Dahlia's

‘Mimic’ the ability to copy another’s, a power you’d perfected over the years. Twisting someone’s ability into your own was like putting on a new pair of shoes. It was second nature to you. And was currently your saving grace.

Just like any other school yours had cheaters. Add superpowers into the mix and now you have a bunch of rebels in their early twenties wreaking havoc across the campus. Now you of course wouldn’t be getting this usb back from the goodness of your heart. ‘Get my test scores back and I’ll let you skip the next group project’ like music to your ears. And so that’s how you ended up here on the run. Who wouldn’t take that kind of offer? 

Your running slowed into a comfortable stroll. There was more than enough distance between you and the ones chasing you. They'd probably given up anyway. 

“Ugh”

“Why is he still up” 

“This bastard’s got guts I’ll give em that”

Your ears twitched hearing muffled voices.

“You putting on a show or something punk”

 It’s none of your business truly. You’ve got things to do…

“Won’t be so tough if we break your legs will you?” 

*sigh* Your head hung as you lazily stomped towards where the commotion was coming from. 

Rounding the corner you almost choked at the sight. ‘Un fucking believable’

 “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me…” five heads snapped in your direction. One belonging to a bloodied man you knew all too well. “Who the hell’s this chick?” The man above the familiar face shrugged in confusion. “Listen little girl, just keep walking if you know what’s good for ya.” Ignoring the man speaking you walked towards them, bending down to the height of their victim whispering. “Ugh what have you done to this beautiful face” pinching the bridge of your nose you let out a huff. “Your sister is going to kill someone one day at this point because of you. What should I do Jongho, hmm?” The older brother of your best friend, Choi Jongho, turned his head away from you. “She must know that punk” A quiet man who literally jumps away from your touch any time you’re near him. “Are you still pretending there’s nothing to copy?” You tilted your head already expecting the silence that followed your question. “Fine fine I’ll put on my gloves just stay there. You move, you pay.” 

 Feeling one of the men coming close you stood up. “Sir” your face dropped into a frown “please let him go” your eyes shimmering with an innocent gleam. “And why should I do that?” Tears welled in your eyes. “He’s my big cousin, he’s been really sick since he was a kid so he doesn’t speak very well. I apologize for anything you may have misunderstood. Look, I even have to put on these gloves just to touch him. One time another patient at the hospital he was staying in fell severely ill from his sickness.”

 Slight panic rose in the man’s eyes ‘perfect’ 

“I-” grabbing the man with your un-gloved hand you frantically begged. “Please please help me Sir I have to get him home” his face began to heat up feeling his arm press against your breast. ‘Hm super strength. How corny.’ “Just- just take him. We’ll let him off easy this time.” Letting the fake tears fall from your eyes, you swayed his arm against you. “Thank you thank you so much” Letting go of the man, you slip the glove onto your other hand before turning back to Jongho. “Cmon Jongho, let's get you home so you can take your medicine. I can’t get sick before midterms” the man looked at you silently allowing you to help him from the ground. You began to pull him in the direction you came from before being stopped. “Wait. What’s your name hot stuff?” Looking behind to see the man closer to you than you’d like the act dropped.

One second he was behind you the next he’d been kicked into the wall a few feet away using his own strength against him. “Names get lost you creep” the other men looked between you and their unconscious friend in shock before rushing to the man. “Serves you right asshole” shaking your head, you turn back around heading back to the path home. 

“You know if you wanted to get beat up so bad I’m sure Ledi wouldn’t mind one bit. Actually she’d probably jump at the chance.” Silence once again filled the air between you two. “Awe c'mon give me something here Jongho. We’ve known each other way too long for you to still be giving me the silent treatment this often.” Jongho did nothing but let out a small audible wince of pain. Luckily your place wasn’t too far from where you’d found him. The piece of knowledge was enough to spark your curiosity. 

    “What were you doing around here anyways? Usually you stay far away from anything even remotely related to me. So what does my favorite Choi sibling want?” It isn’t as if you weren’t aware of why he was so timid with you, it just didn’t matter. 

“Lift your legs properly, I don’t need you falling on my steps and hurting yourself any more than you already are.” It was an accident from over a decade ago that has long become a memory for you. But for him it was as if he just couldn’t let it go. 

      Pulling out the keys you opened the door to your home. You could feel the man using all of his remaining strength to stay at the entrance. Unfortunately for him you were still running on that creep from earlier’s ability. “Oh for fucks sake Jongho” you pulled him roughly, nearly knocking the both of you over. “You’d think I was some kind of walking plague.” The light smell of eucalyptus hit your nose as you let out an unwinding sigh. Pulling the man through the house you led him into the living room and pushed him to the couch. “Do n o t move” 

 The rough ridges of the first aid kit under your hand brings you relief. You were a moment away from fixing the beautiful face sitting like a rock in your living room. “You actually stayed still? Good job, I'll give you a treat after I fix you up.” Jongho didn’t hate you, that much you knew. He was just…cautious. For him you were like a live wire nearly touching the puddle but not quite there. 

