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

A Fire Inside

Reza---

"What do you mean I'm in love with him?" I ask him.

I've heard of love but I was never taught about it. All I knew was that Mother demanded that I never involve myself with it. Of course I have Roman's antics involving it as well but it didn't help me much since he was never serious.

"Before I start bashing skulls in, I need to know what the hell is going on in here."

Oh, Roman's back and apparently angry. That's nice. I turn away from Izana to find Roman glaring daggers at Izana.

"We had an attack but I handled it. It was only Perrin, as you can tell."

"Why are you so close to her, Izana?"

Oh... He's not happy about that. It's to be expected since he isn't a fan of Izana but why?

"We were discussing personal matters."

"I didn't realize you had to be so close to someone to speak." He retorts.

"Roman, calm down. I was intimidating him into speaking, that is all." I cut in. "How was the perimeter?"

Roman's eyes leave Izana's and the expression softens slightly as he looks at me.

"It looked clear to me. Let's go while we can before your idiot cousin wakes up. I'm looking forward to getting rid of Izana."

We left the cottage and Perrin behind an hour ago with Roman leading the way beside me. I tried to fall to the back of the group but Roman felt it too dangerous in my condition, so I moved forward to walk beside Izana, but of course that was quickly shut down so I moved forward with him. I'm not sure why he is so upset about me standing near Izana in the cottage but I don't know if it's an appropriate time to ask about it. Thankfully we've stopped for a short break.

"Why are you angry?" I ask quietly as I glance over at him from our shared perch in a tree.

"I'm not angry." He replies simply.

"You were angry when you returned to the cottage."

"I don't like seeing him near you in that way is all."

"Why not?"

"I don't enjoy to see any man near you, naturally."

"You did not seem to care when we lived at the compound."

"That's different."

"How so?" I press.

"Because they're your family."

"So?"

"I didn't care about them because they couldn't take you away from me." He snaps.

"Take me away from you? What do you mean?"

Roman sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "It's nothing, Reez."

"Don't lie to me, please."

"It's complicated."

"Uncomplicate it then." I press.

I don't know if Izana's words got to me or what, but I can't seem to let it go.

"Don't hit me." He sighs, then lightly grabs my face and turns it toward him.

"Why would I-?" I'm cut off by his lips touching mine.

He's kissing me. Why is he kissing me? What does it mean? It feels weird, like my body is on fire on the inside. Is that what its supposed to feel like? I'm not sure what the right or wrong feelings are supposed to be like and what it means. Roman pulls away and I blink in shock as I try to process it.

"I don't understand, what does it mean?"

"I didn't choose to stay around you for all these years just because I took an oath or because you were just my friend. I-I've been in love with you for years. That's why I don't like Izana... well, part of it anyway... because I could see how he looked at you and worried that you would fall for him instead."

"What does love mean though? I know you joked around for years about it and Izana mentioned something earlier but I don't know what that is."

"Izana mentioned it?" His expression darkens and I realize that I shouldn't have said that.

"He did tell me that he had developed feelings for me but did not want to act on them because he said that I was obviously in love with you."

"Love is basically wanting to spend forever with just one person. You're comfortable and happy with them and want to protect them and be by their side no matter what. For me, I get a warm feeling inside when I am around you, like I'm on fire inside but it doesn't hurt."

"Oh shit." I mumble under my breath as he completely lists how I feel toward him.

"What is it?"

"Roman, Reza, we have company." Izana calls out from below us.

Roman and I drop down from the tree with our weapons at the ready to protect Izana. Our small clearing has been invaded by four of the Mitzkos. This will be fun. I clash swords with one of them as they lunge at me while Roman moves to attack two of the others. When we left I gave Izana a few daggers just so he won't be completely defenseless if need be. I study the grey ribbon woven around the handle of my opponent's sword and recognize the owner.

"Kirini." I nod.

She nods in return. "Reza."

I block her slice and bring my foot up to kick her in the chest, knocking her back in time to block an attack from another family member. This is rather annoying. I can't wait for things to go back to normal and I can hopefully carry on a conversation without interruptions. Kirini lunges at me with her sword drawn while the other one does the same from my other side. Well, there is a rather obvious solution to this... As they draw close, I slip out of the way just as they collide and I hear Kirini's sword sink into... whoever it is. Honestly, I feel like if my Reaper Selection was based on fighting the family rather than just killing the previous Reaper, I definitely would have won. I didn't realize their skills were this bad. Kirini moves to stand but I kick her back down. From this angle, I can see the outline of the dead one's face and recognize him as one of my older cousins, Lohem. We were never close. As I aim the tip of my sword at the base of Kirini's throat, she looks up at me in fear. The family never shows fear.

"Please, don't." She whispers.

"Your plan was to kill me, so why should I not return the favor?" I tilt my head slightly. "You're interfering with my plans."

"I-I'll help you, whatever your plan is! We only left compound because the Head ordered all Mitzko's to go out and claim your life. We didn't expect to actually find you."

"The competition has always been optional, why would she order that?"

"She said that you have disgraced her name and wants you eliminated."

I hear Roman come to my side but I don't pay attention to him.

"Would you be willing to risk your life and everything you've stood for for our plan? Would you swear your allegiance to Reza to spare your life right now, Kirini?" He asks, sounding more serious than I've ever heard him. 

A/N: Top photo is Kirini, Reza's second cousin