Operation: Threads of Connection

Safe

Loid's pov:

As soon as I saw Damian's state I recognized the signs of torture. His body was stiff as I embraced him. A slight shiver went through him as if he was afraid. A typical response from a victim of the Ostanian regime.

I tried to locate the bug device they implemented, I know they were listening. I could feel a slight bump behind his neck, almost as if they had inserted the device there. I need to call someone to come and disarm this thing as soon as possible.

"Damian, I'm so glad you're safe. Come inside, Anya will be so happy to see you," I said to him. His dull dark eyes began to lighten up at the mention of my daughter. To think he had been captured and tortured by his own father just for loving my daughter is despicable.

"Thank you Mr. Forger, I can't wait to see her," He replied softly. I moved aside to allow him into our home. Anya and Yor were on the couch talking about something when suddenly their conversation halted. They turned their eyes to us and both got up right away and came towards the young man.

"Damian..." Yor whispered, her voice breaking as she reached out to trace his bruised face. Damian gave her a sad smile.

"I'm okay Mrs. Forger, i'm all better now," he replied.

"We'll get a first aid kit for you," Yor said suddenly as she looked at me. I recognized her expressions already let's let them talk she signaled to me. I nodded as I followed my wife towards our room leaving Damian and Anya to catch up.

"Loid, what did they-" Yor began, but before I could let her finish, I quickly placed my hand to her mouth, I know they were listening, and I didn't want Damian to get in trouble.

"Yor remind me to go to the supermarket on 8th tomorrow," Yor, they bugged him, the military is listening to everything he is saying. "Or rather I should go to that one by 12th avenue, I heard there's a sale on carrots" The device is located on his neck, it's very dangerous to remove due to it being close to his spine. It's likely rigged to alert the military if it's tampered with.

Yor's eyes widened in understanding. She nodded subtly, her expression shifting into one of concern and determination. I knew she would understand—she always did, even if the unspoken details of our missions were hidden behind the guise of ordinary conversations.

"Alright, Loid," she replied, her voice just a bit louder, playing along. "We'll definitely check out that sale. I think carrots would be good for Anya's lunches."

Satisfied that we'd effectively communicated, I pulled back my hand, giving her a quick, reassuring look. We had to find a way to safely remove the device, but that required information—and it needed to be done discreetly. For now, the best thing we could do was to continue as if nothing was wrong and gather intel without alarming Damian or the military.

We grabbed the first aid kit and made our way back to Anya and Damian. Anya was beaming as she stood besides Damian in the kitchen, the two were making something together, laughing with one another the atmosphere seemed to become more lively.

"Damian, come sit so I can treat your wounds," Yor said gently. Damian nodded as he made his way towards Yor.

"Papa can you take the cookies out of the oven for me," Anya announced holding up her oven-mitted hands with a proud smile. I walked over, feeling a bit of warmth from seeing her and Damian bonding again.

"Anya, did you remember something?" I asked curiously as I brought the cookies to her. She began fill up the piping bag with frosting as she began to delicately make designs on the cookies.

"I don't remember anything yet, but when I'm with him, I feel, I don't know... complete," she said as she began plating the cookie she had finished. "I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you and mama, I was upset in the moment and there really is no one to blame for this. I lost my memory and you all just wanted the best for me. However I realized then and there, without him I feel lonely, I feel like something or rather someone important is missing," She said beginning to pipe another cookie, she delicately began forming a heart shape in the center. I watched as she smoothly created the outline before filling in the heart slowly with much precision.

"I love him papa," She whispered softly as she finished decorating the cookie. She looked up at me now, a sincere smile forming on her face for the first time in a long time. "I don't remember our past, but I know I will remember our future,"

How is this the same girl I adopted from the orphanage? She was so mature now, so understanding of others. I nodded my head as I placed a small kiss on her head.

"I know Anya, I wish nothing but happiness for both of you, he's a good boy," I said sincerely. Anya giggled before giving me a hug. I helped her with the rest of the cookies before making our way to Yor and Damian. He looked up, his eyes widening a bit at the sight of Anya carrying a tray of cookies, each one carefully decorated. His gaze lingered on the heart-shaped cookie, his cheeks taking on a slight flush as he realized Anya must have made it for him.

"Here, Damian," Anya said softly, holding out the tray to him. "I made these for us. I... I thought maybe you'd like them."

Damian hesitated for a moment, his fingers hovering over the tray before he finally took the heart-shaped cookie. He studied it with a mixture of surprise and something like gratitude, then took a small, careful bite. A faint smile broke across his face as he chewed, and for a moment, the bruises and the burdens seemed to fade away.

"Thank you, Anya," he murmured. "It's... really good."

Anya beamed, her eyes sparkling with joy. The two of them sat close together, laughing over the cookies they'd decorated, sharing small smiles that seemed to carry a world of unspoken feelings. Watching them, I felt a sense of pride but also an unfamiliar pang of worry; how much time does Damian really have? Is there anyway to take that device out of him?

I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text message to the only person that knows these things. Shivers went down my spine as I sent a message to:

Yuri Briar