The bluejay found her companions tending to a hummingbird's fractured finger. How she knew this was rather a mystery of course. In fact, how the bluejay knew more about things she could not care less to know were very much a mystery. The lack of sentiment stood out: she did not care.

Had there been a reason to, or purpose, benefit behind the caring then perhaps, the bluejay thought, she would. But this?

She looked upon the kiwi nervously trying to secure a bandage around the hummingbird's finger after shifting it back into place (it had been terribly crooked) while the magpie held a water bottle to the latter's lips. She choked once, having winced from a sudden pain that shot up her arm. The pair panicked.

It was this frenzy that caused the bluejay to sigh inwardly and comfort—or convince—herself by thinking that they could not do without her. She crouched beside the hummingbird, who she knew vaguely by the name of Rhea. Rhea Caisley.

In the midst of the quiet treatment and temporary rest, a soft rustling seemed to the prey much like a lion's roar and at this, the four jumped with a start, scrambling up from the ground—

Io.

Tensed shoulders relaxed and it was even, a moment worth letting slip a tiny smile which Rien found that she did. Well, until Luka came into view.

They froze; wanting to raise their guard but knowing not how to.

A golden eagle.

A golden eagle was just a few feet away—how could they?

All eyes turned to the sparrow for explanation, in which he did vaguely with a sheepish grin and awkward move of his bow. He was tired, but getting Lyra to speak to the rest was necessary.

Do not worry. He is with us, his Avian spoke to those of the other prey while her Winged began to search urgently for his arrow.

They stood very still, eyes wary and gaze taut with fear. Mauri emerged from behind Luka. Ah, perhaps they had not seen him. The eagle was rather tall, after all.

Again, this came as a shock.

Um, yes. As well as this owl over here. Please don't worry, they will not hurt us.

Io found what he had been looking for fairly quickly, having scanned the grass with careful eyes, he picked it up instantly and put it away in his bag, turning to the now six companions before him.

The bluejay caught on at the sight of Mauri's injury, which she assumed to be a product of the golden eagle's—for it looked far too serious to be courtesy of just any other predator.

Rien was the first to nod slowly. Of course, the eagle and the sparrow. Yes, there had been rumors...all she had to do was to trust them both. But that was easier said than done.

Io looked to the phoenix that hovered above his companions, and was glad that Sol had listened and stayed. Perhaps that was the only way to let the hummingbird have her moment of rest and recovery.

All of a sudden, their numbers had increased to seven and that felt a strangely large number to Io; and a greater responsibility, to be exact.

He felt a little afraid. Moving in bigger groups, though providing the safety of numbers and confidence, was not going to end well. Or so Io had learnt from books and the old movies they had back in the village, screened on a projector for communal entertainment every weekend.

This. In contrast, seemed so far.

He wished he could make it back.

With new drive, Io helped the hummingbird up and gave a friendly wave in greeting. Rhea felt this boy very strange, but was unable to put her finger on it so she mouthed a deserved thanks instead. There was a moment of silent interaction which clearly drew the line between predator and prey; Io amidst the former, pointing at Sol and then at the direction he was to guide them in only to receive confused stares for none of them could see him.

The latter was a pair of silence; apart from the occasional grunt or sigh of Mauri's as he cursed his misfortune and grumbled under his breath. He knew as usual, that they closed an eye to predator's speech. Honestly, they should have just made the rule state instead: all prey are not allowed to speak—why did they not?

So much for appearances, Mauri scoffed.

Then there was the eagle. He and Victoria stood apart from the rest, finding the clearing awfully small for no reason. It was during this transient moment that Luka vaguely recalled the diary that he and Io shared back in the treehouse; more specifically, the list of things that he liked.

He soon made a mental note to correct the very first on the list.

For Luka had realized that it wasn't company he liked—

It was Io's company.

*

That the day where Luka begrudgingly shared his most treasured company with other people had come seemed almost like a nightmare for both him and Victoria. Not a chance had the golden eagle imagined it to be; and no less this bad—he could not conceive.

Everyone was crowding around Io. Everyone was following him. He was being so nice to all of them.

Well yes, Luka, Io is nice in general you can't fault him with that, pointed Victoria shortly.

This only served to make her Winged realize the implications of Io's virtue; that surely, not just he would be attracted but others would, too. To come so such a conclusion was like having poison ivy wrap around the bars of his cage.

