Compass - Banana Fish x Reader

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Wild Lynx

Just like that, Shorter became my rock.

Not all that much changed between us over the following few days, but it was obvious that I no longer resented his very existence. I was still shaken, and every now and then would slip into a hazy state, allowing my shadowed mind to seep into reality, but when all was said and done, I knew I couldn't break down. Not in the healthy way I should have.

Shorter hadn't left my side that night, and when I had awoken he had carefully told me that he was going to destroy the photographs. I accepted, but refused to be present. From there, I subconsciously stayed close by him, even if I was just doing my own thing in the same room as him. I didn't trust myself to be alone. Not with Arthur's gun on my person.

Arthur had been in constant contact, too. Wanting to meet up, calling me to check in. I did appreciate it, and I missed him dearly, but I couldn't push myself to actually go to him. He'd know right away that something was seriously wrong, and I knew I'd break and explain everything.

Sing was also around rather often, and it didn't take me very long to realise that, despite his snarky attitude towards me, he actually sought out my company. Perhaps it was due to him seeing the odd friendship that had grown between me and his boss, or maybe he just needed the influence of a woman in his life. Either way, I ended up growing quite fond of him in no time.

"Ash got bail." Shorter announced late one morning, tapping my legs that laid across his lap. Scooting up against the opposite arm of the couch, I felt a strange rush of adrenaline. Ash had been on my mind a lot more since I had discovered my hidden past, and knowing I had the chance to talk to him again was both exciting and terrifying.

"Are we gonna go see him?" I followed Shorter as he stood up, tapping away at his phone as he started towards the bedroom.
"I'm gonna go see him. I want you to sta-"
"So that's a yes." Interrupting him, I stayed at his heels, only averting my eyes once he began to change shirts.

"You know full well that things are gonna get even more dangerous now that he's back. Both of you in public together is just asking for trouble." He tried to reason with me, but my foot had already come down. Training my eyes on one of his risqué posters, I moved to stand in front of it, arms folded.

"I'll wear that dumb disguise you got me. Binder and all. I'll look like a scrawny little punk and nobody will even recognise me." The woman on the poster was covered in ink, and I couldn't stop myself from irking when I read the sharpie scribble in the corner, 'Shorter, ♡ Cherry xoxo'.

His taste in women is trashy.

"You really don't like being left out, do you?" Shorter scoffed lightly, giving me a soft jab in the side to stop me from being a sticky beak. "As long as you keep quiet and stay close, I'll be nice and let you tag along."

Rolling my eyes, I moved over to the end of the bed, where my shitty disguise was folded up, picking up the binder and giving the man a glance.
"Turn around or get out." Almost obediently, Shorter took his shades off and turned away, rocking back and forth on his heels.

"You're a lot more comfortable with me now, aren't ya?" He mused as I removed my shirt and bra, pulling on the restricting article of clothing and starting to work on the clasps.
"I've been trapped in a house with you for what? Two weeks now? Besides...you were kind enough to..." I trailed off, deciding that I didn't want to bring that night up. "Oi, I need your help with these clasp things. I can't reach."

I didn't exactly want Shorter to see me only partially dressed, holding the fitting material so it wouldn't pop open and expose me completely, but I trusted him not to be creepy about it. Cautiously, Shorter turned and approached, making sure to only look down when necessary. His larger fingers were surprisingly nimble, and the clasps didn't give him much trouble.