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Chapter Text

Lost and Found in the Shadows

October 31st

Magna's just about tugged the bow tie from her neck, fumbled her way through half the buttons of her shirt and unbuckled her belt when there's a knock at the door. Which never usually meant good news.

She stops for a moment, waiting for whoever it is to hopefully move on.

But they knock again. And then again. Whoever it was they were certainly going to be persistent in ruining the few hours she might actually have to herself tonight, before she caves to sleep. Or attempts to.

She takes a few side steps to her front door, the apartment no bigger than a motel room, then glances through the peephole.

At the sound of movement, a voice appears from the other side.

"Magna? I'm sure I wrote down the right address. This is the right place." Magna rolls her eyes, and takes a step back before sliding the deadbolt off its latch and opening the door just a crack.

She's met with the same ball gown adorned Miko she made contact with earlier, albeit she's definitely, somewhat, more drunk than before. "Miko?"

"Magna." She sighs, semi-relieved she's actually been knocking on the correct door. Her eyes wander the gap, until she settles on the half-revealed body of Magna, where she's partially undressed.

"What're you doing here Miko?" There's a harshness that’s unintended. Magna pokes her head out the doorway, averting her gaze down the hall; thankful nobody else in her block seems to be awake or aware of their presence, yet.

Her eyes pop back up at the sound, "I wanted to see you." She reaches a hand forward, attempting to make some connection between herself and Magna, one she had been longing for the entire night, every moment after she'd seen her. But unable to under the watchful eye of the upper-class socialites.

Magna doesn't shut the door, but withdraws into the shadow of it to keep away from Miko. Unwilling to make any form of contact right now. She was still kind of mad. Even if she hadn't overtly seemed it earlier, she was simply relieved to be within Miko's vicinity at last.

"You don't want me here?" Miko asks. And Magna is almost sure she sees a quiver in Miko's lip, a subtle change in her demeanour that the otherwise stone-faced lawyer would never give away. The hurt in her eyes is what makes the guilt override her momentary anger.

"Miko. It's late, you shouldn't even be here." Magna opens the door a little more, not exactly inviting her former girlfriend inside, but no longer closing her out either.

"Why not?" It's sharp and to the point.

Magna sighs. It's a tricky one to answer in all honesty, she was still trying to get used to all the rules that came with this place. But from the moment she'd set foot in here she could see the clear divide between classes, just as the old world had been before. It pains her to think about it, how much it sucks.

"You're you.. and well, I'm me." She wipes a hand down her trousers nervously, before her eyes meet Miko's properly.

Yumiko can see the hesitation there, the same hesitation Magna had had years prior, when she'd continued to show up for her outside of the courtroom.

"If you let me in. It's not like anybody is going to know." Miko gestures to the empty hallway, the doors to all other residents' apartments shut, no lights visible.

Miko isn't wrong, she rarely is, and Magna knows that.

And though she's still hurt, and frustrated and angry, she opens the door wider anyway. Because she can't deny Miko what she wants. The other woman steps in without a moment's hesitation.

Once Yumiko is safely across the threshold, Magna closes and most importantly, re-bolts the door. She doesn't trust the people in this place, not for a second. She turns a second oil lamp on her nightstand on, producing a warm glow across the room.

"Can I ask you a question?" Magna asks and she crosses back across the room, so she can lean on the counter opposite where Yumiko stands.

Yumiko nods, keenly. Perhaps a little too enthusiastically but, at least Magna wasn't as closed off to talking as Miko had suspected she might be.

"Why didn't you come and find me?" "What do you mean find you?" Yumiko leans back, one hip popping out the side. The tightness of her dress only extenuated the curves of her body. Magna does her best not to stare.

"In this place Miko. I know you spoke to Connie and Kelly. And pretty much every person in this place from what I saw tonight."

"I've been kind of preoccupied, I mean I work for the Miltons. And Eugene has had a lot going on that I've been keeping track of. And that's not even beginning to mention that I found Tomi." Yumiko's voice raises slightly, she doesn't want to yell at Magna. That isn't why she came here at all.

"So you just moved on?" Magna is just able to stop her voice from breaking. Everything Miko had just told her, she'd already known, but the words had been relayed from Connie, to Kelly before they'd reached her.

"No Magna. I didn't just..." She lets out an exasperated sigh, "You of all people should know how complicated families can be and..."

"I thought I was your family." Magna isn't trying to be selfish, but her feelings have certainly been hurt. She'd expected a joyous reunion when she made the decision to travel to this place, but she'd been totally left out of the affair.

Miko had been ninety percent of her life for a decade, through thick or thin, that had held strong. Now she was seemingly being replaced, simply because of shared blood.

"Why does it always have to be about you? I have a real family member, living, right in front of me and you just expect me to ignore that?" She's practically shouting at this point. But she stops. Yumiko can see the way Magna's jaw physically drops open at her statement. Even in her drunken haze. The crestfallen look in her eyes, how deep of a nerve she has just struck.

"Magna you know I..." Yumiko reaches a hand toward the other woman, but only gets as far as a single step, Magna's body shifts as a warning to stop.

"Don't Yumiko." It's low, and fires like a warning shot. There's no Miko this time, it's Yumiko. Instead Miko folds her arm, swiping her tongue across her lips before drawing it between teeth with a shaky breath. Trying to contain the emotions. "I didn't mean that you're not my...I just..." Her voice breaks.

But Magna turns away, palms holding tightly to the wooden counter she's been leaning against. She can't bear to look at Yumiko right now. She doesn't want her to see the weakness in her emotions, let her know how much it hurts. Of all of the people left in the world, she would never have thought Yumiko might be the one to hurt her the most.

She doesn't know how long she stands there, hands tightly clenched as she tries to regain control. To contain the ebb and flow of emotions.

"I should go." Yumiko breaks the silence, taking a few steps towards the door. She hesitates for a moment, waiting for Magna to react.

But she doesn't. She stands firm in her positioning.

Yumiko turns and reaches for the deadbolt, and the moment the chain starts to jangle.

"Yumiko, wait." Magna says through gritted teeth. She looks up, finally standing back up right, releasing the tabletop from her iron-fist grip. Her eyes meet a set of tearful brown ones, and that settles it. Differences or not aside.

"Just spend the night. It'll be cold and it's late. I don't want..." Her eyes soften just a touch to let Yumiko know she's sincere. She doesn't need to finish the sentence. Proving that even if she's furious that she still cares. Well at least they were back to talking.

Magna makes her way to the lone dresser at the foot of her bed and retrieves a loose shirt and pair of pants. "As good as you look in that thing, I'd be lying if I said I didn't hate it." There's no real attempt at flirtation, it's just an honest statement. She throws the clothes at Yumiko, who catches them.

She is too willing to remove the garment, and scoots her way straight over to Magna.

"Can you unzip me?" Magna says nothing but moves up behind Miko. She hesitates for a moment, jumping from so much anger to intimacy is alarming.

But her hand slowly comes to rest on Yumiko's shoulder, the other reaching gently for the zipper clasp. She begins to unzip from the neckline until it stops at the base of her back.

Yumiko slides the straps off slowly and down her arms. It wasn't like it would be the first time Magna had seen her change.

Magna's hand hovers above its place where it rested on Miko's shoulder as she moves the straps. But instead of moving away, there's a feeling, a pull that tells her to keep it there.

So she lowers her palm back down to rest on Yumiko's bare shoulder. There's a temptation to lean in and brush her lips just above it, but Magna doesn't.

It wasn't a good idea, she knows inviting her stay isnt a good idea. But here they were.

Without turning, Yumiko slides her arms into the shirt, and finally Magna's touch vanishes.

But Yumiko doesn't want it to.

It's what prompts her to turn slowly, bringing her hand up to Magna's face. She strokes the baby hairs that curl across her forehead out of the way, before letting her hand still on Magna's cheek.

Her thumb brushed over soft flesh a few times. It had been so long since she had Magna. "Yumiko…" Magna sighs, "We can't." And though she really wants to, she wants Miko in every sense and definition of the word want.

" No angry sex. No drunk sex. No..." Magna knows, sometimes things don't always work out the way you want them to.

"It doesn't have to mean anything," Yumiko hushes.

"Since when? It does when it's us." It just adds to the pile of hurt. To say the least.

She takes a step back, to cool off. She doesn't want to argue, and she knows Miko is drunk. She knows all too well how Miko can be when she's drunk.

"I didn't mean it like that...I just..." Yumiko starts. But before she can finish, Magna cuts her off.

"I know what you meant." Yumiko pulls at the hem of Magna's shirt, and tries to focus on the fact that it smells exactly like her. The smell when she holds her, or comes in close to sleep beside her. Albeit tainted with fresh laundry detergent.

She gives Magna the time and space to cool off. In the time she retrieves a glass of water from the lone sink in the corner of her apartment, takes a sip before approaching Miko again. Setting the glass down on the night-stand of her bed.

