NeonHorizon: Dare I go into detail next chapter?
"I would like to make this quick, if possible." Neneko intended to make it perfectly clear to Giran that she had no desire to stick around for long. She hated to leave Jin by himself and she knew how worried he was about her going without him. Though, truthfully…he does get excited quickly. This is for the best.
Compress gave a nod of agreement, walking on Giran's other side. "It would be best if we keep this brief. So this contact of yours. Do they speak any Japanese?"
"The name you gave me is French, right?"
"Yes. Fortier-san imports his weapons from Europe. He mostly specializes in firearms, but I am aware that he can acquire blades as well." The translator frowned as she ran her fingers through her obsidian hair and drew it back into a loose sort of bun. "I will be required to do most of the talking. His Japanese is…less than perfect. If he does speak to you in Japanese, please be sure to compliment his pronunciation."
"So you've met this guy before? This isn't a blind, only talked on the phone before, kind of thing?" Giran asked, lighting a cigarette.
"Yes, I've met him in person. My associate…the one that offered me a position with his organization…he brought me to translate before. Fortier-san knows me."
Giran nodded and looked to Compress, who was listening intently to the conversation. "Okay. That being the case, here's how I want this set up. Compress, I want you to stick close to her side while she's talking. If he's got connections with that other guy, I don't want to risk someone making a grab for Sorrow and thinking they can ransom her."
"It will be my pleasure." Compress tipped his hat forward a little and moved around him to walk beside Neneko. "Just out of curiosity, where's Twice tonight?"
"He was forced to remain home. Giran-san…believed he would be ill-suited to join us and I'm afraid I must agree. He can be somewhat…excitable. I would like to avoid him possibly being injured." She bowed her head, chewing on her thumbnail as she tried to imagine how he might be fairing on his own.
The broker seemed to catch on and smirked. "Want me to call someone to go check on him?"
"Are you both that worried about leaving him alone for a few hours? What do you suppose he's doing right at this moment?" Compress tilted his head back and one could only imagine that he must be wearing a smug expression beneath his mask. "Do you think he might have made a double of you to keep him company?"
"That…is impossible. I'm afraid that I have yet to let him take my measurements for him to create a double," she admitted.
"So you mean to say that he has my measurements and Dabi's measurements, but not yours. I thought that you were a couple."
Neneko straightened her posture and fixed her sharp violet eyes on Compress in a firm stare. "Compress-san, I must confess that I dislike this tone that you have chosen. What you seem to be insinuating is, in fact, rather crude. Or am I mistaken in believing you thought he would make a double of me in order to have an enjoyable evening in my absence?"
Giran raised both eyebrows and blew a ring of smoke toward Compress. "Better apologize. Even I think that was out of line."
The masked villain bowed in a rather dramatic way and removed his hat. "I'm sorry, my dear. You're absolutely right. That was crude."
"Lewd," the broker chimed in.
"I shouldn't have said something like that. My apologies."
She gave a small nod. "Yes, well…I can forgive this sort of mistake once. You are normally quite well-mannered and I respect that quality in a villain."
Thankfully, the weapons dealer greeted Neneko warmly and seemed completely unaware that there was a price on her head. Introductions were given and business went quite smoothly. When they left the meeting location, it was with the confirmation that the man would supply Giran with some weapons for the League of Villains.
The three separated once their business was finished. Giran left them in order to return to his office and report back to Shigaraki. Compress agreed to walk Neneko back to the hotel to make sure that she returned home safely.
Jin…I hope that he's alright. She checked her phone for new messages and there were none. No missed calls, either. The woman frowned as she scrolled through her contacts. She had blocked the numbers of all Shie Hassaikai members she had previous associated with, but they were still in her phone.
Chewing her thumbnail, she allowed her posture to relax from the professional stiffness from earlier. Neneko rolled her shoulders a bit and heard them pop quietly. "A rather tense situation," she murmured.
"I thought it went well. Your contact seemed friendly," Compress remarked.
"Yes, well…I suppose it does help that Fortier-san enjoys a particular type of sake, which I had sent to his hotel room as a pre-meeting gift." She smiled to herself, quite satisfied with the results. He had always preferred to deal with her directly rather than talk to Chisaki during their meetings, but Neneko had known this was a good move to make. Alcohol always worked as an effective tool to make new deals go smoothly in this shady sort of business.
"Smart. But it comes as no surprise; you're a clever young woman. In all honesty, I think you and Twice are a good match. You balance each other well. You're quiet and he can be loud. You're calm and he's…as you put it…excitable."
Neneko disliked the fact that this made her feel so happy, but it did. To hear someone else, outside of her relationship, comment on how well she and Jin went together. She felt quite delighted that someone else recognized it and acknowledged it. "Compress-san…such kind words. You are a true gentleman after all, it would seem."
"Of course, my dear. I don't know why you would question it." His smug smile could be detected through his words alone, even with his face still hidden behind his mask. "I was actually curious, though. Just say so if it's too embarrassing to talk about. You and Twice aren't married, are you?"
"No…we have only been together for a short while," she admitted. Neneko chewed at her thumbnail again, beginning to feel a bit anxious. Such a question to ask. Though I suppose…the thought of marriage…perhaps someday.
Shift P.O.V
Agony was too weak of a word to describe what he was enduring. Sitting on the couch in the sitting area, fidgeting with his lighter as the news played on the television. Jin was slouching forward with his elbows resting on his knees, the hand that gripped the lighter turning pale from how tightly he clutched it.