It didn't help that the sun was soon setting, and the sparrow, so strong, had not stopped for even a moment. Even Victoria, who had the most ideal viewpoint high up in the sky, had little to no idea which direction to go and yet Io did.

Was it normal for Luka to want his friend to rely on him more?

The eagle was learning so much about himself in less than a day when he hadn't found all these hidden emotions within for the previous non-existent years of his life. He felt a little overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, there was Mauri who was still bitter about his defeat. He trudged along awkwardly and did his best to search for moments of escape but failing to evade Victoria's eagle eye nonetheless.

To his delight, the rising of the moon made him a little more confident in his attempts since, then, the golden eagle would be a little more tired. He made a mental note to try again at the next stream or river where everyone would be letting their guards down and filling their bottles. A breakaway! That's it.

Luka glanced over in a disinterested manner.

If you don't mind losing more blood, go ahead.

Mauri felt very much violated by his invasion of privacy.

Your mind is weak and loud.

Wow, that actually hurt.

________________________

The night shivered at the expense of the sun, and as all things did, the day came to an end. Io had so intently watched and followed the phoenix that only he could see, that when Sol had reached his limit—the flames of the sun died out—the sparrow was surprised by the shrinking of Jing's Avian.

He caught the phoenix in his arms as it fell, shrinking and recoiling back into a spherical spirit that glowed weakly.

Io soon understood that this was what his friend had meant. Though there was a dim disappointment in the loss of a guide, the boy was grateful to have had, at least, something or someone to follow and provide direction to his aimless heart. He felt that with this, they could, somehow, make it to the end together.

Rien tapped on his shoulder to ask why they have stopped. The meaning was implicit, but Io caught on quickly. He tried to tell her and the puzzled rest that the phoenix was, at present, in his hands, most likely asleep, but sign language (which consisted merely of Io trying to act the part of mime) was not doing its work.

It was then when Luka came forth amidst the crowd to address Io; and the hummingbird literally scrambled two trees away just to let him pass.

The night was nearing its darkness full.

There is a resting point further down. We should hurry.

Io hadn't noticed just how much comfort he found in Luka's voice until the latter spoke through their Link; and it was the calm flooding—the filling of his soul, that told him so. The boy nodded in thanks, raising his gaze to meet his friend's for a brief, fleeting moment. It felt longer than it was.

Victoria appeared rather pleased that it was her turn to lead the way, guiding Io (and the rest, yes, but really, none of them were as significant or important at all) to the resting point she had found whilst scouting ahead. How Io had navigated his way through the Box so well till this point, she did not know, but was relieved that the day was coming to a rest.

Rien and Shel were already having difficulty staying awake, and unless a glimmering object of interest appeared out of nowhere to entertain the magpie, he was sure that sleeping whilst walking wouldn't sound too impossible after all.

Their canvas bags loosely filled with bland biscuits and canteens were beginning to seem more like sacks of stones.

Of course, then, there was Mauri. Who felt rather superior amongst the diurnals and was energetic enough to scare the hummingbird behind him with a good long stare without turning his body. His Avian did the same. Rhea clutched the charm on her neck in defense, squirming under his gaze until the only thing she could do was hide behind the fairly disinterested bluejay.

Things began to settle into their rightful places upon arriving at the resting point. The Marks dived into the tent situated between two pines, setting up the kerosene lamp with the matches provided (no fire, as usual), splitting the rare energy bars amongst themselves. But when it came to order; whether it was out of fear or respect or sheer habit, the prey made sure to offer the predators first.

Regardless of it being rations or the spare clothing provided, priority always seemed to go to...them. The catch was that it didn't come as a surprise to either party at all.

This went unnoticed by most, as on ordinary circumstance, but perhaps having made a new friend, Io saw a different perspective to worldly norms—conventional or not. Amidst the clutter, he pulled Luka aside.

The first he asked had no relation to whatever they were doing; nor did it have anything to do with their plan at hand.

In fact, had he taken this out of context, it would have seemed that the pair were, for all intents and purposes, back in the comfort of the secret base they shared.

Are you tired? Io asked as he raised his gaze to meet the eagle's. Luka shook his head, his eyes a soothing glow of heated embers—sparked by gold.

