𝟓𝟎% 𝐎𝐅𝐅!【✘MALE! YANDERE VARIOUS】(dom! reader)

22. "like the back of my hand."

you went face to face with your wobbly, slightly golden reflection. you took a step back and finally recognized it was simply golden-foiled armour, slightly dark, like it was aged but still pristine.

then you finally looked upwards, prompted by a coughed 'ahem'.

first thing you noticed were a familiar shade of ripe honey-crisp apples, you sighed in relief when it turned out to be nicholas

he repeated himself, "why were you running?" expression of a a blank face, too tense to be actually neutral due to the slight squint of his upper eyelid.

his eyelashes were also red, your mind helpfully added. before that train of thought began to escalate into something worse, you nonchalantly dismissed his worries with a "don't worry about that, nicky." while you hugged his arm, looking up a him with a (debatable) innocent smile.

"i missed you! when do you get dismissed?" you pouted, watching him get thrown off slightly with your tone before making a disapproving face once you smirked, he always falls for your teasing.

hs sighed, "soon, i was deemed pretty out of it after i got way too many strikes due to my record. so i get to leave early."

then his body immediately tensed, his previously stern face satisfyingly changing as he became overcome with fluster, finally registering your warm body closing in on his.

he made eye contact with you once you began to trace little circles on his chest-plate. although he couldn't feel it, the tone of your actions were obvious.

he stuttered your name, "are you---right now? you're going to... because i..." his voice trailed off, too shaky to continue with the suggestion.

"well, we're going to hang out since it's been so long. that's what you wanted as a prize, right?"

he slightly deflated but then immediately coughed when he noticed his own reaction, mentally chastising himself to focus on the fact that that he would be spending friendly quality time with you.

"yes... i admit, that during camp i missed your company."

"i thought you would stay at camp for 5 years just like every other school? but you're already working guardship at the academy when you're at half of that!"

"they do, i graduated very early because of my skills." he noticed you raise a questioning eyebrow.

"it was approved by the king himself." he added.

"king? what was the process like?"

"well i, for one, i had to pledge my loyalty to the crown and patrol one of the schools until i get my ascension approved. once i do, i could become warden of the solar-church or the golden knight of the crown. maybe even a paladin or conquest-general..." he trailed off.

"was the patrolling my academy a coincidence or..?"

he looked embarrassed at that question, "i chose it because i... wanted to see and protect you."

you laughed sarcastically, "right, didn't seem like it."

he panicked "i... i didn't know what came over me, serious. it felt like..." he looked like he wanted to continue but stopped himself. then, he went quiet, acting as if you never asked that question.

"nicholas?" you tried to prod, his expression darkened.

"why did i even try to answer that anyway? why should i even answer that? you just were trying to distract me to keep yourself from getting in trouble, right?"

you stayed quiet, you were back at the beginning. he was back to a cold, unfeeling soldier.

"is that what you actually think of me?"

"our first meeting did begin with you committing a crime, it's no surprise you're still doing that. but yet, i still fell for it." his words rolled off the tongue like a script's rehearsal, they were smooth but distinctively... superficial. you'd know.

"is that you or your job talking?"

"i don't see how that's---"

"nicholas, be a good little soldier and just fucking tell me already."

"i..." he snapped back from whatever trance he was under on, "i'm... i don't hate you..."

you looked him in the eyes, the slight speckles of gold in his irises fading out from the color of his eyes. "let's change topics then, what are you doing after this?"

"i have a bit of time before i am to go meet my instructor. a few hours. unless she decides to suddenly come and ambush me."

"hmm... i didn't get to have lunch yet... maybe we could get something to eat?"

"you didn't eat yet?! what were you doing during that time that you forgot to--- oh, right. you shouldn't let your anger get the best of you, you even busted his lip."

you thank jod that he didn't know the entire context.

"well, i tried to confront him peacefully but then he began to insult me, i admit i lost my cool." technically not a lie.

"remind me again how you're not expelled?"

"you let me off scot-free?"

"what about him? would he let you get off the hook?"

"you did promise me you'd help with the rumors, so..."

"and if he goes behind you back to take personal revenge?"

"oh... don't worry about that." plus, you don't want to acknowledge it, that's a problem for future you.

then you jolted, suddenly remembering something, "i know a place with really good pies- not as good as my mam or mum's- but still pretty fresh, do you want to visit it?"

"you're going to a bakery for lunch?" he raised a exasperated eyebrow.

"are you going to stop me?" you challenged.

he faltered, enticed by the prospect of apple flavored pastries, "... no?"

you smiled cheekily, "will you pa---"

"no." he gave you a muted look, to which you sulked at.

"they give discount to new customers, though. so if you pay, it'll be half the price." you tried to coax him.

"... how's much a slice?" making progress.

"four bronze... i think a whole tin is worth... twelve-- with the discount." you explained.

"you're surprisingly good at convincing me to spend money on you." shit.

"well, at least i know i have another source of income if i fail potions." a sugar baby, went unsaid.

"...what?"

"a merchant! then i'll barter people out of their pockets!" you switched.

"right... do you know the way there?"

"like the back of my hand."

---

[nicholas can't stay mad at you for trying to leech off his money.]

*insert cryptic lore hint abt nicholas* idk, keep an eye out for those hints.