Like Clockwork

When in Rome... Make Lemonade

It seemed the swelling in my jaw had seemed to go down significantly, a perk of being a Shinigami I suppose, bringing my hand up to touch my cheek, hissing in pain when I felt the grip of Patty hit against my cheek, causing her to apologize repeatedly.

"It's fine, it was an accident." I try to reassure her, in which it really was my fault in the first place. Just amongst other things as well I suppose, things had been pretty silent between the three of us since we got assigned this mission, not that it didn't bother me in the slightest... which it did, but I wouldn't tell them that, I didn't need to cause anymore trouble than what was already dealt.

"-d... -id... Kid!" Snapping out of my own thoughts I look down to see Liz shouting my name at this point.

"What is it Liz?"

"Wall!" I furrow my brows, wall? What about a wall? There weren't any for miles, at least to my knowledge, was she going crazy? Looking up my eyes widen when I see what she was talking about, and quickly begin to scale around the wall on Beelzebub, I sigh out of relief and wipe my brow at the close call and tune back in to Liz fussing and ranting at me, I smile softly and shake my head. Maybe she was right, this mission would do me some good to clear my head. After a few more minutes of flying, I land in front of a giant building that was deteriorating pretty badly and let out a loud sigh as  and Liz returned back to their human forms.

"Man it feels good to be out of weapon form, must you keep us like that for so long Kid?" Liz questioned as she stretched, popping her bones which caused me to grimace as I was not really a fan of that sound.  Looking around my eye's stop on the giant building that's in front of me and I can't help but smile softly.

"The Roman Colosseum..." I hear Patty and Liz walk up next to me admiring the building itself, before I frown and grimace. "It's disgusting, can we just hurry this mission along and go home." In truth it was, the building was just as asymmetrical as Black Star... but worse.

"What, how can you say that!?" I heard Liz shriek in disbelief which I ignored much to my chagrin, in truth as much history had happened during the time era, it wasn't symmetrical anymore and that drove my tastes away.

"The Roman Colosseum has the most interesting history, they had gladiators and lions fighting to the death!"  Patty exclaimed happily, imagining what it would have been like to actually fight in a tournament to the death, taming lions... racing chariots. The younger Thompson was practically bouncing up and down, ready to explore its ruins, and quickly ran off when she couldn't wait any longer.

" Wait, Patty!" Liz called after her and groaned begrudgingly, she was really hoping they could tour a bit, do some shopping but that didn't seem to be the case anymore and grabbed me by my arm and began to drag me along, much to my protests.

"If I have to go your "spoiled highness", then so do you!"

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"Damn it Patty, where did you go?" I grit through my teeth, I swore if I had known it would be this freezing underneath the colosseum I would have brought my favorite jacket along, blowing hot air in my hands I rub my arms trying to keep warm and look around once more before looking back to see the light from the entrance was long gone, only the cracks in the walls with light flittering through, kept me and Kid's path lit.  Speaking of which, I look up to see him keeping a pretty consistent pace as we try to look for my sister, and look back down to the ground, tucking some of my hair back behind my ear as I think back to earlier today... this morning.

"Kid... please open the door!" I pulled and jiggled repeatedly at the knob that refused to unlock, growing increasingly worried and frustrated at Kid's lack of cooperation. I knew he was being bullied, we all knew. But we didn't think it'd be this bad to the point where hole himself up in the school's bathroom which I thought was kind of ridiculous to this extent. Glancing to the clock I gave a frustrated huff and scratched my hair.

"Kid... please... open up?" Pressing my hand against the door, still no response, I let my eyes fall to the floor as I feel a stinging behind my now closed eyelids. Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I look up to see Patty looking at me reassuringly and I can't help but smile before an idea pops into my head and quickly pull my sister away from the door to tell her what it is that I have just thought of. I hear  laugh evilly at the idea, ready to go when I gave the signal.

"Kid, I swear on your grave I will have Patty go home and destroy every symmetrical thing in your room!" Still nothing, I glance to  who was ready to jump into action and destroy, before glancing to the door once more. Was I making the right decision by doing this? Threatening him to come out of hiding when he's already been through enough? Biting my lip, I nod and decide it's my final decision to do this.

"I guess since Kid doesn't want to come out... wanna do me a favor?" I ask in the most possible nonchalant way ever as I eye my bouncing twin pistol full of energy. I see her nod eagerly and before she can take off with the start of "go" I hear Kid speak, whimpering, nearly begging.

"I-I'll come out... just, please... not my room?" Upon hearing the lock click, I step back to see Kid peeking his head out of the door before stepping out. Looking behind me, I could see Patty  standing next to Tsubaki and Maka, well Tsubaki more or less, as Maka... err... I don't dwell on it too quickly as Tsubaki began to speak,.

"Kid-kun, are you sure you're alright? Do you wanna go home?" We begin to get closer in on the Death God and I can sense the sudden irritation he sent out, but quickly let it die, looking at his face a lot clearer I grit my teeth and hold back my own anger, he honestly looked horrible.

"I'll be fine, and no. I need to carry out the plan of the day today, I can't afford to fall behind or father will pull me out of school." His response sharp and professional as ever, even in this situation, I reach out to grab for him as he begins to walk away, but another hand beats me to it. My eyes widen a bit and I look to see it's Soul.

"I need to speak to you... alone." I feel my heart skip a beat and I have to stop myself from squealing, it wasn't a secret that Kid had feelings for Maka's demon scythe, even Soul knew. But that didn't ruin the friendship in the slightest. Watching the exchange between the two, I watch as Kid wrenches his grip from Soul's and my hopes are crushed... for now.

"I'm fine guys, please... don't push it. And thank you Soul, but, please don't worry too much over it." And before Soul can do anything to further the conversation or situation, Kid was gone just like that.

"Liz... Elizabeth!" I heard call out to me and I snap my head up to see his hand being held out, he was on the alert. I nod and quickly change into my weapon form. Kid begins to scan the area as we move further down the hallway and he quickly turns when he hears something  coming towards us, I can feel his pinky ready to pull the trigger as it gets closer. Only to lower me and let out a sigh, I open my mouth to snap at him but clamp it shut and change back into a human and look to see it was Patty, now howling on the floor in laughter.

"Hehehaha! You two should have seen your faces Ow, ow ow I can't breath!" She was now on her stomach, clutching it as tears filled her eyes from laughing so hard.I grit my teeth and clench my fist, taking a few deep breaths I try to settle my anger and looked to see Kid was turned away from me and Patty causing the mood to suddenly shift, reaching a hand out I stop when I see his shoulders shaking and bite my lip not knowing if he'll push me away, only to smile myself when I hear a small laugh escape.

"See, I knew that would cheer your up!"  Patty cheered happily and walked over to pat him on the back, as he tried to stifle his laughter. Which made me genuinely happy that he was laughing at Patty's insane behavior.