She gestures with her head to sit down on it, and Miko follows her lead, giving her a little more space this time. They sit down on the mattress, cross legged, knee to knee. But not touching. And their eyes finally re-lock on one another.

They simply stare for a moment, and Yumiko smiles. Magna tries so hard to withhold, but it's Yumiko. And even without the fancy ball gown, and perfectly styled hair, she is just as beautiful as Magna has ever thought she was. And god she wants her back. But simultaneously she wants to continue yelling at her for the heartbreak it caused her when she left, how cold and closed off she had to be to even function the first few weeks. How she hated the way she cried alone in a random bedroom in Alexandria the day she left. And in the commonwealth how she was barely holding it together, knowing that Miko was here, the physical gap had closed again, but she was still a complete world away. That even after several weeks she'd made no attempt at locating her. Yumiko, even in her inebriated state, can sense the inner turmoil that's bubbling inside of Magna. The emptiness it causes in her eyes. She reaches a hand out to hold Magna's, to give a silent comfort she knows she's the only person that's ever been allowed to give.

"You're drunk Miko, you're not thinking straight." Magna chastises, shaking her head. She tries to break the contact between them, before things get out of hand again. It's like a switch has flipped in her. But the anger is usually just something for Magna to hide behind. Yumiko has had years of experience seeing through that. Magna doesn't want to re-cross a boundary they had very much set before Miko set out on the journey here. That they both agreed would be best for them. Without knowing for absolute certainty that they would remain together, she couldn't handle the loss again.

"Am I?" Miko raises her eyebrows. Magna doesn't know if that's an attempt to prove her claimed sobriety, just to infuriate her or to make a point. It all works.

So she figures if Miko wants another argument, if she wants to be infuriating, then she'd do it right back. But not put out. Magna brushes her fingers into the shorter hairs that cascade over Miko's ear, tucking them back softly. She leans in towards her, until her lips rest just beside her earlobe, one of the places she knows Miko likes to be kissed most.

Then she whispers, low and husky, "You smell like a fresh bottle of red."

"You shouldn't have served me so much." Yumiko fires back just as quickly, without moving.

"Not my problem, that's what I was paid to do." Magna shrugs and begins to pull back away, when she's halted by a sudden cool palm on her cheek.

The tension between them is palpable.

And when their eyes meet, Miko confidently continues, "Do you want me to kiss you?"

Magna swallows thickly. Technically she isn't losing if Miko is the one who puts out first. She isn't crossing the boundaries they'd set even when they were together. But equally she doesn't know if her mind can handle having her again. Or maybe it's the thought of losing her.

Miko raises her eyebrows again, waiting for an answer. The answer.

"I..." Magna starts, and then Yumiko's lips are on hers. At first it comes like a whirlwind, but feels like heaven. It's a welcome distraction from everything else going on within these walls.

Before long, Yumiko's hands have made their way to the nape of Magna's neck, tracing up into her hair. And Magna's hands have made quick work of removing the shirt that she'd given Miko no more than 10 minutes ago, from her back. Fingernails trail up and down her spine, wanting more. The kisses deepen gradually, and last a span of five glorious minutes before the emotions between them just become too much.

Yumiko feels the wetness track down one of her cheeks as she leans in for another kiss. And immediately she draws back.

Magna takes a deep, unsteady breath. Containing the cry that sits so high in her chest, pawing furiously at her damp cheeks.

And this is why they didn't have anger sex. At least one of them always ended up crying. Today it was both.

Yumiko swipes a thumb across Magna's cheekbone, wiping the fresh droplet away. It doesn't take long for Magna to reciprocate the action. Yumiko sniffles and stifles a small smile, leaning inwards to rest their foreheads together. "I'm sorry Magna."

"You don't need to be sorry. I shouldn't have been so. Me, I..."

"No," Yumiko draws back at arms length, a newfound sobriety taking hold of her. "You have every reason to be angry. You're right." Magna waits patiently for Yumiko to continue. "I have, had, been avoiding you. But not because I didn't want to see you. That'd never happen." She takes one of Magna's hands gently. "It's just been so confusing. And I'd missed you so much but the space. I thought it just made it easier for you. I didn't want to be but distracting myself from you made it easier than trying to resist. And I didn't even know that you'd come to this place, and I didn't want you getting tangled up in government messes."

Magna smiles, and paws at her face with her free hand again. Miko follows in chase, resting her palm over hers on Magna's cheek. "If you don't want to do this. We don't have to. But I'd still like to see you."

"Miko..." Magna whispers, she softens into a smile, lowering their joint hands to her lap. "Where you go, I go." She gives a gentle squeeze.

Miko reaches in with her free hand to cup both of Magna's cheeks again, she wants to pull her back into a kiss, but things evidently need to move slowly between them.

Magna shifts the subject, "So you gonna tell me what's going on here?"

"I will but,"

"But?" Magna's brow furrows furiously.

"I'd rather just spend the night with you. For tonight." Magna is somewhat hesitant, but she considers several things. If Yumiko is even somewhat drunk, she probably isn't going to recall everything she wants to tell, even with her incredible mind. And whilst it would add a level of truth telling, Magna knows Miko won't lie to her. Satisfied with the decision, at least for now, Magna relents.

Releasing Yumiko from her grasp a moment later, she makes quick work of adjusting the pillows into the corner of her bed. Then leans into the farthest corner, at the head of the bed, half propped up against the wall. She sinks back and opens an arm waiting expectantly.

And Miko follows.

Tucking her head onto Magna's chest, her ear presses just where her heart lies, so she can hear its steady thumping. She drapes an arm over the other woman's torso, hooking her hand under the hem of her tee; so she can curl her fingers around the warm skin of her waist. Magna presses a chaste kiss into Miko's head from above as they settle into an embrace that feels so natural, so familiar. Magna tugs the knitted blanket from the mattress over them both, tucking Yumiko further into the safety of her embrace. They lapse into a comfortable silence, the only sound their quiet breaths. For a moment everything is still, and peaceful.

Almost as though all is right in the world, because they're together. It's nice to be able to just exist in one another's company after so many weeks apart.

"Miko?" Magna asks, quietly, afraid to ruin the moment. Two brown eyes look up at her, patiently.

"Don't split us up again."

"You can't get rid of me now, even if you try." Yumiko reassures the statement with a soft peck to Magna's jawline, before she settles back in her embrace once more, smoothing her thumb back and forth over Magna's stomach.

Neither woman remembers falling asleep, because for the first time in a long time they're comfortable and content, so sleep comes easily.

Chapter Text

Breathing The Same Air

November 1st

Neither woman remembers falling asleep, because for the first time in a long time they're comfortable and content, so sleep comes easily.

It isn't until the bright sunlight of late morning burns through Magna's moth-ridden curtains that either of them even stir. When Magna wakes, she's pleasantly surprised to find the comfortable weight of another beside her. A calming presence that she'd missed.

Although Yumiko is no longer tangled in her embrace, the way she recalls falling asleep. Instead she's turned away, no longer freshly styled hair cascading onto the pillow, which she holds firmly with a fist. They'd never quite mastered the act of being close for the entire night, even after a decade of sharing makeshift beds. And Magna had never quite mastered maintaining a pillow in Yumiko's presence, but she'd never really minded. Despite their many arguments and taunting about it. She usually just opted to become Miko's personal pillow.

Magna reaches a hand out to brush the stray hairs from Yumiko's shoulder, her fingertips brush gently over Miko's skin, still tainted with a tan from the warm late summer months. The time they'd missed out on together. Magna remembers their first summer together, actually together.

The day had been so unbearably hot, and they'd been running low on water, so when they stumbled across a house that had a pool, half-full with rainwater from spring, they'd both decided to take a stop. The roads had been quiet, no sign of sickos in the last few days. The water had been relatively clean for being untreated.

Yumiko had confidently stripped down into her under garments and sat on the edge of the pool, dipping both legs in from the tiled edge.

Magna hadn't been quite so forward then. She simply perched on the edge cross legged, watching Miko eventually dive into the water. She was graceful, even when her long hair clung to her face as she rose up for a breath. They'd both laughed about that, and promised they'd cut one another's hair the next time they got their hands on a pair of scissors that weren't entirely dull.

Yumiko had tried to persuade her on several occasions to join her in the water to escape the heat, they’d settled on Magna removing her boots and rolling her cargos up to short length.

Yumiko grabbed Magna by one of her ankles and yanked her into the water, to beat the stubbornness that prevented her from getting in. The overthinking that made her worry. It was one of the first times Yumiko had witnessed the true scars of Magna’s childhood. It was one of the first times Magna had ever come back down in a matter of minutes. She'd panicked when the water went over her head, even with Yumiko’s hands guiding her back to the surface. Between coughs and splutters, she furiously yelled at Yumiko, just to start with. She was all too apologetic. But she'd been able to calm her back down, silence and stilling her with a kiss.

