"Bell"

Second Life

23:09 | February 25, 1981

CIA SAFEHOUSE E9, "DIE LANDEBAHN"

You rubbed your dry eyes as you stared at your notes all over the desk you've chosen as your little corner, the large bulky computer taking up space but you've made do by moving the brick that is the keyboard as much as you could off to the side. Your papers held inks of different colors—although they were only red, blue, and black and yellow highlights—and you had a stack of folders behind the computer that were from the CIA and MI6 archives. You had Kraus' ledger off to your side, headphones on top of it for you to hear the audio of U.S. cities and numbers. Your fourth mug of coffee of the day was already gone and you would grab another just to enjoy the warm liquid to go down your throat instead of the caffeine itself, you were always one of late night's either way.

The safehouse was quiet outside the hum of the generator and the lights above. Most of the crew gone. Outside of your absent tapping of a pen against your messy notes and the white of a nearby fan for extra circulation, the main open area of the safehouse was a desert.

If you focused deeply, you can hear mumbles and murmurs that you can't make out coming from the office. Adler has been in there for awhile talking over the phone. To who, you don't know but you have your suspicions. You just hope the subject is not about you being suspicious—the talk on the roof was a slight on your part earlier.

You truly don't know what came over you. But you need to watch your mouth and expressions. Adler is perceptive, deadly and ever watchful of a person's micro expressions and body language.

You can't mess up.

A shot rings. And a heart splinters.

"It was never personal."

You really can't.

Which is why, you have been focused solely on decoding the entire day. Your eyes scanning and assessing the acquired Intel from the Volkov mission for Operation Chaos and Operation Red Circus. You have the knowledge on how to solve them but you are lacking needed Intel to help finish Operation Red Circus.

Operation Chaos was tricky. With two pieces of evidence outside of the newspaper, it being the audio log and the paper that had the coded message. Earlier in the morning, you wrote down all the possible numbers the missing parts of the code be—trying to find the pattern in the set of red and blue numbers. You were writing down the possibilities, your paper looking chaotic with arrows and numbers and cities that could coincide with said numbers.

After the quick checkup of your head with Adler, all firm and gentle touches with you keeping your eyes to the side or down as he fulfilled why he got the alias Doc—treatments of gun wounds and cuts to bayonets, complete trust he'll take care of you as he would lecture or tighten a bandage a tad too tight in reprimand due to a reckless action—and kept quiet as he did so outside of a soft yes or no when he asked  about the pain, you moved to go to work. Ignoring the feel of his gaze on you as you did so. Park coming to your desk after you moved your stuff from the center table to your chosen corner to begin, papers already everywhere and scattered as you tried to organize it in a manner you could only understand, a mug close to her mouth and a cocked brow at the mess.

"There's a way to keep it a bit more clean and less like a junk pile," the British woman said, amused as you made a distracted sound, squinting at the coded language in your hand as papers rustled. "And when I gave you my advice, I didn't think you would take it so seriously. There's a better desk you could've chosen as your own, Bell."

You blinked, giving Park a confused look.

"Advice?"

Park making an obvious glance to the center table in front of the evidence board, you automatically following it. Only to turn back to your paper once you noticed Adler's form by the table, cigarette in his hand as he stared down at his own files.

"From one woman to another, give him a wide berth."

". . . I just needed some space to focus. I'm sure Adler wouldn't like all my papers everywhere around him either way." You could still feel the ghost of his touch on your head and your hand. You wanted to erase it. "But I don't mind staying close just in case. Easier to hand things to you or him whenever I'm done."

"Someone sounds confident," Park commented with a sip of her coffee, making your own lips twitch for a moment as you replied that you are the best as you moved some papers around. Than, in a quiet murmur with a quick dart back to Adler's direction, "Distractions are best to be avoided. . ."

"What was that?" You asked, placing everything in a pile as well trying to keep some of them up by leaning the papers on the computer screen and failing as they slid down. You heard Park release an exasperated humored huff through her nose just as you heard her step away only for you to have a black leather gloved hand in your face with sticky notes. "What is. . ."

"Oh come now. I am sure it'd be easier if you used these. Make sense of this chaos. I guess there is some fact of what people say about geniuses and their rooms," she motioned the sticky note pad again as you stared at it. The papers were yellow but new. Unused, outside of a crinkle at an edge.

"Where am I?"

"Who am I?"

"What is happening?"

"Why can't you remember?"

"D o  y o u  h e a r  i t ? "

"Who is Perseus?"

"Tell me who I am!"

Blood forms the words, as if with a finger.

"They want to kill you."

"Make it stop."

"MK"

Words pressed on the page, over and over and over with harsh penmanship and you don't understand what's happening. What is this room? And that man. . .  Why does it hurt? Is this helping Russell?

