𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 • k. ayato

09

☄. *. ⋆

A week had passed. And she had been more comfortable than ever.

The sun bloomed on the horizon, golden petals stretching ever outwards into the rich blue. It was the brilliant flower of the sky that warmed her days. It was the invitation to a new day, each sunrise was ordinarily extraordinary.

And each evening was just as special. At some point, she began not minding him sleeping next to her. The animosity between them did not completely disappear, but she was observant, and she noticed so many things about him that made him shine in a new light.

He loathed small-talk. Each morning when they had nothing to talk about, she tried asking him about his work, but the change in his tone and the stiffness in his expressions made it obvious that he did not enjoy making conversations out of thin air.

Secondly, he was kind. Once a bird flew inside through an open window, but it was surprisingly not afraid of Ayato, going so far as to let him guide it outside. At first, she assumed that it was a messenger bird, but the bird had no message, it did not fly in the way messenger birds do. Simply put, it was not trained.

It just sensed that Ayato wasn't one to hurt those weaker than him.

There was also a poor man selling homemade baskets out in town. Ayato made sure that the old man would live comfortably for at least 5 months by purchasing all that he had made without taking any change. He cared dearly for the common people.

He was also mischievous. She could always find him cracking jokes and teasing her, or bringing disgusting new concoctions that he made to her.

If anything, he should've used whatever the hell he had made for her then instead of the poison. The effects would've been the same, she was sure.

Well, it was an eventful week. She had learned much about him, and she was quite ashamed to admit this, but she did not mind his presence nowadays. It didn't take long for her to get comfortable around him. He was such a person. Quite easy to get along with.

And of course, in light of this, she made sure that no assassins would take his head.

The five bodies of Fatui laid beneath her feet, frozen from limb to limb. Her Cryo powers were much more than simple frost. As such, the frost came as snow without a cloud, bringing a flash of brilliance to the dawn. She allowed herself a moment to admire it, to see the many shapes of the water crystals. For in only an hour it will raise up into the blue sky, a soft vapor in the breeze. Today's dawn would be rather cold.

"You went down quite pitifully," she mused, eyes coldly staring at the limp body of the Fatui Agent.

"You'll... pay dearly for this," the masked agent spoke roughly, before falling unconscious.

"Mm, sure I will. My good-for-nothing brother is more skilled than you."

She turned to look at one of her servants coming out of the shadows, "Really, took you long enough," she grumbled under her breath, making her sword vanish gracefully.

"I beg for your forgiv—"

"Whatever. Clean this up. Quietly. I do not wish to disturb the commissioner while he's resting."

He bowed his head respectfully as she walked away from him, leaving him to do his duties. She stepped into the vacation home with no sound, closing the door behind her just as silently. She felt quite drowsy, having been woken up so early by the agents.

She was also quite surprised to find Ayato sleeping peacefully, without a care in the world. There were so many assassins coming for his head at all times, and yet he was so nonchalant about it all. Seeing him like this also brought back unwanted memories. She was also this carefree when she was just a little child, sleeping with her parents, and her brother snuggled in comfortably.

Did he perhaps... feel safe around her?

She crept into her side of the bed and laid down. After a few seconds, she turned her head to look at him sleeping beside her. She smiled unknowingly.

She thought, "He's so pretty. With pretty hair and pretty eyes... a pretty smile."

She shifted slightly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear. He seemed so tranquil. In his own little world, away in dreamland. For a second, a silly thought enveloped her mind.

The world still has much love to give, and she saw it; she hoped that she, who is so blinded by hate and rage will feel it too. A love so fiery it becomes the color of cherries, candles, and lipstick. She once again had that naivety inside her. The same one she had when she read those romance novels in her youth. 

She had him to rely on now did she not?

She wanted to once again allow herself to love, to fall, to hurt, and to get back up again—to heal.

And she wanted him to want her.

It is the life that she is living now that is the dream, the deception. A droplet of airborne madness she has inhaled by mistake. She saw peace within him, and she hoped to catch it all for herself. But she can't do it without his permission.

She wanted so badly to be true again, to call herself a doll, a lamb, an innocent little thing. She wanted him to see her purified colors, her goodness. Not just the anger, not just the brute she was showcasing. But her—her true self which she has hidden so excellently.

She smiled to herself. Since when did she have such thoughts? Was she truly as easily swayed as he said she was? Well, she always knew she wanted to find love, she has always dreamed of a pure, undefiled love awaiting her.

But perhaps, her destiny was not as such? Maybe her destiny was of hurt and blood, despite, at the end of it all, will she get her happy ending? A true love?

"Your hands are quite cold... [Y/N]," suddenly, her dreamlike bubble was burst open by the voice of Ayato, and she saw him open his eyes to gaze back at her.

"A-Ah," she retracted her hand quickly, blushing a deep red, "My apologies, I did not—I mean I didn't mean to..."

Oh, God. What if he thinks she's some creep now?!

So much for a happy ending!

She heard Ayato chuckle as she brought her hands to her face, covering her eyes so he could not see her bewildered expression.

"You know, being vulnerable and honest is not weak. If you so enjoy looking at me, please continue to do so without shame. I quite enjoy it when you admire me so," he reached out his hand to touch hers, pulling them away from her face gently.

"I did notice you acting quite friendly with me these past few days. Have you fallen for me already?" His voice was smooth and low, laced with mischief.

She furrowed her brows, "You have a handsome face. That is all. Do not be so conceited. Not everyone who sees you will fall in love with you."

"Oh? Why would you assume such a thing? Perhaps you fell in love with me upon first laying your eyes on me. I mean, how else would you know how others feel when they see me?"

She sat up straight, turning her head away from him, "Please don't be so delusional. We must leave soon, so I was merely going to wake you up."

He took her hand into his, grazing his thumb over her knuckles, "With such a lovely smile on your face? Is waking me up such a joyous task?"

"You deviant little shi—"

"Hm? What was that?"

She then turned to look at him, her cheeks having decreased in redness, and her smile stiff, "It is time to get up. We must get ready for our outing soon."

Ayato sighed, losing the cheeky smile from his face, "Fine, fine. We will later, but for now," he yanked her back into bed, "There are dark circles under your eyes, so you'll be sleeping in."

"Excuse me? Who are you to tell me what to d—"

"I do not wish for rumors that I am mistreating my wife to go around," his cheeky smile reappeared once more, and she knew that he was only being slothful.

"I did not take you for such a person, commissioner."

"I know I'm caring, you do not need to remind me."

"No, I meant lazy. You're quite lazy."

☄. *. ⋆