Chapter Text
Mino let out a high pitch angry sound as he scratched the sides of his head.
Dade. Taken.
Because of his friend’s own idiocy.
He closed his eyes, sitting on a chest in their cave base, trying to put a plan in motion. His head told him to find Sols. Sols was the main issue for him right now. He knew where he would be, and he could go in and kill him for what he’s done to the voidling.
Or he could try and find Dade. As much as a small part of his heart ached at the thought of him getting captured, he could feel his last connection snapping. He rubbed his head, his last everlasting connection he had to his remaining emotions fall through his fingers.
He sighed, trying to relax. He could find Da- he would take Sols down.
Extra flew down into the room, a smirk on his face as he landed. He had his ender chest full of gear and tilted his head in curiosity at the Dadeless Mino*
“Bummer. I thought the one I liked would actually be here. Did he leave you? That’s outta character not gona lie. Cares too much about you.”
Extra moved opening chest and rummaging through them carelessly.
“Boring…”
Extra closed a chest and plopped down on it, smiling at Mino, fiddling with his spear.
“Well?”
“Shut up.” Mino laced his tone with resentment, shifting away from Extra. He covered his head with his arms, one hand tugging at his horn the other resting on his stump as he tried to think through the clouds of anger.
“Why was he such a fucking idiot?! He got himself caught, he-he… mmm.” His anger boiled, his hand continuing to tug at his horn as his arms hid his eyes.
Extra raised a brow a smirk tugging on his face.
“His fault? Did you even try to go back for him Mino? You wouldn’t be this angry if you had, I mean, Dade cares for you.”
Extra looked away and said just loud enough for Mino to hear.
“Dade would’ve gone back for you.”
“How do you know anything about going back for someone? Caring for someone? You left Napa after the Wither Storm didn’t you?!” Mino snapped back, moving his hands away from his head.
Dade from the desert empire would tell him there’s no point to being this angry, but he couldn’t help it. It was boiling, and he needed to let it out before it exploded.
Extra masked his face but anger flashed in his eyes.
“What did you say to me? I can go and sell you out right now. You know that right? I’m here because I want to be not because you convinced me.”
Extra smiled.
“You really didn’t even try and go back for him.”
“You didn’t either asshole. At least I knew- I mean I hoped he could’ve handled his own but it seems I was wrong! Go figures.” Mino retorted, standing up.
He paced,and paced…
Seeing Sols only reminded him of that dimension. That sweaty, hot dimension that made his skin boil from the heat and the anger he used to try and think of a plan to get back at him.
Sols angered him.
Dade angered.
Hell, the world angered him.
He knew he was good. He knew he could be better. All these people were getting in his way of his goal.
To prove himself. To himself.
Extra laughed.
“Didn’t what? Didn’t go back from Dade? You two are friends! Would’ve thought you go back for your friend hero boy.”
Extra stood eyeing Mino.
“Someone’s angry that I’m right.”
“I’m not a hero!” Mino snarled back, pulling out his sword, the tip barely skimming Extra’s neck. His own breaths escalated, one of his hands grabbing at his hair.
“Why bring up the word friend when you don’t even know the meaning of it!”
“And you do?”
Extra said, holding his hands up with a playful smile.
“You think this is all a joke, huh?!” Mino hissed, his heart feeling like it was beating out of his chest.
Extra grinned seeing him get more upset, he was making Mino lash out and calm down. It was almost exactly like Napa.
“I mean, hell if you had just gone back for poor little Dade.”
“Shut up Extra!” Mino yelled, his hand moving to his chest. He blinked, panting. Why was he panting? He felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“I have a plan to follow through with.”
“And likely fail. Like everything else.”
Extra grinned.
“After all, are you really trusting Jam? Are you really gonna leave Dade behind?”
“I-I’m not leaving Dade behind. I have something to complete first.” Mino grabbed at his chest, the anger fading behind the waves of fear of not being able to breathe.
He ignored the Jam comment. He had enough of those from Dade.
Extra raised a brow.
“Hey you make the calls here but just know that ur little friend would’ve already been on the way to save you.”
Extra moved forward looking at Mino with a smile.
“Says a lot about your friendship huh? You know he would’ve been helping. Maybe you don’t care much about him after all.”
“I..”
Mino couldn’t bring himself to say the words he cared.
He didn’t know himself.
It seemed that that emotion disappeared when he killed Airo.
He dropped his sword, huffing.
“I..”
Extra smiled, looking at the other the playful smile back.
“You know I’m right.”
“I can’t..” The voidling panted, his heart thumping loudly in his ears.
He never felt this way before. Maybe it was the stress, maybe it was the overload of anger, maybe it was Extra pushing him.
Maybe it was all three.
“Breathe..” He managed to wheeze out at the end.
Extra blinked realization hitting him.
“Oh. Oh fuck.”
Extra hadn’t meant to push that forward, he stepped forwards and gripped Minos hand.
“In for four, hold for eight, out for four.”
Tippss' words echoed in his ears.
Mino hated this.
Him? Having a panic attack? It made himself sick.. of himself. He was supposed to be better than this. Especially in front of someone else. What would Extra think of him now? Weak? Dade?..
“I.. can’t-“
Extra clicked his tongue.
“Listen to me. It feels really heavy, believe me I know. It feels like you’re dying. You aren’t. Again, in for four, hold for eight, out for four.”
Extra commanded, pressing Minos hand to his now armorless chest.
The voidling wheezed, trying to follow Extra’s steps. His heart thumped loudly in his head, his breaths still coming out ragged and wet.
“In..” he wheezed to himself. He didn’t care anymore about how Extra saw him right now.
“For four, hold for eight, out for four.”
Extra repeated the words, his voice low. Tippss words playing in his ears.
“Feel my heartbeat, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
Mino went silent, fully focusing on his breathing. In four..
He breathed in coughing soon after.
In four..
He inhaled. Hold for eight..
He closed his eyes, holding his breath.
Out for four.
Extra watched his eyes focused on Mino watching him breathe.