Pain
            Pain          Pain              боль

                     боль
    Pain                                         Pain
               боль

Pain        Pain                   Pain

           Pain         Pain    Pain                

боль                                                              боль

It hurts.

GlockeGlockeGlockeG̷̟̩͙̏͌ḽ̸̊̿o̵̦̓͝c̵̭̯̊́ḱ̷̛̼͌͊e—

You turned away back to your papers, jaw tight.

"I'm good. Sticky notes can be a pain. Thank you, Park." Park lowered her hand, giving you a questioning stare in the back of your head. You sighed, turning your head over your lowered shoulders. "I'm going to try to finish this today but I think I'm missing a few pieces of Intel. You can give me other things to decode for MI6 in the meanwhile."

Park frowned delicately, lowering her mug.

"That sounds like a hefty workload. And I believe it would be best if we put all our focus into Perseus for now."

No. You have to be useful.

"It'll be fine," you say, searching for a paper and giving it to her while Park grabbed it. "I solved that part of the code already. The other intel we got from Kraus, I'm going to need more information in order to figure out who exactly can be Strong Man, Bearded Lady, and the Juggler. I can't go forward with that so might as well help with other codes you guys may have trouble with. What did you imply?" You ask with faux curiosity, your lips twitching up before falling as you wrote something down. "That I'm a genius?"

"Smartarse." Park retorted, although she seemed to still hesitate but eventually she gave you three files where they seemed to be having trouble. You getting to work immediately to help as Park walked away and you hearing later on Park and Adler head to the office.

You did your best to not think too much of it. You have to keep at your work and make sure you're capable and on task. You rather not get jabbed.

"We got a job to do."

And although it might be inevitable, you would rather not have those words said to you as well. Even if it didn't seem to have the same affect as before, the feeling and how your thoughts seemed to blur came back. Being aware you moved like a puppet and were one all along is not what you would like to focus on.

After you finished two of MI6's files—had to do with KGB and how interesting they would use some quotes of Oscar Wilde's 1984 hidden in the code as if the man was in support of communism with the work—with a hum mixed with impressed and curiosity from Park as she looked at the solved papers, your nose twitched at the scent of smoke and leather as you worked on the last MI6 folder.

"Stealing away my protege, Park?" Your hand around the pen paused before continuing, a plume of grey gathering above you. "And here I thought we have an equal partnership when it comes to this whole Perseus business. At least tell me you're not wasting her time?"

"I wouldn't call it stealing if she's willing," Park easily replied before handing him the two files to look over that you did, Adler scanning through it as she continued. "And it still has to do with our red friends. You sure are quick with the ball, Bell."

"It's nothing," you say quietly, "Can't exactly go forward so might as well help you with other codes that others can't solve. Just send anymore my way. You too, sir."

Adler made a distant hum, closing the files and handing it back to Park. You felt his stare at the back of your neck as you stared at the paper in front of you that might as well be nonsense since you sensed him.

▞  Look at him, pup. ▞

"If you wanted a more exciting challenge Bell, you could've asked. Always the type to leave no stone unturned and show off."

"'More exciting challenge'?" Park repeated, "Think MI6 codes are all flowers and rainbows compared to those in the CIA, Adler? I believe I recall that it was only Bell that could be able to solve the dossier instead of anyone else within your organization."

Yeah, cause you brainwashed me, you thought bitterly but the two kept going as you could only sit in between. Nice to have to be a witness between these two again.

"Bell is the best CIA decoder we have," you tightened your jaw in surprise instead of to tense when his hand landed on your shoulder, a gentle squeeze—in comfort, in belief, in trust, in camaraderie, in everything but what you wanted and what you needed, ▞ ▙ in order to control▞ ▙ — as you lowered the paper in your hand. "As well as having a wide range of other skills. You think I would just call in any brain dead desk sitter for this operation?"

You could see in your mind's eye how dizzy you would get before due to all this praise. Now, you just do your best to press your lips as your chest tightened.

You felt Park shift behind you, her looking at you in appraisal.

"You are one of a kind, Bell. Shame you were born in the wrong country. Having to have Adler here as your superior."

You huffed through your nose in dry amusement at that. Irony not lost on you.

What a curse indeed.

You turned in your chair finally, lips quirked that didn't quite meet your eyes as you pointed your thumb towards Adler.

"You should've seen him in 'Nam if you think he's bad now. Always with the lectures."

You felt Adler release you, watching as he took an inhale as he did a small shrug in disinterest.

"You can be stubborn, Bell. If I couldn't beat it out of you, I'll talk it out of you." You looked up and you could sense his eyes looking down at you behind those shades. "Although I feel like sometimes I'm wasting my breath. Your recklessness borders on insanity."

