Renegade

Ch. 31: Search and Rescue

"Alright that should do it." (Y/n) finished wrapping up his chest. "Now, as your doctor I highly recommend you continue your bed rest and limit you're movement." She then stood up and bent down to gather her items.

"Where are you going, Spero?"

"Uh, don't know. Check the status of my window probably."

"Spero, will you — no, never mind. Be on your way."

She rolled her eyes and turned towards him. "You know you can't just bring something up and not ask me?"

"You have done too much for me."

"You literally fought a pack of hellhounds for a stick. What do you need?"

"Will you do me the honor of keeping me company?" He slowly put on his pajama shirt. "If you feel uncomfortable with the thought, I understand. You have much on your shoulders and I would hate to be the cause of more unnecessary stress."

She stood and thought for a moment. Whether she avoided him or stayed, one way or another she would have to face him.

"I don't understand you."

Dark looked up at her. "I could say the same about you."

"No, I don't think you get where I'm coming from. You held this front, this — personality of a rough man. A powerful man with a short temper to my attitude. You're just so—"

"Weak."

"What? No, you're not weak."

"I'm in a very delicate state right now Spero, both mentally and physically." He laid back folding his hands over his chest. "As a man in my position, falling in love with a leader of the rebellion, and a descendant of my old friend at that, was not something I found possibly for myself."

"Yeah, you and me both. So riddle me this." (Y/n) sat down on the edge of his bed. "Why did you fall in love with me, and... why didn't you stop it? You knew what would happen if you did."

"Let's see.." He pondered. "I believed it was your fearlessness that first gained my attention. Knowing who I was did not seem to put fear into you, but only push you to challenge me more both physically and mentally. I was filled with anger the way you spoke back to me. There was no respect."

She laughed to herself. It brought her a lot of happiness in the beginning weeks here at the castle. One thing she loved doing was testing Dark's patience.

He noticed her smile. "You laugh, but at the time I — I wanted to wring your throat, but I couldn't."

"I've heard you're a man of 'considerable' patience." She spoke knowing that was barely true.

"I had no choice with you. I needed you well, and alive." He then sighed. "When we fought that night I was surprised by two aspects of it all. Number one your speed. It was as if you were predicting my motions."

"And the second thing?"

"Your willingness to continue even when you were so badly injured. At one point you were only furthering your damage, but you kept going."

"And you found that attractive?"

"I found it exhilarating. Interesting. I am feared by everyone in this castle except for you. The next thing that struck a chord was your ability to simply let go and enjoy yourself. You can be very serious if you wish, but you can also be childlike. I found myself having a — good time — with you."

"Darkiplier? ENJOYING something? This must be a dream."

"My tough exterior does not mean I don't enjoy things."