Levy stood, his eyes wide as he caught his breath, staring at the place where his speeder had been swallowed up by the sand. Bits and pieces of metal stuck out of the sand here and there, shining dully in the sparse sun. He took a few steps forward, leaving Cabre behind to stand awestruck alone. He took in a few sharp breaths, fighting the urge to cry as he lifted a chunk of twisted metal out of the sand. He’d put so much time into that speeder, so much work, so much of his passion. In one instant, it had been ripped away. He let the piece fall from his hand and he traveled further forward. Maybe he could find a piece small enough to take with him. Something to keep. Something to remind him of it. It seemed stupid, but he searched nonetheless. Most chunks were either too big to carry or too small to mean anything. Just as he was about to give up, he found just what he was looking for. It was about the size of his palm with red spray paint swiped across one corner and half of a sticker pasted over the other. He pulled it from the sand dusting it off before something else caught his eye. Stuck half out of the place he’d found the scrap was the compass he’d strapped to the handle. With a soft smile, he bent over and picked it up as well. For a moment, he stood, cradling the remains against his chest.

Then he turned, looking back to where Cabre stood in the sand, before moving his gaze to the sand. He hadn’t figured out how to feel about his captor yet. On the one hand, he’d almost gotten him killed crashing the speeder with him tied to it. On the other, he’d decided to free him before he was swallowed up by the sand, even if it meant potentially losing his captive. Levy thought about running. It would be easy to just make a break for it and leave the Legion soldier to his unfortunate circumstances. He has his supplies, albeit thoroughly sand-logged, but that wouldn’t stop him from surviving the wasteland. If he did run now, he would probably make it to Moonblight in two, maybe two and a half, days or so.

“I’ll know you’ll find someone to share your journey with. Don’t be afraid to look where you often wouldn’t.”

He sighed at the thought of Titus and his advice. At the time, Levy had thought Titus was crazy, but he knew he was always right in one way or another, no matter how much it frustrated him. It was worth a shot. He looked back up to Cabre and watched as he crumpled to his knees, eyes wide before he lowered his head in defeat, shoulders slumped in a pathetic display.

“You were right.” He mumbled. “You wouldn’t often look for an ally in a kidnapper.”

He pulled his pack from his back, securing the remnant of his speeder in a free pocket, returning it to his back with a deep breath.

‘Here goes nothing.’ He thought, walking over to the seemingly shattered man.

There was an odd silence between the two as Levy stopped, standing in front of Cabre. A gentle breeze filled the atmosphere, dancing grains of sand over Levy’s still boots. Cabre took in an unsteady breath, as if he was trying to stop himself from crying.

“Why haven’t you started running yet?” Cabre's voice cracked awkwardly with the question.

Levy shrugged.

“Why do you expect me to?” He asked in return.

Cabre glared up at Levy, his eyes shining with tears not yet fallen.

“Because why wouldn’t you!” He yelled. “Why would you stick around? I kidnapped you, that would be enough reason for any sensible person. I’m taking you to an unknown place for reasons you don’t know. Why would you not take this opportunity to get out of here? You must have better things to do than stand there and watch me shout at you!”

Cabre waved his hands angrily in the air as he shouted, stirring up sand as he let them fall in front of his lap when he fell silent again. For a moment, he stared intently at Levy, as if he were searching for an answer in his violet eyes. When he gave up searching there, he turned his head back down to stare at his hands, sliding his fingers idly through the sand.

“Just leave already.” He sighed. “It doesn’t do either of us any good for you to stick around.” 

Levy paused before lowering himself to the ground, sitting criss-cross next to Cabre, his gaze on him. Cabre lifted his head, confusion painted across his features.

“Why did you kidnap me?” Levy asked, his expression sincere.

Cabre hesitated, not sure how to answer the question. After an unbearable silence overtook them and Levy continued to stare expectedly, his gaze intense. Finally Cabre shrugged, pulling his arms close to his chest.

