#Gen6Part3

[theplottdump]

Chad: If you're trying to scare me Val, it's not going to work. I've been in far worse situations that this.

Valerian laughed. "Oh Mr. Chinsley, what did I say about keeping my name out of your mouth? Besides, I know I am perfectly incapable of frightening you. I simply thought it might be fun to play a bit of a game together."

Chad: Game? What kind of game? Valerian: Let's call it twenty questions. I'll ask you a question, you'll answer me, and if I don't like your answer I'll ask HANSEL to laser your dick off.

Chad: You're insane. Valerian: It keeps things interesting. Plus, having a slow moving laser would require too much TOOL. This is much more efficient. Now, shall we begin?

[theplottdump]

After escaping Dry Creek, it was a a rare occurrence that Val got a full uninterrupted night of sleep. Nightmares were not uncommon, and the recent combination of stress and sleepless nights had made everything worse.

Usually normal things plagued his dreams, distant memories of the pit, being forced to watch his own death over and over, trapped forever in high school, normal nightmare stuff. Those things he could handle, they were routine.

But since Britechester one new reoccurring dream kept popping back up to haunt him. It was quiet and distant at first but tonight it was loud, and something was different.

It always went the same way. He was on the shore. Standing in the rush of the warm ocean, caressed by the salted air. The night lit by the glow of the bio-luminescence of the lagoon, asking him to come in deeper. To drown him in it's beauty until he snapped awake, breathless.

But tonight something was off. It wasn't just the ocean calling him in. Someone was waiting for him amidst the glow of the bio-luminescence. He could feel the water pulling him in, and secretly he wanted it to.

Out of all the nightmares that kept him from sleep lately, this was the scariest. To be held so gently above the waves, warm fingers caressing every inch of his body, supported by strong arms that kept him above the pull of the ocean. To feel completely safe. It was terrifying.

Valerian knew people like him didn't get happy endings. He didn't deserve any. People like him just had to keep going. He cursed his own body for mocking him outright, and concluded to spend another night on just a couple hours of sleep rather than risk a repeat of the dream.

[theplottdump]

"I think maybe what you need is to let loose a little. Get the aggression out." He paused. And then in one motion, leaned forward and grabbed Valerian, locking eyes with him.

"Hit me."

"Please stop touching me." "Hit me." Chad repeated. "You're insane. No."

"I'm not gonna leave you alone until you get some of that bottled up anger out. All those repressed feelings. And I can be reaalllly annoying."

"I'd never noticed." Chad was pulling down slightly on Valerian's bottom lip, it was taking all his focus to maintain his composure.

[theplottdump]

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 - 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑

Dear Chad,

If I have predicted correctly, this letter should find you safe and settled back in your pathetic little Agency Headquarters in Del Sol. Now that our game is over, I cannot guarantee that we will ever meet again. In the event of my oncoming, imminent, and probable demise at your beautiful hands, it is important to me that you know, you have changed everything. Let no one tell you that you aren’t smart. That you are not strong, cunning or kind. That you're not a good listener with the nicest smile I've ever seen. Anyone that says otherwise is a liar and a fool. (Please know I would strike them down in an instant, given the opportunity.) In a few hours when you leave this island, you will be taking what little scrap of a soul I have left with you. Reflecting on it now, I think I gave it to you a long time ago. So it is yours, do not share it, keep it safe. It’s all I have left after all. If I survive this and you ever wish to return to the island, only then, please open the envelope accompanying this letter. I know not every generation of a legacy can last forever, so please know, that it contains a promise that I intend to keep. Handle with care.

Yours Completely, 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵 -𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐑𝐂 -

[theplottdump]

Love is a big word. 🎵

It entails trust, compromise, and compassion.

It's something that can strike like lightning,

or creep up slowly and completely surround you like a morning fog.

Love can be brutal, it can scramble your insides and cloud your judgement. Love can be torture.

But it's also beautiful, wild and unpredictable. It breaks down your walls and makes you realize what's important.

But if Valerian learned anything about Love that week, it would be this:

If you're going to fight for anything, 

you should fight for love.

[theplottdump]

It was a kiss that lasted lifetimes and seconds. Years of aggression, hatred, and quiet lust flooding into each other. And it was perfect.

"Why… Why did you do that?" Val's tone was softer now. "Because I wanted to. Because you're beautiful, and terrible, and have the cutest freckles I've ever seen, and I've fantasized about kissing this mouth so often," Chad paused, "And if you'd let me, I'd like to do it again."

"Not Here." "I personally think you have a lovely bathroom." "Upstairs." "Well when you ask so nicely-" "Now."

