Anna didn't think she had felt so at peace before. The last time she felt so comfortable was as a child, in her parents' cabin - away from the world. Looking across the table at Aria now, the feeling of warmth and contentment spread.

  "What are you thinking about?" Aria asked.

  Anna shook her head. "Nothing, really. Just enjoying the sunshine." This was partly true, the weather was gorgeous over the last few days - clear skies and cool breezes. Anna and Aria had spent a surprising amount of time together, with Aria showing Anna the city proper, while they regrouped every evening to map out their routes and prepare for the protest. Anna felt like the preparations were thorough; they had mapped all possible exits throughout the protest route, had purchased gear like masks, gloves, bottles, pepper spray, whistles, and bags, and had walked through what felt like every possible scenario, from the most peaceful to the most violent.

  Aria leaned back. Her auburn hair soaked in the sunlight, and Anna sometimes had to look away when she found herself staring. She knew staring was impolite. "Hmm, I can't believe the protest is tomorrow," she said. "It feels like we've been preparing for this one for a while, but it's still surprising when the day actually turns up."

  "Yeah, I wasn't expecting the amount of work that goes into a protest," Anna said. "Well, not always. We know that the Pope will be coming out and addressing the city - and probably the world - tomorrow, so it's good media coverage, too. That's why we're being extra careful," Aria explained. "This feels like one of those days that can go very wrong, because more people will be paying attention."

  Anna didn't realise the Pope would be delivering an address. She supposed she should have known; her mother normally tells her weeks beforehand of any addresses. Ever since she came here, she hasn't really replied - or even seen - her mothers' messages. It was oddly freeing.

  She settled back into her chair. "So," Aria said, after ordering a sundae to their table, "do you think you're ready for tomorrow?" Anna blushed. She had never been to a protest before - her mother kept her firmly away from most protests, keeping her sheltered in the walls of their home or more often, the Church. She shook her head. "No, I wasn't really allowed to."

  "Not even as an adult? We both know you're older than 18," Aria replied, smirking.

  "I never really.... saw the need to," Anna said. Her face felt hot. "It was like... a thing that never really affected me."

  "Anna, of course it affected you - how could it not? These protests - they're about you!"

  Anna shot her a look. "It's not just me, you know. I'm not the only blessed that's ever graced the Earth."

  Aria rolled her eyes at that. "You know what I mean. I get that things were hard for you growing up, but still - never? Not even to see what all the fuss was about?"

  Aria was incredibly gentle with Anna - her remark from anyone else would have sent Aria into a screaming match, but Anna was so... fragile. So delicate. Aria didn't really begrudge her naiveté. Anna slumped forward, leaning on her elbows. "So what if I didn't? Does that make me a bad person?"

  Aria softened at that. For what it's worth, Anna didn't sound irritated, just - sad. "No, it doesn't. You're here now, that's what matters," Aria replied, taking Anna's hand in her own.

  A waiter came by and placed a disproportionately large sundae in between them. Anna smiled - a genuine, dazzling smile - and Aria lost her breath for a moment.

  "We can finish this discussion later tonight, right?" Anna said in between mouthfuls of icecream. Aria nodded, and felt her face warm - just a little bit - at Anna's joy.

  ---

  Ichiro stared at the trees rolling past, while Kai had his head deep in the latest installation of *Bad Girls Gone*, a series Ichiro found incredibly cheesy. The landscape rushing past lulled him, he felt his eyelids get heavier and heavier, even though he wanted to stay awake till they arrived at their destination.

  The train was quiet; few people were aboard, and the ones that were, were either reading or watching the landscape go by. He felt his eyelids flutter shut and slowly drift off to sleep.

  SLAM! Kai loudly snaps the book shut, jarring Ichiro awake. "What the fuck, man?" Ichiro complained. He rubbed his eyes.

  "Sorry," Kai said, not sounding very apologetic at all. He sounded awed. "That was an insane ending, I don't think I could ever see it coming."