"I think I can see why they put the both of you together than," Park said, brow arched towards Adler and a certain look in her eyes towards him you couldn't quite read. It looked like a warning. But what could that look be for? "Insanity breeds insanity as they say."

They left you after that, you waving off Adler asking if you need a break. He took that as the okay to bring you CIA files for you to decode. Seems he has no trouble using you dry if you're going to insist on it. Despite that, you took them and you were able to solve three.

Park coming back towards your desk and saying you could have a break, again, you waved her off. As well as her concern you wouldn't want to read into—is it real for you and your body, or is some sort of guilt that perhaps they gave you a strong dose for the memory exercise and you're running on steam, is it fake or real, ▞ don't break the puppet ▞ - so you didn't. You telling Lazar the food you wish and him dropping it by your desk with his own comment that your brain might fall out and you saying you'll be fine, even threw in a small joke that with his food your brain will be well nourished. Outside of your favorite brand of pumpkin seeds of course. Sims only made a stray comment about the stacks on your desk, getting tall as the day went on and turned to night. You don't recall if you said something back. You probably did, Sims was always distant—you have trauma that's not even real and have the gall to have some nightmares about it when he actually went through that horrible war and sees a therapist for it, ▞ ▙ you don't know the war▞ ▙—so you would take what you would get.

Everyone eventually shuffled out, Park—her brows looking creased and a purse to her lips—back to the side of your desk before she left and saying you should rest and leave the rest tomorrow.

"I'll finish the rest today," you replied, resolute and determined as you wrote the next possible code from this possible radio station an ally of Perseus may be using. "No rest for the wicked. As they say," you threw out additionally, an echo of her words earlier which made Park raise her brows. "It's fine. Once I start something, I have to see it through. It helps I can be patient when it counts—at least with this."

"You seem to take it literally. You've been at it since early this morning. You only moved I believe when Lazar brought your food and to use the washroom." Once you shrugged and said that seems normal to do and you're fine with that, you heard Park's tone grow stronger in reprimand. "Yes, you're fine. Tell me, is Adler stopping you from taking breaks?"

You stopped, looking at Park and her irritated expression.

"No. . . No, it's just me." So none of you stick me with that dreadful drug and dig around my brain. So I can show all of you I don't need it—that you don't need to do that. That I'm useful and more than an asset. Unneeded assets get thrown away. "I just—just don't want to disappoint."

"Disappoint? You've exceeded expectations at every turn, Bell. Disappoint who?"

You didn't answer, only turned back around and continued with your pen. You heard Park mutter a curse before walking out, giving you a pat to your back and tell you you're driving back with Adler than since he's determined to work as well before leaving. Your eyes round down to your desk.

You'll be alone together with him again.

You took a shaky breath, focusing on the paper in front of you.

You'll be fine. Just keep what you've been doing. Pretend everything is okay.

Pretend his concern—the touch on your shoulders burned as he shook you, as if to erase your dark thoughts out of you, lifting you up with his hand easily with words of a concerned reliable▞ friend ▞ commanding officer—is real. And his kindness—why did they save you, you're useless, ▞ what use is an untrained dog▞ —is real too.

Just don't question it. You'll go mad.

Mind your tongue as well—control yourself. You used to tease before with faux confidence when the both of you bantered, but you have to watch your spiteful and petty comments. You really don't want him to give you a dose.

But if you feel like the path is leading you there, you have a way to get at least a semblance of control back.

▞ ▙ Puppets don't control the puppeteer.▞ ▙

"Bell." You turned in attention, Adler by the center table as he motioned his head towards the garage door, cigarette in hand. "Time to go."

You nodded once, getting up after fixing up your desk a bit. Grabbing your beanie turned ski mask and placing it back on your head instead of your face and walked over obediently as the both of you walked out through the side door.

▞ ▙Good dogs come when they listen.▞ ▙

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯  ◁ ◁ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

"Come on, you know I hate fruit cake! Just give me your pears, Singer!"

"Sorry, Bell," Singer grinned, taking a big purposeful spoonful of pears from the can, teeth flashing. "Guess you have to deal with all of that yourself. Too bad you don't have a connection to those who pass the MCI's, huh?"

You quietly glared at him with no heat, the act almost making Singer choke on his precious pears that he could've given you. The choking action making him spit out some and towards you, you making a noise of disgust as you punched the laughing man harshly to his shoulder as vengeance. It made him wince as the others around the campsite laughed at the two of you—the sun still above and the Vietnam jungle loud with birds and the trees moving against the wind. Although not really a campsite you would say since there no fire. Can't have any eyes on them to go towards smoke.

'They know these jungles better than us' as Adler says.

