Drawing closer to the building, Kyrie could now confirm he knew that building or better still it left a good impression on his memory fragments.
The building decorated by silver ornaments wasn't just familiar, it was a regular spot. A place where he and Negan often ate. The owner knew them and always saved them, their usual table.
The name finally came to him as Negan parked the steam car along the street.
" The Cog Shack "
A restaurant. Modest from the outside, with warm yellow light glowing through its windows. The sign hanging above the door showed a stylized plate-like gear with spoons and forks as parts of the plate, creating a peculiar design.
"Do you remember this place?" Negan asked, watching Kyrie's face carefully.
"I do," Kyrie said, and it was true. He recalled the smell of roasting meat, the sound of the owner's amused laughter , and the taste of their customer's choice pies.
"We come here a lot." He confirmed.
"Used to," Negan corrected. "Before your episodes got worse. But Edwin asks about you every time I stop by. I figured it might help, seeing familiar faces and places."
He pushed open his door, as cooler air rushed into the car . "Plus, he makes the best roast beef in Strevus "
They climbed out, and Kyrie followed Negan toward the restaurant's entrance, not forgetting to pull down his goggles again.
Through the glass doors, he could see people seated at metal tables, steam hovering over their plates, conversations creating a welcoming ambience.
The door made a slight whistling sound as Negan pushed and just as they entered.
Warmth and the aroma of different meals filled their noses. Kyrie's stomach responded to this with another audible growl, almost like saying, get on with it already.
"Well, if it isn't Negan " A voice croaked from deeper in the restaurant, " come to grace us … The voice suddenly paused mid speech.
Abruptly, a man came from behind the counter, wiping greasy hands on an apron.
He was old, maybe in his late sixties , wrinkled face and a calmness that welcomed everyone.
He stood just in front of Kyrie, a look of happiness and yet disbelief.
"K-Y?" The man muttered. "Edwin" Kyrie's memory supplied, he took a hesitant step closer. "Is that... are you...?"
"Hey, Edwin," Kyrie said, the name feeling just right to him.. Memories came in waves but this time they didn't hurt.
This man taught him how to season meat properly, laughing when Kyrie had nearly set the entire restaurant on fire trying to roast steak, offering advice about women, work and life in general.
"Been a while."
"A while?" Edwin's face turned into a grin "Two months, boy! Two months since you could find your way here!"
He closed the distance and clapped Kyrie on both shoulders, his grip quite strong despite his old age. "Look at you! Eyes clear, standing up straight, remembering my name!" He turned to Negan. " Did you later give that specialist a trial? "
"Not yet , but it seems I'll have to " Negan answered smoothly while making his way to a table.
He and Edwin had once argued about this before he decided not to bring Kyrie here anymore, but after the intensity of the last episode that took the boy out for two days, he decided just hiding the boy away wasn't working.
Edwin pulled Kyrie into a brief hug, ignoring Negan. The gesture was so genuinely warm, so full of relief, that Kyrie found himself hugging back without thinking.
Kyrie carefully activated his Empath Sense. It came easier this time, Edwin's emotions washed over him.
Relief. Deep, and real relief. Joy at seeing him upright and in one piece. Affection, the kind a father might feel for a prodigal son.
Concern, still lingering beneath it all, worry that this clarity might just be temporary.
Underneath everything, grief. The full extent he couldn't tell yet maybe because of his level of using Empath sense or because he didn't want to pry further since it reminded him of home.
Kyrie pulled back from both the hug and the Empath Sense, feeling genuinely happy as this reminded him of his actual family.
[ Daily Quest progress: 5/5 ]
Edwin soon ushered Kyrie to their usual spot where Negan was already seated.
" Sit! I'll bring you my special roast beef, pudding, and vegetables. And none of your protests about over feeding the boy, Negan "
Negan smirked amused by how this man was like the less sterner father of Kyrie's and he was the one that was willing to be whatever he believed the boy needed to survive.
Negan raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dream of arguing." He said, catching the gazes that were soon leaving Edwin's show of admiration and back to their own meals.
Edwin went off toward the kitchen, even as Kyrie sank into the wooden chair, suddenly aware of how tired he was. The use of his abilities although just a bit was taking its toll.