It was then Yumiko had realised that if she needed to slow Magna down, a kiss would work. And they'd enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in that water after the heightened emotions subsided.

Magna smiles at the thought, pressing a kiss onto Yumiko’s bare skin. A hand quickly comes up from the covers, to rest over hers.

"I thought I felt someone's eyes burning my back." And though Magna can't see her face fully, she can see Yumiko's cheek rise with a smile.

"Well good morning to you too." Magna recedes, slightly embarrassed at her show of affection, flopping back down into her side of the tiny bed.

Yumiko stretches out her limbs, groaning as aching muscles get some relief. “God, your mattress sucks.” She rolls over, shuffling across so she can come close to Magna once more.

“Sucks even more when you don't have a pillow.” Magna quips back playfully as she welcomes Yumiko back into a loose embrace.

“Yeah well. I'll remind you not to let me stay,” Yumiko falters a little, because not any of the further complaints she could make suck as much as not being around Magna.

“I tried to not let you in.” Magna shrugs, and she smirks in the same Magna way Miko is used to. It's a relief to see that if nothing else.

“Well I'm sorry that I'm just too irresistible.” Yumiko presses a somewhat sloppy kiss into Magna's cheek to accentuate her point, which only makes the smirk turn into more of a smile. A genuine goofy, child-like smile, reserved strictly for the eyes of Yumiko Okumura.

Followed by a mandatory eye-roll. “You wish.” Magna shoves Miko off of her playfully, but it only lasts a moment because they're soon right back together. Miko rubs at her forehead as her eyes continue adjusting to the bright autumnal sunshine, and more so the lack of opaque drapes.

“Finally feeling the effects of last night?” Magna smirks again. Despite Yumiko's many protests about not being a lightweight, she most certainly was one. And Magna had watched her and Tomi's table collect a large number of glasses as the night went on.

She's simply met by a swat to the forearm in a chastising way.

She wraps her arms tighter around Yumiko, and allows her to nestle in close. They stay like that for a small quiet moment.

And though it pains her to say what comes next, she does anyway. “You should get out of here.” She looks down at Miko lovingly.

"Then come to my apartment. There's more wine, a shower…” Magna raises her eyebrows suggestively in response to the tailend of her offerings. “You know exactly what I meant.”

"I definitely do.” She smirks again, a hand trailing tauntingly over Miko's body. “But I have work, Miko. I'm on pot-wash for the staff area until 10.”

“Then I'll come pick you up at 10.” Yumiko argues.

Magna tries to think of a reason to refuse. A way to talk her way out of going because she knows what the both of them will want if they spend another night together. And she's not sure that it's a good idea, yet. But she does want more time with Miko. She wants another comfortable night with the woman she's always loved, content right beside her. “Okay.”

Yumiko draws back, an exaggerated faux look of surprise on her face. “Where did the stubborn Magna I know go?”

She only gets a quiet huff in response. Magna changes the subject and climbs out of bed. She starts to get herself ready for the day, and throws Yumiko's discarded pile of dress to her in the sheets. “Aren't your prissy pals going to judge you for wearing the same dress home in the morning? Isn't that like some big no-no in social etiquette?” Magna starts to dress herself, mostly the same uniform she'd been wearing last night.

“It's fine. I'll just say I stayed at Tomi's.” Yumiko slides back into the sequined ball gown. “They all watched me leave with him.”

“Doesn't Tomi live in the nicer parts of town too?” Magna says across the room as she starts looping her belt back through her trousers.

“Fine I'll say I stayed with a friend.” Magna makes her way over to Yumiko just like clockwork, and does the zipper at the back of her dress without the need for a request.

“But in the lower parts of town?”

“You're relentless, you know that?” Yumiko turns on her heels, coming face to face with Magna who presents her with the silver pair of shoes. She then makes her way back to her dresser to finish getting ready.

“Are you telling me I need to change?” Magna smirks back and she combs through her hair, pulling it back into a loose but acceptable bun. Yumiko tugs on her heeled shoes back onto sore feet. She really needed to get used to the whole high heel thing again. She'd loved them before the apocalypse, now her feet didn't so much. “Never.” Miko comes up behind her, resting her chin onto Magna's shoulder. “You're sure I can't convince you to skip work?”

"Yumiko...” Magna sighs. She would love to skip work, she would love to see the commonwealth from the other side of society, but she knows that isn't how this place works.

"I know.” Yumiko senses the tension in Magna's body, presses a chaste kiss on her cheek. “I'll see you at 10 though?”

“Wouldn't miss it.”

Magna spends each moment of her afternoon and evening working thinking about Yumiko. Wondering what will happen between them tonight, imagining how the Commonwealth might be for the richer folk.

It simultaneously frustrates her, because despite loving having Yumiko around she is still disappointed and angry. But she also can't contain the excitement, the nervous feeling that makes it all feel like the first time she'd even told Yumiko how she felt.

The only upside to overthinking everything today meant she became her own best distraction, which helped the shift move by steadily. Unlike the usual drag of her days.

Yumiko heads home to her apartment, mostly to change out of this rental ball gown so it'll disappear again. She settles on her most casual pants, a simple tee and a sweater.

Then she makes quick work of her apartment. There isn't any tidying that needs to happen, aside from the dust she's let settle everywhere because she is hardly even in this apartment. But it's more to remove everything she knows Magna will hate. Like the printed lotto leaflet that came through her door, and the photograph of the founding commonwealth day. All things that Yumiko had had provided to her when she moved in, rather than objects of her personal possession.

She replaces the picture of the commonwealth to the one of her and Tomi, the one she'd found on the wall, the one that made her stay. She discards any commonwealth merchandise to the trashcan and then heads out to the market street to pick up the things she knows Magna will enjoy most.

It isn't a way to impress her, or show off her status, unlike most of the socialites would do. It's to simply shower her in love, to give her what she deserves and to show how much Yumiko does and has always cared. Because she certainly had some making-up to do. Plus, she'd noticed the clear deficit of food or cooking facilities in Magna’s apartment building, so she figured the least she could do was give her a meal and wow her the same way Tomi had with cake when she'd first arrived. Better late than never.

She settles on a tub of ice cream, some of the seasonal fresh fruits and a selection of pastries from Tomi's former bakery.

Magna had explained as they left her apartment building this morning where to find her this evening, because quite frankly Yumiko had no idea where the staff building was hidden away.

She'd not even realised such facilities existed for anyone outside of the military staff. She'd followed the instructions just as Magna had said, and found herself in a street lamp lit street in the lower quarter of town just past 9.30, because the anticipation ensured she was even more prompt than usual.

There's a steady hustle and bustle of noise, and coming and going staff in the same uniforms Magna was wearing. When a quiet moment passes, Yumiko knocks on the door in the same pattern Magna had advised. She hears her voice yell from inside, a few instructions who she can assume is to her co-workers, and a moment later she appears at the door.

Her wild hair has escaped the confines of her hairband, the humidity of a pot-wash room has only made it spring more. The baby hairs cling to her forehead in the dampness and she notices the way her cheeks are red and flushed. But the moment Magna makes eye-contact with Yumiko she softens, her body relaxing at the welcome sight. “Hey,”

"You ready?”

“Lead the way Miko.” Yumiko so desperately wants to take her hand, to hold it the entire walk home. But whilst the streets are much quieter by this time of night, there's still workers, soldiers and bar-goers who linger in the streets. So she settles for a looping of arms, just so it looks more platonic.

“So, how long does it take to get to your palace?”

“It's hardly a palace…” Yumiko laughs, nudging Magna lightly with her shoulder. "But it's just a few blocks.”

The night air is cool and carries a hint of rain, the scent mingling with the faint aroma of food and the occasional laughter from the homes they pass. Despite her earlier frustration, Magna feels a sense of peace being with Yumiko, a feeling that had been missing for far too long.

They finally arrive at Yumiko's apartment building. It’s a modest structure, but compared to the lower-class quarters it's luxury. Yumiko leads Magna up the stairs and unlocks the door, pushing it open to reveal the well-maintained space.

"Wow, this is nice,” Magna says, genuinely impressed but with an undeniable sarcasm. “And clean.” She smirks.

Yumiko, despite her ability to solve cases and form arguments and structure, had never been a tidy person. All her energy in organisation had purely gone into her work. So Magna knows this isn't at all settled into.

“Don’t be too impressed,” Yumiko replies with a chuckle. Magna notices the picture of Yumiko and Tomi on the wall and feels a pang of frustration there. But it soon subsides. Yumiko heads to the kitchen, gesturing for Magna to make herself comfortable.

“I got some things for us to eat,” she says, pulling out the pastries. “I know it’s not much, but I wanted to get something you’d like.”

"Miko…” Magna softens into a smile. It's thoughtful.

Yumiko watches Magna, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and hope. She sees the way she looks at the photo of her and Tomi, and the way she softens at Miko simply showing her care and attention.