“Easy… just like that. You got this.”
Mino's breathing slowed back to a regular pace, his heart calming in his chest. He rubbed his head, opening his eyes again.
"..."
Extra stared at him before moving to pull away, face flushed in embarrassment. He didn’t comfort people he needed space he didn’t care about Mino.
The voidling sat on the wooden chest again, staring at the floor. He didn't want to acknowledge what he just did, and tried to forget it.
Extra moved away rubbing his face trying to calm the embarrassment.
“THAT didn’t happen.”
His voice shook slightly.
"Yeah.." Mino scoffed shakily, looking away from Extra.
Extra hugged his bare arms his chestplate beside Mino and he glared at his hands.
“That happen often?”
Extra said, voice awkward.
“Do you uhm. Do you. Fuck never mind.”
"No. That was my first time." Mino answered truthfully, fiddling with his sleeves.
Extra nodded jerkily.
“Yeah. Yeah okay, uh that happen again? Just do the same thing from before. The thing I showed you.”
Mino nodded, keeping his gaze on the other side of the room.
"I have to go get Sols now."
“No.”
"What do you mean, no? I can take care of myself." Mino scoffed again, this time back to its normal angry tone.
Extra laughed.
“What did we just learn you fucking idiot.”
"That I need to get rid of my problem." Mino answered, standing up. He wasn't going to talk about his feelings, because quite frankly he didn't understand them.
Extra sighed moving and stepping in front of Mino.
“You can rest first. I’ll go find Dade. You stay here and rest. Am I clear?”
"Why the fuck do you care now?" Mino retorted. If Extra was expecting a soft answer back he was mistaken.
He wasn't the same anymore.
"I will do what I damn well please."
Extra held out a potion of weakness.
“Don’t test me Mino. You are not leaving here.”
"Oh c'mon. Seriously? I HAVE to do this. So stop acting like you care." The voidling opened the chest he was sitting on previously, sifting through the items.
Extra moved quickly, spinning Mino around and pinning him to the now closed chest, holding his arm far behind his back and keeping him in place with a knee to his back.
“Do you forget who I am Mino.”
Gone was the soft concern, in its place frustration and bitterness replaced it.
"Get off me you idiot." Mino squirmed, trying to elbow Extra in the side.
"Fuck off."
Extra pressed harder, an annoyed sound slipping from him.
“Maybe listen to reason for once in your life and I wouldn’t be so hands on then.”
Mino grumbled, going still under Extra's hands. He still snarled in annoyance and frustration though.
Extra smiled.
“Now. You’re going to stay here and not leave while I search for Dade right?”
Mino agreed, falsely. He just wanted Extra to let go of him so he could put on his elytra and fly out of there.
Extra wasn’t stupid, he gripped Mino tighter.
“You don’t lie very well Mino.”
"I lie just fine, now let go of me!" The voidling exclaimed, his arms hurting from Extra's tight grips.
“I said I’m not stupid Mino!”
Extra's voice shook slightly. Mino was such an idiot, he was willing to run into danger for no reason. It made him angry. It felt too much like past him. It pissed him off.
"Okay? You aren't. Does that help your ego?" Mino snapped, his horn rubbing up against the wooden chest.
“Who said anything about ego!”
Extra snapped, gripping Mino tighter.
“Watch your mouth you worthless little-“
"C'mon! Finish that sentence!" The voidling winced slightly at the tightened grip but continued to egg him on, snarling as he tried to kick at Extra's knee.
Extra kicked Mino back and a angry snarl came from.
“You worthless little shit!”
Extra hissed, finishing the statement.
Mino went still that time. His back ached from the jab, but he couldn't move in retaliation.
So he just stayed limp. Thinking.
Extra breathed heavily, Mino pissed him off. How could he sit there and act like nothing was wrong? Like what he was doing wasn’t so stupid.
"You got it out of your system now? Can you let me go." The last part sounded more genuine than the beginning.
Extra blinked, surprised at the genuine sound, before snapping back to annoyance.
“I’m fine. Fuck you.”
"Fuck you too asshole." Mino grumbled quietly.
Extra made an annoyed sound, his hands tightening on Mino again.
Napa's voice rang through his ears, Tippss as well at how being carless was so dangerous.
"Clingy huh? Can't seem to let go?" Mino smirked but on the inside his anger was building up again. He could've had Sols killed by now if it wasn't for Extra holding him back.
Extra kicked Mino in the knee, looking down at him. "I’m going to kill you.”
They didn’t do anything to calm the annoyance Extra felt.
Mino, annoyed at Extra wasting his time, laid against the wooden chest in false defeat. He relaxed his shoulders, changed his expression to seem tired.
Extra blinked and loosened his grip.
Mino quickly jabbed Extra in his chest, before ducking past him. He moved towards a chest on the opposite side of the room.
Extra hissed and slammed into Mino knocking him to the floor.
“Fuck you.”
Mino yelped when he hit the floor. He still tried to squirm out, trying to kick back at Extra.
"Let me GO. C'mon this is STUPID!" He exclaimed in frustration.
Extra shifted the kick hitting his face and he turned spitting blood and pressing his knee into the others back.
“You’re stupid. You haven’t learned anything from this. Haven’t learned since the Vikings, what do you think you’ll accomplish this way?”
Extra glared down at Mino, red staining his face from his split lip and bloody nose.
"I'll accomplish killing Sols." Mino stilled, his own tone going a shade darker.
"I'll kill him slowly so he understands what he did to me!" He exclaimed, trying his best to roll away.
Extra pulled out his spear, carefully stabbing it into Mino shirt and planting the other against the floor.
“You aren’t doing shit.”
"Seriously? You've resorted to that now?" Mino chuckled, but went still as to avoid the blade.
"I need to do this."
Extra said nothing remains firm on top of the other.
"Let me out!" He continued to yell, trying to move away from the spear blade.
He felt hot, sweaty, antsy as Extra held him to the floor. He tried to ignore the nerves and fake hot air breezing past him.
"Let me out! Let me out!" He hated the way his voice cracked from the way he thought of the Citadel.
