~Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for your continued support! I'm still working on "When Feathers Fall," so don't think since I'm posting a new story that I'm giving up on the other one. As a matter of fact, I have SO…MANY chapters left to go in it. Like at least 20. Stay tined, lol!
This is just a nice change of pace for me. Besides, I have the next chapter for the aforementioned story almost finished. Just a few tweaks and it should be done! In any case, I hope you enjoy this new one I'm starting. Let me know how y'all feel about it.
~~~Full Disclaimer: I don't own Attack on Titan or any of its characters. Enjoy, meow!~~~
Chapter 1: A Mysterious Stranger
Another day at work had never been this tedious. 'Ugh, today sucked!' You turned the key in your ignition and started up your car. Leaning back in your white leather seat, you took a moment to relax before your journey home.
You had just finished organizing all of the documents at a partner firm to Fritz & Dok. It should've been a simple task, really but some dumbass managed to overwrite everything with his personal data, embarrassing as it was. Fortunately, you were able to restore the documents and rewrite all the newest, relevant information before finally saving a back-up. Afterwards, you took another day to arrange everything for easier access.
That took two whole days longer than you needed to be there. You rubbed your eyes with the back of your hand, your rose gold locks tickling your arm. Thankfully, you were originally given Friday, Saturday and Sunday to take care of any trouble they had. Still, it was supposed to have been another easy job for you. You hated staying at hotels. They gave you the creeps. A shiver just ran through your spine at the mere thought of it.
Opening your eyes, you chose to stare at a rather peculiar spot on the roof of your car. It was spotless, but you had to stare at something when you spaced out. You shook your head, the tiredness already seeping through your pores.
You turned up the radio, connected your bluetooth to your phone and started playing some of your music. You were exhausted after spending an extra few hours than was necessary making sure everything was in order. Do it right or don't do it at all. Needless to say, you were relying on caffeine and loud music to keep you awake.
Buckling your seatbelt, you threw your car into reverse and began backing out of your spot before switching gears to drive. You were on your way home and it would be at least an hour and a half before you arrived. Thankfully, you had The Birthday Massacre to keep you company. 'I really just wanna take a shower and hop into my warm bed with my kitties…' Groaning, you flipped the turn signal and hopped on the interstate.
The drive was pretty much a straight ticket home. It was such a boring drive and you'd need to sing through the entire trip, or you'd fall asleep. In all honesty, you've never been able to sleep in a moving vehicle. Throughout the years, you would get sick on drives lasting more than a day for the same reason. Still, you didn't feel like tempting fate tonight.
'Yay! Another twenty minutes and I'll be home!' You took your exit and began your drive through town, jamming out to Uverworld. Coming to a stop at an impossibly long stop light, you hummed one of your favorite songs on your playlist. Suddenly, a flash of lightning struck the ground maybe fifteen feet from you frightening you enough to elicit a scream. "Takaku sora made tonde mikazuki ni naru…" The song playing echoed through your head as time stood still. The light turned green, then yellow, then red. You never moved an inch, still in shock over what you had just witnessed.
Blinking twice, you took a sharp inhale of breath. 'That was so close! I was almost barbecued!' You freaked out a little before waiting for the light to change again. Calming yourself, you chanced a look at the impact site. Fortunately, there were no trees or anything. 'Wait a moment, is that a…a person?!' You immediately parked on the side of the road and got out of your car to make sure you weren't seeing things.
Steeling your nerves, you walked to where you had just seen a lightning strike. "Oh, shit! It's really a person! I need to call an ambulance, huh?" You took another look at the person laying in front of you. He didn't look too harmed. Besides a few bruises, cuts, and some dirt, he actually looked like he was ok. It struck you as strange. Mulling it over, you put your fist in the palm of your hand reaching your decision. "Nope! Not chancing it!" You bent down to check his pulse.
You were relieved to find a normal pulse beneath your fingertips. You smiled and looked at the stranger. He had dark hair in an undercut style and his pale face was framed by a fringe of bangs. Looking closer, you noticed he was wearing strange clothes. 'Cosplay, maybe?' He wore white pants with interlocking belts in a criss-cross fashion, a grey shirt, a funny-looking tie that reminded you of the renaissance period and a green cloak. Attached to his hip were…
"Holy crap! Are those real weapons?!" Just then, his eyes darted open and he snatched your hand from the side of his neck with lightning speed. Silver eyes met gold as he glared up at you. "Uhh…hey there..?"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice cut into whatever daze you were in like a hot knife through butter. 'He's…dangerous. I should proceed with caution.' You were no stranger to dealing with hostility. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you coughed twice to clear it out.
"I'm sorry. I was driving home when I saw a flash of lightning. I checked it out and noticed you laying here. I was concerned for your safety, so I checked your pul - woah! You need to lay back down! I'll call an ambulance." The stranger staggered to his feet, barely catching his balance.
"I'm fine. Don't call…whatever that thing is you mentioned." You stood up and offered your arm as support. He narrowed his eyes and ignored you, looking around him instead. "Where…where am I right now?" You were confused, but after what you just saw, anything could've happened.
