Kota (Male reader x Greed and the chimeras)

Shocked Ice

LIAR

Well, the last part was true. But accidentally drinking cider with champagne doesn't count. But the rest... If there was one thing that could hit a nerve aside from someone taking what was his, was lying. And if it was one of his members lying to him, well then, Greed was sure to pry the truth out even if it meant kicking his ass. Narrowing his eyes, he decided.

Tactic #4; prod into spilling.

Kota was startled when his boss plopped down onto the armrest of the couch. Greed leaned back, casually glancing down.

Seriously, Kota reminded him of Dolcetto. Both of them acted similar around him: sassy in a way but loyal to a fault. Only Dolcetto being mixed with a dog had a more confident demeanor, while the snow leopard would rather blend into the crowd. Greed knew that they were both bad at lying. No, that's an understatement. They were terrible. So, they held no secrets between them. Well...very little secrets. Nothing new really happened lately (other than maybe the last mission) that would cause this.

Why would the kid lie then?

An idea popped into mind.

-You know... this mission could have gone better. Too many close calls. But that's what's fun!

Pretending to think, Greed took this time to analyze every reaction. Every twitch. Every shift.

-Tell ya what, Snowflake! (he got a glare for that) Next mission, you'll come with my division! Be the close-range lookout, not the long-range one, you know. Hide in the shadows, notice the small details. Then you can get more experience, test that eyesight and endurance of yours.

Kota's form pulled taunt.

-Really? But...isn't that delivery during the daytime?

-Yup!

That got him a grimace. Good. Nearing center target.

-Ummm... I...I can't really run fast during the day.' He gestured to his tail, blushing tenfold, 'It's too hot.'

-Come on! You can't handle a little heat OR running? You really are a kid!

Kota clenched his hands together, shaking a little more. From across the bar, Dolcetto was watching the exchange with sharp eyes, smelling the sudden unease of his friend.

-Why would you want me then?

-HAH? I'm Greed! Of course I want everything!

Kota scoffed.

-Only everything worth having. Not me. I'm-" a gulp, "I'm... weak."

... Is he serious?

-What, I don't think I heard that properly.

-I'm. Weak.' (Oh god, his smirk is infuriating.)

For the first time in his long, near eternal life, Greed really looked at Kota, confusion hidden beneath his teeth. It had been over a year since the breakout from the labs, yet each syllable the kid spoke dripped with self-malice. That's not right. His member really thought that? The older knew the labs did a large number on his troops, mentally that is, but it was rarely anyone truly thought they were weak. That he picked them up out of pity.

Ridiculous! I have no pity. I'm Greed!

He barked a laugh of surprise.

-What? Haha! That's so funny, kid! You gotta stop being so ridiculous, HA! What a good joke. It's HILARIOUS!

Something in the air snapped. Oh boy. Greed could only stare as Kota swiveled to a stance, barring his fangs in cold anger.

-OK. FINE!

He pushed too far. The damage was done. He could only ride out the storm that broke apart.

-I'M A SMALL, LANKY, PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A CHIMERA, WITH WEAK KNEES, THAT GOT SICK BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN STAND THE GOD FORSAKEN HEAT OUTSIDE! THAT'S A NORMAL 20 DEGREES CELSIUS! IT'S PATHETIC.' With each word, Kota's eyes kept shifting between shining blue to grey, arms gesturing wildly, despair pulsing under his skin. 'THERE! Is THAT LOUD ENOUGH?' Kota took a sharp breath. 'I'm NOT a liar. I'm a...a good for nothing BURDEN!' he wailed.

The room went silent.

...

To be continued...