threatening look in Dimitri's gray-blue eyes enough to dishearten anyone...

...anyone but this man.

Marcus sneered at them and gave a very disrespectful parting statement, making the agent's skin crawl in those few moments. He watched as Mayhew retreated back into the crowd, disappearing just to do so. And Dimitri turned to Eien then, reaching up consciously to touch the Specialist's cheeks, staring at him intently as he thought of what he was going to say. But Eien beat him to the punch.

"I don't think you should've done that."

"I don't think so either...but it was necessary." Dimitri breathed in hard, moving his slender fingertips back, tucking the loose locks of Eien's hair behind his ears. He wanted to protect the Specialist from that bastard and he had the feeling that the Council wasn't aware of those actions. Mayhew was always let rampant on society and they had to do something about it, didn't they? Agent Mishkov sighed, actually moving forward to rest his forehead against his friend's.

"What do you think - what do you think that was about?"

The hesitation and paranoia that was lacing Eien's voice made the agent's spine seize up and tighten, his eyes closing now before he finally relaxed, shaking his head a little but holding to the sides of Eien's neck, his face as close as it was before. "I'm not sure...but I do know that we have to do this Eien, no matter the outcome. If one of us dies or both of us die it's all for the betterment and survival of a race much greater than ours." His accent laced his whispers and he smiled, drawing back just an inch or two to speak to the man before him. Eien had so much potential...he just needed someone to help him realize it.

[Eien Llewellyn]

Eien’s gaze, naturally moving around, glanced up to Dimitri as the man turned to him and spoke. His eyes fluttered when he felt the Agent’s hands against his cheek, his heart keeping the quick, consistent pace it had before. Only this time the nervousness was not completely undesired – it was something rather unfamiliar to him, yes, but there was a contact with Dimitri. The Russian-blooded Ariun was someone who was a comfort for the Specialist, and he couldn’t deny that attachment that ran deep within him. His tense muscles relaxed when he felt Dimitri’s breath wash over his face, a limp pressure that had settled on his forehead then lifted away about an inch.

His blue eyes crossed at the close proximity and he watched the man’s face in that moment. He looked over the closed lids of the Agent’s eyes, along the bridge of his nose and then his eyebrows. He saw the pores of his cheeks, stopping briefly at the line of a scar that was visible. His pulse doubtlessly beat strongly against Dimitri’s hands, and Eien took it in. He was being held in such a way that he didn’t want the other man to let go. It was an affection he couldn’t pin point or ignore – he didn’t want to, however. He just wanted everything else to go and bask, just for one moment, with the man.

But the affection he wanted from and to share was not in ECHELON’s set of ideals. Aware of his surroundings, the man regrettably drew into himself, bringing his hands back to his bag. They were already in deep if ECHELON knew their intentions when it came to the Zodiuns. Insecure, Eien didn’t believe his wants in that nature were shared with the man before him.

"I'm not sure...”

Eien lowered his head for a moment, forbidding himself from thinking of the outcomes again. Out of the two mentioned, he would’ve preferred the latter. He had to stop thinking in such a selfish way. They were doing this because it was right, it was moral. ECHELON was illogical in their choices, keeping Ariun and Zodiun humans from being what they all originally were – human.

”I think you have to go now, yeah?” he asked, looking back up at Dimitri.

[Dimitri Mishkov]

When it came down to it Dimitri didn't want to go. He had a bad feeling about what was going to happen and where he was assigned to. They sent him after a very angry agent and an AEON elite. That meant something was going down and he needed to pay attention to it. Were it not for the fact that he was a kind heart he would have gone down there and slaughtered every Zodiun just to keep Eien safe. His motives were now driven by the presence and existence of this one person. It was horrible to think but he found it extremely true, with only his cunning and love keeping himself alive. His love for Eien was deeper than most could see on the surface and Eien probably knew it. The young man was so intuitive that Dimitri found it no surprise at all.

Eien was always in his mind.

He brought his hands down Eien's neck and collarbones before allowing them to pull away completely, nodding his head. That pain and hurt that Eien would still deny him was there again. He understood the Specialist's paranoia and with good reason; Dimitri might as well have been dead right then. He felt like his days were growing short but he wasn't sure how. It might just have been something to do with the fact that the Council was now appearing to them personally but he figured it was something else entirely in the end. "Yes...I should be going."

With that Dimitri turned away, no words escaping from him and no way for him to say them in public. He was half-hoping that Eien would stop him but he wasn't without his doubts. Eien was too reclusive for his own good and that broke Dimitri's heart in at least a small way. He sighed softly, one slender hand coming up to stroke his hair and push it back before he finally paused to slide his gloves on, flexing his fingers to ensure they were in place. It was a walk to the train station but not too far. This would buy him some time to prepare...

...and to think of how good his life had been for him.

[Eien Llewellyn]

"Yes...I should be going."

No, he shouldn’t, the man told himself. The young man kept his eyes down, attempting to mask just a bit of the sadness that would uncontrollably slide over his expression. Dimitri had felt those feelings, the ones that led him to believe something would go wrong. Eien didn’t know if his own mind had just evolved on the thought or if he truly had the intuition inside himself. However the feeling had bloomed, Eien didn’t care – all he cared about was the man that had released him and now about to walk away.