Extra shifted, blinking slowly.
“Mino look around. Wherever you think you are you aren’t there. We are in a cave Mino.”
"Let me out Tingz." Mino said quietly. He stiffened and stopped squirming, the hot air blowing against his face.
"Please let me out. I don't want to be here anymore."
Extra stopped moving. That wasn’t a name he was used to being called. He felt his heart beat quicken. Sure he was bad but he wasn’t like Tingz. He wasn’t..
“Mino- look around I’m not Tingz!”
Extra hoped his voice didn’t wobble.
"Let me out, let me out.." Mino continued to mumble quietly.
Extra let go of the other, the spear keeping the other in place but he didn’t care. He moved away; he couldn’t be compared to Tingz.
The voidling shivered, the hot air calming around him. He rolled over noticing Extra, which only made him hide his face with his hands.
"What's wrong with me..?" He rubbed his face, trying to ease his nerves.
“You need sleep- you need to calm down- you just need to fix yourself!”
Extra knew his own voice wobbled but hell he didn’t like being compared to Tingz. And clearly Mino had his own problems.
Mino didn't know what to say anymore. He grunted, scooting away from the spear. He leaned himself up against a wooden chest.
"I'm fine."
“You’re a liar. And a fucking fraud.”
Extra snapped, turning to face Mino and his own hand gripping his shirt.
“Do you want to die? Do you want to have more of your friends die because you’re so. fucking. careless.”
Mino scoffed, looking away.
"I'm not careless. Just determined."
“You didn’t answer my question! Do you think that I am such a bad person that I can’t care for someone like you? Hell I still hate you but I’m not letting you run into a situation that’ll get you and hundreds killed!”
Extra was angry, and he was so close to leaving Mino to have another panic attack alone.
Mino felt a little awkward, fidgeting with his fingers.
Extra didn't understand. Probably never will.
"I don't care." He said truthfully. "I don't care about you, I don't care about Dade.. anymore..- All I care about is killing Sols and wiping that smile off his face."
Extra blinked, understanding dawning and he sighed.
“Are you willing to risk the death of others that are innocent to eliminate Sols? For that blood to be on your hands?”
His own hands flexed, his mind going back to the wither storm.
"Yes, and I would do it again and again and again without a second thought." Mino growled back.
“What a villain mindset then huh?”
"I told you I'm not a hero anymore." Mino used the chest as support when standing up. He brushed himself off.
"Now if you'd excuse me-"
“You aren’t leaving Mino.”
Mino grumbled in annoyance.
"Are we seriously doing this again."
“Yes. Yes we are.”
"Okay then."
Mino pulled out a sword slashing across Extra's armoured chest, then tried to stab him through the armour's weak spot.
Extra let out a small surprised sound, gripping his side and tossing a weakness potion at Mino, his spear was behind the other on the floor and he dove for his weapon.
“You fucking idiot!”
Mino kicked the spear away, the potion hitting his skin. He breathed in a strong stench of sweetness and stumbled, leaning against the row of chests.
"S-seriously..?" He stuttered, his legs shaking subtly.
Extra tripped and moved to stand again glaring at Mino.
“Yeah. Yeah you need rest. Maybe then you’ll stop being such an idiot.”
"I need to focus that's what." Mino growled back as he grabbed Extra's ankle and dragged him away from the spear with his remaining energy. Then he collapsed against the chests, sliding down.
Extra Let out a pained noise feeling an ache in his ankle and he moved up, looking and glaring back behind him at Mino.
“That was not needed.”
Mino blinked slowly in response. "Throwing weakness.. on me wasn't needed.."
Extra stood, leaning against his chest and a small cry leaving him as he pressed his ankle on the floor before lifting it just as quick. His eyes water and he shook his head, masking his face.
“You weren’t going to stop, I gave you the chance to and you didn’t.”
"It's not your.. say what I do with.. my life." Mino muttered, trying to fight the weakness.
He wasn't weak.
Extra limped over to Mino.
“Just stop fighting for once.”
"I have.. things I need to do.." Mino forced his sluggish body to move, using the chests to lean on for support.
Extra pushed the other back to the ground glaring down at him.
“You can do it when you rest.”
Mino pouted, his eyes blinking slowly.
"You piss me off Extra."
“You piss me off too.”
Extra leaned against a chest, looking away from the other unbothered. Mino wasn’t gonna be able to do anything anymore.
Mino tried to keep his eyes open, his limbs weighing him down.
He didn't want to be here right now. Weak and at someone's mercy. He wanted to go stab a sword straight through Sols heart, not talk about his feelings.
“Just close your damn eyes.”
Extra leaned against the chests, looking down at his ankle.
"Mo.." Mino slurred, his eyes fluttering.
Extra said nothing, leaning down and lifting his pant sleeve and rubbing his ankle curiously.
Mino lifted his gaze to Extra before slumping, his eyes closing. His sleeping body slowly slid to the side.
Extra looked down at Mino, his eyes darkening and his hands on his sword hilt. He could do it.. he could do what Napa had wanted before.
”How much is this something you want instead of it just being Napa?”
Extra’s hands let go of his sword hilt.
Mino's back slid away from the chests, his side hitting the floor. His horn whacked the ground, making him whine in his sleep.
Extra stared watching the other worriedly before looking away and letting out a noise of annoyance.
“Idiot.”
Extra was NOT concerned for him.
Mino slept peacefully after that, his features relaxed as his breathing slowed. He occasionally mumbled nonsense.
Extra watched from the side his eyes fluttering but he remained awake and alert distracted by the ache in his ankle from where Mino had grabbed him.
Soon enough, Mino woke up. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, grumbling as he used the wall of chests to help himself up.
Extra was away leaning against a chest and spaced out eyes slightly dull as he stared into space.
Mino walked away, opening the chest and taking items. He put his elytra on his back, looking back at Extra with anger.
"Thanks for wasting my time."
Extra looked over before looking away.
“Go ahead and fly.”
