A marionette's dance (Yandere!ShalnarkXreader

tea

Why were there two sets of footsteps? Had you been found? Was all of this for nothing? You shook the thoughts from your head and moved into a shadowed area of the alley and watched as two figures came into focus. You felt your breathing halt as you saw a head of blonde hair, only to see a neighbouring confused-looking college student. You almost cried aloud as you ran into the surprised arms of your friend, sending both of you toppling to the ground.

“You came!” You vaguely registered the blood that stuck your clothes to your skin soaking slowly in the brunette's nightshirt.

“Of course we did! I can't believe you’re okay! We thought you were dead!”

You turn to the blonde and feel your smile grow as you recognise Kurapika.

“Why are you bloody?” asked Kurapika

“Are you hurt?” questioned Leorio, scanning you for any obvious injuries.

You began trying to explain what had happened to the best of your ability but found your words shifting and melding together as you suddenly became aware of the very populated street just outside of the alleyway. Your eyes caught the flash of street cameras as they were hit with light and you felt yourself become scared. You loved your friends and you had no doubt that they would help you but you were unsure if they could win a fight with a spider. You didn't even know if they knew nen yet!

Perhaps sensing your distress, Leorio shushed you. “It’s okay! You don't have to explain everything right now.”

Kurapika shifted slightly and you noticed a new coldness about him, you brushing it off to nerves.

“I have an apartment in town. You can come there.”

He shrugged off his suit jacket and handed it to you.

“Wear this. You’ll draw attention covered in blood.”

You stepped onto the sidewalk with them, eyeing every camera suspiciously and pulling the jacket over your head anytime you heard a stranger pass by. You followed Kurapika closely, Leorio walking behind you, and soon arrived at a dinghy old apartment complex. Vines grew up the sides of the old dirty brick with reckless abandonment and you wondered if this place even had running water.

The foyer was lit with flashing fluorescent lights. The floor was covered in a dark green carpet full of stains that were yet to be identified and dead plants stood in the corners. Kurapika walked towards the lift and pressed the up button, seemingly unbothered by the lack of comfort. You almost didn't get in the lift, and an old wooden thing that creaked when it moved, but you trusted him and stepped in next to him. An old jazz song played quietly through the speakers of the lift as you three ascended slowly. You took this time to examine your companions that you haven't seen in a while. Leorio looked about the same as you remember him with the exception of more stubble that grew from his chin and the dark circles that lay under his eyes. He noticed your gaze and smiled at you, a gesture you quickly returned. You then turned to see Kurapika. You hadn't seen him since your group originally split up after rescuing Killua from the Zoldyck property and he looked noticeably different. His blonde hair was dishevelled and tangled, reaching to his shoulders and hiding his eyes, his smile that used to bring your group so much joy seemed to die down and land in a tight frown, and his bright eyes had become crestfallen and surrounded in evidence of sleepless nights. That reminded you.

“Hey,” you spoke up, unsure of your voice or if you really wanted an answer, “How long has it been?”

Kurapika remained unphased, simply staring at the door as the rickety lift ascended slowly. Leorio on the other hand looked down at you with pity.

“It’s been,” He paused, considering his words,” You’ve been gone for a year.”

Your heart squeezed and you stifled a laugh of disbelief.