In Another Life

Chapter 15: Talk it Out

Several days had passed since Pakunoda's death. Everyone left in the Troupe decided to hang around for a few days and see if Chrollo would return. He needed a nen exorcist, which is why several members have been scouting out everyday trying to find a suitable one.

"Found one!" Shalnark chimed as he entered the hideout with a smile on his face. "Said he's going to play Greed Island in a week, so we should meet him there."

"Sounds good," responded Phinks, "we should get going then, gonna take a while to get our hands on one of those. I heard they're being auctioned off for millions."

As everyone began to head out, you got up, looking around the room confused. Do I have to follow? I held off my end of the bargain, I helped them with the auctions already. Am I free to go now?

Feitan saw the confused look on your face and answered your inner thoughts, "Do what you want, we don't need you anymore."

His cold words struck something in you, the audacity of this man to throw away my confession like it's nothing and then disrespect me like that? Talk about me like I'm some sort of toy the Troupe can use whenever they want?

Your body acted before your mind can process it. You sprang to the other side of the room where he was standing and pinned him face down onto the ground. "What is wrong with you?! How could you be so cold to me? You know what, whatever. I am gonna leave, I'm gonna do my own things now, I've just decided I'm not in the Troupe anymore."

The rest of the members froze. Some already outside of the hideout watched from a distance.

Feitan turned to them. "Leave," he ordered. Like obedient little puppies, they started walking away.

"Let me go," he said. You can sense the anger in his voice, so you let go.

"What." He glared at you after he had gotten up.

"I tell you I like you and you just walk out the door? Act cold to me for days on end and then throw me away like I'm nothing? Don't I at least deserve a rejection?"

"I like you too." He bluntly stated, thinking back to his talk with Phinks.

Your head begun to spin. What- what did he just say? He likes me? This whole time he liked me back?

"So...Why didn't you say something?" You questioned.

"I don't do dating. I don't know how to."

"Oh," you said, relieved that he didn't reject you. "Well, that's okay, we can go slow you know. There's no rush."

He thought he could do it. He really did. He thought he could at least try and form a romantic relationship with you. He wanted to, so badly. But the more he tried to be vulnerable around you, he couldn't let himself. He couldn't just flip the switch. All the years of living with a cold demeanor has forced him to lost grasp of his emotions. No matter how hard he tries, he can't imagine himself committing with anyone, he's just not ready yet.

"I'm sorry," he says, "I-I can't. And it's not you. I'm sorry."

I think this is the first time he's ever apologized for anything, you note to yourself.

"It's okay. I understand," you responded with a smile. You were sad, of course, but you weren't going to force him into a relationship or anything. Just clearing up all these confused emotions about each other were enough for you.

Feitan couldn't help but smile back. He hasn't seen your smile in so long, and now that he has, he's realized how much he's missed seeing it.

Just as you both thought all peace was restored, a chain flung out of nowhere and grabbed onto Feitan. The Chain User, you both thought. Before any of you could do anything, Feitan was taken out of sight.