Visitors
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Lance stared at the tall, heavy metal doors. “They are rather intimidating”, he thought as he adjusted the collar of his button up. There on the left was a small barbed window that allowed him to see the room beyond, and a lone person sitting on a plastic chair. To the average person, the figure seemed relaxed, almost comfortable even, but Sterling could see that they seemed nervous. Just like he was.
His badge was scanned, and he was let in. His steps were slow and movements careful, as he pulled a chair out and sat opposite of the scarred man.
“ Sterling.”
“ Killian.”
Neither spoke for a while. They stared each other down like to see if the other would get up and run away. When that did not happen, Lance sighed.
“ Damn, this place is hot! Like, where does all that money go if not the ac?” He fanned himself with a folded-up paper.
“ So you did get my letter.” Killian’s posture loosened, but only a little.
“ Yeah, I did.”
“ How is Walter? Is he taking care of himself?”
“ Uh I believe so? I mean, yes, he’s good don’t worry.”
“ That’s good.”
“… A whole year huh. Time flies doesn’t it?”
“ I didn’t notice.”
There was silence again.
“ Okay, look Sterling, maybe this was a mistake. Sorry to drag you here, let’s just-“
“ It was a little past eleven. I had just gotten out of the shower when the message came. They promised me it was going to be a quick in-and-out mission. And I, damn it, I really thought that too.” Lance looked to see if Killian was listening and then continued.
“ They wanted me to just grab the missile launch codes, plant a few bugs here and there to disturb the signals, knock a few people out… The head said that once the missiles were secured they would come and arrest your people. But then-“ He swallowed.
“ Something happened. Someone must have triggered the bombs and I panicked and pressed the plan-B-button. Only no-one had informed me on what exactly it would do and, you know, Lance Sterling flies solo. So there was a fight. The heads thought I’d lose and launched an attack. The button I pressed alerted them that I had lost, and they needed to act immediately.”
He sifted in the chair, leaning forward and holding his arms on the table.
“There was a signal error, it was all due to miscommunication and malfunction. Multiple force members and agents got the message that I had lost so they all fired at the same time.” Lance had genuine remorse in his eyes when he finally had the courage to look at the man that was so badly wronged.
Killian stared but said nothing. His human eye was shiny, filled with tears as he relived that horrible day.
“ So they all used force. It was either they kill a criminal organisation or that millions of people, civilians, good and bad, had lost their lives in that missile attack. They weighed those options and chose the better sounding one. “
“ I still sometimes hear the sounds of guns and bombs and screams of pain. The worst is the breaking of bone and tearing of flesh. Fuck, there was this one boy, a young kid, that was about to yell something at me and then just,” He balled his hand into a fist and hit the table. “ A piece of rock, possibly from the roof, came crashing on top of him. And I could do nothing but stare…”
Killian’s mouth was pursed, a haunted look on his face. Lance could relate.
“ Words don’t really matter in a situation like this but-“ He faced the man fully.
“ I am so sorry. It should never have happened. You didn’t deserve any of this. So many people messed up that day and I was one of them.” He bowed his head.
“ I accept your apology.”
Agent Sterling raised his head. Something akin to hope shined in his eyes.
“ But I don’t forgive you. Not yet.”
Instead of anger or maybe disappointment like the criminal mastermind expected, Lance laughed and smiled.
“ I didn’t come here expecting for you to accept it. I just needed to say it. To let you know that I was, am sorry. That it affected my life too and that I didn’t truly forget. It is one of my greatest failures and I am paying for that to this very day.”
They locked eyes again.
“ You know, you’re not so bad... Wish things had gone differently.”
“ Why? So that we could’ve been friends? Best buds?”
“ You know that’s not what I meant. But just think about it! If you had somehow gotten recruited here and we had worked together. Like, dude, I saw your gadgets. Those bombs were pretty impressive.”
Killian looked at the floor.
“ Flattery will not get you anyw-“
“ And that hand! Holy shit dude it’s brilliant.”
“ Alright St-“
“ Though it’s not as amazing as that eye.”
“ That’s enough Lance.”
Agent Sterling raised his hands up in surrender but did not wipe a smile off his face.
That’s how the rest of their first meeting went.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Later that evening Walter found him sitting at the kitchen table, deep in thought. He gave his new boyfriend a kiss and smiled.
“ What’s wrong? You have been very quiet, that’s not like you.”
“ I’m fine. Just thinking.”
“ About today’s visit? But you said it went great?”
“ It did, it did. I’m just… Playing it over.”
Walter sat next to Lance and held his hand.
“ You know, I never realized the full extent of the attack. I guess my brain just kinda shut down during it or something.”
“ It could be trauma related?”
“ Mhh. Maybe I need to see one of those therapists?”
“ That could work! I can recommend some.”
“ Yeah you do that… Now let’s talk about something else! Have you looked over the options?”
“ Oh, hours ago and I think I like this one the best.” Lance leaned over.
“ Two stories? And three bedrooms. You sure we need all this space?”
“ I just have this feeling. And look, it has a glass terrace.”
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-