The demon stared at the blood on the floor, completely entranced by it, a small, insane smile curling on his lips.

'It's been too long . . . . . blood. . . I've missed the color. . . . the taste' he couldn't help grinning completely, leaning down to lick at Anti's blood on the floor.

There was a good amount and lapped at it with his tongue, groaning and letting the still warm liquid flow down his lips and neck, 'I hope he comes to play again. He will if he really wants the girl. Foolish boy'

He sat back on his knees and reached into his pocket.

Only to stare ahead, his face contorting and the smile fading.

He licked his lips and realized, 'Well then . . . . . it doesn't matter. I know he'll still come. And then we'll play more.'

He leaned back on the balls of his feet on his knees and reached his hand out, Mira's power searing through his arm and hand, glowing a bright white like flames.

'It's enough . . . for now. But once he returns, I have no doubt he'll bring the ball with him.' he grinned again.

"And then I'll have her and that power forever."

Anti held the crystal ball to his chest, laying on his side on his couch.

He still hurt and felt weak but he could feel her near him. Yes, she was trapped in a crystal ball like the demon was, but as long as he felt her presence, he felt calmer.

He rubbed his thumb over it unconsciously.

The others were in the kitchen discussing a plan of some sort. Whatever. He didn't care right now. He could rest a little better at least that she wasn't in that demon's hands anymore.

'I'll never let him touch you again. I'll kill him before he even gets close. Or I'll let you do it. You get to choose, Mira.' he smiled, already knowing the outcome of that. The only reason the demon beat her was that he used Anti's face and had her unguarded.

That's why they had to free her as soon as possible.

'Marvin can do it. He has to'

He brought his knees closer up to his chest and held the ball even more securely to him.

"It has to work. . . . . right Mira?" he spoke to her out loud, "There's no other option. I need you. . . . You hear me? I'm so sorry, Mira. So sorry"

Little did he know, Chase was watching him from the kitchen. He was touched by Anti's friendship with the girl. But there was an itch in the back of his head telling him there was something more.

The bond was so strong between them.

And as he said that, the ball glowed brighter, almost seeming to try and warm him with her light.

'It's actually. . . . sweet. I've never seen him this way. So docile. So fucking calm and  . . . '

And then he got it.

Chase frowned and had to quickly rub away a tear in his eye.

Mark noticed, though and whispered to him, "Chase, you okay?"

The sniper just nodded, crossing his arms defensively, "Yeah. . . yeah, man, I'm fine."

After a few more moments, Anti found himself drifting off to sleep, letting his guard down with Mira's aura around him.

2020
Two years ago

Mira knew that Dark was busy working with Mark for the Unus Anus videos. Sometimes Mark just couldn't do it by himself with all of the extra work he's been working on what with learning Korean again, working out with Alex AND Unus Anus. It was a lot.

So Dark helped pick up the slack only beknown to Mira, Mark, Amy and Ethan.

And this was Mira's best chance to get out of the house and hang out with her best friend.

She knew Anti wasn't too crazy about her doing this but he never argued which only meant he wouldn't stop her.

Once she reached his apartment, she just bust right in, making him nearly freak out.

He was on his couch watching TV, "WHAT THE FUCK, LASS!? What have I told ya about doing that?!"

"What?" She merely wandered over to his little kitchen and looking in his fridge.

Anti groaned loudly, "What if I was naked or . . ..  doing something ELSE!?"

She snorted, "Do you have ANY idea how many times I walked in on ANY of my brothers? I've seen some SHIT, Anti. Seeing you wouldn't be any different, I promise"

Anti just blushed, "Oh whatever. Make some snacks while you're over there, at least"

"Already on it!"

Anti rolled his eyes, 'Always taking over my apartment' but he was fond of it, really. It felt like he really wasn't living there alone. He liked the company.

Soon she was on the couch with him and they watched a horror movie together with the lights off.

"Hey" Anti whispered to her in the middle of it.

