Broken Contracts (Hana ✗ Sen)

Status
Not open for further replies.
"You're going to get drunk," as if she was one to talk about drinking habits, Selene thought, as she watched him tip back the glass. She sipped at the wine, touching the edge of the glass to her lips, after he pushed it over to her and nodded. "If you can spare the time. I won't be going back to the hunters to let the rumors settle first." That and because she didn't want to be around for the resulting shitstorm that would ensue because of it, as well as suddenly going missing after an unfinished mission. She had to think this through carefully.

Getting some wine in her let her relax enough that she didn't really care about the way they were here together like old times. She gave him a mildly bemused look at his reaction upon seeing the duck, at how he was so focused on the food he quickly flashed a smile at the waitress before turning back it. "You sure look like you are," she remarked, raising an eyebrow at the groan that left his mouth upon tasting the duck. He always did like how the Giovanni cooked it, and he wasn't shy in showing how much he liked the food if it was good. That had made her want to be better at cooking then... She pushed her fork at the salad on the plate, before spearing some and tasting the well done raspberry vinaigrette on the greens. She watched him eat for a few more moments before taking a small piece of duck, chewing thoughtfully. Well, she could see why he was so pleased about the food - it was seasoned just right with herbs and spices, cooked just the way he liked it. Funny how she still knew even after all this time.

She ate in silence with him for some time before she spoke up. "He was the one who didn't immediately believe you were dead, you know." Other than her initial denial of what happened, her father was the one who wanted to look even deeper into things. Her father was easily thought of by others as too suspicious of what happened around him, a madman even, but Selene knew he was usually astute things. Very, very astute. "He may have been on to something. I believe his words were, 'he's a stubborn one, Selene, I don't think he'd die so easily. Just look at how much he still comes back after I shoved a rifle right up in his face'." Her father had an odd sense of humor... But he had actually learned to like having her and Phynex around at his house.
 
"A few glasses aren't going to do much," he said, chuckling low. Spearing another piece of the duck and a bit of the roasted skin, he popped it into his mouth and chewed as he listened to her. He understood that she didn't want to go back to the hunters yet, she had failed her mission, after all. She didn't kill him. And he was sure the hunters, who had such high expectations of her, would give her a lot of shit for not being able to complete such an important mission. And Phynex knew his name was quite common amongst the anti-demon society.

"Your father was a nice man," he said. Though it may sound like a lie, it was the truth. he may have been strange at times, but inside, he had a caring heart. Especially for Selene. He was protective of Selene, like any father would. Although the demon found it a bit extreme when he started waving that rifle of his around in his face. Phynex found it terrifying, those bullets could easily piece his head and snuff out his life, but he stood his ground for Selene. It was nice to hear his father didn't believe he was dead. What would that mean? Did he trust him in some way? The demon sighed again and thought about his decision. It was something he thought about a lot, more often than he would admit. He regretted it too much, even though it had done something good for him - the bad outweighed the good. He raised his eyes to look at Selene lovingly, like he always did, as if she were some priceless, irreplaceable being in his life - which she was - "Since you're not planning to go the hunters for a while, what will you be doing tomorrow?" Possibly hanging out with the Jasper boy, he assumed. He didn't mind, knowing they were just friends, but the jealousy was still there.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
"Maybe stay back at Jasper's," Selene met his eyes but couldn't look for too long, she couldn't yet quite take what she saw in them. Her cheeks felt slightly warm for a moment before she tipped back the wine glass, taking a swig, before setting it down. It was just the wine making her feel warm... As an afterthought, she mumbled, "And wouldn't my father like to hear something like that straight from you." Well, he would be a bit flattered, probably. Despite their closer relationship now, few people thought her father was a nice man. Selene didn't believe other people's claims that he was seeing things, but she had her doubts sometimes. He usually ended up being right and she felt guilty about ever doubting her father's instincts. He was much, much more experienced than her despite being retired - he had decades of hunting demons over her.