Speaking of Adler, you turned towards him where he leaned against a thick great Banyan tree local to this country—the trunk thick just like the branches that spiral even to the floor. They were all actually hidden in the alcove of this tree, the space enough for them until they kept going to their destination. A beautiful yet haunting tree with its dark and smooth bark all around. You overheard once by Lee and other South Vietnam soldiers in base that these trees can have spirits inside. Dangerous they said for some of them. You don't think these 'spirits' ever met Adler.

You could see Adler's lips were up in amusement due to your predicament despite his war paint, raising his brow over his black shades when he noticed your gaze.

Before you even fully lifted your hand with the can of horrendous fruit cake, he shook his head at you, lips going even more into a smile.

"Don't even try, kid. I fucking hate fruit cake myself," he adjusted himself against the tree and the gun in his lap. The food of his MCI basically gone outside the crackers and canned pineapple. "Disgusting things. I don't know who's bright idea was it to have hard pieces of fruit and dry raisins in cake."

That's what you're saying!

"Please, Adler. I gave you my cigs already, at least give me some of your pineapple?"

Sims laughed beside you, nudging your shoulder with his and shaking his head in disbelief.

"You think Doc is gonna give you some of his golden nectar away? Might as well have asked him to give his cigs along with his lighter."

"Not happening, Bell." Adler answered casually, finishing up his crackers and swiping his hands against his pants before moving to the can. "Besides, not like you smoke anyways. The cigs would just sit there pretty in the box if you don't hand it to me. Unless you want to try to smoke again. It went well last time."

"Didn't she choke?" Singer teased around a mocking grin. It made his youthful face boyish and eyes bright. "Almost hacked out a lung didn't you?"

Larson, who was quiet between Singer and Adler, spoke up. Already finished with his food since he's been mostly keeping to himself. This is the first official mission he's had since he got the news. Poor guy.

"I remember that," Larson said softly, looking towards you and you just took all their teases. You blame Adler. "It was after the drinking game between Butcher and Hamilton. You wanted to see the big deal about why everyone liked the nicotine."

"Only for Doc to come to the rescue after Bell took one of his cigs," Sims ended with a shit eating grin. You'll kill him. "Surprised you're still here and alive. Not from just avoiding choking on nothing either, but that you took a cig from him."

"You guys bet that I couldn't. . ." You muttered with narrowed eyes towards Sims who shushed you.

"What was that?" Adler asked, cocking his head only for Sims and Singer to shake their heads animatedly. Adler hummed doubtfully but dropped it.

"Never mind that! Just—" You groaned, putting your head on your hands as you still held the can of fruit cake. "You think I can eat this shitty cake? The 'raisins'," you said the word doubtfully, "could be actual pieces of shit for all I know. It could explain the taste. And how hard it can be."

Singer and Sims snorted next to you, on both sides while Larson actually cracked a grin as you raised your head and told them strongly to think about it! Adler shook his head, watching the jungle periodically in the open spaces of the alcove which all of you did to be cautious but the fruit cake debacle must be solved.

You turned your eyes towards Sims, spotting his fruit cocktail. Only for his hand to block it.

"Nope."

"Come on!" Sims shook his head, opening the can and eating the fruit cocktail and you scowled. "All of you are shitheads. Now I'm gonna have to eat this."

"Damn straight you do," Adler reaffirmed, stern yet you could spot he found your curse to all of them, him included, funny based on his arched brows. "No wasting MCI's. You know the drill, Bell."

You grunted unhappily at Adler, but you knew he was right. Which is why you wanted to trade in the first place. Food shouldn't be wasted, no matter how heinous.

You took a spoonful after managing to cut into the hard cake, Sims laughing in your face and you could spot Larson keeping his smile at your disgruntled expression only for it to deepen when you took a bite.

You tried to distract yourself through bites by asking Adler how far away they were from their destination. Adler answering after they reach the next nearest foxhole which is two hours away, it will be another six till they reach where they need to be.

"Hue is a mess right now. With us additional reinforcements, we're going to aim for stealth and go around and take out as much as we can." Adler explained as they all attentively listened. They can't mess up. "We've been able to give them a lot of damage last I heard, with one final push of us taking out some of them when they're scrambling—we'll consider the Battle of Hue a win. Of course, if there's more than we can handle, we'll stick to recon and head back around to tell command at the Hue MACV compound we have there."

"And the civvies?" Larson asked.

"Don't shoot 'em." Was all Adler said before they all moved to clean up and move on after you and Sims finished up.

You having to force to swallow and chew the cake and packing up the trash. They can't leave anything else it can be used to track or find them.