You? Luka asked in return, unconsciously pleased that his friend had chosen to speak to him, and only him.

It made him feel important.

This thought of Luka's made Victoria laugh like she would have at any other given time in the treehouse, for it seemed to her such a rare human thought; rare for her Winged, who she barely regarded human. Eagles gave themselves more self-importance than necessary, really. And to think that this golden eagle felt important because of a sparrow! Oh, how silly it would have sounded to her just months ago.

I'm okay! Which is a surprise, really. Io began slowly. I'm sorry to have caused you much trouble. I didn't expect the...the owl thing. I can explain! Really, you see—

And his thoughts halted there, for he had caught a hint of a smile upon Luka's lips which was all that made him stop and stare.

Had one been unaware of what the boy was looking at, they would have thought he saw a treasure rare.

It was one of those moments. Where neither of them were thinking; and the silence was filled, instead, with a beat so loud that only they themselves could hear.

Io didn't continue with his explanation, and neither did Luka ask for him to do so. They were just oddly looking at each other, waiting for...for something they did not know what.

Thanks! Was all the boy managed at last with a smile that glowed.

He saw, in Luka's eyes, a strange light that had no source.

There was a quiet return of gratitude, which the latter continued on.

Your Mark. It's gone.

Yes, it was something that Luka absolutely would not endure—letting V decide who his friend belonged to, eliminating choice and presenting forth one option and that was none. If Io's mark was gone, then they were defeated.

No, he was defeated.

Io did not mind the consequences placed upon himself; or the price he would have to pay for defeat—it was Luka who did.

The boy nodded. Jing took it.

Jing? Frowned Luka.

Oh, um. Oh no. I don't think I was supposed to let you know. I, well, everyone calls her Jane but her real name is Jing.

Luka blinked. The phoenix?

What had she to do with this?

She took my mark. It's okay though! I would have given it to her anyway, she's not a bad person. She even left her Avian with...with...

His concentration slipped for a moment and the night was awfully quiet all of a sudden.

With me.

A building anxiety rose from within and it bubbled to a spill—forming heated horror that was soon to show in his eyes. Luka noticed this almost immediately and searched for a sign that directed him to the cause.

What's wrong? He asked.

The boy scrambled for the orb tucked away in his bag, safe from external impact in which he thought was the best place possible but no. Of course—how could he have assumed?

The best place for a spirit to reside in was in the heart; and Jing had given him just that. What would she be, then? Without one?

Io formed the possibility of losing Lyra for more than an hour and it made the creature in his cage shiver. There was no possibility.

He held the glowing spherical object in his hands and presented it to Luka.

Her Avian. She gave me her Avian; so what about her? Do people usually do that? Will she...will she be okay without him?

Whatever Io had in his palm, Luka could not see. The eagle's eyes—no matter how apt in daylight—fell short of observing the unseen. Victoria highlighted this sentiment to Io, in which he took rather calmly. It was not unexpected.

I can only guess what will happen if she loses it.

Io's eyes were urgent as he asked what Luka meant by this. His gaze continued to flit between his friend and the orb in the heart of his palm.

Jane is strong because of her phoenix.

So then, if she loses it...oh! The thought was far too unimaginable for Io to entertain and there was little reason left in his mind to do so anyway. His heart, however, had started on the path of something else—

Luka's arm was over his chest, pulling him backwards all of a sudden as the sharp unsheathing of a dagger was heard and the impact of a moving object knocked him off his feet.

Io fell clutching Sol to his chest in protection, feeling the back of his skull meet the unyielding ground with a dull thump as Luka and Victoria stood guard in front of him—blocking the intruder from his view.

There was a weak hiss that ensued the scuffle which made the boy's hair stand on end.

He scrambled upright and peered past Luka who was very still; and Victoria who had a white Avian pinned to the ground. The eagle held out his arm to prevent Io from approaching any further.

For God's sake, I wasn't going to do anything. Fucking juniors. Oh. It was Slayne.

Io recognized his voice almost immediately, having remembered its distinctive growl that so often surfaced every time he talked to Jiro. It appeared that Luka had heard him too, but his guard held its stance.

Sullivan, you get your Avian off me this instant or I'll give that sparrow hell. The snowy owl on the ground gave Victoria's wing a sharp nip that narrowly missed her feathers.

