It was cold...

Really cold...

Midas frowns a little in his unconscious state.

With a small groan Jones slowly begins to gain consciousness again, flinching slightly. He pushes himself up with his hands, shaking himself free of sand. He, along with Midas and Dark Jonesy, had landed near the outskirts of Believer Beach next to some Mothership debris and a cube.

"Ugh... Midas? You conscious yet?"

He looks over and finds Midas half in the water, the shore coming in and out soaking him and his clothes. He looked like he was asleep, and didn't look too good.

"Ngh...Midas? Can you hear me?"

Still no response from him, but someone else responds to Jones.

"Dark Jonesy! You're okay!"

The snapshot rolls over to face him, a relatively small smile on his face.

"A little bruised...but it's not too bad." He chuckles. "Can't really say the same thing for Midas though."

Dark Jonesy knew what he meant, and goes to pick up the unconscious mastermind. He had scars across his body and his suit was torn in places. Thinking he's the best one to do it, the snapshot gently drops him into Jones' strong arms.

"True. But you're the version of me with cool powers." He remarks.

The snapshot chuckles with a slight blush on his face. Though unconscious Midas groans quietly, gripping onto Jones' chest plate with a small smile. His eyes flutter open, adjusting to the bright sunlight...or what was left of it at least.

"Oh! Midas! You're awake!"

He flinches slightly before gazing up into his lover's soft sapphire eyes. A bigger smile curls onto his lips, relief in his expression.

"Jones.."

He presses his lips against the blonde's perfect one's, a hand on his reddening cheeks. Jones pulls him closer, deepening the embrace. Dark Jonesy, while a little awkward smiles at them, happy that Midas was reunited with the Jonesy he deserved.

Jones removed his lips from Midas', turning to the snapshot.

"Right right. In your words Midas, there will be time for hugs later, right?"

"Of course. Now, a-are you gonna put me down?"

"Nope. Imma carry you shortie." He grins cheekily. "Besides, you're pretty light for a 30 year old with gold hands."

Midas blushes. He never realised until now Jones was slightly taller than him. It made him feel small but he didn't mind, so he simply sighs in relief, melting into his arms.

-----------------------

An hour later...

Jules was obviously very relieved when the boys returned regularly unharmed. Midas made no hesitation in allowing her to look after him for the night, with Jones' help of course.

Dark Jonesy decided to stick around a bit longer and ended up fast asleep on the couch downstairs, seeing how he hasn't been able to properly sleep in years.

Jones pulls the duvet over Midas' cold body, plus a blanket, and smiles.

"I'm glad you both came back safely in the end. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Doctor Slone and the rest of I.O?"

He sighs in frustration.

"Left us to die on the Mothership and retreated back to the Bridge like a coward."

Jules tuts to herself and folds her arms.

"Knew that woman wasn't worth trusting."

"I know... We should've listened to you... I-I should've listened to you..."

She sighs, patting his back with a yawn.

"Go get some sleep. You need it."

Jones couldn't say no to getting some sleep. As he reenters his room and flicks the lightswitch he pauses, gazing at his bed. A letter written to him and a wrapped up gift laid on it waiting for him. Curious he closes the door and walks over, taking the letter and opening it.

His eyes widen when he sees who wrote it.

"Jones. This is Doctor Slone.

As I'm writing this I know you're going to be absolutely furious with me for my inevitable betrayal, but please read through this before throwing it away.

I'm.... quite proud of you. You were right when saying you weren't the same man I terroized all those years ago. You've matured and... somehow won the heart of HIM of all people.

Despite me intentionally breaking this truce, I've still kept my side of the bargain and given you a rift device. It's only tied to Marigold's reality however, any others don't exist on it. I threw in your old onesie as well in case you wanted it back. I even threw in an extra gift I thought you'd like.

I've retreated with the guards to an enclosed location on the island to figure out what to do about the cubes. For your sake and Midas', stay out of the way. I know that you can't forgive me at all, but please don't run here to kill me, no matter how much you hate me.

My apology is useless at this point but I want to say... sorry...about giving you a worse time I did other agents. You had every right to turn around and leave...

That will be all. Remain safe... and maybe we'll see each other again.

Maybe one day we'll be on better terms with each other...

