Title: Like A Thief in the Night

Summary: Guildmaster Mueller gets a late-night visitor. It is an encounter that leaves him frustrated, confused, and maybe just a little bit happy…

Pairings: Maybe or maybe just platonic, who knows at this point?

AN: Do not ask questions as I do not have the answers. These boys are the ones in control, I am just a vessel for them to reveal their stories. So, enjoy~

It was late at night as Guildmaster Mueller kicked out the remaining stragglers out of the guildhouse and closed up for the night. He may be a studious guildmaster, but he couldn't stay at the helm all day and night. Even he needed to sleep.

Despite that need, he knew that he was in for a restless night.

Mueller felt his eye give a small, distinct twitch when his gaze fell upon the city's daily newspaper. Usually filled with the shenanigans of the myriad of explorers, the headline of todays was far more frustrating to him;

Third Jewellery Store Robbed – Could It Be Magina's Infamous Thief Blazing Shadow?

With a disgruntled sigh, Mueller set the newspaper aside harshly and set about removing his armour in order to get comfortable. Of course it was that infuriating Blazing Shadow. The methods, the lack of evidence, the knowledge of the guard roster; it was no doubt him.

Blazing Shadow…such a preposterous name given to him by the public. Mueller, on the other hand knew him as Norbu. Someone he knew. Well, someone he thought he knew.

That was the most frustrating aspect of the entire situation. Norbu was once a loyal and trustworthy guard. Someone that Mueller himself trusted. Skilled, courteous, though hardly modest. Someone who got under his skin, but not entirely in a negative way. He read him. Knew him. And Mueller considered him a friend.

Until one day he disappeared. Simply vanished while on patrol. Which was quite a feat as the city had been airborne at the time. Confined to one place, unable to leave; locating the missing in action guard should have been easy.

Yet, it wasn't. And for good reason.

Pirates. Sky pirates at that. A ludicrous notion and he had laughed outright when someone first revealed them to him. Unfortunately, it was true.

Airships, similar to the ones that were crafted and made in Tharsis, only a lot less structured and in all honesty, completely unsafe. Made from scrap and from the minds of restless inventors. Built in the bowels of Maginia, hidden from view. Out of sight, out of mind.

The day that Mueller learnt of the existence of sky pirates was the same day that he learnt that Norbu, someone he had trusted with his life, was the notorious jewel thief Blazing Shadow.

Two shocks in one day.

Mueller felt absolutely foolish when he learnt of the sky pirates. He should have known such Ruffins and never-do-wellers would have resorted to such methods of leaving and entering the city, even in flight, at will. And he felt infuriated that Norbu, the man he had trusted in finding that slippery, talented thief was the very man he was looking for.

His ego had taken quite a battering that day. And the memories still made him bristle.

Norbu's crimes were petty, simple robbery. No one was ever hurt. No one was ever even alarmed by his actions. It was as though he purposely ensured that his methods, his antics were someone benign, if one discounted all the stolen wares, of course.

Still, Mueller couldn't wait to wring his stupid neck. If not for the thefts, then for the crime of breaking his trust in him.

That was what angered him the most. It was something he had initially denied, but he had come to accept it finally. Betrayal was a painful emotion to feel. Worse still, he wasn't able to demand answers from Norbu. Not that he would have gotten a straight answer, most likely. He left the city upon one of those contraptions, roguishly blowing him a kiss and the promise of his return.

Seemed like he had kept that promise.

The sudden and startling feeling of someone standing behind him, well into his personal space pulled Mueller from his musings. Before he even had the chance to reprimand himself for getting lost in his own thoughts, something wrapped around his middle, pinning his arms to his sides. An easy accomplishment thanks to the removal of his armour. Something else crossed over his chest and pressed something cold against his throat?

A knife? Mueller immediately tensed. Worse still, he was held captive? How was that-?

"You let your guard down there, Mewler~"

Mueller froze. That voice. That ridiculous and demeaning nickname. Only one person was responsible for both.

"Well, isn't it Norbu," he said in response, subconsciously relaxing the tension in his back and shoulders. "Or would you rather, Blazing Shadows?"

A deep laugh in his left ear prompted Mueller to wince in an attempt to cover up a shiver. As soon as Norbu loosened his hold on him, Mueller stepped away and spun around, coming face to face with someone he thought he never wanted to see again.

Wild black hair with red highlights. Deep brown eyes, his square jawline lined with stubble. Dressed in clothes that were honestly surprising for him, yet were sure to blend in with the new inhabitants of Maginia.

Mueller quickly looked at his hand, where Norbu twirled an object casually with his fingers. And infuriatingly, it was just a pen. Mueller had been held captive by a pen. Although, he had to remind himself how skilled Norbu truly was. Even a pen could be a deadly weapon should the need arise. Even so, something told him he wouldn't have used it on him, regardless.

