Wolfe was completely speechless as stared blankly at Raven. He didn't move, seemingly frozen in place, but after a long moment a small, single tear escaped from the corner of his eye.

Raven didn't see, still turned around and drawing in the dirt with a finger since he was already filthy. After a long time had passed, he slowly stood, trying to brush some of the dirt off of himself again to no avail.

"A person like you..." Wolfe whispered in a voice husky with emotion, "doesn't belong in our filthy world. Terra! I didn't want to... to say anything. I don't know what you're expecting from me... but I can't give you anything. Even if... I..." he paused, cussing, "My hands are tied, always been tied... I don't have the right to say anything." he whispered, even his voice seemed to be losing strength.

Raven seemed a little surprised, almost turning around, but chickening out and remaining faced away. After a short moment he replied hesitantly, "... All I expect... is for you to be honest. I didn't mean..." He scratched his head a little. He sighed. "I... don't know what to do."

"Honestly..." Wolfe whispered, "I don't know... what to do. And I've never... not known." He paused, "You frighten me... too..." he admitted.

Raven stood still for a rather long time. Then suddenly he turned around with a determined look on his muddy face. There was still the fear he spoke about earlier, but he made up his mind to not let that get in the way. So he walked over to Wolfe, looked into his eyes for a short moment, made a decision, and leaned down to kiss his lips.

Wolfe actually looked a bit frightened as Raven approached him. His eyes showed a vulnerability he'd always kept hidden. When Raven leaned down, Wolfe's eyes got wider and stayed that way as Raven kissed him. He froze, not even breathing, but slowly, and very lightly, Wolfe kissed him back.

Raven wasn't expecting that from the guy who had suggested a foursome in a twin bed. After a short moment, he pulled away a little more clueless than just a moment ago.

Wolfe was clearly red and wasn't looking at Raven. "I'm not... experienced in... dirt like this," he admitted after a moment.

Raven didn't look at Wolfe either, scratching his head a little. He had no idea what to say, still in shock that Wolfe was... inexperienced.

Wolfe suddenly glared at Raven though it was more out of embarrassment than anger. "I wasn't designed for that! That's Rosen's job!" he spat defensively before realizing how silly that sounded and shutting up.

Raven shifted a little, still trying to figure out how to adapt to this new situation.

Wolfe's face slowly returned to normal as he stared at the ground, "I... always act strangely around you," he muttered more to himself than to Raven, "I don't understand it."

Raven scratched his head again wondering what twist was going to come next. "... Well..." he finally muttered. "Uh... hmm... since I'm still conscious, I'll assume it wasn't a horrible experience..." He rubbed his eyes a little, still not making eye contact. This looked very awkward for him too now. "So... I'm just going to ask this to make sure - please don't get mad... but... Have you ever talked to anyone about this sort of stuff before?"

Wolfe looked confused at Raven's first words and then blinked at his question. "Stuff?"

"... You know..." Raven replied ambiguously.

Wolfe thought about it for a moment, "I live with Rosen and James..." he replied simply.

"... Have you talked to anyone besides them?" Raven asked.

Wolfe seemed very confused at Raven's question, "... Knowledge on relationships and what comes after were not needed in my training program," he replied slowly.

--

Laurel's head remained on Nic's shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck. "Oh," she mumbled, "Seeing you made me so excited I forgot!" She slowly sat up a little, "I found some stuff out," she smiled as her eyes found his.

After a moment, Raven nodded a little. "... Is it alright if I have an old friend of mine drop by the mansion for a day or two?" he suddenly asked.

--

Nic looked back at Laurel, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"That's fine," Wolfe replied, the awkward air nearly vanishing as he got down to business, "As long as they know they might be targeted if they are connected with us."

