Read in Dark mode for better experience.

<𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓟𝓪𝓲𝓻>

It was a beautiful day outside. The kind of day that most enjoyed from a cafe window, admiring the beauty outside while reading, drinking coffee, or chatting with friends. The mixed scent of tea and coffee wafted through the air while soft music played subtly in the background. The serenity of the restaurant was everything someone under stress could ask for, and the laughter coming from the booth nearest to the window made the elders in the restaurant smile at the young couple, chatting and laughing with their drinks.

"I swear it did," you insisted to your blonde companion, who was convinced the story of your latest dancing fail just had to be exaggerated. "The heel broke mid-dance, and I just rolled off the stage right into the guys' lap in front of, like, fifteen, twenty people." Thoma lowered his head as he tried to stifle his laughter, knowing he shouldn't laugh at such a thing, but he couldn't help himself.

"And what did he do?" He finally asked.
"He just grinned at me all creepy," you said, taking a sip of your Boba, face scrunching up at the memory of the man's perverted grin. "But the worst part about it was that he requested a VIP room with me right after!"
"Oh my gosh, don't tell me you accepted it," Thoma said, and you nearly choked on your drink in your haste to deny it.
"Hell no! But he was offering a lot, so I sometimes wonder if I should've taken it." You raised your head thoughtfully before shaking it off. Nothing you could do about it now. "But better believe I almost got into a fight with the girl that lent me those shoes."
"Y/n," Thoma said disapprovingly. "She was only lending them to you to be nice-"
"No! I swear she doesn't like me. She hates that I get more attention from Ms. Guuji than her." Thoma raised a brow, and you huffed, crossing your arms over your chest defensively as you turned to face the window.
"I know what I'm talking about. If she had been the one to find my things instead of Katherine, I wouldn't be here right now."

"Can I get you a refill?" You and Thoma turned to see one of the waitresses standing there, motioning to your empty cups.
"I'm good," you said, and Thoma nodded in agreement. After a short argument on Thoma trying to pay for the drinks and you insisting on it (and losing), the two of you left.

Thoma smiled as the wind blew through his hair, the liveliness of the shopping district instantly putting him in an even better mood than usual. When was the last time he was able to get out like this? He could hardly remember.

The blonde looked around at the other bystanders, the joggers, the families, and- Thoma faltered when he noticed the couples nearby, girls hugging their boyfriends' arms as they walked by and others sitting by the fountains, sharing a meal or simply relaxing. He looked down at himself and then at you before his face turned a bright red. Could this be considered a date? Was that why all those people were smiling at the two of you? Did you look like a couple? Your smiling face flashed in his mind, making him slightly wish this was a date. He certainly wouldn't mind dating you. You were pretty and kind, and smart, and he'd be able to protect- Thoma quickly shook the thoughts from his head. Of course, he couldn't date you. You barely know each other, and with his line of work, he'd only put you in danger.

A hand waving in front of his face pulled him from his thoughts as he turned to see you looking up at him.
"Dang, do I bore you that much?" You asked, and Thoma's eyes widened.
"No, of course not! I was just trying to survey the area." It wasn't a complete lie. Even while lost in thought, Thoma had been looking around for anyone that seemed suspicious. He knew from experience that you could never be too careful. "With Scaramouche supposedly targeting you, you shouldn't really be out like this." You chuckled at his concern.
"I think we'll be fine," You assured. "Besides, I'm going back to work tomorrow, and this is the first break I've had in a while." You looked around before pointing to the mall across the street.
"Let's see what we can find there." Thoma looked unsure, and you grabbed his hand, instantly making his face redden once more.
"Please, I have yet to repay you," you said. "Come on, I'll buy you anything you want!" Thoma sighed, reluctantly allowing you to pull him along and promising himself to be on his guard.

"Wow, this place is huge!" You raised a brow at Thoma, whose eyes sparkled with wonder as you entered the mall.
"Have you never been here?" You asked.
"I'm pretty much helping my Lord out twenty-four-seven, so I don't normally get to go to places like this," Thoma said, eyes wandering over every shop, fast food place, and even the play areas for the kids. You chuckled at his excitement before looking at the map, searching for somewhere he'd enjoy when one of the places caught your eye. You glanced back at Thoma. He seemed like an animal person, didn't he? You shrugged before walking back over to him.
"I have a place I think you'd like," you said, and Thoma raised a brow curiously, but before he could question you, you had already grabbed his hand, leading him through the crowd of people and up the elevator. Thoma smiled, allowing you to lead. Maybe this wasn't a date, but he could at least pretend it was.

You finally stopped in front of the store and Thoma looked up at the name.
"Canine Cafe Charlotte?" He read aloud.
"Yeah," you said, averting your gaze bashfully. "Let me know if I'm wrong, but you seem like the type of person who likes animals, but if you don't, there are plenty of other places we can-" You moved to sneak a glance at him, hoping to read whether or not he was interested in the place by the look on his face only to find no one there.

"Thoma?" You looked around, finally spotting his familiar orange hair looking in the window where the puppies were kept. His eyes were filled with excitement as he looked at the puppies, smiling when a few of them looked back at him. He turned to you, pointing at the window while looking like a kid in front of a toy store.
"Look, Y/n!" He called. "Can we go inside?" You smiled, going up to the counter, paying for two thirty-minute sessions, and watching as Thoma rushed inside as soon as the gate was open.

