After a couple of minutes of faster walking, the pair caught up to the other four. Hanako and Atsuki were deep in conversation, and Yamato had Genkai’s full attention as he spun a tale of his doings.
“...and after that, I signed on with a fishing master in Okinoerabu who taught me how to spear fish. I’ve been diving almost everywhere here. I’ve caught so many different fish and shellfish. Most of them were tasty, too. A few made me sick, though. I can earn a small living doing that, if I wanted. Just catching fish and selling them. It would never be glamorous, but it would be rather nice.” Yamato leaned in closer to Genkai, a playful glint in his eye. “So what is it you do for a living, Gen-kun?” he asked with a sly grin
Genkai's cheeks flushed, and he averted his gaze for a moment. He twirled a lock of his own hair between his fingers, “Oh,” he began, his voice a tad unsteady, “Nothing as exciting as fishing, Yamato-san. I’m just a hairdresser.”
Yamato raised an eyebrow, genuine curiosity in his eyes. "A hairdresser? That's fascinating! Tell me more," he said, excitement coloring his cheeks.
Genkai was torn between embarrassment and admiration. He cleared his throat and met Yamato's gaze, his eyes bright. "It's not as glamorous as some professions, but I love it. I get to help people look and feel their best, and there's something intimate about it, you know? Trusting someone with your appearance," he said, as he gently brushed an invisible bit of something from Yamato’s shirt.
Yamato couldn't help but smile, his impression of Genkai growing. "Intimate indeed," he murmured, raising an eyebrow.
Markus and Akane watched on with genuine amusement and care. To see two people fall so honestly for the other was adorable.
“I wonder if we looked like that to the others?” Markus mused aloud.
Akane put her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide. “What if we did?! Were we that oblivious?” she asked, horrified.
Markus chuffed a laugh and put his arm around her as they walked. “Probably. I bet they found it as cute as we just found that. I mean, you are pretty damn cute, Akane,” he said.
She leaned into her bear and smiled. Her bear. Nobody else’s. She vowed to never let that change.
Eventually, the group found a bar near Markus’ hotel. It was rather large inside, and lit only with soft party lights that shifted and swiveled about. There was an appreciable crowd inside. More than enough for the six of them to blend in and go unnoticed. Markus nodded to himself. It seemed to be just the right place for a comfortable end to a wonderful day.
The other five placed their orders for a beer, and Markus got a soft drink. He looked over at his friends, and smiled contentedly. Atsuki was animatedly discussing his coin collection with Hanako, who was listening intently and firing off questions that really seemed to get the man even more excited. Genkai and Yamato were speaking in hushed tones. Genkai occasionally pulled up a reference on his phone to show his new interest, which got varying results based on the context. Markus had no idea what Yamato was being shown, but he assumed it was something to do with fashion, as the older man did seem to be trying his best to look up to date.
After an hour and a few drinks, Akane took his hand. “So tell me, Markus…What other plans do you have for the evening?” she asked him quietly.
Markus froze. With a nervous laugh, he looked over at Akane, who was simply sitting there, an innocent smile on her face. “Um… Well, to be completely honest, I really didn’t have any. I intended to just see how the day went, and let the Fates take me where they will,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Oh. I see. Just wanted to ‘follow the mood of the day’, as it were? Let things unfold naturally, and simply become whatever they were meant to become?” she asked, a sly grin on her reddening face.
“S-s-something like that, yes?” Markus said nervously. He unconsciously swallowed.
“Well. We will just have to see where the night continues to take us, Kuma-kun,” she replied, leaning into his arm.
In response, Markus lifted his arm, and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. She sighed contentedly, and snuggled closer to his warm embrace.
Looking around at his friends, he saw each couple getting more comfortable and at ease with each other. Yamato and Hanako were seated beside each other, and were leaning comfortably against each other, the same way close siblings would. Hanako had Atsuki in a similar position to Akane’s, and he looked deliriously happy. Yamato had simply opted to pull Genkai into his lap, customs be damned. Genkai seemed to actually be asleep as Yamato played with his hair.
In all, Markus had never felt so content. A new, exceedingly well-paying job, a new partner, new friends with budding romances of their own, and more comfort than he had felt in ages.
It just didn’t get better than this.
Or so he thought. About that time, he spied a woman across the room who seemed to be staring intently at him. Markus noted the woman, and went back to his drink, and the conversations his friends were having with each other.
“...so then I told him that while he was a very pretty man, he was also my instructor, and I could not, in good conscience, get involved with him,” Yamato said.
“You seriously told him that, Yamato? In all my years of knowing you, I’ve never seen you turn down a beautiful man,” Hanako said.
“I said pretty, not beautiful. There is a difference, nee-san. Unlike the lovely man I have here, he was merely pretty,” Yamato retorted.
Genkai colored a deep red, and his eyes darted around the room. Markus winked and nodded at him, causing Genkai to settle a little deeper into Yamato’s embrace.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
In the comfortable silence that descended upon the group, a tall woman with a decidedly European look, in a tight-fitting blue dress walked over to their table. Her jet-black hair reflected the lights of the bar, while her ice-blue eyes showed little hint to the thoughts behind them. She smiled, and bowed respectfully.
“Mr. Barton? My name is Beverly, and I’d like to speak with you regarding a matter of some urgency. Would you please come with me?” she said, her Japanese impeccable.
All eyes were on Markus. Akane looked at him, a worried frown on her face.
“It will be okay, Akane. I promise,” Markus said in a low tone.
