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hhighkey · 11 months

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Snakeskin // Chapter Four, family matters

Shinazugawa Sanemi x OC (female)

Rating: mature, general for now

Story Contains: sanemi is tasked to be a bodyguard, unhealthy relationships, family issues, violence, shitty men taking advantage of OC, mutual pining, she falls first he falls harder, strangers to lovers basically, hurt/comfort, sanemi tries really hard to be nice, OC is dense because she's been locked away most her life to be married off, loss of innocence, assault, eventual smut, dom sanemi, size kink, over protective sanemi, easily jealous sanemi, really really slowburn

Word Count: 2259

Tags: reply to be tagged

Masterlist

The sound of sharp knuckles piercing the wooden door made Sanemi go on alert, reaching for his nichirin sword out of instinct. His fingers grasped the hilt with force as his movements became silent as he crept towards the door. He'd just finished getting ready and was going to head to Neon's room before the interruption. But he soon relaxed as a familiar voice made itself known. When Sanemi opened the door, Daisuke stood on the other side with a content look on his face.

"Mr. Mitsui wants to meet with you, you ready?"

"Yeah." Sanemi just grunted in return.

Daisuke nodded for him to follow, taking great pace down the halls, "advice, don't speak your mind. Only if he asks for it. Don't tell him how stupid of an idea it is to try to buy demons or whatever. It'll just anger him."

"Figured."

"Don't even try to back up my decision to bring you in. Just say you'll keep Miss Neon safe and leave."

"Got it." none of Daisuke's advice bothered Sanemi. He didn't care, he was here for Master. And the pay. If he had to catch his tongue every once and a while- so be it.

Sanemi continued to be awed by the sprawling mansion, more rooms and halls than he imagined a place could have. Surely bigger than his own estate by the butterfly mansion. Still, he memorized the paths they took by markers like the unique artwork. Soon the aura in the air changed, the amount of guards increased and windows became few. An eclectic door was at the end of the hall which Daisuke motioned him towards, alone. Sanemi had no care as he walked towards the door under careful eyes, he strode in as if he owned the place, couldn't be bothered. Then density of pure evil smacked him right in the face as he entered the room.

Mr. Mitsui was a surprisingly short man with pitch black hair. It was growing out from a once shaved style Sanemi could tell. He wore a loose robe with a pipe in hand that he smoked with dark eyes. A solemn glass sat half full with an amber liquid with round ice cubes, crackling from the cold touching room temperature liquid. His study was large, books and souvenirs lining the walls. Swords, artwork, vases, statues... expensive materials surrounded him to flex money. Men stood by his side and by the door, stoic faces clad in matching uniforms. Sanemi felt no fear towards the mafia boss or any of his thugs, knowing he could slice them to the ground in seconds. It almost amused him how hard they tried to show strength.

"You must be the hashira of the demon slayer corps." the mafia boss's voice was gravelly as he began to speak, "Daisuke insisted you'd be needed for my daughter. I assumed I should meet the boy who'd be with my daughter for the next couple days."

Sanemi felt anger flare in his chest from the sly remark, he was no boy. But he stopped himself from reacting and giving him a piece of his mind.

"What's your name?" Mr. Mitsui continued as he brought the pipe to his mouth.

"Shinazugawa Sanemi."

"And you hunt demons yes?"

"Yes."

"So regardless of demons, you can protect my precious Neon from people I assume?"

"Yeah." Sanemi crossed his arms, curious as to where the conversation was going. He wasn't surprised the mafia boss was straight to the point, not wanting to waste time. But Sanemi's answer wasn't exactly the truth- yes, he could easily protect her from any weak ass human, as they all were in his mind outside of hashira. But he certainly would make it no goal of his to slay a person unless it were in self defense. No.

