The carriage began to slow down as it ca to a stop outside the Cog Shack.
Kyrie stepped out, his white hair basking in the sunlight.
He found Edwin waiting outside the restaurant.
The old man’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of him.
"Well," Edwin said,
A smile slowly spreads across his face.
"That’s quite the look."
Kyrie grinned from ear to ear, obviously happy to see the man.
"Thought it was ti for a sothing new"
"Co on inside, Let’s talk son."
The Cog Shack was quiet this ti of day, it was between the lunch and dinner rushes.
Edwin led Kyrie to a booth at the corner.
It was away from prying eyes as they slid into the seats. They sat opposite each other.
For a brief mont, they remained silent.
Then Edwin sighed.
"Negan told you’re leaving. Couln– or better still didn’t say where, but i’m guessing it’s far."
"Yeah," Kyrie said simply.
Edwin nodded slowly.
"I heard about the trouble with that crazy man. I don’t know too much but am grateful you pulled through"
Kyrie nodded as he spoke.
" More than once "
"I figured..."
Edwin’s gaze was fatherly, a softness in his eyes and tone.
"Wherever Negan’s sending you, make the most of it. Don’t waste this second chance, Kyrie. You’re a gifted boy "
Kyrie remained silent as he felt the faith, hope and love this man had in him settle.
Edwin had always been a constant in his life. He wasn’t just the man that gave him free food.
He was soone who cared without asking for anything in return. Unconditional to a fault.
"I won’t waste it," Kyrie said. "I promise."
Edwin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red pouch.
He slid across the table towards Kyrie.
Kyrie opened it without hesitation.
Inside was a necklace. It has a simple silver chain with a ruby pendant.
The gem suddenly caught the light, glowing deep red, a shade that matched Kyrie’s eyes.
"This was my daughter’s," Edwin said quietly.
"She loved red. Always said it was the color of life."
Kyrie’s breathing suddenly went still.
His Psyche Resonance coming to life involuntarily.
He wasn’t just sensing Edwin’s sadness, but understanding it.
His connection was deeper than before. He could feel the grief that warped the old man’s words.
The surface thoughts ca to him, it wasn’t all that clear but the mix of emotions made it easier for Kyrie.
There was a young girl.
There was laughter. A factory. Sickness and death.
Kyrie even in that mont tried piecing it together as it finally resonated with him.
Neteros poisoning, Kyrie realized.
She had worked in a factory.
Got exposed to sothing she shouldn’t have. It killed her.
It all finally made sense. Kyrie understood why Edwin had always looked at him with both fondness and sadness.
Why he’d cared so much.
I remind him of her and yet of sothing he never wanted to lose again.
Kyrie slowly close his hand around the necklace as he spoke.
"Edwin, I—"
"I want you to have it "
Edwin said gently.
"Always rember that soone here cared about you. And co back soday"
Kyrie nodded.
He didn’t even know how to respond and simply slipped the necklace on.
"Thank you," he managed finally.
"You’ve been more than just a cook Edwin You’ve been a father "
Finally there was a dent in Edwin’s composure as he wiped at his eyes,
"Go on, boy. Before I cry and embarrass myself."
Kyrie stood, his mannerism was full of hesitation.
He didn’t let the weight of the situation die and moved around the table before pulling Edwin into a tight and loving hug.
The older man was genuinely surprise, then returned it, his hand patting Kyrie’s back.
"Be safe out there." Edwin whispered.
"I will."
....
Kyrie stepped outside the Cog Shack. Edwin’s words still echoing in his mind as he caressed the pendant.
He’d barely taken up to three steps forward when a familiar voice stopped him.
"Kyrie?"
He turned imdiately.
And there Elaine was, she stood a few feet away,
Her brown hair was loose, the look in her eyes was both that of confusion and affection.
"Elaine," Kyrie said, surprised.
"Katherine told you’d be here,"
she said quickly.
"I... I just wanted to see you before you left."
Kyrie glanced at the carriage, then back at her.
The System notification still flickered at the edge of his vision
[Make aningful connections (1/3)]
"Can we talk?" Elaine asked softly.
Kyrie looked at her as every mont they’d shared.
Every ti he’d forgotten her because of the body lacking a soul.
The pain in her eyes when he didn’t recognize her.
How she was so patient with him.
He owed her this.
"Yeah, sure " Kyrie said. "We can talk."
She nodded with a smile on her face even as her eyes finally went upwards.
" White? "
She was a bit surprised but also impressed.
" You changed it."
Kyrie imdiately understood what she was talking about.
" Yeah, I felt it was the right ti to make a change."
" It suits you— brings out your eyes" she complinted.