  Ichiro stared at him. The plot for *Bad Girls Gone* was notoriously shallow, full of tropes and obvious fanservice. He shook his head - he had no idea how Kai was even interested in a badly written romance series. "Well, at least we'll be there soon," Kai said, glancing at his watch. Ichiro glanced at his, too - he hadn't realized they'd been aboard for over an hour. He spent most of his time lost in the sea of green, and found himself staring out at the rolling hills once more.

  After a few minutes, Kai shook his shoulder. "Hey, are you ever going to tell me why we had to leave?"

  Ichiro shook his head. "I told you, it's just a feeling."

  Kai frowned. "It's not cause of the protest, is it?"

  Ichiro nodded. "It is."

  Kai sighed. "You can't keep being afraid, bro," he said softly. "We have to get used to being around people who, well, disagree."

  Ichiro shook his head. "It's not that. I feel like.... like it was a bad, bad idea to stay in town. I don't know how else to say it."

  Kai threw up his hands, in a mock peace gesture. "Fair enough. We explored all of the Vatican anyway, there was nowhere else for us to go. I'm all for travelling around while we can."

  Kai reached under his seat to get another book from his bag. Ichiro leaned back, and felt his nerves settle with each passing mile between him and Vatican City.

  He felt bad, but oddly comfortable, too. He thought about Anna and Aisha, Ralfie and Amari. He found himself frowning when he thought of them, like he abandoned them somehow. The anxiety flared in his stomach, and he knew he made the right choice.

  Kai was engrossed in the next book. They'd reach the next town, soon enough. They'd get off, have a lovely holiday in the countryside - eat some good food, go for some walks along the river - and he'd go back home. He'd bring Kai back in one piece. That was all he could ask for.

  ---

  Ralfie stared at himself in the mirror, the brass buttons on his uniform glinting in the afternoon sunlight. He was surprised at how well this fit, and the card from Mark at the bottom of the box - "A gift, as thanks for the time we spent together. See you tomorrow - Mark" - made it into his wallet.

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  The navy blue jacket was soft, and surprisingly breathable - he assumed it would be a lot thicker. The padded shoulders gave him a look of strength, and the tapered waist made him look slimmer, and taller. He stood up straight, admiring the crispness of the uniform - it had the feeling of being freshly dry-cleaned - and was actually looking forward to attending a protest.

  He snorted at the thought. "I guess there's a first time for everything," he muttered to himself.

  He was surprised that Mark had actually given him the uniform; what started off as a hilarious joke between fast friends transformed into reality, when Mark took up his offer of providing support during the protest. "We need all the manpower we can get," Mark confessed during an evening patrol. Ralfie often joined him for these walks, enjoying the patrol around grand, quiet buildings. He felt a sense of awe, and truly enjoyed Mark's company. Initially, he wondered if Mark was just being polite - after all, it would be awkward to tell one of the Pope's personal guests to fuck off - but he quickly realized that Mark enjoyed his company, as well.

  Ralfie had found himself sharing secrets with Mark that he never would, with anyone else - the twilight of the evening, the lengthening shadows, their echoing footsteps, all of it lent to a feeling of being in a private bubble, where secrets could be shared, truths revealed without fear or judgement. Ralfie confessed of his conversation with Aisha - it felt like a confession, too, and he found himself tearing up at the thought. Mark was gentle, and offered soft words of understanding. The next night, Mark shared his own feelings - of inferiority and a deep-rooted fear of failure, of not being able to serve the God he loves; a secret he kept fiercely guarded, unable to show any sign of weakness to others. That evening passed in gentle consolation; Ralfie, too, was aware of how crippling a fear of failure could be.

  Last night, Mark blurted out an invitation for Ralfie to join him during the protest - to be a part of the front line. Ralfie was surprised, but he agreed; after all, his only plan that morning was to fly out of the country. The uniform arriving that afternoon was a sign of Mark's conviction - it would be a sign of Ralfie's, too. He changed out of the uniform into a comfortable t-shirt and a pair of slacks, and went downstairs to meet Ralfie at the gates of the palace.

