More Priceless than Gold - Emperor x Reader

The Team

"The hooded inkling. It was him."
"WHAT?!"

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(alright I'm gonna do something different here...)

<Emperor's POV>

I returned home after the battle. But I tried to hide the fact that I was out doing turf wars on my own. My team can get paranoid at times. I hurried into my room and set my Enperry Dualies on their rack, as if they were never touched. Prince must've heard my rushed entrance, because I soon heard a worried "Nii-san?" come from outside my door. The younger inkling slowly pushed open my door.

I was in the middle of undressing. My Navy Eminence jacket sleeves were resting on my forearms, exposing the black tank top I wore underneath. I looked at my brother's small figure. "Are you alright? I heard you run up here in a hurry," he asked. I finished taking off my jacket and hung it up next to my other, more prestigious white jacket. "I'm fine, no need to worry. When does your big brother ever get hurt?" Prince sighed and looked at the floor. "You're right," he said with a dejected tone.

I noticed his sudden emotion change. "Is something wrong, brother?" I asked as I walked up to him and put my hands on his shoulders. Prince didn't raise his gaze. "Nothing...it's just that..." I gently lifted his chin with my right hand and stared into his amber eyes. "I can't hear you if you speak to the ground." He met my eyes. "It's just that I feel so inferior compared to you, nii-san. Nothing ever seems to catch you by surprise and you never lose your cool. Meanwhile I feel like I worry too much and that I overthink everything."

We stood there in silence for a few moments. Then I brought him into a tight hug, which caught him off guard. "Those characteristics make you unique, Prince. You're not inferior to anyone or anything. My life wouldn't be interesting if I had an exact replica of me for a brother." Prince eventually hugged back and buried his face into my chest, which I didn't mind. 

After a few moments of just brotherly love, I whispered into his ear. "Something did catch me by surprise earlier today, however." I smirked and sat on my bed to check my phone. He stood there in shock for a moment, then jumped onto the bed and tugged my arm. "Nii-san, tell me more!" I chuckled. "Maybe later." At this, Prince puffed out his cheek and tackled me onto the bed. "Pleeeeaassseee?" This made me laugh. "Alright I'll tell you. Now let me get up."

I told him about how I got queued in with a newbie who wasn't half bad. Prince's eyes widened. "Nii-san, you went out alone to do turf wa-" I silenced him by putting my finger on his lips. "N-Pacer and Eging might hear you..." Prince looked away. "R-right. So what you're saying is you were surprised at how a newbie could have that much skill?" he asked in a lower voice. I nodded. "This is our little secret. Got it?" I winked at Prince, who agreed eagerly.

<Your POV>

I realized I shouldn't have told Ember that we had fought alongside the champion. She started to scream all sorts of questions. After a little while she managed to calm down somewhat. "Are you SURE it was him? You didn't mistake someone else for him?" I sipped my drink. "No doubt about it-" As soon as those words escaped my mouth, Ember started screaming more questions to herself. It attracted a lot of attention from the other inklings in the square, and Crusty Sean didn't look amused. I grabbed her arm. "Come on, Ember. You'd better eat before your food gets cold."

After we finished eating, we walked back to the apartment complex. It was 8:44 PM, and the sun was still out ever so slightly. It gave the sky a gorgeous pink-purple twilight hue. Tiny white stars were sprinkled across the sky. The evening brought a chill wind for everyone to enjoy.

When we arrived at our floor, Ember asked if I wanted to sleepover in her room tonight. My face brightened at the idea, but I ultimately decided to decline her offer. I had just moved in, after all. I felt it would only be right to sleep in my room the first night. She agreed and we both exchanged numbers. We waved goodbye and parted ways.

Today was a good day. I set my (F/W) down on my dresser and stretched. I got changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth. Once I was finished, I jumped into my bed. "Mmmh~" I sighed. I didn't realize how exhausted I had been. After a few minutes, my phone jingled. It was from Ember.

>Hey (Y/N)! I kinda forgot to tell you this, but I'm part of a team! Thing is we're short one member. I was wondering if you would want to join?
>That's a great idea! But I need to know who the others are first...
>Oh yes of course! I'll add you to a group chat with them!

I patiently waited until my phone jingled again.

>Hello? Who's this, Ember?
>It's a friend of mine! Her name's (Y/N). She's still a bit of a newbie, but she's pretty good! Introduce yourselves, guys!
>Oh well it's nice to meet you! My name is Ian.
>sup. my name's Levi.
>It's nice to meet all of you as well! ^^
>I hope you're as good as Ember says. We were going to meet tomorrow at 10 AM for our strategy planning, but I think we'll use the time to meet you instead. Think you can make it?
>Of course! I'll see you then!
>Cool!

Ian. Levi. Gotta remember those names...Levi didn't seem like much of a talker, but I won't let first impressions cloud my judgement.

I set my phone down and let my mind wander. Ember...the rush of battling in turf wars...his golden gaz- I mean...what? I shook my head and tried to think of something else. The smell of the Crust Bucket...his golde- WHY. I had only seen him once and now I can't stop thinking about him. I couldn't be developing feelings for him now, could I?

No. It's impossible. I didn't think of Emperor that way. There's just something about his eyes that draws you in...

I couldn't stop thinking about it. I tossed and turned in a vain attempt to sleep. Eventually I gave up, plugged my earbuds into my phone, and turned on some soothing Squid Sisters music. Maritime Memory would always lull me to sleep, and it didn't fail me this time.

But the last thing I thought of before I fell asleep was his smile.

A/N: hol up now, another part within 12 hours? geez...
also I got a little cheesy towards the end of this chapter but I had to do it eventually-
maybe it was a little too soon but eeh-