" Thank you " Kyrie replied politely as his eyes scrutinized both the Cog Shack and the carriage he had ca with.
He looked at Elaine, his red eyes reflecting hers.
" Where do you want to talk? " He enquired hoping to get her choice.
" Anywhere private " she replied without a second thought.
" The safe house is private but let’s grab sothing to eat first— am quite famished "
Elaine simply nodded following Kyrie’s polite gesture for her to co with him back into the cog shack.
" Sounds good "
Both of them entered the Cog shack again as Edwin saw them together.
His face broke into a knowing smile as it seed like he had been waiting for this.
" Sothing for the road " Kyrie said, ignoring the old man’s smile.
While they entered, Elaine had wrapped her arms around his and eyes, though sparse followed them.
They looked like a couple, the handso white haired boy and the model-like woman.
Edwin didn’t even bother to ask Kyrie what he wanted.
The man never failed when he got a chance to over-feed the boy even if it’s for the last ti.
He quickly packed a large al.
There was roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, fresh bread, and his famous co- back again pudding.
He handed Kyrie the package with an expression that almost read out loud.
– Be good, Son!
Kyrie took it and in no ti, they were in the carriage.
They were across from each other and Elaine was still studying Kyrie.
After a mont of silence, she finally mustered up the courage. She knew she needed to.
" You look different —and am not just talking about the hair" She added.
" I feel different " Kyrie answered flatly.
"The last few days have been eye-opening "
" I can tell " She said, her eyes filled with not just the look of affection or sadness but hope. It was as if she was praying for sothing. Anything. To happen right now.
It didn’t take long before the nervous silence made a grand return.
Elaine had her hands on her lap. Sneaking a look at his hair every now and then almost as if she was still amazed he changed it.
It could also be the fact, she found him even more handso now. Her heart was fluttering but she maintained steeze.
After about thirty minutes, they arrived at the safe house but before this ti, the silence had broke once or twice with Elaine talking about hearing from Katherine that he was leaving because of so work problems.
Kyrie surprised that the won talked about him alot while at the casino.
Elaine denying it blatantly while they had a few laughs.
They entered the safe house with Kyrie leading the charge.
Kyrie carried the food, like a proper gentleman not wanting his lady to do anything.
While they entered the carriage driver remained in the vehicle as he watched them.
Kyrie had left him so food as well. His own say of saying.
- I see you
...
The safe house didn’t look so different from a normal house.
Though It lacked the comfortable ambience that ca with a usual house. It had most of the necessities.
it was clean with a small kitchen area, a centre table at the sitting area, a couch and a bedroom beyond a tal door.
When they entered, Kyrie knew Katherine had been here earlier.
He could tell by the aroma that ca from the kitchen and the neatly folded blanket on the couch.
He was certain none of those was Negan’s doing.
Kyrie set the food down on the table. Gesturing for Elaine to sit on the couch while he unpacked.
She watched him attentively, her eyes following every move of his.
"This is surreal." She said softly.
"Being here with you–Being here like this"
" Hmmm " Kyrie grunted while he pulled off the lid off one of the containers.
" Why is that?"
Her face shifted slightly.
" The last ti we were together like this– you looked at like I was a stranger. Like you didn’t know — didn’t know Us "
She paused for a second, her expression now solemn.
"It hurt K-Y... it really did "
Kyrie paused. He could feel guilt twirling in his stomach.
He swiftly moved beside her, sliding across the couch, with his hand wrapping around her.
" It’s all in the past, I rember now– I rember all of it. Our first date at that fancy restaurant close to the casino, where the waiter eyeballed all night like I owed him money."
He paused with his crimson eyes peering into hers.
"I rember the nights we spent on your roof talking about everything– his expression suddenly changed into one of regret. —i also rember hurting you when I couldn’t even recognise the taste of your lips, when you had no choice but to leave when I couldn’t recall our bond."
" I- I didn’t an to leave– She cut in. –I just didn’t know how to love a man who couldn’t rember . I’m sorry"
A single tear trailed down her cheeks even as their eyes remained locked.
"It’s all in the past now " Kyrie reassured her.
Even though he was leaving soon, he wouldn’t let her carry any regrets for sothing that even he might have done if he was in her shoes.
She couldn’t help herself and moved in as her lips rged with his. Her tongue latched onto his hungrily.
They stayed locked for a few seconds literally exploring each other’s mouths.
The sounds of their intimacy taking over the room before slowly breaking away with Elaine pointing at the food.
" We should eat before it gets cold, Edwin would never forgive us if it does. "
Kyrie smiled while he wiped the tear on her face from earlier softly.
" I will never forget you ever again " he said softly.
She smiled genuinely and stood to arrange the food for them.
" Let’s eat ! "
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