His heart had been racing since Giran came to pick her up. Jin had hoped he could convince her to not go. He had two days between Giran asking her to go with him and them actually going, but he had failed to persuade her to stay with him. Now all he could do was wait for her to return.
As hard as he tried, it was difficult to not imagine her getting hurt or even killed. He reached for his pack of cigarettes, but hesitated to smoke in the hotel room. Even if he opened the window, he knew she would probably be bothered by the smell of the smoke. He slouched lower and ran his free hand through his hair, gritting his teeth.
I should've gone with them anyway! Why didn't I follow her?! No way! I should've kept her from going! I couldn't do that; she'd hate me if I forced her to stay here! I'd be her hero! I love being her hero! No! That's not protecting her!
"She's…smart. She's really smart. She won't let herself get hurt. I just…really hate not being there to protect her!" The lighter was dropped and both hands ran through his hair as he tried to calm himself down.
Thoughts crossed his mind. Terrible thoughts. Thoughts that he could have knocked her out and just told Giran she had changed her mind. Thoughts that he could have knocked her out, taken her measurements, and sent a double.
She would hate me! I could never do something like that to her! Why did I even think-?! But it's a great idea! Then she'd be safe, at least! I can't do that! Maybe next time!
In his struggle between wanting to keep her safe and wanting to keep her happy, Jin felt like he was splitting. He held his head with both hands and felt tears starting to form at the corners of his eyes. "I can't handle this! I need to know that she's okay! I can't just sit here when she might get hurt again! I can't keep letting her down!"
He rushed into the bedroom, grabbed his mask from the bedside table, and quickly made for the door. As he opened it, he found Neneko about to unlock it. Compress was standing behind her and tilted his head slightly when Jin appeared, his face unreadable behind his mask. Jin's heartbeat felt like it skipped and he moved without thinking.
Both arms wrapped around Neneko tightly, pulling her against his chest as the tears freely ran down his cheeks. "You're…you're okay, right?"
"Jin…yes, I'm fine. I can assure you; no one was harmed during my meeting."
Feeling her delicate hands brace against his shoulders, he felt like his heart might burst. He hugged her tighter and leaned down, burying his face in the side of her neck. She smelled like lavender and chamomile. She felt soft and warm against him. Just having her back with him for these few minutes, he could feel his panic fading and the splitting sensation went with it.
"Well, I did my part by making sure you got home safely, my dear. I'll see you both at the next meeting." Compress seemed to realize that his presence was unwanted in this moment and took his leave.
Jin stepped back, drawing Neneko in with him, and closed the door with her back pressed against it. A hand moved to lock the door while his other hand threaded into her silky, obsidian locks to lift her face. It was too much for him. Seeing his soulmate's soft, porcelain face staring up at him, her hands still on his shoulders, he felt an overwhelming urge that bordered on need.
Shift P.O.V
Perhaps I should have called before my arrival. My heart…feels as if it is beating too quickly. As if my heart may burst. Neneko stared up into his gray-blue eyes and felt her chest tighten at the sight of his tears. "Jin…I apologize. I sh-"
"I can't…I couldn't deal with you going without me," he murmured, leaning down more. "I was…going to go after you, but you're okay now. You're fine." His warm fingertips caressed the side of her face and he looked relieved as the tears continued to fall. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you. Ngh! Every time I'm not there, you get hurt! I don't wanna lose you! I can't…lose you, Neneko!"
She was about to attempt to calm him down, but soon found herself being swept off her feet. Neneko wrapped her arms around his neck on reflex, trying to steady herself, and felt a fluttery sort of excitement in her stomach. "Jin…?"
He carried her into the bedroom and sat on the bed, holding her in his arms for a moment as he buried his face in her hair. "Neneko…I could've lost you! I don't know what I'd do if I lost you! I can't-!"
The translator lifted a hand, gently running her fingers through his messy blond hair and urging him to lift his face. "I…will not allow anyone to take me from you," she promised, meeting his gaze directly. She leaned up, capturing his lips with hers and tasting lavender chamomile tea in the kiss.
Jin returned the kiss and tentatively let his hands rest on her hips. When she moved so she straddled his lap, he took the opportunity and turned so she was on her back on the bed with him above her. One knee settled between her legs and he pressed himself close against Neneko as the kiss deepened.
Her eyes slid closed and she let herself focus on this moment. She felt an extreme mix of emotions. Being held and kissed made her feel warm and happy, but there was an underlying fear. Absolute terror at the thought of taking things further and potentially using her quirk by accidentally raising her voice. If her quirk ever caused him harm, she would never forgive herself.
Though I do…want to take things further. I love him. I love him…so much…and I want to show him. Perhaps, if I use caution. If I cover my mouth…during the act itself…if he would like to go further than this…Neneko pushed herself to be bold and slowly moved a hand to the hem of his shirt.
Her fingertips slipped beneath the fabric of his shirt and met warm skin. Heat rose to her face and a pleasant tingle ran through her as she delicately ran her hand up his chest. The knee between her legs pressed closer and her lips muffled a groan that tried to leave his mouth. Neneko felt the tingling sensation increase at the muffled sound and when he broke the kiss, she felt her heart sink for an instant.
Jin stared down at her intensely, his brow furrowed so that his scar looked even deeper. "You…want this, right?" he asked, his voice sounding strained.
"I…must admit that there is a danger involved, but…" She flushed pink and gave a nod. "I…would like this very much. You want this as well?"
The man's smile made her blush brighten to red. "I…really, really want this. I want you, Neneko."