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A few days had passed since their respective meltdown, and within this timeframe, the manager learned crucial things for the Seed of Light Germination. Learning about the dark stories behind two of the Sephirah he had met since his time working here, the horrors of Elijah’s death and what A refused to do, and the psychological attack Gabriel was forced to endure because of Elijah’s death.
It wasn’t common knowledge but there were rumours that the two researchers were in a relationship, this made sense to A. The way Gabriel reacted to Elijah’s death and how he changed afterward was no mistake, colleague or not–there was no way he wasn’t close with Elijah. Let alone not be in a relationship.
Nonetheless, the way they both went out was a tragedy, the stepping stone to the eventual demise of the original research team.
When he first woke up as Yesod , he was under the impression this was a second chance to make things right. Only when he met her –the woman who resembled his past lover, Elijah–didn’t recognize him. This was the first step to the cold and apathetic front that everyone knew him as during the Seed of Light Scenario.
Fast forward to the first day, the manager met the Information Sephirah. Within the recently opened department, the manager could see a man who was unrecognizable compared to the Control Sephirah, Malkuth. In contrast to her eagerness to work and obsession to be useful, he wasn’t too different… rather rearranged. The barely taller man was more reserved and brooding, only speaking to anyone if it was related to their jobs.
When he and Malkuth spoke, there was a subtle yearning that came from how he articulated his words. Trying to poke around and see if she’d recognize him, call him by his name, or at least remember what they meant to each other. Alas, this never happened. It didn’t seem like it would happen.
But then, it did happen . She remembered.
And that caught him off guard, hearing the desperate cries Malkuth made as she rampaged through the facility. Only to forget and be reminded when Malkuth had regained her senses and was informed by her fellow Sephirah what it was she did, with what little time there was–she was only able to do so much in terms of processing these actions.
It wasn’t long after Yesod underwent a similar situation, finally channeling his anger toward the manager–in this case, A–to the facility. And with how things went for Malkuth, he was passively shut down.
After his meltdown, Yesod seemed more approachable to his coworkers. His change was the most noticeable among his fellow Sephirah, trying his damnedest to not make unnecessary decisions even though this made him question his rationality. Feeling rather odd about doing things that felt ‘irrational.’ However, he was more open now. Engaging in conversation with his fellow Sephirah and beginning to reconnect with his employees, also wishing that one of his former employees–James–was still here.
Yesod admits to A that although he could not stop some of his anger toward him, he appreciated and encouraged him to be truthful to himself and continue on his path of discovering the corporation and his past.
There was one thing in this past that never left, even before the day of his meltdown. Elijah .
When was the last time they properly spoke? Surely not a few days or weeks, it was most likely a week. Thus, it was only a matter of time before he’d finally talk to her about their feelings… The only thing that worried him was if she no longer felt the same way.
“Malkuth, may I come in?” The Information Sephirah stood outside of the Control Sephirah’s office, standing by the door that was left ajar.
“H- Huh? Yesod? Of course!” Malkuth replied eagerly, putting her notepad and pen away as Yesod stepped inside–closing the door behind him.
It was now just the two of them, the silence was quick to fill the room. Perhaps neither knew what to say now that they were in this position… almost as if it was fate they’d be speechless around each other.
“... So, the reason as to why I’m here,” his voice uncharacteristically trailed off while Malkuth sat there, staring up at the man. He was pulling at the hem of his gloves, trying to figure out the right words to use while she waited patiently.
“Yes..? If it’s a work question, I’m sure I can help.” She was a bit suspicious, given this was the first time they spoke to each other since both of their meltdowns…it was odd he was acting this way. After all, she was used to Yesod the Viper–
“Do you remember… us?”
“.. Huh?”
“Elijah and Gabriel. Us, our first lives.” Yesod finally looked her in the eyes, staring down at the shorter woman who was wide-eyed at the question.
“Do you remember,” he paused, swallowing the lump in his throat, “... do you remember me?”
Malkuth didn’t answer right away, silence quickly filling the room after the question. This was stupid. What if this was just another joke that she was making? It’s likely. There was no point in this, nothin—
“Yeah.” Malkuth stood up, meeting eye-to-eye with Yesod, “I do remember you. If only I recognized you sooner, hehe..”
At that moment, Yesod’s face lit up. As if the sun is finally shining on the moon after all this time. She remembers.
“Then… may I ask another question?”
“Of course! I’m not going to judge you or anything.” Malkuth gently smiled at him, walking over to Yesod as he sat down on the couch that was in her office.
The two sat together in silence. He continued to pull at the hem of his gloves and occasionally tug at his turtleneck. Figuring out the countless things he wants to tell her, the questions and the phrases that would be acceptable if they were in a relationship now… but you could guess that’s what was holding him back: The reasonable anxiety that she may not feel the same anymore. It was understandable, it had been years and now that she suddenly remembers, it’d be rude to rush into things.
“You remember Elijah and Gabriel’s relationship, yes?”
“How could I not? I always knew that was something particular about you… I just couldn’t put my finger on it.” Malkuth spoke calmly, her cheerful front replaced with a more relaxed attitude towards their conversation. She knew where this was going to go. It was just a matter of time.
Yesod took a deep breath, leaning back into the cushions of the couch while Malkuth looked at him. “What do you feel towards me, Malkuth? As a person.” Just like her, he had finally relaxed himself of any tension. No longer pulling at the hems of his gloves while she thought about it–leaning into the couch with him as she stared up at the fluorescent lights in her office.
“Well… what did Elijah feel? Did she love you?” She asked him a question in response, looking at Yesod as he stared back at her, surprised. Although his expression didn’t change much to what he’s usually seen portraying: you could tell from the dilation of his eyes.
“She did. Does that mean?”
“Yes, I still love you. Could this mean you feel the same?”
“Why would I ask such a question if I didn’t?”
Malkuth laughed, giggling at the question while Yesod felt relief wash over him. It felt like he was talking to Elijah again; the only change was that she looked different. “I’m glad. I’m really glad you do, to be honest... I only avoided you after what happened because I was scared.”
Yesod was taken by surprise. Scared? What could she have been possibly scared of? Fortunately, the questions he asked himself were answered right after.
“I was afraid your feelings from your life as Gabriel didn't remain, I didn’t want to make anything awkward. It’d be horrible , I mean, come on… we’re coworkers. That isn’t exactly good work ethic.” She sat up straight, looking at Yesod’s hand while hers rested on her lap.
There were a million things she wanted to say, to make up for lost time… she wanted to appreciate him now and she was sure with today’s conversation that they’d get that chance to reconnect.
Then, his hand rested on top of hers. Yesod looked back at her with the same gentle smile she remembers Gabriel would share with her in their past life.
“I can’t say I disagree. Relationships in the workplace aren't the most ideal possibility. But…” Raising his other hand, Yesod tucked a bit of Malkuth’s hair behind her ear as he continued to smile.
“I’d love to try this again, one step at a time, of course,” he admitted. Malkuth’s reaction to this was priceless. Her face was a bright red as she laughed, moving away from him.
“Haha–really? Really?? Are you joking, is this a joke?”
“I wouldn’t joke about this, Malkuth.” Despite how calm his voice was, the way Yesod’s hands balled into fists indicated he was panicking himself. He had no idea if she wanted the same but… just like before, she’d answer the very question he asked himself.
“Well… I wouldn’t mind, one step at a time, right?” Malkuth looked back at him. In response, he would nod.
“One step at a time.” And with that, Yesod would be pulled into a hug by Malkuth. Finally able to embrace each other.