Luka looked almost skeptical at hearing this statement for he was quite sure that the same card he had used on Slayne would not have worked on him. First off, the eagle was one to eliminate all dangers that Io would have the possibility of facing and hence making himself free of anyone trying to 'give his friend hell'.

Wait, Luka—he's Jiro's predator! It's okay, let him go. He won't hurt us.

Not...unless it was Io himself who wished it so, well, that he couldn't do a thing about.

Victoria released her hold on the owl and it shifted instead, into a displeased human which looked very much like Slayne and his default expression. Of course, with Jiro being a time of exception.

Mr. Owl, um, what are you doing here? Io began slowly, attempting to keep his thoughts under control as he focused on anything but the tent of Marks just meters away. Just in case Slayne was searching for someone.

Mauri called for back-up.

Victoria laughed, and Luka had to admit that he was on the brink of doing so too. The barn owl was perhaps one of the most stubborn predators he had ever met, and it entertained both Winged and Avian very much. I'm sure you came to help, Victoria quipped lightly, feeling rather generous with a sarcasm at the given moment.

Slayne's Avian shot the eagle a chilling glare that had little effect, and her Winged gave a well-illustrated finger that expressed his exact sentiments.

Did you know we were here? Asked Io, slightly relieved that he had not come to cause them trouble.

No. But I was intending to find you. I heard from another Nocturne; about your charm.

Ah, yes. News travelled fast—almost like the wind, or perhaps trees had ears that listened and lips that could speak. Slayne did not explicitly state the reason why he was searching for Io but the underlying meaning of it all seemed clear to the sparrow himself.

Thanks Mr. Owl! I did promise Jiro to share my sunflower seeds with him. The boy smiled promptly, the desire to end this all coming close to a boil. Um, but...you know about my mark? You mean...

I saw it with the phoenix. Someone mentioned it in passing as well.

Io's smile faded; eyes widening in attention.

But Jing? I mean, the phoenix? Does...does everyone know that? Will people—predators—fight over it? The Joker's mark.

Slayne looked at him as though he were mental. That's a given. Everyone wants your mark to win...it's not uncommon that predators fight over something they want. The owl was reminded, momentarily, of his experience with Jiro but that was for another time. Now was a different matter altogether.

This confirmed it; Io's anxious suspicions that his friend was in danger and without anything to defend herself with, at best. He glanced down at the sun spirit in his palm, warm against skin, realizing that

This wasn't only about him winning or losing—

it was that others had a stake in the game as well.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the actions of one would have a certain effect on another and there was no preventing of implications; no time to be selfish; no place to be independent.

The world did not exist for him only.

Luka heard all of this, bit by bit, and was slightly taken aback by Io's flow of thought. The eagle was, for all intents and purposes, in awe and confusion at the same time (how it was possible, he did not know) for how could one bear to worry about others when his own life was at stake?

But he soon understood that it was exactly this quality of Io that he found most strange and yet...most endearing.

_______________________

It was for convenience sake that Io encouraged the rest of the Marks to rest their eyes for a moment's ease inside the tent, leaving just the predators and him in the eyes of the moon. They faced each other quietly, the four, and exchanged the strangest gazes.

I called for help, Slayne. Not...you.

The snowy owl gave his acquaintance a well-deserved finger and proceeded to comment on his manners; or lack thereof, for the matter. Blame it on your own misfortune, ungrateful shit.

Mauri grumbled in protest but thought no more, knowing his place. He had seen how Slayne had punished those who came near his nightingale and it was no pretty sight.

So? What's he doing here? The barn owl looked towards Io with a jerk of his head, raising a skeptical brow in question. Io took this rather sheepishly.

Hi. Well, uh...wait. Why's he here? Io blinked back, noting that Mauri was never really involved in the plan and just, basically wondering why he had decided to tag along. The latter was equally puzzled and surprised at the boy's ability to access their Link with measured ease.

We can just ignore him. Slayne put forth bluntly, dismissing his fellow Nocturne with a vague wave of his hand to which Mauri gawked atrociously at. What's this you want us to hear?

We—I mean, me and Luka—were wondering if you have any idea where the phoenix might be, Io began anxiously. I need to return something to her.

The snowy owl was beginning to feel frustrated just conversing with Io through their Link. There was no helping this person at all; he would meet his fate soon. Such foolish thoughts invited the scent of danger and Slayne began to wonder just how the sparrow was still alive.