One incredibly tense elevator ride later, they made it upstairs, Val pausing to explain himself. Val: If this is going to continue I just need you to understand that- Chad: Valerian are you trying to tell me you've never been kissed before? Val: No, but yes, but not my point-

Val: And I'm afraid the idea… of escalating past… this, has never been something I've felt comfortable with. I just want to be clear so I don't disappoint you. So, I'm giving you a chance to back out now. Chad: How about you set the pace, and I'll follow. Ok? Val: Ok.

[theplottdump]

Flipping his captive around, pressing him against the aquarium glass, Val spoke in a hiss, "No more interruptions. Let's talk."

Val: Why are you Here? Chad: I told you, I needed to borrow your Hair Dryer. Val pressed harder. "Not my bathroom! The Island! My Home! Why did you come in the first place? Why are you haunting me?!"

Chad: I told you I was sent by UNIT! Val: STOP LYING TO ME! Chad: I WANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

Chad's impassioned exclamation gave him the opening he needed to flip back to face Valerian. Looking into his eyes, Chad realized he wasn't lying. Somewhere in his mind, he had wanted to see him again. To find someone worth saving. And for that moment, words failed Valerian.

Chad was good at what he did. He understood people, that's what gave him the upper hand in his work. But Valerian-

Now Valerian was more complicated.

[theplottdump]

"Fine" Chad continued. "Then answer this question for me." His grip softened, changing tactics.

Chad lowered himself closer to Valerian, his lips parted, placing his hands on either side of his head. Val's hands slid up his arms, his breathing more shallow now. "Twenty Questions is over." Val replied in a low voice.

Bringing his face even closer to the man underneath him, Chad could feel both their heartbeats as Val slid his hands softly down his torso. "Why haven't you killed me yet? You've had plenty of chances."

"Why haven't you?" Val returned the question, his voice quiet, "You could have easily shot me that night at the museum. Why didn't you?"

"Maybe I didn't think you were worth it. Or maybe I didn't want to."

"Uh huh."

[theplottdump]

As Poppy and Chad schemed together in Del Sol Valley; on the other side of the world, in a Secret Lair on a Secret Island, which, years ago, had been carefully wiped off the face of Sim Earth, one Legacy Heir was obsessively working late into the night on his most recent project.

Leanne: Sir, if I may. You've been working uninterrupted for 7 hours and Winterfest Eve is tomorrow night. It's 2AM. May I remind you the whole League of Evil will be at our doorstep tomorrow night? HANSEL: And I haven't a thing to wear!

Valerian: HANSEL, you’re an omnipotent AI, you don’t have legs. And my dear Leanne, you know we don't have a real door. This party is an idiotic excuse for the those against me in the League to laugh at me. HANSEL: And then kill you off after they've raided our liquor cabinet.

Leanne: HANSEL is correct. Sir, you and I both know your life might very well depend on the outcome of this party. Valerian: Then I'm giving you two full control of the planning. You'll have to work together as a team on this one.

Leanne/HANSEL: But Sir-/I'm not sure that's a good/I'm not even sure what Winterfe- Val: Enough. I don't care how, just get it done. Watch a Hallmark movie, figure it out. You're two incredibly advanced AI. I'm sure you can get along well enough for 5 seconds to plan a party.

[theplottdump]

Valerian was not sure how long it had been since he had made his escape from movie night. Sleeping meant dreaming, and dreaming was simply not an option for him right now.

Leanne had been keeping him steadily supplied with coffee and snacks while he poured everything he had left into his work.

Leanne: Sir if I may- Val: You may not. Leanne: Sir, it's been almost 72 hours since your last sleep cycle. If you continue at this pace you might die.

Also, we're out of coffee.

Val: Look at this Leanne, it's beautiful, predictable. Perfect order in a world of Chaos and errant hand touching. Leanne: Sir, it's upside down.

Leanne: Truth be told sir, HANSEL and I don't agree on much, but we're… worried about you.

Val: Look the League will be wanting a First Quarter Plan of Action for the meeting and I think I'm starting to have something here, if I can just have a few more hours I'm sure I ca-

Leanne: Do you love him?

[theplottdump]

Every scar, every imperfection, every lie, every half truth. For a few beautiful hours none of it mattered.

Right now the only thing that mattered to Chad Chinsley, Secret Agent, was Valerian, the Supervillain known the the world as Vexus, currently resting peacefully on his chest.

Val stirred, groggy, but with something on his mind. "Can I… Stay Here tonight?" Chad smiled, "I mean, it's your house." "Right… right."

