Perfect Illness || lookism x reader

9. Man of Men

"No matter how bad they act," Zack began chivalrously, "You do not hit a girl. The saying is you don't hit a flower, even with a girl." He announced.

"I think you have it backwards, the saying is 'you don't hit a girl even with a flower.'" YN called from the doorway. Zack whirled around, having not noticed her earlier.
"Huh?" He pointed an accusatory finger at YN. "You! Don't say a word to Mira! You're besties aren't you?"
"Or what?" YN challenged. Before Zack could say anything she continued. "Just kidding," she added with a smile. "Don't worry.I just guess you're not an asshole after all."
Zack turned to short Daniel then turned away. "And, now I don't owe you. If you think it's unfair you can take a swing." he said, hiding his face. YN laughed at him. "What are you even here for?" he snapped.
"Me? I was just seeing if that guy needed any help. He does seem to attract a lot of disagreeable people... Although you seem to have it under control."

we continue...

    Brriiing Briiiiing Brriiing.
The default ringtone vibrated in her hands, interrupting the boxing youtube video she had been watching. 'Doppelganger Roommate Dude' scrolled across the top of the screen. Ah, short Daniel, YN noted, accepting the call.
"Whats up Daniel?" SHe asked, resuming the video with the sound off. Daniel's hushed tone immediately caught her attention, causing her to pause the video once more.
"YN." he whisperer. "Help. Please."
"Huh? Tell me what's wrong and where you are at." YN sat up, worried now.
"This man. He comes every night and buys whiskey. Today he had a knife. And- and he- he was watching Zoe's stream."
"Daniel where are you?" YN asked urgently.
"Near the convenience store... In front of the apartments, close to a dumpster. If- if you are busy-"
"I'm coming." said YN detemindly, leaping towards the door."
"Th-thanks! Hurry please."
YN paused for a second. There's no way I'll get there in time. Maybe someone else? Jace? Vasco? She remembered the night when Jace had called her to the convenience store, how Vasco had spoken with Daniel. Can I trust him? Will he help?  YN shook the thoughts out of her head. She had decided to trust him, now she would see if that was a good idea."Call Vasco." SHe instructed. "I'll be there as fast as possible."