On the other hand, it wasn't as if having the sparrow dead was an option either.

Jiro would not like that at all.

I've seen her, he reported tiredly. Crossing the lake up north. Saw some others too. Why? I thought I just told you, it's a given. Predators are going to go after her especially if she doesn't have her Avian. It's nightfall too.

Things were not boding well for a diurnal like Jing, and this was no longer about placing trust in her abilities but understanding that sometimes even numbers mattered more.

The coldest heart of the night was beginning to defrost with an imminent light that would soon find its way above the horizon. The night had seemed so surprisingly short that Io found time to be distorted, often by emotions than anything else. Perhaps the mental state itself was a force to be reckoned with, and it was denial that posed as a blind from humans from seeing its true capacity.

Take me to her, Io turned to Slayne with a glow in his eyes so luminous that the latter had thought it a trick of the light. Perhaps the moon reflected—within his eyes. Please.

The boy had his bag over his shoulder, almost as though he had seen everything coming from a mile away and had been ready, even, for this frightening moment of darkness. A part of his bow could be seen protruding from his bag for he had not bothered to conceal it no more.

It seemed to be, for all intents and purposes, part of himself.

I'm fine, but are you not tired? You're diurnal. And Slayne had always assumed that prey had little capacity for resisting the draw of fatigue. Jiro often preferred to sleep early, but that was before Slayne was his predator.

Io shook his head resolutely. That's okay. I'm sure Jing is more tired than I am right now.

I'll come with you, Luka offered almost immediately, taking a step closer. Besides, it seemed to the eagle that there was no other—

No! Luka must stay, Io said with hesitant eyes for the first time of the night. He seemed rather afraid. You...you need to stay here, and protect everyone else.

I will be okay!

He promised; but his eyes had given way to the soul.

Luka was not in the state to accept this sudden rejection of his offer for he had not, for the past years of his living, been rejected once before. There was no word or phrase or statement that could properly attribute or encompass what he was feeling into written form; and if he ever had to recall or explain what it felt like, he would rather not recall it at all.

Io saw his friend straying and tugged on his sleeve to draw him back. They need you more than I do.

At present, no one was able to fully comprehend the conflict within Io's cage. There lay between the scratching of the creature in his chest and the tamer that reined it so well, a trifling that seemed not to matter in the world that existed independently of himself, paying attention to all but one—the war within us all.

He had lied.

Of course Io needed him; if not now, then, every other part of his future, Io felt that he did, indeed, need his friend. But was he being too selfish? Instead of keeping the eagle for himself, would there not be others who needed his strength too?

Before Io could realize that it wasn't Luka as an eagle that he needed, but Luka as Luka, the latter had agreed with an all-too silent nod.

There was a clenching in his fist; a reining of things that he knew not what, seeming to have invaded his cage. Needed him? Months ago, Luka wouldn't have cared who needed him—wanted him or not. It was about what he needed. What he wanted. But all of a sudden, those things appeared to matter less than he thought they did and it was, instead, what Io needed that he seemed to care very much about.

And his friend had said that he did not need him.

Or at least that other people needed him more than Io did.

This was where their minds laid apart;

Even though their hearts were, for all intents and purposes, at one.

Mr. Owl, we have to hurry, thought Io with the glowing spirit in his hands, tugging at his arm urgently. Slayne gave a slightly confused and yet resigned glance across the rest of the predators, finally coming to a brief nod.

Before shifting into his Avian, he gave Luka a difficult frown which the latter could hardly decipher in his indifference. The golden eagle hardly bothered about the expressions of others.

It was his thought that told him of the snowy owl's sentiments. This is what happens if you don't make them your prey.

And Luka was sure he was the only one who heard him, for Mauri and Io made no move to seek understanding of this statement. It only served to fuel the unsettling flame within his cage as the eagle watched both of them go; further and further away before the darkness of the night swallowed up and took them whole.

He had waited for Io to turn and at least, wave. But he didn't.

He didn't wave.

What Luka failed to understand was that Io did not want for him to see the wavering in his eyes; for it was hard to leave, and hard to lie. The boy knew that if he were to look back, he was sure to cry.

There was no moon in sight.

