My Muse || READER X RAY || The Promised Neverland

⭐My Muse || Chapter Eighty Eight

God, what time is it? I slept in way too late... I could tell. I punched the still lazily sleeping Ray clinging onto me. "Get up you stupid cyclops," I yawned, pulling myself up. "Noo..." He mumbled, hugging my waist. "Five more minutes, mom..." I laughed, patting his messy black bed head. "It's nearly twelve, lazy." He didn't seem to care, instead nestling himself up in the blanket, holding my hand. I kissed his forehead, deciding to get up. "I'm taking your shirt, okay?" He mumbled something incoherent, so I took it as a 'yes.' I found my bra on the floor, lazily pulling it on along with the shirt. Underwear... I rummaged through the other bed in Ray's room, finding a clean pair. I really should clean this up later. 

I shuffled outside, heading to the counter for a cup of coffee. "Late night or early morning?" Emma giggled, laying on Oliver's lap. I scoffed, pulling my hair into a ponytail. "Little bit of both..." The chatting around me settled down, only the sound of trickling coffee filling the room. I turned around, taking a long sip. "Why are you guys looking at me like that?" Gillian's face was bright red, staring intensely at my neck. Emma and Oliver averted their gaze, Nigel and Violet doing the same. "W-What?" I touched the spot the blond haired girl was looking at, surprised to feel a slight stinging sensation. "What the hell..?" I put my mug down, pulling the collar of the shirt down. "Oh..." Though the right side of my neck had slightly faded, nearly double the amount of bruises were littering my left chest and collar. I clicked my tongue, remembering last night. "D-Did you guys... Hear us..?" I covered my face, embarrassed. They all nodded, blushing too. "S-Sorry..." I muttered, pulling the shirt up. Ray! You stupid idiot! As I thought that, a door burst open, that black haired cyclops running into the kitchen. "Your neck! y/n! Put on a hoodie!" But it was too late. Gillian burst into tears, laughing on the couch. He shoved me into a corner, pulling a large gray hoodie over my head. God, this was a mess. "You should put on a shirt..." I mumbled, stuffed in the sweater. His gray eyes rested on me, making me feel warm. "No, didn't you say my body impresses you?" My face turned red, embarrassedly pushing him away. "You guys are so cute," Nigel commented, throwing a small ping pong ball at Gillian. "When are you gonna break it to him?" "What?" I asked, turning around. "Telling Zack." 

Right. That was something I should do. I'd made my choice. Zack was wonderful, kind, brave, and such a good friend to me. But whenever I was with him, I found myself missing Ray. It's not that I don't love that headband weirdo, it's just that I don't love him that way. 

"Where is he?" I asked. Nigel pointed towards the library. 

Well, here goes nothing. 

He was sitting in the back corner of the dusty room, face planted in between his arms. Did he... sleep here? I took the seat next to him, nudging his shoulder. "Hey, Zack..." I whispered, poking his waist. He shuddered awake, eyelids fluttering open. He was... so cute. He covered his mouth with a hand, yawning sleepily. "Good morning." He muttered, laying his head back down. My hands clenched into fists, opening my mouth to speak. "I know what you're going to say." He whispered, cutting me off. "I heard you last night. That's why I slept here. So I couldn't hear it." "I-I'm sorry..." He gave me this sad smile, as if he'd already accepted my answer. "I lied to you at Goldy Pond. Twice. The first time was when you asked me if I liked you. I said 'I wasn't sure'." He closed his eyes, as if he was imagining that moment. "I did like you then. From the moment you fell into my arms, I liked you. The second time was when we fought Leuvis. I was selfish, and wanted to protect you. So I put everyone else at risk, and put you to sleep. I'm sorry." Tears started to fill in my eyes, my uneven sobs starting to fill the room. I wanted to apologize too, but my heart hurt from hearing him talk. Zack was a good person. "I guess, we're even now?" He tried to chuckle, but his voice broke. He was... crying too. "Two lies. You didn't love Ray. You loved me." "Za-Zack, I l-love you..." I cried out, in between tears. He pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back. "Not the way I want you to." I hiccuped in between heavy breaths, finally pulling myself away. 

He was trembling, blinking away tears. "Can I... kiss you one last time?" I nodded, touching his cheek. He looked so sad. His hands cupped my face gently, his lips softly brushing against mine. "If that weirdo ever breaks your heart, I'll still be here, y'know." He patted my head, gently flicking my forehead. "I'm sorry again, for betraying your trust that day. 'Traitor', right?" I cried again, forgiving him. He smiled sadly, getting up. "I'm going to get ready for another hunt. Goodbye, y/n." 

His footsteps disappeared, a different pair rushing to my side. "y/n, did he hurt you? Are you okay?" A familiar set of hands touched my shoulder, bringing me into a warm hug. "R-Ray... I hurt him..." I sniffled, grabbing him tightly. He didn't know what to say. He just held me, patting my head and telling me he loved me. That was all I needed. Thank you, Ray. For being here.