"We've done enough. Let's just die here." Ray said, his head hanging low. They were at the dining area, Emma, Gilda, Don, (Y/N), and himself. "It's impossible..." His tone of voice was basically broken.

He didn't want to make (Y/N) feel targeted, so he didn't accuse her or anyone of that matter. All he could really blame is himself.

"We're surrounded by cliffs, and the only bridge we have led to the headquarters." He continued mumbling.

"What...?" Don said, shocked by his words.

"Plus, I'm tired." His eyes narrowed to (Y/N), who stood close to Emma with her arms behind her back.

"Really... Tired..."

Emma went up to him, extending her arm to reveal the device Ray created. "Then... What about this...?" She asked carefully.

"Have it; I don't need it anyway."

"If you want to escape, go, do what you want." He lifted his head a bit, facing Emma eye to eye, "I'm out. Sorry, Emma."

Emma couldn't take it. Gripping on her crutches, she dashed out of the room, being chased by Don and Gilda, leaving (Y/N) alone with him.

He threw his head back, resting it against the backrest. "I won't blame you for anything." He softly said, closing his eyes. "I won't accuse you of foiling our plans. Really, it's my fault."

"Stop it, Ray." Her jaw clenched. "Why're you so weak, really?"

His brows knitted together upon hearing this. "I'm the weak one? You're the one who basically accepted the fact that we're all gonna die in the first place. You're the one who practically sold your own soul to those demons. You're the one who preferred dying more than anything, and you're calling me weak?" He laughed. "Please, you're way too funny."

"Well, at least I'm not the one who comes up with a stupid plan and gives up midway!" She retorted.

"My plan wasn't stupid, it was going accordingly until you had to become an obstacle yourself."

"I'm not trying to be an obstacle, Ray."

"Then what are you doing? Because to me, you're just acting selfishly."

Every word they said to each other stung, but they kept arguing. They wouldn't stop arguing; they'd try to not blame the other but they always come back to square one.

"Ray, we both know what the future's gonna be. Whether they escape or not, we're going to die."

'They?' Ray was confused by that but chose to ignore it, like how he ignored every red flag she showed. Instead, he clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat, walking up to her.

"At the end, you're just an annoying brat."

She didn't know why she did that. She didn't have an exact explanation as to why that happened, a fight or flight instinct?

His cheek stung. And soon, it swelled into a color of soft red.

Her palm was also turning red, but only just a bit.

His eyes were widened because of the impact and the mere emotion of shock. His hand slowly reached for his cheek, touching it with his fingers.

"Fine..." She hissed. "Call me selfish, call me annoying, call me anything your smart brain can come up with."

"But I'm not the only one who's acting selfishly."

Another argument between Ray and (Y/N), but this was the first time a toddler like Phil had seen one in real life. It was terrifying how (Y/N) behaved around Ray when they're alone.

• • •

"Ah, no wonder why they're a lot more serious around each other," Thoma said.

"I don't understand though," Phil added. "What were they talking about?"

Lannion glanced at Thoma, who mirrored his actions. He then bent down slightly and placed his hand on top of his head, ruffling his hair slightly.

"It's okay Phil, you'll learn the truth soon."

The smile on their faces resembled (Y/N)'s confident smile.

Those two really looked up to her, huh?

———

that's right, a third update :)