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Chapter Text

The of anger of Delsin was rising fast at the sight of the anti-conduit gathering in the street below him. He was looking at them with a devil look, he was resisting the urge to go down there and kill one or two of them.

Hopefully, his phone rang just in time and when he picked up the voice of Fetch greets him " Hey Delsin, you're not gonna believe who I just saw" The smoker walked away, trying to ignored the people who were screaming "Shoot it" said Delsin without any emotion "Do you remember Hank" He froze "The other conduit who were present with me and Eugene in the convoy ? " "Yes, I remember" Delsin couldn't see where she was  going "Guess what ! I just saw him in-" Delsin interrupted her " What ?! Tell me where !" Fetch seems surprised by the sudden explosion of the smoker, she seems to considering her next word "Delsin, what are you gonna do ?"
The conduit sigh, that was a good question. What he's gonna do if he find him ? After what he did, Delsin warned him to never come back, but he didn't listened. "Nothing... Just tell me where he is so i can avoid him, I... I just want to never see him again" Fetch was silent but finally "Okay, i saw him at the Market's District" He didn't let her talked and hung up.

        The conduit took the power of a neon nearby, and he ran in the street to the District. To say that Delsin was furious was an understatement, after his betrayal, the conduit had to search deep within himself to not kill this bastard. He told him to never come back but it seems like he thing that Delsin would forget.

In a few minutes, he was at the District and was searching every street to find Hank. And quickly he found him. Delsin didn't wait for him to be alone, he just jumped right in front of him, Hank, surprised took a few step back "You! "Delsin began but quickly, Hank tried to talk "Delsin, listen ! You need to calm down-" He interrupted him "Don't tell me to calm down, I told you to never come back here, that you will die if I saw you again !", Hank tried to push away Delsin but he failed and without hesitation he vanished in a ventilation "Oh no, you're not running away this time !"

Delsin ran after him, he was fast like the other times, but Delsin trained to ran so he catch him after 2 minutes. He tackled him down on the roof of a building in the sky and he was about to shoot when Hank yelled "Listen please !" Delsin stoped, the fist in the air "I am sorry ok ?! I never wanted your brother to die, I swear !" Delsin was ready to explode "I... I warned you to never come back ! He's dead because of you !" The power in his hand began to burn him but he didn't cared "She promised me and my child's freedom, I couldn't refused Delsin ! Imagine if it was your brother and you ?" The word calmed him down a bit and with a growl he stood up and he looked away " Why are you here ?" Hank stood up and with hesitation he said "I need your help Delsin"

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Delsin froze and before he could stop it he laughed, a generous laugh but soon it turned into a sarcastic laugh. He turned to look into Hank's eyes who looked slightly embarrassed and terrified "You need my help" The smoker laughed while trying to speak

"Delsin... please listen to me..." Delsin took a few steps towards the other conduit "Hank... Hank... You can't even think I could help you!"

"Please, Sarah needs your help..." Suddenly, Delsin's interest was touched. His facial expression changed to a smirk. He had to admit he liked it when people told him he was the only person who could help them. “Sarah?"

"My daughter...Sarah" Delsin leaned against a wall he had tagged and listened carefully "She has recently developed powers" He swallowed "She can't control them and they are...dangerous"

"Like any power..." Hank glared at him "Please Hank continue" He provoked the conduit with a wave of his hand and with a bored look and Hank complied "His powers are out of control, if she's mad her powers are exploding, if things are working out the object near her start to fly around her but if she wants to disappear she just disappears into a computer and i can't get her out" Hank stopped suddenly and looked into Delsin's eyes "What? Did you see a ghost, Hank?"

"You look different than before" Delsin laughs quietly "Yeah, that's called growing up"

"Yeah but you seem very different, like more serious or..."

"Or?" Delsin's voice was bitter. "Nothing, just more mature"

"So...Sarah, your daughter, needs help controlling her powers? And the only person who can help her is me?" Hank's shoulder dropped and he shook his head in a "Say it" Hank looked puzzled and Delsin could feel his satisfaction growing, he couldn't hide it anymore. " Sorry what ?"

"I said Say it! Say I'm the only one who can help you!" Hank sighed "Okay...Delsin Rowe...You're the only one who can help us" Delsin wasn't completely satisfied and after what he did, he wanted that little bastard to beg him for help. help "Not enough" Hank clenched his fists but obeyed "I...beg you...Delsin, I need your help, I need you to help my daughter. You're the only one who can protect, I can't do this. Please". Now Delsin's ego was boosted and his smile was bigger than anything else.

"Okkkk, that's enough I guess. So where's your daughter?"

Chapter Text

The two conduit were traveling through the district, they had to pass the bridge and of course, Delsin had to wait for Hank on the other side of the bridge and the " heroic" conduit didn't missed the chance to annoy the other man about his slowness, the man just ignored him and continue his way to find his daughter.

         By habit, he called one of his only friend: Eugene, but when the video conduit picked up, he found himself speachless " Hey Delsin, do you need any help with DUP ?" The older man stopped himself and without thinking he just replied "No ! Why would I need help with these dumbass ? Do you really think that I can't take them down alone ?"

"N-no not at all, delsin !" A heavy silence settled on both sides of the telephone line, Delsin sighed loudly, why didn't he think before talking "Sorry Eugene, I I I just... I've been a little tense lately, sorry..." Eugene didn't say anything for a minute "No problem, I can understand that... So why did you called me ?"

"I've to be honest... I have no idea why i called you." Delsin could hear Eugene try to hold a laugh and he could only imagine him curled up on his seat with his hand on his mouth trying not to mock him. How cute of him. " Hey ! Don't laugh" He was sneering and Hank forced himself to stop to wait for the smoker. Hank looked annoyed but with a deadly look of the part of Delsin, he just stood there, silently. 

"I'm not laughing at you... I swear"

"I know, do not worry about that, little angel" Eugene was chocking at the mention of the nickname " Can I ask..something, Delsin ?" The conduit smiled and stayed silent waiting for the video conduit to talked "I... was thinking about something lately..."