Larson, Sims, and Singer were outside the alcove—waiting for you to finish as you smacked your lips as if that could take away the taste in your mouth as you grumbled. You moved to go out where Adler was as he stood by the opening to head out. You spotted something on the ground where he previously sat.

"You left something, sir," you say, growing near to pick up the can. Huh, it's not empty.

Adler turned his head over his shoulder, expression questioning.

"Whatcha mean, kid? That's yours isn't it?" You frowned, looking down at the can only for your eyes to widen. There was some pieces of pineapple left, a little less than half of the can gone but it's something. He turned his head back as he muttered. "Don't expect this to happen again. Not here to spoil you, Bell."

"Don't expect you to, sir."

"Just pick up the trash and move it, kid."

You grinned, knocking back the can and easily and quickly eating it. The juices spilling down your chin and neck but you didn't care as you licked your lips. The taste of disgusting shit cake gone.

You packed the can quickly, swiping your chin with the back of your hand as the both of you walked to where the others were.

"Thanks," you said to him softly.

"For telling you to pick up your trash?" Adler answered easily and you smiled knowingly but let it go. "When we head back home, I'll send a letter of recommendation to the head waste collector since you like it. Switch careers."

Such a hard ass.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ▷ ▷ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

The car ride was silent, passing street lights and empty cafe's whizzing by and enlightening the car for a mere moment before it would be enveloped in darkness once more until the next light comes. You were staring out the window as they passed the streets of Berlin, the sounds of the wiper periodically occurring due to the light rain occurring. Not many people out at this time of night, nearing midnight unless you were a working girl or at the local bar. Some wisps of smoke remained in the car despite Adler on his side having his window slightly open. Your eyes watching as it moved lazily and glancing towards the quiet, relaxed man next to you before you would turn to look back out. Curious to see more of the city besides in the backstreets and being stealthy.

You didn't see much last night after Volkov, you falling asleep in the car as Park drove you. You were too out of it when they arrived at the hotel, just absentmindedly listening and nodding along to Park's directions and promptly knocking out once you reached your room on the bed. Only to awake once more at the alarm you or someone else must've set early in the morning.

You were focusing on that instead of the last time you were in the car with Adler.

"You'll like where we're going. Trust me."

You took a sneaky glance towards the man once more, just as the man exhaled out a cloud of smoke that you watched. Enraptured in how it moved to and fro lithely, easily as your nose took in the smell before you glanced back at Adler, the side facing you being his 'good' side.

You wonder once more of his scar that accentuated this man's beauty—all harsh lines that created a map that even now you wish to trace. For someone like this to earn the title America's Monster, all styled wheat hair, suede shades, and an easy, wry tone—it should at least match the title.

Than again, you thought with faltering wax wings and of another—the fall of a devil with none. It was never about his looks was it?

"It's a small price to pay."

What does that make you?

"Alright, kid," he says, taking out of your stupor as you stared fully at the man now. Smoke releasing out his mouth as he spoke, making you lower your gaze to it. "I'll bite. What do you want to ask me? Must be a juicy question since you keep burning holes to the side of my face."

Embarrassment colored your face, caught, as you quickly adjusted your gaze to straight ahead and instead watching raindrops going down the windshield.

"It's nothing."

"Mmm. For some reason, I can't believe that. What did I say before?"

You said a lot of things before, you thought with a sad frown. But you knew what he was referring to. Always wants to be the one you tell all your worries and concerns to. Before, you thought it was genuine. Now, you just see it as how it was—a cloak to observe and make sure if your true real memories came or if they needed to give you a dose.

"Your scar," you began as he tilted his head towards you, hair moving as he did so as he kept his one hand casually to the wheel while the other was leaning against his door. You didn't get distracted by it. "How'd you get it? There's a story there."

"Scar?" He asked in false confusion, still stoic outside of a cocked brow and making your lips twitch up despite yourself. Before motioning with his cigarette hand towards his face. "You mean this? Is it noticeable?" At your unamused huff though your nose, he continued. "Back in '73, I was nearly killed by a tiger while on a mission in Malaysia. But human ingenuity still runs the animal kingdom." He turned his head towards you when they reached a light, his brows rising above his glasses. "You ever been attacked by a tiger, Bell?"

You stared at him in disbelief before releasing a surprised snort. The nerve of this man.

"You're lying. That's not from a tiger, it would be worse than that. You and your need to tell stories. . ." You mumbled the last part, you don't think he heard that.

"Didn't know you were an expert on tigers, Bell. Got a degree in zoology under your belt that I don't know about? What makes you think I'm lying?"

"Because—" That's not what you said last time. You stopped, a realization going through you. Because of course he'll lie to you about this too. Worse kind of crowd, your ass. "If you got that from a tiger than I must be a distant cousin of Joseph Stalin."

