𓏦

“are you trying to die today--?” dori held her knife out at him.

“what is going on here?” a familiar voice sounded. the three straightened out instinctively, flashing sulky expressions.

you and riri stood to each of kira’s sides, the younger timurov simply staring at the three acting like children being scolded by their mother. a breathy laugh huffed through your nose, as you tilted your head down, shaking it in amusement.

“we have enough things to worry about, the last thing we need is to turn against each other.” kira sneered, her arms crossed before her chest. “direct that anger into dealing with our little pest problem. before i make sure you never see top ten again.”

you watched as runa’s eyes trailed off, chad rolling his eyes with pursed lips, and dori rubbing the tip of her knife.

“why yell at us? suki’s the one taking forever to challenge her.”

kira’s eyes widened, glaring at the boy’s outburst, wordlessly silencing his next thoughts. his head fell low, arrogant, blind annoyance suddenly morphed into some sense of fear.

“suki is being dealt with.” the jet-black haired russian assured, inhaling deeply. “until his match against yumeko, i don’t want to hear any arguing, or childish bickering, understood?”

grumbled “yes”s and “whatever”s were dully muttered.

“good,” kira sighed, smiling, “now go do your jobs, instead of… lounging around like useless little children.”

they dispersed, not without an unwilling slump to their step.

you shook your head, letting it hang low. you tilted your head to catch the crease of stress folding in the corner of her eye. “way to stick it to ‘em, boss. very presidential.”

“shut up.” she barked, crossing her arms with a huff. “it’s unbelievable. they think this is a tea party, not governance.”

“cheer up, darling. at least you look very good as the angry president type. very commanding.” you picked at the chair chad was sitting on, pulling it back before holding a hand out. she took a seat, leaning back as she crossed her legs. you stood behind her, hands running along her shoulders to ease the tension from between her neck and her clavicle. “what’s gotten you so worked up, president? you’re so tight.”

your choice of words were enough to yank kira out from whatever worried daze she was trapped in, earning a muffled groan from the russian. she folded her arms, eyes straying away to avoid meeting the cheeky, knowing grin on your face.

“i’m serious,” she insisted, “the council’s on thin ice.”

“so am i.” you replied, standing by her chair. “look, i told you, if you want to undermine yumeko, this isn’t the way to do it. i know you know it, kira, you’re too smart for a move so stupid.”

“suki’s a pawn. i need him to distract her while i make my real move.” she confessed, tilting her head just enough for her eyes to find yours. “and you need to stay in your lane. she reached for your tie, yanking you down to kneel just adjacent to her. she tightened the house pet chain around your neck, patting your cheek. “i have a little problem for you to fix.”

“anything.” you gasped, feeling her fiddle with your hair.

she leant in, hand cupping your cheek. she whispered into your ear, your eyes darted up at a familiar name. just as you thought they would be, yumeko’s eyes were already on you.

when her instructions came to an end, kira pulled away, her hand sliding from your cheek to pinch your chin. she cocked your head upwards. “don’t disappoint me… pet.”

somewhere at the edge of the quad, yumeko fondled her mother’s chip, watching you exchange with your handler. the corner of her lips quirked and her eyes narrowed as your gazes met. her smirk widened, turning back to mary, who just watched the japanese with a grimace.

“mary, you’re good friends with the slayer, right?” she asked, her dimples denting her pale cheeks as she toddled her chip.

the shorter’s eyebrows furrowed. “i wouldn’t say that. why?”

“i need you to help me ask her on a date.” yumeko stated, a tone so casual it was like it was just right, like it was the most ordinary thing that could have come out of her mouth.

mary couldn’t muster the right words to phrase just how ridiculous the request was. but the hysteric laugh she doubled over into should have sufficed; what a hilarious question.

“you are one freaky little bitch, y’know that?” mary insisted.

“just one, and i guarantee i’ll have what i need by the end of the night.” yumeko followed the shorter towards the building, hands clasped behind her back as they strode through.

“and that would be… what, exactly?” she continued prodding.