Yumiko sets the plate of pastries onto the kitchen island counter, then approaches with caution, not wanting to start an argument at the beginning of the night. “I know things haven’t been easy between us, Magna. And I know there's a lot to make up for. I want to be there for you, the way I should have been.”

Magna reaches out, taking Yumiko’s hand in hers. “I want that Miko. I’ve missed you. I’m sorry that…”

Yumiko squeezes the hand, “You don't need to be sorry.” It's sincere to start with, “But I don't know where the idea came from to listen to you, your crazy ideas” Yumiko nudges her playfully with an elbow again. “Leave Hilltop, have a new adventure.”

Magna's eyes roll again. “Yeah and who tried sending me away first?” She smirks again as she leans in, resting their foreheads together.

“We’ll figure it out. We always do.” The tender moment is shattered when an audible gurgle leaves Magna's stomach.

She pulls away, eyes averted with a subtle embarrassment. Miko stifles a gentle, breathy laugh. “Come on, let's eat something.”

Magna almost makes another joke, to steer the attention from herself, but she holds back to keep the moment tender. She lets Miko guide her to the couch, collecting the plate of pastries as they go. As they settle down, Yumiko places the plate between them, a silent invitation to share the food. She doesn't want to force anything, but she takes her own and begins eating in comfortable silence, and Magna eventually follows suit.

“Did Tomi make these?”

“Well not since I inadvertently ruined his baker's fantasy...” Magna's eyebrows raise, then she smiles. She knows exactly what likely happened, she knows Yumiko better than she knows herself.

"So instead of your overbearing parents being around encouraging you both, instead you tried to…”

“Don't.” Yumiko warns, not seriously though, she smiles and shakes her head. “I don't need another reminder about that. I’ll tell you another time.”

Magna takes that as a promise to spend another day together, which is a win in itself. But her mind begins its usual track of overthinking. They resume eating pastries, and Yumiko begins to notice a flicker in Magna, a change so well hidden and protected that to anyone other than Miko, would likely go undetected. Her pace slows, eating these things was truly bittersweet.

"What's on your mind?" she asks gently. Magna hesitates for a moment before speaking, a reluctance to risk ruining another night.

"I've been thinking about Hilltop.” Yumiko's heart sinks a little at the mention of their old home.

"Do you miss it?"

Magna nods, "Sometimes. But mostly, I miss the community we had there. The only rule was keeping it together.”

Magna had never had to face the total destruction of her home head on, the first time she'd seen the true damage was when she was led there by the hard. But the exhaustion had been so great she hadn't really thought about it.

Miko reaches for Magna's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "We'll find that again, Magna. Maybe not in the same place, but we still have our people here, our family..." Yumiko tries not to lecture her, to patronise, to act the way she knows Magna despises, “I understand why you're hesitant to trust them, I'm not sure I do, it's not like I'm naive to all of this," Yumiko gestures around the room. The extravagance they've never found in a community before. “But Tomi has been here since the beginning and he told me it's been great for him…”

Magna's jaw tenses slightly, her gaze flickering away for a moment before returning to meet Yumiko's eyes. "You don't know what it's like, Miko. The way they operate, the secrets they keep. That guy the other night, he's not wrong. There's something…” Her body clenches, eyes narrowing with frustration. “I can't stand the way they work, Miko. The way one person gets to decide for all these people. They're hiding something, something big…"

"I know it's been hard for you, Magna. And I don't blame you for feeling the way you do, " Yumiko nods, it's sympathetic, “I just…” Magna's shoulders tense as she looks away, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

They sit for a moment, the weight of the uncertainties hanging heavy in the air. Miko nudges Magna's shoulder lightly, to let her know she's ready to listen again, breaking the uneasy silence. Magna sighs, and leans back against Miko’s side, curling inwards towards her for comfort.

“It's hard not to be wary, you know?"

Yumiko nods. "I know.” She knows Magna's history. She knows their history with places like this.

Magna's gaze softens, "I just don't want us to get burned again, Miko. We've had enough of that."

Yumiko reaches out, intertwining her fingers with Magna's in a gesture of solidarity.

"I know, Mags. But we'll figure this out, we always do.”

“I just can't shake this feeling…”

“Well then let's just pretend we're not here.” Yumiko begins, and abruptly stands from the sofa under a confused set of watchful eyes.

She makes her way over to one of the bookcases, which contains a record player, she hadn't actually tried it yet so only presumes it works.

Yumiko knows it's late, but she'd deal with the repercussions of her neighbours tomorrow. She flicks through until she finds a song she thinks Magna will recognise. She holds the sleeve up, and when she receives a nod of approval, she slides the plastic disk out the sleeve, mounts it on the player and lowers the needle. It starts its steady rotations, ater a brief moment of static and needle scratching a voice fires through.

Yumiko stands up, an unusual sense of mischief in her eyes. Magna watches the other woman with a sceptical expression as the music crackles through the tiny speakers. "Miko…” She groans.

Yumiko grins, "Come on, Mags. Just this once. It's late, nobody's watching, and it's our song." She wiggles her fingers invitingly.

Magna crosses her arms, leaning back into the couch. "Our song, huh? You mean the one we danced to exactly once because I stepped on your toes? Can I remind you we were also incredibly drunk?"

Yumiko laughs, shaking her head. "Yes I remember and drunkenness can be arranged." She takes a step closer to the back of the couch, swaying to the rhythm of the music. "Who cares? It's just us."

Magna's resolve wavers as Yumiko continues to sway and twirl in front of her. How she can possibly look both ridiculous and endearing is beyond Magna’s logical understanding. "Miko..." She groans again.

Yumiko rolls her eyes dramatically. "Oh, come on! Are you really going to let a little thing like not liking to dance stop you?" She takes Magna's hand, gently pulling her up from the couch. "If you hate it, we can stop."

Magna sighs, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, but just a few minutes."

Yumiko's eyes light up with triumph as she pulls Magna into a gentle sway, their bodies moving in sync with the music. At first, Magna is stiff and her movements hesitant but as Yumiko hums along to the song, she relaxes.

"You are such a…" Magna says, shaking her head, voice chastising but filled with affection.

Miko grins, forcing Magna around in a twirl. "Such a?"

“Pain. In. My. Ass.” She deadpans, leaning closer to Miko but a smile threatens its way out.

As the album continues onto another song, Magna finds the initial resistance is gone, settling fully in Yumiko's embrace. Remembering the weight of her hands wrapped around her waist, the soft skin at the back of her neck as she holds her.

Yumiko can feel the change. “See? This isn't so bad," she says, pulling Magna closer.

The worries of the Commonwealth and its secrets are momentarily forgotten.

Then without thinking, Yumiko leans in, her lips brushing against Magna's in a tender, lingering kiss. As they pull back, Magna smiles, there's a shyness there.

The second song winds down, the final notes fading into the background. They stand there for a moment, catching their breath, still holding each other close. Breathing in the very same air. Magna's hand trails its way round Miko’s neck until it finds a place to settle on her cheek. She smooths her thumb over a few times, before her eyes come to meet Yumiko's again.

Her lips part to say something but before it comes out Magna leans back in.

The kisses start feather light, a repetitive pattern that they fall so easily back into. Miko's hands hold tighter to Magna, looping around the dip of her back to draw her body closer, until they're touching. Magna's fingers weave into Yumiko's hair, deepening the kiss. The touch of their lips against each other is intoxicating, an anchor in the midst of everything. Each kiss grows more fervent, more desperate, trying to make up for the lost time. Yumiko pulls away slightly to catch her breath, resting her forehead against Magna's, the air mingling in the small space between them once more.

"I've missed this," she whispers, her voice raw with emotion. Magna's hand still cradles Yumiko's cheek.

"Me too, Miko. More than you know." They stand there, swaying gently to the now-silent room, wrapped in each other's arms.

The world outside the apartment feels distant and inconsequential.

The next words seem to come from nowhere, and hit like a tidal wave all at once. "I love you, Magna.” It’s soft, but the words carry a weight.

"I..."

Chapter Text

First Of Many

"I..." Magna's voice catches slightly, the intensity of Yumiko's confession hitting her like a wave. She takes a deep breath, feeling the warmth of Yumiko's body pressed close, grounding her. "I love you too, Miko."

The words hang in the air, a quiet but powerful affirmation. One they haven't said for a long time.

Yumiko tilts her head slightly, capturing Magna's lips in another kiss. This one is different—hungrier, more intense. Magna responds in kind, her hands gripping Yumiko’s waist with a newfound urgency.

Their kisses become more passionate than the last. Yumiko's hands trail down Magna’s back, pulling her impossibly closer, their bodies pressed together with a heat that’s been missing for too long. Hands begin to trail the spaces between trousers and shirt, untucking and freeing fabric, gaining access to even the slightest bit more skin.