"I want you to stay." "I’m not going anywhere." "No, I want you to stay. Here. With me, on the island. Even if it's just for a little longer."

Chad could feel Val's heart fluttering against his. He smiled. "So Vexus, these are your demands? You could have asked for mor-" "Stay with me forever."

Chad paused, his breath catching, a new lightness swirling inside of him, and then slowly repeated. “I’m not going anywhere."

Valerian let out the breath he was holding and seemed satisfied with Chad's response. "Get some sleep Freckles." Settling back into the comfort of his partner, Val remarked at what a terrible nickname Freckles was before losing himself to sleep again.

And that night, for the first time since senior prom, Valerian did not dream, he just slept.

[theplottdump]

Early New Years morning, at first light, the Secret Agent and the Supervillain met one last time to exchange their final goodbyes.

Val: Even with the fog, it shouldn't take too long to get back to Del Sol. You should be back mid afternoon if everything goes smoothly. Leanne's a good pilot, and also I told her that no, she's not allowed to just 'drop you in the ocean'.

"Val, I need you to know I-" Valerian cut him off quickly, "I know."

Val: I hope you don't mind, but I asked Leanne to pack you a bag with the outfits from this Arc. In case you wanted to take them with you. I also had her dry clean clean your suit. It smelled like wet laser.

Chad: You didn't have to do that. Val: I wanted to.

Chad: Well, Thanks. Val handed over the suitcase, for a moment their hands gently brushing one another.

Val chuckled darkly, "For what it's worth, this was still the best Winterfest I've had in years." "So I just wanted to thank you. In case…"

Chad finished the sentence. "- in case this is it."

Val: If it was going to be anyone, I'm glad it was you.

Chad: And If I ever see you again? Val: Make sure when you fire, you don't miss.

[theplottdump]

Chad: I mean its a little extra don't you think HANSEL? A floor to ceiling fish tank? Really? HANSEL: Do I look like the Watcher that designed this room to you?

Chad: I guess not… Alright, I'm just gonna grab that extra hairdryer and then I'll be outta here, pinky promise! HANSEL: I don't have hands.

Chad: Watcher Val, that's a lot of identical silk robes.

Chad: I mean, HANSEL it's a cool room and all, but I don't know why it's-

Val: Off Limits?

[theplottdump]

Chad: Hey don't think I didn't see you crying when Fido finally made it home.

Val: "I'm evil, not heartless," he said nudging Chad's shoulder with his own. "And what about you? Not one tear shed, you monster."

Chad: What! Movies don't make me cry. I save up all my tears for more important things! Val: Ok Agent. Name three things that makes you cry. Chad: Allergic Reactions, Sad Goodbyes and The Simlympics. Val: Really, the Simlympics?

Chad laughed, "I don't know, it's stupid i guess, but seeing someone who dedicated so much of their life to something they cared deeply about; when they win that medal for the first time the look on their faces make me cry sometimes."

"It's like, I wish that were me y'know? Having that much drive, knowing exactly what I-" he paused.

"What I want." He finished his sentence, finding Val's eyes, some part of him falling into place.

[theplottdump]

While movie night was not what either of them were expecting, given the added third and fourth wheel of Leanne and HANSEL; Val couldn't help but notice Chad stealing glances his way every so often throughout the film.

Leanne and HANSEL spent the last half hour of the movie in a spirited debate on the motifs of 'Lost Dog's Way Home'. Their argument continued into the hall and downstairs after the film concluded as HANSEL tried to convince her that they should give Starlight Accolades to dogs. This meant that the two remaining participants finally had a private moment to themselves.

Chad: You've been suspiciously quiet, what's on your mind?

Val: 2,836 times is quite the impressive re-watch rate considering I only gave HANSEL the DVD as Winterfest Present a few days ago.

[theplottdump]

Valerian straightened back up into an upright position. "Alright HANSEL, you can kill him now." HANSEL: Sir are you sure? Val: Did I stutter? HANSEL: Ok, but I'm going to go really slowly in case anyone changes their mind.

Chad: Val if you kill me, they'll just send another Agent in my place. You know they'll never leave you alone. What if I told you I had a way to get UNIT off your back?

Val: And why on Watcher's green Simearth, would you want to help me?

Chad: Have you considered that maybe I'm tired of letting everyone tell me how to live my life, expecting me to be their perfect puppet? You were right Val. I'm done with having my path determined for me.

Val pondered his options for a minute. He had spent so much time running. If Chad was telling the truth it would be nice to have UNIT finally off his back. Especially if they knew where he was hiding. Not to mention, 'You were right' was one of his all time favorite sentences.