"Yeeeaahhhhh ?" Delsin was resisting the urge to tease the younger boy. "Delsin, stop that" He was 100% sure that he was blushing now "Since the first time we met, you take thing without any seriouness" His smile dropped, he though that Eugene would talked about the endless nicknames "I'm not talking about the DUP or other things like that" Delsin rolled his eyes " I thought that Fetch and-" Hank lost his patience and snatch the phone away from Delsin's hand.

"Listen Delsin, we don't have time for this ! My daughter is in danger and-"

"How the FUCK dare you !"

"Delsin, you're a hero and protect people, right ?" Delsin nod "So please ! focus and help my child !" He had to admit that the conversation with Eugene was getting interesting but he had to help this poor girl, he was a hero after all. He nodded again and together they went to the district were the smoker fight the angel for the first time. He took back the phone while walking.

"Hey Eugene ? I have a... thing to do right now and I need to hang up... Can we finish this conversation later ? I'll call you back." Delsin says quickly but he waits for Eugene to answer.

"Do I have a choice anyway ?" Eugene sounded disappointed but understanding, Delsin heard him sigh. "I understand... Don't forget to call me back."

"I never forgot to call you back !" Delsin replied instantly offended, Eugene just chuckled and hang up. Delsin couldn't help but felt appeased with this phone call, but of course Hank had to talk.

"Hey ! You're coming ?" Delsin rolled his eyes and absorbed smoke and followed Hank through multiples vents.
After some times that felt like eternity, Hank stopped.

"Where the fuck are we...?" Delsin said looking around him, they were at the edge of a forest and when he looked more carefully he recognized the way to his old house with the Akomish tribe.

"Hey !" Hank said. "Are you okay ? You look like you've seen a ghost..."

"I'm fine." The smoker answered sternly looking at the conduit with a firm look. "So ? Why are we at the edge of the forest ?"

"Like I told you, the powers of my baby girl are out of control... and plus i'm still a criminal, so, I arranged us a "home" for the moment." Hank explained while walking into the forest following a small dirt road, Delsin unwillingly followed Hank after a few second of reflection.

The two conduits walked in silent, Delsin was still on his guard because afterall maybe Hank was lying to him... For any reason. Actually the more Delsin thought about it, the more Delsin walked slowly and after some minutes wandering across the forest Delsin stopped walking, Hank saw this imediatly and stopped as well and turned around. He looked perplexed.

"Hey, you okay ?" Delsin thought of that question for whole minute where both of them stayed silent. The hero really didn't know what he was doing right now and even responding to that question was hard.
The silent one just sighed and nod starting to walk once again, Hank didn't loose any second but gave a strange look to Delsin, he didn't complained tho and after some other terrible long minutes where they began to climb hill and after the two conduit climbed it, they finally arrived in front of a sweet little house on a cliff, Delsin had to admit it, the house was pretty and perfectly made.

"Well here we are..." Hank sighed before using his smoke power to "fly" to the entrance of his house, Delsin followed right after.
When he put his foot down on the porch he was scared of falling through it but surprise surprise it was well made. Hank opened the door and make a sigh for Delsin to enter first which the hero declined and waited for the father to enter. Hank rolled his eyes and let the door opened.

Delsin entered and he was shocked by the beauty of the place, the first thing that came to his mind was how much this home looked like a place for honeymoon. The house had two floor, the first floor had a living room, a kitchen and the access for the terrace. In the living room there was a fireplace and Delsin couldn't help but walk towards it after having closed the door.
On the fireplace, many pictures of Hank and Sarah were present

Delsin took one of them and looked at it, here, Sarah looked really happy. She had a big smile on her face and was hugging Hank, even him seemed generously happy and for a second Delsin sensed his heart soften.

"She's beautiful isn't she ?" Hank interrupt his thought and instantly the smoker could feel himself become more edgy with Hank but he just put down the picture and turn around, burrying his hands into his pockets.

"Is that a trick question ?" Delsin shruged and roll his eyes.

"Why would it be ?" The smoker chuckled and roll his eyes once again

"If I say yes, would you accuse me of sexualixing your daughter ?" Hank stoped right in his tracks and looked at Delsin with a mix of disgust, horror and angerness, he opened his mouth but right as he was gonna probably let out a vicious insult, someone ran down stairs and yelled with a happy voice.

"Daddy !"

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Hank's daughter jumped into his arms not even noticing Delsin, and he couldn't be happier, he didn't wanted to argue with Hank because he knew he would have lost his mind.
"Dad ! I've missed you ! Where were you ?" Sarah asked still hugging her dad, Hank pated her head and smile forgetting all about his previous anger.

"Sorry my dear... I was in town-" Hank explained but suddenly got interrupt by objects flying around him and Sarah. Delsin dodged a vase at the last second and took a few steps back quite shocked and surprised. The objects were enrolled by some pixels that kept disappearing and reappearing. When the things were not surrounded by these pixels they were going down and got back in the air as the pixels got back. "You were in town ?! When could I go too ? What were you doing there..." Sarah kept nagging Hank with questions and the man couldn't speak.
Delsin couldn't help but chuckle as he observed the pixels, it reminded him about someone.

"Sarah let me talk please" Hank chuckled and his daughter immediately went silent with a huge smile waiting for his father to start responding "I was meeting..." Hank glanced over at Delsin for a second. "...an old acquaintance..." Hank spoke slowly not sure of his words while he kept watching the other conduit. Delsin didn't even listened, he was focusing on the power of the girl.

"Who ?" Sarah asked sounding quite curious. "Well... why don't you meet him, huh ?" Hanks replied making a sign over to Delsin who finally took his eyes of the pixels and glance at both of them.

Immediately after Sarah spotted Delsin, the objects stopped turning around them, the pixels disappeared and the things started to fall to the ground. Delsin grabbed a vase which was about to break onto the ground and sighed.

"Hey... I'm Del- Ouf !" Delsin fell to the ground as Sarah jumped on him and tackled him to the ground. The vase went flying on the ground and broke, Delsin sighed in frustration as now Sarah was on top of him. "A new face ! It's been so long since i last saw someone else than my dad ! Who are you ? Where do you come from ?!" Delsin was getting quite frustrated with the girl and he was begining to feel overwhelmed with the girl's embrace. Hank approached with a smile and reprimanded his daughter gently.