Magna’s fingers tangle in Yumiko’s hair, a soft tug that elicits a gasp. Taking the opportunity, deepening the kiss even further, tongues meeting in a dance of need and longing. The intensity builds until their breathing becomes ragged, and the room around them seems to shrink, until all that exists is the space between them.

Minutes pass as they remain entwined until they pull back just enough to look into each other's eyes, catching their breath; their gazes locked in a silent understanding, one that nobody in their lives has ever had the luxury of before.

"God I’ve missed you.” Yumiko murmurs, her fingers tracing the line of Magna's jaw.

"Good." Magna replies without pausing, her voice steady and hands trailing the buttons of Miko’s shirt. But when she tries to lean back in, to reconnect their lips, it’s Yumiko who hesitates. It’s momentary but noticeable.

“Magna we don't have to do this.” Yumiko draws back stilling the hand that's begun to unbutton her top with her own. Magna had resisted the words, she wonders if the lingering anger is still there. The emotions suppressed by the desire to be close, whatever the cost.

“Do you not want to?” Magna draws back, her expression one of confusion and concern. It was unlike Yumiko, but just proves that Magna was right about not doing this last night, she wasn’t thinking straight under the influence.

“No I just. Last night we didn’t let it go this far. We've only been back together less than twenty-four hours…I don’t want you to just hide everything we were speaking about.”

“Yumiko?” Miko’s eyes come up to meet Magna’s again. “There's nothing that needs fixing here. There never has been with us. And yes there’s things I need to let go of, but I have never felt so sure, or right about something.” Yumiko’s hand comes to rest on Magna’s cheek, smoothing over it. “So if you're good, just… kiss me.” She waits, she doesn't mean to be impatient, but only a moment passes and then Miko’s lips come crashing back onto hers.

November 2nd

Yumiko stirs first, blinking away sleep as she turns to see Magna still sound asleep beside her. A smile tugs at her lips as she watches the gentle rise and fall of Magna's chest, her features softened in the peace of slumber. Careful not to wake her, Yumiko slips out of bed and pads softly into the kitchen.

She starts the coffee machine, the rich scent of a fresh pot soon filling the apartment. As the coffee brews, Magna stirs.

She'd always been a light sleeper, so the moment Miko shifts beside her, her body knows.

She stretches languidly, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she realises Yumiko is already up. She follows the scent and sounds, finding Yumiko at the counter, quietly nursing a coffee and smiling to herself.

"Morning," Magna greets, her voice still husky with sleep as she wraps her arms around Yumiko from behind.

"Hey." Yumiko sighs contentedly.

Magna leans her chin on Yumiko's shoulder, peering at the coffee she's just finished pouring. Stealing the cup, taking a large gulp of the warm liquid. She'd never really been a big coffee drinker, the caffeine only ever heightened her anxieties. But when a luxury is placed in front of her, and at no cost, in this world Magna wasn't going to turn it down.

"You know there's a whole pot over there."

“But you're not.” She shrugs, and nestles her head closer to Yumiko.

"I can't argue with your logic," Yumiko replies, smiling. She turns around so she can draw Magna into a full embrace.

Magna eventually pulls back slightly, looking up at Yumiko with a teasing glint in her eyes. "You know, I was having the most amazing dream before you woke me up."
"Woke you up.Oh really?" Yumiko arches an eyebrow. "Are you going to tell me?"

"It was about us. We were on this beautiful beach, just the two of us. No walkers, no worries. No clothes…” Magna smirks. Yumiko swats her on the arm, shaking her head. She simply grabs one of the leftovers from yesterday and sinks into Miko’s couch.

"What's on the agenda today?"

Yumiko sighs. "More of the same, I suppose. Legal consultations for me, another meeting with the governors later. They’re pushing for more community ‘integration projects’ whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean."

Magna nods. " The sooner you start, the sooner we can come back here."

Yumiko nudges Magna’s knees with her own, getting her to scooch over the couch leaving ample room for herself, she has a mug of steaming coffee in each hand. She passes one over to Magna who curls her hands around it, drawing in the warmth.

“And you?”

“I have a job, somewhere to be this afternoon.” The answer is about as vague Magna can be. And Yumiko’s suspicion immediately rises, eye’s widening in concern. It wouldn’t be unlike Magna to keep things to herself, she always had. But this is a deliberate diversion.

“I thought we’d agreed to no more secrets?”

“This isn’t a secret, it’s just work.” When Yumiko’s gaze remains steadfast, Magna gives a little more. “ You’re too close to the Milton’s to get involved Miko. I just want to protect you in case…”

“Protect me?” Yumiko sets her coffee down on the table, “I don’t need protecting.”

“Miko, please.”

“At least tell me where you're going. Is it outside the walls? Who’re you going with?”

“I can’t.” Magna tries to take Yumiko’s hand but its dropped moments later. So she takes back to holding the warm cup in both hands, staring down into the dark liquid as an aversion.

“Magna, you’re supposed to let me be there for you, I can’t be there if…”

“Miko.” Magna softens her tone, she really didn’t want to start an argument after a perfect night. “I don’t want you to get hurt over something that could be nothing. And I promise you that if I need your help, I’ll come straight away.”

“Yeah, like you’ve ever let me help you before…” Yumiko shakes her head, though the way Magna says it sounds truthful. It’s almost convincing, but she also lives from experiences. It isn’t that she doesn’t trust Magna, it’s that she doesn’t trust her ability to ask for help.

Magna reaches forward, fingers grazing over Miko’s face. A futile attempt at anchoring back towards her. “Miko?”

Yumiko’s eyes have welled, even if there’s no tears shed, that much is obvious. There’s newfound frustration, she even begins to question if this whole thing between them was right, they’d slipped exactly back into the ways they were before. But maybe that’s just how they function now. “You have to trust me.”

“And what if something happens to you? What if you end up on some hit-list of the Milton’s, what am I supposed to do then?”

“We both know you won’t let that happen.” Magna presses a kiss to her forehead, and stands. The weight of their conversation lingering, and for a moment, she feels a sense of helplessness.

Yumiko reaches out, grabbing Magna's wrist gently, stopping her from walking away.

"Wait,” her voice is softer again now, calmer. "Just... promise me you'll be careful. And if anything feels off, you'll... Don't try to handle it all on your own Magna."

Magna turns back, her eyes meeting Yumiko's with a mix of determination and tenderness. She leans down, pressing a soft kiss to Yumiko's lips, lingering just long enough to convey her the silent promise.

"Come to my place later. If I have something I can tell you, I will."

Yumiko nods, releasing Magna's wrist. As she heads towards the door, Yumiko's eyes follow her, filled with a mixture of worry and confusion. She sits there for a moment after the door closes, the silence of the apartment only amplifying her thoughts.
With a heavy sigh, Miko returns to the kitchen, finishing her coffee. She needs to focus on her day ahead, but Magna's vagueness gnaws at her. She forces herself to get ready, slipping into her professional demeanor as she heads out back to the offices.

Chapter Text

Secrets Under Siege

November 8th

For the last week Magna had vanished to her secretive meetings, and Yumiko had continued her inner search of the administration. With Max’s help she was beginning to unravel the current government system. It hadn’t taken long for both ends of the trail to join one another, when Yumiko finally understood what it was Magna had been up to this last week.

When Pamela presented her with the newspaper, the front cover story an attempt to undermine her authority, Yumiko knew exactly who had written it, and likely who else had contributed. And Pamela was not amused. 

An Urgent Call for Answers - Anon - Nov.8

In recent months, an unsettling trend has emerged within the Commonwealth, our seemingly idyllic community: a growing list of missing persons. As a journalist and a resident, it is my duty to shine a light on this disturbing phenomenon, seeking answers and justice for those who have vanished.

Since the founding of the Commonwealth, they have prided themselves on safety, structure, and the semblance of normalcy in a post-apocalyptic world. Yet, behind this façade lies a troubling reality. Over the past six months, the number of missing individuals has skyrocketed. Families are left in agonising uncertainty, searching for their loved ones, while the administration remains disturbingly silent.

Families of missing persons have come forward. Recent disappearances include: 

Marcus Evans: A former military officer and current security team member. Marcus was known for his strategic mind and leadership skills. His disappearance has raised eyebrows among his peers.

Janine Peterson: A 45-year-old nurse, Janine went missing after her shift at the local clinic. Colleagues describe her as compassionate and diligent, always going the extra mile for her patients.

And most recently, Tyler Davis: A 25-year-old former crew member who was last seen leaving his job at the Halloween Ball. Tyler was known for his dedication to helping others and his strong sense of community, and it seems no second chance was given following his strained encounter.

Despite the mounting disappearances, the leadership of the Commonwealth has offered little in the way of explanation or reassurance. The administration's silence is deafening, leading to a growing mistrust among the populace. Governor Pamela Milton has made brief statements promising thorough investigations, but the lack of visible progress has only fueled public outrage. Citizens are calling for more transparency, demanding to know what is being done to find their loved ones.