--

Laurel paused, thinking something through. "So you know how... the Okorie and CLIKZ split up from each other?" she asked, not expecting a reply, "Well it seems that they were both hunting the same thing, which is why they teamed up, but then... I found out that it was because of this thing, a "Key" as the guy who told me called it, that they cut off their alliance. Apparently, they both wanted to use this "Key" for different things. I don't know what the "Key" is but it can't be the lab... the Okorie shouldn't know about it, right? And they shouldn't have any reason for wanting it. I don't know what they both are after so badly... but also, the guy said that the Okorie don't have the man power now. They were relying on CLIKZ for their army of sorts and CLIKZ was relying on them for political power." She paused again, "That being said, it seems that both sides will have to lay low for now, right? That's good news," she smiled, visibly relieved.

Raven scratched his head. It was probably alright. If he was going to be connected, he probably already was.

--

Nic nodded a little when Laurel finished, but it didn't appear to relieve too much stress.

Wolfe nodded again before finally looking squarely at Raven, "You... should wash off," he declared.

--

Laurel sighed a little and leaned in, rubbing noses with Nic. "I... want to be helpful," she admitted quietly.

Raven glanced down at himself like he had forgotten. Then he glanced over at the still squished plants. "Later," he decided.

--

"You're always helpful," Nic tried to reassure her.

Wolfe stared at Raven for a moment longer, "... Don't change," he said quietly, a bit of pleading in his voice.

--

"Sometimes..." she whispered, "I feel like I'm useless in your world."

Raven blinked a little before scratching the back of his head and smirking a little. "Well... if you insist... I suppose I can wear the same muddy clothes tomorrow," he teased a little.

--

"... Forget about my world," Nic decided. "Let's just focus on the one we're both a part of."

Wolfe blinked, apparently not getting the double meaning in his own words. "You'll stink..." he replied, confused.

--

Laurel blinked, saying silent for a moment before slowly smiling, "Right," she confirmed, kissing his cheek lightly, "The world we'll build together."

"I won't change my clothes if you don't want me to change them," Raven tried to explain.

--

Nic kissed Laurel back a little. It almost like it was easier for him to express himself through touch rather than expressions or words. Something new seemed to be troubling him that wasn't there before.

Wolfe blinked, "... Why wouldn't I want you to change your clothes?" he asked.

--

Laurel frowned a little before hugging his neck again, "Is there... something you want to talk about?" she asked gently.

"... You told me not to change," Raven tried one more time.

--

Nic was quiet. There wasn't anything he wanted to talk about. But eventually he started talking. "I found something."

"... Don't... become like us," Wolfe murmured quietly before turning to leave.

--

Laurel smoothed the hair on the back of his head, "That's good news, right?" Something in his tone told her otherwise...

Raven sighed, disappointed his attempt at humor had failed.

--

"... I didn't find what I was looking for, but I found something that should work," he explained. "But, there was a message attached to it."

Wolfe was starting to walk off, "Sorry," he said over his shoulder, "I'm not in the best mood currently."

--

Laurel blinked, "A message... for you?"

Raven sighed a little. "... But I'll take that as you wanting me to stay though," he announced.

--

Nic nodded a little. "... I thought everyone in Yin Long hated me. But it looks like an old friend wants me to resolve my past."

Wolfe paused, "Take it however you wish," he relied tiredly, back to his usual ambiguity.

--

Laurel pulled away and took Nic's head in her hands, "That's great!" she smiled.

Raven took that as a big fat yes. So he went back to fixing the flowers before going to take a shower.

--

Nic didn't entirely seem to think so. After a long moment he told he quietly, "I think he intends to bring me back into the gang."

Laurel shrugged, unconcerned, "So? You're not going back and information is information, no matter what the giver's intensions are."

"... I might not be given a choice," Nic tried to explain. "He has the power to bring me back."

Laurel sobered instantly as her eyes focused on Nic's, "You really believe that?" she asked quietly.

Nic looked away. "... It depends on what he wants," he replied quietly. "I might be able to bargain my way out. But I don't know what the price will be. But I thought I'd let you know."