LU 120 - Dr. Thornberry 30

The day of the news interview had finally arrived. Wonderful timing to have it honestly. I'm in the best mental state of my life!
I met Space infront of the station and was soon introduced to Ribbuns, the reporter. He took us upstairs and sat us down to ask a variety of questions. Most of them seemed unimportant until one.
"Vice, do you feel like you are able to continue your work as mayor after recently being a victim of kidnapping?"
This question struck so many nerves that I might as well have killed him in that moment. But of course, this was all being written for the press so I put on a smile and remained as neutral as possible.
"Why Ribbuns, there seems to be a misunderstanding, I went on a small vacation."
But as always, Space was quick to interject. He pretty much just disagreed with all that I had just explained and goes on to say that I was in fact kidnapped.
"Space. You were there for an hour at most, you have no right to explain the whole situation for me. Anyways Ribbuns, next question please."
Recently, dealing with Space has been much more of a pain than it has been help. And he's the only person I can lean on. Fuck me.
The interview continued on, with more and more controversial questions. We finally ended with some sponsorships. Since I was still keen on finding Frezz, I quickly stepped out the door and out into the street.
As I walked down the road I noticed a strangely placed book besides my feet. I knelt down to pick it up and opened it. There was only one page.
"Come live with me Vice. -enter coords here-"
...
The coordinates to my home? Suspicious, I ran back as fast as I could. There was a spark of hope in my mind. It fueled me.
I stared down the tunnel of stairs and made my way down. As I got to the bottom, I saw a figure standing a little ways away. Whom may that be?
I cautiously stepped over. But to my surprise: 
"Frezz?"
"Hi Vice."
Tears, suddenly.
I've never felt emotions like this before. Why does everything feel so strong?
Before I know it I had run up to him. So quickly in fact, I almost knocked him into the lava and killed him.
"I know you have a lot of questions. And I'll answer them. We just have to get away as soon as we can."
I nodded and followed him. We ran in silence for awhile, only interrupted by quiet sounds of muffled laughter.
He stopped once we reached a nearby river.
"What did you do? What happened? Are you alright?"
"Calm down Vice. Yes, I'm ok. I made a deal with Morphious."
He briefly explained to me that he had sacrificed himself in exchange that Morphious will leave him and I alone.
"I'm thankful but how stupid do you have to be? Do you know how worried I was?"
He just stood there and nodded while I cried on his shoulder.
"My offer still stands Vice."
"What offer?"
"That we live away; far away from here. We can build a house and never worry about anyone again."
"Yeah. Let's do it."
"...Wait. Really?"
"Yes. I missed you so much Frezz."
The tears come again while I hear him sigh.
"I missed you too Vice."
We held an embrace for a few moments before letting go. We were both smiling.
"Should we go find a place?"
"Let's go."
And we did just that. In between our journey though, I asked what I should do about the town and my mayorship and everything.
"Vice, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Space will take care of it. And if you want a mayorship, we can start a new town. Together."
This guy. He's so great.
I ran after him for some while until we found an abandoned house to settle into. We revamped it a bit and set up a place to sleep for the night.
Together.
And wow. It was the best sleep of my life.
Later the next day, I went back to Spawn. I needed to do a few things before I moved. But as I was dashing around, I ran into a citizen. He told me there was this thing living under his home. As he was detailing me about it, Space comes. Just the guy I wanted to run into.
We ended up going over to the guys house and he tells us to hold on while he does something.
"Vice, you've been distant lately. What happened?"
I, as I frequently do, lied.
"Frezz is dead Space. I'm still a bit disgruntled."
He let it go rather quickly but still seemed suspicious. Oh well.
The guy, who's name is Electric, came back and showed us the... thing. It was... I don't even know how to put it. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. All I know is that it was alive. And it was actively growing.
I hated every bit of it. He told us that he was trying to get in contact with a doctor to help research it, Sigh was his name I believe?
I told the two I was in a rush and hurried out. I grabbed a handful of stuff at my shop and home. But just as I was starting to leave, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around.
Space.
"What are you doing."
"Oh, I'm a- uh... moving- getting last minute things you know."
"Moving huh? Where to?
"Oh! Very close..."
"I'd love to spend the night, why don't you show me."
Fuck.
I didn't actually have anywhere planned. I racked my mind for an answer until I remebered the tiny dirt hut not too far away from here. That should do.
"Of course! Follow me."
The hair on the back of my neck stood up for the entirety of the trip. I could feel him watching me. 
We finally reached it. He looked around.
"Is this really it?"
"Oh yeah. Going back to my ancestry, haha."
He stared at me. I couldn't stop sweating.
"If you're lying to me, I'm going to make you regret it. Just keep that in mind. You're not leaving. I'm giving you chances."
"Why would I lie about this?"
Oh god. He's too good.
He changed the subject. But not to anything easier for me to answer.
"You're attracted to Frezz aren't you?"
"...Yeah. But I don't really want to think about it. He's dead and I have to get over it."
Talking to Space is completely different than four years ago. I'm uncomfortable just being in the same room with him now. But I can't let that show.
"As you can see, this place is a bit small. Mind if I go over to yours?"
And so we did. Apparently he inherited the place from Koratai, who still hasn't come back. We got talking about his family.
"Koratai's gone, Boulty went missing. You're all I've got Vice."
Do I feel bad for him? I am the one who took Boulty.
"We were supposed to get married too. And adopt him as a son. Ha, it looks like we both lost our lovers."
After a bit more sad banter, we came to a conclusion.
"After finishing up my mayor duties, I'll help you find Frezz. And after that, you help me find Koratai."
Though I wasn't planning on going along, I agreed. But before we parted ways, I asked him a question.
"If you were to find Koratai far away, would you go to her or stay at Spawn as mayor?"
"I'd convince her to come back with me."
Sigh.
If only that was an option. I'm sorry Space. I'm leaving.