“nothing you should concern yourself with.” the japanese chuckled sweetly. "all i need is for you to ask her for me. i’m almost certain she’ll agree. i'll bet you a coffee for it.”

mary scoffed in utter disbelief at her confidence. she glanced over at you, beckoned to kira's feet, collar still strung tight around your throat. "you don't just ask y/n on a date, man. she'll either ignore you, or worse, gamble you for it. you'll go from a hopeless idiot begging for a date to her house pet just like that." she snapped her fingers. "besides, now with kira walking her like a dog, i doubt you'd get her off her leash."

"so you'll help me?" yumeko grinned wider, eyes hopeful.

there was a beat of silence. before she exhaled, eyes fluttering shut in defeat. "whatever. i'm not responsible for whatever shit you’re getting yourself into. i'll talk to her, but if this ends in some crazy beef with kira, i'm not bailing you out."

yumeko clasped mary's hand tightly, beaming. "deal.”

“a date?“ you scoffed, crossing your arms. you leant against your locker, raising an eyebrow as you tilted your head. mary didn’t fold at the subtle, but charismatic gesture, instead, she stared back at you with an ‘i’m not fucking around’ look. you took another second to register what she had just told you, a hand sliding down your open collar. your hand found the pocket of your blazer, before you finally met mary’s gaze again. “i’m flattered, but why on earth would she ask for a date?”

it was obscene. never in a million years would you expect yumeko to be ballsy enough to as you out. especially not with kira breathing down your neck in front of the school.

“she’s not asking, it’s not up for debate. i’m just a messenger.” mary corrected, “it’s been like a week since you lost, and i’ve made zero progress. runa won’t loan me money to bet on shit, and all this bitch,” her thumb shot to gesture towards her back, glancing past her shoulder, you see yumeko conversing with ryan. but her eyes were dead set on you, a smile tugging at her glossy lips. “--can talk about, is you. she’s straight up cuckoo, dude! what am i supposed to do now, slayer? hm? ‘cuz i sure as hell ain’t making it out of war alive like this.”

you held a hand up, calming her before her voice escalated any further. you smiled, the harsher edges of your eyes softened--the new lines from the pressure your new position brought, evident to the shorter girl before you. she almost felt bad, almost, if she didn’t have her own big things to worry about.

“talk to me then, mary. tell me everything,” you begged softly, reaching for her hand, squeezing it. “let me help.”

“yumeko doesn’t care about kira, or the council, or whatever shit they’re gonna throw at her. and honestly, she’s good. like, good, good. almost as good as you at lying her ass off.” she ranted, “she’s on some weird little mission to drag up shit from like decades ago, and you’re smack-dab in the middle.”

“why? what’ve i done?” you asked, staring at the japanese.

“look, i don’t want that public humiliation ritual you pulled to be all for nothing, so i think we need to recourse,” mary sighed, “kira still keeps you around for council meetings, right? tell me, like, what’re those bloodsuckers planning now?”

"to tank yumeko's momentum before she climbs any higher. suki's going to challenge her to an icebreaker, but, i wish i could tell you when." you thought back to the little order the raven-haired tyrant had whispered into the shell of your ear. “i have an idea on how to make things work.”

your gaze trailed off, pushing for a beat before the shorter clapped in your face. “hello? stop edging me, spill it.”

“tell yumeko i’ll meet her by the roundabout before dinner.” you laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it tightly. she doesn’t jerk away, just stared up at you in skepticism. “focus on wearing runa down and placing petty bets for now.”

“that’s it? you just hyped up that?” she sighed, “alright then.”

just as she turned to walk away, you spoke over your shoulder, “oh! and tell her to bring her lucky chip. she’ll need it.”

you weren’t going to tell kira. no, not yet. she would lose her mind, then you’d lose your head. but as loss strikes, opportunity arises. and this was just what you needed to set the bait for suki’s part of the council’s plans.

yumeko spun on her heel, walking alongside mary with her hands behind her back. she smiled, like she already knew the answer. “so when’s my date with the slayer, cupid-san?”

