Fear

Life had seemed to quiet down at least a little. Hoping it would stay like this was a foolish dream. No matter what changed, people were still out for the artifacts. How he wished he could forget it all for a moment.

His calm day off got interrupted by the bell. For a swift second he thought about ignoring it. No one knew he was home and if they really needed him they could’ve given him a call beforehand. Yet Míngzé found himself standing up and going to the intercom.

“Hello?”

It was foolish to let just anyone inside if he had no idea who it was. So he waited for whatever guest to announce themselves.

Míngzé’s brow knitted together in confusion at the familiar voice. Why was he here? Things between him and Sāng were— complicated. That’s what he knew.

“Sure, come on up.” One simple push on a button and Vince could enter the apartment building. He opened his front door too before he would await the other’s arrival. Multiple thoughts rushed through his mind as he did.

Carefully he crossed his arms, although it could barely be called that. Bandages covered them and underneath the multiple wounds were hiding. The only one he could not hide was the one covering his cheek.

It did not take long before the familiar green hair appeared. “To what do I owe this visit?” Míngzé asked as calmly as possible, but his nerves were betraying him, his heart hammering in his chest. After last time he was not overly fond of visitors.

The moment Vince entered his apartment, Jiu entered the living room. Gracefully she jumped on the couch from where she stared at Vince with her fiery red eyes. The ninetales was also on edge, but Míngzé would not let her hurt Vince. He’d made a promise after all.

Before Vince managed to finish his sentence, he was already answering the question. “Fell down the stairs, it’s fine, just a few scratches.”  Míngzé offered him a reassuring smile. While the story was unbelievable, the message behind it was clear as day. Most of the blood he’d spilled was gone, or at least he hoped all traces were gone.

Although he wished that was Vince’s reason for visiting, which it wasn’t. There was something off, but he could not place his finger on it.

The artifact got mentioned and immediately Míngzé clenched his jaw. “Why?” There was a sharpness to his voice. It made sense for Vince to know it was here, he did not doubt Sāng had told him. Not that it mattered. He never believed Vince would be a threat to him, yet here he was asking where he had hidden it. Not simply because he wanted to make sure it was safe, but to know its location.

Míngzé raised an eyebrow at the explanation given. He would almost call it desperation. But why? What was going on with this man?

He moved away to lean against his table. Normally he would sit down on his couch, but he preferred to stand. Another reason soon followed, again one that did not convince him.

“No surprise there.” It had taken him nearly bleeding out before he got help. Lucina almost— Míngzé scraped his throat and pushed the thought away.

Part of him expected Vince to feel the darkness radiating off the artifact too, but now he no longer thought so. “You know as well as I that I can’t. That I won’t.” It did not matter that they were supposedly on the ‘same side’ now.

Míngzé dug his nails in the palms of his hands. He stood up again, straightening his back and unfolding his arms. The tone with which Vince spoke was not to his liking. There was a soft urge to move farther away.

One thing was true, he did not understand. He had no idea why Vince came looking for him after all this time. Was it because of what happened with him and Sāng? “No, I don’t. Tell me why you need my piece so desperately.” He held his breath as he gazed towards Vince.

“You already have one, is that not enough?” He could no longer feel it on Vince, but that meant nothing. After everything that happened it would not surprise him if he had found another place to hide it at.

Not that any of it mattered. Even if Vince gave him an excellent reason, he would not hand it over.

Out of all the scenario’s he’d come up with in this short time, this one had not been among them. His jaw nearly dropped to the floor. None of this made any sense.

What did Vince want back? Why did he need it? How was it possible he no longer had the artifact?

“You don’t have it anymore?” he asked breathlessly. Did someone steal it? Had he lost it? Right now Vince gave him the impression of an addict, desperately needing more. Unconsciously he took a step back.

“No,” he said before pausing for a second. “I’m not giving you anything, Vince. ” It did not matter what Vince would tell him, he had made up his mind. “If you need help with anything, I’m willing to lend you a hand, but not if you come inside my apartment, demanding to hand over some powerful artifact.” Not before he discussed it with Sāng first.

His breath got caught in his throat when Vince snapped and another step was taken backwards. Míngzé placed a hand on his arm, softly rubbing the bandages covering them. It was only Vince. What could he do? What would he do? He never believed Vince was capable of harming anyone.

But to think he no longer had the artifact? Míngzé did not understand how everyone seemed to be so reckless. Everyone around him seemed to lose them one way or another.

“Sāng has nothing—” he started but there was no way of getting through to Vince. Again he heard the same story and it told him nothing.

With a deep breath he filled his lungs. No matter how often he said ‘no’, it did not seem to make any difference at all. “Would you have given the artifact to me, if I came to you with the same meaningless explanation?” He raised one eyebrow as he waited for his answer. Sāng had been quite clear when he first brought home the artifact, he doubted Vince thought any different.

Now accusations were thrown right at him, for not trusting Vince before. It was true, those things he could not deny, but trust was such a dangerous thing. Because of trust his arms had turned into a bloody canvas. So few people managed to earn it and keep it.

“Those things mean nothing compared to this.” They were always between the two of them, but those artifacts were much more. The temptation was still present, the world he could create if only he brought them all together. It was not something he could deny sadly enough, but he would fight it.

Then Vince finally revealed his true reasoning and a sharp pain pierced through his chest. Living without an affinity was something he once wished for, but that was no longer the fact. Compassion and worry were both visible in his eyes as he swallowed a lumb.

“That does— it does not change my answer.”

During moments like these he was glad he could not see the look in someone’s eyes.

“I’m so sorry Vince I can’t imagine what—” Another lump but now he was unable to keep talking. He wanted to ask how it happened, but seeing as he had to almost forcefully pull answers out of him, it was pointless.

Again Vince snapped at him and again he took another step back. His reaction alarmed Jiu, who jumped from the couch with a low growl before stepping between the two men. “Jiu, it’s fine,” he tried to calm her because he did not want to make it any worse than it already was.

Having his pokémon there was a reassurance and the only reason he managed to stay calm. It was right, he did not know what it felt like, but that was not what caught his attention. “The one positive thing?” Míngzé repeated with one eyebrow lifted.

He felt sorry for Vince, he truly did. Once he would’ve been jealous, but not anymore. If he’d found the key to removing his affinity, it would’ve been him standing in Vince’s shoes. Desperate to find anything to fill the hole it had left behind. It brought a sick feeling to his stomach.

“Did He promise you your affinity back, in exchange for an artifact?” While Vince raised his voice, he kept his own as calm as possible. But why else would Vince want them? It had manipulated Míngzé too, he knew the allure those promises came with.

Vince immediately understood what he was referring to, but of course had no idea Sāng had already told him about it. At least the yelling had stopped, which was more than he could wish for. “I know.” His own voice was soft too and he sighed. “And I’m sorry.” Even when he had nothing to do with it, part of him felt guilty. If it was not for the fight he had with Lucina that day, she would never have confronted Sāng.

Then again, if it happened now, it was bound to happen sooner or later. That did not make it easier.

In a way Vince reminded him of himself. Knowing the risks but ignoring them because their goal was worth it. He clenched his jaw tightly. Because of this he knew it would be pointless to talk to him. Vince would not listen to him.

“I hated my affinity, you know and I desperately wanted it gone,” he could hear himself say while he was plucking at the bandages, his head lowered. “I talked about it to someone, she explained what— how it would be.” If not for her, he might’ve given Vince the artifact if it would help him fulfill his own goal. “She seemed to know a lot about affinities, and has helped many people with them, even those who lost theirs.” He was speaking carefully and thought about each word that left his lips. “She might be able to help you too.” It was better than the alternative.