Mino didn’t have to know Extra fucked the dura on his elytra and swapped theirs. He’d learn.
Mino took out a firework, launching himself a few feet in the air before the brittle elytra snapped. He yelped, falling down into the cave.
Extra placed a water bucket for the other.
The voidling fell into the water, scrambling up. He sprayed water everywhere, his hair soggy his eyes glaring at Extra.
"What the fuck?!"
“What?”
Extra stretched turning away.
"You tampered with it didn't you?!" Mino threw off the broken and wet elytra, practically seething.
“I did nothing to your elytra.”
Extra ran his fingers through Mino's elytra that rested on his lap.
"You... You can't keep me here! Stop wasting my time!" Mino scoffed.
Extra hummed.
“If you want to leave. Go ahead.”
"You keep stopping me." Mino stared at him.
"Give me back my elytra."
“What elytra? You can leave if you want to.”
Extra leaned back smiling raising a brow.
“You don’t need an elytra.”
"I would rather it not take an eternity to get to where I want to be!" Mino moved forwards, grabbing at the elytra Extra had.
“Ah ah. Hey now.”
Extra lifted the elytra away from Mino's grip.
“You want to leave? Go ahead. Make your way there."
"Give me back my elytra then!" Mino reached out for the membrane.
Extra leaned further away humming.
“You can leave without the elytra if you want to leave so bad.”
"If I leave without it, I won't have the energy to fight and kill that son of a bitch." Mino stopped reaching.
Extra shrugged.
“Maybe you should rest and make a plan then?”
"I don't need a plan. Going in, taking a sword and stabbing it through his chest is an excellent plan." Mino growled. He hated that he had to deal with Extra right now.
“Has that ever gone well for you?”
Mino grumbled in annoyance. "Sure. Now give it back."
Extra shrugged.
“I think I’m okay. I actually like yours.”
If he pissed the other off enough maybe he’d calm down when he had to go find Sols.
Mino wanted to pull out his sword so badly and attack Extra. He wanted to leave him here and complete his job.
"Please give it back."
“Try and make me Mino.”
Mino cursed under his breath as he pulled his sword. He held it pointed at Extra's head.
Anger. An interesting emotion. One without much thinking, just acting. Sometimes you don't even realize you did something, say something until it's too late to take it back.
Mino was on the verge of stabbing his sword through the man's skull.
Extra smiled, looking at Minos sword.
“An elytra? All for an elytra.”
Mino grumbled before tossing his sword, an angry sound leaving him.
"You want to make a plan?"
“I want you to make a plan yes. I want you to use the bit of brain I think you have and be realistic.”
Extra stretched.
"And why do you want me to do that exactly?" Mino tilted his head, his eyes narrowing on Extra.
“I want to kill you myself. I don’t want Sols to get that satisfaction. So you get to make a plan and stay alive so that I can kill you.”
"I find that hard to believe. You seem awfully concerned with me. If you were worried about that, you would've come with me, not.. protected me?" Mino smiled at the realization.
"Are you concerned about me?"
Extra stiffened.
“No. Unlike you I'm not worried about you I don’t get worried.”
"Mhm..." Mino smiled, picking up the sword.
"So if I left and got myself stuck, you wouldn't come and save me?"
Extra shifted.
“No. No why would I?”
Mino's smile faded, dissatisfied.
"Hm. Plan huh? Fly in, stalk from the roof, jump down and stab Sols."
Extra rolled his eyes.
“That’s a plan to you?”
"Yes. Now give me the elytra back."
Dade and Airo were normally the ones to help him think of a plan. He never made one fully himself, unless it was a half baked one.
“Make a better one.”
Extra leaned against the chests.
Mino groaned, rubbing the sides of his head, closing his eyes.
His thoughts were so jumbled, emotions jumping off the walls of his skull as he grunted at himself.
"I can't."
“What are you hoping to achieve if you can’t make a plan? We haven’t even started in a back up plan.”
The word we came out before Extra realized it did.
"We?"
Mino smiled, eager to get his mind off the brain numbing ideas of a plan.
"I was right."
“Shut up Mino.”
Extra snapped, his eyes moving away from Mino.
“You were making a plan.”
"Ohh now I'm making you angry huh? C'mon, let's just leave. No plan required." The voidling leaned towards him, reaching for his elytra again.
“Stop it oh my god you’re so annoying!!”
Extra's voice wavered, this was embarrassing. He did not care about Mino. He didn’t. he moved the elytra away again.
“Plan Mino! A PLAN!”
"Fine."
Mino stopped reaching and made his way towards the exit.
"I'm leaving."
Extra watched him, his hand hovering over an invis potion as he watched the other go.
Mino climbed out of the cave entrance, pissed off and angry.
Extra splashed invis and began to follow the other.
Mino reached the sunlight, his mood shifting slightly. He closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air.
Extra watched, raised a brow as he watched the other. His mind flashing to Tippss before he focused back in front of him.
Then Mino set forward. He started walking, as much as he really wanted to go back and get the wings.
For about an hour he walked, walking through the trees.
Extra followed, enjoying the sunlight himself as he followed through the woods staying in the trees and ignoring the way his face tugged into a smile.
Another hour passed, Mino's legs aching from the constant moving. He took a break, leaning up against a tree. He moved his arms to cover his face as one hand grabbed his horn, the other scratching his growing hair.
He normally wouldn't have let it get this long, but he was so focused on Sols he'd forgotten he wanted to cut it while he was in Prometheus.
He breathed in the warm air.
Extra fumbled on a jump but landed almost silently looked at the other below him.
“Does he not know about nether travel.”
Extra mumbled to himself.
Mino pulled out a small dagger out of his belt, staring at the metal engraved with rose patterns.
Extra watched him, kicking his feet and trying to force himself over the tree branch.
Mino raised the dagger close to his neck as he fixed his hair.
Extra blinked, he wasn’t trying to hurt himself was he? Who put a dagger so close to his own neck.
Extra scrambled up the branch and dropped pinecone on the other.
Mino froze, moving the dagger down as he looked up.
