Manu manum lavat 10
before
10.
When the others were gone, Schuldig and Nagi looked anxiously up to Crawford.
"So, Schuldig, you really managed to surprise me here." Crawford looked down on him.
"He has done the right thing," Nagi defended his friend immediately.
"And you would have stopped me, stopping him. That at least I could foresee. You two don´t seem to agree with my plans." Crawford was still calm. Too calm. At the moment Schuldig would have preferred shouting.
"I don´t doubt you," he said quickly and caught Crawford's eye, " I didn´t mean to …"
"You don´t have to explain, Schuldig." Crawford sat down beside him. "I can understand what you see in Weiss. But we will never have the chance of a normal life."
"I know." Schuldig lowered his head. "You are not angry with me?"
"No, don´t worry about me. Your poor loyalty has been stretched a bit wide, hm?" Brad put an arm around him and the other around Nagi.
Schuldig nodded, relieved, and leaned against the older male. "Thank you."
"I hate to hurt you. And you two have obviously grown on Weiss. Perhaps we can really work with them, even when we of course can never really trust them. But I'll find a way for us, okay?"
"But not tonight." It was Yohji and Omi, coming in. "It's time to go to bed."
They helped Schuldig and Nagi to their feet and led them out of room, holding them tightly and very protectively.
"And now? Time for a talk between leaders?" Crawford asked when he remained alone with Aya.
"I guess Schuldig and Nagi will need some sleep. But I've got to talk to you, if we really want to work together."
"Do we?"
"Maybe. Schwarz is gifted and I don't deny that it would be a great help for us. But you could use help, too. I know you three are powerful but aren't the other SZ folk gifted, too? In the end you are just three people against a global organisation."
"You are right. But do you really think you could make a difference?"
"Kritiker is also an organisation. Not as mighty as SZ, but at least it's a backup. What did you mean by saying you couldn't trust us? Weren't you the one who tried to sacrifice us? We wouldn't do that to you."
"I know you wouldn't use us. You are the good ones. But we're too far gone, you can´t understand what it means to be Schwarz and the consequences that follow, you never would be able to."
"Maybe you are right. We´d never make a perfect team. But why not a coalition?"
"You seem very intend to keep us despite your behaviour two hours ago."
"We listened to your talk and whatever will happen to us, Schuldig and Nagi will somehow be caught in the middle. I've the strange feeling you wouldn't like that."
"No, I want them unharmed. A coalition would have its advantages for us, as well. But I'm still not sure we want the same thing."
"We want to destroy SZ to save the innocents from them."
"We don't care or believe in innocents but we want SZ destroyed as well."
"And then? You just want to take their place?"
"And rule the world?" Crawford shook his head, laughing. "No, we just want to be free and as long as SZ exists, they will be a threat. But the fight will last a long time. They are mightier than you know."
"I can imagine. Well, I'm still worried because of your powers. The trust between our groups is a very difficult thing. But we must try it."
"I know," Crawford acknowledged tiredly.
Yohji woke up when the birds began to sing. Schuldig was still sleeping, safe and sound. Last night they hadn't talked. Instead he had just rubbed Schuldig's back until the cramped muscles gave away and the telepath could fall asleep. Now he watched the peaceful face fondly and enjoyed the nearness. It was around an hour before Schuldig woke up.
"Good morning, darling." Yohji kissed him.
"Good morning," Schuldig yawned.
"I wanted to thank you for yesterday."
"You are welcome, kitten, but don't make too much of it. You all are very helpful. And now I'm hungry."
Yohji felt a bit stung and frustrated. There was a border he couldn't cross with Schuldig. Whenever it came to true feelings the redhead blocked him. But there was no use in pushing. His only weapon was his patience in this fight.
Meanwhile, the flower shop was already busy and Crawford watched idly as Ken and Aya arranged some flowers. Suddenly he was hit by a vision.
"Damn."
"What's the matter?" Ken asked, startled from the sudden change in mood.
"Your youngster is in trouble. In half an hour in the mall. Take Nagi with you."
Ken wasn't too happy at being commanded by Crawford, but he took the Japanese teenager along on his motorbike. There was no use to pretend the telekinetic wasn't handy, and Ken was rather sure that the boy was really caring for Omi after last night.
They reached the mall in time to see a Chinese guy choking Omi. Ken pulled him away, while Nagi was struggling with a silver haired woman. But somehow he managed to throw her against the wall and as it was three to one the Chinese fled.
"Are you all right, Omi?"
The youngest member of Weiss nodding, not trusting his voice.
"Good. Let's go home quickly."
TBC