"I'm not supposed to be out," she said with a slight sigh, before taking some more of the salad. "Jasper thinks I'm back in his room resting." Well, thought. Jasper was probably awake now and wondering where she was, wringing his hands and pacing around the room. She looked back at Phynex again, then around the restaurant. It was already deep in the evening, and spending time with him here felt intimate. Despite how removed from that their current talks were, she couldn't help but feel that she was falling back into the same old headiness she felt around him. There was the wine warming her, and then there were her feelings... The way he looked at her didn't help one bit. It took every ounce of self-control and respect for herself not to just move close and finally touch him instead of the other way around. She couldn't just yet... She looked down again, eyes veiled over with her lashes. "Well. I'm glad," she couldn't say yet what she was really glad about, that he was alive and he was talking to her - and she wouldn't have it any other way. Just the sheer relief that she could suddenly see him again.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Mu
Phynex frowned. "Does this mean I can't visit?" he muttered, his eyes casted down. He was a little sad, knowing he couldn't see her if she was with him, He wouldn't just waltz into the building, oh no, not if he needed to appear like a professional demon company's CEO until the contract matter was settled. Taking a few more bites of the duck, making sure to gather up the sauce, he frowned. "I really wanted to see you tomorrow as well," he said confidently, without fear, just stating it like he normally did. He smiled at her actions, "Of course. Sneaking out, as expected of Selene." He chuckled, hiding his smile with a hand before eating the rest of his duck and leaning back in his seat, swallowing the mash of food in his mouth. "Well, you'll best be going back to his place. I'll escort you myself, of course." He added the last bit rather quickly, he set his mind on looking after her. Knowing how weak she was in this stage. In any condition, Selene would be able to fight, but there was nothing wrong with a helping hand. Thank goodness he had his hooded jacket, so he could hide his face from the world. What would they think if they saw him with the fearsome huntress? His plans would be ruined. But it was her safety over his company.

"I'm tired," he yawned, stretching in his seat. He moved his body back to the table, pushing the plate aside and leaning on the table with his elbow, head propped on top and looking at Selene with a small smile. Even when she was eating, she was ethereal. A goddess to him. Someone with immense beauty that would take his breath away. What made him become so attracted to a human? He didn't know. Nor did he want to know. He loved her and that's all that mattered to him. Perhaps, when he thought about it, she was once his motivation and purpose in life. Just fighting with her was all he wanted to do. Whenever he thought about his life before meeting her, it seemed to far away and unreal.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
Selene stared at him for a few moments before muttering, "... Dummy. You said we were going to ask around tomorrow," there was a hint of red in her cheeks, and no real irritation in her voice. She waited for him to finish chuckling about her 'sneaky habits' with an unimpressed stare, despite the slight twitch at the corner of her lips threatening to turn into a smile. When he said he was going to escort her, she almost spoke out against the idea, but after seeing his face she couldn't tell him he couldn't. Damn, she was always weak to that pleading or determined looks he wore for these times. "Just be careful," was all she could say in reaction to that. She finished the last bit of duck and salad on the plate, feeling his stare on her. She resisted the urge to look up and stare back, drinking the last of the wine in the glass before sitting back. That... Was the most she had eaten for a while in one sitting. "I think I overate," she felt odd about it, and almost languid and sleepy and this was why she didn't eat too much - languid and sleepy wasn't exactly good. Despite what others said about it.

She looked up as the waitress walked up to them, unaffected by what looked like a displeased stare on the other woman's face. Selene gave a nonchalant look back, she had more things to worry about than someone else being annoyed by her. If she was going to press her about what she was wearing, Selene wouldn't even pretend she was listening. She wore what she wanted, period. Sneaking out didn't exactly give her much choice in what to wear either. Luckily, the woman turned to Phynex and seemed much more amiable talking to him. She just waited for him to finish as she watched him. Taking the opportunity as the woman talked to him, she took in the details of his face and his smile, the lines of his body. He didn't seem thinner, did he? She wanted to memorize the way he looked over and over again, keep it close to memory if she couldn't see him soon - or again.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Mu
"But you said you were going to be with...oh, nevermind." He grinned at her, a genuine happy smile on his face. "Oh please, you overeating right now is fine. You look so green and thin, it makes me a little worried..." he muttered, looking up at her with a twinkle in his eyes, which was there whenever he was joyful. Turning around to face the waitress who had arrived with the bill, he quickly peered at the price before pulling out his wallet and carefully pulled out the correct notes, placing it over the receipt on the black tray and handing it over to the waitress. Standing up, he reached for her hand, "M'lady?" a grin widened on his face.

Closer up, she looked even grenner and skinnier. Slight shadows under her eyes. She didn't look like she did at all those years ago. He lifted her hand to kiss it gently, hoping to see that blush he loved and made her look alive. He probably looked a little different as well, having spent years alone just drinking and drinking.
 
"I do not look green and thin," Selene murmured without any heat in her tone, focused upon the smile on his face. If he smiled like that, the shadows in his face that could be seen if she looked hard enough, were almost all gone. She understood that both of them had changed somehow; his eyes looked older and sadder, and she didn't know what he saw when he looked at her yet. Maybe it was better not to ask. Taking his hand, she just shook her head at his antics with a shrug. That was, until he lifted her hand to his lips and she felt her cheeks warming. She looked away and to the exit. If she let herself forget, she could almost feel like they were back before three years ago...

