Forbidden Flame (Mafiatale Grillby x Reader)

Chapter 5- Late Night Chat

(~Your POV + Time Skip~)

I awake to the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. Again, seeing Grillby didn't scare me. He may be a stranger but I'd try to trust him over a killer any day.

It didn't take him long to see I was awake. "Good morning, Miss Y/N. I'm sorry if I woke you." Grillby has a cup of water in one hand and is undoing his tie with the other. I watch him closely as he approaches and sits on the edge of the bed. "I brought ya something to rehydrate. You need all the nourishment you can get." He offers the cup to me. I look at him for a long while, then the cup of water.

'Poisoned?'

My look must've said it all. "I didn't lace it with anythin' if that's what you're wonderin'." He assures me. Grillby suddenly stops with a small and nervous chuckle, "I'd drink some to prove it if I could, but uh...." The silence stretched out longer.

'Point made.'

I grab the cup from him, now noticing how much his hands are shaking. He must really not like water. I make a mental note to myself.

'If he tries to harm me, I can throw this at him and run. In fact, he's way too trusting to be giving this to me.'

(Writer~San: Y/N just casually planning murder- XD)

I take my first sip. It doesn't taste off from what I can tell. The cool water is quite a refreshment for my hoarse throat. I'd drink more but there's still a lot of questions on my mind.

'He said we would talk.'

I am resolved to get answers. "Why did you help me?" "Violence is not tolerated, inside or outside of my establishment." Grillby answers. I take another sip of water.

'It doesn't make sense. No one is that nice, not here anyway. What is your reason?'

I give him a hint of attitude, stating, "That doesn't stop you from leaving me to bleed out after the violence was stopped." He takes a deep breath and begins, "Well, you're right..." Even with the aggression I showed him, he keeps his voice low and calm. "But leaving you there would've made me no better than one of them."

'Again, point made.'

This would be a lot easier if I could read his mind. Unfortunately, I can't. He doesn't show much with his expression or body language either. Yet another confusing thing to add to the list is that he is able to have clothes, glasses, and a scar on his face even though he is made of literal fire. Back when he picked me up, Grillby didn't burn me at all. I will not deny that he was comfortably warm either.

Before long, I realize that I'm staring. I divert my gaze to the blankets. "Are you going to let me leave?" I ask. I mean, obviously I can't stay here forever. I have a manor and council obligations to maintain. "You may leave as soon as you'd like..." Unlike his usual tone, Grillby said this with a hint of sorrow. This is possibly the first emotion I'd truly heard from him. Before I could ask, he continued, "I do wish that you'll decide to stay for a little while. You need to heal and to keep yourself safe. I say this considering that the whole city went nuts after your conference."

'He knows about that?! ... Of course he would.'

Everyone knows. Most humans probably hate me right now. I sigh and hold a hand over my face. "I messed up." He gently caresses my hand, guiding my water back towards my face. Feeling his touch again sends a shock through my soul. It leaves me speechless. "Drink some more water. All you need to focus on right now is getting rest."

'He..'

His hands are bigger compared to mine. Though, his grasp and warmth are very gentle. My soul and the magic inside it begin to stir restlessly.

'Could he be..? No, he can't.'

I force myself to dismiss the idea. I've been through a lot these past few days. I could be in shock for all I know.

'My soul is confused. That's all.'

"Miss Y/N?" I had went quiet again. "It's nothing." I mutter harshly to him. I drink more of my water and refuse to look him in the face. He knew better than to speak to me after that. Eventually, Grillby went back downstairs and I went back to sleep.

(~Time Skip~)

I am concerned about when and where this man is sleeping. I haven't seen him since he came to check on me last night.

'Did he stay up all night?'

It takes a little less effort and pain than yesterday but I am able to make my way downstairs again. The bar is much opposite to what I had seen last night. It's been cleaned and organized. In the main area, the chairs have been stacked on top of the tables. The sound of people and the ongoing radio are gone. The only people I can see are the passing shadow silhouettes on the curtains, likely people doing their downtown shopping outside. Being closed during the day is actually pretty common for a bar. Sunlight spills through whatever cracks in the curtains that it can find. I still can't find Grillby.

'Did he leave?'

I push on the small wooden gate, stepping past the bar and into the dining area. That's when I look over to the booths against the wall. A single chair has been pulled up to one of the booth seats. I soon notice his legs stretched out over the chair.

'He made himself a bench bed?'

I confirm my suspicions when I step closer. Grillby is stretched across the wooden booth seat with his vest bunched up under his head as a makeshift pillow. I'm worried for him.

'He's been sleeping like this ever since I got here?'

Sleeping like that must be harsh on his back. His white shirt is buttoned down halfway. He likely did that for the tight fabric to have less tension on his arms. I stare a little too long.

'Being a bartender, he has a great figure- Are those abs?'

My soul begins to race when I find the answer to be yes. My cheeks turn red and I look away wide-eyed.

'Y/N! What are you doing?!'

My stomach growls loudly.

'.... What's for breakfast?'