Kiss of Fate

After Work

After work, I had to take a long walk home, hoping to clear my head from the chaos of the day. Of course, just my luck, the city’s Golden Boy spotted me from above. He hopped down effortlessly, landing with that annoying ease he always had. The streets were much emptier now, the fading light casting long shadows as it neared dusk.

“You really shouldn’t walk alone, you know. It’s dangerous,” he said, his voice full of concern as if that would somehow change my mind about him.

I didn’t even bother giving him a full glance. Instead, I popped in one earbud, pretending to drown him out. “Mhm…” I muttered, not really engaging, more focused on my phone. My fingers were sore from typing, but that was nothing compared to the ache in my legs and hands from the rush at the café. All those people flocked in because HotGuy had been there earlier, and now I was paying the price for it—again.

I kept walking, my pace steady but tired, hoping he’d take the hint and leave me alone for once. My body was practically screaming for a break, and the last thing I needed was him trailing after me like some concerned guardian angel. But, knowing him, I figured he'd stick around anyway, always showing up at the most inconvenient times.

He walked beside me for a while, silent at first, which I appreciated. My mind was too foggy from exhaustion to deal with his usual chatter. That is, until he suddenly grabbed my arm and stopped me just before I stepped into the street—right into oncoming traffic. God, I was so tired. I hadn’t even noticed.

“Busy day, Songbird?” he asked, trying to start another conversation. His tone was casual, almost teasing, but I froze, confused. Songbird? Where had that come from? I wasn’t an avian, and as far as I knew, I didn’t have wings or feathers anywhere on me.

I shot him a puzzled look. “Songbird?” I echoed, my voice flat but tinged with curiosity. He just smiled at me like he knew something I didn’t, which only irritated me more.

“You’re always so quick to fly away,” he said, as if that explained it.

I blinked again, still processing everything, too tired to fully register the weight of his words. “Right..." I mumbled, shifting slightly so my arm was back on the cement, no longer held by him. "Can you let my arm go?"

As soon as I said it, HotGuy instantly looked flustered, quickly releasing me as if my arm had burned him. "Ah! Sorry! I just wanted to make sure you didn’t start moving again until the coast was clear."

I rubbed my arm absentmindedly, a mix of irritation and relief bubbling up inside. "Yeah, well, I'm not exactly in the mood to get run over either," I muttered, glancing up and down the street to make sure it was actually safe this time. I started walking again, slower and more careful, feeling his presence lingering a little too close behind me.

Honestly, I was so exhausted I knew I’d have to skip patrol tonight, which was probably for the best. As Cute Guy, I had to be careful about how often I was seen in public, so night patrols were safer. Still, as tired as I was, I figured I’d try to distract myself a little. “Think your partner will show up tonight?” I asked, attempting to engage him in conversation for a change.

HotGuy lit up like a golden retriever being offered a treat, practically beaming at the mention of Cute Guy. "I hope so! Cute Guy is so nice! He's hilarious too," he said with such energy it almost made me smile. "And he's so fast on his feet! Even in heels! At first, I thought he was a girl, but nope—didn’t know anyone could move like that in heels!"

I felt a sense of pride well up in my chest, though I tried to squash it. After all, it was me he was talking about. Still, hearing him go on like that, his voice full of admiration, was oddly comforting in my tired state. He was keeping me awake, at least.