"That unbelievable, huh?" He said more than asked, amused at your sarcasm as you looked at him with crossed arms as the car moved once more. "Fine. I'll give. I jumped on a roof in Calcutta back in '75 while chasing a Soviet agent. The jump was successful . . . the landing not so much. Advice: always know where the utility poles are." At your deadpanned look when he glanced at you, his lips quirked into a humored smirk. "That one didn't hit the mark for you either? Was it the jump?"

You shook your head, a small groan leaving your lips as you leaned your head against the dashboard.

"Anybody who's anybody can jump from roof to roof," you replied, staring at your leather boots—forehead pressed against the dashboard and maintains it there even as they turned or there was a bump. "You know that. Just like you know a utility pole would've either choked you or electrocuted you. At least with electrocution it'd be more scars throughout instead of that part of your face."

"Watch the cockiness, kid." He reprimanded but than, "You're right though. Roof jumps the standard when it comes to our work. But you're really confident that I don't have any other scars throughout the rest of me. Know something I don't?" Your eyes darted towards him, wide and as they passed a street light, you noticed he was peering down at you in turn. Your skin burned as you looked away and mumbled no while staring at your very interesting shoes. The man hummed. "How about this. You know what they say about kids falling in with a bad crowd? Let's just say I fell in with the worst part of a bad crowd. The girl wasn't worth it, believe me."

At your silence, he glanced at you.

"What? That's the one you believe?" You gave a small shrug. When he first told you that, you didn't ask any more questions. It sounded personal the way he said it. Truthful. Adler always lies. "What makes this one believable? The lack of a specific date or are you a sucker for romance, Bell?"

You threw him a meaningful look up at him. Not feeling the need to say anything. At his arched brow though, you opened your mouth.

"Your ex-wife."  His brow flattened at that. Something shifting in the air. "Was she worth it?"

A beat. A passing of street lights. The pitter patter of rain against the car.

"A romantic than. . .Never saw you as the type." At your probing stare and his silence, you turned away. Seeing he won't answer—too private. You're a fool to even think he will say the truth at all. "Once." You blinked, turning your eyes back up and lifting your head in attention as America's Monster—a secret, a peek through the shades, a hint of something real besides the cold, black abyss, what are you Russell Adler—spoke ever so softly. A sardonic turn of chapped lips. "You can say we had a difference of opinion. Not much to it."

There was more but you will take what you can get.

You thought of the memories you had, of friends you once believed were your own. Of little moments in beaches and camps and villages when all was calm and not chaotic with smell of burnt bodies or blood or how it feels to stab a bayonet through someone's chest in defense. You could see them as clearly as any other memory you had. And feel it.

You thought of the poor soldier leaving a war only to get into another one in his home country.

"Larson. . ." you murmured, Adler hearing as he released a dry chuckle.

"Sort of like Larson. The poor bastard." You watched him take a deep inhale, the cigarette almost a near stub. And you realize when that happens, he's stressed. As stressed as a man like him could be. You've seen him in many moments in Vietnam. Not always the best. You wonder if that was another reason for your death. Adler exhaled a puff before having to throw the cigarette out the window with a flick, putting the window all the way up. "I don't see why you're so interested either way. Scars aren't that impressive. Unless you always had a habit about asking for one's ugly mug."

You darted up at his eyes, shaded as they were, trying to sense if he was being serious.

Because he couldn't be.

Not this man, with strikes of lightning upon his face as if Zeus did it himself. All power. Grace. Strength. Different from your barely functioning wax wings as you struggle to fly. Only able to watch and hope a falling demon crashes to its death—all harsh and slow.

What are you, Russell Adler?

Perhaps he is Zeus himself.

Perhaps how Adler got his scar was harsh retribution to control lightning, his scars even mimic those powerful strikes across his face. All strength. And all beauty. Those who survived struck by lightning always have the most beautiful marks upon their skin indicating their survival—you are selfishly bias though. Even now, you admit with self-loathing. The rougher marks on his face is all grace and you could wonder how he truly got it instead of fantasizing him as a God Of Lightning who mistook his own power upon his face.

It would only make sense. Both beautiful men, although you've never met the Greek God.

They both also have a habit of hurting women.

He's all of that, while you could only hope with your squeaky levers and ropes and feathered wax can go up to said Mount Olympus where he was. A naïveté where you think you're close with tired and sore arms only to be burnt away. A free fall down to the abyss.

▞ ▙ Good pups stay in their place. ▞ ▙

"You're joking." You accuse seriously as you stared up at him, your head against the dashboard but tilted slightly in his direction.

Adler tilted his head down slightly to stare down at you, a brow arched at your look.

"About?"

You didn't say anything.