She looked back at him and felt a bit strange just letting him hold her hand. "Let's go." Selene almost didn't want to leave.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Mu
"Yes, you do." He echoed, chuckling. He held her hand gently and pulled her along, making sure he was walking the same pace as her so she wouldn't have to chase after him. His hood was drawn up to cover his face, his face was cast down, though he would turn to look at Selene with bright eyes and a wide smile, giving her hand a friendly squeeze. "I'll drop you off at the building," he whispered, a puff of air leaving his lips like curling smoke. It felt so surreal, just being with her and holding her hand. It was like a date, except it was just an escort. He stopped at a crossing, waiting for the lights to turn red. Phynex turned to look at her, "You look beautiful," he stated out of nowhere, he wanted to lean in and kiss her but would she be comfortable with that? He didn't know.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
"Thank you," Selene replied evenly, glancing at his face as they stood at the crossing. She wanted to see more of his face, his smile and his eyes were mostly visible beneath the hood but she couldn't see everything. There was a stray lock of dark hair falling onto his cheek that she wanted to push back, but she just flexed her hand at her side. Her eyes softened slightly as she saw the wistful look in his eyes, and she squeezed back his hand. "Not yet," she said meaningfully with a small smile. As much as she wanted to just really touch him, they couldn't when everything was still unsure. And she was still a bit afraid. She couldn't let him feel so down, though, and leaned forward to give a light peck on his cheek, her lips butterfly light against his skin, lingering just long enough for him to feel her breath and closeness before pulling back. Resisting the urge to touch her fingers to her lips she looked away as the lights turned red, pulling him forward.

That small gesture was enough to leave her feeling slightly breathless. Even if it was only for a moment she had felt his warm skin, and she had wanted to breathe and take in his scent except that would be too much. They had only just seen each other again. She couldn't let herself fall back in too fast; she was warier of these things now.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Mu
Phynex sucked in a breath at her small but sudden peck, eyes widening and turning to look at her when she pulled back. A visible tinge of pink spread from where she had touched him over his cheeks, stopping all else and just standing their looking at her with a bewilderment painted on his face, he cleared his throat and continued walking after a few minutes. Though the hand clutching onto hers was much tighter now, a warm clasping of hands. "That was a bit unexpected..." he muttered loud enough for her to hear, eyes darting to the corner to peek at Selene, blush still visible even from under the hood. Ahead, Jasper's building loomed over them. Phynex felt something rumbling inside his stomach, if only the building wasn't so close to the string of restaurants, and he could just stay a little while longer with her. Spotting a wooden bench outside the entrance, he sat down and looked into Selene's eyes, his face passive. Without warning, he pulled her into an embrace, burying his face into her hair shamelessly. "I love you, I still do." The arms tightened around her, pushing her body against his, "Don't ever forget about me, alright?"
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
Selene allowed herself a look of amusement as she spotted the pink flush creeping up his cheeks, the bewilderment on his face making her smile slightly. Especially when he just stood there for a few minutes. The smile widened as she heard his comment, but she blinked when he tightened his hand around hers and pulled her just by the entrance to sit down. She clasped her hand around his in return, trying to chance a look at his face as she leaned forward. Then she looked at the looming figure of Jasper's building, then back at Phynex. "... Phynex?" She asked quietly, noticing the passive look on his face.

The warmth around her only registered after a second, and she stiffened in his arms. "P-Phynex-" She gasped a little when she felt him bury his face in her hair and tighten his arms around her. She sat still and almost ready to what, bolt? Push him back? For a second she felt caged, almost frightened at the suddenness of the gesture. It felt too familiar... Too close... And she missed it so much. She hesitated between pushing him away and hugging back tightly when the words caught up with her.

"I love you, I still do."

After a moment, her arms went around his shoulders, one hand brushing his hair. Selene swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and closed her eyes tightly, ignoring the slight stinging in them. "... I don't think I ever can," her voice caught at the end, and she shook a little. His body felt so warm and solid, alive, against her that she couldn't help but tighten her hold, one hand gripping his jacket.
 
The demon laughed breathlessly, smiling against her hair at her touch and acceptance. He was afraid of her pushing him away, holding him at arm's length. But she didn't, and he was happy. He reached up to stroke her hair, the white strands running down and through his fingers. Phynex could feel the weight of her arms on his shoulder, three years gone, such a feeling was strange and unusual after so long. But at the back of his mind, it was all so familiar. His body ached for more, ached for the many kisses he would plant on her and being so close he could hear her breath. He had plenty of experience when it came to relationships, having been with several demon women. Demon women saw love as something so different, it was staggering and confusing when he was Selene. It was hard for him to be so gentle with the fragileness of humans. But he had adapted to it quicker than he had thought, instead of being rough and quick, making rash decisions and being the typical man that does whatever he wants - Phynex became gentler and caring, learning to understand his partner. He had changed a lot internally, and he didn't regret changing at all.