“roundabout before dinner. she said to bring that.” mary gestured at the chip dangling from her neck. “you’ll probably have to pray your luck doesn’t betray you.” the girl couldn’t resist a roll of her eyes, practically seething of irritant at the lack of progress. “like i said, she doesn’t do free wins.”

yumeko squealed, twirling before tackling the shorter in a hug. her eyes wide, sparkling with inexplicable excitement.

“i told you she’d agree, didn’t i?” she giggled, “this is perfect.”

“you’re really going to make this a thing, huh?”

“of course.” she giggled, biting her bottom lip. “she talks risky, so i’m going to talk back. like a reflex. (aye pnd anyone?)”

“oh my god, please don’t do something reckless.” mary scolded, “just because you got lucky last time and managed to leave a game with her with zero losses doesn’t mean you will again. you’re seriously get off on the adrenaline, don’t you?”

“relax, mary.” yumeko mumbled under her breath, voice soft and thrilled, leant forward cheekily. “it’s not reckless. it’s romantic. i’ll wager a date against something she can’t refuse, and i have until dinner to figure out what. something that gets her in the game, one she can’t slay her way out of.”

mary held a hand up, walking around her. “that’s insane.”

“maybe,” yumeko hummed, “but what snag is insanity when the price is so deliciously her?”

mary watched the girl strut off, striding in her usual confidence, but there was an extra pep in her step.

“you’re a fucking psycho, y’know that!” she yelled after her.

yumeko only grinned at her, shrugging her shoulders before turning the corner. mary shook her head at the japanese’s antics. why was everyone around her fucking crazy?

being in the solitary comfort of your dorm room was a luxury you never realized was sacred until it was taken from you. you were spending more and more nights in kira’s quarters, with the timurov siblings having the biggest suites st. dom could offer. you swore your back must be permanently altered from sleeping on the pull-out bed so much.

you slumped into your chair, staring at the untouched stationary sitting on your table. your eyes trailed to the picture of you and your father sitting on your dresser, and you gulped.

you hadn’t spoken to him in a while. if it were up to you, you would’ve called by then--it was your fourth year boarding after all. but your father operated on a “don’t speak unless spoken to” system. only he could call, and he never did.

you weren’t his favourite child, despite being his only one.

you stunned at a periodic buzz sounding from your pocket. you pulled your phone, the sight of your father’s caller id nearly sending you into an anxiety attack. you sat up, posture fixed on instinct as you cleared your throat. you answered, “dad?”

“are you serious, y/n? i was pulled out a meeting to hear you’ve been ruined by kira timurov?” his voice was stern, mixed with similar levels of rage and undeterred disappointment.

“no, it’s not like that--” you scrambled to explain yourself.

“a house pet? i mean, the lowest a l/n has ever dropped to was still in top ten, y/n. what did i tell you about messing around, hm? what the fuck did i tell you?” you could hear the grit in his teeth, the tense lock of his jaw. “to a timurov, no less.”

you swallowed thickly, shoulders tensing. “…i’m sorry, sir.”

“i’ve told you a billion times to knock this childish shit off. you have disgraced my name in every way possible.” he scoffed, “i want this fixed by the end of the week, y/n. if i don’t see your name back in top ten, fort stake will be seeing you in summer.”

your heart sunk at the name. you spent every summer of your childhood since you could form memories in fort stake.

it fostered gambling talents in you no vegas casino could.

in a way you were in debt to the place, but the measures the superiors went to break you was indescribably inhumane. and you wouldn’t wish the experiences on anything that breathed.

nightmares personified, and the name itself had you shaking in your chair, eyes brimming with tears as you quivered.

“y--yes, sir.” you trembled. the house pet tag handing from your neck had never felt as dense as it did in that moment.

“for christ’s sake, now i’ll never hear the end of this from arkadi timurov.” he grunted, “don’t embarrass me any further, y/n.”

before you could choke out another pathetic apology, the call tone rung. your hand didn’t pull the phone away from your ear.

it was the first time you had hear your father’s voice in months, and it was to tell you off for messing up things as academically cardinal as your standing. he was already unsatisfied with your place in third, but this? you hadn’t expect him to actually utter express dissent for your inability to live up to his reputation.

but, being the successor of a legacy as lavishing as this had its own drawbacks. even if you didn’t make a choice to live it.

your door swung open, and you glanced up, blinking the tears away as a smile wiped the fright from your expression. in walked your roommate, bags strung from her arms and jagged breaths falling from her lips. you stood to help her with her bags, hearing her chuckle at your eager movements.