"Right now, we're just outside of Seattle. Storms and rain are commonplace around here, but I've never been THAT close to a lightning strike. Hey, are you ok? If your insurance won't cover an ambulance, let me at least take you to the emergency room at a hospital. We can explain the situation and –…"
The strange man shook his head, cutting you off. "No. No hospitals. No emergency room. No…ambulance." He finished his statement with an irritated glare. You were still concerned for his well-being.
"If money is the issue, I'll pay for your bill. Just, please get yourself checked out! You could have a concussion or more severe head trauma. It's better to be safe than sorry!" His eyes narrowed into slits as he grew more annoyed.
"I don't need any of that. I'm fine." He gritted the last word through his teeth, obviously still trying to get his bearings. You puffed air in your cheeks in irritation. He arched an eyebrow at you.
"Fine. I can't force you. Do you have a way home? I'd like to follow you and make sure you don't get into an accident or something." Oh, how you could almost see your cats meowing pathetically at your door. The bed would have to wait.
The man was silent and looked away. Realization dawned on you. "You don't know where Seattle is, do you?" His eyes shifted to yours in suspicion. "It's ok. How about you stay with me for a few days? I have a friend who might be able to help." Hopefully, this guy didn't try to kill you with one of his overly large sword/box-cutter things. You glanced nervously at them before meeting his steely gaze once again.
"What do you want?" He didn't trust you, not that you blamed him. You really couldn't trust him either, but you always put others before yourself. It might actually be the death of you this time.
"Nothing. I'm genuinely concerned for your safety right now. Listen, this area isn't some place for you to skulk around, especially carrying weapons. A lot of homeless people hang out around here and I wouldn't put it past them to carry a gun." He simply stared at you with a bored look settled on his face.
"People don't normally do things for free." He hardened his stare once again. You got the impression he wasn't used to good hospitality. You'd change his perspective. Hopefully.
"I do. I have no need of any extra money. I make enough to live on and more. Please, just stay over a few days. I have a friend who might be able to help you. At the very least, it's a warm house with shelter from the rain. I can feed you, too." The man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. A cold breeze blew through making the ravenette shiver. He looked back at you with a vacant look.
"Fine. I won't complain about free food and shelter for the night." You did an inward victory dance. Smiling, you gestured to your car. Popping open the trunk, you had him place his weapons inside before shutting it with care. "You really don't want to be caught lugging those around. Police around here are no joke." He winced at those words.
"Alright, lets get a move-on then. I'm tired as all hell and have three lovely young ladies and a fine gentleman waiting for me at home." Shaking his head, he followed you to your car. "Hop in!" He looked at the door, puzzled. Sighing exasperatedly, you walked over and opened the door for him.
"You really have it bad, huh? Don't worry, I'll drive nice and slow for you." Sitting down, he gave you an annoyed stare. Your face was overcome with mischief. It didn't sit well with him. You knew it.
Closing the door to your 2004 Mustang SVT Cobra, you skipped back over to your side and sat in the teal vehicle. "Oh, gotta buckle up buttercup." You leaned over him and clicked his seatbelt into place. "This way, you won't die tonight if I just so happen to crash!" You smiled widely and buckled yourself in, content with the look of horror you saw flash momentarily in his eyes.
"Relax, I'm not going to kill you tonight. I'm actually a very good driver, thank you very much." You put your car in drive and drove the speed limit for once. "My name is Kaori by the way. Kaori Shingeki. What's yours?"
He was silent a moment. Crossing his arms, he tore his wide eyes from the road before him and looked at you. "Leon."
"Leon, ok. It's nice to meet you." You turned into the nearest gas station. "Leon, I'm gonna gas up and grab some caffeine. You want anything?" He shrugged. You got up and went into the store to grab some coffee and pay the kind clerk.
You immediately began to fuel your car and went around to open Leon's door. "Here, gotcha something. I don't know what you like, but I hope you enjoy what I picked out." Leon took the drink from your hands with a grumble. You smiled sweetly.
You finished fueling your tank and got back into your car, sinking into the white leather. "Oh, do you want me to open it?" He nodded once and handed you the coffee. He took a sip of it and winced once before drinking more.
"What is this shit?" You laughed nervously.
"Well, I just got you what I normally get. It's a cold brew coffee. I get the cocoa and honey one all the time. I'm not really a fan of sweets, so it's sweet enough for me. Is it that bad?" He just continued to drink the coffee. Smiling, you started your engine and continued your way home.
"Ahh, home sweet home!" Before you could take another step, your dog came to greet you as he normally did, wailing like the husky he is. "Oh, Lulu. I missed you too! Were you a good boy for Ember? Down, boy!" You laughed as your face was assaulted by the black and white canine.
Leon stood and watched in awe at the spectacle before him. "Sorry, this is Lelouch VI Brittania. I named him after one of my favorite characters. He's really friendly as you can see, but he won't hesitate to do some damage if someone broke in or laid a hand on me." You smirked at the last word. Leon simply watched the dog with mild curiosity.