After a few minutes, he released her, a warm smile on his face accompanied with a blush. He leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead, one full of passion and the old love - that he still had - from three years ago. "You best be off, Selene."
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
Selene closed her eyes upon feeling his lips press to her forehead, breathing in. She opened them again and stared at Phynex, giving a small quirk of her lips as she pulled back. The warm smile on his face made it that she couldn't stop herself from trying to return it, he just looked so... Happy. "You too. Be careful," she allowed herself a quick brush through his hair with her fingers again, her other hand squeezing his shoulder slightly as she stood up. It was almost physically difficult to just leave him sitting there, and she took a deep breathe before releasing it, and nodded to him. She turned to look at the entrance, and after a moment's pause said over her shoulder, "Wrong entrance. See you tomorrow, then." There was a dry tone in her voice. She didn't go through this entrance; she had other ways of going into the place.

She was almost impatient for tomorrow to come; it couldn't come sooner enough. The thought of spending the day, even if it was just going around to ask other hunters, with Phynex made her breath catch. Even if it was just that... She was elated. It was almost dizzying how light feelings could go... She hadn't felt this light in a while.
 
Phynex stared after her forlornly, even when he couldn't see her anymore. With a sigh, he turned around and melted into the shadows, deciding to walk home to his own building across the city. He was waiting at a crossing when an old carriage pulled by and stopped in front of him. A pale face surrounded by flowing fair hair peeped from behind the curtain. "Care for a ride?" Cornelia purred, her strange violet eyes eyeing the demon. Perhaps it was because she had died during the olden times, past centuries where people actually went around in fancy carriages. Phynex did not know how old she was, nor did he care. Rolling his eyes, he opened the door and stepped inside. Cornelia had ethereal beauty, but she was a wolf in sheep's clothing, though she may be attractive on the outside, Phynex had seen her inside - ugly and twisted.

Jasper had woken up a few hours ago, looking frantically for Selene, who had disappeared. He had contemplated calling Missing Persons, but he knew she was the type to sneak away, so he just sat and waited. He made dinner earlier, a non-spicy curry, that he left on the stove. When night had fallen, he positioned himself sitting near the window, reading one of his favourite books. Out of chance, he looked out the window and spotted the white haired Selene, his heart sped up and he couldn't help smiling to see that she was alive and standing. Those happy feelings were quenched when he saw her companion, a dark haired man whose features he couldn't make clear but he was sure it was the demon. Jasper eyed the duo from the window, thoughts clicking in his mind. Why were they even together? She had no reason to be with him anymore, after what he had done. And he should at least leave her alone and let her move on. He shook his head, were all demons this clingy?
 
  • Love
Reactions: Hana
Selene couldn't quite wipe off the half-smile that found its way on her lips despite her best efforts, even as she stepped down onto Jasper's balcony. She chanced a glance over her shoulder despite knowing that Phynex might have walked away already, and her eyes lingered upon the spot just close to where they had stood. The huntress gave a small sigh, looking ahead again. This day certainly was very... Eventful. She didn't what could even come close to describing it - all the feelings that suddenly swayed from this side to this, proving that Selene certainly wasn't the implacable woman she had tried to be. Everything she had tried over those three years, to keep herself unattached, distant, unaffected - they were all gone in the face of seeing Phynex again. And she was both afraid and happy at all that this implied. She could choose this happiness - this feeling that made her feel so light, but she would risk herself again...

Still. The afterglow of that embrace and Phynex's words, his laughter and his smile, she couldn't shake off. She walked over to open the door to Jasper's room, turning the knob easily. It was open... She hoped he wouldn't be too upset about her disappearance. "Jasper?" She stepped into the room silently, looking around.
 
Jasper turned to look at Selene at her voice, his lips were tight and pursed, he wasn't happy at the presence of Phynex at the entrance to the building. But seeing her here, in all her safe glory, was enough to make him smile. He could never bring himself to hate her or anything of the sort. "I'm happy to see you're safe, at least." He pointed at the stove, a large pot sat there simmering under a fire set to the lowest setting. Smells of spice and curry drifted and scented the kitchen, and the brown liquid bubbled inside the metal pot, carrots and potatoes bobbing in and out. Across the kitchen was a small rice cooker, still plugged in to keep the grains steaming hot. Jasper crossed his legs and continued looking out the window. "So, what were you doing with him?" he asked curiously and innocently, placing the book that had fallen shut on the cushioned area he was sitting on the table nearby, nearly upsetting a glass of cold, red tea. His voice had no emotion, at least he tried to appear emotionless, though he could sense the slight pain and confusion inside himself.
 