“wow, i’m glad you missed me, slayer.” she snorted, stretching her back after her bags were settled by her bed.

you chuckle, the overwhelming feeling from your father’s phone call dissolving to near nothing. you beamed, sauntering over to pull your roommate into a hug. her arms wrapped around your neck, whilst one of yours squeezed her torso tightly. “what’re you on about, ky, i always miss you.”

(idk if yall rmb kylie’s character but i didn’t wanna make up an entirely new person for your roommate lol)

it didn’t take a second after pulling apart for her to notice the tag dangling against your dress shirt. her eyes then dart to the red blazer on your chair, before a ghastly gasp escaped her.

“no.” was all she said, mouth agape. her eyes blown wide.

“yes,” you countered, sighing, “you missed a rough week.”

“are you serious? someone took you out?” she scoffed, toying with the pet tag. “is it the new girl they said we were getting? did you lose? oh my god, what has it been, like four years?”

you gently tugged her wrist away from it, sucking in a sharp breath. “no, uhm, it’s not her. it’s… it’s kira.”

it fell silent for a beat, before she bursted out laughing. but when you didn’t join her hysteria, her amusement simmered. you pressed your lips together. “oh my god, you’re not joking.”

“unfortunately not. but it’s whatever, i’m adjusting.”

“adjusting? what the hell happened when i was gone?” she began rambling, “i leave for a week and you lose your first game ever at st. dom’s to the world’s biggest nepo baby? you have never ever lost a game before, y/n, what the hell?”

“it’s not like that, ky. you know i don’t just… lose.” you smirked, “it’s jus a little bump in the road for now.”

“oh mama, bet kira’s enjoying this, huh?” she laid across her bed, arm propping her head up as she stared up at you with an amused smirk. you crossed your arms, tilting your head in question at her cheekiness. “come on, with the way she’s been eye-fucking you the entire semester last year, i’m surprised she hasn’t tied you to her headboard yet.”

“oh my god, seriously? this again?” you scoffed.

“don’t ‘seriously’ me, i have yet to meet a person who hasn’t want to get into your pants once they meet you.” she scrambled to sit up. “speaking of, chelsea said word’s going around you’ve got a date with the new girl… yumeko, was it?”

“it’s not a date… yet.” you stammered, sucking in a sharp breath. you sat at the foot of kylie’s bed, carefully lying down beside her. “it’s technically an errand i need to run for her majesty, but i might as well have a little fun with it, right?”

“you’re crazy.” she shook her head, laughing. “better not be another ‘house pet chad’ situation. i don’t want to see his big white as walking around this room again.”

your door swung open, both of you met with a fiery glare.

the rude interruption just stood, clearing her throat. a tiny smirk spread across your face as you slowly pushed yourself up and off your roommate’s bed. eyeing her sister behind her.

well, that wasn’t a pretty face now, was it?

you grabbed your blazer, slipping it on lousily as you approached her, but kira’s baby blues glared daggers at your fear-stricken roommate. you reached for her arm, brushing it lightly to bring her attention back on you. “everything alright?”

she eyed you up and down, at your hair dishevelled from laying on it, the tops of your shirt unbuttoned. could anyone really blame her mind for going to a place it shouldn’t?”

“i phoned you because i needed you to do something for me, but it’s obvious you were… preoccupied.” she spat sternly.

“i’m sorry, i was helping kylie settle in. what do you need?”

she doesn’t say another world, grabbing your tag and pulling you out your door. you shot kylie one last look before you stumbled past riri standing outside your room, she closed the door behind you. before following suit.

“didn’t take you for a yanker, president.” you teased, the familiar scent of the council room’s air freshener tickled your nose, but the harsh yank of you to your knees brought you back to your senses. you grimaced in pain, clenching your jaw to bite back a hiss. your eyes bored up at her icy ones.

