Valentine’s Day Angst: Scarlet Red (Chrollo x reader)
2.3K words
Happy Valentine's Day! This is the angst story that ended up being pretty dark. It mentions massacre and death (covers the Kurta massacre for context) so if you don't want to read it, this one might not be for you. The rest of the story is under the cut, I hope you enjoy!
You were with Chrollo for a few months, and it was almost dreamlike. He appeared in your life one day when you were looking for antique accessories and he happened to be doing the same. You two reached for the same ring and that was where your relationship started. He introduced himself and you did as well, then you asked if he was a local to your small town right next to the forest in Lukso province.
“I happen to be visiting that’s all,” he said. “I was hoping I could explore the town a bit better, perhaps you could help me.”
You never expected yourself to meet such a handsome and polite man in your life so you didn’t hesitate to show him around. You took him to your favorite café, a bookstore that you used to go since you were a young child, and the outskirts of the town. It was located in a forest known for its wildflowers but also a strange tribe that lived far into it.
“Apparently they don’t allow any outsiders close by, so I was never allowed to go in,” you explained. “They’re a prosecuted group, exiled from their old home and trying to find a place to live around here.”
Chrollo nodded. “I think they were called the Kurta, were they not?”
“Yes, wow I didn’t think you would know about them. They’re a bit obscure, not speaking the same language as any of us either,” you replied.
The man explained he had a fascination with all kinds of obscure things, especially languages. He was in the process of learning the Kurta language, which he was now able to read. It was wonderful in your opinion, as up until then you were dead sure on not telling him all the truths about you.
A Kurta, if they manage to pass multiple exams, is allowed to live outside of the designated safe area. Outside of the protection of the sun, to put it into the words of the Kurta elder. You happened to be one of them, a survivor in a sense as you couldn’t bare the enticing new world outside of what you knew in those woods. Though it meant you could lose track of your village as they were nomadic and had no means of communication other than through the elder, you decided to leave once and for all to pursue your dream of exploration. You didn’t make it that far, as you found yourself happy in the town right next to the forest, working in a small café while finishing your studies at a local university.
Chrollo likely knew about this, however. Perhaps it was your mannerisms, the way you would avoid eye contact when he was only a few inches away from you. You closed your eyes when you had to calm yourself down, and you seemed to be a nen user, though you were unaware of it. These were all signs that you grew up outside of the norms of a regular town, you likely grew up in an obscure setting like he did. Chrollo was on the lookout for the Kurta, mainly because of the price tag on their scarlet eyes, but also to deliver a holy word to the world and the tribe. Something had occurred between the Meteor and the Kurta, and the only way he felt they could settle the dispute was through the Meteorites (citizens of Meteor City) law: We’ll accept anything you leave here, but don’t ever take anything away from us.
His fascination with the Kurta was interesting, so you ended up filling him in the details of what the tribe was like, how the woods were like, and why you all thought living in a nomadic life was good. He took in all of the information, even taking some notes in a notepad you gave him. He learned the language quickly, soon being able to greet you in Kurta. It felt like you were back home, perhaps the elder would accept him into the tribe if you two ever got...no you were thinking too far.
You were getting ready for Valentine’s Day, a holiday you never found yourself to be specifically a fan of. You didn’t like how so many shops used this as a marketing tactic sure, but you also felt lonely when you saw friends and couples celebrating their bonds together. You remembered those days when you would make flower crowns with your friends in the village, though the concept of Valentine’s Day was not one celebrated in your tribe. But with Chrollo in your life now, it seemed right to celebrate the occasion with him. He was dating you, though he never said those exact words. You two had shared your first kiss together on New Year’s, you two fell asleep watching a movie together, and so on. He even presented to you a bouquet a few weeks ago, flowers specifically from the woods that you rarely visited.
“Chrollo, I wanted to celebrate with you, you know, that we’re together,” you said to him while you two were sitting together on a park bench. He was reading a book on the Kurta at the moment, and he wasn’t wearing his usual outfit. It was one you had never seen before, one that perhaps fit with his mysterious aura: it was a purple coat with an upside down cross. He was one that used to wear fairly modest clothing, choosing for a vest and simple pants or even a t-shirt on some occasions. He always had a head injury, at least that’s what you thought the reason was for him covering his forehead.
Chrollo looked at you, a smile on his lips as he asked “Oh, you want to do something for Valentine’s?” He closed his book, turning his full attention to you. “Did my dearest want something as a gift?”
“Ah, no I’m honestly good with anything,” you fidgeted in your seat, once again avoiding eye contact. You were wearing colored contacts, but he knew that. “I, er, I guess anything red would work, right? It fits with the theme.”
“Anything?”
“Yeah, I’m not that picky you know that!”
Chrollo let out a soft chuckle, wrapping an arm around you as you two sat in silence once again. “I’ll get you something nice, something I’m sure you’ll hold close to your heart,” he said. You felt your heartbeat race a bit; ah he was too kind!
“Look forward to your gift as well, Chrollo!”