______________________

Jing held the choker in the heart of her palm, clenching it tight into a fist that she had sworn to never let loose. The beat in her chest was almost foreign and all-too loud in its place, leaving her feeling rather displaced. Her feet were faster than usual despite the world that was falling apart and, still, eating at her feet in a threatening attempt to tear her apart and consume her from behind—so she ran. Just like she always had, inside.

She could feel it.

Desperation from inside that seemed to manifest in the night that was her weakness. How long more she would last, Jing did not know because the numbers just kept. On. Increasing.

Was this how Iolani had felt the previous time?

Or perhaps, every time?

Every day—the feeling of being watched, scrutinized; hunted down. Was this it?

The phoenix had never held the Joker's charm in her hands no less seen a Joker for the years she had been playing; for the night was her nemesis and it would be the first to consume her. She was left behind, as always, and her strength in the day was just not enough to make up for anything. Anything at all.

Not the hole in her heart; and not the whole of her heart.

She could hear everything. Their footsteps; the sound of their wings (was it two or was it three?) chasing her from behind—when would she ever turn around to fight?

The world around her laughed with a vengeance and she felt the things around her take themselves apart in her misery. But there was no stopping in her feet so fast and heart so loud, for she told herself that the Mark in her hands was something that Iolani had laid down his entire life for. For what?

What was left in this terrible world worth laying down his life for?

这傻瓜。

_______________________

The breaking of dawn had come not without empty eyes and heavy legs, and was perhaps manifested, even, in the increasing lack of communication between Nocturne and sparrow. It had been more than an hour since the pair had left their companions in search for the phoenix, relying largely on Slayne's enhanced eyesight which soon began to lose its effectiveness in the presence of sunlight. Chasing darkness, they watched as the rising sun washed the ends of its cloak

An urgent hoot brought Io's attention to the snowy owl flying ahead, ducking as he ran to avoid the stray branches that so wished to invade his space. Slayne was beginning to pick up speed and it could only mean one thing—that she was near.

Io hurried to match the pace of his silent companion, knowing that it was impossible for legs to compare to wings but understanding that there was no other option.

He and Lyra sprinted forth; the ground seeming to tremble underneath his feet and the trees disappearing one after another as he left them far behind—the heat and glow of something in his chest growing increasingly hard to bear.

It was instinct that made him turn to the left and see, in the distance, a silhouette speeding in the same direction he was going as though this was all a race and they were simply in a different lane with a single end.

Io posed a question to Slayne in his mind but he did not answer. Anxious, he looked away for a second.

There was yet another silhouette, this time, to his right and then another one—perhaps only a few feet across and they were all closing in from the sides, flanking both left and right.

Io found the sky to be losing its grip on night as he was soon able to make out more than just shadows but of clear, distinct humans—predators—going after something that wasn't him. The quickening of his heart was matched by the sphere he held to his chest and perhaps it was his imagination; but he swore he felt more than just one beat.

Sol was glowing brighter than before and felt in him the word that first came to mind: an awakening.

Slayne descended alongside Io and shifted, steadying his balance with ease and picking up speed once more, into his human form—propelling the sparrow's back and urging him to go faster. He looked to the sides.

Dmitri.

The other. Cameron.

There was one more.

He turned back to Io and their eyes met. The Nocturne snapped his head in front and was beginning to see a silhouette not far ahead for they were reaching a wide, open area before a river and it was where he felt most vulnerable to attacks from above. The phoenix was cornered.

It was at this critical point that the sun had found its way to the surface with its unveiling nature; one which Sol responded to with ease. There had been a welling in Io's cage than struggled to break free for he felt the creature within rouse with a call.

井！

He watched her turn upon hearing her name as Sol woke from his sleep—to greet the sky with the light of his wings and pause to stare at the world that seemed to stop falling apart.

他到底。。。是谁？

________________________

A/N: I kinda want to leave the last one untranslated because eep Cuppie likes surprises and the unknown and uncertainty ALL THAT hahahahaha XD Also, it seems like Io is the kind of friend we all want to have but at the same time will find it very emotional taxing to have. The thing is; sometimes, we want to keep some things for ourselves. And that does not only apply to a romantic partner at all. 

But who knows? Maybe Luka is just as confused as Io. 

-Cuppiecake. 

P.S VAUGHN IS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER IM SORRY FOR KEEPING HIM AWAY BUT YAY