Don't Fear The Reaper *Izana x OC x OC* (COMPLETE)

We're Only Human

Reza--

I wake up screaming but as I attempt to sit up and reach for my weapons, a jarring pain spikes in my ribs and cuts off my scream before I can do it myself. A door opens somewhere in the room but I can't see who comes in and I start to fight against the hands touching me until I catch a whiff of the slight cinnamon scent that Roman's clothing always seemed to carry. I feel his arms circle around me gently and I allow myself to be buried in the safety of his chest as I cry. I don't recall what led me to being here but I know my fading dreams consisted of Meiran and my mother.

"It's okay Reez, I'm right here, I've got you."

I repeat Roman's words in my head as I try to calm myself. We have more important things going on than my nightmares.

"Where are we?" I ask finally and grimace at the raw pain settled in my throat.

"We're at the cottage, your pet is in the other room keeping watch outside through a crack in the boards."

"So I made it?"

"Barely. I was on perimeter and saw you but before I could reach you, you collapsed. You looked on the brink of death, what happened out there?"

"I didn't account for stray Fours and had to kill Uncle Brallen."

"I thought you were his favorite?"

"I was and he was mine, until he spoke ill of you so I had to teach him manners. Sadly, facing against a veteran Level Four while injured and exhausted is harder than one would think."

I wanted to get out of bed and make a plan on how to keep moving, but Roman wouldn't let me. He explained the vast assortment of injuries to me and now I guess I understand why but it's still rather annoying. I have more important things to do than be bedridden. He did concede with bringing me a small lantern and some paper so we can plan from here while I eat. Apparently on his perimeter checks he's been gathering various berries and food items to go with the small amount of bread and dried meats he'd taken from our home before we had to flee. It'll be enough to ration for the three of us for at least two days.

"What is your plan for the prince, Reez? I know you want to save him from your family and all, but I have to focus on keeping you safe and he will be a hinderance."

I don't know what I plan on doing with Izana, I never really considered any of it beyond the fact that I didn't want him to die. "I'm not sure."

"We've gone almost twenty-four hours without anyone in perimeter, perhaps we should leave him here and move on? He will be safe from your family at least for a while, he can return to Wistal if he wants or he can sod off and die. Honestly, if he really wants to die Reez, it's not your place to deny him and it's not just me saying that because I hate him."

I shuffle slightly to get closer to Roman's warmth and feel his free hand running through my hair. "I know, but I just can't get myself to let him die or for me to kill him. It's weird since I've spent my life killing everything. Why is he any different?"

"Perhaps it's because he was the first target you saw as human. All of your other hits have been asleep or didn't see you coming. You spoke to him and got to see him as a person, unfortunately."

"You know if you got past your jealousy, he's not too bad of a person." I chide and he stiffens.

"Why would I be jealous of someone who has nothing I desire? Besides, I have my reasons to dislike him, starting with interfering with my job to protect my Miss and disrupting my quest to make you fall head over heels for me." "I still feel as if you should have gone into acting."

"Roman, we have company."

Roman and Izana left me after shutting the lantern off. The sun has set so any light from now on is a beacon to the family. Izana spotted shifting darkness through the window and came to get him. I'm not sure if they are simply searching the area or if I left enough evidence behind to lead them here. I'm hoping for the latter considering I can't really move and Izana is still injured and nowhere near able to fight near our levels. I can't leave Roman to do all of the fighting either because there are way too many family members floating around to handle on his own. Thankfully the only window in this room is now fully blocked by a towel so if someone were to try to peek in they wouldn't see anything. It's rather dark as it is but I can see outlines at least so I know they can too. I'm not sure the condition of the windows in the rest of the cottage though.

"Reez," I hear Roman whisper in my ear. I startle slightly but I keep my movements and breath still. "They're searching but moving quickly. I don't think anyone will bother with coming in as long as we stay put and out of window view."

"Where's Izana?"

"I helped him move into the washroom since there is no window. I will be in between the doorways out of sight, just whisper if you need me."

It's all I can do to not hold my breath while we wait in a tense silence in our positions. We can do this, but I don't know how long it will take for someone to take the time to check the cottage. If we attack of course, it'll draw attention and we'll be flooded with Mitzko's and murdered without hesitation. My breath catches in my throat as I hear the lock click and the cottage door open.