“shut up.” she barked, your cheeks gripped between her fingertips. “i don’t want to hear a fucking word from you.”

like a good pet, you sealed your lips; you would never disobey.

you didn’t dare glance at riri, in fear of disappointing your handler. but riri was sure glancing at you, unable to process the fact someone as married to chaos and unpredictability was so eager to please--to serve. whipped into shape with one try.

“you’ve been busy, pet.” she circled around the table, leaving you kneeling at the other end. she settled in her president’s chair, crossing her legs. she held her chin between two fingers, looking down on you. “i let you out my sight once and you run straight into the new girl’s arms…” she tutted, “naughty.”

getting told off twice in a day, this had to be some record.

“i’m just doing what you asked, president.” you answered, expression hard. your eyes smiled at her. “nothing more.”

she paused for a moment, taking you in. you felt your breath shudder under her gaze. she scoffed, before mocking laughter echoed around the room. riri lowered her head, eyes fluttering shut to brace herself for what was to come.

“so you don’t care to admit she roped you into a date?”

you smirked back, arguing, “it wasn’t a date i agreed to. i simply asked for her to meet me somewhere before dinner.”

“you are one pain in the ass.” she sneered, snarling.

you don’t snap back, no smartass quip or cheeky comeback. you just cock your head aside, baiting her to make her next move; leave it to you to play your potential death like a game.

you watch her eyes dart up to riri, who was standing behind you, wordless as usual. you heard her take a step towards you, her scent hitting you crudely.

“you don’t get to make your own choices, pet. when you do something, it’s for me. when you think of something, it’s for me. when kawamoto tries to make a move on you, she’s really trying to come after me.” she kicked her feet up onto the table, leaning back. “time to abolish that sinful pride, l/n. it’s about control, and it hasn’t really clocked to you who has it.”

you raised an eyebrow, wetting your lips. “of course, president. you don’t have to remind me, i surrender all of me to you.”

“better safe than sorry.” you felt hands around your neck.

your instinct urges you to struggle, but the cool bits of metal around your throat jolted you to your senses.

wow. maybe you underestimated how upset she’d be.

you tugged at the tight restraint, glancing up at riri, who just shot you a stare laced with an apologetic glint.

“you’re… collaring me?” you scoffed, grinning in amusement.

for a moment, you felt the tension between you and the russian thicken. then she exhaled sharply, swinging her legs over the edge of the table to clack her way towards you. she moved to sit in the chair just in front of you, crossing her legs again to rest one of them against your right thigh.

“think of it as obedience training.” she hummed, satisfied at the sight of your submission. “you can play house with the new girl if it gets your work done, but you report every single detail to me until i’ve decided you’ve learned how to behave. no wandering, no cuddling with kylie, and no yumeko.”

you grinned despite the heat in her tone. you never realized just how much she wanted you in her hands. she was willing to do the most to make sure everyone, especially you, knew there was one name stamped into your plush skin.

“guess i’ll be a good pet then.” you whisper, smiling softly.

her expression softened for a second, before she stepped back, regaining her composure. the cold, scary president.

she leant in, a hand gently caressing your cheek. you leant into her palm, eyes never tearing away from hers. she grinned, but it doesn’t make you feel quite as comforted as it should. she pinched your chin suddenly, locking your head up.

“good. because next time, i won’t bother with a warning.”

she pecked you on your cheek, bordering on the corner of your lips. she gently patted your face before striding past you. when you turned to look, riri was eyeing you, tailing her sister.

you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding; something about kira screamed your father. but you didn’t fear her the way you did him, you… enjoyed her power. it was fun watching her try to keep calm around your annoying ass.

ryan leant against the frame, watching as yumeko brushed out her hair. he shook his head, arms crossed as he took in the japanese’s peppy attitude. he scoffed, “you’re seriously going through with this? dinner? with her?”

yumeko tutted, not even bothering to glare at him. she wagged a finger. “uh-uh, not dinner, ryan. a date.”