He disappeared for a week. It was strange, it was only a few days before Valentine’s, but he had disappeared completely. There was no trace of him, no calls received, nothing. You worried that perhaps he got into trouble, besides you knew he wasn’t one to stay in a place for a long time, you heard he was a world traveler. But you also worried that perhaps he ditched you, maybe he was a complete asshole, and you didn’t expect it. Looking at the nice dinner you had set up for the two of you, you sighed and tried to not think too hard about it. You had worn your favorite outfit, made a meal that you thought would fit his palate (apparently, he could eat anything and everything) and even got him a gift: a book from his favorite author. You felt your nails digging into the palms of your hands, wondering if you should send one more text asking if he’s alright. Then, as if on cue, there was a knock on the door.
“Chrollo!” you opened the door to see your lover holding a large box in his hands. My goodness, he must’ve saved up a lot for what looked like an expensive item. Not wanting him to stay in the cold longer, you led him into the dining room.
“Sorry darling, I was busy with some work,” he said as he took off his coat. It was the same one from before, the strange one with the upside down cross. He looked worn out, and, perhaps you had great senses, something on him smelled like iron.
“No worries, I’m just glad you’re here!” you said, kissing him on the cheek. He didn’t seem like he was out of breath at all, but he seemed happy about something. Perhaps it was that you two were celebrating together, at least you hoped that was why he was happy.
You two were enjoying dinner together when he brought up his background. It was an interesting tale, one that was filled with his hopes and dreams for a better world. He vowed that he was going to take down those who had wronged him in the past, a sort of revenge plot that you didn’t expect from such a calm man.
“Ah, but don’t get yourself in trouble, I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt,” you said, holding your glass of wine a little tighter. He laughed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine as long as I have you,” he took your open hand in his. Chrollo was so comforting at times, it didn’t seem right that he had such a storm brewing in his head about revenge and fighting.
“You see...I’m from Meteor City.”
You looked up at him, wondering where you heard that name. It was a few years ago, the elder said something about a Meteor and someone in the tribe. You remembered something along the lines of “stay away.”
“Oh...what’s it like? I’ve never really heard of it,” you lied, wondering if it was true that Meteorites were terrifying people.
“It’s pretty normal, most people there have big dreams that can’t be achieved alone. We try to work as a collective,” he explained. “It’s like the Kurta, is it not?”
“What do you mean?”
“You all take care of each other, even if it means risking your life you protect your loved ones from harm. You have a hard time accepting those who are outsiders, unlike Meteor City, but in the end, you find yourselves surrounded by people that might not be the same. You let them into your tribe, though it’s easy to see who’s not capable of turning their eyes red.”
“You...you know about the scarlet eyes,” you felt your heartbeat speeding up, it was strange that he knew so much. Didn’t he say he wasn’t familiar with them? And what did he mean by...you? Sure, you told him some information about the Kurta but you never went in-depth about the red eyes.
“It’s getting late, I need to go make sure my friends are alright, we had a rough night. Let me at least open your present, I want to see you open yours as well,” his words snapped you out of your thoughts and you awkwardly handed him your gift.
Chrollo opened it smoothly, his slender fingers wrapping around the ribbon and undoing it. He saw the book cover, gave you a content smile and thanked you. He kissed you on the head, a gesture he hadn’t done before.
“Now, I want to see you open yours.”
With a nervous shake, you took the top of the box off. There wasn’t much in there, but it looked like there was a glass case with two floating objects inside. You were confused, it looked like a haphazard aquarium. Chrollo explained it was done quickly so it might not last very long and to replace the glass with something better if you wanted. Was it a fish? Finally, you took the whole glass object out.
“Chrollo,” you breathed out, your breath shaking. “What...what kind of a twisted joke is this?”
“You said you wanted something red, and I figured it would be something close to you, y/n.”
You let out a cold laugh, feeling tears and a burning rage suddenly fill your heart. Chrollo sat on the opposite end of the table, quietly smiling to himself. You finally looked up, seeing his exposed forehead for the first time. A cross, what an ironic symbol. To you, it felt like you had been tricked by the devil, fitting of his outfit.
“Is...is this...” tears fell from your eyes. You wanted to throw the glass at him, cursing at him for how he used you. “You sick bastard.”
“What do you mean? You’re the one that helped me locate your people, it was wonderful getting to learn about your history as well,” he stood up, gently reaching a hand out to you. You didn’t bother taking it, you wanted to slap it away but had no energy to do anything other than stare at whoever’s eyes were staring back into yours. Was it your mother’s? A friend’s?
Chrollo picked you up, embracing you gently before placing a kiss on your temple.
“It was great knowing you; I had a lot of fun. I don’t know if you feel the same way anymore but understand I will welcome you with open arms if you choose to be with me.”
“Go to hell.”
He was gone after that. You didn’t even see him leave, you only heard the door close as he walked away, thanking you for the book. You sat on the floor, clutching onto whoever it was that was in your hands. You sobbed, words forming in your mouth and then disappearing. You felt like you were responsible for whatever happened to your clan, were they safe? No, from the looks of it, it seemed like he went after not just one Kurta but the entire village.
A few days later, you turned off your tv. The news was repeating the same story about a village in the middle of the woods, one that was massacred. The killers left a message that was too familiar to you: “We’ll accept anything you leave here, but don’t ever take anything away from us.”
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