Just meaningfully looked up at him through your lashes, staring at his jaw that was strong as if Michaelengelo carefully carved it himself with minute details with his trusted mallet and chisel until dawn with a candle on his head due to determined ingenuity. Observing how the collar of his shirt did not do a good job in hiding his neck, his favorite jacket failing in that too so you could take it in. Not one strand was mussed or out of place on his head, all volume and thickness as your gloved hand twitched by your knee.

You than met the shades, in turn meeting his eyes as your heart seemed to pound as he stared down at you back. A look passing through his eyes too quick for you to catch, besides what you saw in your peripherals. The hand on the wheel tightening an iota as the air shifted to something heavier, blood pumping as your mind thought of reasons as to why which you pushed away. Impossible.

You licked your dry lips nervously, Adler's expression seeming to tense when his eyes followed the action. You turned away, looking back down except to play with the ends of your gloves, neck hot and spreading.

You still felt his stare before he focused back onto the road.

They didn't speak the rest of the ride.

▞ ▙ Foolish dog should mind their eyes. ▞ ▙

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ▷ ▷ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

You couldn't sleep much when you reached your room, another floor to Adler's and near Park's, and not just due to how you were more one with the night.

You opened Pandora's Box—something forbidden coming out into the world as you thought back to the meaningful stare between you and Adler in the car. That even the thought makes your heart pound once more. Your brain further muddling and melting away the more you spend time alone with that man. Whether in being caught in his pace or just the mere thought of what he's done.

Although, you suppose you already opened a Pandora's Box. Possibly even darker than the one you discovered.

If the monster in man's skin was Zeus—he created the box in the first place. Except he wished to hide it from you and keep you willfully ignorant instead of tease you to release envy and greed and disease out in the world. You managed to open it—and it was none of those things, it was cruel and inhumane to you all the same.

▞ ▙ Take this needle and follow the story, do the trick. ▞ ▙

If only that box stayed close.

Zeus always did like to confuse.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ◁ ◁ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

You let out a heavy sigh, hand mussing your hair harshly as you chewed your lips, staring at the paper on the center table of the safehouse.

"Having trouble?"

You slightly jumped as Adler, who was quiet in the seat across and to the side of you, spoke. Looking mildly curious at all the papers on your side of the table before taking a small puff. You sighed, looking back down at the paper in slight frustration.

"Just a little. Whoever made this code created a difficult to encrypt language. I have some of the numbers though already, it's just the rest. I've never seen such an elaborate one before. . ." You said in thought as you tapped your pen against the paper. "I have to say, it's impressive."

Adler hummed idly, taking note of your words.

"Perhaps you need a sort of incentive."

You moved your eyes up in confusion, wondering what that could mean. Only to stop once you noticed what was in his opposite hand not holding his precious cigarette.

It was a picture—a polaroid specifically. But not just any one. You stared at your oldest friend in the picture, taken on the rooftops in East Berlin, his face tilted down and a level of focus and calm as he stared down below in his crouched position. The lights behind him giving him an ethereal glow, a mix of white, red, and blue as those shades on his face gave a little glint due to it.

You reached a hand to see it better only for Adler to click his tongue, taking the picture back closer to him with a shake of his head.

"Sorry, kid. Can't exactly be incentive if I gave it to you easily like that. You seem eager though." Adler arched a brow at you. "Any reason as to why?"

Your cheeks prickle as you cursed in your mind. Why didn't you get the film from the red room or Park yourself? You thought of a T.V. turning on it's own, flashbacks to what happened in Vietnam on the screen, the memory sobering you up. You still. . .haven't told Adler about that. He'll call you soft and put you solely in the safehouse with no more field missions. You hate his disappointment. Still though, you recall you were determined to get it. A quick in and out but than. . . something? Something. . . happened?

At your brows furrowing deeply, Adler's own brows furrowed and you answered his silent question as you touched your head.

"Sorry. . . That coma I woke up from still has done a number on me."

"You did get shot twice, Bell. You have issues with always trying to push me out the way, even back in 'Nam." You smiled at his tease. You did have a protective streak. But only for certain people—even if you knew Adler could handle himself, you would do what you must for him if he told you an order. Or even go against it if it involved him doing something stupid like a sacrificial mission. You'd follow him anywhere. "Don't think too much on it. I'm sure the rest of your memories will come back soon enough.  Just remember in the end that mission was a success."

"Whatever it takes, sir." You said, a phrase that he spoke often back in the war. Which you would repeat. You would always do what you must.

Adler's expression shadowed as he nodded once.

"Whatever it takes," he glanced at the polaroid in his hand, it facing him as he seemed to stare in thought before turning his gaze towards you. Your expression curious as you wondered what he was thinking before he turned the picture back towards you, brow up inquisitively. "Well, Bell? Don't think you're going to dodge the question as to why you want this? I went through a bit of trouble to let Park let me have it. She's stubborn when she wants to be."

