"Why do you care?" His expression was puzzled.
"I'm just a caring person," she shrugged.
"Those don't exist. Everyone wants something and leaves when they've gotten it." He put the plate down quietly.
"I'm not like that."
He shook his head. "Doesn't matter." He stood, reaching for the hoodie he'd worn. He froze as he heard her harsh inhale, then began to tremble.
"Hey, it's alright. If you really want to leave, I'm just going to follow you, but I won't force you to stay." She said softly. "I don't know what you've been through, but there are at least a few nice people in the world. I don't want anything from you, I just want to help you."
He looked down at her. "I..I'm embarrassed."
"Why?"
"I look like Frankenstein's monster?"
She raised an eyebrow, "So?"
"You're not repulsed?"
"No."
He slowly reseated himself, hoodie in hand. "Why not?"
"Why would I be?"
He snorted. "I'm not the dream everyone believes me to be..?"
"So? No one is perfect."
"Tell that to all the teen girls." He shot back sadly.
"You're a person, just like everyone else. You're allowed to make mistakes and to be imperfect."
"Not in this.. I'm supposed to be every girl's dream." He hung his head.
"Look, I don't know you that well, but shouldn't your focus be on the music? On your songs and stuff instead of the fans? Do you make music just to be liked or do you make it because you enjoy it?"
"It's the only thing I'm good at.."
"I'm sure that's not true," she said softly.
He gave her a look of despair before toppling into her arms. His bandages were slowly reddening.
She sighed and gently moved him before getting the supplies. She muttered some healing spells under her breath as she rebandaged him.
"Let me die.."
"I can't do that," she said quietly.
Tears trickled down his cheeks. "He's going to kill me.."
"He'll have to get through me first."
"No. I'm voiding your agreement with my manager. You don't have to protect me any longer." He grimaced as he tried to rise.
"Still going to anyway," she replied as she watched him.
He finally gave up, his breathing heavy.
She watched him carefully, "Do you want some pain meds?"
He nodded slowly.
She got up and got them, handing him a couple and a glass of water.
He quickly swallowed them, draining the glass. He attempted to place the glass on the table, but his movements were jerky and uncoordinated.
She gently took the glass and set it down for him.
"You really don't want anything…?" His eyes were questioning.
She shook her head and quietly replied, "No one can give me what I want."
"Two sides of the same coin.." His words slurred as the medicine pulled him under.
She watched him quietly for a bit before grabbing a book and sitting down in her chair to read.
Several hours later, he stirred with a cry. He shook his head rapidly. "Stop...please stop… STOP IT!"
She went to him and muttered a spell to calm his mind.
He stilled for a moment, then rubbed and opened his eyes. They were bright with fever, not quite focusing on her. "I have to save them…"
"Shh, everything is alright."
"If I give myself up, everyone will be safe." He smiled fleetingly.
She shook her head before saying a spell to help bring his temperature down.
He closed his eyes, shooting upright a moment later. "You promised! Let them go!"
"Shh, Ryon, everything is alright."
"NO!" He screamed, his body shaking. "I did what you asked! Why kill them?" He began to sob, his breath hitching.
She said a few spells to help with sleeping and calming him down. "Calm down, Ryon."
He nodded once before sinking back to the couch and slipping fully into unconsciousness.
Mia made sure he was going to stay calm before going back to her book.
"Owwww." He groaned the next morning as the light hit his face. He pushed himself halfway up groggily.
Mia looked up quickly, having been dozing in her chair.
"You stayed.." He gave her a disbelieving stare.
"Told you I would."
"If you hadn't noticed, I don't trust easily." He gingerly touched the bandages.
"Well, you can trust me."
He gave her a small smile. "Starting to believe that." He sighed. "Wish I could run.."
"For fun or from your problems?"
He chuckled ruefully. "Touche. For fun. Always feel better afterward. But it's too dangerous for multiple reasons." He slowly stretched, then reached for his hoodie. "Hope I didn't cause trouble last night for you."
"You were fine," she smiled slightly.
"Yeah right." He gave a shake of his head. "I should be healing faster.."
"Well, you were hurt pretty badly," she assessed.
"Any chance you saw my chart?"
She shook her head, "I just know what Kouichi told me."
He frowned, rifling through the prescription bottles. He paled as he pulled one out. "Fuck."
"What's wrong?"
"Silver poisoning.. That's why I haven't healed at all yet. The bastard knows…" He trembled as he stared at the pill bottle.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him. She then sighed, "It'll be alright."
He frowned, then snapped his fingers and rose unsteadily. "This is going to hurt." He sighed under his breath.
She shook her head and stood, putting a hand on his shoulder gently before muttering something under her breath.
He narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Just helping," she said quietly. After a moment she moved away and went back to her chair.
He stood there for a moment, then raised startled eyes to her. "You're a healer?!"
She chuckled slightly, "Kind of."
"Swear you won't freak?"
She nodded.
He took a deep breath. Slowly, his body shifted into a white wolf with a black star on its forehead.
"Pretty." She said quietly before asking, "Are you connected with any other shifters?"
He reverted, his eyes downcast. "No. I'm alone."
She nodded, "Sorry."
"It's okay." He sat down and clasped his hands together. "It's a closely guarded secret. Only Naoto knows. So how did my stalker?"
