With mixed feelings you climbed over the dusty rocks while your hands clutched the machine gun he had forced on you, despite knowing exactly you were a lousy shot.

Your eyes were fixed firmly on JD.

He was faster than you on the terrain and knew exactly where to step to avoid breaking his neck.

You followed his every move as if the slightest mistake could cost you your life.

With one leap he landed on his feet in a crater. Dust swirled up and swallowed his tall figure for a moment.

Groaning, you rolled your eyes.

"You're going to break your neck someday.", you said, and climbed awkwardly into the hole.

When the cloud disappeared and he reappeared, he gave you a cocky grin.

"You say that as if something terrible happens whenever I do anything.", he grinned and gave you a pat on the shoulder. "What could happen?"

You pulled a face.

"Painful things.", you mumbled, rubbing your shoulder out of reflex.

"For example?"

You looked at him with a grim expression.

"James Dominic Fenix. The last time you dragged me out of my lab, I suffered a broken collarbone and God knows how many bruises. Not to mention this."

You pointed your finger at the scar that stretched across your (S/C) skin on your cheek.

He briefly eyed the spot, then immediately grinned again.

"It suits you. A small scar can't disfigure your cute face, don't worry."

Rolling your eyes, you push him away.

"That's half my face you idiot..."

Immediately incited, he got ready to fight you for fun, while a wide grin bared his white teeth.

But you weren't in the mood. Still, you couldn't stay mad at him for long. Chuckling, you shook your head.

"Come on, JD. You promised me something good, than keep your word too."

Attacked, he sucked in the air sharply.

"I'm a man of my word!", he assured.

You had to grin.

"More like a boy."

"I heard that!", he turned around to quickly check the area before allowing you with a signal of his hand to come closer.

Frowning, you dared to take a step towards him. But only one.

Sighing, he rolled his eyes and did the gesture again.

He was kneeling next to the entrance of what seemed like an old, abandoned mine.

The structure seemed ancient, probably remains from a civilisation before your time. A light, warm breeze gushed out of the opening. It smelled dusty, yet very heavily like wet iron and stones.

But whatever was in there, if it had caught JD's attention, it was very likely very dangerous.

You hesitated.

"Is it alive?", you asked, gun grabbed tightly.

He threw a glance into the shaft.

"I'm pretty sure stones don't attack people.", he said, offering you a hand.

Giving in, you let out a deep breath and grabbed his hand. As the tips of his fingers brushed over your palm, a shiver crawled down your spine.

He had big hands, huge even, with short but thick fingers that could have snapped yours in two if he had wanted to. You knew, because back as he had been an ass of a teenager he had tried. But despite how manly his hands were he somehow still managed to have the softest touch you had ever felt. He was gentle, knowing exactly that not everyone cold handle his strength.

This was one of the many reasons why you had remained friends with him over all those years. Even though he was the model version of a COG human, he still managed to treat those who did not meet these standards with respect and kindness.

He took nothing for granted. But at the same time he could be a little too naive, too proud and too idealistic.

"Bit your tongue off?", JD suddenly asked.

Struck by surprise, you tore your eyes off his hand and looked up.

Your eyes met. Greyish blue mixed with your (E/C).

You swallowed thickly, gifting him an embarrassed smile.

"My bad, I was thinking...", you mumbled and pulled your hand back.

As you escaped his grip, his fingers twitched as if they wanted to hold you back. But he forced himself to keep still. He knew you well enough to know that pushing you to do something caused situations that he did not wish to put you in.

But he couldn't help and smile gently.

"Always thinking about anything but me. Uh, what I promised you.", he cleared his throat and quickly changed the topic. "Hope you can make use of this. I found it by accident and thought my favourite scientist knows what it is."

He pulled the green plants aside which were covering a large chunk of the mine entrance like a curtain and let you slide in front of him to have a better view.

As his warm breath stroked your cheek you had to gasp, but managed to play it off as a sound of surprise.

The former mine was more like a lake underground. The crystal clear water gently shimmered in a red light which was spread by countless crystals that grew out of every corner. The ground was overgrown with soft moss and as you let your gaze jump up, the ceiling was covered in the same red crystals.

"Holy shit...", you mumbled and let yourself slide down the step before being able to further enter the cave. "How did this grow?"

Grinning, he shrugged.

"No idea. You're the smart one of us two.", he pointed towards an especially big kind of stone. "Any idea what that is? I suspected it could be some natural mineral? But again, if it would have any use the COG would have claimed it long ago."

"Huh...", lost in thoughts, you walked a few steps before stopping in front of a red wall.

It seemed to be some simple wall overgrown by the strange mineral. But as you blinked you could have sworn it moved as if it was breathing.

Struck by surprise, you jumped back and bumped into JD's chest.

"Woah, easy.", he chuckled and grabbed you by the shoulders.

You frowned.

"Did- did you see this?", you asked, not taking your eyes off the wall.

He shrugged.

"See what?"

You swallowed thickly. Suddenly, you felt like an idiot.

"Nothing... maybe just... my imagination..."