"He cares about you," Negan observed, leaning back in his chair with that casual elegance, he seemed to never lose.
" I know, " Kyrie replied softly. Keeping his tone, he continued "what was that about a specialist? "
Negan remained calm, relaxing back on the chair while he spoke
" Edwin believes a specialist can help with your episodes, a telepathic healer he suggests "
" And what do you think ? "
" I think drawing attention to someone with your condition isn't remotely a smart thing to do "
"So you don't trust other psions? " Kyrie asked.
Negan balanced himself looking directly into Kyrie's eyes causing tension to suddenly take root between them.
" There are only two persons I trust in this world and one of them is across from me right now "
Kyrie had asked a rather obvious question but got an answer that made him wonder even more about the true nature of Negan Shaw or Cross as his alias maybe.
It didn't take long when Edwin came out from the kitchen carrying two plates filled with roast beef, pudding, and vegetables.
He took a look at their table making his way there and in no time, the food was in front of both men.
Kyrie at that moment, lost all track of civility with hunger at its apex, he quickly dived nose deep into the food.
The beef melted in his mouth even as he made sure to supplement with the pudding. He was literally stuffing himself silly when he finally looked up again.
With the food cramped in his mouth, he couldn't speak without making a mess but the amused eyes of both these father-figures made him catch himself lacking ,taking slow gulps, he began swallowing much to Negan's chuckle.
" It's really good " Kyrie managed to say inaudibly between bites.
" I will get you some juice to wash that down"
Edwin turned towards the kitchen again but amidst his retreat, he spoke seemingly to no one in particular . " Water as always? "
Negan who was working his way through the roast beef with precision responded softly.
" Always "
It wasn't until after Edwin entered the kitchen, Kyrie heard a ping as a small brass sphere suddenly emerged from Negan's coat.
It floated beside him with pale orange light on its surface, tiny gears rotating inside its see-through shell.
" A prompter " Kyrie thought
Negan's demeanor changed in no time. His relaxed look hardened. His face became more professional.
He reached out and touched the sphere with two fingers. His eyes becoming focused, like he was looking and yet listening to something far away.
"When?" he asked calmly, there was a pause then the sphere glowed.
" And the location?"
The sphere glowed again
"Understood. I'll handle it."
Negan pulled his hand back. Then the sphere floated back into his open palm almost like it was sentient.
Kyrie who watched the entire interaction finally recalled where he had seen the orb before.
It was strapped to the clothes of the people he had first seen when he walked out of the hospital.
So that's what it is meant for. He understood now but also wondered why he didn't have one himself.
Trying to search his coat after all he didn't know he was Ashborn till a few minutes ago.
"Work?"
"A collection job." Negan answered while standing up, arranging his coat properly.
"Someone borrowed money and hasn't paid back. I need to remind them why that's a stupid idea."
" Sounds Dangerous " Kyrie spoke while chewing on his vegetables.
"It can be." Negan pulled some coins from his pocket and dropped them on the table.
That should be more than enough to cover the meal they'd barely started.
"Which is why you're coming with me."
Kyrie stopped mid-chew. "What?"
"You heard me." Negan was already moving toward the door.
"I'm not leaving you here alone. Grab some of that food to go. "We're leaving now."
Edwin emerged from the kitchen carrying drinks. He only took one look at Negan's posture, and his face fell. "You're leaving?"
"Work," Negan answered simply. "It's urgent."
"Work." Edwin set the glasses down harder than was necessary.
With palpable frustration in his tone while he spoke again. "Always work."
"I'll make it up to you," Negan replied, his tone softer.
"But K-Y's coming with me. I'll keep him safe."
Edwin looked at Kyrie, concern visible in his eyes. He moved quickly, wrapping the beef and pudding in cloth.
"Take this. Both of you. Don't let him starve, Negan."
"You should know me better " Negan said. now at the door, waiting.
Edwin pressed the bundle into Kyrie's hands, then held his shoulder. "Be careful, boy."
"I will," Kyrie promised.
Negan didn't waste much time, pushing the door open. The evening air rushed in.
"Let's go, K-Y. Time to see how Strevus really works."
Kyrie stood, his grip on the warm bundle of food tightened as he followed Negan out into the growing darkness.