Hunting for a way home - Shalnark x Reader

Chapter 55 - I am, One slippery bitch.

A/N- Sorry I didn't uploaded this sooner... I was in jail. The AO3 curse finally decided to get my ass. Just be prepared for a long and heavy chapter. If I had to be traumatized so does everyone else. 💀
Sorry not sorry.

You had located Kurapika and had been watching him the entire day discreetly and from a great distance. The reason for that was Melody.

Even from the distance you worried she's somehow hear the beating of your heart you didn't even risk speaking in fear of her hearing you.

Melody.

You needed her on your side and needed her to be quiet and keep her mouth shut when the time was right.

Because you knew at some point you'd be around her and Kurapika at the same time.In fact if everything went as you'd planned you'd most certainly be with them.

And you knew that she'd hear the dishonesty and betrayal in your heart. That also meant cornering her at a time when you knew she'd be alone.

The sound of emergency vehicles could be heard approaching the auction house from all directions.

Adjusting the binoculars you zeroed in on Kurapikas face on the rooftop of a distant building.

He didn't know it yet but the phantom troupe was behind the disturbance at the auction house. That they had killed that entire room full of people and were probably even now finishing cleanup before heading to the roof.

With that you adjusted the binoculars and could even now see an air balloon coming to life on the roof.

At the sight of a blonde head and a hint of lavender your heart skipped a beat.

It felt like your body was tingling just at the sight of him. You were all too aware of him.

This was the closest you'd been to him in weeks. A longing you couldn't squash filled your chest... you missed him.. wanted- no needed to see him.

Deep down you knew the only reason you hadn't discreetly sought him out wasn't for fear of punishment from Illumi but was so your resolve didn't slip from the decisions you knew had to be made.

There was also the fear he'd read everything you were trying to hide from your face.

When his face turned and you saw his usual smile as he answered the question to another troupe member your heart fluttered again.

You kept watching him, it was hard not to drink in the sight of his face after so long of being deprived.

You noticed his eyes flicking around rapidly and you couldn't help but wonder if someone was closing in on them.

You turn the binoculars to scout the nearby area. Surely they'd have added it in the anime if they got in a fight right? A part of you was ready to intervene even if it'd be foolish but when no one was to be seen you felt confused.

What the hell was Shalnark looking for? Was he just being cautious?

When you moved the binoculars back to Shalnark your heart didn't just flutter but dropped as you froze on the spot.

It had to be a coincidence there's no way he saw you.

Because the view in your binoculars were his green eyes fixed right on your hiding spot on that distant building.

The worst part is you couldn't look away even after his eyes shifted away.

Only when the air balloon started to rise from the rooftop did you shake yourself out of your trance.

Realizing just how vulnerable and open you'd left yourself.

It was unsettling how just watching him had disarmed you so completely.