Request: Morro/Ronin
Requested by: guest, Darkrainbow
Warnings: Yaoi, hero x villain ship
Life as a thief was never expected to be generous. A thief had to steal their way into a good life, let alone a decent one. The essentials were out in the open for anyone to take, while valuables and luxuries were hidden from sight. A thief had to expect scorn from others, had to put up with the ones who were always hunting them down to bring them to justice, and, most importantly, had to rely on themselves and only themselves, and accept no help from others. As long as these simple rules were followed, a thief could live to see tomorrow without worry.
If only Ronin had followed these simple rules.
The deals he made with the Soul Archer in the past had created more issues than he could solve, with the money he owed continuing to pile up more day after day, month after month, year after year. The debt now added up to the largest sum possible, and he knew his life was literally at stake if he didn't pay it off soon.
Unfortunately, ever since he met the Ninja and had his pawn shop destroyed, losing his main source of income, he not only had an even bigger target painted on his back, but he was getting nowhere with earning money to pay his debt off, even with the shares he got from their tea shop.
He was pleased with the Ninja's generosity, though. Even though there was no doubt they were distrustful of him, they still gave him the guest room on the Destiny's Bounty, they gave him three meals a day, and they somehow trusted him enough to keep an eye on prisoners they picked up, namely Ghoul Tar. It almost made him want to stay with them just for their company.
Of course, he knew his priorities: Get the money, pay off his debt, then leave on his own once again. The Ninja did not fall under those priorities.
They had just retrieved the Sword of Sanctuary earlier that day, and the Ninja decided to celebrate, even though Ronin pointed out how they still had no idea where the First Spinjitzu Master's tomb was. So, while they partied and did who-knows-what-else on the deck while they flew back to the tea shop, he stayed down in the guest room below.
He was just fixing up his belongings - polishing off his Aeroblade, making sure the money he received from the tea shop was all in place - nothing too out of the ordinary, when he heard a shuffling coming from behind him. His head immediately jerked up, and he looked slowly from left to right, fully alert. He then felt a breeze gently blow across the back of his neck, and he whipped around, seeing no one.
"Okay, if this is some sort of prank, knock it off," he said aloud. "I'm kinda busy, so go back to celebrating or whatever!" His only response was from the door, which slammed shut loudly. His brow furrowed, and he was about to go back to his work when he felt two hands firmly grip his shoulders from behind.
"We meet again, Ronin," an all-too familiar voice purred just below his ear. He stumbled forward to see Morro, in all his ghostly glory, floating where he once stood, a detestable smirk upon his face. "Did you miss me?"
Ronin fought down his fear of the ghost, and chuckled. "What? Did Lloyd kick you out of his body or something? Why are you here like that and not with him?"
"Oh, gee, I dunno, a certain fire ninja shoved us off a cliff today," he hissed dryly. "The little brat's body is basically useless in its current state. So, while he's getting a little TLC, by which I mean a very quick and somewhat painful healing process, I'm here to visit you. Now, if you could answer my question..." He drifted down until his feet touched the ground, then placed his hands back on Ronin's shoulders. "Did you miss me?"
"If I'm being honest...not in the slightest," he replied flatly, moving away from him, only to be shoved up to the wall, Morro's hands on either side of him to keep him in place. "Do you even realize the danger you're in? You're in the room of a thief who has access to an Aeroblade, a weapon that is completely capable of killing you. Did you think any of this through at all?"
"I did think it through, thank you for asking. I thought about the debt you owe the Soul Archer. It sure would be a shame if you lost all that money you've saved up to pay it off..." He leaned closer and lowered his voice to a whisper. "I hear he's been wanting to come collect it very soon, too."
Ronin gulped. He wasn't even close to being able to pay it off, and from the sounds of things Morro was going to do everything he could to ensure it never happened. "Look, I keep telling him, I'll keep my end of the bargain if he keeps his, but I'm not ready to-"
Morro clamped a hand over Ronin's mouth, narrowing his eyes. "I don't care about the money. I came here for something different. Let's call it...a change of plans." He removed his hand from his mouth, but trailed a cold fingertip across his jawline, causing him to shudder. "Your soul is still going to be involved, however. I'll personally take your soul to the Cursed Realm, unless..."
That caught Ronin's attention. He raised an eyebrow in interest. "Go on...?"
"I'll change this debt of yours. Instead of bringing a stupidly large amount of money to us, you can bring me the Sword of Sanctuary, and I'll lift the curse off your soul, and you can carry on thieving or whatever it is you do nowadays with no worries." He smirked. "How about it? Seems like a fair trade to me."
Ronin fell quiet, his eyes closing in deep thought. On one hand, giving Morro the Sword of Sanctuary instead of attempting to save up money to give to the Soul Archer seemed much easier, and far less time-consuming. On the other hand, it would involve going behind the Ninja's backs, the ones who decided to help him when he could turn on them at any minute, and stealing the sword from them, only to give it to the enemy. Either way, it was his soul, his life, that was on the line. If he failed to keep either end of each bargain...
"So you're stalling now?" Morro demanded, tightly gripping the front of Ronin's vest, bringing his face closer. "Waiting for the Ninja to come bail you out? In that case, I should take your soul right now if you're going to be so difficult!"
"Wait!" Ronin interrupted, raising his hands in defence. "Listen, your offer is great. I'd only have to bring you the sword, after all. But there's still the previous offer..." He trailed off, still not knowing which deal to choose. "I'm gonna keep thinking. I'll let you know soon."
"You'll let me know by tomorrow."
"Er... Of course."
Morro smirked, his lip curling just enough so Ronin could see his teeth, and he reached a hand out to play with the tips of the thief's hair. "Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? Don't worry, Ronin. I'll make sure your soul is safe."
As the ghost finally separated from him, throwing a wink in Ronin's direction before phasing through the wall, and out of the Bounty to free-fall to the ground below, the man couldn't help but think Morro's sudden shift in attitude was all a ruse.
No matter, he eventually conceded. If it lets me keep my soul, I'll just have to do whatever it is he wants.
Oh, Ronin. You selfish jerk, you're such a wonderful character.
Thank you to guest and Darkrainbow for requesting this pairing! Stay tuned!
