Red's Demise

Nickname Nuances

Red

Was it too soon to go on another break?

My entire body was still aching the next time I gained consciousness. Protesting the increase of my heart rate as I awoke in my dark room.

And if my ears weren't deceiving me, there was a softly snoring male behind me. His arms banded around my waist, clutching me to him like I had a habit of escaping his grasp.

Shaking my thoughts from the confusing behavior of the male behind me, I became aware of someone's gaze on me.

Subtly, I turned my head and found a familiar set of navy blue eyes watching me. Just like earlier, Fenris seemed worried. Even more so now, if that was possible.

He shifted in a chair, which wasn't supposed to be in the corner of my room. Judging by the material of the cushioned seat and leather stitching, he had stolen it from Ezekiel's office. I almost chuckled at the thought.

Had it been anyone else who displaced one of his precious chairs, Ezekiel would have spilled their insides on the tiled floors.

Apparently, Fenris was an exception.

Or Fenris had moved the chair into here, after Ezekiel had fallen asleep, and Ezekiel had no idea that he had done so.

I secretly hoped it was the latter, as that would be an entertaining fight.

Fenris's lips pulled up in the corner, apparently noticing the smirk that had grown across my face. "What is making you smile?" He asked softly, his worried gaze turning into his usual playful one.

I let my gaze fall to the chair and he understood the silent look well enough. Now his smile matched mine as we both thought of the fit that Ezekiel would throw.

A soft chuckle passed through his lips, but as he stayed in his head, his face grew more serious. Again, that worried look returned.

I found myself unnerved by his serious expression. It was so unlike him.

Fenris was extremely playful in nature. He always had a joke to insert in any conversation and a smile to brighten any situation. But since I had encountered the shadowed man and woken up in my room, he had been eerily quiet with weighted expressions.

And although I didn't understand what he was, something told me his suddenly cold behavior had to do with MK and whatever else lay in his head.

Fenris seemed to know that I was trying to read him as he stood up from his chair and walked to the other side of my large bed. Then he fell to his knees, his hands reaching out to grab one of mine.

I could only watch as he brought the back of my hand to his forehead and bowed his head, then brought my hand to his lips. Slowly, he pressed a kiss onto my right hand while his guarded navy blue eyes watched me.

"I failed to protect you," Fenris whispered against my skin. "-and I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please know, I am truly sorry, Red."

My brows knit together as I stared at the male with extreme confusion. Why was he apologizing?

"We were supposed to protect you," Fenris explained, having noted my confusion. "And whatever happened in that house could've been prevented had we been with you."

Ah. I see.

He's trying to take the blame for my stupid mistake and utter failure.

How sweet.

"Why are you smiling? I'm trying to apologize."

I shook my head at the male, finally beginning to understand his strange behavior.