Life is but a Dream (Spike Spiegel x Reader)

Power

Warning: violence, talks of violence, language 

-

"What do you say, Spike?"

The lanky sharpshooter sat in his mentor's office, letting a proposition that had been well known to him come to fruition. Scarily, he almost said yes. If there was an agreement, steps were to be prepared for the introduction of a new leader of the Red dragon syndicate. Mao would reduce his hand in orders and missions, leaving his successor to implement his own line of command. It would work out perfectly if he only said yes.

"No."

Mao turned to Spike, confused. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." The man got up from his seat, standing with his hands in his pockets. "I'm not going to do it."

His mentor stood at the window, watching as the skyline of the city lit up. He clasped his hands behind his back, taking a big, giant sigh. He knew his adoptive son would say no. It was his nature, rather going with the flow than manning it. It didn't hurt to ask at all.

"Tell me why." Mao smiled, a sad upturn as he awaited to hear his faovrite's reason.

He looked off, shrugging. "I think you might have an idea of why."

"Ah, yes." Mao's face was stern, yet kind. "It's not a crime to have both."

"That's true."Spike muttered. "But what if someone comes after her to get to me? Then what?"

His mentor nodded. It was the reason why so many in the syndicate (including him), didn't have families or show any affection for those around them. In a second, they could be gone, all for the sake of power and chaos. He did come to the conclusion of this meeting. The boy he raised in fearlessness had gained humanity.

"Think about it, Spike. I choose your judgement over Vicious any day. Do you think I want to see this family delve into failure or be better than it ever was before?"

Turning his back to Mao, Spike began to saunter towards the doors of the office. "I guess you're going to have to find someone else for the job."

Mao's stomach dropped. This was the point of no return. The assassination attempts on his favorite, the increased slander of his characters by other soldiers, seeing his presence shunned by people he once fought alongside with, were all coming to a head. Get Spike Spiegel to "leave" the family and who was left as the heir?

"If what I think you're going to do, my boy, then you know the consequences." Mao said lowly, dread filling his voice.

Spike ignored him, continuing his walk out. He could hear the emotion in his mentor's voice. The price for leaving the syndicate was your life, a rule that was drained into his head in moments of voicing freedom. The stubborn son opened the door, stopped by the bang on the desk from behind him.

"Think about what you're doing! What you're giving up!"

His back straightened. One foot in front of the other, Spike left Mao's presence for the last time and into the hands of the syndicate.

-

"Look at you, kiddo, just as gorgeous as ever."

You walked into the boss's office, her smile genuine as she took in your strong appearance. The symbol of the Red Jacks was pinned on the lapel of your jacket, shimmering gold in the overhead lighting. Finally you were a true member, a place where you could belong.

"I've been waiting for you to come back all day, because I got something important to ask of you." The boss sighed, motioning for you to come closer to her.

You sat with her on the couch in front of the fireplace, letting the warmth heat your legs nicely. As the boss poured herself a drink, you let your arms hang loosely in your lap. The things you did in order to be a member plagued your mind. It was done in the name of justice, but there was no trace of fairness.

People who couldn't fulfill their debts to Red Jacks were shown a punishment. Girls, disguised as innocent and unassuming, rained hellfire on them. Destroying their life's work and businesses, threatening their families and those close to them, promising gifts of far worse if they wouldn't comply with the demands of their leader.

You hurt someone. You didn't mean to. You were told it didn't matter if they lived or not, they had learned their lesson. It took everything in you to not curl into a ball on the floor and sob your heart out.

"Honey, you've done just a fine job. I'm so proud of you." She said softly, letting a hand push some hair out of your face. "And because of that, I wanted to give you an opportunity of a lifetime."

"That is?" You replied, voice rasp.

"My right hand, kiddo."

"What?" You said breathlessly.

"Think about it. You use your brain, you take advantage of it. The minute I put a gun in your hand, it was like a second limb for you." She laughed, taking a sip of her drink." You know the inner workings of the business better than I do, that's for sure. How lucky are we to have a sister like you?"

You were stunned.

"How about it? If you're up for it, I'll start training you today-"

"No."

"Pardon?"

Fear wrapped around your throat, begging you to stop talking. "I don't think I can. It'll be too much for me to do."

The boss looked at you blankly, her grip on her glass of whiskey tightened. She blinked slowly, searching your face as she let your denial settle in. Steadily she set her glass down. 

Please shut the fuck up, shut up, shut up, you thought. But the words began to vomit out of your mouth. "I thought I was going to be saving people and bringing good on others, all I saw today was violence and bloodshed. Did you know that I almost killed someone today? No, you probably didn't, because you never leave this goddamn bar for anything or anyone unless there's money in it-"

Her hand swung back on your cheek so hard you saw stars. You fell back onto the back of the couch, holding your face. In an odd way, you kind of deserved it. If you just held your tongue, the slap could've been a little softer. Your cheek began to sting tremendously. The boss gripped onto your wrists, pulling you back up.

"Why did you make me do that?" She hissed, whiskey strong on her breath. Her eyes were black like a shark, a little vein popping out on her forehead. You can tell it was taking everything in her to not beat the living shit out of you at this moment. You knew her to be cruel, but never in front of you. Terror tore into you, unable to move from her hold on you.

"I have gone out of my way to turn you into a damn good fighter. Not even a fighter, a survivor. I have given you a home and plenty of people who are willing to take a bullet for you. And I can take it all just as easily. You will accept this invitation, whether you like it or not."

"A-and if I still say no?" You sputtered, shaking.

"I'll shoot you myself."

The prospect of dying so soon shook you down. You would have no doubt that if you tried to leave she would kill you. Even if you ran away, she would find you. The boss was smart. But like she said, you were always smarter.

"I-I'm sorry. I was frustrated, and stressed, and I didn't know what I was saying.." you babbled out your apologies endlessly. The boss's eyes softened, taking you into her arms as she hugged your small body.

"Oh, kiddo, I should apologize for the way I acted. You know I did that because I care very deeply for you." She hushed you.

"Y-yeah." You mumbled. One word answers was all you were going to allow yourself.

"Good. Now that we settled that, let's give a toast. We have a lot to celebrate!" 

-

[A/N] our mains aren't too different are they? I'm thinking of putting a playlist together for this fic? I'm not too sure yet but I may because as you can see music is a big part of this fic. Enjoy! <3