She frowned, "There's spells that can reveal that kind of thing."
"I was hoping it was just some psycho. But this proves that idea false." He took a deep breath. "You definitely have to get away from me now."
She shook her head, "Even more reason to stay."
"Stubborn, aren't you?" His voice was slightly amused.
She laughed, "Of course."
His lips curled into a smile, then he ran a hand through his hair. "How are you about supervising?"
She raised an eyebrow, "Supervising what?"
"Me. In the kitchen." He blushed a little. "Hungry, but don't want to burn this place down."
"I'll cook," she smiled before heading to the kitchen.
He followed, the smile still on his face. "I'm not totally incompetant."
She chuckled and began grabbing out ingredients, "Can you cut veggies without cutting your hand off?"
He laughed softly. "Usually."
She handed him a few before starting to throw ingredients in a pot.
He chopped intently, occasionally stealing glances at her.
She stirred the pot, adding in spices carefully.
He handed her the cutting board, his eyes soft. "You really are nice."
She chuckled, "Told you."
He blushed again, dropping his eyes.
"You're pretty nice too."
He blushed deeper and shook his head.
She finished up the food and bowled some up, handing him one before sitting at the small table with her own.
He took the seat beside her. "Why are you so intent on protecting me? Other than a paycheck, that is. I've fired you twice."
"Because you need it. I'm just here to help people and you need help."
"Can I ask something personal?" His voice was hesitant.
She raised an eyebrow, "I guess?"
"With..your ability. Why aren't you at the hospital?" He pushed his food around as he waited for her answer.
She paused for a moment, deciding on the best words to use, "I was interning with Kouichi. I'm almost done with a medical degree, but something came up and I decided to change my line of work."
He was silent a moment. "If I tell you something, what will happen?"
"I'll listen and won't judge you," she chuckled softly.
"I'm sure Naoto told you we have no idea what's going on..that's not entirely truthful." He stared into his bowl nervously.
"Well, if you don't mind sharing, I'd like more information to help better protect you."
"We weren't sure before, but the fact I was poisoned by silver clinches it. In my mind, anyway." He pushed the bowl away, lifting his eyes to hers. "I'm being hunted by a cult."
She nodded slowly, "Alright. Any information about them?"
"They believe my sacrifice will return their Master to them. They wiped out my family trying to get me. It's why I stay away from everyone aside from the concerts. I won't have anyone else die for me. Why you should leave."
"More reason to stay," she gave him a small smile before looking down, "Do you know anything else about the cult? I'll contact my sources and see if I can get more information from them."
He looked thoughtful. "Void Clan. That's the name they were using ten years ago, anyway."
She nodded and began typing into her phone rapidly. After a minute, she set it down, "We'll find them and take care of this."
"I don't want anyone else hurt because of me."
"Don't worry," she said softly.
He didn't answer, surging forward and kissing her. Then he panicked, bolting from the table and into the bathroom.
She sat there in shock for a few minutes before getting up. She knocked on the bathroom door, "Ryon? Are you alright?"
"I'msorry! I shouldn't have done that!" His voice was shaking.
"It's okay," she said softly. "We can just pretend it didn't happen if that's what you want to do."
The door cracked open, his tear streaked face peeking out. "I..I'm happy with you. I don't have to pretend. I don't want to pretend anymore! But…"
"Hey, it's alright, just calm down," she said gently. "Everything is okay."
He slid to the floor and hung his head, his words inaudible.
She knelt down beside him, "I can't hear you. But everything is okay. I'm not upset you kissed me."
"I'm falling for you." His hands clenched, then slammed into the tile. "But I'm going to die and I don't want you dying with me!"
"Do you trust me?"
He nodded slowly. "More than I've ever trusted anyone in my entire life."
"Then believe me when I say you're not going to die. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep you safe."
"No one can keep me safe. They've been hunting me for ten years.."
"They haven't dealt with me yet," she smirked.
He reluctantly chuckled. "I'm such a mess."
She smiled softly, "It's cute."
"Cute?" He gave her an incredulous look. "Wow.."
She chuckled and held a hand out to help him up.
He took it, wincing slightly as he stood. "I'm an idiot."
"No you aren't."
He blushed, then returned to the table and began to eat. When he was done, he slowly went to the sink. He turned the faucet on, then leaned against it.
"Are you alright?"
"Head hurts." His voice was strained, his knuckles white around the countertop.
She stood and went to him, putting a hand out near his head and saying a couple spells.
He relaxed slightly, muttering "I hate silver" under his breath.
She said another spell before grabbing her bowl and washing the dishes.
"I should have done that." He smiled softly.
"It's alright. You should be resting."
He nodded, moving to the couch and laying down. "You really believe you can stop them?"
"I'm hoping so. I've dealt with stuff like this before."
"Crazy cults come up a lot in bodyguard work?" He raised his head and looked at her.
She laughed, "Once or twice."
"Not sure if I should be relieved or more worried." He fought a smile as he laid down again.
She smiled and sat down with her book.
He was quiet, his breathing even. He looked younger than she knew he was, innocent and terrified of the horror stalking him.
She watched him a while until her phone pinged. She looked at it, her eyes darkening as she read it over.
"Hope that face isn't meant for me." He cracked an eye to look at her.