"There's always threats on important families during the black market portion of the auction." he began to explain. "it would be nice to have the confidence that I wouldn't need to worry about her. You see, I keep my daughter hidden away so hardly anyone could recognize her. For her safety of course, my daughter is a light to me, for this family in a way." Mr. Mitsui stood up from his desk, gliding across the room to pour himself another class of liquor, "I want you to take care of my daughter like your life depends on it. They say having a boy is the biggest gift of all, but for this line of work a daughter is equally as good. As a daughter brings opportunity through marriage."

What the fuck, screamed in Sanemi's head.

"Now I would never deny her this auction, she looks forward to it each year. But this year, to increase our status as the monopoly merchant family because, even 'mom and pop' businesses will not do- I want demons. Their blood. Old slayer artifacts are of hot commodity right now, which don't worry nobody wants something from one that's alive." he chuckled cruelly, "I'm sure you think it's an insane idea; but, money wins over all and if I can successfully buy and transport demons under my care, it would be a masterful feat."

Sanemi felt like his head was going to pop off, smoke escaping from his ears. He almost felt dizzy from the ridiculous words that rolled off the tiny man's tongue. So he hears of the danger yet avoids the warnings? A real man knows when he's beat, when to listen, and stop. Yet these men who lead mafias of their country had no regard for innocent people and their families, feigning worry about them whilst enacting a death wish on them. Sanemi almost found it funny that Mr. Mitsui spewed love for his daughter but was making her vulnerable by doing this. Fuck, Sanemi felt determination run through him to just make sure Neon had a good time this weekend before her life seemingly falls apart before her father gets into demon trading. Pathetic.

It infuriated Sanemi thinking of his own past- that he would have done anything to keep his family out of harms way from demons, never fathoming bringing demons into their lives for power. In a selfish way, Sanemi hoped this backfired on Mr. Mitsui and he can learn like the rest of society that came in contact with demons.

Mr. Mitsui fished around in a drawer beneath his desk, pulling out a clothed bag, "this is filled with gold and silver coins, for each day of the auction you'll be given a new one for Neon to spend."

The tiny purple bag with drawstrings at the top was slid across the top of the desk. Sanemi just nodded and took it, feeling the weight of it burn his hand by the incomprehensible amount probably inside, "okay."

"I suggest you don't let her do the bidding." Neon's father chuckled, "she sees too much good and honesty in people, you've probably already seen. She's precious, isn't she?"

Sanemi swallowed hard, just staring at the shorter man without a response. He tried to rid of the flames in his eyes or how clear his face showed his anger, he needed to seem like he couldn't care less, "is there anything I need to know to do my job?"

"Hm," the mafia boss grunted, "day two is when the underground auction begin, Neon should stay in when the sun goes down. Some are worried that demons could make their escape."

Strange that Master didn't find the situation to warrant multiple Hashira in the area- unless he was just left in the dark about such plans, "how have... the demons managed to be captured?"

"From my understanding, strong metal bars lined with wisteria. And they're also weak demons in general, only having consumed a person or two. Is this information important?"

Perhaps that was why Master didn't see Sanemi needing backup, "yeah, never heard of anything like it before."

"As night falls that's when the underground auctions will begin, security will be tight but with the uniform I've given you, you will have no issues going anywhere. Any buildings that hoist symbols of crows signify the difference.."

It was like he talked in riddles and Sanemi took every word he spoke to register it in the back of his brain, "I see. We'll steer clear."

It angered Sanemi that someone could endanger their family the way Mr. Mitsui did, with no thought to his actions having consequences. People should appreciate and care for what they had better, not how the Mitsui's did.

Sanemi could tell if was time for him to take his leave, the guards shuffling and the conversation fizzing out. So the demon slayer turned on his heels to leave,

"One last thing before you go."

He stopped, looking back, "what."

"Limit who talks to Neon, especially men."

"Yeah sure."

Sanemi couldn't have cared less about his last comment, the man needed to relax about his daughter's social interactions. He huffed as he left the office, escorted out by the guards and pointed in the right direction of the kitchen and then Neon's room. Sanemi prepared himself for another day with the talkative, happy-go-lucky girl.