Extra buried his face in the leaves praying the invis particles weren’t seen. Mino would never let him live this down.
Mino could see particles but he moved his gaze to the dagger in his hands.
"I know your here Extra."
Extra said nothing, simply watching.
"Going to ignore me?"
Extra watched, after all. If he could make Mino angry, how hard would it be to convince the other he simply wasn’t even there.
Mino chuckled, tracing the rose engravings.
"Quiet then I guess."
Extra shifted his eyes focused on the other.
Mino wasn’t going to force him to speak.
"You remind me of Airo sometimes, frustratingly annoying." Mino stared at the dagger before raising it near his neck again.
"He always told me to step back and actually think of a plan."
Extra dropped another pine cone.
"Are you doing this on purpose now?" Mino looked up annoyed.
Extra said nothing watching the floor below a smile forming on his face knowing Mino couldn’t see it.
Mino threw the pinecone back at him.
Extra let out a small laugh, peering down at Mino.
"I knew you were watching me." Mino scooted away from the tree as he tried to cut his hair with the small dagger.
Extra tossed the pine cone back down.
"I have a blade in my hand you idiot." Mino snapped, a small hint of playfulness hitting his voice.
Extra snickered, dropping another watching Mino.
Mino stuffed the blade away, throwing the pinecone back then tugging at the man's ankle.
Extra let out a pained and surprised noise as he fell.
Mino wilted slightly at the sound but changed his features, sitting back down. He pulled out the dagger again.
Extra lifted his head, shaking the leaves out of his hair face flushed in embarrassment.
“Hi.”
"Why did you follow me." Mino asked, holding a portion of his hair as he cut it down.
“Does it matter?”
Yeah Extra was not telling Mino shit.
"I have a good guess." Mino grinned, watching as his dark hair fell to the ground.
“Sure you do.”
Extra said, turning his head away.
Mino moved to the other side of his head, cutting more off in silence.
Extra rolled onto his back eyes narrowing at the sky as he thought silently.
Mino watched his hair fall as he moved to try and get the back, struggling to get a good angle to cut it.
Extra looked over and he opened his mouth before shutting it and huffing.
The voidling continued to struggle until he gave up, looking over at Extra.
"Can you cut it for me."
Extra looked at the other, to the dagger then back up.
“Me?”
Genuine curiosity was in his voice.
"Have a look around. Is there anyone else?" Mino held out the dagger.
Extra stared for a few more moments before moving forward and carefully taking the dagger.
His eyes focused on the dagger. It felt like he was back with Tipps. He hated this. He felt vulnerable.
Mino waited, moving his hands to his lap.
“I.. I don’t-“
Extra took a breath and leaned in behind him carefully grabbing the others hair.
Mino chuckled slowly at Extra's nervousness. "Just try to not cut it all off hm?"
“Yeah yeah.”
Extra moved slow eyes trained on the dagger his hands shaking.
"If you can't do it, I can figure it out. It's just a little difficult without a mirror." Mino suggested.
Extra ignored him and began to cut it, forcing his hands to stop shaking.
Mino stayed as still as possible for Extra.
Extra cut carefully his eyes locked on the hair and his shoulder relaxed slightly, it was a smidge and barely noticeable but he relaxed.
Mino's eyes peered around the clearing watching nature as Extra worked.
Extra continued to cut for a little longer before stopping.
Mino waited a few extra seconds before reaching his hand back to feel his shortened hair.
"Nice job." He agreed, some of the weight on his head was gone.
Extra blinked at that and nodded looking away.
“Thanks Tip- Thanks Mino.”
Extra had stiffened up again, his eyes focused on the grass praying Mino hadn’t heard the mess up.
Mino turned his head, looking at Extra before ignoring the mix up. It was none of his business.
"Are you here to stop me again. I'm going to continue now." Mino stood up, taking the dagger from Extra gently as he started walking again.
Extra said nothing but he relaxed slightly at the ignorance Mino showed.
“That’s none of your business.”
Extra followed behind, climbing the trees.
"Whatever." Mino mumbled, brushing off some of the almost black coloured hairs off his dagger.
Extra followed behind his eyes scanning the area.
After another hour or so, which only made him frustrated, a massive ocean appeared. Mino started chopping down wood to make it into a boat.
Extra jumped down from a tree smiling playfully.
“You could swim?”
"I'm not an idiot." Mino picked up the logs, throwing down a crafting table as he ignored Extra.
“Why are you ignoring me again?”
Extra hoped the actual sadness in his voice wasn’t clear.
Mino stopped, the boat finished. "I need to focus. Going to kill a man after all."
“Yeah yeah yeah.”
Extra ignored the bitterness he felt.
“I’ll follow behind you then.”
"Suit yourself. You could join me. There is enough room." Mino turned back to Extra, walking backwards toward the shore.
Extra's hand hovered over the elytra thinking.
Mino's expression turned slightly sour. "I forgot you had that."
Extra tossed the elytra in his e chest and hopped in the back in the boat.
“Get rowing Mino!”
Mino grumbled with a small smirk as he started rowing, pushing the duo forward.
“Sea of thievessss, we're sailing with the teammmmm”
Extra mumbled under his breath, remembering the boats journeys with Tippss.
Mino chuckled, continuing to row.
Extra continued humming watching the sun begin to set and his eyes began to flutter slowly.
“Sea of… thieves…”
His voice trailed off.
Mino hummed the tune along with Extra quietly.
Extra nodded off, eyes shutting and his breathing evening out.
Mino continued to hum, noticing a very faint shadow in the distance.
Extra remained asleep, his head leaning against the boat, some of his hair skimming the water.
Mino rowed a little slower, trying to keep the boat balanced as he kept his eyes in front of him.
Extra let out a noise in his sleep but stayed under.
Mino looked back briefly, smiling.
Extra was curled up, small breaths leaving him and his body relaxed.
Mino continued, getting closer and closer to the shadow. The Greek inspired buildings came into view as they got ready to dock.
Extra shifted slightly, a small folded up photo was slightly seen in his pocket.
