[FRAG] Keep A Secret



Explicit Violence

...and you'll keep the peace.


Sequel to Grieve in Blood. Spoilers for said story abound, of course.

Followed by House of Liars.

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[He] Would Never Harm


Wage stuck his tongue out as he adjusted his bowtie. It was obnoxiously dull in color, a muted, uncolored gray. When he pulled on the sides of it, it went a little tighter around his neck - not enough to hurt or choke, but enough that he could feel it constantly.


He paused mid-fiddle and glanced up at Sundae, who was staring at the article of clothing with a bored expression. After another second, he reached forwards and pulled it looser. Wage waited until Sundae's hands dropped back to his sides to beam at him.


"How do I look?" he twirled on a foot, skirt swishing around his hips.


Sundae's eyes flicked over him. "I still think your disguise is a bit too close to your actual appearance. Did you have to use that many pinks?"


"Pink is a great color! You're just being antagonistic."


"I am not," he huffed, crossing his arms and glancing into the plaza.


The area in front of the COR headquarters was equal parts familiar and beautiful. Cracked stone tiles littered the ground, weeds and grass poking from between them, some overgrown entirely by vines. Bright lampposts glowing with magic were dotted around the area, although the overwhelming glimmer of the starlight above was plenty to light up the entire floating island. Frags milled about, talking to each other, teleporting out, heading into the building.


Wage smiled at it all. He'd been a part of them once, too. And now he wasn't.


"Shouldn't the ceremony be starting soon?" he directed to Sundae. His friend didn't look anything like normal, decked in a jacket and sweatpants, palette tuned in blues and purples. It threw him for a loop every time he glanced over. He didn't like the disguise, much. He vastly preferred Sundae's normal, cute face and grin.


Sundae nodded, narrowing his eyes at the doorway. "Should be. It was on short notice, so hopefully not too many people pop up."


"What's your plan if they do?"


"Nothing. No point in drawing attention to ourselves." Sundae rubbed his shoulder. "Just sit here and watch."


Wage tapped a foot, "So what's our plan if something goes wrong?"


"We teleport out. Remember, we're not looking for a fight today - I just want to see confirmation."


"Yeah, that's fair!" Wage paused, then leaned forwards to grin, "you know, you owe me that lap dance now!"


Sundae put a hand on Wage's face and pushed him away slightly. "Yes, we'll figure that out when we go home. Let's stay focused. We're in the heart of enemy territory."


"Maybe you could recruit a few people here for Haven things. Go give 'em your spiel and dance."


Sundae paused, blinking. Wage watched his quiet expression for a few seconds before Sundae shook his head. "No. I'm not going to let myself get distracted. We're just here to watch the ceremony, and then we leave."


Wage hummed, tilting his head slightly. He could see a few Overseers standing in front of the building now, murmuring among themselves in voices too low for anyone to hear. Nobody had seemed to notice their congregation yet. Sundae was entirely focus on them, eyes flicking between each Overseer. The gears turned away in his head. Wage settled his gaze on the contours of the other's jaw.


What was Sundae thinking about? Wage glanced to the Overseers. Had he once been friends with those people? Did he miss it? Was it making him on edge?


So many questions. Maybe one day he'd get to ask Sundae about all of them. They'd sit together, curled in front of the fireplace in Sundae's home, and talk. Maybe one day Sundae would open up, lay bare all his secrets and his fears. They'd sip a warm drink and Wage would stare with big eyes and drink it all in.


He knew he shouldn't be thinking about such things. The last thing Sundae needed or wanted was a clingy, needy partner who hung off his every word. He needed support and backup, someone who always had had his back and never gave up. And that was who Wage wanted to be - the person Sundae had always needed.


Silent, he reached forwards and took Sundae's hand in his own. The other glanced down at it, but didn't pull away, letting Wage squeeze warmly. Maybe he'd have to wait forever to tell Sundae how he felt. Maybe he'd never get to. And he'd be okay with that, as long as he could stay at Sundae's side.


"Jubilee's coming out," came the familiar voice, breaking Wage's trance.


Other Frags had noticed, too, turning towards the headquarters. Not that Jubilee himself was any surprise, no. But the six Overseers, one of them their practical leader... now that drew attention. Or, perhaps, people had heard about the announcement and were congregating after realizing that it was likely to start soon. There were whispers around Wage, guesses and assumptions at who was being inaugurated. 


He felt it was rather obvious, in all honesty.


Jubilee cast an eye over the crowds. His hands were folded behind his back, but there was an exhaustion in his face, and his hair was unkempt. Stress? Or something else? 


'He looks like shit,' Wage cheerfully telepathed.


'I noticed that, too,' Sundae responded, tone low. 'An Overseer ceremony isn't enough to dishevel him like that. Something must have happened.'


'What do you think?'


'I don't know.' 


Wage hummed quietly. A mystery, then. They'd figure it out eventually, but until then... another thing to wonder about and let his mind wander.


"Thank you all for coming," Jubilee finally spoke, putting his hands together in front of his chest. "Your presence is appreciated. It has been a long while since the Overseers have opened their ranks, but today we welcome two to our group. Their dedication to improving the Coalition and their ideals of how to make it better caught our eye, and we extended the invitations. Graciously, they have both accepted."


