Fate/ Dire Paradox (Jeanne Alter X Male Reader)

Chapter 13

"Shatter," I mutter the words as the glass leading to a clothing store breaks the moment my fingers make contact with its surface.

Stepping over the shards, Jeanne follows me close behind as I then start to strip, "If you don't feel like materializing in and out of this existence I would recommend wearing something that won't garner us any unnecessary attention."

"Alright," she says and disappears into the darkness in the clothing store.

Tossing my pants and shirt I start reaching for clothing to wear. As well as grabbing a bag from the furthest corners to stuff in some underwear. Tossing the packaging on the pile I dress with tonight's pick.

Digging my hands in my pockets I then shut my eyes to rest them for a bit.

As I hear her footsteps grow closer, I lazily open my eyes as she tilts her head at me, "What are you looking at?"

I lift myself from the counter I was resting on, "Are you asking me because you want me to compliment you on your appearance or dress? Or would you rather me not look at you in general?"

"Hmph," she scoffs at me, then saying with a smirk, "Here I thought you would be all over me."

I scrunch my lips together in an attempt to not run my own mouth. Right now I am too tired to deal with her so I will just let her have her moment. Not reacting to her words any further I lift my hand to the pile of clothes and tags.

"Inferno," a blast of fire that crumbles the clothes to dust, with a gesture to step outside she follows me silently, I turn around instantly chanting under my breath, "Mend."

The shattered glass floats up to fix itself, she gives me a quizzical stare, "There a point for that?"

I nod, "We will be staying nearby and I don't want the authorities to search for new people," I then turn around walking to the hotel that I spotted nearby just a few paces away from this store.

I then groan to myself, "Well, considering that I stole money and clothes they should notice soon enough but we should be long gone before then."

"What's the matter, Master?" she sings almost mockingly, "A little butt hurt?"

I ignore her teasing. A silence followed as we are just outside the dimly lit entrance to the hotel. Before I could push through the door she stops me.

"Hey! Why are you ignoring me all of the sudden?"

I then turn around saying with a plain face, "I am almost certain you were the one that would rather have me keep my distance no?"

"I didn't-"

"Say it?" I chuckle, the muscles in her face tense, "I am just teasing you, Jeanne. Besides I am tired and promise to helplessly fall for you and your devious schemes."

Pushing through I don't give her a chance to counter, "Good Evening, room for two?"

"Oh," the man behind the table almost falls off his chair, "Are you staying for-"

"A few days yeah," I then look at Jeanne who is still glaring at me.

"One bed or-"

I give her a chance to protest for the sake of the fun of it but she challenges me instead, probably trying to figure out what on earth I would say next.

"One bed will do," I reach for her waist only to find no physical resistance but instead for her to practically fall to my side, "Would never turn down the chance to sleep with a beautiful creature like her?"

She then pulls away but not completely, "Creature?"

"Though I love her despite her snide remarks and painful words," I chuckle, smiling brightly at her despite my fatigue.

"O-of course!" he then quickly reaches for a key, "Do mind to keep quiet this late at night as some of our visitors have super hearing."

I wave at him as I lower my hand from her waist to reach for her fingers, pulling her along with me, "Thanks for the heads up," I wink at him as we walk up the steps a few paces away from the receptionist table.

She untangles herself from me, I don't react to it... as we were both putting up an act for the sake of 'fitting in'. But it was as simple as using a manipulation spell to get what I wanted. Stepping into the room I flick on the light as I toss the bag on one of the chairs

"You sure do enjoy speaking in such a carefree manner with little regard for your own life, Master," she growls at me.

"But it is true," I counter, looking over my shoulder at her, "I do think you are gorgeous."

"Wha-" she recoils, though I couldn't place her ridiculous expression. Whether it is a surprise, shock, or disgust... I couldn't tell. She then laughs, "I see what you are doing."

I turn around lifting my hands in the air, "Caught me red-handed. I pulled you all the way here just to sleep with you."

She doesn't take it as lightly as I thought and I can see the flames appear in her palms, "Master..."

I keep my serious expression, stepping closer to her, "For someone that loves saying whatever she wants... you don't seem like my teasing at all."

"You are disgusting."

I then squint, "How hurtful of you to say such things about your master," I say in a dramatic tone.

She scoffs, "Should have known, you lack backbone, Master. Is that why you are single? That you can only compliment a woman through jokes and teasing? That you are afraid you lack any physical or emotional appeal?" she continues as I don't respond, "Oh? Hit the nail on the head?"

"You can stop now," I tell her, "It isn't-"

She laughs at my response, "Yeah and? What is it? Are you still recovering from your friends that you don't know how else to deal with your lust? Maybe because you had a crush on one of them and was so scared... oh! Maybe you are just trying to replace-"

"Shut up!" I snap at her, then instantly sigh, "I never loved a single woman before in my life as my research is far more important than an emotion," I then face her, stepping closer, "I admitted my attraction and refrained from making a move on you out of respect and the nature of the situation."

If I wanted to chase you - I would have.

I then sneer at her, "Though I could have manipulated his memories - yet you played along with my facade. I can read you, Jeanne. You were practically begging for me to compliment you."

I grit my teeth as I cuff my fists, averting my gaze away from her, "And you just had to bring them up."

I watch her with my glare, expecting an apology but all that I received was her silence. I shake my head at her as I reach for the bag, pulling out clothes to sleep in, "I'm tired. See you in the morning."

I quickly glance up to realize that she has disappeared from the room. It was probably for the best.

My mood is ruined and I wouldn't want to look at her that way any longer than I have to - 

 -In the end -

- I was trying to see whether you had no interest in me or if you entertained the idea. Then it backfired.

Sorry, Jeanne. I didn't mean to offend you in any way.