Mino picked up the photo and stuffed it back in Extra's pocket. It's none of his business. He tied the small boat to the side of a building, stepping out.
Extra shifted at the movement but didn’t move from his sleep.
"Hello? Time to get up." Mino said as loudly as he could without being noticed. If he didn't wake up, he'd leave him.
Extra woke up spear out and eyes wide with panic.
“What? What? Napa?”
"That's... Not my name but okay." Mino started walking away.
Extra shook his head and scrambled up and followed Mino.
“I was just- was just messing around!”
"Mhm." Mino focused on his surroundings, avoiding guards, sneaking into the massive pantheon looking building.
Extra followed, eyes moving around the building nervously.
“Mino come on let’s get outta here and scope it out first.”
"No. We can get to the roof from here." Mino started climbing, noticing voices coming closer outside.
“Mino-“
"If you want to leave, go. I need to do this." Mino continued up.
Extra glared.
“A plan Mino! A plan!”
Mino ignored him. He was close to the top anyways.
“Fucking idiot.”
Extra followed the crowd, spear out.
Mino made it to the top, scrambling to the edge to see a small crowd converging.
Extra followed moving and blending into the crowd.
Mino peered down below at..
Him.
Oh how his blood boiled, how his heart beat got faster. Instead of his sword though, he pulled out the small dagger.
Extra walked through the crowd looking around curiously.
Mino watched Sols stand at the podium..
With Dade to his right.
Mino's head scrambled. Dade wasn't supposed to be here. Just Sols.
Extra noticed Dade and let out a mumbled curse. They- he needed to get Dade out of here before it became a blood bath.
Mino tightened his grip on the small dagger Airo had gifted him.
He watched Sols until he stopped pacing, planning on jumping down from the roof and killing him.
Extra slipped forward, splashing invis on himself and Dade, dragging the other away.
Mino let himself fall, landing on Sols, stabbing him through the skull.
A small smile formed on his face as his body fell. No more anguish. No more thinking about the Citadel.
Because Sols was dead. He laughed as guards converged.
He didn't think this far ahead.
Extra sword and pushed Dade towards the docks.
“Get out of here.”
Extra turned and ran back.
Mino pulled out the dagger, stuffing it in his belt as he sheathed his sword, cutting down one pretty quickly to snatch their spear.
Extra moved spearing someone and elytraing up, macing a guard.
Mino slashed at another, opening their side then dashed forward with his new spear. He laughed a little too much at that.
Extra helped moving and macing someone else.
Mino turned to have a guard slice open his arm. The voidling grunted in retaliation, stabbing his sword into their chest.
Extra noticed how distracted Mino was and made quick work of a guard noticing that another guard was sneaking up on Mino.
“Mino!”
He knew the other was caught in a frenzy.
Mino was too focused on front of him, his spear slicing open the person's neck. They fell as Mino continued to cut, cut and cut people down.
He smiled. Finally no more being held back.
Extra watched the person raise their sword behind at Mino. The hybrid to caught up in his killing frenzy to notice.
Extra.. Extra didn’t know what happened. Maybe it was previous guilt from hurting Mino, or betraying Tippss or a bitterness of having nobody that cared for him that had him moving.
He used his spear and lunged forward knocking Mino out of the way as the sword went clean through his stomach.
Mino turned, catching Extra in his hand as he watched the sword puncture his stomach. He held him, stabbing the spear he had into that guard's head before running, leaving it behind.
Extra let out a wet gasp, gripping his side as he felt blood stain his shirt.
Mino ran through the streets, dodging people, and occasionally grabbing a blade from a stall and throwing it back at the crowd of guards chasing them.
He held Extra's side tight, keeping the wound as closed as he could right now.
Extra let out pained noises as Mino ran trying to move.
Mino managed to whip behind a corner and hide in a dim lit building, huffing as he held Extra in his arms. He heard footsteps run past.
He looked down at Extra, whispering, "Be quiet."
Extra grit his teeth and shut his eyes forcing his breathing to calm like Napa had taught him.
Mino waited until the footsteps faded before placing Extra on the ground. He was a little frustrated this stopped his spree, but he was grateful.. grateful he saved his life.
Extra turned over, letting out a pained moan as he coughed blood.
"Try and stay quiet." Mino mumbled, looking for his healing supplies.
He pulled out regen, coaxing it into Extra's mouth.
Extra tilted his head away slightly, eyes blurred as he tried to figure out where he was.
Mino snapped his fingers in front of his face.
"I need you to focus."
Extra flinched making a quite pained noise and stared at Mino.
The voidling moved, pouring regen on his stomach wound as well before wrapping it up.
Extra let out another pained noise trying to move, eyes fluttering as he tried to be quiet.
Once he finished, he put everything away except for a healing potion. "It'll help with the pain, take it."
Extra looked away from Mino taking the potion with a shaky hand and downed it quickly.
"Okay.. so. We are in a building, we need to make our way back to the docks secretly and carefully without being seen! That's easy." Mino smiled, taking a step away from Extra, checking the cupboards for items.
Extra slowly shifted, forcing himself up and rubbing his bloody hands on his shirt.
Mino managed to find some food, taking it out of the cabinet then looking at Extra.
He stopped for a second.
Did he.. care for him?
He thought he lost that emotion when Airo fell to the ground, but it seemed like he might've been wrong.
As much as he cared a sliver for Extra's health, he was still gloating over his deed of killing Sols. Yeah, Sols. He didn't care he's just happy about his win.
He tossed Extra some of the food anyways before climbing the stairs to get a better look outside.
Extra caught the food nibbling and smiling softly.
“Are there any guards up there?”
"No, they are patrolling though. We might have to wait until night." Mino replied, heading back down the stairs.
“That’s in a few hours… I don’t have any extra regen do you have?”
"I have one more so we'll have to make it count. Drink some of it now." Mino handed him the bottle.
Extra shook his head shifting and wincing as he inched forward.
“I just had a health potion I can tough it out for a bit.”
"Put it in your pocket then." Mino suggested as he looked around for some water.