Neon was bouncing on the balls of her feet as she waited for Sanemi to arrive— and when he did, she practically bombarded him with questions. For a girl hardly allowed to go anywhere she was dressed and ready as if she would be seeing everyone in the town. Hair pristine, makeup, and not a wrinkle on her kimono.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Sure." he responded dryly, staring down at the tiny girl as she rocked back and forth on her heels in front of him. God she was so tiny...

"You don't sound too positive."

"I'm not a positive person." Sanemi countered as he stepped past her and to take a seat. He knew she wouldn't mind as he plopped himself down at a table.

"I am."

"I've realized."

"Well," she huffed with a pout sensing his lack of interest in talking, "once you see the auction in full swing you'll have a change of heart. I want to look at everything."

"What is it you even want? Can't get everything."" Sanemi asked casually as he leafed through the book's pages that sat on the table in front of him. It was a historical flower booklet.

"Well I love fragrance, so anything along those lines. There's supposed to be a really rare one for sale on day two," her eyes were sparkling as she talked, rambling on and on as Sanemi listened intently (until it became to much to bear, "so basically I am willing to do anything to smell it, because if it doesn't smell good on me why would I want it?" he didn't understand as she talked about layers within perfume or which ingredients she preferred. To be honest, it bored him.

"Okay well, guess we'll find it."

"We can look for things you're interested in too." Neon said absentmindedly as she skipped towards her bed to hop up.

"What?" he was thrown off by her statement, which rarely ever happened, looking at her with blank eyes.

"Is there anything you'd like?" she reiterated.

"I don't know what gets sold at this auction. So I don't care." he grunted.

"Hm but consider it my thank you?"

"I'm getting paid to be here." he told her that yesterday but apparently it didn't seem to get through her thick skull.

"Still." she grinned looking back at him, eyes squinted as she seemed genuinely excited. Which annoyed him.

Sanemi was in a worse mood than usual as his thoughts were stuck on his conversation with Neon's father. He understood when he took the job what it was, but hearing it from that man's grimy mouth sent shivers down his spine. A man like him didn't deserve to live. Those involved with this underground market didn't deserve their lives as they threatened others with the outrageous need for power. And power over demons never worked.

Neon recognized that Sanemi wasn't an outwardly kind person, a harsh exterior and personality that wouldn't mesh with hers in the slightest. Yet, she liked him! He'd come around to her the more they talked she was sure, he was the only person she had to spend time with for now. And there was no way he wouldn't warm up to personality as she planned to figure out his interests, to try to do something to show her appreciation.

"You know Sanemi-san, there'll be ohagi for dinner!" she squeaked feeling excited for dinner, liking being able to do things for others.

He couldn't deny the fact he was looking forward to that, but he wouldn't tell her, "Mhmm."

Sanemi was proving to be tougher to crack than she imagined after they were able to get along fairly well yesterday. Maybe he woke up on the wrong side of the bed! So Neon figured she'd let him have his quiet as he nonchalantly fiddled with his uniform sleeve still sitting on one of the couches. She studied him as she would glance up from the pages she couldn't seem to finish reading. Even with the scars he was incredibly pretty, he looked strong, and something about his eyes seemed so honest. As someone who wanted to be useful for the people in her life, Neon hoped to brighten up his a bit as he was constantly surrounded by the darkness that came with demons.

#sanemi shinazugawa #bodyguard sanemi #kny sanemi #demon slayer sanemi #sanemi smut #sanemi x reader #sanemi headcanons #demon slayer fanfic #demon slayer #kny x reader #AO’s snakeskin #hurt/comfort #innocence #coming violence #buildup

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071793-imjunhyeok · 2 months

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junhyeok singing iu's 'my sea' on mnet buildup

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zaynnaz · 8 months

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Title - Sands of Masks and Flames

Summary - In Hueco Mundo’s desolate sands, Karin Kurosaki awakens as a hollow. Her strength, rare for her size, makes her both target and asset in a power struggle with her unique abilities. As factions vie for dominance, Karin confronts her new identity, tangled allegiances, and a destiny intertwined with a throne she never sought.

