The Way to A Mans Heart [Nicolas X Reader] Part 2

    Spots filled your vision as a tingling sensation crossed your cheek. You’d almost call it pain but then again, he didn’t hit hard enough. You turned your gaze back to the gawking men who had blocked your way. The piercing look in your eyes caused a shiver to go down their spines.

“S-she didn’t even flinch.” One whispered.

You rolled your eyes and went to pick up the sacks you had dropped. “Excuse me.”

They scoffed at you, the mere sound annoyed you. When your hand touched the bag, one of them put their foot down on it, crushing your fingers underneath. Another grabbed ahold of you by your bandana, pulling your hair along with it to make you turn your face to them. “The boss is still pretty mad at you, tag. You ran away before he could say goodbye.”

“He’s not gonna kill you. In fact, he wants to offer you a job, better than his last offer.” Another added.

“No thanks. I have a job.”

“I don’t think you understand what kind of position you’re in.” the pressure on your hand increased.

    There was nothing about these fools that threatened you, only your own rage beginning to boil. You could shatter his knee cap and destroy the others elbow all within ten seconds and you’d be free of their hold. The others would be easy enough to handle then. The ideas were already cycling through your head but you kept rejecting them. Your harsh thoughts were interrupted by a call.

“Hey, you idiots! This is a private construction site, leave.” Your boss barked at them as one of the other workers suddenly shoved the man off of your hand.

“Beat it unless you idiots want to deal with the police.” The worker said.

They growled and the other thug let go of your hair. “Police are in Monroe’s pocket anyways.”

Worick sighed as they began to disperse. He could feel Nicolas twitch, Worick had his hand wrapped around his wrist to keep him from pulling his sword. He released his hold and gave him an apologetic smile as Nicolas grunted and they walked up to you.

“Damn punks.” Your boss huffed. “Pickin’ on a tag who just wants to do an honest day’s work. You alright, ____?”

You nodded before you noticed the handymen approaching. Worick waved at you. “Hey, ____.”

“Hi… what’re you guys doing here?”

“Nico wanted to come visit you,” Worick elbowed him and he stuck his tongue out back at him.

“You know the handymen, ____?” your boss asked.

“Yeah, they helped me out when I just moved here.”

The notepad emerged from Nicolas’s back pocket.

Why didn’t you say that you were working construction?

“Uh, was I supposed to?”

I thought you said you were going to look for a job as a chef.

“Ah ha, yeah…” you laughed awkwardly. “Turns out being a tag really limits your job options. It’s fine though! Everyone here is really nice and they don’t mind that I’m a twilight.”

“It’s because you’re so damn strong, ____!” One of the workers laughed. “If you weren’t a tag, it’d make us look back.”

“It still makes you look bad,” your boss barked. “Back to work, you lazy bums!” he turned to you. “Get back as soon as you finish talking to the handymen.”

“Yes, sir.” You nodded. You shifted nervously. “So… what’d you guys need?”

Now Worick was the nervous one. “There’s no easy way to put it…” Nicolas had already turned the notepad to you.

Did you kill your contract holder?

“Did I… what? Who told you that?!”

“Nicolas…” Worick grumbled as Nicolas signed to him.

Is that not what we wanted to know?

“It is but come on, man, have some tact.”

“No. I didn’t kill him but I didn’t save him.” You finally spoke. Nicolas eyed you but you couldn’t read it. Your thoughts were suddenly cut off when he pinched your nose. “Ugh-! Nicolas!” He let go and started walking away.

Worick chuckled as he turned to follow. “Nicolas wants you to come over after work. Cook something nice for us.”

~~~~
You cut through the apple with quick precision. It was a little hard to remain focused with Nicolas hovering over your shoulder, watching you cook. At this point of knowing him for three weeks, you knew what he was thinking. He reached around your side and grabbed one of the apple slices. You latched onto his wrist. “No, wait till the food is done.” He made an annoyed grunt but thought of a quick response. He licked the side of your cheek, causing you to let go of his wrist out of sheer shock. He escaped with the apple slice, shoving it into his mouth. “N-Nicolas!”

“Hahaha, what’s wrong, ____?” Worick’s teasing had begun. “I thought you didn’t mind if Nicolas did inappropriate things to you.”

You curled your lip into a pout. “He should do it because he wants to not because he wants to steal food.” You turned on your heal to go back to the food.

“See that, Nic? She’s practically inviting you now.”

“Keep talking, Worick. And maybe it’ll just be me and Alex eating tonight.”

“So mean!”

Nicolas held up the notepad.

Does that mean you’re going to starve me too?

    You were on your way home. You were having so much fun at the handymen’s apartment that you hadn’t noticed it had gotten dark out. You turned down on of the alleys, to avoid the main roads as many tags do and to take the short cut Worick had shown you back to your apartment.

“Well well. Look whose done hanging around the handymen.” A voice spoke. It grated on your ears, a voice you had heard earlier today. The same thugs were standing in the alleyway as if they were waiting for you.

“So which one catches your fancy? Or are you banging both of them?”

“I-”

“Wait, don’t tell me. It’s the deaf dwarf, isn’t it? Perfect relationship, he doesn’t have to hear any of your bitching and you get to have a boyfriend who “understands” you.”

You told yourself, don’t do it. You started walked briskly past them but they weren’t about to let you. The large one from earlier stood in your way and decided to repeat his earlier actions as a swift punch landed on your cheek. You once again, didn’t budge. “Hey, how about we have a little fun with her before we take her back to the boss.”

“I don’t know, man. You saw what she did to the boss’s fingers.”

“Back when she was some nobody, now she’s got friends we can threaten and she needs job security. She ain’t gonna fight back.” At this you found yourself laughing. Not a snort or a chuckle, genuine laughter.

“You idiots think that matters to me?”

“You- Shut up!” He went to swing again but this time you caught his fist.

“I was just going to let you be after the show you gave my boss earlier. A tag killing someone in public? I’d definitely lose my job. But nooooooo,” the man struggled to pull free. “You just had to follow me into a dark, abandoned alley. This is almost too good to be true.” You smirked at him. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.” In one swift motion, your other fist connected with his elbow with enough force to cause the bone to shatter and tear through the skin. Then you turned to his friend and slammed your foot into his knee cap, causing his leg to bend the wrong way and cause him to topple over. “That should about do it.”

“You… You monster.”

“The three laws state tags have a right to defend themselves. Be happy you’re not the one dead or injured.” You began walking away.

“Stop! I said stop!” You paused in your steps as you heard the click of a gun barrel. In the next moment, silence before a loud thud.

You turned to see Nicolas sheathing his sword. “Nicolas?” He shot you an annoyed look that made your head retreat back into your shoulders for a bit. He sighed and help up the notepad.

I told you to WAIT.

“I can walk home on my own just fine…” you were somewhat embarrassed but then it clicked. “Did you know they were waiting for me?” He flicked your forehead and starting walking. “Nicolas!” He stopped, turned to you and signed something.

If you walk with me, people will leave you alone.

“Why?” He hesitated but then-

They’ll think you’re my woman.

You started walking. “Soon they’ll more than just think it.” You said as you passed him.

To Be Continued…