“You can keep it on you.”
Extra didn’t say why, didn’t say the likely hood of him panicking and breaking it was too high.
“What are you looking for?”
Mino took the bottle back, opening another empty cupboard. "Water."
Extra moved kneeling and helping the other search face carefully blank.
Mino opened another then another, finding nothing. He grunted.
Guess he'd have to wait until they are away from this place.
Extra sighed, closing an empty cabinet wincing as he stood back up.
“Any luck?"
"Nope. W-I'll just have to tough it out." Mino sighed, moving to wall to sit.
Extra grumbled and leaned against the wall glaring at the ceiling.
Mino leaned against the wall, his eyes fixated outside.
Extra stood up more, head turning to the side and his mind drifting off in thought.
Mino opened his mouth, wanting to ask if he was doing okay, but stopped.
He wasn't caring for Extra.
His side stung, it felt like he was back with the Vikings dealing with the newbies and having to train through any injuries or problems because Napa had insisted.
His hand tightens against his side and he thought back to Tippss. His.. friend. Old friend.
"What's on your mind." Mino asked, his gaze still out the window.
“Tippss.”
He didn’t acknowledge Napa. Hell he had cared… still cared for the other but what could he do? Napa was.. gone. And if Tippss was right then Napa wasn’t good to him either.
"Why? I thought you didn't care for him." Mino glanced at Extra before looking back out the window.
“You don’t know me.”
Extra's voice wasn’t angry, surprisingly it was soft and slightly broken.
"I remember when you betrayed him. After you revived Napa. I was there." Mino sat down, his eyes on a stick.
“That does not mean I don’t care about him.”
Extra snapped, his hands tightening at his side.
“You don’t- you don’t know anything about me.”
To hell with emotions. He hated this. Feeling so weak and his eyes shut as he breathed slowly.
"Okay, whatever." Mino grumbled, picking up the stick.
Extra breathed slowly, his eyes opening and his hands shaking.
“Sorry.”
The words left him before he could think.
"Mhm." Mino started tracing the desert empire symbol into the dirt, then the specters one beside it in boredom.
Extra slid down the wall, letting his eyes shut and breathing slowly.
Mino waited for about an hour and a half before the sun started to set. The lamps outside had turned on outside.
Mino was napping, and didn't notice.
Extra opened his eyes staring as the sun set, gaze moving to the sleeping Mino.
“Do I…”
Extra stood slowly and nervously.
Mino snored lightly, adjusting his position up against the wall.
Extra moved to the entrance, eyes moving back to Mino.
”A teammate is someone you can rely on. To have your back and protect you. You don’t have to care for them but you have a mutual respect for each other.”
The echo of words in his ears had him pause watching Mino snore.
The voidling fingers twitched ever so slightly.
Extra swallowed leaning against the wall his heart racing.
”For example, you trust me enough to sleep and not think I’ll kill you.”
Extra let out a noise before looking back at Mino.
Mino's small dagger rested on the floor beside him as he slept.
Extra's eyes caught the dagger and he stiffened up more.
”You trust me?”
Extra stared, he.. he had no idea but the urge to grab the dagger filled him. He could cut these bandages off and figure out how to not bleed out to get to the boat.
It just.. rested there.
Mino mumbled in sleep.
Extra limped forward kneeling down in front of Mino and staring.
He bit his lip, eyes moving over to the dagger.
"..tra gim it back." Mino mumbled, barely coherent. He moved to the side.
Extra flinched back and let out a pained noise staring at Mino with wide eyes.
Crap. Crap. This wasn’t good.
The voidling jumped at the pained noise, finding Extra a few feet away. "What the hell are you doing?"
Extra sat there his eyes wide and fear flashing in them slightly before he forced a laugh.
“The sun's setting.”
Mino took a look outside and sighed. He grabbed his dagger that slipped out of his belt and put it back.
"Okay, do you need the regen?"
Extra shook his head smirking, and feigning calmness.
“Nah I’m fine.”
"Whatever you say." Mino climbed to the window sill, poking his head through it.
Extra moved to follow staring up at him.
“See anything?”
"Nope." Mino climbed out to the building's edge, pulling himself up to the roof.
Extra climbed slowly, wincing as he tried to follow.
Mino reached the roof, grumbling. He reached his hand towards Extra to help him up.
Extra grabbed his hand and let Mino help up letting out a pained sound as he squeezed through.
"Okay, you are taking the regen." Mino helped Extra up and handed him the bottle from his pocket.
“Funny. You can’t make me.”
Extra wheezed out, smiling slightly.
"Stop acting tough and take it or I'm leaving you behind."
“You’re not leaving me anywhere.”
Mino laughed. "I could easily hop to a different roof and leave you behind. Just take it."
“I’m not taking shit Mino.”
Extra hissed defensively. He wasn’t weak.
"Your choice." Mino got a running start before jumping over a six foot gap onto the next roof.
Extra glared, yeah fuck Mino he could still make that jump without a potion.
Extra moved to follow, jumping and barely making it scrambling on the side of the roof. His hands gripped the ledge as he tried to kick himself over, pain pulsing in his side. He huffed annoyed, resting his head against the cool building.
"You good over there?" Mino snickered.
“Shut up!”
Extra's voice cracked and he breathed heavily, shifting his grip and kicking more.
Mino moved over, peering down at him. "You sure?"
Extra glared up at Mino, bitterness and exhaustion in his eyes.
“I’m fine.”
The words were forced out.
Mino rolled his eyes, dropping his hand towards him.
"C'mon."
Extra rested his head on the cool part of the building hiding his face so Mino couldn’t see the frustrated tears forming.
“Gimme a sec.”
Extra's arms trembled as he held himself up, his feet dangling and moving slowly below him.
Mino grabbed Extra's wrist and started pulling him up.
Extra made a pained noise and looked away from Mino, trying to use his opposite hand to wipe his face.
"Please just take it." Mino offered the potion again, a little tenderness slipping through.
Extra hesitated once more. He.. he wasn’t weak. Mino didn’t have to worry about him of all people.