Eien saw the Agent’s shoes move out of his vision and his jaw set. Something tugged at his chest, like it did almost every time the other man left, but this time with more force. He kept to himself; Dimitri had to leave, or there would be many more problems for the both of them to deal with. The Council would have a reason to dig deeper into their motives, especially the agent’s. Everything would be up for examination, and there was no telling how much of it couldn’t be removed from computers and databases. Some things were tangible and too meaningful to rely on the security of electricity.

Eien’s eyes lifted then, easily finding the back of Dimitri’s head amidst the local crowd of people. He wondered how many of the busy beings actually paid attention to their surroundings. ECHELON paid more attention, he knew. There were few places the Specialist deemed safe to be personally relaxed in. The Main Entrance was not one of them, but surely a little bit of that inner want could be released, no? If not, he would always blame it on his attachment issues and his lack of social interaction – that seemed to be ECHELON’s favorite excuse for the awkward.

One foot in front of the other and Eien moved forward toward his partner, almost gracelessly through the crowd. A shoulder hit his and he grunted softly but diligently kept walking – quickly, however, he found himself running over to Dimitri. He didn’t wait for if the man would notice and turn to him, finding the man’s front when he reached him. The Specialist wrapped his arms around Dimitri’s neck, holding on with desperation. It was a farewell, not a plea for the man to stay. His cheek pressed against the man’s ear, and his sapphire eyes closed as he inhaled the man’s scent.

”Just be careful, Dee,” he whispered, pulling his head back so his words and his lips would graze Dimitri’s ear.

[Dimitri Mishkov]

Dimitri had almost lost hope when his gloves were on and tightened completely, his eyes moving back up so he could continue walking. But he was stopped when he saw Eien suddenly before him, not sure how he went with that unaware. He was usually so vigilant when it came to his surroundings that he knew he must have been bothered. Dimitri gasped a little when he felt Eien's arms around his neck, making his heart skip a beat for only a moment. This wasn't right really. He should have remained there when he knew that Eien needed him. Somehow he knew that his friend needed him and Dimitri needed him all the same. Ghost closed his eyes when he felt the warmth of Eien's cheek and the heat radiating from his neck. For some reason the more tired you were the hotter you got. He supposed it was because your body worked on overdrive but he could have been wrong.

Feeling that close to the Specialist even in that kind of public setting was a little intimidating now and he understood why Eien felt the way that he did. He wanted to breathe the scent of his friend and yet he didn't let himself, not yet. It was only when Eien started to move back to whisper that the Agent did, feeling it flood his nostrils and sink into his lungs. He breathed deeply as if he'd never breathe again, wanting it for all it was worth.

"Just be careful."

Oh and he would. Dimitri shivered at the brush of skin on his own and he tilted his head to the side a little when he was able to move back and look into Eien's gorgeous blue eyes. The Russian Ariun smiled a little to himself and at the same time to his friend, not regretting the moment even if it was well spent. Usually relationships were kept to strictly professional and it was obvious that theirs had gone further. One or two people stopped to watch them before moving on, most likely thinking they were friends and worried for each other. It was a rare instance but sometimes an agent and their specialist became friends instead of just co-workers.

"You know I will." Gloved hands covered one of Eien's before stroking the skin on the back with both thumbs. His smile went down then as he started to switch to that Agent mode, nodding to his partner and friend before starting away again, regretting ever turning his back on Eien. He would never do that but in this case it was necessary. And he had to do what he was told...lest they come after the only thing that was more important than life itself.

-- Exit Dimitri --

[Eien Llewellyn]

"You know I will."

And he did know that – but he didn’t know if it would be enough. No one invincible, no one was made of iron; they each had a layer of flesh that could be penetrated with a bullet or sliced open with even the dullest of knives. There were times when split blood was not needed, as chemicals tended to not be very human-friendly. The methods of death were virtually endless, and that fact alone never aided one when trying not to think about it. For that second, though, he didn’t think about it. He only thought about the present moment, about how warm he felt holding on to his friend. Even with the knowledge that the man would soon be leaving, he felt safe. He wanted that forever. There was nothing like what he was feeling right now, and he was damned if he lost it now. He didn’t want it to be gone forever, not when he just started to get used to it, just started to open up.

Eien pulled away then, at the same time Dimitri did, and held the Agent’s gaze. After four years he still found it difficult to look him in the eye, but it was easier than with anyone else. The returned the smile contently before the sides of his mouth turned down and in with the change of Dimitri’s stature. Now they were how they should’ve been – there shouldn’t be this much care between co-workers, let alone publicly between two men. Their friendship alone seemed to be just another sin, another crime, to add to their list.

When his friend turned around he couldn’t ignore that wrenching feeling inside this time. But he couldn’t act on it – he shouldn’t have had done so the first time. He drew himself together once more, for a moment watching Dimitri, waiting until he couldn’t see him anymore to turn around. He had to get to his office now, and wait until information was sent to him. He had to cover himself and prepare; he had to cover Dimitri, just in case the Agent’s awareness was not good enough.