“I don’t know.” He snapped defensively. “Because I was told to, I guess.”

Levy frowned.

“That’s a horrible answer.”

Cabre glared.

“What, you want me to lie to you? Tell you I know exactly why the Legion is after you? Cause I don’t, okay.” He stood and crossed his arms, taking a few paces away from Levy.

Levy furrowed his brows, looking up at Cabre with sympathy. Today had clearly been a lot and, to be honest, he wasn’t sure what to say. Maybe the guy just needed to let it out. Instead of responding, Levy stood, taking a few steps to stand next to him. He kept his distance, but Cabre briefly glanced over at him before turning his gaze back towards the horizon. He took in a deep breath before letting his arms fall to his sides.

“I’ve been assigned to find the last Celestial for what feels like an eternity at this point. I feel like, every time I get close to finally being able to move on…” He paused. “I find out I did it wrong.” 

Cabre turned, looking to Levy, his eyes showing the fatigue of years of chasing and never catching up. Years of disappointment and scorn. All of that mental wear and tear had slowly made its physical mark.

“I don’t know what will happen if I come back empty-handed this time.” Cabre finally admitted.

The two made eye contact and Levy could see the fear in his defeated captor's gaze. He was telling the truth, no doubt about it. Was the leader of the Legion that intimidating and unpredictable? He’d never actually taken the time to have conversation with any of the previous soldiers that had been sent to capture him.

“I’ll go.” The words left Levy’s mouth in an instant.

For a moment, he contemplated taking them back, but his instincts told him that this was the right course of action. That it would lead him to answers, one way or another. Cabre looked at him, awestruck.

“What?” He said, baffled.

“I’ll go back with you.” Levy repeated. “I’ll go back to your camp with you and meet with whoever wants me so bad.”

He was determined now, which made pushing the tiny voice of apprehension and fear in the back of his mind away easier. If he was going to have a traveling companion, he was sure it had to be this guy and if this guy was intent on taking him back to the Legion camp, then so be it. He would go along.

“You can’t be serious.” Cabre’s eyes widened.

He turned quickly to face Levy, grabbing him by the shoulders. His eyes were frantic, searching for a reason why. Why was he going along with this? What could he possibly gain by coming with him?

“I don’t think you fully understand what you’re getting yourself into here.” 

Levy gently took Cabre’s hands in his own, moving them off of his shoulders before letting them go. As he did, he looked to Cabre, his gaze earnest. At first, Cabre hesitated to make eye contact, his face flushed the subtlest of pinks as he looked to the ground. Then, with confidence, he looked up at Levy.

“You want to move on with your life and I want answers.” Levy said simply. “That’s all I need to understand from this.”

Cabre thought it over for a moment before taking a step back. Eyes unwavering, he kept them fixed on Levy as he extended a hand.

“I promise I won’t sedate you while we travel together. If you change your mind…” He paused, hesitant. “I won't stop you from leaving.” 

Levy gave a gentle smile and nodded, taking Cabre’s hand in his own, shaking it firmly.

“And I won’t try to be as obnoxious.” Levy added.

Cabre rolled his eyes and chuckled.

“Sounds like a plan.” Cabre smiled.

Levy gave a nod and stepped to the side, dusting the excess sand from the days earlier events, and extended his hands to the side, gesturing for Cabre to take the lead.

“After you…” He paused.

Levy’s eyes went a bit wide as he looked up at Cabre, waiting. Cabre looked back, eyes equally as wide with a hint of confusion. Levy waved his hands in circles, trying to prompt a response from Cabre until it finally clicked.

“Oh, it’s Cabre.” He finally replied.

“After you, Cabre.” Levy repeated with a smile.

Cabre shook his head. Just asking for his name would have been easier, but whatever.

“My pleasure…” He paused, returning the gesture.

“Levy.” Levy replied simply.

And the two made their way into the desert, together.