- Doctor Slone. "

Jones sighs, folding up the note and putting into a draw.

"At least she's FINALLY apologized."

He takes the gift and unwraps it to see what else Slone gave him. Not to his surprise, he finds his fleece cow onesie inside. The same one he wore when hiding from I.O a couple months back. The rift device was tucked to the side as well, and there was something else under the cute cow costume.

He sneakily takes a look, and his eyes widen with a grin.

-----------------

A little while later...

"Okay Midas. With a little bit of sleep you'll be healed by morning I bet." Jules yawns, turning the nearby lampshade on. "Jones will come see you in a minute. I'll go fix up some tea."

Midas smiles at Jules...only for it to fade slightly as she leaves. His mind had been going over the same thought for a few days, and it wasn't just the fact that he and Jones would officially start dating soon.

It was more...personal to him...

"Hey Midas!"

The blond enters his room wearing his old cow onesie and hiding something behind his back.

"Oh? I didn't realise you managed to reclaim that onesie I bought for you."

"Yeah but I can actually use it as a onesise instead of a disguise." He chuckles. "Oh yeah! Here! This one's for you."

Jones passed Midas a similar looking onesise except its an adorable chocolate coloured one with black spot and a hood. He blushes a bright pink, looking back up at him.

"You got this...for me?" He asks as Jones nods. "But...I didn't see...when did you get this?"

"Aw c'mon man. Why does it matter where it came from? Besides, it'll keep you warm! Why don't you put it on?"

He did have a point. He was wearing nothing but his shorts and was a little on the cold side. Reluctantly he takes it, stands up out of bed and slips it on, doing up the buttons and flipping the hood over his head.

"Well, how do I look?"

"So cuuuuute!!!"

"Jonesy?"

"OH MY GOD HE LOOKS SO PRECIOUS AND HARMLESS IN THIS OUTFIT-"

Jones grins happily wrapping his arms around him, knocking both on to the bed. Midas chuckles with a blush, letting the blond nuzzle his head under his chin.

"You look adorable Midas..."

"Thank you my dear..." He smiles. "It's very nice of you to say that."

The blond rolls off of Midas and lies beside him with his arms still wrapped around him.

"Jones...there's something I've been thinking about lately...but it's more on the personal side." He starts. "It involves Jules too...but I'm not sure if I should tell her about it."

"Hey. You do want you think is right man. If you have any loose ends to tie up, I'll be here to help you through it."

"I know...it's just that I've kept this secret for such a long time...I swore to myself I'd never tell her...but I don't think I should keep her in the dark forever...especially since I now have the power to reverse my mistake."

Just as he begins falling asleep Jones places a quick kiss on Midas' cheek.

"You'll know what to say to her. I believe in you." Jones smiles, snuggling into Midas' warm arms. "Goodnight golden boy. Sleep well..."

Midas smiles a little, closing his eyes.

"Goodnight my love..."

-----------------

In the morning...

"Leaving so soon? Aw man."

Dark Jonesy admits.

"Is that so?" Midas hums.

"Well it was nice meeting you Dark Jonesy. Good luck on your search for your purpose." Jules smiles, waving goodbye.

Dark Jonesy gives the siblings and John Jones a smile and a wave before clicking his fingers and teleporting away. Jones takes out the rift device gifted to him.

"Okay you two. I'll get this working and see if we can pay Marigold a visit."

Midas grabs his shoulder.

"Hang on Jones. That can wait."

He turns to Jules.

"Sister... I owe you an apology."

"What for? Are you okay Midas?"

"For lying to you and never telling you where our father really was..."

Jules' eyes widen in surprise at the mention of her supposedly deceased father.

"W-What do you mean...? I thought dad was... "

Midas sighs with instant regret in his voice, but he couldn't turn back now. He looks at her with a soft expression in his eyes.

"I think it's probably time I told you what happened that night and why I ran away from home..." He mutters. "What I should have told you when we reunited last year..."

Jones turns to leave, seeing as this is a family issue that doesn't involve him, but Midas insists that he stays.

"It's okay Jones. You deserve to know what I did to my father too... If we're tying up loose ends, this is one of mine..."

He turns back to Jules.

"Jules, load up a speedboat and set a course for our old home...we need to go back..."

--------------------------------------

To be continued...