Rating: Mature

Word Count: 17k+

Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death.

Where Can You Read: https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13272786/1/Sands-of-Masks-and-Flames & https://archiveofourown.org/works/49651099/chapters/125318689

Chapter 1: Insatiable Disparity

Time stretched on, unending. Screams and cries were the melodies that filled the very air she breathed. Yet in the depths of this chaos, memories – fragmented and fleeting – clawed at her mind. An existence before this nightmare. A faint impression of who she used to be, but it was almost as if she were trying to grasp water in her hands. Slippery, elusive.

She clung onto one certainty: a name, or the beginning of it. 'K'.

This singular thread connected her to a past, a proof that she wasn’t always this... monster. Each time she devoured, each soul she consumed, fragments of understanding came flooding back, mingling with the insatiable hunger that dominated her existence.

The more she fed, the sharper her thoughts became. Every hollow she consumed increased her strength and her wit. Initially, she had been content preying on the ones her size. But monotony took over. The thrill of the hunt faded when her prey became predictable. Larger hollows posed a greater challenge, one she eagerly accepted.

Need food… Food, the thoughts of the creature repeated in its mind.

Drawn by a powerful spiritual energy, Karin found herself at the edge of the Menos forest, a place rife with towering Gillians. The very thought of consuming such a being sent shivers of anticipation down her spine. However, caution also wrapped its cold fingers around her heart. She wasn’t foolish enough to dive headfirst into unknown dangers. Observing before attacking, that was her strategy. 

As if the forest itself sensed her hesitation, a spectacle unfolded before her eyes: three hollows, roughly her size, challenging a Gillian in unison. A collaboration among hollows was unheard of in her experience. Yet, as the Gillian retaliated with its powerful red beam, obliterating one of them effortlessly, the gravity of their situation became clear. 

She watched, heart racing, as the remaining two desperately tried to dodge the beams, their agility impressive but evidently not enough. Just as the situation seemed dire for the final hollow, it managed to take a sizable bite from the Gillian’s mask. The giant let out a world-shaking roar of agony, collapsing under its own weight. 

Seizing her chance, Karin darted from the shadows, drawn to the injured Gillian. The smaller hollow, intoxicated with its victory, failed to sense her approach. As she neared, every instinct screamed at her to strike, to claim her prize and ascend in power.

Karin was swift, she decapitated the hollow with a swipe of her clawed hollow hands. She quickly consumed its mask and turned to the giant that had fallen. At this moment she was feeling an exuberance of pride in her swift assault that caused her little trouble. 

The eerie silence that descended upon the Menos forest following her swift victory was a testament to Karin’s emerging prowess.Consuming the Gillian, she had tasted not just raw power but fleeting moments of a past long buried in the depths of her consciousness. 

Huh, she thought suddenly, then a moment of clarity for the first time in what seems like an eternity. 

As the name "Karin" echoed in the hollow recesses of her mind, it acted like a beacon, illuminating patches of memories. In those fleeting moments, shadows of emotions - pain, love, fear - all flitted across her psyche. It was a feeling of nostalgic yearning, an anchor in the tempestuous sea of her current existence.

Who… Who were they?, Karin struggled against her blurred memories in desperation to know more.

Suddenly, a crimson glow materialized. As the crimson glow intensified, bathing the Hueco Mundo in its eerie light, Karin felt its menacing warmth on the back of her neck. The very ground seemed to hum with the vibrations of the charged energy, and the arid air grew even more stifling. Every particle, every molecule resonated with the imminent danger of the Cero beam. But within Karin, a storm of emotions raged, providing her with clarity rather than chaos.

Not this time, she thought fiercely, her determination burning brighter than the impending doom.

The sand beneath her feet shifted slightly, reacting to the potent spiritual energy. It whispered tales of countless battles that had come before, of the countless souls who had met their end in this very realm. But the whisperings also held a challenge, urging her to not become just another footnote in the Hueco Mundo's battleground.