We owe it to the missing to uncover the truth and to restore safety and trust within our community. To the families of the missing, my heart goes out to you. Your pain is our pain, and your fight is our fight. To the leadership of the Commonwealth, it is time to step up and show the true values upon which our community was built. Only through transparency, diligence, and collective effort can we hope to bring our loved ones back and prevent further disappearances.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we must seek the truth.

"What do you mean Pamela knows?"

"Well suspects, you know? Who's behind the article?"

"But she doesn't have any proof."

"Not Yet."

"Have you told Connie?"

"Not yet. I really wanted to talk to you first. You know what she's like. She's never going to run away from a fight."

"And you think I will?"

"Please. From the beginning you've seen this place for what it is. You've never stood for bullshit.” Yumiko pauses and smiles, “It's one of your better qualities.” She watches as Magna rolls her eyes at that one. “But you know more than anyone we've made it through a lot by knowing when it is good to go. And if things go bad here I want a strong exit plan for you guys."

"You guys?" Magna turns to face Yumiko, eyebrows rising in question. 

"Come on Magna you know I can't leave Tomi."

"We don't go anywhere without you, end of story."

"No Magna...That's not..."

"Miko. If the time comes to go, then we're all going. Even if I have to drag you and Tomi along. Until then we keep our eyes peeled, help everyone we can and wait for the other shoe to drop." 

Yumiko so desperately wants to reach out to Magna, to hold her hand, but it's too risky. She stifles a smile and shakes her head, "You're so stubborn."

"Not one of my better qualities. But you've never seemed to mind."

They settle into a comfortable silence, despite all the unanswered questions and worries floating in the air. But the peace of the moment is ruined when the loudspeaker rings out, sending passers-by into panic immediately.

"What is that?" Magna glances around as a small chaos erupts in the gardens surrounding them. People rushing away.

"This might be the other shoe. Come on."

Yumiko rises up for her seat, glancing around for any sign of being watched, when she's happy there's no spies she walks side by side with Magna.

The sirens ring out between them again, this time with a further message “For your safety please return to your homes. A full lockdown has been initiated.” But as they come closer toward the main square, they can already hear the rawcus of the crowd. It's angrier than before. 

"Miko," Magna tugs Yumiko aside, round the corner of a quiet alleyway. "I don't think we should be seen together anymore."

"What happened to not splitting up?"

"Pamela can't have proof that you're with us. I can't risk her doing something to you. We need you inside to keep track of what's…" Yumiko begins to shut it down immediately,

"And what about you? Connie? Kelly?"

"Miko please." The sirens repeats again, louder now. "I'll look after them, I promise. Just. I'll see you tomorrow, your place." There's a desperation in Magna's eyes, something that's not usually there. She'd never had to plead like that to Yumiko before. 

"Fine." Yumiko drops her briefcase abruptly and brings both hands to Magna's cheeks, she draws her into a kiss. Holding her tightly to her body. She doesn't let herself well up, she tells herself there's no need to. 

After the kiss, Magna buries her head into Yumiko's shoulder, who does the same. They wrap their arms around one another's body, holding tightly. When the sirens ring out again, startling them from 

"I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Damn right you will." Magna presses one more chaste kiss to Miko's cheek before she releases her hand and rushes out of the alleyway. She looks back over her shoulder just momentarily, a soft smile of reassurance, not just to Yumiko but herself. Then she keeps her head low and follows the sound of the crowd, the riot they'd started.

Yumiko gives it a moment, before she collects herself and makes her way back toward the office building. 

As she approaches the office building, the atmosphere becomes tense. The streets are filled with people moving quickly, their faces showing a mix of fear and confusion. She pushes through the edges of the crowd until the soldiers make a path for her, reaches the entrance and heads straight to the stairwell that leads up to Pamela's office. It's only in the confines of the hallway that the noise from the crowd dampens.

She immediately heads to the window, drawing back the blinds so she can look down at the streets below. The sirens are louder again now, echoing through the square. 

Miko spots more of Pamela's soldiers, heavily armed and moving with purpose, rounding up people and corralling them into a central area. Her heart sinks as she sees Connie, Kelly, and Magna among the crowd. They’re trying to blend in, but it's clear just like everyone else they're nervous.

Suddenly, the sirens silence, Pamela's voice comes down the PR system instead, as she begins addressing the crowd with a microphone. "These actions will not be tolerated," she declares. "Anyone found conspiring against the Commonwealth's rules will be dealt with accordingly."

Yumiko rushes down the hall until she bursts into Pamela's office, a whole group of councillors turn to face her. Pamela puts the microphone down, and turns. “How nice of you to join us, Yumiko, we've decided to hold an impromptu meeting.” Yumiko doesn't sit in the empty chair she's gestured to, she stalks back over to one of the windows. 

Her eyes widen in horror as soldiers start distributing gas masks to the crowd control, but not to the people. Her breath catches in her throat as she realises what’s about to happen.

"No," she whispers, her eyes locked on Magna and the others. She feels helpless, trapped behind the glass, unable to do anything but watch.

The soldiers begin to throw gas canisters into the crowd, white smoke billowing out, spreading quickly. People start coughing and gasping, panic overtaking them as they try to flee, but there’s nowhere visible to go.

Yumiko's eyes cloud with tears as she watches Magna, Connie, and Kelly struggle to stay on their feet, their faces contorted in pain. She presses her hand against the window, a silent, futile gesture of comfort and solidarity.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice cracking.

Pamela's voice echoes in the background, a stark contrast to the chaos below. "This is the price of disobedience," she says, her tone final. Yumiko pulls herself away from the glass, several other councillors take their seats now, and with a deep breath to steady herself she does too.

"I'm sure by this point you’ve all heard some concerning rumours," Pamela begins, leaning forward slightly. "It seems there are people within our community who are intent on sowing discord and spreading misinformation."

Yumiko remains silent, her heart racing. She knows this is about the article and she knows exactly who has caused it.

Pamela continues, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I want to make something very clear. The Commonwealth has no tolerance for subversion. The recent... disturbance will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. I trust you understand the gravity of the situation."

The small crowd nods in unison, 

“Maintaining order is crucial." One of the female councillors responds.

Pamela's expression softens slightly, but her eyes remain hard. "Good. I trust you will all do your part in ensuring stability within your sphere of influence. We need everyone on the same page, working towards the common good."

"We’ll do what we can," another replies.

Pamela smiles, a gesture that doesn't reach her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. We all have our roles to play in maintaining the peace and prosperity of the Commonwealth. And I thank you all for coming. Any queries or concerns regarding your investments can be followed up at a later date, feel free to leave a note with Maxine and I'll ensure it is prioritised. You’re all dismissed."

Yumiko is the first to rise, forcing a polite smile. "Thank you, Governor." She turns and leaves the office, the tension in her shoulders unrelenting. She needs to find her friends.

On her way out of the building Yumiko swipes a coat from the coat rack in the lobby. It's not her size, not paired with her outfit but it's hooded and that's all that matters. It would give her some kind of secrecy.

She works her way through the last set of doors, and heads out into the closest alleyway. The crowd has completely dispersed, and the smoke only lingers at knee level now, but in the distance there's cries of pain, arguments and coughing. 

Yumiko does her best to navigate in the direction she saw her friends run, and when that reveals nothing she goes to the nearest building she knows. The staff food hall, to the door she’d met Magna at a few times this week. 

There's huddles of people, leaning against walls or even one another trying to catch their breath, or tend to their loved ones' needs. The heavy footsteps of soldiers echo pathways, shouts of lockdowns and moving along. She saves the pleasantries for another time, and without knocking enters the backdoor of the kitchen. 

Her mouth drops open when she finds a crowd of people, some in their chefs whites, others in their everyday closing. Her jaw physically drops at the scene, a hand passing to cover her face in a sigh. People have bumps, and scrapes, some just sit, fear deeply instilled in their features.

She finds Magna nursing a scared child, through her own pained wheezing and watery eyes, she tries to clean the child's face. Removing any trace of the gas, calming their breathing with a gentle hand. She'd always been good with children, she'd told Yumiko how much she'd adored her baby cousins.

Yumiko tugs the coat off, and makes a beeline across the kitchen to her. Tending to the child first, who seems calmer now. She scoops them up, passing them off to their father who gives lots of thanks, all of which Yumiko directs to Magna. Who begins to move onto the next person, ignoring all of her own fiery pain.

“Miko you shouldn't be here…” Magna coughs, chest heaving with the effort to breath. Whatever they'd cleared the square with certainly worked as planned.

“Magna sit.”

“I’m fine. Go help someone else.” Magna tries to move away again. Yumiko tugs her hand, getting her to stay beside her. Eyes widen with concern, and fear and care.

“You're not.” Miko is firm, her eyes finding Magna’s to convey the seriousness. And Magna finally relinquishes, letting the adrenaline wear off in the safety of Yumiko. Other staff members tend to other members of the Commonwealth, offering glasses of water.