"Baby... You need to let go of Delsin... And please let him talk." He gently grabbed Sarah but the girl wasn't letting go. After some minutes struggling on the ground, Delsin had enough and put his hand on her face and pushed her, he tried to be as gentle as he could but "gentle" was not really his dementor so... she took a few step away from him and fell on her butt, Delsin got up immediately and wiped his hot hands on his jacket. They were boiling and smoke was getting out of them like he was trying to his powers... But he didn't want to use them.

He looked at his hand in shock but then his thought were interrupt by a cry: Sarah. He glanced at her with no angerness, just shock and confusion. "Hey what the fuck ?!" Hank yelled and crunched down next to Sarah. "You're supposed to help her ! Not hurt her !" Sarah had a slightly burn mark on his face, nothing too serious but he was feeling bad. Delsin sighed and started to calm down, his hand were not burning anymore so he approached the girl who was still crying.

"Hey... Sarah, right ?" He waited for a response, but the only thing he got was a Sarah who ran up the stairs and locked herself in her room. "Fuck..." Delsin whispered to himself.

Suddenly, Hank grabbed his collar and got in his face.

"What the fuck were you thinking exactly ?!" Said Hank angerly. By reflex, the smoker grabbed the hand of Hank and twisted them to the point that Hank let go of him and took a few step back.

"Calm your fucking dick Hank." He could feel his anger rise. "I didn't do it on purpose..." He sighed trying to calm himself down.

"I don't give a shit, why would you do some-" Hank started but Delsin felt his anger boiled.

"Because she was all over me ! And I panicked, ok ?! It's not like I really hurt her physically, I only hurt her feelings..."

"So what ?! You hurted her anyways ! What kind-"

"Well maybe if she wasn't jumping on people she wouldn't get hurt !" Delsin interrupted him with anger, he clinched his fists. "Maybe start teaching her to live with people and maybe her power will get under control !"

"I don't give you the permission to-" Suddenly, Delsin's phone rang and it stoped the dispute between the two conduits. Delsin took his phone and answered.

"Yeah ? Who is it ?"

"Wow... Glad to hear you too Del" Fetch answered, the smoker looked quickly at Hank with anger and then left the house, he sat on the porch.

"What do you need Fetch..." He heard Fetch whistled.

"God dammit... who pissed you off ?" Delsin sighed and took a few second to answer. "It's Hank, right ?" She asked slowly. The smoker nodded but quickly realised she couldn't see that.

"Yeah... Yeah it's him..." He heard Fetch sighed in disapproval...

"I knew I shouldn't have said where he was... What did he do and more important what did you do..." Her tone was one of reprimand and Delsin felt like a little kid once again in front of his brother. That memory almost made him cry but he brushed it off and answered coldly.

"Nothing else that my job !" He could feel her roll her eyes. "Your job isn't to kill him Delsin, you taught me that-" "I didn't !" Delsin interrupted her angerly. "My job is to be a hero i know ! And I didn't killed him okay !" Delsin groaled and roll his eyes getting reallt fed up with everyone. "Why did you call ?" He asked in an authoritarian way.

"Geez calm down, i'm not your enemy Del." She paused and Delsin thought she just hang up "I was just... I mean Eugene was worried about you..." He frowned and asked curious.

"Why would Eugene be worried about me ? I called him 3 hours ago..." The smoker heard Fetch move uncomfortable trying to say something. Delsin

"Well... I called him for a service and during our conversation I let it slip that Hank was back and that I gave you his emplacement... and you know how Eugene is..."
Delsin groaned and sigh out of frustation.

"Fetchhhhh..."

"I know i know... I shouldn't but now you have to call him..." Delsin passed his free hand on his face. "He's already listening to that conversation i think..." Fetch chuckled agreing with him, the smoker could hear some strange noise, like battle noises...

"Wait... where are you ? I can hear strange noises... Do you need help ?" Delsin asked worried, instantly he heard Fetch makes embarassed and uncomfortable noises and for a few second he heard her hushing someone. "Fetch ?" The smoker asked slowly not sure what to say.

"Yeah yeah do not worry about that-" "Hey babe... Come back to bed~" Delsin heard another feminine voice interrupt Fetch, Delsin slightly blushed understanding the situation.

"Well~ Well~ Well~" Delsin said slowly teasing the other conduit. "I clearly should call Eugene back now that i know i'm bothering you~"

"Stop it Delsin" Fetch said sternly "But yeah... Call him" And with that she hang up. For a few minutes, Delsin just stared at the forest, listening to the silence and the sounds of his environment. The door behind him opened and he heard Hank.

"Hey... Listen." Hank sounded on the verge of explosing. Delsin interrupt him.

"No..." He gets up and turn to look at the other conduit "I'd like to apologize for earlier..." He sighed before continuing "I shouldn't had shoved her like that and I'm gonna apologize to your kid..." Hank's eyes widen in surprise and for a few second he stayed silent looking up and down Delsin. He finally slowly said.

"I wasn't... expecting that..." He stopped for a second. "Thanks..." Hank smiled a little and Delsin slightly nod with a little smile. "Well... Let me do a quick phone call and then i'm gonna go to see her..." The smoker affirmed showing his phone. Hank nodded and quickly entered the house once again. That conversation was quick and Delsin couldn't be happier.
He watched his phone once again and looked for Eugene's phone number. He was persuaded that the young man was on his computer stalking Delsin's phone and waiting patiently the smoker to click on the button to call him, either he was in fury or the video conduit was terrorized. Either way, Delsin was taking his time to click on that little button in order to mess and tease the little guy.

After a few minutes of just enjoying his environment, Delsin looked back at his phone and called Eugene.

Chapter Text

"Where are you." Eugene said firmly, however, Delsin could sense the worry and the fear in Eugene's voice through the cellphone. Delsin couldn't explain it but he smiled and couldn't suppress it, the fact that the young conduit was so worried about him.

"Hello again Sims~" He immediately used a teasing tone. "Dont do that Delsin." Delsin's smile disappeared with the tone used by the video conduit.

"Dont do what ?" "Don't call me Sims again." Eugene was answering tac for tat. "Wow calm down... It's your last name-" "I don't care, don't call me like that. Where. are. you !" Delsin could feel his heart beat a little faster and fear took over his voice.

