"... Experience," Nic guessed blankly.

Laurel paused again, "I want... no guilt," she confessed.

"Then let go of it," Nic suggested.

Laurel still refused to look at Nic, "Is that... the only way?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know," he admitted.

Laurel was quiet for awhile before finally looking at Nic, "We... really should leave, Nic," she stated quietly, eyes very serious but slightly afraid.

"I don't think so," Nic replied calmly.

Laurel shook her head, getting frustrated.

Nic said nothing.

"No," she said forcefully, "We have.... We have to go before they..." she suddenly stood up and walked over to a corner of the room, trying to take deep breaths.

Nic let Laurel take some time to get a hold of her head.

--

"... The Ko family must have a thing for siblings... Well, it makes this more interesting." Sheng mused as he surveyed the two brothers before him. "You're the best," he stated. "You've both passed all the tests required of you with flying colors. One of you will be my personal bodyguard and the other will be my wife's bodyguard. But before I make that decision, I have one more test of my own." He dug around in a drawer before pulling out a small box and opening it to reveal some small pills. "First, take one. It will erase your memories of this night." The men bowed obediently as they both didn't hesitate to each take and swallow one of the pills.

"Good," Sheng said as he put the box down and pulled out another containing one large syringe. He placed it on the table before the brothers before lounging on the sofa. "This is how the test will go..."

Laurel finally walked back and picked up her plate, "Guess you should get going," she whispered before heading towards the door.

"Laurel," Nic said to stop her.

--

Both brothers stood staring wide-eyed at Sheng, composure broken. Sheng let the silence go on for awhile before sighing. "I don't have all night," he reminded them.

"... It's a trick," the younger brother suddenly whispered. "There's no way that-"

"Oh, I'm dead serious," Sheng replied nonchalantly. "Do as I say, or this will happen every night until you do as I say. Don't make this more complicated."

The little brother swallowed and slowly turned to look at his older brother. But he caught his older brother's stare at the syringe and looked away.

Laurel paused but didn't turn around.

"Will you be here when I get back?" he asked.

Laurel hesitated before slowly turning around, "... always," she whispered, gaze focused on his chest.

"Why are you lying?" he asked blankly.

Laurel looked taken aback, "What?" she asked quietly, finally looking at his eyes.

"... Nevermind," Nic replied as he started to clean up.

Laurel blinked before slowly walking across the room and grabbing Nic's arm, "I... want to leave, Nic," she repeated quietly, "I really think we should go. But I'd never... go and leave you behind," she promised intensely, "You know that, right?"

Nic stopped what he was doing, but he didn't say anything.

"You know that, right?" Laurel demanded, shaking his arm a little.

Nic nodded a little.

Laurel leaned up and kissed him, lingering.

Nic kissed Laurel back lightly.

Laurel took Nic's head in her hands as she pulled away, "I'm not going to leave you like everyone else," she whispered, guiding his head down so she could press her forehead against his, "Every time you turn around, I'll be right here, okay?"

Nic remained silent as he stroked the side of Laurel's head lightly.

Laurel rolled her forehead back and forth on Nic's. "When you get back..." she whispered before pulling away and looking into his eyes, "I need to tell you something."

Nic paused before nodding.

Laurel nodded back before patting Nic's rear, "You should get going..." she mused.

Nic nodded again before trying to collect his things.

Laurel focused on the food as she finished cleaning up where Nic had left off. She seemed to have fallen into deep thought.

It didn't take long for Nic to finish getting everything ready. So he started to head out.

Laurel didn't look at Nic as he left.

--

When Raven woke, Wolfe was sitting on Raven's chair in a tight pair of pants with a conveniently placed box on candy in his lap, of which he was eating.

Nic paused by the door, like he was expecting her to walk him out.

--

Raven rolled over and blinked at Wolfe. For awhile it looked like he thought he was still asleep as he rubbed his eyes a little. But then a big smirk spread across his face as he rested his head on his hand. "... Have too many veggies last night?" he asked.

It took Laurel a moment to notice. Then she sighed and walked over to him, slipping her hand into his.

--

Wolfe shrugged, "Can't let you have all the sweets," he explained.

So Nic walked with Laurel to the juttles.

--

"Why not?" Raven teased.

"Door to door treatment, huh?" Laurel chuckled, relaxing a little as she held his hand, "You're getting spoiled."

---

"You'll get fat," Wolfe said bluntly.

Nic didn't say anything.

--

"Do I look fat?" Raven asked as he pulled down the covers to expose his chest and stomach.

When they got to his assigned Juttle, Laurel turned Nic to face her. "Be careful, alright?" she whispered, "If you..." but she stopped herself and kissed him instead, this one deeper.

--

Wolfe smirked, "Not yet," he admitted.