Author's Note: 

            Play above Ashe and Niall's "Moral of the Story" for more feels!

❝ SHALNARK ❞
lower case intended

i didn't see Shalnark after that fight ever again. it's been three days since that accident and he didn't even bother to hit me up, call or text...none. when i woke up that morning, he's already nowhere to be seen. his stuff are still here on the house but i guess he took the wallet and phone with his journey to somewhere.

I don't want to admit it but I'm starting to worry. is he eating properly? where is he staying? what if other girls are seducing him? is this really the end? i...don't know. i just need answers but i need to stick to my words.

"...don't ever show your face to me until you knew your answer."

I guess that this is for the best.

standing up, i realized i need to go back to my normal routine. taking a shower after breakfast, i headed to my work. i have a new client for today and he's expecting a lot from me. for this mission, i can earn 3 million jennies as long as i can kill that specific person he wants me to target and give him proof. it's not really a big deal to me, this is the role of being an assassin. what's bothering me is my problem with Shalnark.

"Y/N, I'm looking forward to this one."

Mr. Lee offers his hand a shake and i gladly took it after drinking my wine. "You can count on me."

after that, i headed to the place i'm told to go to. finishing my work for an hour is an outstanding move and the agency i'm in will probably give me a bonus for this one because Mr. Lee is a famous businessman in the Black Market. failing his expectations will surely put the agency to waste but meeting it will make us famous.

all thanks to me.

oh yes, Mr. Lee needs proof. beheading the corpse laying on the ground, i dragged it like it was nothing before heading back to the building. the businessman is still there, patiently waiting for me and when he saw my walking figure, he smiled and clapped his hands.

"Fantastic. I'm very impressed."

"Thank you." i politely said, handing him the sack containing the head. he smiled devilishly before fishing out the phone from his pocket, probably transferring the money into my account.

"The money's on your account. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Very well, I'll check it later, Mr. Lee. Thank you."

"My pleasure, Ms. Y/N."

and that's it, time to go home. this time, it's different. i'm going home but not expecting to see my boyfriend on the couch, watching his favorite Peppa Pig or Netflix anymore. i will not cook dinner for him in case he'll come late tonight. gripping the stirring wheel tight, i felt my eyes warming and tears once forming.

"I miss you Shalnark..."

and as if on cue, my phone rang, Feitan's name flashing on the screen. wow, very rare for that midget to call me in the middle of the day huh? yes, the Phantom Troupe knows me, obviously. as much as i wanted to stay away from them, Machi and the rest still befriended me.

"Hello―"

"Y/N, pick up Shalnark here."

"Wait, what? Why? Where?!" i panicked, parking my car on the side of the road.

"We're on Kim's Bar right now. And he's so drunk, it's just a matter of time before he passes out."

i mentally slapped myself. my God! "I'm on my way. Hang in there."

"Thanks."

wasting no minute, nor second, i stepped on the gas pedal as i drove as fast as i could heading to that bar Feitan told me. i mentally cursed and blamed myself. i knew it! this is my fault! Shalnark never drink before! he might take light shots but to be wasted...on a filthy public bar?! i can't believe him!

i jumped out of my car once i landed at my destination, barging in without further notice. some of the customers jumped in surprised when i almost destroyed the main door but went back to their businesses eventually. where the hell is Shalnark?! this small place is kinda crowded, with too many teenagers dancing and cuddling in the middle.

"Y/N, here!"

i saw Phinks waving at me because Feitan will be harder to find in a pool of drunkards like this one. i hurried at the scene, seeing Shalnark's eyes closed while on the couch with a bottle of beer in his left hand. he's muttering something under his breath but it's another language that's why no one can understand want chant he is saying. probably summoning a demon?!

"My God, Shalnark!" i hugged him, smelling a strong aroma of alcohol on his body. "I can't believe you! Look at yourself!"

"Did the two of you broke up?" i heard a small voice coming from a small Feitan. shaking my head, i give out a deep sigh. there's no way i'll break up with him, not in any way. i caressed the drunkard's face, pinching his fluffy cheeks.

"We didn't. We just had an...argument. A bad one."

remembering all of my words i threw at him three days ago broke my heart. i felt so guilty and hurt at the same time. Phinks and Feitan both looked relieved before sitting across us, taking a sip on their wine glasses.

"Thank God."

"He's been like that three days ago. He looked so depressed that's why we decided to go out for a while. We didn't expect at first that he'll come, but miraculously, he here is. Drunk."

"Thank you for your concern," i said before assisting Shalnark in standing up. even walking's hard for this blonde idiot! i will punch him once we get home, seriously! the two helped me too as we threw him inside my car.

"We'll do everything for our best friend."

"Do you still love him, right?"

"Of course! There's no way I'll let him go." tears started forming in my eyes but i immediately averted my gaze.

"Great. Fix your problem, okay?"

"Thank you, Feitan. You too, Phinks. We'll get going now."

"Drive safely, Y/N."

"Thanks..." a sly smile was all i can offer for them before shutting the car's door shut, driving back into our house. helping Shalnark on his feet again, we both ended up on the couch. i sighed, looking at his pale and poor figure. i wonder how will our conversation start later. maybe he'll blame me? maybe he'll get mad at me? i guess so.

preparing medicine and a wet towel, i started wiping his face first and then his arms. i haven't done this to him before, probably this is his first time getting drunk, that's why my hands are shaking. i also grabbed new clothes for him but when i started unbuttoning his top, he grunted before opening his eyes. the first thing that came into my mind is to stand up and just leave him alone for him to take a peaceful sleep but he grabbed me by my wrist, stopping me from what i'm about to do.

"I'm sorry." are his first words. "Y/N...I messed up. I'm sorry." tears fell from his eyes, melting my heart. his touch ended up on my cheeks before enveloping me in a warm embrace.

"I'm really, really sorry. For my words, for my actions, for my attitude, I really am sorry. I can't leave you, after our fight, I immediately made my decision. I can give up my work for you, I can give up everything for our relationship. I'll do everything but please..."

our eyes met; his are shining, mine's glistening.

"...please don't leave me."

my body acted on its own, kissing him softly on the lips. my mind's blank and all i can hear are our hearts beating so fast. i missed him, i missed my Shalnark! and now i'm so happy that he's back! i caressed his hair as i deepened the action caused by pure love for this blonde boy.

"I will never leave you, Shalnark. I just said those words for you to realize what's really your priority and I will accept any answer you'll give me."

"You! You are my answer, Y/N. Fuck that work, I'll always choose you."

"That's all I want to hear, Shal." i smiled, pinching his cheeks once again as i wiped his tears too. "Now, we're good. Take a shower, you stink." i joked, leaving him pouting.

"Take a shower with me..." he pleaded like a baby, hugging me by my waist. i rolled my eyes, knowing he won't budge unless i agreed to his plan.

"Fine, fine. I'll just prepare the water."

my answer's not enough for him yet that's why he pulled me in for another kiss. God, I'm just so happy I can't explain it!

"I love you, Y/N. I love you so damn much."

winking, i let our foreheads touch. "I love you too, silly."

"By the way, can I request something?"

"Hmm? What's that, Shal? Anything."

"Anything?" his eyebrow rose. nodding, i smiled.

"You heard me."

"Then...will you marry me?"

i narrowed my eyes at him, bringing my fingers to my chin. "The answer isn't obvious yet?"

"Just answer it!" he blushed, looking away and pouting at the same time. Argh! So cute, so cute!

"Of course, Shal. I'll marry you," i answered before sealing it with a kiss. "I will marry you."