"What?" she was entranced, watching the movie but multi-tasked suddenly just as he spoke.

"Don't bother coming by tomorrow, alright? I won't be home. I'll be busy"

"With what? You're never busy. You never DO anything without ME"

He sighed, "Don't worry about it"

"So I SHOULD worried about it" she sat up, pausing the movie, "What's up?"

"It's nothing."

"It's NOT nothing. What's going on? I won't leave you alone until you tell me"

Knowing she was telling the truth, he gave in, "Fine . . . . I have a plan to get back at those assholes-"

"The REAL reason, Anti. I'm not gullible, you know" she crossed her arms, not taking any of his shit.

"That's it"

"You're lying"

"I'm not"

"But you ARE" She couldn't grasp it. That couldn't be it. He just HAD to be hiding something else.

Anti groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I shouldn't have even told you anything"

That hurt. Mira felt a sting in her chest, "Anti . . . you KNOW you can tell me anything, right?"

Anti glanced at her and nodded, "And I told you. Can't you just be satisfied with that?"

"I don't believe that you'd just go back to trying to kill the Septic egos, Anti. You've changed. You're not that person anymore"

He snorted and gave a small smirk, "Right . . .. maybe you DON'T know me all that well.  . .  I fucking hate them all and it if you can't accept that, then . . " he chuckled humorlessly, "and even after all this time, I thought you would have known better that I'll always be a-"

Mira didn't wait for him to continue, standing up, "SHUT UP! SHUT. . . UP! WHY CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT!?" Her eyes glowed angrily. He had never been on the receiving end of her anger, though.

But this was worse. Far worse.

Her power died down and she just shook her head at him, stomping out of the apartment.

"Mira, wait!"

Anti called out but it was too late and she slammed the door behind her.

It hurt. 

She had never been angry with him before.

His chest hurt. Why did he feel this way? He was just telling the truth. That's what she wanted, right? It's not like she KNEW the Septic egos. Hell, she hated Jackie just as much as HE did!

But something in him burned and he started to panic.

He didn't like this. She couldn't leave like this! He couldn't let her leave like this! 

And yet . . . 

He couldn't bring himself to go after her.

He just. . . pondered and sat there on his couch, the panic rising and falling every once in a while. He didn't know WHAT to do. Did he really just ruin their entire friendship? After so many years already?

By the next day, he had slept on the couch, laying there, still thinking and nodding off. His chest still burned and his body ached AND he had a headache. He hated this feeling.

But suddenly the door opened and looked up.

"Anti?" she raised a brow at him, "Oh . . .Thought you'd be gone by now. What you still doing- OOOF!" she nearly fell over at the force he came at her with.

Anti glitched over to her and hugged her tight.

She was confused but quickly realized he hadn't gone anywhere since yesterday. What had he been doing, then?

"I'm sorry"

Well this was surprising. Antisepticeye NEVER apologized for anything.

" . . Wh-what for?"

"I . .." he pulled away slightly, looking down on her, "I didn't want you to leave yesterday like that. It hurt. . . .  I   . . . . I didn't know what to do about it." he gripped his chest protectively, "You were angry and I KNOW why but-"

"Anti" she stopped him, "It's okay." she hugged him back again, leaning her head on his chest, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just left like that. I just didn't want to say anything else I'd regret. You're my best friend, Anti . . . But you ARE better than what you always seem to think. I know it."

He sighed heavily and rested his head on the top of her, "You're MY best friend. . . . my ONLY friend.  . . . . . . I'm sorry. I know you hate it when I ..  ..  it won't happen again. I don't want to lose you"

"Wow" she smirked against him, "That must have been hard for you to say, huh?"

"Not really"

She looked up at him, a tad confused, "No?"

He shook his head, " . . . . I've had all night to think about it. All day . . . . I won't let you go ever again. I can't lose you. You're like my fucking sanity. If you go, then I'm fucked."