“Let’s get you home.” Yumiko remains firm, and leads Magna out the door. She knows the quickest way to her apartment, and the one that avoided the most crowded places. 

When they arrive Yumiko directs Magna to sit on her bed, then makes quick work of gathering a towel and a glass of water. She returns to Magna’s side, dipping the edge of the towel into water.

When their eyes meet again, Magna’s are more bloodshot than before, watering uncontrollably with the sting. 

“Do you want me to?” Yumiko raises the cloth to her face.

“I can do it.” Magna takes the cloth into her own hand, and begins to wipe over her eyes. When the sensation doesn't dim, she scrubs harder and repeatedly pauses to cough through tight lungs. Until a cool hand comes to stop over hers, gently slowly her.

“Relax Magna. Let me…”

“You should go and help some of the others, they're just as…” 

“No.” Yumiko takes the cloth from Magna's hands, holding her cheek with the other, “I only care about you right now. So sit and let me help.” 

With much reluctance, Magna steadies herself and lets Yumiko wipe over herself. And though she doesn't admit it outloud, having someone else tend to the sensation distracts her from the pain. And with each gentle wipe with chilled water, the pain dissipates. 

When Yumiko withdraws, Magna’s eyes meet hers in silent thanks. But the uplifted mood doesn't last long.

“Did anyone see you?”

“It doesn't matter if they did.”

"I don't want you to get wrapped up in this Miko,”

“I can handle myself.”

Chapter Text

Against the Iron Hand

Magna finishes her shift, 9pm precisely is when she hangs up her apron and shouts a farewell to her colleagues. She carries the last tray of potwash from the sink to the drying rack, before she collects her jumper ready to head to Miko's apartment. She'd spent most nights there recently.

But two un-armoured soldiers take a lunge at her as soon as she exits the door. Magna take a swing, her first colliding with the jaw of one. But they quickly grab hold of her wrists, haulting her movements. She thrashes violently, attempting to make contact with any of their fragile parts. 

Her yells of help draw no attention, and then a hand slaps down over her mouth to silence them. She tries to bite back, but she's overwhelmed by the force.

"Get your hands off of me!" Magna yells as she kicks wildly as two soldiers begin to move her again.

A guard rough handles Kelly, shoving her up the steps toward the queue that waits forcibly at the rear door of a school bus.

"If you so much as lay a finger on her I swear to god I'll..."

A swift backhand meets Magna's cheek. She reels under the sudden pain.

"You'll what?" The soldier laughs at her, taunting. She quickly regains her momentum. If her arms weren't restrained she'd be beating all kinds of crap into this douchebag. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd made a much larger man weep, but she has to make do with what's available, so she head butt's him. Aiming for the gap between face shield and chest piece, so it knocks the wind right out of his throat, leaving him choking on his words, gasping for breath. He falls to his knees in shock, trying to regain his composure.

She's quickly shoved to the ground by another pair of soldiers, they pile onto her trying to control her movements. She squirms under their boots, facefulls of soil and twigs. Even with the pure burning anger she's unable to free herself, she's totally outnumbered. The last thing she remembers seeing is Kelly's terrified face as she glances up at her. She tries to whisper an 'it's okay,' but the words don't come out. Her ears ring under the force of being hit, like being underwater.

She can only watch helplessly from the ground as commotion erupts across all the civilians being led to the bus, some following suit, others cowering in fear.

"Should we make her a B captain?"

"Na she's got too much fight to go to waste. We'll get her to behave in the camp."

He leans down closer to her, then a burning sensation hits her neck and it all turns to black.

When Magna wakes she's no longer trapped against the ground but she's outside, the repetitive clang of metal on metal rings out in the distance. Her immediate thought is to run, but her body is tired, head sore and despite her will, she's slow.

Blinking a few times to clear blurred vision, things fade into view. They're no longer in the commonwealth, at least not a part she's seen, in fact she's no idea where they are. Makeshift tents line one side of the camp, tarpaulins strung up between trees.

"Kelly?" It's a hoarse cry, her throat scratchy from a lack of water. She has no idea how long she's been out. But her voice rings out amongst the trees nonetheless. It silences the encampment momentarily and a figure comes rushing into perspective.

"Magna!" Kelly is halted by a guard six feet from where Magna sits. Another soldier approaches and cuts the zip tie that binds her wrists before hauling her forcibly to her feet.

"Get to work like the rest of them. Next time you assault an officer it'll be shot on sight." The soldier says monotonous but conveys a level of seriousness the previous soldiers hadn't.

"Magna..." Kelly sighs, relieved, taking her into a tight hug. "You're okay."

"I'm fine." She tries to say it convincingly, but rubs at her forehead, flecks of dried blood stick to her fingers. She isn't surprised that she's cut her head, she'd really hit that guy with maximum force. She could feel the non-visible effects, a concussion was the least of her trouble. Despite the pain, her mind is still focused on one thing, she looks around the camp, scanning for familiar people. "Where's Connie?"

"Well when you distracted so many of the guards, she grabbed one of their knives, just stabbed him and tried to get us out of there. I didn't want to leave you. They caught me but she just kept running to go get help. I don't know where she is now."

"And Miko? Is she here?"

"No, I... We need to just do what they say Magna."

"No. They don't get to just KIDNAP us and make us their slaves." Magna raises her voice, which receives a threatening look from a guard across the camp.

"Look, Miko isn't here and my sister got away. They're going to figure things out for us. We don't need to get killed before then." Kelly presses a hand gently to Magna's forearm, lowering her voice, "Come on Magna you know they'll figure it out. They're both smarter than both of us put together."

Magna reluctantly nods, though her rage simmers beneath the surface. She looks around again, taking in more of the encampment. It's a makeshift labour camp, surrounded with armed guards patrolling the perimeter. The clang of metal on metal comes from a group of people working on some kind of construction project, railroad tracks.

"I'll figure something out," Magna whispers, her voice hoarse but resolute.

The guard who cut Magna's zip tie stalks back over and shoves a pickaxe into her hands. "Get moving," he barks at the pair of them. Magna grips the handle, muscles protesting after the rough treatment, but holds tight.

Kelly is already being led away to join another group of workers. She looks back at Magna, a mixture of fear and concern in her eyes.

Magna nods in reassurance, feeling a pang of guilt for the worry she's caused. But she joins the line of labourers, each swing of the pickaxe a silent promise to herself that she will find a way out of this. And she'll bring Kelly and everyone else with her.

Hours blur together as she works, the repetitive motion offering a strange solace. Her mind drifts to thoughts of escape, strategies to undermine the guards, and of finding Miko and Connie. She knows they are out there. If they were here right now Miko would accuse her of spinning out, she'd probably try, and fail, to get her to relax.

No one knows exactly what time it is, but as the sun begins to set, the guards blow a whistle, signalling the end of the workday.

Magna's muscles ache, and her head still throbs, but there's a grim satisfaction to proving the guards just how determined she can be. She drops her pickaxe and joins the others as they are herded back to a communal area, a rough dining tent with sparse, unappetizing food. It mostly resembles processed mashed potatoes, but somehow greyer. But they'd eaten worse over the years, so she accepts a dish.

Kelly finds her in the line and they sit together. Magna goes to scrape the contents of her bowl into Kelly's own, but she stops her in protest knowing all too well how Magna can torture herself, signing, 'you need to eat too.' They eat in silence.

The entire camp is the same, eerily quiet, the oppressive atmosphere sapping the life and energy from everyone.

Evening slowly turns to night, the camp remains quiet except for the occasional murmur of guards and the distant howling of animals. The hard ground does nothing to soothe Magna's body but she'd never complain. It's hard being outside again after months of security within walls. She lies on her back, staring up at the sky, stars visible through the gaps in the trees. But despite total exhaustion, sleep continues to elude her.

Her thoughts churn with worry. Where is Yumiko? Is she safe? Is she hurt? The uncertainty gnaws at her insides. She can still see the flash of fear in Kelly's eyes as she's dragged away.

She silently curses herself for it all. If only she had been more careful, more strategic. She'd let her emotions get the better of her. Magna had known right from the start that this place was too good to be true. She'd told Yumiko countless times.

She rolls over, trying to find a more comfortable position, but the cold earth offers no relief. Her eyes close, trying to succumb, but the image of Yumiko’s face keeps floating into her mind. Strong, calm, always the voice of reason. Miko would know what to do, she would have a plan. She feels a longing for her steady presence, her unwavering confidence. But the thought of her whereabouts only makes the worry grow more, threatening to rise up and represent the dinner she'd barely been able to keep down anyway.

She thinks back to the nights they spent together recently, back in the safety of the Commonwealth. Rekindling their love for one another, rediscovering each other. It's bittersweet.

