Liam, hovered near the sealed Regen-glass.

  Karauro was suspended inside the regen-pod, his eyes slowly opened.

  He stepped back as Noose, mid-stride down the corridor, approached.

  Her posture was stiff, but the mask of steel composure slipped around the edges.

  “Noose,” Liam’s voice trailed through the hallway . “Karauro’s awake.”

  She stopped.

  “He’s a bit out of it, so try not to push too hard,” Liam said as he waved his hand into the air.

  Her jaws tightened.

  Noose stepped toward the regen-pod’s reinforced door.

  The reflection of the clinical ceiling lights glistened momentarily across it.

  His eyes hollowed, still trying to return.

  This mission was already a mess; somehow we pulled through.

  Karauro had always made it possible. However he paid this time.

  She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus: Stay focused. The mission was a success.

  Noose reached for the door’s manual override panel.

  She needed to see the damage for herself. If he's still usable.

  It was a lie she clung to.

  ---

  The door hissed open, draining the green fluid.

  She caught Karauro's falling body.

  “Ci–Karauro,” She softly spoke.

  His eyes began to recover from the void.

  Karauro twitched; breath rose.

  “Come back, Karauro,” she whispered in his ear.

  He slowly stood. Noose held him, disregarding procedure.

  Her hands cupped his cheeks, frowning slightly.

  Karauro sensed warmth, a breath near his face.

  It jolted him from the trance that had enveloped his mind.

  What once seemed cold and blue now appeared different.

  Her eyes weren't just gazing through him, but rather at him.

  "Noose?" he rasped.

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  He felt confused and disoriented.

  For a moment, his strength waned, but her hands held him firm.

  'Easy,' her voice was soft as she spoke.

  "Do you remember anything?" she asked, straightforward.

  "Not much... did we finish the hive sweep?" Karauro replied, feeling foolish but needing confirmation.

  "Yeah, we did," Noose said, remaining nearby this time.

  "Was it a fail or a win? I need to keep tabs on my losses. "He laughed lightly and then coughed.

  "It was a success. Do you remember anything else?" She inquired once more.

  "Just fragments. Resting on Nera's shoulder...why did I hurt you? Or anyone?" His eyes began to scan her.

  Noose scoffed, "typical of you to worry about others first, that's a bad habit, you know?"

  "You didn't hurt anyone; some were injured by the Berserkers."

  "Huh...then why did they use the dampeners?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

  Noose’s expression hardened as she turned away.

  "I used it," her voice was stern.

  "Why? Didn't you trust me to handle it? I didn’t hurt anyone!" His tone was firm.

  Noose clicked her tongue.

  Her eyes shut, loathing how he made her sound.

  "You don't understand how it felt..." she hissed, attempting to pull away but his grip held her fast.

  "Huh? You're the one who claims not to feel, isn't that what you said?" he retorted, his voice rising.

  He sensed it. Her weight stayed, leaning closer.

  Warm, soft lips met his.

  He froze, not from lack of desire, but due to her identity.

  "Idiot," she whispered against his lips.

  Noose pulled away, her hand gliding from his shoulders to his chest.

  The door hissed as Nera entered.

  Her eyes widened briefly, meeting Noose's sidelong gaze.

  Karauro's shoulders relaxed.

  His gaze shifted to Nera.

  Noose sighed for a second.

  "Rest, Ciro. Nera, you're with me; mission details," She said calmly, her eyes lingering then looking away.

  ---

  Noose leaned against a wall in a hallway as Nera walked beside her.

  "He doesn't recall much of the Hive sweep or what happened before we arrived."

  “Wait, even when he lost control?” Nera asked.

  “Looks like it. That’s why I opposed the collar initially. But I guess he was right about controlling its hunger,” Noose stared away, as if she'd lost something.

  "He forgot that I stopped his hunger over taking him, but remembered your shoulder,"

  Nera didn't hear her typical cutting tone.

  I kissed him right before you walked in," Noose's voice softened as she placed her finger onto lips.

  "Quit delaying, Nera; he definitely has feelings for you too. If you keep this up, I'll get his attention."

  She strolled off, a grin on her face.

  ---

  Karauro finished tidying up in the regen-pod. The door hissed open behind him.

  "Mutt," Nera muttered.

  He glanced over his shoulder.

  "Viper? I thought you were with Noose?" he replied.

  Nera approached him.

  "Remember getting hit by some boxes?" she asked, pointing to his faint scar.

  "No, I don't. Why does it matter?" Karauro inquired.

  "Don’t worry about it, m—Karauro," Nera’s voice rasped as she stepped outside, seeking more space for herself.

  ---

  Nera found her self sitting by Scions dying campfire nearby. Her eyes stayed on the red hot embers pulsing.

  So he forgot that too? She thought to her self.

  Recalling her hands tending to his injury, she urged him, "Stop dealing with things alone." That moment now erased.

  Boot steps scraped the dirt floor nearby, and Nera's eyes followed.

  The campfire flickered, casting light on his silhouette in the dark.

  Karauro approached her without asking, positioning himself beside her.

  "You good, Viper?" he inquired.

  Nera felt anger, not at him, but for him.

  "Why wouldn't I be?" she retorted, surprised by her sharp tone.

  She noticed him shift as if ready to leave.

  Why did I say that? she wondered.

  Before she could think, her hand reached out and grasped his arm.

  He didn’t rise; instead, he picked up a stick abandoned by someone and began poking at the low flames.

  "Sorry," Nera said.

  "It's alright. I wasn't going to run just because you bit Viper. I've stopped fearing you long ago," he grinned.

  "Wow, you've matured," she said with sarcasm.

  "Quiet," he snapped back.

  They sat for minutes, the shield dome buzzing and flames crackling.

  "I'm going to annoy you again. You good?" He finally spoke.

  "Conflicted," Nera replied.

  "About? What specifically?" He tilted his head, still gazing at the embers.

  "You." She sensed his pause just inches away.

  "Am I that troublesome?—Don’t answer." He huffed, prodding the flames more roughly.

  "It wasn't just you. I was difficult for you back then; I wouldn't be surprised if you had some resentment towards me," Nera noted, glancing at his hand struggling with the flames.

  He went quiet for a moment. She felt the impact of his changes over the past three years.

  "Can’t hate someone who taught me to survive the Ruins," he said, glancing at her.

  Nera's brow furrowed as a question arose.

  “Does that offer still stand?”

  Karauro turned, expressionless.

  It was her test to gauge what else he had forgotten.

  “Ah, lending you my shoulder?”

  Nera nodded slightly.

  He inched closer and leaned in.

  “Take it before I get lazy,” he smirked.

  Nera quietly leaned her head on his shoulder—no Nexon suit, just his shirt.

  A jolt coursed through her, and she sensed Karauro stiffen.

  Their pinkies accidentally intertwined. She didn’t pull away, nor did he.

  Her gaze locked on their hands.

  His hands slipped into hers.

  His eyes connected with hers.

  Karauro leaned in, their lips touched briefly before pulling away.

  "Are you certain about this?" she inquired.

  "I've been certain for some time," Karauro replied.

  Nera pressed her lips against his.

  You're infectious, you realize that?" She muttered near him.

  "And you're venomous," he shot back, leaning his nose against her forehead.

  Nera's eyelids grew heavy; usually, fatigue lingered but never settled.

  Unnoticed, her body relaxed, feeling a small chill wash over her face.

  She felt his thumb glide over her knuckles.

  For the first time, she let someone come this close. Nera leaned her forehead against his chin.

  Listening to the embers crackle.