Shadow Slave - One Shots

Sunny stirred awake, his body moving on instinct as he slipped into the motions of his usual routine.

This was his life.

He washed his face, he tied his dark hair back, then dressed in his usual attire, ready to start another day at his café.

It was a routine he had followed for years now, the dream he's been wanting for so long.

Though something changed.

Just yesterday, he had gotten his fate back.

The spell even praised him for rewriting fate.

So, he knows that his everyday life was coming to an end… but that was most likely a good thing.

As he moved downstairs and began setting up, the bell above the door chimed.

He glanced up, expecting Aiko or one of the regulars, but instead, he found Nephis standing there.

She looked hesitant, which was unusual for her. Normally, she was.. you know, Nephis.

But now, there was something vulnerable in her stance, something raw in the way she looked at him.

"Can we talk?" she asked softly.

He blinked.

'Pretty sure I know what this is about..'

He had expected this, I mean fate is back. Of course the people in his life is gonna come and want to console, ask questions.

He nodded. "Of course."

Without another word, he reached out, taking her hand in his own.

Her fingers curled around his, and he could feel the slight tremble in them. He didn't say anything about it.

Instead, he led her toward the back, past the counter, up the stairs, and into his room.

As they walked, he sent one of his avatars to take his place downstairs, allowing the café to continue running smoothly without interruption.

"…Neph?-"

She lunged at him, her arms wrapping around his torso as she pushed him down onto the bed.

Sunny let out a startled laugh, the warmth of her body pressing against his as she buried her face in his chest.

Instantly, he felt the dampness of her tears seeping through his shirt, the slight tremor in her shoulders as she clung to him.

"You're crying again." he murmured, rubbing soothing circles along her back.

'Why is my..?'

With his free arm, he touched his cheeks that was dusted with a light pink.

He then looked down at the poor girl.

And realized that their bodies were pressed together, her warmth sinking into his skin.

He swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heat creeping up his neck.

"There's no need to cry, Neph. I'm still here."

She shook her head against him, her grip tightening. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm sorry for being weak. For crying again."

Sunny exhaled softly, his fingers threading through her silver hair, smoothing it down.

"You're not weak."

Nephis pushed herself up slightly.

Her hair fell down around them like a curtain, seperatinv themselves from the outside world as if this was their moment. Tears clung to her lashes, slipping silently onto the bed beneath them.

Then Nephis said something she's always wanted to say.

"I love you."

Sunny stilled.

His heart, which had been beating steadily, faltered slightly.

Nephis inhaled shakily, her gaze locked onto his.

"I love you so much, Sunny. So much more than you could ever imagine. So much it hurts me."

Her voice broke slightly, but she didn't waver.

"I think... I think that's part of why I'm like this. Why I'm so - why I can't let go. I felt it. Your longing. I didn't understand it then, but now…now, I know."

Her shoulders trembled. She collapsed against him again, burying her face into the crook of his neck, sniffling softly.

"I love you so much," she whispered again, as if saying it once wasn't enough.

Sunny lay there for a moment, his arms wrapped around her, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek.

He had spent most of his life going against fate, losing what's his all the time due to a predetermined destiny he was cursed with.

Slowly, Hhis lips curled into a small, soft smile.

"I love you too, Nephis."

Nephis slowly raised her self up, and planted her lips on his.

He smiled, returning the kiss.

Somewhere else, the avatar that was holding the plates suddenly fell.