She could feel the rapid beat of her heart echoing within her, each thud a stark reminder of her humanity amidst the monster she had become. It was this duality that gave her strength. Her feet barely touched the ground as she twisted her body, evading the Cero with an agility that seemed graceful. Her hollow form glided effortlessly over the dunes, with movements reminiscent of a hauntingly beautiful dance.

As she moved, the very atmosphere seemed to respond to her. The shadows lengthened and coiled around her, becoming an extension of her form, shielding her and amplifying her evasive maneuvers. Her senses sharpened; she could almost taste the metallic tang of the charged energy in the air, feel the weight of the history-laden sand grains, and hear the soft, desperate whispers of lost souls carried by the wind.

She felt the moment approaching, that split second where the balance of power could shift. Gathering all her strength, she launched herself at the Gillian. The world around her blurred, reducing to mere streaks of color. Every fiber of her being screamed with the exertion, yet her mind remained clear and focused.

With a piercing battle cry that was equal parts rage, hope, and determination, she struck. The force of her attack sent shockwaves through the Hueco Mundo forest, as the monster was taken down with an unexpected ferocity.

As the dust settled, Karin stood victorious, breathing heavily. The aftermath of the battle was a testament to her prowess. The world around her seemed to pause, as if paying silent respect to her strength and will.

The act of consuming her foes not only strengthened her but connected her with fragments of her lost self. It became a compulsion - a thirst not just for power, but for identity.

Days turned into nights and nights into days as Karin hunted relentlessly in the Menos forest. Each Gillian she consumed brought her closer to unlocking the mysteries of her past. But with each memory that surfaced, a new emotion brewed within her: a cocktail of anger, sadness, and determination. These feelings, foreign yet familiar, drove her onwards.

I will remember. I will know who they were. Who I was, she thought to herself with sustained determination and defiance to her hollow’s all-consuming existence with growing intelligence.

In the world of Hueco Mundo, where the strongest survived and the weak were consumed, Karin was quickly climbing the ranks of her power, her witt growing further in combat. However, the journey wasn’t just about power anymore. It was a quest for self-realization, a desperate search for the girl named "Karin" who once existed in a world far removed from this dark abyss.

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keiwook · 1 month

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bain 🔛🔝

#buildup #build up #bain #bain just b #bain justb

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didhewinkback · 1 year

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one thing about my first drafts is i love to make things instantly smutty with no build up or context i'll go back and reread like m'am its 130 pm theyre talking about lunch why are they suddenly dry humping in the kitchen

#it happens EVERY TIME #like a first draft of a kiss will just be tongues galore #and ill read it back the next day and be like babe .... what #buildup #is #key

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randomyounglady · 9 months

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Imagine this. You enter Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. You enter the area for the "uncreative" (read licensed) friends. And that's where you see him.

#foster's home for imaginary friends #imaginary friends #licensed #licensed characters #joke #buildup

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hsmsongtournament · 1 year

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Tournament starts tonight, let’s gooooo!

#hsm #high school musical #high school musical 2 #high school musical 3: senior year #buildup

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buildupcheerup · 1 year

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"Joey Batey appreciation time!

I'd never heard of Joey Batey before the Witcher, but man am I in love with him now. He's so multitalented--an actor, a musician, and a GIANT D&D/Warhammer nerd. His improv (and love of real-life shenanigans) makes me laugh until my ribs hurt, and his music hits you right in the feelings. It shows a really different side of him than comes across on TV.

The other thing I'm really pleased by is that by all accounts, he's great to work with--humble, funny, hardworking, and an all-around good guy. I can't wait to see what he does next; you can bet I'll be watching him for years to come."

Read the full post at https://www.buildupcheerup.com/post/did-i-not-bring-you-some-glee

#buildup #buildupcheerup #support creatives #say something nice #joey batey

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xenobuster · 8 months

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Bodyguard Rabbit 🐇 🗡️

#usagi yojimbo #miyamoto usagi #stan sakai #comic #fanart #samurai #ronin #bodyguard #buildup #sword

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shironezuninja · 9 months

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I guess you could say my closet fixation does often make me think how my desire for a voice to make a repetitive sound slams into the conundrum how AI might fulfill that Said Desire.