"Oh please... You know that..." "No I don't." Delsin stayed silent for a few second but talked really slowly, the last time Eugene was that eager it ended really bad for Delsin.

"You... You didn't hacked my phone to... to know my location ?" Eugene stayed silent. "Okay... yes I did" Delsin heard the chair of the gamer creak and Delsin smiled imaging the boy rolled into a ball on his sit playing with his sweatshirt. Delsin chuckled.

"I knew it !" He could feel Eugene rolled his eyes and Delsin smirk, he couldn't help but tease him. "So~ Why don't you join me ?" Eugene scoffed and talked more softly "Delsin... Why are you always like this..."

"Like what gamer boy~ ?" Eugene chuckled and answered "I'm not little !" The smoker humed. "Yeah yeah sure..." A gentle silence settles between the two conduit, Delsin could hear him breath in the phone... Since the smoker saw the video conduit for the first time he couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat anytime Eugene would do something near him... He closed his eyes and just listened to the breath of the other boy, it apaised him. But after a few second that felt like minutes, Eugene spoke again.

"So... Is everything okay ?" His tone was quiet and shy just like when they met, Delsin smiled at the memory.

"Yeah... I'm fine..." For a few minutes he didn't said anything but then suddely he remembered why he was here. "But..." "Yeah ?" Eugene interrupted him instantly, the older boy recognized his usual tone of excitment when he wanted to help before everything, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Well... Hank..." "Yes ?" His tone was worried now. "Please Eugene let me talk..." "Oh yeah... i'm sorry" He shyly said. Delsin chuckled again "Hank asked me for help... with his... daughter..." Delsin passed his hand on his face and groaled. "It will be too complimented to explain over the phone... You know my position right ?" Eugene humed curious. "Come here, baby boy~" Delsin teased the younger one, smirking but when only silent answered him his grin disapeared. "Eugene ?"

Suddenly, his phone start to make a strange noise and started to heat up, so much that he had to throw it away because it was burning his hand. And after a few second only, Eugene got out of the phone with a soft groal.

Eugene cracked his limbs and then turned his head towards Delsin, the smoker could see the anger between his brown eyes. Delsin looked at his feet uncomfortable but then sighed and looked up with a big grin, his usually one, the one he display everytime he's with someone.

"Heyyyyyy Gene" The conduit smiled awkwardly and looked at the younger one. "Don't heyyy me Delsin... What's going on?" Eugene approached quickly and looked the door behind the smoker. "So ?" Delsin sighed heavily and turned around to look inside the house through the door.
"For a short version.... Hank's daughter is a conduit and her power is uncontrollable when her emotions are too strong... And when I saw her I imediately thought about you-"
"Me ?" Eugene made a face. "Wait don't tell me it's because you think i'm weak with my emotions ?"
"What ?! No no no not at all Gene, her powers are familiar to yours that's all !" Delsin sighed looking back in fourth between the door and Eugene's nose, he could see his face relaxing as he explained himself, and with little sigh and a whisper, Eugene nodded and crossed his arms.
"Similar to mine ?" He asked slightly confuse.
"Maybe you should see it in person..." Delsin said before opening the door and waving for the video conduit to enter first and with no hesitation, Eugene entered as soon as he was welcomed in.

Delsin always loved the fact that the younger one trusted him instantly, after everything they've been through... It was normal that both had complete trust in each other, Delsin knew he could die for him but could Eugene do it ? No Idea. Delsin followed Eugene as he carefully watched were he was going like he was walking on eggshell, he looked around curious. He reminded Delsin of a deer in a hostile territory, he chuckled at the image in his head and Eugene turned to look at him.

"You just look like a deer who knows he's gonna get caught" He smirked and the younger one just sighed in frustation and opted for a posture that most likely had to be intimidating, but, he was watching Eugene, Delsin had just to dig his hands in his pockets and raised his head to look down at Eugene ,since he was taller, and the little one abandoned his pose and look down in embarassment. He was also red as a tomato.

"Oh shut up." Eugene said as Delsin winked at him and headed for the stairs, the video conduit followed quickly after. Together, they quietly reach the first floor and Delsin looked around, there was 3 doors and only one of them was closed so he pointed it for Eugene. The other one just glared at him confuse.

"It's probably Sarah's bedroom... They are in I guess" Eugene looked at him even more confuse. Delsin expires. "Well..." He scratched the back of his head "I maybe have.... made her cry by being too rough with her". The video conduit groaled and faceplanded. "Hey ! Don't judge me ! She was all over me, her power was making everything fly around me! It was.... It was...-" Delsin lisps uncomfortable about talking about his feelings. "Overwhelming ?" Eugene finished his sentence, behind his eyes there was a sense of understanding and pity. Delsin glared at him frustated. "What ? It was it right ? Overwhel-" "I don't wanna talk about it." Firmly said Delsin who was growing more and more annoyed.
"Del..." "I don't want your pity. Just talk to her or do whatever you need to do to help her" And with that Delsin knocked on the door and opened it without waiting.

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Delsin jumped back as objects went flying to him and almost touching him. The smoker never felt so lucky to have his powers, okay maybe he was feeling more lucky when he stopped Fetch and Eugene or when he fought Augustine, but even, his powers were quite strong now as he absorbed more and more powers from various conduits. He freed them, he can take a small portion of their talents. That's helped him predicated some attacks before they touch him.

Eugene disappeared quickly in particulates as the same objects almost hit him. They reappeared at the same times and Eugene imediately looked at him worried, Delsin quickly glanced back at him slightly worried but he turn his look back in the room almost imediately. Inside, Sarah was in the dad's arms sobbing, she was glaring at Delsin like he was the bad guy when all he did was get her off him. Things were flying in the entire room and when Delsin tried to enter, more objects ran to him and became sharpier like knifes, even if this was a lamp or a toy, they glitched and turned into blue knifes, like she wanted to kill the smoker. With ease, he dodged them and look behind him for Eugene who hid behind the wall. The sharp blade knocking down on the wall. Delsin looked briefly at them before turning back towards the little girl, her dad was trying to calm her down when she suddenly screamed.
  "GET OUT OF MY ROOM ASSHOLE !" "Sarah ! Language !" Hank reprimanded her but she wouldn't stop. "GET OUT ! YOU'RE JUST A PROBLEM HERE !" Delsin swallowed hard, his fists clenched as he was trying to control his emotions but he could feel it. This pressure in his chest, growing more and more inside him, the last time he felt like this was against Augustine and then with Betty, and he knew the consequences of this pressure: death and violence.
As this little girl kept screaming at him and that his father was trying to consol her without any success, Delsin took a step back dodging another blade. This pressure was starting to blurr his view and slowly turn off his hearing, his fists clenched even more at the point he could feel blood, as he looked down at his right fist he saw it shaking and he knew...
he had to get out of here. NOW.