  Mark was waiting outside the hotel, hands held behind his back. Even while waiting casually, he stood ram-rod straight. He smiled when he saw Ralfie emerging from the air-conditioned lobby - a smile that made Ralfie feel warm, despite just walking out of a chilly lobby. "It fits wonderfully," Ralfie said. "I really appreciate it."

  Mark waved his appreciation away. "Really, it was no trouble," he said, the two of them walking in-step to Mark's usual route. The setting sun was warm on Ralfie's face, and he found himself wishing the evening wouldn't end, even though they had just started their route.

  They discussed their happenings of the day - Mark shared his thoughts on what happened in his morning route, including a not-so-funny anecdote about a tourist spilling her ice-cream, but Mark's animated way of sharing the story had Ralfie laughing out loud. Ralfie, in turn, shared his own stories - of his childhood, and of his friends from the Church back home.

  "So, how are you finding your last night here?" Mark finally sked. Ralfie looked down - the cobbled stones were worn smooth with foot traffic over the centuries, and his feet fit the grooves carved by millions of steps before his. "I have to admit - I will miss this place," Ralfie mused.

  Mark smiled at that. "What would you say you'd miss the most?"

  Ralfie glanced at him, and cleared his throat. "These walks," he said, after a pause. "I haven't had the chance to...gather my thoughts and introspect, in quite a while."

  The two walked in silence a while after, until Mark asked what he's been thinking about for the past few days. "Why don't you stay a while longer?"

  Ralfie looked at him, the both of them walking in tandem - Ralfie didn't need to glance ahead to see where he was going, he had the route memorized. "I... have commitments back at home," he finished lamely. Mark nodded. "Of course, it was foolish of me to ask. I apologize."

  The gap between the two of them - which felt non-existent - suddenly grew, and Ralfie felt like it was a gap he couldn't hurdle past.

  "I'll be back to visit," Ralfie said, and the promise sounded flimsy to his ears. Surprisingly, Mark smiled - a genuine smile. "I'd like that," he said. The conversation shifted to the things Ralfie must try once he's back, and all the trips he should take within Italy the next time round.

  The route came to an end all too soon, and Ralfie found himself wishing for a longer route, an extended walk, or even a quiet moment alone - but Mark shook his hand goodbye and turned to join the ranks.

  "I'll see you tomorrow morning," Mark said. "Meet us at 8 AM, out here in front of the gates."

  Ralfie nodded. Tomorrow would be a somber day - he'd be flying out that night, and there'd be little else to do but watch the protest.

  Never mind. He knew he'd be back soon, and spending more time with the guards - with his friends, and with Mark - would be a wonderful way to end his day. He spent his final night in quiet rumination, and found that he was in an oddly meditative mood. He slept easily, and peacefully.

  ---

  The sun was bright, and Anna found herself wishing she had worn some sunglasses - her cap wasn't enough, and she squinted against the glare off the cobbled stones. Aria, on the other hand, stared coolly at the crowd, unbothered by the sunshine or the bodies surrounding them.

  Anna didn't know how she did it. The veritable ocean of people made her feel mildly claustrophobic, despite standing outside. Aria sensed her discomfort, and the two of them pushed their way to the side - the cool bars provided Anna with a sense of relief, and she leaned against them. "Busy," she said.

  Aria smirked. "Better turnout than I expected," she replied.

  Anna caught a glimpse of who she thought was Aisha in the crowd, but the group surged forward and Aisha (?) disappeared. "Huh," she said. Aria looked at her. Anna shook her head. She stood back up, wondering what happens next, Aisha already forgotten.

  The crowd felt tense, and the air was filled with what felt like a nervous energy. Anna sensed discontent from the crowd, and Aria frowned - she was tense, too, and her responses to Anna were not as soft and warm as they were yesterday. The crowd moved forward again, and Aria tugged on Anna's hand. "We should keep moving."

  Anna nodded, and the two of them rejoined the crowd - Aria nodding to her partners further ahead, Anna craning her neck to see the size of the turnout. Instinctively, she grabbed Aria's hand - and Aria squeezed back. Reassured, Anna allowed herself to be swallowed into the crowd - into the heart of the Vatican, to hear the Pope's address.