Yumiko had always been her anchor, ever since they'd met. Before the end of the world. From the moment they'd reconnected. But now, separated once more, Magna feels adrift, anger and worry battling for dominance. She closes her eyes again, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She needs to be strong, for Kelly, she can't afford to break down now.

A rustling sound nearby snaps her eyes back open. She tenses, ready to defend herself if necessary. But it’s just Kelly, turning over beside her, their eyes meet in Kelly's half-asleep state as she moves closer next to Magna, offering a comforting presence.

“You okay?” Kelly whispers, her voice barely audible.

Magna nods, though it’s a lie. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

“About Yumiko?”

“Yeah. And Connie. I just… I hate not knowing.”

Kelly reaches out and rubs Magna’s hand. “We’ll find them. They’re smart, remember? They’ll find us too.”

Magna takes a deep breath, trying to let Kelly’s reassurance soothe her. “I know. It’s just… I feel like I should be doing something.”

“We are doing something. We’re staying alive. And when the time comes, we’ll fight. Just like always.” Magna squeezes Kelly’s hand back in silence reassurance. She receives a small, tired smile. “Try to get some sleep.”

Magna nods again, though she knows sleep will be a long time coming. As Kelly settles back down beside her, Magna stares up at the sky once more.

Hours pass, the cold seeping into her, her thoughts a restless storm. She watches the stars, drawing some small comfort from their constancy. They’ve survived worse. They'll survive this. And when they do, the Commonwealth will pay for every bit of pain and fear they’ve caused.

The first light of dawn brings a new set of challenges. The guards rouse the prisoners roughly, barking orders and shoving those who don't move quickly enough. Magna is stiff, every muscle protesting as she gets to her feet. A restless night offered no repair for her.

Kelly gives her a quick, worried glance as they line up for the meagre breakfast. The food is barely enough to sustain them, but Magna forces it down again.

Today is another day of forced labour, for them all. It drags on, each swing of the pickaxe a gruelling reminder of their captivity. But Magna works mechanically, her mind constantly drifting to thoughts of escape. She watches the guards, noting their routines, the shifts of their patrols. She observes the layout of the camp, searching for any weaknesses they can exploit.

Anytime Magna attempts to talk to Kelly and check-in they're separated, forced apart as the guards shout at them to get back to work.

Sleep remains a fleeting notion each night. She imagines finding Yumiko, the relief of seeing her safe, the embrace they’ll share. It’s this vision that keeps her going, that fuels any determination.

When Magna doesn't arrive at her apartment as planned this evening, Yumiko worries.  They'd not missed a single date. even though they had dived into complete secrecy. Constantly looking over their shoulders, ensuring they weren't followed. She'd hoped to explain what she knew about the Milton's, how they'd tried to coerce her to stand against Eugene. She tries to rationalise any reasons why Magna hadn't come. Maybe she'd picked up an extra shift, or simply forgotten they were due to meet, maybe she'd just been so tired she'd gone home to rest. But when she can't find her the following day, and when none of her colleagues have seen her, the worry begins to grow. Her apartment key Yumiko owns no longer works in the lock, and when she knocks at the door, an unfamiliar face answers. She gives an apology.

Her next stop is to Connie and Kelly's apartment, which is just as quiet. And she receives no answer. She tries to find them in the commonwealth, with no result. As she scoured the town, walking the centre of the city she notices more of the absent faces amongst the protestors. No Ezekiel, no Carol, no Nabila and the children, Gabriel holds no sermons that day.

Yumiko finally realises that not one of her people is here, it's just her. And it doesn't take long to put a trail of events together. She knows exactly who is behind it.

Her heart pounds with a mix of fury and desperation as she storms through the opulent halls of the Commonwealth’s government complex. She’d spent weeks navigating the labyrinth of this bureaucracy, facing stonewalling and evasion at every turn, secrets buried in secrets.

But now Magna, Kelly, and Connie had definitively disappeared, all of her people were gone. The time for subtlety around the Milton’s had passed.

Pamela Milton’s office is heavily guarded as usual, but Yumiko’s determination makes her unstoppable. She doesn't hesitate to push past the last set of guards, ignoring their shouts and protests, bursting into the lavish room. She finds Pamela Milton seated at her desk.

Pamela looks up, her expression momentarily flickering with surprise before settling into her usual cruel, detached demeanor. “Yumiko,” she says, setting her pen down with a deliberate slowness. “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?”

Yumiko’s eyes blaze with anger. “Where are they?” she demands, her voice sharp and unwavering.

She's met with a simple raising of eyebrows. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” She gestures for Yumiko to sit, but she refuses.

“Don’t play with me,” Yumiko snaps, taking a step closer. “My friends, my family. They've been taken. I want to know where they are.”

Pamela sighs, “You must understand, Yumiko, the Commonwealth is a large and complex community. People come and go, and sometimes—”

“Don’t,” Yumiko interrupts, her voice trembling with rage. “Don’t you dare try to dismiss this. My friends were taken, and I will not leave here without answers.”

Pamela’s calm facade wavers just slightly, her irritation showing. She smiles, dismissing the guards, closing the door for privacy.

"You’re very brave, coming here like this. But you must know that there are consequences for such actions. You wouldn't want this kind of thing to affect your brother I'm sure. He's been such a great member of our society for a long time.”

Yumiko’s hands clench into fists at her sides. How dare she threaten her with her own family. “You think I care about your threats? I’ve faced worse than you. We’ve all faced worse. Now, tell me where they are.”

Pamela studies her expressions for a moment, leaning back in her chair, expression unreadable. “Your friends have been… reassigned. They will be working in an offsite-location. It’s necessary for maintaining order and productivity in our community.”

“Reassigned?” Yumiko repeats, her voice rising in disbelief.

Pamela’s eyes narrow, “Watch your tone, Yumiko. Might I remind you, and your people are treading on dangerous ground.”

Yumiko takes a deep breath to remain even slightly composed. She needed to stay focused. “I want to see them."

“That’s not possible. They’re serving the Commonwealth now, as we all do. You should be grateful for the stability we're providing them.”

“Stability?” Yumiko’s voice was filled with contempt. “You’re delusional if you think this is stability. You’re using fear and force to control people. It’s only a matter of time before…”

Pamela stands, "You understand Yumiko, there are rules for a reason." She circles round the side of her desk, coming face to face with Yumiko.

The temptation to simply slap the woman senseless is enormous, but she resists, it's too risky.

"You obey the rules Yumiko, just as you always have. Rules provide stability."

Her chest is vibrating with the adrenaline ready to strike, and the guards must see it through the office window. They open the door, moving to grab Yumiko, but they're halted by the calm voice of Pamela, "Let her cool off, she'll come to her senses."

She takes a step back returning to her desk.

As Miko's escorted out, she locks eyes with Pamela one last time. “This isn’t over,” she vows, “You will pay for all of this.” Pamela’s expression simply remains impassive, unphased by the threat.

Yumiko is led through the hallways, her mind and heart racing. She had to get out of here, had to find a way to free her friends. But first, she'd have to free Eugene.

She had to get home. Maybe there she could find a way to think clearly.

Miko keeps her head down, avoiding eye contact, not wanting anyone to see the inner panic etched on her face.

Her apartment is only a few blocks away, but today especially, it feels like miles. She follows the same routine she has for weeks, unlock the door and step inside. Today she pauses leaning against it for a moment, the silence of her home is a stark contrast to the chaos inside her mind.

Despite her best attempts at distraction, Miko can't stop thinking about her friends. The way her apartment finally looks lived in, each piece of furniture now holds a memory of her and Magna. She thinks about the threats from Pamela, the oppressive feeling that things were truly spiralling out of control. She'd speak to Tomi tomorrow, but for now she needed to think.

She opens the closet to find something more comfortable to change into, and like another instant and bittersweet reminder she’s met by Magna's sweaters. She’d given it to her one evening when she'd left her apartment to sneak home, to avoid any further suspicion from the counsellors. It's soft, worn with holes over years of wearing it, and despite it having been in her apartment for awhile, it still smells faintly of her. Yumiko holds it to her face for a moment, inhaling the comforting scent before slipping it on, no further decision required.

She busies herself with anything she can in the apartment. Wiping down countertops, reorganising her records, organising laundry. But her mind stays alive with worry, the very worst-case scenarios playing out in vivid detail.

And when the night slow lulls round, it's impossible to drift off. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Yumiko buries her face in her hands. The day’s events were a whirlwind in her mind, the physical weight of it all piling on her chest, her worry pressing down on her. She shifts, clutching the hem of Magna’s shirt and lets the tears come. They flow freely, each tear a testament to her fear, frustration, and helplessness. The darkness of the room only adds to the suffocating feeling, she forces herself to think logically, reminding herself of how strong her family is. It isn't until the exhaustion truly sets in that she's pulled into a restless sleep. Dreams were filled with the faces of her friends, the echoes of the sirens, and the hope that somehow, they would find a way to fight back.