Eat food, drink water, and get 5+ hours of sleep today or else ur bed will be replaced by tofu

Chrollo POV

Against his better judgement, Chrollo had left Y/n alone with Shalnark.

Not that he was scared Shal would hurt them. Not now that he knew who they were, at least. Although perhaps hearing about the small torture session had made him paranoid.

On that note, he still had to find out how Y/n had Feitan completely convinced they were dead. Feitan wasn't an amateur, far from it. He knows how to check a pulse.

The most logical answer was that Feitan knew they were alive and lied.

The issue with that theory was that Chrollo had complete faith in Feitan. Feitan wouldn't lie to him.

Sighing, Chrollo let the hot water run down his back as he massaged soap into his hair.

Having been focused on finding Y/n, he admits he hadn't been taking the best care of himself. Only putting in enough effort to look presentable for his dearest.

If it weren't for his desperate need for a shower, Y/n wouldn't have left his arms.

He considered dragging them into the shower with him. But they'd likely not agree to that. Especially not right after finding out he'd drugged them.

Another mystery to uncover was how they knew they had been drugged. It shouldn't have had any lasting effects, other than a small headache. If that.

"God, why do they need to be so.. difficult." He grumbled to himself. The sound of the shower making his voice almost entirely inaudible, even to his own ears.

While the challenge was only drawing him in more—perhaps to the point of complete obsession—it's hard not to imagine how much easier it'd be if they gave in.

The thought of them being back in his arms, slumped into his chest. So willing and dependent like they were just for a short while after the exam.. God it'll drive him insane.

"Patience." He reminded himself, as he shut the water off. Stepping out of the shower, "All in due time."

—

Y/n's POV

The moment Chrollo walked back into the room, Shal had slipped off the bed and left. As if he hadn't been practically clinging to you for the last ten minutes since Chrollo left.

"Lucilfer." You greeted, staring at him. It wasn't the worst sight, you admit to yourself, "Are you planning to stay half naked?"

"It's only a shirt, dear," He laughed, ruffling his hair with a towel. Hair still wet as he tossed the towel aside "Would you prefer if I put one on?"

"Do what you want. I'm not in charge of you."

"You have more control over my actions than you may think." He moved in front of you, sinking to his knees at your feet. Kissing your knuckles and pressing your palm against his cheek.

An act, obviously. His goal had always been to make you feel as though you were in control.

You were about to say something, before the black lines running up his back caught your eye,

"You have a tattoo?" You blurted, mentally cursing at yourself. Of course he had a tattoo, all the Troupe members do.

Kissing your palm before letting your hand go, he nodded, a deceivingly soft smile on his face, "Would you like to see it?"

Before you could even respond, he had rose to his feet. Sitting on the bed beside you, to where his back was in full view.

Of course you already knew what the Phantom Troupe's matching bestie tattoos looked like. But it was different seeing it on an actual member, than just a blurry photo or two.

"Zero?" You asked, your hands instinctively moving out to trace the number in the middle of the tattoo.

You took slight pleasure in the way his body tensed unexpectedly at the touch. You've never caught Chrollo off guard before.

Slowly relaxing into the touch, he answered "Yes, I'm the leader. Or the head of the spider."

"Still, why zero? Not one, or thirteen?"

If it were anyone else questioning the hierarchy, they'd probably be executed. Luckily you weren't just anyone.

Though, following that thought, you may be getting a bit too comfortable with your place at Chrollo's side.

"The number itself holds no value in the troupe." He explained, only humming as your fingers continued to trace the edges of his tattoo, "Numbers one and twelve are treated as equals, as goes with the rest of the members."

"So because it sounded cool?" You TikTok [proud] emoji'd, finger moving along one of the legs of the spider.

"Because it sounded cool." He nodded with a soft laugh. Turning back to face you as soon as you retracted your hand from his back.

Pulling you into his lap with ease, he played with your hair, "Now, since you're done asking your questions,"

You weren't done, actually. Not that you had a say anymore.

"Care to tell me how you knew you were drugged, Y/n?"

Oh.

He didn't usually use your name. Instead sticking with sweet pet names like love, or dear.

"Headache, felt sick. And, generally, I can't be moved from location to location without waking up."

In reality you had an educated guess. And confidently said you'd been drugged, so he wouldn't be able to deny it.

"Mhm?" He kissed your forehead, despite the calculating look in his eye.

Hopefully he believed the three reasons you gave were enough for you to know you were drugged.

You'd prefer not to get tortured and questioned again.

Letting your eyes fall shut, you leaned against his chest. Not that you had much of an option, with the way he was holding you against him.

"How long was I even out for?"

"Only two days."

Your eyes snapped open as you pulled back. Staring at him, "Two days?"

"It's really not that long, dear." He smiled at you reassuringly, "Considering how exhausted you were after the exam."

"If you ever drug me again I will remove your skin from your skull."

He had no right to tell you how exhausted you were or weren't.

We don't mention that you had no right nor ability to threaten him. Maybe it was best that you were so much weaker and he wouldn't take your threats seriously.

You wouldn't either in his position.

Turning your head away from him, you could feel his eyes on you as you exhaled slowly.

"I want Shal back. He's less annoying, even when he's breaking my fingers." You huffed, hoping that'd at least be a blow to his confidence in his manipulation skills.

"That so?" He asked, combing his fingers through your hair, guiding you back to looking at him "Would you say the same about Feitan?"

"No. Shal's the exception."

"And whys that?"

You had a feeling that you were backed into a corner here. Somehow. Just in case, you gave him the most non-answer you could think of.

"His hair's gold." You shrugged.

You could see a slight twitch in Chrollo's expression before he went back to smiling softly.

"Would you like to go see him, then?" Chrollo asked, "As well as the rest of the members present?"

Oh. So this was a whole Troupe thing.

Either way you could guess that you'd be made to meet them all. No matter if you said no or not.

"Do I have to be nice to Feitan?"

"It'd be preferable," At the sight of your frown, he added, "But maybe I'll allow a small exception."

Oh you were going to get yourself assaulted today.

Running your mouth is, in fact, your favorite hobby.

"Lead the way, then."

Word Count: 1504

Fun Facts:

• The reason for Chrollo's pov was to show the difference of how they perceived each other. Chrollo showed no signs of viewing Y/n as a threat, or even an equal. Even though Y/n's managed to evade his suspicion for months.
On the other hand, Y/n views Chrollo to be in complete control over every situation. Even though he still doesn't have answers for quite a few things. :3
(This is the issue with writing characters who are only putting on fake personas around each other😭)

• Mb for updating a bit late, I'm in great amounts of pain. And I've been preoccupied with more important things the past couple days. Also my cat had surgery and laundry room flooded ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ writers curse ig

• No, Shal will most likely not be becoming a love interest. Despite his chemistry with you, he values Chrollo far over you. Just know that if you weren't already claimed by Chrollo, you'd probably be Shal's

However, just out of curiosity to see how many of you want Shal as a love interest, a vote⁉️⁉️ (enough votes and I may change my mind, or make a whole ShalxReader book)

Yes, make Shalnark a love interest.

Or

No, do not make Shal a love interest.