“why do you keep doing this? do you have a fetish for trouble or something?” he rambled, “did you forget she lost to kira on purpose? she’s not just another student at st. dom’s, she’s literally going to ruin you. you hear me? ruin you.”

yumeko giggled dangerously. “that’s what makes her fun.”

“seriously? you’re just gonna let her do this?” ryan sneered at mary, who sat scrolling through her phone on yumeko’s bed. the shorter shrugged, pursing her lips.

“don’t look at me, dick cheese, i’m not responsible for this.”

“stop worrying, i just want to find some things out.” she grinned, smoothing out her cardigan. she patted his chest lightly, brushing past him. her perfume lingered light in the air. “don’t wait up, ryan. if i’m lucky, i won’t be back tonight.”

“don’t come crying when you’re back crawling on all fours!”

“i’m praying so!” yumeko called over her shoulder.

when yumeko practically skipped her way through the main doors, you were already standing at the end of the laid carpet leading to the roundabout. she let her eyes roam over you clad head-to-toe in a non-uniform outfit; something about someone so formal being seen in such a natural state was so intimate. and yumeko lapped up every drop like a thirsty kitten.

“ten past,” you said, glancing down at your phone. you glanced back up, smirk evident, watching her sway her way towards you with her hands clasped behind her back. “i was beginning to think you had ditched me on a date you invited me on.”

“oh, come on, you wouldn’t think i’d miss this for the world now, would you, ms. student council?” she replied, running a finger along the crease of your jacket. she hooked a finger around your chain, tugging it out from where you had so neatly tucked into. “or should i say, ms. kira’s favourite pet?”

“not tonight.” you pulled the tag over your head, stuffing it into your pocket without breaking from her gaze. “i’m all yours.”

the japanese bit her lip. “starting off strong. i like it.”

“i’m glad.” you held your arm up, it didn’t take long for her to get the memo of hooking hers into yours. you subtle eyed the beloved chip strung just above her chest. it was folding in and out her cardigan. a sense of excitement flushed to your chest, a feeling you hadn’t felt since your “loss” to the st. dom tyrant.“i hope you’re ready for a very tame night then.”

“how unconventional. people usually do the most to impress on a first date, y’know?” she teased, letting you guide her.

“coming from the girl who couldn’t ask me out herself?” you hissed, feigning hurt with a hand to your chest. “i’m sure there were better ways for someone as… unpredictable as you to ask me on a date than through poor mary.”

“and what fun would it have been if you saw me coming?”

you hummed with a breathy chuckle, shrugging. “touché.”

“you didn’t tell me where we were going.” she said, her eyes flicking to the side of your face. “for all i know, you could be dragging me into a dungeon you’ll lock me in forever.”

“you talk too much when you know too much, new girl.”

“and you like surprises?” yumeko laughed softly, “is that why you surprised the entire school by losing to kira?” she stroked your arm as you tried laughing her statement off. “you and i both know losing simply isn’t… in the cards for you.”1

you laughed, laying a hand over hers on your arm.

“you don’t waste time, do you?” you asked, leading her through the backstreets. the air began smelling of oil and soy, and not long after the street signs of crappy local businesses blinded you. you strode past a few familiar places; some of which your father brought you every first day. “honestly, what do i need to do to keep your attention on me?”

you turned, blocking her path, brushing your knuckles against her cheek. you stayed close, eyes flickering between hers and her lips. you grinned, feeling her cheeks flush warm.

“this is what you wanted, right? to have all my attention.”

wow. you were good at this. no wonder you were crazy at poker, the acting skills deserved an academy award.

“mmh, i knew i was gonna have it one way or another.”

you stepped backwards, shrugging. you took her by the hand, leading her towards a small deli wedged between a laundry shop and a newsstand, its faded red awning fluttering.

“well, better enjoy it wisely then.” you smirked. “here, new girl, is the best food in the city. and no one will bother us here.”

inside, the fluorescent light was bright and eye-pricking. the place was empty except for an old man behind the counter, who looked up and smiled at you. “i was wondering when you’d be back. the shop was falling a little too quiet.”

you inclined your head, letting yumeko brush past you as you held the door open. “forever charming, gus.”