You slightly scowled at him, feeling the blush once more.

You hated when he did that blasted rhyme!

You also had a sense there was more to him asking Park but you were too busy trying to defend yourself. Not think about their daily quiet pissing match.

"I like taking pictures. It's an art form. Every artist would like to have their own paintings," you said, tone even and you wanted to pat yourself in the back for that.

Adler rose both his brows now.

"Really?" The way he said it made it seem he doubted you. "Not a photographer. Was never really interested in art either so maybe that's why I can't relate. Still. It's a good picture, my good side and all. Can see why you would want it."

You restrained yourself from saying what you wanted like last time. That basically you would want that picture even if it was on his scarred side.

"It had good lighting." You added as Adler stared at his picture, cigarette being held in his lips. He turned back towards you, glasses slightly falling from his nose and you could see a hint of his eyes. A tease. You stared. His lips curved around the cigarrette, amused and indulging. You panicked. "I-It does!"

"I didn't say anything. But say, the sooner you finish that code, the sooner you can have this—" he paused, waving the hand with the polaroid"—piece of art of yours. Never thought I would say that but I guess there's a first for everything." He pocketed the picture back in his jacket, blowing his smoke away from you before he stood up and headed towards Sims only to add over his shoulder, "I'll leave you to it. I know you got this."

You stared as he walked over, the belief he had in you with those words moving around in your brain. You moved back to work, pointedly ignoring Lazar's whistle—him able to hear some of what occurred no doubt. You threw him an impolite gesture that only made the man laugh as you focused on the code. It took you three tiring and near sleepless nights, but you finished. Adler handing you the photo in between his fingers as you took it gently, trying not to crinkle the photo further as Adler watched you behind his shades as you held the photo, taking a thoughtful inhale of his cigarette before looking away. Looking around their surroundings outside the safehouse. Their break time spot.

"You sure got talent, kid."

"You should know by now to not doubt me, Russ," you replied, your eyes still on the photo between your gloved hands. "Only the best of the best with you. Just took me longer than I thought."

"Watch that confidence doesn't blind you one day, Bell."

"You first."

He chuckled at that, breathless and surprised making you stare up with wide eyes. Adler tapped the end of his cigarette, ash going on the ground as he stared towards the doors of the safehouse, an echo of a smile on his face.

"You got guts. And spunk. Met my match with you it seems, kid. You know me too well. . ." Adler took a puff, deep as he trailed off, shades dark.

"That's not a bad thing," you say, lowering the photo in your hand. "Sims does too. Can't exactly get rid of us that easy."

"Sims has been through many missions with me, but not as much as you." Adler explained calmly. "Some of those, I'm taking to my grave. If I breathe a word about it, I'll have a bunch of people up my ass."

You sense as if this was like a conversation from years ago, on a beach. Quiet and away from everyone in the camp, just the two of you talking about realities and soldiers. You think about that memory a lot.

You recall some of the memories he's referring to.

You half shrugged, pocketing the photo in your bomber jacket as you leaned against the wall of the safehouse.

"What can you do? It was necessary. Besides, I can't exactly tell anyone else either, Adler. Brutality is sometimes necessary. That's all I know." You paused, tilting your head and throwing a teasing smirk his way to get him out this weird mood. "Don't tell me America's Monster actually cares what other people say?"

Adler deeply exhaled in exasperation, smoke coming out his nose.

"Don't tease me, Bell. You know I can't give a shit."

"Than what's the problem? You do what needs to be done. Make the tough calls. You know. . . you know I understand right?" You asked carefully. "I'm with you when it comes to doing what we must. To protect what we need to."

Adler was silent. He never answered.

You didn't push him. Didn't feel the need.

You understood him the best.

Only monsters can see one another, after all.

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Monsters, you've come to know, are also a certain kind of creature that takes what they need.

▞ ▙ To want. Selfish and uncaring and you should be concerned at how easily you take in those traits. ▞  ▙

Too busy to worry about regular people—the mundane. There are bigger things to be focused on than other's opinions on what actions are necessary.

▞  ▙ You and Adler can give not one fuck about others. They know what they are and will accept the titles from others with a nod. ▞  ▙

What you're coming to find however, that even with monsters, there's different breeds.

▞  ▙You basically convinced him that what he did with you was necessary. Needed. Sound brutality at its finest. You feel like you can't even argue. ▞  ▙

What is better—loyalty to a country or to people?

▞  ▙You're trapped. ▞  ▙

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Haha. Pain. And Soft!Adler and Dark!Adler! My favorite~