Now it was her turn to blush but she smiled, "As if you could get rid of me so easily"

He rubbed her head with his thumb, "Alright, alright . . .  enough of this sappy shite . . . let's go finish that movie, huh?"

2022

Anti jolted awake, new tears streaking down his face.

He remembered that day like it was yesterday. Why'd he have to remember it NOW, though?

It just wasn't right. 

It wasn't fair. To either of them.

'. . . . . .  And I let her go. . . . . .  I let her go'

"Nah, boy, you're okay!"

Anti flinched hard seeing Wilford right beside him.

"Wh . . what?"

Wilford just grinned, "Ya didn't LET her go! Da demon got 'er!" he blew a bubble in his face, "Bubbles will make ya feel better. . . HUH?! Right? BUBBLES!"

"Wilford! Come in here, please!" Dark hollered for him, "Leave Anti alone, will you?"

"Ah but we're just chit chatting!" Wilford grinned and winked at Anti, "Girl trouble! Been there, boy-o!"

"What?" Anti was genuinely confused.

But before he could think, Wilford got dragged off by Illinois, "Come on, Wil. Wanna go in the other room and stab the wall again?"

"SURE!"

Illinois gave Anti an apologetic look but clearly it was the only way to really distract Warfstache without anyone getting hurt.

Anti just shrugged and cracked his back, sitting up again. He rubbed at his eyes and shook away his tiredness, 'Now's not the time for a nap. Get ahold of yourself'

"I'LL DO IT!"

Anti flinched and almost dropped the ball on the ground as Marvin whirled in the living room with a confident grin.

"Huh?"

"I said I'll do it!" the magician laughed, "I mean it can't be that hard, right? If CELINE, could do it, then surely-"

"Are you discrediting my late sister?" Dark glared a hole in Marvin's head.

"Uh . . . . no? Never mind." he waved it off and marched towards Anti with his hand held out, "Now let's start. Give me the ball"

Suddenly Anti hated this idea, "Wh . . . what?" he snorted, "No. I'll keep hold of her. You do YOUR thing"

Well this was awkward.

Marvin shuffled, a bit out of place, "Uh . . . Anti . . I can't do a spell on it with you holding it."

"Her"

"Her. Whatever. Give her to me"

Anti held onto her tighter, "Why can't you just ..  .I mean-"

Everyone seemed confused. Didn't Anti want her out of the ball?

"Anti, don't you wanna see her again?" Sean asked.

"Of course I fooking do, ya daft fuck!"

"GIVE THE MAGICIAN THE FUCKING ORB!" Dark shouted, "If you cared about my sister at all, you'll do it!"

Before anything else could escalate, Chase intervened, "Anti, what if you and Marvin go into a separate room together with her? You can watch everything happen, dude"

Anti thought about it. He knew it was stupid and foolish to be this way and especially right now but he couldn't help it. Marvin had never really known her. He didn't have a connection with her and wouldn't suffer if she died. None of them except for Dark and himself would.

Anti swallowed and nodded, "Alright"

"I'll come, too" Dark butt in, "If you think I'm going to let two Septics alone with my sister, you're dead fucking wrong"

Marvin snorted at him, "Dude, she's not my type, I guarantee it"

Jackie whispered to him, "Not what he meant"

"Ooooooh"

Anti held onto a glaring match with Dark. He knew that given the chance, Dark could go running off with either the orb OR Mira if this worked and Anti might never see her again.

"Swear to me Dark"

"What?" he was already pissed but this farce was driving him up a wall, "Swear WHAT, exactly? She's my sister! I DESERVE to be the same room!"

"Do you?" Anti snuffed, "You know you and her didn't get along like you pretended for years, right?"

Dark's eyes glowed red but Anti just held her tighter to him.

Mark stood in the way, though, "Swear to him, Dark"

Dark looked shocked but a bit more responsive with Mark, not meeting his eyes. He seemed to think on it.

"What do I swear?"