"Hey..." Selene had walked up to him, but her voice trailed off as she saw the look on his face. While she knew he wouldn't be happy, it still made guilt course through her, and she noticed he seemed more upset than she would have guessed. When he smiled, she returned it tentatively, still seeing the upset in his eyes even while he looked relieved. "I went for a walk," she started to say, then looked to where he was pointing. Oh... He had cooked dinner for them? She didn't know what to say now, looking at the young man who she'd been friends with since she was a small child. He was sitting there motionless, looking out the window, and it was hard to make out his face - but she could see the slight tension in his shoulders and how he held himself.

"How did you..." She stared at him in surprise, eyes widening slightly, but he wasn't looking. How did he know that? Selene was sure he didn't know that much to immediately assume she'd go to see Phynex - that wasn't even the case since it was by accident she even saw the demon again. She walked closer to stand by him, trying to see more of his face. He sounded like he was trying to hide some pain, even if his voice was mostly even. She chanced a glance out of the window and felt her stomach drop slightly. The view here was enough for... "I ran into him." Her voice was even, matching his, as she cautiously gauged his voice and his face. "I didn't think I would."
 
Jasper turned around to face her, getting up slowly from where he was sitting and towards the kitchen. Flipping the rice cooker open, he began digging at the fluffy rice, spooning some into a shining white bowl. "I see, what did you guys do?" he asked in the same tone, not bothering to look up from his task. With the bowl half filled, he turned around to the curry on the stove, ladling the brown broth on top of the rice, making sure there was a generous amount of beef, carrots and potatoes. He returned to Selene with a silver, clean spoon.

The corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly, "At least you're back safe and sound. I was worried he might have taken you to do something dangerous," he muttered, giving the bowl of dinner to Selene and moving back to sit by the window.
 
"Nothing like that," Selene tried to brush off his worries, then glanced at the bowl and bit her lip. She had already eaten, and he had gone to the effort of cooking something like this too... She was getting worried about how calmly and quietly Jasper was taking this, he wasn't one to be so... Quiet. She tried to see from his perspective. He was worried about what could have happened to her, especially after she just up and disappeared like that when he was asleep thinking she also was taking time to recover. How long had she been gone? It hadn't been dark out yet when she had set out, actually just late afternoon, and when had we woken up? And then he cooked dinner for her and he waits for her to come back, only for him to see... What he could have seen... Outside. She didn't exactly know what he did see looking out then. But he must have seen Phynex for him to react like this.

"We were at Giovanni," she watched his expression carefully as she moved to sit down by his place. She looked down at the curry and rice, feeling the guilt pick more at her again. "But... Thanks. I'll eat some," she picked at the food with the spoon. She felt a bit full already but it was just rude to turn down his efforts; it made her feel like a terrible friend, especially from his view when she must have looked foolish running off like that. Jasper was surprisingly a good cook; of the two of them he was even the better one. Maybe because he tried to get healthy, productive hobbies while she had to go and be ridiculous with drinking. She took a deep breath and looked up again. "He wants to unfreeze the contract."
 
"Giovanni, huh?" It was a good place, a well known restaurant that served delicious food all the time. The place, in his opinion, was a tad too expensive. He looked at her, who was poking at the curry with the spoon. He was always worried about her, he knew she had tendencies to sneak off - but not when she was injured. And Jasper couldn't think of any reason why she would even leave. He wanted to get angry at her, give her a scolding, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not only was she the best and closest friend, she was also something he harboured romantic feelings for. Jasper didn't know if she felt the same, but her seeing the demon she had tried so hard to forget was a stab in the heart. Jasper didn't exactly hate the guy, he was grateful he had jumped in back in the alleyway, but he disapproved of her relationship - and even more now that he knew he was his business rival. But Jasper didn't control Selene's every movements, she wasn't just a puppet. He had to get in his head that it was bad to be controlling, and that it was her life.

His mind landed back on earth with a thud, "Unfreeze the contract? Are you serious?" he groaned and covered his eyes with a palm. Unfreezing a contract that has not been active for three years was an extremely hard task. And by unfreezing the contract..."Does this mean you're going to get back together with him?" his voice was a little pained, straining to keep all those negative emotions down. Jasper was happy that she could be back with someone who was going to make her happy, but he was sad knowing he never had a chance with her.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back