"Do you like it?" You asked, sitting down in one of the chairs while Thoma, instead, sat on the floor, grinning as the puppies began to surround him, sniffing him, and climbing all over him.
"Yeah," Thoma said. "I didn't know places like this even existed!" You chuckled, watching a tan-colored Shiba Inu dog slowly approach Thoma, sniffing him a few times before climbing in his lap, looking up at him expectantly as if expecting more attention from the blonde than the others
"Whoa there," Thoma said, picking him up and looking at his collar.
"Taroumaru," he read aloud.
"So I'm guessing being Ayato's right-hand man prevents you from getting a dog?" You asked, and Thoma nodded, most of the puppies going on about their business while Thoma played with Taroumaru.
"Yeah," he sighed. "I've considered getting one, but I don't want it to get lonely while I'm doing business." You watched with a smile as he played with the puppy, relief washing over you for making the right decision.

After two more thirty-minute sessions passed, Thoma finally sighed, seeing the sun going down through the glass ceiling of the mall.
"I guess it's time to go?" You asked, turning your attention away from the dog sleeping in your lap.
"Yeah, Ayato's probably wondering where I am by now." Thoma stood up, and Taroumaru whimpered seeing him walking toward the gates, making both your hearts melt. Thoma walked over to him, petting him one last time.
"I'm sorry, buddy, but you can't come with me," he said sadly. You looked between him and the dog before finally speaking.
"I could adopt him," you said, making Thoma turn to face you. "I mean, you're more likely to visit me again than here so Taroumaru can just be there waiting for you when you get there." In the blink of an eye, Thoma was in front of you, strong arms lifting you up and embracing you tightly.
"Thank you so much Y/n!" He said. "I'll pay for everything. The trips to the vet, the food-"
"It's fine," you assured. "It's the least I could do. Besides..." You picked up Taroumaru. "Who am I to separate such a happy pair?"

After a long while of filling out adopting papers, you, Thoma, now with Tomomaru left the mall. It was nightfall by that time, and Thoma was quick to offer you his jacket when he felt the chill in the air.
"I seriously can't thank you enough, Y/n," he said, smiling down at Tomomaru, who slept comfortably in your arms. "You're an angel! I promise I'll come by whenever I can." You smiled.
"I told you, it's the least I could do for one of the men who saved my life."

"Do you think we could meet up tomorrow?" Thoma asked hopefully as he drove into your neighborhood.
"Sorry, but I was planning to go back to work tomorrow." You immediately felt bad when you heard the quiet 'oh' he let out in response. "But I'll call you as soon as I get a day off," you said, trying to make him feel better as he parked the car.
"Thank you, Y/n," Thoma said as he got out of the car, walking around it and opening your door for you. "I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun." Your eyes widened at how a simple trip to the mall seemed to make his whole year. You quickly averted your gaze, feeling your face heat up.
"I'm glad," you said quickly, sneaking a glance at him to see him still smiling at you, which only served to fluster you more. "I-I have to go." You rushed past him, dashing into your apartment building.

Thoma climbed back into the car, leaning against his seat and letting out a breath of air he didn't even realize he was holding. He watched through the window of your apartment as you walked through the door, setting Tomomaru down and turning on the TV before heading into the kitchen. Good. You made it in without any issues. Just as he prepared to drive away, the sound of the door opening made his instincts kick in, grabbing the gun he kept between the armrest and the seat. He whirled around to point it at the intruder.

"Wassup, bro?" Itto asked cheerfully, not even phased by the gun to his head as he closed the door behind him. Thoma frowned at his appearance, knuckles bruised and bloody. Blood dripped from his coat and hair onto the once clean seats of Thoma's car.
"You're getting the car dirty," Thoma said, knowing Itto well enough to know that none of the blood belonged to him.
"Was that the chick that works for Miko?" Whether the gang leader was ignoring him or didn't hear him was beyond the blonde. "The one we saved the other day?"
"Yes," Thoma replied dryly as he put his gun away. "Shouldn't you be on the way to the Kamisato estate? On your motorcycle." Itto chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Yeah, 's the real reason I got into a fight," he said. "Some idiots thought it was a good idea to spray paint it. Had to teach 'em a lesson if ya know what I mean." Thoma shook his head disapprovingly as he started the car and sped off to his lords' estate.
"But seriously, though," Itto said. "She's kinda cute, plus it seems like everyone has the hots for her."
"Oh?" Thoma raised a brow.
"Yeah, I saw the way you were looking through that window, and Kazuha has been asking me about her." Itto climbed into the front seat, smearing more blood on the seats as he did so.
"I may just have to go down to the club myself and see what the fuss is about," Itto said. Thoma's grip on the steering wheel instinctively tightened at his words, but as always, he kept his cool
"I don't think she'd be interested," he said, and Itto raised a brow, chuckling to himself as he leaned back.
"I guess we'll see."

Just pulled Itto today!! So expect to see him in the next chapter. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this one, and don't forget to vote!