Actor snorted loudly, "Isn't it obvious?! It's WAY obvious that lover boy here wants you to swear you won't try and hide her away from him or WORSE take the orb and RUN! IDIOT!"

Dark moved to glare at Actor, "Why are you still even here?"

He shrugged, "Got nothing better to do. Besides, this is all more dramatic than my soap operas. I'm QUITE enjoying myself"

Dark rolled his eyes and took a deep breathe, "Fine. I swear it"

Anti still glared at him, "I don't believe you. How can I trust you?"

"For fucks sake-"

"What?! How is it so hard to believe I wouldn't trust you after all you've done to keep us apart!?" Anti glitched.

Jameson tried to pat Anti's back but he backed away from them, his only solace was her in his hands.

"You didn't even CARE when Mira was almost killed by Warfstache! You only cared about having her all to yourself and seized every opportunity to get me out of your house!"

"Can you fucking BLAME me!? You're nothing but a insane killing machine!" Dark argued, "How would I know you wouldn't snap one day and kill her?! OR WORSE!?"

"I WOULDN'T!"

"HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE!?"

All the while, Jackie was watching the orb intently but something was wrong, "Guys"

"I DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU!"

"THIS IS WHY NOBODY FUCKING TRUSTS YOU!"

"GUYS!" Jackie shouted and whistled loudly to get their attention.

Everyone stopped and stared at Jackie expectantly, oddly curious about what he had to say.

But the hero just pointed to the orb in Anti's hands, "Is it supposed to be flickering like that?"

Anti looked down at the orb, looking closely to see he was right.

Before, she was glowing brightly but now . . . .

The light was flickering.

"No . . . ." Anti rubbed the orb with his thumb, "No, this isn't right. Something's wrong. I feel it"

"Is she . . .perhaps losing power?" Google suggested, "Like a battery, perhaps?"

"Could be" Marvin agreed, "The orb might be containing her power TOO well. It appears there's more of an urgency to free her now more than ever"

Sean  bit his lip, "Anti . . . I know it's hard for you. But you have to trust us. Okay? Please. For her sake"

Dark felt a heavy weight in his chest and he sighed heavily, "Anti . . . ."

Anti turned to face him again.

"I  . . . . Mira needs us. Perhaps we can talk more freely AFTER she is no longer being held captive in that thing?"

His shoulders dropped. This really was a precarious situation. Delicate.

Anti struggled deeply but they all knew he made up his mind.

Marvin came close and held out his hand, "Let's go to your room. Okay? Dark? You coming?"

Anti swallowed, staring at the orb sadly before finally giving in, handing it to Marvin. 

Not to say that he wasn't close behind him, though.

Chase just smirked, "Man, he's got it bad."

Henrik raised a brow at him, "Got vhat?"

Chase raised a brow back at him, "Dude . . . seriously? Are you blind?"

"No, I just got zhese prescriptions a few months ago"

"Goddammit, Schneep"

Jackie cracked a smile, "He's saying that Anti and Mira were great friends. They have a bond unmatchable. I think I'm just finally seeing that"

"About damn time" Chase chuckled, "You were always just a stubborn as Anti, you know"

"Excuse me?"

Sean scratched the back of his neck, "Tried to tell ya. Anti's changed. Maybe you should start seeing THAT, too. Mira's good for him"

'Which means all the more that we must free her to the best of our abilities' Jameson nodded, 'She's the only one, I believe, who has and ever will hold his heart so captivatingly'

"Yeah, now if only Dark could see that, too" Illinois snickered, "We're all just a bunch of stubborn egos. Right to the T, we are"

Wilford came back in the room from stabbing the wall around the corner, "Are Dark and Anti best friends yet?! Can't wait for us all to be so close again! Actor! Celine! Damien! And now ANTI-BOY! HAH! What a riot! I'll have to get more bubbles!"

Actor shrugged, "I mean, sure. I'd love more family gatherings. This one has been FANTASTIC, so far, don't you all agree?"

None of them did.