❣ Forelsket ❣ Keigo Takami/Hawks

[Book 2] ↬ Just Another Kidnapping

For you, being kidnapped wasn't an uncommon occurrence.

By now, it was something of an expectation. While en route to your base of operations, i.e. the prestigious Hawks Hero Agency, a villain - or in some rare instances, a petty criminal - would snatch you up. The initial fright wore off after the third time, as it transitioned from an overwhelmingly desperate and tense situation, to an underwhelmingly dull and boring one. It was almost a role-play, at this point. You never allowed a shard of doubt to seep into your heart, for Hawks always rescued you. And afterwards, he would treat you to some light flirtations. The cheesy pick-up lines and bird puns had yet to fail him.

But you were armed with endearments of your own. Upon unleashing a particularly potent one, you took the liberty of sitting back and watching the debonair bird-man suddenly erupt, as a blushing, stuttering mess. It was a spectacle - truly the highlight of your week. It was the dissolution of his façade, the painstakingly crafted mask he wore in public, that caused him such inner turmoil. It let him...be himself, the most genuine form of Keigo Takami. It was foreign, and a little scary...but he loved it none-the-less. He had to remind himself, on numerous occasions, not to embed a confession into those sweet nothings, or let one slip accidentally. Likely, you viewed this as a game, as something that happened and was just as quickly dismissed.

He had tried so hard not to fall for you - it seemed obvious that you were playing along out of simple necessity, and not a burning desire for romance.

But every time he saw you, rope bound so tightly that you would bruise for weeks, he just couldn't help his wandering gaze, or that sultry, silver tongue. It often helped him to persuade you to remain in the binds, whilst you parried back and forth with lust-laced words. Today would be no exception, unless he was willing to miss such a golden opportunity. You had been strapped to a chair, arms tied behind the mid rail, legs parted.

Hawks whistled. "Damn, why didn't I think of that? There are plenty of chairs in the agency! Never knew you could look so sexy, tied to one."

"Maybe you're a bit too bird-brained?...Are you going to help me out of this?" You tugged on the rope, but it refused to loosen.

"Might leave you there for a bit. Just until you learn some manners, of course. I mean, c'mon - who talks to their boss like that?" He stroked his stubble, laughing as he walked.

You sighed. "I have plenty of manners. You just manage to push all of my buttons, in sync."

"Aww, I'm not that bad!" His argument fell flat, when he noticed the look of utter disappointment carved on to your face. "Haha, so...you come here often?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, featherboy." Your retorts were truly sarcastic and original - you didn't steal them from anywhere, promise!

That would be plagiarism, and you were no villain. "It'll take a lot more than that to rustle my feathers, angel!"

How long had that been on the back-burner? "Hm? I don't think it will. You're pretty easy, when it comes down to it."

"You'll eat those words, when I leave you here...tied up, vulnerable..." His gaze was predatory.

You laughed. "Vulnerable? You've pegged me wrong, Chicken Little."

"I haven't pegged you at all. At least, not yet." There was something almost ominous about that statement - or was it a promise?

Regardless, it instilled both arousal and worry, far more than a villain ever could. Perhaps that was the intended effect? Your boss had developed an infamy for being roguish. But even despite that, he never verily took the initiative. He would chase, he would tease...but he wouldn't commit. Not fully. And honestly, it was annoying - wild hawks always finished what they started, so why couldn't a domesticated one do the same? It you were correct, and he really was giving not-so-subtle hints about wanting to pursue a relationship, then why were his final words so anticlimactic? Why wouldn't he just speak his mind, instead of dancing around the topic? He couldn't actually be nervous...could he?

Well, maybe in waiting, you would receive answers.

For now though, it was back to flirting. "Oh, trust me - I'd be the one to peg you...make you my complacent little hawk."

Red-faced and grinning, he replied, "I hope you know I'd kill to be your bird."

"...Anyone but Best Jeanist, please."

[Word Count: 766]