Akane nodded, and released her stranglehold on his arm. Markus slid out of the booth, and walked with the surprisingly tall woman to the bar, where she ordered a pair of shots for the two of them.
“I hope you’ll consider what I have to say most seriously, Markus. I am in need of someone like yourself,” Beverly began.
Markus eyed her warily. “Okay. I always consider what people say, ma’am. It’s a habit of mine,” he replied.
“Knock it off with the “ma’am” stuff. I abhor it. I know you’re being polite, but do I really look that old?” she said with some irritation.
“Noted.”
“Now. As I was saying, I need someone like you. Someone willing to put forth the effort in learning about cultures, people and places. Someone willing to do things that others would not. It will pay handsomely,” she said, sliding a shot to Markus.
“So. You’re the one the crow told me about, aren’t you?” Markus asked, never taking his eyes off the woman, as he slid the shot back to her.
Beverly looked down at the shot, and her face contorted for one brief moment into rage before smoothing back into a placid mask of indifference.
“I am. You’re very perceptive. I wouldn’t expect a mortal to be this perceptive,” she said, running her finger around the rim of the shot Markus slid back to her.
“I’ve already met a deity this week, and I’ve accepted his offer of employment. I will not serve two masters. So, thank you for the consideration, Beverly, but I will respectfully decline,” Markus said and made to get up from the barstool.
Beverly stopped him with an iron grip on his wrist. Markus turned his head and glared at her hand, then brought his gaze up to meet her icy eyes.
“I would reconsider that statement, if I were you, little man. You don’t know what I can and will do if you refuse me,” she said, her eyes boring into him.
“An inability to accept the word “No”, a haughty, regal demeanor, jet-black hair and icy eyes, and a crow as your messenger,” Markus said, meeting her stare with his own.
“Hello, Morrigan.”
The woman smirked and laughed softly. “Are you sure I’m not Odin in one of his many disguises?”
“Quite sure. The Old Man wouldn’t be subtle. His ass would walk in here like he owned the place, and simply tell me what I would be doing. No. You’re The Morrigan, in her guise of Badb. I’ve read all about you, and I will not be spreading chaos for you. Ever,” Markus stated flatly.
The Morrigan nodded. “And even knowing my tales, you would still defy me?”
“Yes,” Markus said immediately.
“Then I will simply find a way to force you to do as I wish. Let’s start with your little rabbit over there, shall we?” she said, pushing Markus to the side roughly as she stood and strode imperiously towards his table.
Markus stumbled and fell to a knee from the unexpected shove. By the time The Morrigan had made it halfway to his table, he was on his feet, moving swiftly to intercept her.
What the fuck am I going to do to a god? I sure hope my benefits include hospitalization, because this is probably going to suck. Lucifer, if you can hear me, I could use your help! Markus thought to himself.
Akane looked up from her phone as she caught movement from the corner of her eye. It was the tall woman that led Markus away, and she was coming to their table, her face a mask of grim determination. She saw Markus picking himself up from the floor, and her stomach turned. Before she could open her mouth, the woman was standing at the booth, her hand ready to claw at Akane. Akane shrunk into a ball, covering her head with her hands with a yelp.
Before The Morrigan could tear into his girlfriend, she was knocked off her feet and onto the ground by a blur of black and a roar of anger. The shock that crossed her face was quickly replaced by rage.
“YOU DARE?!” She bellowed.
In response, Markus leaned down and growled, “Your conflict is with me. You will leave my friends and family out of it, or so help me, I’ll find a way to kill you. Am I clear, Beverly?” His eyes were filled with the fires of his own rage, and The Morrigan gazed appreciatively at him.
Softly, she said, “You know, if we were in any other situation, I would be extremely turned on right now. As it is, you’ve signed your own death warrant. Fine. I’ll leave them alone, but you will never escape me. Ever. I’ll hunt you for an eternity if I must, Markus Barton. Now, get off me. I am a goddess, after all.”
Markus got off her, and extended a hand to help her up, which she accepted.
“Well. Since I have been thoroughly rebuked, I shall leave. I’ll see you again, Markus Barton. Count on it,” she said and strode out of the bar without a backwards glance.
“Is everyone okay?” Markus asked.
Five heads nodded in shock. Akane reached out for his hand and pulled him back into the booth. Once Markus sat down, she wrapped her arms around him and began to cry.
“I thought she was going to kill me, Markus. She was so mad. What did you say to her?” she said haltingly.
Markus kissed the top of her head and squeezed her close. “She was, Akane. That was her intent, I’m sure of it. She is the head of a rival company to the one I am now employed with. She doesn’t like being told “No”, and will apparently stoop to any level to get what she wants. I’ve made sure she will leave you all alone. I’m pretty sure she won’t quit bothering me, however. I’ll talk to Lucifer about it. I’m sure he can do something,” he said, as he held Akane close to him.
A few moments later, the bartender came to their table. “I am so sorry, but due to the disturbance, we will have to ask you all to leave. Please, gather your things,” he said with a short bow.
“Of course, sir. I am sorry for the disturbance, and I completely understand. I would like to pay our tab, if I may?” Markus said.
“No. Please leave.”
“As you wish. Let’s go, everyone. I’m sorry this happened on what has otherwise been a delightful day,” Markus replied, sliding out of the booth.
He extended a hand to Akane, who took it gratefully and stood on wobbly legs. The other four stepped out as well, and together, the six of them left the bar, their spirits thoroughly dampened.