𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄'𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐄 // 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐘

CHAPTER 18, back to black

There was dead silence, but only maybe for a second before the brit's accented voice sounded.

"Get back to the car, Ghostie," he quietly orders, not once taking his eyes off the figure approaching them. "I'll handle this."

"You won't handle shit if he kills you. I'm staying," she whispers back, eyeing the man coming closer with every passing second.

"He might try to kill you too, and then there won't be any conversation. I have a plan, so get the hell away."

"He knows I'm here, he has eyes. If I ran, then he would actually attack, probably thinking I'm too scared to look into his eyes after Nicaragua. So no."

Soldier Boy. Equipped with his iconic shield, and finally without his stupid helmet. He came to a halt many steps away from Butcher and Vi, his eyes scanning the two people in front of him. Vi's heart started beating in a hastened pace, awaiting the next move. She wasn't planning on saying anything, it was almost impossible for her, and seemingly Butcher was waiting for Ben to make the first move as he stood up. Ben's moves were slow as he shifted the shield in his hand, and not even a moment later, the shield flew through the air with an insane speed, aimed at one person.

Vi's eyes widen as the golden colored shield speeds through her, cutting through the air, and finally crashing into the porch behind her. If it wasn't for her ability, she would've been dead by now. Ben straightens up, his confused expression morphing into something else, almost as if he was proud. Butcher shoots Vi a look that says "told you so," before looking back at Ben, who now took a few steps closer to regain his shield. Vi stood up, her eyes never leaving Ben's figure. He was back, flesh and soul, and his suit still fit. He even had a nice beard and his old hairstyle was back.

He reaches for the shield, pulling it out from the wood it got stuck into, glancing at Vi next to it, checking her out as if he was still contemplating whether it was really her or not. He remembered what happened in Nicaragua, and that Vi was in fact not part of it. He stays in one place next to her for some moments. He was starting to think Vi was mute by now, but hey, isn't that what Vi thought about him? They didn't hear each other say a word, not even in Russia.

Ben smirks, chuckling to himself before pulling Vi closer to him with his free hand, the shield in the other. Vi was somewhat taken aback by the gesture, with Ben's hand draped over her shoulders like a half-hug. He just rested his chin on top of her head.

"It's been so long. I can't believe it's you," Vi begins quietly, breaking the peaceful silence between them, hugging Ben back, almost as if she was afraid that he will evaporate if she doesn't do so. It was like seeing a ghost, even if she saw him in Russia.

"I know, it's been a while. You look good," he says in a low tone. Maybe he was avoiding further attention from Butcher, who was almost fed up with the two. Countess had to be eliminated, and Soldier Boy had to be on their side. Maybe he wouldn't have had to get Countess, maybe Ghost would've been enough, but it's too late now, because Crimson Cunt - his words, not mine -, was already missing a hand and was attached to a chair with duct tape. With duct tape, really?

"I never thought I'd see you again."
"Me neither. But here we are, and I'm glad," Ben speaks, a smile on his face as he pats Vi's shoulder, letting her go from his embrace. His eyes were now fixed on the brit in front of him.

"You're that asshole from the lab," Ben states, eyeing Butcher.

"That's right," Butcher grins, "I'm the arsehole that let you out. Russian Porta-Loos, eh? You want Countess' head on a spike, don't you? Well she's in there, yours for the taking."