Love and Deepspace x Reader

Chapter 42: Unconventional Advice

Jeremiah:
           Here's the Granger's family crest. Pretty cool, right? Wear it, and anyone who's in the know will see you're important.

Xavier:
           It also means whoever approaches you isn't a random person wanting to have a chat. Be careful.

You study the crest in your hand. While intricately designed, there's an antique charm to it, showing that it's the handiwork of a crime syndicate. The fact Jeremiah could produce this in such a short amount of time... He's more than meets the eye.

Jeremiah:
           And here's the stuff that can make your fake identity more convincing. I hope you won't need to use them.

Jeremiah hands you another box.

Y/N:
           Thank you.

Jeremiah:
           You don't need to be so formal. I just never thought I'd actually be able to help you. It's so...

The intensity of his sincerity is touching, even though you've only known him for a few hours. Your curiosity only grows. Silently, Xavier positions himself between you and Jeremiah.

Xavier:
            Ahem... As you can see, he's very friendly.

You look at everything in your hands again.

Y/N:
            The sun is about to rise. I should get going.

You look at Xavier.

Y/N:
            Shall we head back home, neighbor?

He shake his head.

Xavier:
            I have plans today.

You nod.

Y/N:
           I'll be on my way then.

Xavier:
          Wait.

You hold your breath and soon feel a faint, prickling sensation from your earlobe, like a gentle jab that's gone in an instant.

Xavier:
           It's a secret transmitter.

He steps right in front of you and leans closer.

Xavier:
           Even if you're somewhere in the N109 Zone with no signal, we can still track your location.

You touch your ear but don't find a trace of it. A tiny capsule is placed into your hand.

Xavier:
           An inhibitor. Take it before you meet up with anyone. You'll be temporarily immune to 98.7% of neurotoxins. And here.

He slips a very thin, hairpin-like item into your sleeve. You raise your arm and squint before you see a needle with liquid inside it.

Y/N:
           What is this?

Xavier:
           Self-defense. It's not too strong, just enough to take down an elephant.

Y/N:
          Huh?

Xavier:
          If you ever run into danger, don't hesitate.

Y/N:
          Do you have a magic pocket or something? Where did all this stuff...

Your vision is then overwhelmed by a bluish-purple hue.

Y/N:
          Is this also a secret weapon?

Xavier:
          ...It's flowers.

Y/N:
          Of course I know it's...! But why are you giving it to me?

Xavier:
          Do I need a reason?

He lowers his head. He appears to be actually thinking.

Xavier:
          They just happened to blossom. So, I sincerely hope you'll accept them.

Xavier's P.O.V.

The girl's figure fades into the dawn. The lights in the greenhouse dim like a fire on the verge of being extinguished.

Xavier:
          It's flawed.

Jeremiah:
          So, were you able to stay calm when you saw her for the first time?

Xavier doesn't respond.

Jeremiah:
          We're just letting her go into the N109 Zone. Are you okay with that?

Xavier:
          It will be safer compared to Linkon City in a few days.

Jeremiah:
          ...We can use that time to take care of the stuff lurking in the shadows.

Jeremiah holds Xavier's shoulder, stands Infront of him and look at him in the eyes.

Jeremiah:
          But I need to ask. Do you really not care about our Nonintervention Principle anymore?

Xavier:
          Some already stopped caring about it.

Xavier removes Jeremiah's hand and walk near the flowers.

Xavier:
          (Otherwise, the explosion at her home wouldn't have happened, and the truth that's been hidden for so many years wouldn't have started to emerge.)

Jeremiah was left silent for a few minutes.

Jeremiah:
           Do you know how long we've been here? All those faces in the Backtrackers- I can't remember them.

He slowly walks towards where Xavier is standing.

Jeremiah:
           Don't you have the feeling that people's memories of us are also becoming fuzzier? Especially in recent years?

He pauses for a second.

Jeremiah:
           I agree that sticking to the Nonintervention Principle is pointless, especially for us whose presence here was always a mistake. And mistakes are bound to be corrected sooner or later. Maybe we're slowly being erased as we speak. Just like a planet that strayed away from orbit, only to be ripped apart by gravity.

Xavier looks at Jeremiah and changes the topic.

Xavier:
           How's Traceback II?

Jeremiah:
           It can send out simple signals, but the positioning system still needs some work. Is there really someone on the other side of the Deepspace Tunnel who can respond to us?

Xavier:
           You will return in one piece. I'll make sure of it.

Jeremiah:
           Having Evol doesn't make you invincible... And you're...

Jeremiah looks down.

Jeremiah:
           This isn't Philos. And we, you know, aren't truly immortal. Our kind, I mean.

Xavier:
           Not every planet in the Deepspace shines. Or rather, they don't shine forever.

Piercing through a veil of light, dying celestial bodies are nothing more than skeletal, ashen rock with ring-shaped mountains. Cosmic dust coalesces into asteroids, their surfaces adorned with algae that couldn't be considered a sign of life.

A faint glimmer of light gradually emerges in the distance and spreads out from the horizon. The morning light manifests on one side, and on the other is the beginnings of a misty night.