You're Mine

LOSS

tw // death, weapons

About a week later, Zhongli and I both go shopping for clothes, books, the whole lot. Everything he needs, I'm going to buy for him. I hired Rosalyne again to watch over us, making sure nobody attacks him. After all Zhongli is techinally wanted. I still find that crazy.

I accidentally pull Zhongli a little roughly by the wrist throughout the mall to the shops he wants to go to. We have to be quick. Not a single second can be wasted. Every moment we spend out of the house is another chance that somebody will recognise him, even though I have him covered head to toe. It's a little suspicious, but nobody's going to say anything. Not when they see Rosalyne walking behind us. She's no small lady. Tall, muscular, lean, brooding... she's the definition of bodyguard. Occasionally, we talk through an earpiece—mainly when there's somebody to look out for.

I pull Zhongli to the book store, looking around cautiously while Rosalyne waits nearby; but not too close to be suspected. We go deeper into the store, trying to find the section he likes. I take his bags while he looks around, playing with his hair as he ponders over which book to pick up. He picks up a couple, stacking them against his arm.

"Ajax... do you know if they have a classic literature section? I read novels, but I prefer 20th Century literature," Zhongli asks quietly.

"I'm sure I saw one... ah. Over there, by the counter," I tell him. We both walk over, and the cashier eyes us weirdly. So I shoot her a look to make her back off.

"Ajax, I see someone suspicious. They're dressed a bit like your boyfriend," Rosalyne's voice speaks into my ear.

"Keep an eye on them, Rosalyne." I reply with a sigh, "And he's not my boyfriend, he's just–"

"FUCK, AJAX! EVERYONE GET DOWN–"

An ear-splitting explosion of a gunshot rings through my ears. I immediately pull Zhongli to me, checking he's okay. Thankfully, he's fine, but just in shock. Fuck. I need to go and find Rosalyne.

I drop Zhongli off at the car, giving him my gun before heading back up. I followed the paramedics that had arrived, up to the second floor where we were before. Holy shit.

Rosalyne was the one who was shot. From the looks of things, she was the target. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her mouth was agape and her body was limp. A direct shot to the heart. The shooter was skilled. I already have a narrow list of suspects. Rosalyne kept to herself. There's no reason why she should be a target. It just doesn't make any sense, unless it was somebody from The Harbingers. It has to be. It can't be anybody else.

After confirming it's her, I go back down to the parking lot. Back to Zhongli. He looks shaken up, but masks it carefully behind a stern expression.

"Ajax, what the fuck was that?" he asks me as soon as I get into the car.

"I have no clue. Rosalyne got shot." I reply, putting on my seatbelt. I waste no time to start the car, shift the gear and reverse out.

"Does that mean... that we're next?" he asks, gripping my gun tightly in his hand.

Steering with one hand, I take the gun off him with my other and throw it into the glove compartment. Then I take his hand, bring it to my lips and squeeze it gently. It seems to relax him.

"I won't let anything happen to you. We're untouchable, Zhongli. You're safe with me, I promise," I reassure him, pressing a kiss to his knuckles, "We'll talk about this at home, okay?"

As we drive, I notice Zhongli looking out the window. He removes his sunglasses, mask and hat and places them on his lap. As the sun starts to set, the sky becomes a vibrant blend of oranges and pinks, like a watercolor masterpiece. I'm almost jealous of the way the golden rays kiss his face, casting a soft, warm glow over his features and creating a sight that I wish I could capture. If only I wasn't driving, and could take a picture. He clenches his fist that rests on his knee, unable to stop the trembling. I'm still holding his other hand, trying to soothe him as best as I can.