Identity V Imagines

Naib Subedar

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Your eyes fluttered open, seeing the familiar ceiling of the Manor's medbay. As to how you got there, you can't quite recall. You slowly sat up, flinching when you felt the familiar pain you always feel. 'The match must have ended.'

The door opened, revealing the manor's very own doctor, as well as Mechanic and Gardener, who were with me in the last match. Emily looked at me, her usual cold front visible. However, it seems as if it is softer than usual. "(Y/n), Good to see you awake. You've received quite a few injuries, a bit more than usual if you were to ask me." She quietly approached me, checking to see if my wounds opened. When she saw that I was all good, she sighed in relief and gave me a small smile.

"You're all good. Just make sure to get plenty of rest before the next match."

I nod, smiling thankfully at her. "Thank you, Emily."

With that she left, leaving Emma, Tracy, and I alone in the medbay.

I glanced at both of them, whose eyes seemed to be full of worry. I opened my arms, signaling them for a hug, as to which they immediately complied. I heard Tracy's small sniffles and this made my heart warm. It's understandable, really. She's one of my closest friends here and in the last match, I protected her from the hunter. Thinking about it, it made me wonder what happened. I couldn't recall what had happened, seeing as I blacked out at the near end.

I felt someone remove themself from the hug and hit me in the head, making me flinch at the impact. "Ouch! Calm down Emma, I'm injured, remember?"

"No, you deserve this much. How reckless are you that you taunted Undead?" She glared at me, "You know the guy's heartless right?"

"I know but I couldn't just leave Tracy alone, you know?" I giggled, "I'm a faster runner than her and we need our little decoder." You ruffled her hair, making her look at me. The rim of her eyes was noticeably redder than usual, making me smile softly.

"Don't cry, Tracy. I'm fine, see? I'm still alive."

She sniffled, before whispering softly. "You wouldn't have been if Naib didn't get there in time."

This made me look at her curiously. "Naib?"

"Yeah, you told us to leave you but the guy is stubborn. He didn't want to leave you behind." Emma sighed, "I know that you guys are reckless but please, don't scare us like that."

I could hear the sadness in her voice, making my heart ache a bit. I softly removed Tracy's hold on me before reaching for Emma, hugging her as well. "I'm sorry, I'll make sure to take good care of myself. I promise."

I felt her sigh in relief. It was understandable as to why'd they act this way. Everyone in this manor had gone through something that changed them entirely. Something that made them fear life in itself. It just becomes a bit bearable with someone by your side.

I soon broke the hug, wondering where the last member of our team was. "Where's Naib?"

Emma shrugged, "I don't know. Probably in his room, why?"

"Lead me to him? I just need to thank him."

Tracy immediately nodded, while Emma follows, albeit reluctantly. You stood up, following the two girls, chatting along the way. You quietly watched them, looking around the manor. You couldn't deny that it was beautiful if it weren't for the fact that you were trapped in here while the game ensued.

While you were walking, you couldn't help but notice a familiar tuff of hair outside the window. "Emma? Tracy?"

You called the two, making them stop their talk to look at you. "I think I see him. I'll see you later?"

"Are you sure?" Emma asked, concerned for your well-being.

You nodded, a smile present on your face. With that, they left you as you headed for the window, opening it once you reach it.

The sudden sound made the mercenary jolt in surprise, sending a glare towards the sound. Once he saw that it was you, his expression softened, turning to face you.

"Rather cold to be outside, huh Naib?"

He leaned his arms on the windowsill, meeting your gaze and you fail to hide the blush that's slowly creeping up your cheeks. You thanked the heavens that it was a cold night.

"I'm used to it. How about you? Why are you already up? Last I saw you, you were unconscious."

While he tried his best to hide the worry in his tone, you could sense it because you have been on so many rounds with him. You giggled as you leaned your chin on your hand. "I'm okay. I'm a strong survivor, after all."

He scoffed, "Sure you are."

"I am!" You smiled playfully as he let out a small chuckle. You took this time to stare at him. He had sported a new bruise, present on his lips. There were also quite a few littered here and there, and this made you frown.

Noticing your stare, he sighed, flicking you in the forehead thus, making you flinch. "Hey!"

"Don't worry so much kid. These injuries were caused by Undead, not you."

You rubbed the spot where he flicked you, "I'm not. It's just..." you gave him a sad smile, "I feel like I always give you troubles, you know. I'm always giving you inju--"

"One more word and I'll kiss you."

You shut up, making the mercenary in front of you chuckle. "If you hated being kissed by me, you should have said it." His chuckles died down as he stared at you seriously. "I'm going to clarify one thing here kid. You don't give me any trouble, not as much as the other people here do, and you are NOT the one giving me these injuries. The hunters are the ones giving me these, NOT you." He drilled his pointer finger in the middle of your forehead, "Remember that kid."

You swatted his finger away, glaring at him for doing so. "I'm not a kid you know?"

"Could have fooled me." You playfully hit his shoulder, making him laugh. You slowly stopped, smiling at his expression. It was rare for him to be this way, only doing this in front of you. You found it endearing that he'd let his guard down when with you. It must have been all the times you were together in the matches.

He seemed confused by your staring, waving his hand in front of you. "You there, kid?"

You nodded, before giving him a soft look. "Thank you."

"For what, kid?"

"For always being there for me. You didn't have to but you continue to do so anyway so thank you." You could have sworn that you saw a light blush on his face but you quickly dismissed it as being too cold.

He scratched the back of his neck, coughing to ease his awkwardness. "No problem kid."

You tiptoed as you reached his cheek, giving it a quick peck, making him look at you in shock. You giggled before slowly going back inside, "I wouldn't have hated it, you know?"

With that, you closed the window, allowing the mercenary to be alone with his thoughts. He sat on the ground, eyes staring into nothing. Once he realized what had happened, he covered the lower part of his face, hoping to hide the creeping smile on his lips.

"Cheeky kid."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───