'I wonder what prompted Magnotris to join,' Wage piped up after a second.


Sundae shrugged lightly. 'Morning Star joining, probably. I can't imagine he'd like to leave his partner alone like that.'


'Hmm, fair. Maybe I should've joined the Overseers with you!' Wage smiled, but discomfort briefly flickered on Sundae's face. Whoops. He quickly glanced to the side. 'Uh, sorry.'


'It's fine.'


Morning Star and Magnotris stepped forwards. Both looked surprisingly calm, especially Morning Star - he glanced out over the crowd one too many times, but besides his shaking knees he had an air of confidence around him. Magnotris wore the typical neutral expression, face just slightly tugged in a bored frown. 


Overseer Morning Star. Overseer Magnotris. How fascinating. 


"We would like to welcome Morning Star and Magnotris to our ranks," Jubilee continued, stepping to their side. His hands lit with soft yellow magic. "I ask of you all to treat them both with the respect that you would treat any Overseer. Their presence among us is welcomed, and I would hope you all assist in their transition. Thank you all for coming."


The magic in his hands coalesced into two small, familiar pins. Jubilee attached them to the other two's dress shirts while the small crowd politely clapped. Wage's eyes flicked over them. Sundae had the same pin, back at home.


"You are all dismissed now, of course." Jubilee finished, finally managing a weary smile. 


The Frags slowly dispersed, chattering away. The news would spread soon enough, to the reaches of the Coalition. The news of Magnotris initially turning down the position had spread within a day... this would reach the ends of the Timelines even faster. Wage breathed in slowly.


Once enough Frags had left, Jubilee turned to the new Overseers, telepathy hanging around them. A million questions burst into Wage's mind over what they could possibly be talking about. Profound settled next to Jubilee, putting a hand on the small of his back. Wage narrowed his eyes.


"Alright," Sundae spoke, quietly. "Let's go home."


With a flash, they teleported.


Sundae had already dropped his disguise by the time Wage opened his eyes again. He shed his, feeling his normal coat colors and clothes mimic themselves onto his body. So much better. How anyone could stand being someone they weren't, he had no idea.


He settled himself in a chair. They'd made their way to Sundae's office, which was as quiet and cramped as usual. It was comforting, and he traced his fingers on the armrest. Back home. Safe in the Haven. Where he and Sundae belonged. It was like a weight had been taken off his shoulders.


Unfortunately, Sundae had taken up pacing back and forth. Wage winced. "What's up?"


"Jubilee," Sundae answered, eyes focused on the floor, hands linked behind his back. "You saw how poorly he looked. And Profound, touching him in public like that? Something happened. He wasn't like that after Morning Star's attack - something happened much more recently."


"What do you think?"


"I don't know, frankly. There are many possibilities. I don't think Magnotris and Morning Star injured him - it's not in their character, at least. But I don't doubt for a second they had some sort of involvement."


"Got any likely theories?"


"Not yet. I'll have to muse on it more. I'll let you know if I think of anything."


Wage hummed, leaning back. "Alright. Don't pop a blood vessel or anything overthinking it, mkay?"


"I won't."


"Promise?"


"Yes, Wage. I promise."


"Just trying to look out for you." Wage smiled at him.


Sundae paused, turning to offer Wage his own tired smile. "Yes, I am aware. Thank you." he returned to pacing. "I'll see about talking to Cupcake, see if he can wrangle information out of Quota or eavesdrop on Jubilee himself. Someone has to be aware of what happened. We'll get to the bottom of this."


Wage paused. He placed his hands together. "Hey."


"Hm?"


"You don't think it was like - well, uh...."


"What?"


"I mean, can you - can you hear Pyatiugolnik?" Wage finally spoke up, wringing his hands. 


Sundae froze, then turned to face the other, raising an eyebrow. "If he chooses to speak to me, yes. But that's not just because of my Blessing. The Magnitude Fragments can speak to whomever they choose at any time."


"You don't think - do you think Rendgen did something?" Wage managed. "I heard that he took over Morning Star's Timeline yesterday or two days ago, something like that. Maybe Jubilee was trying to stop him?"


Sundae glanced aside for a second before centering his gaze on Wage once more. "I don't deign to speak for the Magnitude Fragments. Especially not him. But if there is one thing I know for absolute certain, it is that Rendgen would never harm Jubilee. Now please drop the conversation."


"Right." Wage ducked his head, cheeks warm. "Sorry. I know I shouldn't have brought him up."


"It's alright." Sundae took a breath to still himself, then resumed pacing. "You were just trying to offer a perspective. And I appreciate that."


Wage nodded, fiddling with his thumbs. "Still. I'm sorry. Really, Sundae."


"It's okay, Wage."


"Promise?"


"I promise." Sundae shot another tired smile to him. "Now if you want to make it up to me, you could magick up some drinks, maybe get the rest of the admins together for a party. I think we all need to destress."


Wage jumped out of his seat, "Oh, I can totally do that! I'll go get it all together."


"Thank you."


Sundae turned, but as he did, arms wrapped around his chest. He blinked as Wage pulled him into a tight hug, but by the time he reached to hug back, the other was already gone and out the door. He stared after the other for a second, before smiling quietly to himself.