"Surprised to see me, Mewler~?" Norbu asked in his usual drawl, plopping himself down at his desk and propping a foot onto the table. All with his usual casual flare.

He…hadn't changed a bit. Same cocky grin. Same overly-confident swagger. He even had that baritone voice, purposely empathising his blasted nickname in a way that brought shivers down his spine. How or why that occurred, Mueller didn't know. Nor did he care to learn.

Everything about the man frustrated him to no end.

"I'm surprised to see you as an Arbalist," Mueller said simply in return, half surprised at himself.

Norbu laughed a good hearty laugh, obviously amused by Mueller's observations. He readjusted his goggles upon his unruly hair and shot a smile at him. "Naturally. A jewel thief hiding as an Arbalist? Not every subtle, with the explosives and all. But they do come in handy whenever a stubborn safe or lock gets in the way."

Mueller frowned. He had noticed several small explosions around the city lately, but they couldn't have all been Norbu's doing. After all, there were plenty of riled up and bored explorers loitering around the city now.

Which was no doubt one of the reasons why Norbu chose to return. As for the others…

"Why are you back?"

Norbu shrugged. "Seems more exciting now that you have all these explorers hanging about. Not to mention I heard rumours of this Guardian Guild of yours."

A frown tugged at Mueller's lips. "What have you heard?"

"That a certain redheaded, axe-wielding guy has a punch that makes you see God. Both literally and figuratively."

For some reason that caused Mueller to laugh. A short, brisk laugh. One he soon got under control. But he had to admit that it was indeed a sound of amusement. "Is that so? Then I look forward to the two of you meeting."

"Ooh, that's cold, Mewler~"

"Stop calling me by that ridiculous nickname."

"But you like it secretly, don't you, Mewler~?"

Why was he bothering to banter with the infuriating man? He should just arrest him. Although, Norbu was likely to have a good understanding of the city's jails and underground tunnels. Not to mention slipping out of the handcuffs would be child's play for someone like him. So likely a pointless venture.

Still…

"Why are you really back?"

Norbu heaved a sigh as he hefted himself to his feet. He maintained that nonchalant, if somehow charming façade of his as he rounded the desk. "Now now, I won't spoil the surprise. Where's the fun in that?"

Surprise, huh? Right.

"Still, nice to know that Maginia's favourite guildmaster has a strong guild on his side."

That was said in jest, his tone light and casual. And yet, Mueller felt that there was a serious undertone. The words harmless, but insinuated something nevertheless. What that insinuation was, was of course, a mystery. Much like the man himself.

"Is that so? Will they finally prompt you to behave yourself?"

Norbu laughed and sent him a wink. A pompous, flirty wink. "Oh, you like it when I'm wild, Mewler~"

Typical response. He truly hadn't changed a bit. And, surprisingly, that was reassuring to him. He wasn't about to let it show, however. "As self-assured as always."

"Better be careful, Mewler."

The sudden serious in Norbu's tone caught Mueller off guard for a moment, and he arched a questioning eyebrow. "Oh?"

"If I broke in, someone else can, too."

Mueller rubbed his temples. A migraine was slowly starting to seep in. He truly needed some sleep. "Who would be stupid enough to break in here?" he muttered, not actually expecting a reply.

"This idiot sure did."

Well, he couldn't deny that, could he? Although, Norbu did know the layout of the guildhouse well. It hadn't changed since he last visited, after all. As for breaking in? The only time the doors were closed was at night, when he tried to get some rest. Otherwise, explorers and guards were coming in and out all day. There was nothing to steal even if they did break in.

"Still, you better be careful there, Mewler," Norbu continued, pulling Mueller from his musings once more. "Someone might become interested in your connection to your precious princess."

Mueller sent him a truly puzzled look. What nonsense. Imagine him as a target. He'd prefer it, if it meant protecting the royal family. "Are you insinuating something, Norbu?"

Norbu shrugged dramatically before he folded his arms behind his head. "Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I'm the one you need to keep an eye on."

"No doubt about that."

"Ooh, are you getting excited about a potential cat and mouse?"

There was that haughty, over confidence of his. He was never the one to turn down a chance to flirt pompously with him. "Maybe. Just so I can finally arrest you."

"Handcuffs? Sound fun. Just so you know, I'll be keeping a close eye on you, too." Norbu then sighed dramatically once more and turned his back toward him, slowly ambling away. "Welp, that will have to wait until tomorrow. Mr Precious Guildmaster needs his sleep. Until next time, Mewler~"

Mueller bit back a smirk, content to yet Norbu simply walk away for the time being. Maybe he was a little bit glad that Norbu was back. To cause untold problems, to be sure. But…he should liven things around here a little bit.

"You really haven't changed a bit…"

A small, nostalgic frown appeared on Mueller's lips. He just wished that Norbu would tell him why he left him three years ago…