Love Him, Not Me

09.

     Arriving back to the neighbourhood after what felt like hours, we hopped off the bus. I ignored the passengers who were staring at us with weird expressions, I wouldn't judge them because who would live in a dangerous neighbourhood filled with drunkards and mafias? I wouldn't want to either but what do I get to say, if you're rich you get everything but if you don't, well, better find a way to survive.

     It was like any usual night, with the cold wind howling with no cars and no people. Newspapers tumble around the asphalt as if caught in invisible laundry. It was dead silence. I yawned as I was tired and we were about to arrive at my apartment when (M/N) suddenly pulled me close to him and shielded an incoming  bullet with his hand before pulling me into a narrow alleyway.

     Pushing me against the wall, he covered my mouth with his cold hand and whispered.

"Stay here and don't make a sound. I'll come back for you, trust me.": he said and gave me a quick peck on my forehead before disappearing.

Trying to even my breath as if they could even hear me breathing, my heart stared to pound when I heard them close to where I was.

"Aisshhh, where the hell is he?! Find him and make sure he's dead!": a man instructed and I could hear a few of their footsteps scatter away, trying to find me.

"Why do they want to kill me?!": I thought to myself when the footsetps suddenly ran close to me.

"He's here boss!": a man shouted as he pointed the gun at me.

5 more of them soon ran towards where I was and one of them which I assume was their boss stepped forward, grinning widely.

"Any last words before we kill you boy?": he said.

"Yeah, I'll enjoy seeing you suffer once I turn into your worse nightmare when I die.": I retorted.

"Tch, I'd like to see you try.": he said and pulled the trigger, sending a bullet to fly towards me.

I closed my eyes and waited for the pain.

"(M/N)!": I unconsciously shouted out.

Feeling that the pain never came, I slowly opened my eyes and flinched when the bullet was right in front of me, but it didn't move, like an invisible wall was in front of me, stopping the bullets.

"Huh?": he sounded confused and started to fire at me but the bullets never managed to touch me.

"After so many years and you humans are still using guns and bullets? Lame.": a deep voice sounded, making them turn around to look at (M/N).

He looked like a completely different person with his bright violet eyes and deep tone of voice. He held up his hand, pulling out the silver bullet and inspected it for awhile before smirking.

"I wonder how it would feel it they were littered all over your body instead.": he said and the bullets that were pointed at me changed direction, firing back at them.

"Are you alright?": he said, making me shrug.

"Thanks."

"Sorry you had to witness that.": he apologized.

Its fine, not the first time I've seen someone kill other people."

"What do you mean?": he asked.

"Well this neighbourhood is filled with people like them so its not abnormal that you would see someone laying in their own pool of blood."

"I see...": he seemed to be space out thinking of something.

"Can we go now? I'm tired.": I said, making him look at me, his eyes instantly softened, turning back to their normal color.

"Sure.": he said and followed behind me. 

-----
"How's your hand?": I asked once we got into the apartment.

"Its fine Renjun, go and rest.": he patted my head and smiled.

"Let me see.": I ignored him and took his hand, only to see no wounds or scars like it never happened.

He suddenly lifted my chin up and looked at me with a serious expression, I could see a flash of violet in his eyes. He leaned in, our faces just inches away from another that I could feel his cold breath fanning my probably flushed face.

"Awwww you actually care about me.": he said and pulled my cheeks.

"What the hell?! Aughh I'm so done with you.": I slapped his hands away and immediately ran inside the bathroom.

     Taking a quick glance of my flushed face in the mirror, I quickly shook the thoughts of that horrid man away and took a shower. Putting on my pajamas, I walked out and looked around and as expected, he had disappeared yet again so I just shrugged it off and headed to bed.

     So many thoughts ran through my mind as to why they were after me. Have I interacted with any of them? Did I witness any of their murders? Did (M/N) actually plan all this?

     With the last question, I gently slapped myself. I shouldn't doubt him, he did save me from them so that shouldnt even cross my mind. Trying not to think of it too much, I felt somehow unsafe so in instinct, I placed the bell that he gave me on the bedside table. Feeling much safer, I closed my eyes and eventually fell asleep.

*****
"Hey ----- you promised me that you will take me to the night market!": a young boy stood on the bridge. He was wearing an old traditional clothes shouted.

What timeline even is this? I looked around and saw a white figure walking towards the boy.

"Do you really want to go today?": the figure asked.

"You promised! I'm gonna jump if you refuse.": the boy threatened as he leaned onto the railing of the bridge.

"Alright alright, don't jump! I'll take you there! Just don't do anything stupid alright?": the figure said with a sigh.

"Yay!": the boy cheered as he ran pulled the figure along.

"I want tanghulu, tofu, bao, oh oh and noodles as well!": he told the figure as he chuckled.

"Are you sure you can even finish all that?": he asked.

"Of course! I'm hungry!": the boy said with confidence.

"Alright then. If you say so.": the figure chuckled as they walked along the wheat fields without a care in the world.

****