He turned around bumping into Eugene who was way too close to him, Eugene made a little surprised sound but Delsin didn't cared, he just exits the room fulming.
He runs down the stairs trying to calm his breathing. He was failing miserably.
His mind was full of memories... Nightmares... Nightmares where his parents died right after he and them had an argument, he never got to say "I love you" one last time. By the way, when was the last time he said that to anyone ? Despite Delsin searching all of his memories he could remember of... He didn't recall it.
The last time he heard it though was when...
Delsin's breath got caught in his throat and he stopped walking, the tears started to come into his eyes but he brushed them off when he heard steps down the stairs. He finally was able to breath slowly as he think how people would react when seeing their "hero" cry like a baby. He turned around and fake a smile in direction of Eug- Hank. Delsin's smile faded quickly and he glared down at Hank.

  "Delsin." Hank said firmly "Listen Hank, your daughter is uncontrallable and I can't deal with this, Eugene will help her better than I can" Delsin blurred out without really thinking and he headed towards the door. "Delsin!" Hank called behind him but Delsin had to get out of here. Suddenly the air around him seemed heavier and more slow, then suddenly Eugene appeared right in front of him causing Delsin to stop suddenly in order not to bump into the younger one.

  "You need to listen Del." Eugene was blocking his way but Delsin scoffed and placed his hand on Eugene's shoulder. "I need to go Gene... I can't stay h-" As soon as he tried to pass past him, he got rejected to the ground. His back hit the ground and he left out a small groan, Delsin opened his eyes looking at Eugene with a misture of shock, angerness and confusion. 

  "What the hell ?!" Eugene sighed and look away. "Listen now." Delsin got up and looked at the small one with anger. "What's so freacking important that you have to use your powers against me !" The video conduit never looked at him while speaking.

  "You can't abandon her..." "She clearly hates me" The smoker answered quickly crossing his arms agaisnt his chest. "She's a child." "And ?" "You're acting like a child." Delsin's eyes widden in shock and his body tensed up "Excuse me ?" "You're excused so now go back inside and stop taking everything personally" Delsin was red, he look around  before placing his eyes back on Eugene who now didn't looked down, he was glaring at Delsin with seriousness. Delsin wasn't accustom to this, normally Eugene was quite the pacific type. 

  "I'm not going back ok ? Now let me pass" "Why are acting like this ?" Eugene said with still not sight of hatred or anything like that but his tone was menacing. The wind around them blow gently as the smoker took his time to understood the question. "Why am I like what?"
Eugene sighed again and looked quickly away. "Like a child..." Delsin made a face and groaled softly. "I'm acting as a child." "So why aren't helping her ?" Eugene already knew the question he was gonna ask even before Delsin aswered... And that... quite annoyed Del.

  "Because this kid doesn't need me" "So what does she need ?" The smoker groaled again "I hate when you do that." Eugene raised an eyebrow confuse. "I'm not doing anything, i'm just asking question." "No... Not only... You know the answer before me and you already made up the questions and your mind" "Made up my mind ?" Eugene said even more confused now. Delsin nod. "I'm the bad guy huh ?" Delsin looked straight into his eyes "This child doesn't need me, she need a fucking psychiatrist" The smaller tensed up and frowed. "A psychiatrist ?" 

"Hell yeah ! Her only problem is not that her power is uncontrollable, it's her who's uncontrollable ! Her emotions is driving her power !" Eugene stared at him a hint of frustation 

"And you think i'm better than you ?" "Yeah !" Delsin answered, his hands twitching with the need of just running away... or attacking someone.

He hated the fact that it was Eugene in front of him, if only it would have been Frank, Delsin would've already snapped. "And why is that" The video conduit crossed his arms over his chest.
"Because... Be-" The smoker tried to think of a good excuse that'll made Eugene step back.
For Christ sake why couldn't he think about any ?!

"Because... You're you !" Wow... What an excuse, he thought and it seemed to be exactly what was going though Smith's mind. "Because i'm me ? What does that even mean ?"
"I- I... I don't know okay ! Just let me pass" Delsin tried to bypass Eugene, his hands were clenched and burning. There wasn't the only things burning. He didn't like the feelings in his chest, it felt way too out, like a beast crawling under his skin, screaming nonsense in his ears, or more, screaming things that Delsin refused to hear out.
As the smoker tried to pass the smaller conduit, he got pushed again, this time harder: through the door and directly into Hank's living room.

"WHAT THE FUCK 'GENE !" Delsin yelled as he didn't take much time to get up, Eugene entered right after him, his arms still crossed and unphased. "You're helping that girl." Delsin shivered coldly at his friend's tone.

"Hell n-" "I'm calling Fetch then" 

There was silence for a few seconds that felt like minutes.

"Was that supposed to be a threat, Sims ?" If Delsin was not mad before, now, he was furious. He knew he needed to get out before he hurt Eugene but his control was slowly sinking at the bottom of his head.
"I told you no-" "And I don't give a fuck, Sims." The video one uncrossed his arms, suddenly his act of confidence cracking at the smoking conduit in front of him. "Who do you think you are, Sims ?" "Don't forget that if it wasn't for me, you'll still be hiding in that fucking cave of yours. I made the world accept you and here you-" "Delsin-" "And HERE YOU ARE" Delsin cut him off taking a few steps towards the conduit and grabbed him by the collar. "Trying to decide for me, what I need to do ?!" He shook him slightly.*

"Del-" Eugene grabbed the smoker's hand on his collar. "I ain't finished !" He almost growled. "I always tried to make you as comfortable as I could, never making do things you didn't want to do. HOWEVER, when it's my turn to say i'm not comfortable helping a fucking teenager who need fucking mental help, I'm the big bad wolf ?!"