After slipping on her shoes he sprinted out. It was the first time in a while that she had run so fast. As she rounded a sharp corner, she crashed into something solid, something moving at almost the same velocity as she was.The collision force sent her rebounding and she was about to flip back two her feet when stong muscled arms wrapped around her preventing her fall. She was pulled in to a very firm chest. YN recognized the undershirt immediately.
"Vasco?"
"YN?"
"Did short Daniel call you? Are you also going to the convenience store?"
Vasco noticed their position and righted her as if she was the weight of a stuffed animal. He looked away, face red from probably exertion. "Yup. I don't know which one though-"
YN started running again, gesturing for Vaco to follow her. "Let's go! Follow me."
"W-Wait slow down!"
The two of the ran as fast as Vasco could to Daniel. And when they arrived- it wasn't in time.
"I..I..I..I've done nothing wrong! It's all your fault!" the insane man shrieked, raising his knife. Daniel lay on top of Zoe, protecting her with his body.
No! YN lunged, but it was too far. She couldn't save him. Suddenly a dumbbell soared through the air, braining the creep. Silent fury coursed through YN, and she wanted nothing more than to kill the man. Her brain went blank, and she could no longer ration or realize the threat had passed.
She punched the man sending him flying
The group watched in shock. Vasco leaped forward as well, to stop her. It was as if she was a cat, hissing and spitting, a wild animal, trying to protect itself. Vasco grabbed her wrists and pulled her off the man before she could kill him.
"YN!" He shouted. "Calm down!" As quickly as the fit had come, it had vanished, and YN sagged in Vasco's grasp clutching her forehead to ease the pounding migraine that had come, and the memory with it.
"I-I'm sorry I don't know what came over me."
"It's fine." Vasco reassured her, but not letting go of his firm grip around her wrist.
"You... are something else.' Vasco addressed Daniel. "I like you."
Vasco turned his attention to the piece of crap that was currently rolling around shouting threats. He exhaled and glared threateningly. "I saw everything you punk. Now deal with me." He wiped some of the sweat dripping of her broad shoulders, and massaged his neck. YN hadn't even noticed he had been carrying a dumbbell. She had no idea why he hadn't dropped it. She pft lightly. Vasco logic. How adorable. The man staggered to his feet, clutching the side of his face where YN had punched. It had swollen to disgusting proportions, however the knife the man waved threateningly in front of him stole attention.
"Bastards! I'll kill you all!" He charged at Vasco, but Vasco's hand shot out and siezed the hand with the knife. He let go of YN and lifted the creep by the collar. Vasco tightened his grip on the man's wrist, and the knife clattered to the ground.
"No knives." Vasco said sternly. "Brace yourself." He tightening his fist. YN winced at the thought of being on the receiving end of that punch. But justice was interrupted by a creaky call.
"Wait! Just a second." It took a second to identify the voice, for it was comin from significantly below face level. A frail old man dragged himself on a skateboard, for he had no legs. His lower body was covered in a soiled cloth, that along with his worn clothes, sunken frame, and work gloves added to the air of disrepair. He was clearly not taken care off. YN grew nauseous at the pitiful sight, but she had seen far worse.
"That's my only son!! Please forgive him for whatever he did wrong!!"
YN's nausea grew, and she grit her teeth. This- This disgusting bastard! He dared to leave his father, the father that cared for him was willing to drag himself on a skateboard, just in order to protect his son! A father that was willing to do it gor a grateless son? A son that tried to murder teenagers?? YN couldn't understand the emotions that she felt. Disgust was certainly there. Disgust for the piece of crap, and... disgust for the father that was blind to his child's faults? No... Jealousy. She was jealous of the unconditional parental love, jealous there was no one to defend her faults, love her even when she was in the wrong.
Vasco dropped the man. YN squeezed his large rough hands, shaking from the emotions coursing through her. Because there was also rage. Anger that this man couldn't see the privilege she never had, enraged that he could live a whole life while she couldn't. With every insult the man hurled at his father and the group, the string holding YN back stretched taut. When the disabled man began groveling at Vasco's feet,itsnapped. YN grabbed the man's collar and slapped him hard across the face, hard enough to knock out a few teeth.
"Respect your damn father." she said, radiating dominance, and a dark aura. Vasco's calloused fingers found her wrist once more, holding her back.
"I'm not sure what you're saying but, you, don't blame others. Have you tried making a difference? Vasco asked calmly.
"V-Violent Ignorant Punks like you have no clue! A-At the bottom of the pyramid, no matter h-how hard you struggle, y-you get nowhere! I can't overcome it! It's a waste of time!There's nothing I can do!"
Vasco's fingers tightened upon YN's wrist, sending a small blossom of pain, shooting up the underside of her arm. But she welcomed it, as it was the only thing suppressing her. How dare he... Because it was true. YN would trade everything she had for a normal life. Anything... for Sinu. Maybe that's why she was so determined to find Johan, not because of the dubious crush she may have, but because of the love she missed. Tears pricked at her eyes. Vasco paused looking down upon the man.
"I overcame it."
The words, YN saw, made not an impression on the man, but on Daniel Park. He looked thoughtful, and... guilty. Then the sirens started blaring.

The next few minutes passed in a blur
The police arrived, and led the man away as he shouted insults. THe crowd murmured, finally courageous enough to emerge from their abodes. And Daniel was helped to his feet still in a daze, not from the events that had transpired, but rather from Vasco's words.
"Are you oka-" Vasco began
Zoe threw herself on Daniel.
"OMG PIGGY ARE YOU OKAY?" she screeched, draping herself across him.
A tear trickled down Vasco's face at the female attention Daniel was receiving, causing YN to suppress laughter. She reached up and flicked the tear as it dripped off his chin.
"Why are you crying?" She asked, quite amused.
Vasco noticed he was still holding her wrist, and snapped his hand back and moved a safe distance away. His face reddened. Maybe he's cold.

Finally, Zoe was going to go home.
"Umm, i realize that a lot of my donations came from your son," Zoe addressed the father, looking sheepishly everywhere except him. YN appreciated that despite the apparent disgust Zoe was feeling, she was attempting to keep it hidden and speak civilly. "And I want to give back the money i received from donators to you. Please use it for yourself." Zoe walked quickly away as the old man blessed her.
So I guess Zoe isn't so bad after all.

I won't mention reading lists, votes, and follows this time so that i can get the chapter out as soon as possible, but know i appreciate you so much!❤️❤️❤️