Bloodbath (Reader x Crypto)

Chapter Seventeen: What If We Were Normal?

We pull up in front of the RV where Mila is waiting outside with Salem. I can't help but notice that Jason is looking out the window with a look that would make the Demon of Wrath look like it volunteers at kitten shelters. What is that guy's problem? He needs to get over it eventually.

Salem charges towards the car and throws the door open. "Y/N! Why were you gone so long?! I almost thought you ran out on us again!" She waits for me to get out before crushing me in a tight hug. "I was gone for a night." I giggle.

Tae Joon gets out of the car and walks towards Mila. I can't exactly hear their conversation as Salem grabs my face and tilts it around to look at my neck. "Holy shit! What happened here? You get mugged... by leeches? You look like a spotted hyena! If a spotted hyena was hairless and had a bruise on its neck in the shape of a hand."

There's a moment of silence and I can just barely hear what Tae Joon and Mila are saying to each other.

"I need you to keep her safe."

"I mean, that's not a problem, but until when?"

"Until I can get my identity back."

"That's gonna take forever. You're basically leaving her."

"I'm not. I just want her to be safe. And she won't be safe with me."

"You're leaving her. There's hardly even a chance that you'll ever succeed in getting revenge. They'll kill you before that."

"Then let me die alone. As long as they don't hurt her. Even if I never –"

"Hello! Y/N! Can you hear me?" Salem shakes me and I look back to her. "He's leaving." I whisper.

Salem looks over to Tae Joon and Mila. "Nah. Judging by what's left on your neck, I'd say he can't keep his hands off you."

I zone out again and try to hear the rest of the conversation.

"You say you love her but you keep chasing after something that could possibly blow up in your face. If I were you I'd stop. I'd let my identity go. The people who matter know who you are. Isn't that enough?"

"It'll never be enough. They hurt you once. Who's to say they won't do it again? They might actually kill you this time. They might kill Y/N. And that's another reason why I can't stop. It's to protect her."

"What do you want me to tell you, T? That you're such a hero? That you're a real icon and a role model to any random kid on the block who figured out how to finally torrent games?"

"Was that last part related to the situation at all or are you just trying to insult me."

"I've been waiting to use that line for a while."

"I should go."

"You should tell her you won't be back."

"Wow. He really fucked you tired. You keep zoning out." Salem speaks again and I look down sadly. "Yeah... I guess so."

Tae Joon walks up to me and pulls me into a hug. "I'll see you later, Y/N. Just take care of yourself." I don't hug him back and instead just bury my face in his chest. "Right."

He sighs and holds me tighter. "I'm sorry."

"You will be." Another male voice calls from behind us. I pull away from Tae Joon to see Jason approaching. "Jason, really? Just quit it." Salem scoffs and crosses her arms over her chest.

Tae Joon steps in front of me defensively. "Oh, don't protect her. She's not the one I'm about to beat up." Jason growls. "You're not about to hurt anyone." Salem interferes and takes my hand. "Hyeon, you should go."