Of Love and Death.

The Present Chapter 16: I Promise Pt. 1

WARNING: Poor mental health, fear, fear of death, results of toxic relationships, anxiousness. Threat of Death. Freaking out. Just general bad emotions. Being anxious. 

Valt paused before he stepped outside the train station. What would happen if they just...didn't go? What if he and Shu turned around, got back on the train. What if they didn't battle Cold? It was a dumb thought. And one he knew the answer to without question. She would probably murder Wakiya for the hell of it, and then come after you and Shu anyway, Valtryek said matter of factly. The bey wasn't really one for sugarcoating things, was she?

That actually got a half laugh out of Valt's partner. No, I'm not, she answered. Shaking his head in some attempt at humor, Valt turned back. A few feet behind him Shu was dealing with his phone. It looked like he was trying to call someone. While also trying to not topple over from his backpack and suitcase and everything. Well, maybe Valt could advert at least one disaster this weekend.

Jumping over, Valt gently took Shu's suitcase and steadied his boyfriend with a hand. Glancing at the phone, the blue-haired blader saw the number. Well, the half Shu had been able to type. Trying to call his dad, maybe to explain they were back in town. Although...maybe not for very long, Valt thought to himself.

The moment was a calm one. Valt had managed to advert disaster! So it should be a calm moment, right? Of course. And then Gingka stepped off of the train. Which was perfectly normal. Valt had seen him around every so often. This was Koma- wait a second, he was back in Beigoma. What in the Universe?

Also, what was Gingka looking for? He was just turning his head every which way. It was strange. Also, why was Shu looking at Valt like that? With that really sweet smile the white-haired blader always had when the shadow acted like a goofball? It wasn't like he was jumping up and down and fanboying. And no, Valtryek. She was not allowed to point out that Valt was, in fact, doing that. Because shut up.

Besides, Valt's jumping up and down was useful. Because it was almost certainly the reason his hero was able to spot him and Shu. Not because they were a very distinctive couple. Valt was the reason that the heroic blader was walking over here and waving high. "Well, so we were on the same train after all!"

There was a gentle weight on Valt's shoulder. A familiar one, from Shu's hand. Probably trying to stop him being so crazy. It wasn't working. Which probably had something to do with the fondly exasperated expression Shu was wearing. "Gingka, what are you doing here?" The sun asked, a bit confused.

At that Gingka gave a smile. "Well, you both rushed away, barely telling Hokuto what had happened. I figured that I could be of some help. Like, as a training partner or something," he explained. No way. No way. No way. Valt was pretty sure he was bouncing above Shu's knees now. Did Gingka seriously want to help him and Shu train? Admittedly there were much better circumstances, but still! Valt wanted to squeal a bit.

"Umm..." Shu said. Valt could feel the sun's red eyes on him. "Thank you very much. For both the help and for breaking my boyfriend." Oh please. Valt wasn't quite broken. Just very excited. To the point he was not functioning like a normal human. That wasn't broken. Especially since he wasn't a normal human. See. Shu could calm down, he was fine.

Somewhere in Valt's head, Valtryek gave an exhausted sigh.

Clearing his throat, Gingka smiled. "Anyway, I've got to swing by a burger place to help you two out the best I can," the legendary blader explained. Which did not make much sense. But Valt wasn't going to question his hero's genius. He 100% had a reason. Probably to get awesome burgers that would give them super training magic or something. Okay, Shu had that mildly exasperated fond smile again.