IN THEIR STEAD (tok.rev. × m!reader)

23 - Crash to Sleep - 23

Half an hour after your call, a black Sedan rolled up in front of your shop. Anyone could tell the car was expensive and heinously suspicious with its pitch-black windows. You sighed as the doors opened to reveal a familiar face.

"Sir," Four called after exiting the backseat, respectfully bowing. All those years had no effect on this man - he was still, in your words, "pleasing to the eye as ever".

The driver and assistant from the front hastily followed. You didn't know them, but they knew 'Lilia'. It wasn't merely because you were famous. They served Four, and Four served you.

"Four," you responded, walking towards him with a flower in hand. "It's been a while. Your stone face never changes."

You stuck the flower gently in his suit pocket and said with a small, piercing smile, "Lavender. Your favorite."

Four glanced at the purple before bowing once more as you walked past him to sit in the car. For a frame of a second, his face warped in sadness - no, regret.

"Excuse me," he muttered before closing your door. Walking over to the other side, Four took the seat beside you while the driver and assistant filled the front.

As the car started to drive away into the wider streets, you noticed two black SUVs following behind. Four commented they were his underlings. You nodded, turning your gaze to the window.

After you retired from the underworld, Four and the others stayed behind and started expanding a business of their own. They weren't as big as Toman, but they were close enough in regards to power. No wonder Four had two truck-worths of men guarding him - or was it you?

"Two and Three are stationed at our base. One may run a bit late; they were at Ueno for a meeting," Four explained. "But they'll come as soon as possible, sir."

You let out a little laugh before replying, "You've done all that when you don't even know why I called you? What if I just wanted to have a light drink with old buddies?"

"Then we would guide you to the best bar we know," Four continued with a rare smile. "It doesn't matter the business; as long as it's you, sir, we would answer without fail."

You gazed at Four with a blank face before slightly curling up your lips.

"I'm not your Boss anymore, you know."

Silence followed, but it didn't last long.

"You'll always be ours Boss, (y/n)."

You swiveled your head upon being called by your name. It took you by surprise, to be honest, and your wide eyes expressed it. Four simply returned your gaze with firmness - the same eyes as when the two of you were truly friends.

You missed those eyes, and seeing them again made you glad you retired more than anything else. Finally he saw you as you - not "Young Master" or "Lilia".

"I change my mind. The years did change you," you lightly giggled.

Flinching from your genuine expression, Four deepened his own smile. He agreed with your observation - and regret not doing so earlier.

Only smalltalk issued in the car, but that was enough to spook the two underlings in front. They never heard Four talk so much, let alone laugh. It surprised them further when you teased him and he blushed. Four. Blushed.