Kirian actually wasn’t sure what he was doing. He had a very specific set of skills, and this wasn’t one of them. But… it couldn’t be that hard.

He knew he was taking advantage of Sebastian’s tragic backstory to explore the building some more, but he didn’t feel too bad.

He didn’t. Sebastian was just his boss, an overbearing one at that. He insisted on following Kirian to the IT office. In silence.

Still, he felt the need to offer condolences. That’s what people do, right? Sorry for your loss, and all that?

“Um… Sebastian?” Kirian ventured.

“Yes?”

The boss in question looked at him in annoyance, not even slowing his gait.

“I just… never mind,” Kirian bailed.

“We don’t have time, assassin,” Sebastian grumbled. He ran his hands through his curls again.

Well fuck you too, Kirian thought to himself. Clearly, the guy was over it.

He focused instead on trying to remember their path. Sebastian hadn’t bothered to hide anything, in their haste. They were low in the building. A floor below the garage, actually. The space was extremely utilitarian. Nothing fancy. Led lights fixed on drop ceilings. The walls were bare of any art. The doors they passed were all made of thick metal and had sturdy digital locks. Sebastian had put in a thumbprint, or a password at a few doors that blocked off the hallway. It was clear that not many people were meant to be down here.

They turned a corner to another door guarded by a familiar face.

“Oh, hey Tobias,” Kirian drawled.

The man looked tense. His shoulders were hiked up and his chest puffed out slightly. It was a little ridiculous but somehow still threatening.

“Boss, are you sure,” Tobias said, ignoring the assassin. He looked angrier than usual.

“Open the door, Tobias.”

Tobias held his leader's gaze for a moment too long, and Kirian was surprised at the defiance. What was so important about the IT room?

Finally, he turned around and opened the door. He freely glared at Kirian as he walked past him into the office.

Inside was a surprisingly cushy room. There was carpet, and a brown leather sofa. Two wooden desks cluttered with monitors and smaller pieces of technology that Kirian couldn’t place. The floor around the desks was a mess of wires. It looked kind of homey.

In the chairs were the only two people in the room. Kirian vaguely remembered them being referred to as the IT twins.

They both turned to the visitors, and smiled. Kirian thought they looked very much like twins.

The same dark skin and almond eyes. Matching left dimples and widow’s peaks. Matching everything, really.

Kirian would have believed that they were identical twins if not for the fact that one was a man and the other was a woman.

The man had his hair braided down in cornrows that just brushed his shirt collar, while the woman had hers plaited into long braids with curls sprouting out them. They both looked to be middle aged. Somewhere in their forties.

The woman spoke first, ”Welcome to our extremely messy office. How can we help you?”

“Hey Marcy. We got Viggo, but he won’t talk. This is Kirian, he thinks maybe you can work together to get some leverage on him.” Sebastian said. He looked slightly calmer here. Slightly.

“Oh right, the assassin!” The man interrupted.

Kirian stepped forward. “In the flesh.”

“Hey, you put up a good fight. Those guys were ask-”

“Max,” Marcy interrupted.

“What? They were!”

They looked at each other, likely having some sort of twin conversation through their eyes. Kirian decided he liked them.

“Anyways, you think we can help get the little shit to talk?” continued Marcy.

“Yeah,” Kirian spoke again. He had managed at least this part of the plan. “I was hoping you guys would have the skills to do some light scouring. And social media or maybe some phone stuff? Can you hack?”

Max scoffed in mock offense, ”Can we hack? Can you punch?”

He turned to address Sebastian, ”We’ll have something by end of day.”

Sebastian nodded.

Marcy tilted her head. “Why didn’t you come to us earlier?”

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair again. “I just- I didn’t think to. I thought the torture would work.”

Marcy came up to rest a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. It looked a little silly, as Sebastian was taller then her. She shot Max another twin look before focusing on Sebastian again.

“Take a break. I know it’s not easy to… deal with. We’ll find something.”

Sebastian nodded, his shoulder slumping a little.

Max stood too. “Now get out of here and take a nap. You look like shit.”

Kirian watched all this with curiosity. He had never seen the man like this. Sebastian seemed more vulnerable here, with them. Younger, even.

Sebastian collected himself before stepping away, building his walls back up again.

“I’ll be back in the evening to collect the assassin.”

He left the room then, not looking in Kirian’s direction at all. He stopped at the door to speak with Tobias in a low tone before walking away completely.

Kirian watched his retreating figure until he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find Max looking at him expectantly.

“Huh?”

Another twin stare that had the two smiling knowingly.

“Wait- what?” Kirian felt he’d missed something.

“Let’s just get to work, kid.”

They walked back to their desks and Kirian followed.

Tobias sent him a sound akin to a growl. It was clear the man wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

“Right, as I was saying. I think Viggo will talk if we threaten him with something other than his life. I haven’t known the guy long, but he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who cares if he lives or dies,” Kirian said.

“Are you the kind of guy who cares if he lives or dies?” Marcy asked.

Kirian looked at her, a little startled. “Of course I do?”

“Later, Marcy,” Max said, “We’re not here to teach the youth. Sebastian’s gonna blow a fuse if we don’t get this done.”

Marcy gasped, “Hey! I’m a professional. I just want to know more about the boy who’s spending so much time with our Sebastian.”

She turned back to shoot a look at Tobias, “Back me up here Toby.”

Kirian tried to hide his surprise. Toby?

Tobias shrugged, “He’s a brat. That’s all I know.”

Marcy just rolled her eyes, “So were you when we met. How did that end again?”

Max groaned, “Ugh get a room! You two are gross.”

“Oh grow up!” Marcy smacked her twin’s arm affectionately.

So Marcy and Toby… oh.