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build-up · 1 year

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#buildup #protien

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071793-imjunhyeok · 1 month

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im junhyeok singing jung seunghwan's 'an ordinary day' on mnet buildup

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disabilityhorizons · 2 years

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Setting up for @naidex_show today as @disabilityhorizons Marketplace. Huge excitement to be a bigger part of an international tradeshow. First time was 2009 (below) and we are still rolling! On with the show! #naidex #tradeshow #disabledentrepreneur #buildup #makeithappen #retaillife #universaldesign (at NEC Birmingham) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfn2_ZPofLZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#naidex #tradeshow #disabledentrepreneur #buildup #makeithappen #retaillife #universaldesign

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writingkeepsmewhole · 2 years

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My Famous Mystery

New story I know it's been a while and I should finish my old ones but I haven't written in a while and I had this dream I had to share. I thought it could be an interactive story. That way I might finish this one haha. Let me know if you want more.

This is based off a dream. I don't know who the guy is so maybe you can help me with that.

POV You have a photo shoot with a famous man.

I could see so much smut coming out of this story and I can't wait for it. Let me know who you think the mystery man is.

I knew who he was the moment I walked passed him. I think everyone knew he was judging by the way they stood in front of him and took pictures. He sat there in a chair behind a barrier in a storefront God knows I couldn’t afford.

He was polite to the people that walked passed, talked to the ones he could make out over the crowd. I wasn't sure what he was promoting but behind the smiles and waves he looked miserable.

Even behind his beauty, his dark hair and nice suit you could tell he felt out of place. Or at least I could.

My once a year treat myself to walk amuge the rich of the world got on a complete standstill when I laid eyes on him.

I wanted to speak to him of course but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Why would a man like that want to speak to someone like me.

So instead I turned the other way and started to return to what I was doing. But something stopped me. Something I couldn’t put my finger on.

Turning back to look at where he sat across the street I was shocked to see that he was alone.

In a blink he was still there but the crowd of fans was gone.

Swallowing down my fear I crossed the busy street and slowly walked up to him. I watched him paint a smile on himself as I approached him clearly just wanting to be alone.

Before he could even speak I bet him to it.

“Are you okay?” I ask him kindly.

I watch his brow wrinkle in confusion, him not expecting that answer.

“I..” He stumbles out, unable to answer it seems.

“You seem miserable.” I say as I walk closer to him. I stop at the side of the barrier. The mettle bar kept me from getting closer to him.

He looks at me with surprise once again and takes a breath.

“I just wish things were how they were when I wasn't famous.”

“Too many people.” I state quietly.

“All the time.” He says bending his head down and pinches his brow bone. His dark hair falling in his eyes just a bit as he does.

“You should take a break and disappear for a while.”

“It’s not that simple.” He says looking at me, his eyes making me feel like he was trying to tell me something.

I glance around, seeing two large men just inside the store behind us. They were trying to look casual but were watching us like hawks.

“You're being watched…”

“All the time…” He says softly, surprising me with his confession.

“I miss the days when I was a cover model for romance novels and no one knew who I was. Now they use me to promote anything whether I believe in it or not.”

“That’s horrible.” I say glancing down at my feet.

I pause at the shopping bag in my hand. My best friend asked me to pick up a mask for her photography project. It gives me an idea.

“If I could give you a chance to get out of here for a day would you take it?” I ask looking up at him.

He wrinkled his brow once more, his intense eyes meeting mine.

“How would you do that?”

“I’ll go inside and cause a distraction. You can take off. My friend owns the Mexican restaurant a street over. I was actually heading there when I saw you. Call it what you want but maybe something wants me to help you get away for a day.”

“Thanks, but I would get recognized the whole way there and would be found.”

“Not if you have a disguise.” I say smiling at him.