"I've never seen a dog like that. It is a dog, right?" Bending down to analyze him closer, he commented further. "He seems reminiscent of something like a wolf, but I don't think he's big enough to actually be one." You shrugged.
"Actually, he is big enough to be a wolf. He's the same size and while we're on that subject, he does have wolf in him. He's a siberian husky." Lelouch glared nervously at the man next to you, his ice blue eyes taking on a rather scary look. You pet the sides of his face earning a kiss from the pup. "You might be thinking of dire wolves. Those were huge, but they've been extinct for thousands of years." Leon muttered an "Oh."
You hung your jacket on the coat rack and placed your boots on the grate next to the door. "I've adopted the Japanese way of thinking. Place your boots here on this grate and either walk around in socks or use some slippers. I have a pair of slipper socks you can use for now." Handing him the socks in question, you took his boots and set them next to yours.
After putting the socks on, Leon began walking around your three bedroom home. Smiling, you followed him and gave him a small tour. "I know it's a little small, but it's perfect for what I needed and the rooms are rather large." You guided him to a guest room you had cleaned and ready.
"This can be your room for now. There's a queen-size bed, an armoir to hold your clothes and a sitting area here." You gestured to the alcove next to the draped window. "I really enjoy reading so I have a nook here and in my room as well. I don't believe you have much in the way of fashion, so if you like, we can go look for some clothes tomorrow. For now, you can have some of the clothes I have on hand." He nodded.
Leading him back out, you pointed to the room next to you. "This room is directly next to the bathroom. There's a large soaking tub and a shower next to it. Here's the toilet and a sink complete with soap. If you'd like, you can get cleaned up while I make something light to eat. It's kinda late."
His eyes brightened at the mention of getting cleaned and he eyed the bath and shower with interest. You handed him some shampoo, conditioner and body wash along with a sponge and towel. "Alright, here are some toiletries and a towel. I'll bring over some pajamas and fresh linens and leave them right outside the door." Leon nodded and thanked you. He seemed drained.
You heard the sounds of water filling the tub as you left him the aforementioned clothes by the door. 'He decided on a bath. Probably a good idea given everything he probably went through.'
After about thirty minutes, you were just finishing the meat and cheese tray you decided on making. Roast beef, oven roasted turkey, hot capicola and genoa salami along with baby swiss, muenster, provolone and pepperjack cheese were arranged neatly around a small bowl of pecans. Just as you rolled the last slice of roast beef, Leon stepped into the living area.
You walked over with the tray in hand and a smile on your face. "I figured we could share this. It's simple and light enough that it won't stick around." You handed him a bottle of water and sat on the couch placing the tray on the coffee table in front of you. Leon looked around a bit before settling onto the love seat beside you.
"Is that…meat?" His eyes narrowed and looked back at you beneath his furrowed brows. You nodded and took one of the turkey rolls. "Can you really afford to use so much of it?" He took one of the beef rolls and studied it before gingerly placing it in his mouth.
"You act like there's a famine or something." He froze and a troubled look flashed in his eyes. His shoulders slumped. "Relax. I can afford some lunch meat. It's really not a big deal. Besides, it'll go bad in a couple of days if we don't eat it." He nodded slowly and you two ate in silence. Finally, when you were done, he spoke in a low voice.
"Won't your husband be upset when he finds out you invited a strange man to stay over?" The question startled you but you recovered quickly.
"Look around, Leon. It's just us. There is no husband, fiance, or boyfriend anywhere. Just me." He looked puzzled.
"You said you had a man waiting for you. I thought he might be sleeping." You laughed when he said that, earning a cold glare from him.
"I meant my dog! Hahaha! Oh, and those three ladies, while we're on the subject, are my cats. Their names are Chloe, Raine and Luna. Man, did you think I honestly had a bunch of people waiting on me? Oh, you just made my day. Thanks for that." You smiled at the glowering male.
"Then why am I in men's clothes and that soap you gave me didn't smell like anything a girl would wear." You didn't understand why he was so irritated. 'He needs to learn to take a joke.'
"They belonged to my ex. I divorced him half a year ago, now. He liked cheap garbage more than things that were actually good for your body. So, he never opened any of the soaps I just gave you. I have a cologne I can give you, too if you like." Leon looked away after your explanation. "Relax, he won't be coming back. Restraining order and all." You waved your hand in front of your face, explaining further.
Stretching, you yawned and finished your water. "Well, you know where your room is. I'll take you out tomorrow and we can grab some clothes and junk. I'm tired and my cats are probably hiding out in my room. They hide for a few days when someone new comes over, haha." You scratched the back of your head before extracting yourself from the comfortable couch.
"There's toothpaste and a pack of toothbrushes in the drawers under your sink. Good night, Leon. Sleep in as much as you like." Waving to him, you walked back to your room to get a bath of your own. As you neared your door, you heard him mutter an awkward "Thanks..." You smiled, shaking your head, and walked to your master bath for a soak of your own.
~~~Well, thanks so much for taking the time to read! Hope to see you all again real soon!
~XOXO, Nightengale