“your usual? breakfast for dinner?” he asked, already reaching to grab the ingredients before you answered. a nod from you sufficed, before you lead yumeko over to the standing tables by the windows in the front. you leant over the table.

“funny. i can’t picture you being a casual at a place so--”

“anti-preppy?” you finished, glancing out the window at the few cars speeding by. “yeah, my father hates it.”

“really?” she furrowed her brows, resting her chin on her hand. “you said nobody would bother us here. does that mean you’ve brought someone here you didn’t want to be bothered by?”

like dangling bait in open waters, yumeko was hopeful.

you glanced up, eye holding hers. the corner of your lips quirked upwards, taking sight of the hook peeking from under its bait. “it means i wanted to see what you’d do when you weren’t performing for anyone. y’know, figure you out a little.”

she blinked, slow and deliberate. “who am i then?”

you shrugged, chuckling hollowly. “a girl who loves playing games. but for someone who doesn’t know the rules quite yet, she’s treading the borders of this game really close.”

“then teach me the rules.” she asked, hand falling against the table as her finger inched its way towards you.

“i can.” you said, reaching over the deli counter and thanking gus before taking the tray of food. you laid it on the table, watching the japanese take a big whiff of the aromatic spices leaking from the breakfast sandwiches. she squealed, clasping her hands together. “but i doubt you’d like my rules, new girl.”

“you’re right. i think i’d love them.” she purred.

you let your gaze linger on her lips for a moment, a quiet challenge sparking there. you reached for one of the sandwiches, peeling back the papers wrapped around it. “then i think you should eat first. might need your energy.”

she perked at the statement, raising an eyebrow. “for…?”

“trying to cheat at this game.” you said, “it’s a longer shot than you think, and i know you love to make things interesting.”

“then tell me, ms. house pet.” her grin sharpened. “was folding a godly hand in front of kira part of your game too?”

you raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, your jaw slacked. then, just as quickly, you dove in for another bite of your sandwich. “have you ever heard of manners, new girl? for someone coming from such conservative culture, you sure have a knack for disregarding the decency of being polite.”

she tilted her head. “i’ve been curious.” she traced a finger around the rim of the tray, not touching her food just yet. “i like disorganization in games, but i prefer patterns in people.” she dragged a finger down from your collarbone, both your gazes fell to her milky hands. “yours don’t make sense.”

“why should it?” you leant forward, setting down the sandwich. “i’m a gambler. i’m not supposed to be predictable. you of all people should be familiar with that, new girl.”

“you don’t throw a game for fun,” she interjected sharply, “you had the winning hand, but you chose to lose everything.”

you chuckled, low and smooth. mocking her determination.

“you’re bold, i’ll give you that.” you backed away, the air around her suddenly felt cool, the charge between the two of you falling absent. “but you haven’t earned answers like that yet.”

“i thought you liked bold.” she teased, tugging at the collar of her shirt so the skin underneath would be exposed.

you shook your head, chortling at her attempt at seducing you.

“you’re just married to trouble, aren’t you?” you said, “see, every step you make may be unpredictable, but honestly, that means nothing when your opponent--” you held a hand up, and in between two of your fingers was her chip. she snapped her head down instantly, hands frantically pawing at the bare chain. the smile on her face instantly wiped to make place for one burning with dismay. “--knows how to pivot.”

she doesn’t move, scared something would happen to the only living memento of her parents if she did something erratic.

“you’re right, new girl. i love playing games.” you tossed the chip in air, catching it upright on the back of your hand, letting it role to the tip of your fingers before knocking it back up into the air again, letting it fall into your palm. “but if you let yourself get lost in trying to win, the rules will bend. and you--” you do a classic magic trick, the chip disappearing from your hand. you lean back over the table, grinning in her face. “--don’t even realize you’re playing my game.”

࿇ an: here’s the long awaited part 3, i’m working hard guys

࿇ taglist: @goofyglubsgoober @kaisacobra @idleyuri @ognenniyvolk @shegoswhoree @ratzeye @canyonyodeler @wompingburg