“That’s a nice thought but you can’t hand me anything. They will come and search it for anything dangerous.”

“Trust me. Take this and meet me at the restaurant. Or don’t. It’s your choice after all.” I say, setting the bag down where he could reach it.

I quickly went up the stairs and into the very fancy clothing store. As soon as I laid eyes on the body guards I made a beeline for them.

With one fake asthma attack and them realizing their word was gone I left the store quickly taking off towards the restaurant.

It wasn’t hard to find who I was looking for because I knew what to look for. Seeing a man with dark hair, trench coat and a plague doctor mask. I pick up my speed and stop to loop my arm through his making him look down at me.

“We gotta go.”

“They are looking for me.” He states, sounding sullen.

“Yeah but I’m sure they won’t find you. Come on, let's lose them just in case.” I say letting go of his arm only to grab his large hand and pull him along with me.

I take off running. It distracts me from the thoughts that should be swimming in my head. I should be freaking out about everything but I found myself enjoying it instead. Everyone always told me I was too impulsive for my own good.

I rush into the doors of my friend Rose’s family restaurant. They haven’t opened yet, it is still early. But the staff was getting things ready.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa slow down Y/N for your run someone over.” Rose says as I run up to her amongst the tables. Her dark eyes meet mine. She had her curled hair up in a bandana on her head matching her red dress.

“What are you doing here so early and who is this? Is he wearing the mask I ordered?” She questions me.

“Don’t worry about who it is, I found you a cover model.”

“I asked you to buy a mask, not a person.”

“I didn’t buy him, trust me you couldn’t afford him if I did… But not the point, it's better than using your brother, that's just weird.”

She sighs and looks him up and down. I’m shocked when I feel him squeeze my hand, reminding me we are still holding hands.

We all know she would say yes without a doubt if she knew who he really was but that was the fun of it right?

“Fine, I’ll give your friend a shot but only if you are his partner.”

“What?” I ask my head snapping up to look at her.

“Come on, you know I based the main character off you anyways.”

“And you wanted to use your brother as the covor model, what are you trying to tell me?”

“Oh shut up!” She says waving me off.

I laugh and shake my head.

“I can’t be on the cover, look at me.” I say looking down at myself.

I was dressed in jeans, boots, a black t-shirt and a black jacket.

“Exactly you look perfect.”

“..Fine… But I’m only doing this because I’m nice.” I say trying to hide the fact I was nervous.

I was about to go take a picture with a man I’ve found attractive for years. Not just a meet and greet picture but a romance novel picture.

“Go stand over there and let your hair down.” She instructs me as I walk over towards the beautiful painted wall.

It looked like you were standing in mexico. Even more so in pictures.

Sighing I free my hair and push the hair tie in my pocket.

“What is this book about?” I faintly hear him speak.

“She won’t let me read it till it’s published, something about a sexy plague doctor.”

“Interesting.”

“True.” I say shrugging.

I turn back towards the sound of noise seeing Rose trying to carry a tripod, and ring light and camera.

“You could have asked for help.” I say, as I walk over and help her set things down. Her family cleared out some of the tables to give us room.

“My dad gave us an hour.” She says sitting up her camera while I plug in the light.

“Sounds good.” I say, us both knowing her family was used to her random photo shoots.

“Since Y/N never introduced us, what's your name?” She asks, looking at him.

“Oh umm John..” He says, lying but I didn’t blame him. He didn't want to be famous today.

“Nice to meet you John. I'm Rose and I know you know Y/N already so this shouldn’t be awkward for you two to make this sexy.” She says, making me blush.

If only she knew who she was talking to.

Trying to hide the fact I knew I turned away from her.

“So we are making it sexy right?” I ask walking back to my position next to “John”.

“Yes, we want it to sell after all.” She says, making me laugh.

“Alright.” I say reaching up towards his shirt.

“May I?” I ask, looking at the eyeholes of his mask.

He nods, making me smile in return.

I unbutton the first few buttons of his white shirt and turn to face the camera.