Suddenly, a vase was thrown at his head and he let go of Eugene who stumbled back. When he turned around, it was Sarah. Hank was beside her and had tried to stop her from throwing it.

"You're a mo-" Sarah yelled yet Delsin felt the smoke overpowered him and his powers went out without his consent, burning the ground where he stood. "I dare you to finish that sentence you BITCH !" In a second Hank was in front of her as he tried to defend her but also calm the enraged conduit in front of him. "Excuse her, Delsin, please. It was my fault for bringing you here... Please just leave" "Oh so now, I need to leave, huh ?!" Delsin rolled his eyes and with the last of his resolve, managed to force his power back into his heart and turned back to the door.

Eugene was standing next to it, looking at Delsin horrified, the smoker, passed right in front of him, making sure to push him with his shoulder as he went out. "I'm done" He whispered as he approached a vent and disappeared in it without looking back. Maybe he was the jerk for snapping, for pushing back Eugene or even just pourring his heart out. Nowadays, he couldn't trust his heart. He didn't mean whatever he said to Eugene but geez, that kid was asking for it.

Delsin ruffled his hair as he finally got out of the vent, floating a bit before his feet touching the ground. He almost fell to the ground, his heart pounding in his ears. He needed to destroy something. Anything. Anyone.

Gosh, his head was burning up...

Chapter Text

Delsin's hood was up as he entered a random pub. Soon after he had returned to Seattle, it had started to pour down which he was thankful for.
It smoothed his skin and his mind, however his forehead was still burning up.
Shit, he couldn't get sick ? Hiis powers were here to regenerate him, right ? Delsin sighed as he sat at the farest and the loneliest table he could find, which was pratically impossible given that the pub was full of drunk people.
He sighed again as he slumbed down the bench of the red booth seat. 

He used to love parties, loud noises and mostly the free booze he could get as the hero of Seattle and the freer of all conduits. Though... Nowadays, he couldn't stand it anymore. His ears would start ringing after a short while and his frustration would be over the roof. He had noticed it a few weeks ago; he just couldn't enter a party anymore, maybe due to what Reggie had told him: "You'll see one day, Del, your brain won't follow anymore." 
His older brother had said that when the smoker was around 15 when he got caught in an illegal party on the beach.

Thank the Saints, Reggie was the one who was on duty that night because with how Delsin was drunk (maybe high too), he would have passed the next 3 days in a cold cell instead of his bed.
Of course, he and Reggie had a massive figtht, being his usual self, Delsin refused to admit he was in the wrong for,

one: Lying to his brother.
two: Sneacking out.
three: Drinking under aged
four: getting high (which Reggie couldn't stand.)
five: getting into a fight

And Delsin just stopped listening to the reasons after that, all he knew was that the cop didn't stop yeling at him, and obviously Deslin didn't stop yelling either but in the end he got grounded for a month and his brother transformed into an hawk for the whole time period.

He felt someone tap his shoulder and he got back to reality, he turned his gaze to the waitress next to him. "Hi Sir !" She almost yelled to be able to be heared throught the loud music. "Can I serve you anything ?" He hesitated for a bit, pushing his hood futher on his face in order not to be recognized. He needed peace right now. "Just a beer, please." He had luck if the waitress heared him, however, she just smiled and left quickly. He slumbed down more into the sit and closed his eyes, his ears were ringing loudly but the music still went through, it was rap. Delsin rolled his eyes, he hated that style of music even if a lot of people pictured him a fan of it.

Not long after, his drink arrived and it was a new waitress this time and that one had her blouse half open. He side-eyed her for a second when she leaned over dramatically to placed his drink down. Nonetheless, she didn't back down, she stayed for a while, touching his arm and talking to Delsin, unfortunately, he didn't really listen to her 'cause of the music and his ringing ears. He rubbed his ears multiple times as she was speaking, even if he wasn't in the mood, he tought it could be a good distraction to bed someone right now.

He eyed her and her body however even if he tried to imagine things with her, it didn't excite him one bit, he sighed and scooped away from the waitress. "Sorry but no." The woman seemed to hesitate before she puffed her chest and left, almost throwing a tantrum. 

He threw his head back on the back of the seat and closed his eyes once more.

Suddenly he felt a presence sitting in frotn of him and he hesitated to open his eyes. "What the hell is wrong with you, Del ?"
"Hello to you too, Fetch" He said and it's now that he realised how much he was thirsty, he straighten up and took the glass, drinking it slowly, watching Fetch crossed her arms over her chest. "You din't answer me."
"You didn't said hello." She rolled her eyes. "Howdy ! Why are you acting like a fucking kid ?" She said with a fake ass joyful behaviour.

Now it was Delsin's turn to roll his eyes and silently sipped on his drink. 

"Sims said the same thing." "And he's right. Don't call him Sims." The smoker grumbled. "What's the big de-" She cut him off. "You know he has problems with his parents and you dare to use that against him."

"If he wasn't such an asshole, I wouldn-" "Stop that Del, you know he didn't do anything wrong." His chest tightened. "Were you here by any chances ?" Why couldn't she leave him alone ? "'Gene called me" 
"Of course he did" Delsin mumbled as he finished his beer, the glass making a sharp noise as he placed it down a bit too hard.
"Eugene is worried." He rolled his eyes. "I'm worried." She added. "You've been acting weird lately." Delsin swallowed, trying not to let anger rising, to stuff it down.

"It's like you don't care anymore." "Excuse me ?" His eye twitched as he glared at her. "I don't care ?! Is that why, I keep helping conduits ? Is that why, I keep a fucking smile everytime goddamn normies start to insult me for being better than them ?" "Delsin" 
"Why am I the bad guy after everything I did for all of you and that fucking city, just because I refused to help a goddamn teenager who need professional help ?!" He got up, slamming his hands agaisnt the table, smoke came out of where his hands were on the table. Shit, he needed to get a grip before he attracts more glances towards him.