"I'd rather not pull you up every time we jump, or you know you could just.." Mino made a falling noise, his hand going down and exploding at the end.
Extra took the potion and drank it quietly.
"Good." Mino jumped to the next roof, peeking behind him to see if Extra was good.
Extra followed slowly making the jump and still hesitating slightly.
Mino continued forward, seeing the docks far in front of him.
Extra jumped stumbling slightly before making it over.
“Mino how much further?”
"Four more? The last one is a big jump though." Mino hopped another gap, smiling at the wind passing him.
Extra winced at that jumping again.
“How big is it?”
"8 feet? I can catch you if needed." Mino took a second to get his breath back.
Extra breathed heavily looking at Mino tiredly.
“You.. you uh might have to.”
"Almost there." Mino patted Extra's shoulder, quickly pulling it away.
2..
1.
Last roof.
Mino stared at the gap himself, a little nervous.
Extra stared, his eyes wide and a bit of fear in his eyes.
“I’m not making this.”
"You can. Unless you want to try and climb down the building." Mino backed up, hopping on his feet.
“I’m not gonna..”
Worry filled Extra but he held his tongue.
“Just help me once you do it.”
"I will!" Mino ran forward, swallowing his nerves with a smile and jumped, grabbing the edge of the roof. He grit his teeth at the strain in his arm but pulled himself up, dusting his clothes off.
Extra stared watching Mino, just barely make it.
He might be screwed.
"Cmon! Don't think about it too much." Mino waved him over.
Extra shook his head and ran, he jumped and let out a shout of fear hands missing the ledge.
Mino dove and caught him by the wrist, his hand aching. He grit his teeth, pulling Extra up slowly.
Extra let out a shaky breath, crawling onto the roof and staring at his shaking hands.
"See?" Mino panted, laying back on the roof.
"Easy..."
Extra laughed.
“Sure-“
Extra continued to laugh, eyes watering as he held his side. Laughing hard enough that made his side ache.
Mino smiled, chuckling himself. He stretched his arms, one of his wrists aching.
"No plan needed. It all worked out."
“I got stabbed.”
Extra deadpanned, even still a smile tugged on his face.
"It mostly worked out." Mino changed his wording, staring at the sky.
Extra laughed looking up at the sky, he was tired but he didn’t mind Minos presence too much.
Mino's pants calmed, staying on the roof staring at the sky for a few minutes before he sat up.
Extra continued to stare at the sky, staying firm on the ground.
Mino sat near the edge of the roof, dangling his feet off the side as he stared at the dock. Their small boat he made was taken.
Extra curled up eyes fluttering.
“You.. you okay?”
"Where did our boat go?" Mino pointed to the empty spot.
Extra blinked shifting and sitting up.
“You’re kidding me.”
Mino groaned, rubbing his face.
“What the hell who needs our stupid boat!”
Extra complained.
Mino searched the dock, finding a slightly bigger boat not too far away. He pointed towards it, smiling.
"Looks like we'll have to hijack one ourselves."
Extra sighed.
“Looks like it. Anybody on the boat?”
"I don't think so." Mino kept his eyes on the boat's doors.
“Then let’s going then right?”
Extra shifted and stood blinking slowly.
Mino moved, reaching for a lamppost and sliding down.
Extra followed grunting as he slid eyes squinting.
Mino landing, looking around him before jumping on to the small enclosed boat. He opened the door finding a small living quarters and smiled. A L shaped couch, a tiny kitchen, it had enough to get them back up.
He ushered Extra inside as he looked for the control area.
Extra entered looking around curiously.
Mino found it, staring at the controls, noticing an autopilot button and pressed it. The boat went forward as he went back to the main area.
Extra lurched forward and stumbled slightly before looking up at Mino with a sheepish smile.
Mino immediately collapsed on part of the L shaped couch, his horn grazing the cushion.
Extra moved sitting on the other end of the catch curling up slightly and letting out a small sigh of relief.
Mino hummed, turning over as he stared at the ceiling. "We should keep this boat."
“Are you becoming a pirate now?”
Mino smiled. "Sure why not? Seems fun."
“Am I co captain then?”
Extra's voice was teasing.
"Sur-" Mino cut himself off, realizing what was happening.
He made a new connection, and it was with Extra nonetheless.
..maybe it wasn't so bad.
Extra shifted on the couch, wincing at the movement.
“Remind me to not go roof hopping with you again?”
"Awww c'mon. That was fun. I'll take you again when you aren't injured." Mino smiled teasingly.
Extra huffed rolling his eyes playfully.
“Get me bubble wrap. Lord knows I’m gonna get hurt staying beside you.”
"What can I say? I like to have fun." Mino kicked his feet, a smirk on his face.
Extra huffed out a laugh.
Mino took out the small dagger from his belt, resting up against the couch. His eyes blinked slowly, humming.
Extra shifted, curling up more and watching the water from the window his eyes glued to the starry sky.
Soon enough Mino fell half asleep, staring out the window too in bliss.
Extra looked over at Mino and then looked back the window, assuming Mino was asleep.
“Maybe Tipps was right about friendship then.”
His voice was low as he rested his head in his arms.
Mino hummed, his eyes blinking slowly.
Extra ignored him.
“Maybe I pay Tippss a visit one of these days.”
"mmhm.." Mino hummed lowly.
“Didn’t know Mino makes so many noises in his sleep.”
Extra mumbled.
“Note to self never share a bedroom near each other if we get a base."
Mino chuckled under his breath, feeling his shortened hair sheepishly.
Extra looked over, face turning red.
“You’re not asleep.”
"Mmmaybe.." Mino smirked, letting his arm relax as he breathed in ocean air.
“I hate you.”
Extra complained burying his face in his arms.
“You’re so insufferable I’m going back to Tippss”
His voice was teasing.
"Insumferamble? My feewings." Mino slurred, rolling over. Soon his breathing regulated and he fell asleep.
Extra snickered.
“What an idiot.”
Extra stretch slightly and turned his head dozing off.