We take a couple shots, us just standing next to each other. All the excitement from earlier is fading away leaving a ball of nerves in my stomach.

“You two look so stiff just relax.” Rose says, looking at me.

I take a breath when he wraps his arm around my waist pulling me towards him.

“She's right, just try to have fun. I’m just John, remember?” He says leaning down to whisper to me.

Which she takes a shot of.

Sighing, I nod.

He wasn’t just John but I wanted him to feel normal so I placed my hand on his stomach.

“More sexy please, they look like prom pictures.” Rose says giggling.

I glare playfully at her and take a deep breath. Biting my lip and the thearicay bullet I pushed everything out of my head.

Just focusing on having fun I place my left hand on his exposed chest. He pulls me closer to him, making me arch my back so our lower halves touch each other.

My right hand hidden behind his back grips his coat tightly.

“Relax.” He whispers.

It is barely audible to me so I know Rose didn’t hear it. I unclenched my fist so he knew I heard him.

After he slowly dips me he pulls me back up, I know he is helping me get into different positions which I welcome the help.

Turning me slightly toward him, my left hand on his chest disappears up into his button up my hand on his right peck, my fingertips touching his collar bone.

He wraps his arms around me, tightening his grip on the back of my jacket. I do the same to him with my right hand.

“Look over your shoulder then up at me.” He whispers.

I do as he says, giving Rose a few moments to take a few shots then look up at him. Him looking dead at the camera.

Despite not seeing his face I can’t help but admire his beauty. He truly was a handsome man.

We take shots of my back to his chest, both of us looking at each other, us giving the camera a side view. All the while no one spoke.

“Can I ask you to try something?” He asks, making me almost jump from the sudden words.

The last ten minutes were filled with just the sound of Rose’s camera.

I nod my head, nervous as to what he wanted to try. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close to him like he did before. Only instead of dipping me he held me so I had to arch into him. With his left arm holding me up he used his right hand to push his mask up. My heart started to pound wondering what he was doing but when he only exposed his mouth and stopped I took a breath.

He leaned down closer to me, my heart picking up for a different reason. My left hand drifting up to lay on the back of his neck I felt like I was going to faint as his mouth stopped millimeters from mine.

I could feel my chest rise and fall, touching him with every breath I took.

“Kiss me if you want.” He whispers so faintly I barely heard it.

I couldn't resist the urge, the pull I had towards him. It felt the same as earlier on the street. With just a slight tilt of my head my mouth met his.

The heat from his lips burned through me. I felt it settle in my chest. The taste of chocolate filled my mouth as he gently parted my lips with his own.

I felt my body come alive, felt it feel like it was floating and on fire at the same time. I couldn’t put the kiss into words if I wanted to.

It was supernatural.

My eyes fly open when I feel something smack me in the chest.

“Are you even listening to me?” Rose says, making me turn towards her.

We were on the sidewalk outside, busy downtown traffic speeding past us.

“What?” I ask, looking at her feeling confused and lost.

Wasn’t I just in her restaurant? With…? No it couldn’t be right?

“I asked what you were staring at?” She says making me look back the way I was facing.

I looked across the street to see the store from earlier but he wasn’t in front of it. No one was in fact it was closed down. Guys in hardhats are most likely talking about how to tear it down.

“I.. umm.. I don’t know.” I say feeling very out of place.

“Are you feeling okay? Do you want to go lay down?”

“No, I’m alright… Just lost in thought I guess.” I say smiling at her.

“I must have been daydreaming while the light changed.” I tell her as we start walking across the street.

“Well it must have been a real good day dream.” She teases me.

I smile at her following her as we continue shopping. Despite nothing else weird happening the rest of the day I couldn’t shake the feeling or thought of what I saw.

By the time I get home I feel so ehsaused I head straight to bed. My thoughts, swirling in my mind, I can't shake them.

I lay in bed staring at the wall until everything fades to black, but not before I hear a familiar voice call my name.

#mystery #love story #romance #buildup #help me with this #help me write #you decide #what do you think?

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