"Fucking calm down, Rowe !" Fetch screamed back getting up as well "I'm not Eugene and i'll fucking beat your ass before you can even imagine screaming at me again, you little shit !" Fuck, she didn't helped him one bit. He was on the verge of exploding, as he turned away, he let a track of smoke on the table. "Delsin !" He didn't listen to her as he almost ran out of the pub.

Fuck, why everybody had to be on his ass these past weeks, he had to do everything anyone asked him to, but whenever he wanted to be left alone, suddenly he was the bad guy. 
His breathing was short as he walked in the streets, he wasn't sure if he was crying or it was just the rain but he didn't really cared. He felt a hand on his shoulder which forced him to turn: Fetch.

"You don't walk away from me !"  "Just go away" He yelled back. "You've been acting as a kid right now, that kid needs you !" 

"And you know what ?! I don't give a fuck ! I don't want to play hero right now, I just want to be left alone !" He grabbed her wrist and suddenly her powers were transfered to him, the neon purple floated around them as he watched it, and with a bright light that forced him to close his eyes, he felt the burning feeling be replaced by a sizzling one that coursed in his veins. She managed to push him away and he stumbled back.

It wasn't the first time he had taken a part of her powers but it felt so... different and stronger this time.
The sizzling almost hurt as it felt it moved in his veins. He cracked his neck trying to relieve himself from the "pain". "What the..." He looked at his hands and activated the neon power which made his hands vibrated like usual.

"What the fuck ?!" Fetch yelled and as he looked up to her, he saw her trying to use her powers in vain. "Why can't I use my powers ?!" He stumbled back again, the ringing in his ears had stopped and he found it easier to breath. He watched Fetch for a second before she glared at him "What did you do ?!" She grabbed him by the collar and he felt nausea coming up, his throat closing, he quickly pushed her away and took a few steps back, he wanted to puke but at the same time he felt like there was nothing in his stomach.

"Give me back my power !" He felt like the world was turning and his hands were buzzing, shaking as he shook his head trying to regain control over his body. 
Fetch yelled something but he couldn't hear her and before, he needed to leave now. His heart was pounding way too much against his chest and he felt the Neon climbing out of him.

Before he completly understood what it meant, he turned around and ran, faster, thanks to the neon powers. He needed to be alone, somewhere he felt safe, far away.
His entire body was on auto-pilote.
For a second, he thought he was faster than usual.

Chapter Text

~2 hours earlier~ 

Eugene blinked as he looked down at the spot where Delsin had just disappeared,  
His collar felt way too hot compared to the rest of his body, it felt strange.

Everything felt strange.

He knew Deslin, more than anyone however he never saw this side of his bestfriend. 

He looked back at the inside of Hank's house, the father was holding his daughter as she cried, he was trying to smooth her and make her control her powers. Because indeed, objects were flying everywhere without a care in the world if hit somebody. Eugene sighed deciding to put aside Delsin for a few moments, even if yes, he was acting strange and yes he never screamed at the video conduit which was very alarming but Eugene did pushed his buttons a bit too far.
He dodged the objects as best as he could without using his powers too much. Hank's house was pratically lost in the wood, even if there was a tv and probably Internet nonetheless he wouldn't bet on finding Internet in a conduit who was still a wanted criminal. He knew he should be careful with him and his daughter.

"Where's delsin ?!" Hank roared. "I'll make this asshole apologize on his knees !" Eugene rolled his eyes and kneeled in front of the girl. "Let's be real, you wouldn't even be alive if Delsin wasn't kind." He snapped back at the father whom just growled and focused on his daughter. Eugene sighed and slowly but surely grabbed Sarah's hands. She turned her eyes to him curious, still sniffing. "So Sarah, right ?".
"Y-yeah ?" She answered sniffing once more. Geez, did she needs to be so gross..? Eugene forced a smile and cleared his throat. "How about you tell me what's upsetting you..?" Eugene cringed under the fact he used the same words from his previous family psychiatrist. "Well it's your stupid friend ! H-He was... so RUDE ! He pushed me away-" 

Gosh, why did he asked that...

~Present moment~

Why did he HAD to use these words. 

Eugene repeated to himself as two hours already passed by. They had moved to the couch after Hank put the living room back together. Thanks to all of his fake smiles when he was still with his mother, he managed to convince Sarah that he actually cared and listened. He did listen... for the first minutes after realizing that this girl was just a drama queen and now he could understand why Delsin had left so fuming. He looked elsewhere as Delsin entered his thoughts and he discreetly checked his phone: no calls from Delsin.
He should have gotten at least one. Eugene had sent Fetch to speak to him, Fetch and Delsin were friends but he knew the neon conduit, she had... a strong character to be kind and seeing how the smoker had been on edge lately, he knew that a fight must have occurred, but the silence was torture.
Did he do something to upset him ? No, at least Eugene knew that Delsin wouldn't have hold back to told him he messed up. Even if he had been softer with the video conduit after Augustine had been defeated and now it seemed like he was constantly on edge. Was it him, Fetch, Hank or someone else ? Why didn't Delsin just speak about it with them ? With him..? Eugene and Deslin spend all their time together, day and night, Delsin literally moved in with Eugene in the basement. 

The smoker couldn't stand to live alone after freeing all conduit, everyone started to recognize him and even if he didn't say it out loud, Eugene knew he was overwhelmed and that's why most mornings were quiet one. Delsin would sit next to the video conduit and watch him play on his computer. Eugene's heart would stopped whenever Delsin leaned against him, closing his eyes and sleeping peacefully. He loved it. Just being around someone who wouldn't judge him.
But now, Delsin kept using his last name against him, he hated that side of his best friend. Delsin knew why he didin't liked to be called like that and yet he was using it to make him shut up. Gosh he despises how Delsin thought his last name would shut him up. Like seriously ?! Eugene had even considered once to take Delsin's last nam-

"Are you listening ?!" Sarah whined, crossing her arms. "Oh ? Yeah yeah" He blinked and looked back at Sarah. "Yeah yeah, I'm listening, don't worry. Your emotions are very valid b-"

I just want to be part of your symphonyyyy-

Eugene tensed and he quickly checked his phone: a call from Fetch.

He excused himself and got out of the house, stepping onto the porch. 

"Hello ?" Eugene answered hesitantly. The answer came before he could fully finish.

