A Renegades reveal

Coming clean

This story has nothing to do with previous writing 

Adrians POV

As Adrian climbed the stairs to where Nova was working his grip tightened on the paper bag he was holding. He had made a sort of habit out of bringing snacks for nova when she had late shifts, which was almost every night. This evening he had gotten some mini cake bites from the bakery down the street. Adrian was always so nervous around Nova. Their relationship was so delicate and since Adrian had told her about him being the Sentinel it had been even more awkward. Adrian reached the top of the stairs and swiped his wrist against the lock of the door, it clicked open and Adrian walked in. Nova was sitting at her desk entering some items into the system. It looked like some random odds and ends. Adrian walked over to her and while Adrian thought he was being quiet Nova had noticed him way before he reached her. Nova smiled up at him but it looked forced. A sadness lurked behind it. Adrian caught sight of othe computer screen.

Kingsburrow apartments, Artino family Murders.

Then Nova saw him looking and clicked the red x buttone at the top of the page. The file disappeared before Adrian could learn more.

"What was that" he asked

"Nothing important" said Nova, though Adrian was sure that wasn't true.

"I brought you some food, cakes this time." This time the smile was genuine, those were more rare now that Nova knew about the sentinel.

"Thanks Adrian but My shift just finished"

"What! But I wanted to spend time with you." Said Adrian. For a moment Nova looked lost in thought. Then she spoke.

"I have something I want to show you"

"Okay what is it?"

"A surprise, come with me." Nova led him out of Renegades headquarters and Adrian was pretty confused, he had no idea when Nova was taking him, it was getting dark and while Nova was used to Gatlon at night Adrian was not. He rushed up to Nova who was a couple paces in front of him. He took her hand and she looked at him. Her face was painted with worry, and Adrian wondered what she could could be showing him that would rattle her so much. All of a sudden they turned a corner and were on a old forgotten street that hadn't been touched since the age of Anarchy.

"Where are we" Adrian asked

"Nearly there." Nova led him to a scratched up door. "Do you promise you won't judge me, that you'll let me explain."

"Of course Nova, there is nothing you could show me that would change the way I feel about you." Adrian said

Nova looked away, she didn't believe him.

She pushed it open and walked in. There was nothing in the apartment. No chairs no appliances, no proof that anybody had ever lived there at all. But Nova clearly had some connection to the place. Tears were forming around her eyes, amd she was clinging to Adrians hand like it was the only thing between her and death.

"I don't know why I brought you here Adrian I haven't been back in ten years. Not since I lived here."

"This is where you grew up?" Adrian asked

"Among other things, this is also where my family was murdered, and where I became Nightmare."

Adrian stared jaw open like a codfish.

"You know how Ace Anarchy was known for calling people little Nightmares, that was his affectionate nickname for me, I used to love it when he would call me that, and when he would take me up to the bell tower of the cathedral and let me take a turn ringing them."

She was clearly just rambling now, trying not to face the fact that she had just dropped a bomb.

"Nova just stop. You're Nightmare?"

"Surprise?" She said sheepishly.

All Adrian could do was stare.

"So.. aren't you going to say something?" Asked nova

"I still care about you" he said it in awe as if he couldn't believe it. "I guess that if you really love someone you will continue to love them no matter what."

"Thank you Adrian." Nova said and Adrian pulled her into a hug. Then Adrian looked down, into Novas eyes and asked the question that had been pestering him since the moment he had learned about Nightmare, even before he had knows she was Nova.

"Why?"

"Because they were my family, they were all I had left. Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't, but Nova you can still join the Renegades for real, please, you don't have to be a villain." 

"I'm not a villain but I'm not a hero, I'm not going tp pick a side, I won't abandon my family, but I can't bear to hurt anymore people, I just fit anywhere. Tears were pouring from Nova's eyes and Adrian pulled her closer to him, her head against his chest.

"Can you forgive me? Nova asked looking up at him. As a reply Adrian bent over and placed a soft kiss on Nova's lips and she kissed him back. In a moment she had her hands around his neck and he had his hands hin her hair. Both of them oblivious to the world.

When they broke apart Nova asked,

"When are you going to tell your parents?" 

"About Nightmare?"

"No. You can't tell them anything about Nightmare, I meant about the Sentinel."

"Ohhhh, I don't know but Anow I feel like I should, I mean you didn't totally freak out and you hated the sentinel."

"Good, I think it's a good idea to have someone who you trust to yow these things, who is an adult, for me it's the Anarchists for you it's probably your parents."

"Thanks, Nova I really enjoyed spending this time with you." 

"Anytime, and if you need me I'll always be there." And with that Adrian left he was going to tell his parents