"You will not guess what just happened, 'gene !" Fetch's voice came through his voice, panicky and angry.

"Is it because of Del-" He said as he stepped off the porch

"Of course it's Delsin !" The video conduit interrupted him. "He just stole my powers !" Eugene froze mid step and he almost fell head first in the mud.

"What do you mean ? Like he took a portion of your powers ? He already done that, I didn't thought he could do that again, is that not too muche power for him ?" He questionned, a thousand questions running in his mind.

"That's the thing, 'gene, he didn't just take more power from me, he took it all !" "HUH ?!" Eugene's reaction was instant as the number of question went through the roof of his mind.

"What do you mean ?" 

"I mean that we had a fight, he tried to leave and I followed him, grabbed him and suddenly I felt the exact same thing I felt the first time he touched me. And then... My powers were just gone." She spoke fast, the anger in her voice vanishing more and more, being replaced by true panic.

"Wow wow, wait a damn minute. What do you mean, you can't use them anymore ?" 

"Exactly what it means. I can't use them, I tried reloading with a neon but it's useless, I can't feel my powers anymore, they're not here ! I can't feel the thrive, how my heart beats faster each time I want to run faster. I- I can't feel it anymore, Eugene."

Eugene stayed silent for a long time, his body felt numb, what the hell was happening ? Delsin stole Fetch's entire power, she can't feel it anymore..? After a while, the video conduit realized Fetch was calling his name.

"Y-Yeah ? Sorry Fetch-"

"I need you to come and get me. I truly don't really know where I am. I'm near something called "Ora", I never went to that part of town-"

"Of course Fetch, I'll be there in a few, just let your phone on so I can teleport. Just gotta warn Hank and his daughter." After a quick 'see ya', Eugene hang up and returned inside, informing the family he needed to leave immediately.
Hank tried to protest and Sarah almost threw herself at his feet, starting to cry over the fact that he was 'abandoning' her. He rolled his eyes but tried to keep a smile for the same of the young girl, promised her he would (maybe) come back to help her more and after a few minutes of negotiation, she finally let him go. Eugene stepped out, not wanting her to change her mind and stuck him with her while Fetch needed help.

Gosh, he now understood why Delsin was so kin into leaving.

In a few seconds he was out by going through his phone, he remembered how much he had thanks Delsin when they were training and he discovered he could do that. Just enter his phone like any other device and just transport it with him, it was still a mystery how he was doing it exactly, but he was doing it so it's good. Eugene took a moment to look around his gallery, seeing a lot of picture of Delsin, Fetch and himself. He never was a photographer and it shown since half of those pictures were taken by Delsin, a lot of them were of Delsin himself or of Fetch but the rest were Delsin and Eugene. Eugene's cheeks lighten a bit as he came across his last birthday's photo: Delsin took a selfie of them as he kissed his cheek. Geez, why did he had to blush like that on that day ? 
Delsin had taken him by surprise, just asked him to unlock his phone and suddenly draped his arm around his shoulder and kissed his cheek. And to say he had almost turn his head towards the smoke conduit... They could have kissed, Eugene thought, a smile playing on his lips when he finally exited his phone and appeared in front of Fetch whom was pacing around the street.

"Finally ! What took you so long ?!" Fetch hissed as she stopped in front of him.

"Hello to you too Fetch, I'm having a wonderful day, thank you." He said a bit too sarcastic for his taste. "You spent too much with Delsin, you answer like him." She rolled her eyes, his foot taping on the ground impatient. "Don't remind me, Fe'. So ? What's going on ?" She stepped closer and showed him her hands. "See ?! I'm used to have a little radiant aura around my hand and now- NOTHING !" 
Eugene looked confused as Fetch went closer to a neon and tried recharging her power. Then she turned around incredulous and bewildered. 

"Pff-" Eugene's hand flew to his mouth as she stared at him. "What's so funny exactly, gen' ?!" "Nothing, nothing… Just that is a low consommation neon, so that's normal you can't recharge."

For a few seconds, Eugene was trying not to laugh at her expense and Fetch just looked at him dumbfounded, and after this moment of silence, Fetch just marched to another neon, rised her hand and then looked back at him waiting. The video conduit nodded and she tried to recharge herself but it wasn't working.

Now Eugene was worried.

He approached her and looked at her, really looked at her. She was right, she had lost her aura.

"So you really lost your powers... And Delsin is the one who stole it ?"

"Yeah. We were arguing and he tried to just run away, I grabbed him... he grabbed me and suddenly I felt like the first time he touched me, you know just taking the power..?" Eugene nodded along, listening while thinking about how that was possible. "It shouldn't be possible, Delsin's power is like a copycat: he duplicates powers of the ones he touches when he wants something and take the replicates while leaving the original powers to the original owners. It can leave us disoriented and weak on the firs hours but we always recover." Eugene explained while being deep in his thoughts. "I know that" She crossed her arms over her chest. "He already took my powers once. But now it's entirely gone, Eugene !"
"I know I know... Maybe instead of feeling weak, this time, your powers are like disabled for a few hours or maybe a day or two ?" Eugene hypothesized. Fetch seemed to think it over and after a few seconds, she exhaled and nodded. "I guess you're right... I can only wait and see..." She looked in the streets, her expression low. It must feel like hell not to be able to feel the power in themselves. Eugene stayed silent not knowing what to say more.

"You want me to get you home ..?" He proposed. "Your home isn't far... or you could come to mine if you don't wanna be alone ?" She shook her head before she passed him. "Nah... I preferred to be alone right now... My phone isn't dead, i'll call you if I need any help, 'gene." Eugene watched her leave. She wasn't good at all, he could sense it, but he wasn't the type to push someone. He sighed and teleported through his phone to his home in a few seconds.

He stretched once he got out, his energy low.

"I need a nap..." He lazily said, a bad habit of talking to himself.
As he walked to his bedroom, throwing his jacket on his couch on the way. However, when he entered his room, he heard sniffing sound. At first he thought he was hearing things but the more he approached his room, the more he realized he indeed wasn't hearing things. The sound was quiet, almost inaudible.
When he finally opened his door, he froze as he saw someone, barely illuminated by the light of his TV, on his bed, something in his hands.

"Delsin..?"