     “Jacket off” he didn’t need to take it off, that much was for your own personal enjoyment. You bit your bottom lip watching as he took off the jacket revealing his beautifully toned body. The blue compression top was giving your eyes quite the treat. “Seriously, why are you letting such a perfect face and body go to waste?” You lifted the wet cloth in your hand lightly dabbing at the blood on his lip. “You’re strong, smart, hot, and a sweetheart to a fault. Ughhhh why am I being tortured with this knowledge continuously? I’m starting to think you may actually hate me.” The hand cleaning the blood was quickly caught in his grip. Raising your eyebrows you looked down at the hand on your wrist. “I don’t hate you” the sound of his low voice nearly knocked you out of your seat. “There’s that sultry voice that gets me all hot and bothered.” Jongho rolled his eyes at your words. Everyone knew this was your personality, the jokes you made were either going to be inappropriate or severely silly. 

   However you’d be lying if you said the joke you just made didn’t hold some truth. “Say something else it’s hitting all the right spots” the corners of his lips turned upwards. “Why are you like this” shrugging you took a q-tip with ointment and glided it against his lip. “Hell if I know. More importantly, are you done with the silent treatment? How long was it this time? Like two months?” Jongho looked away but you were already expecting it. Grabbing his chin you turned his face back to your own. “Did I tell you to move? You messed up this million dollar face enough. Be still.” You placed the small ban aid neatly on Jongho’s lip moving to the cut on his eyebrow.

“How did you end up like this? It’s damn near impossible to catch you off guard so it couldn’t have been a sneak attack. Should I kill them? They’ve damaged something of the gods.” Your serious contemplation made the man snort. “We don’t need you killing anyone Y/n, especially not for me.” Pausing you looked down “ of course I’d kill for you…I’d kill for anyone I care about. If it makes sense at least. What do you take me for?” 

     Jongho was the smartest idiot you’ve ever come across. “Sometimes I can’t tell if you're aware of what I feel and pretend not to know or if you’re just that dense.” You sighed, finishing with the first aid.

Of course Jongho was aware. He’s never come across anyone as blunt or straightforwardly as you. But you could do better than someone who’d nearly taken your life. Better than someone like him.

   “You done wallowing in self pity?” It was like you could read his thoughts “or are we still holding onto something that happened when we were children?” Grabbing Jongho’s face, you pulled him closer to you. “For the last time, I do not harbor any fear nor anger towards you. Nor do I think you tried to kill me. It was an accident Jongho, a simple shitty accident. You can’t go back and change what happened so let it go. I’m fine, I'm alive, there’s nothing else to it.” 

   When you were younger all of your friends would play near the waterfall in the woods. One day things took a turn when Jongho’s abilities started to surface and you ended up falling in. The current of the water was too strong and you lost consciousness. It was pure bad luck on your part. If only Jongho would stop blaming himself for it. “Y/n you just don’t get it. You could’ve died because of me.” ‘Yeah yeah’ he’s driving himself crazy. “But did I? Have you ever taken a life? Do you know what it really feels like? Because I do, trust me. Do yourself a favor and let it go.” 

“Y/n will you quit fussing? You look stunning.” You were currently getting ready for your birthday ceremony. Though you wished it was for anything else. Turning 23 was a bit of a shock. Honestly you hadn’t expected to make it this far. With all of the assassination attempts on your life. It was nothing short of a miracle. 

The family you were born in wasn’t a big name in the world. Quite the opposite, however they were known in the worst way possible. “Don’t you agree, Sir Yunho?” Which is how you ended up with a shifter for a personal Knight who has a ‘kill first ask questions later’ personal. “You look beautiful Princess”

  Jeong Yunho, a dangerous force to be reckoned with. One of the last of his kind. He is a warrior, held himself as such. Except for when with you. “Yunho, when will you drop that silly habit of yours? It is nothing but a false title” when Yunho wasn’t in front of others, he became a completely different person. “My apologies Princess” the kind of person who wore a smirk you wished to slap off for teasing you. “I cannot believe your family is trying to marry you off.” The only downside you’d ever seen within your family. They all despise listening. “My parents are not trying to marry me off Alyson, they simply want me to find a way out of this constant battle between life and death.” No matter how much they train you, protect you, it isn't nearly enough.

 No one could confirm it but people whispered of your family. Of the true identity of the Baines family. “Soooo trying to marry you off” it wasn’t something being forced onto you. However you knew the intentions were definitely there with this ceremony. “Either way we best head down now. “Lest mother escorts me herself.” You could feel it as you adjusted the ruby necklace adorning your neck. The feeling you’d been ignoring for quite a while beginning to bubble its way up once again. “Let us go”

~~~~~~~

“Congratulations on a new year my sweetest” your mother nearly had tears in her eyes. “You’ve no clue how proud Will and I are” then again who wouldn’t be emotional seeing their child step into adulthood. “Thank you mother” the woman looked over you before letting out a sigh “if only things were simpler” it was starting. “Alright mother let’s get you a drink” your eyes meet Alyson’s giving her an obvious look for help. “Yes Duchess I hear the champagne prepared tonight is quite tasty.” Your closest friend saves you, pulling your mother away before she can even begin worrying.

 “Goodness she couldn’t even-“ 

“Congratulations M’lady, to many more years of health and prosperity” a sudden glass of champagne being held in your face caught your attention. “Lord James…thank you for the wishes” just looking at the Baron in front of you filled you with nothing but annoyance. “I hear you managed to avoid another attempt. It truly is a day of celebration.” 

    Realizing you had no intentions of taking the glass, the man tipped it to his lips and gulped the contents down. “Hopefully one that ends with me having your hand” you were not allowed to enter with Yunho seeing as he was a Knight. Actually, now that you thought about it you hadn’t seen him since you entered the ballroom. ‘He has such horrible timing’ contrary to what most people believe you weren’t some damsel who needs constant protection. Though your parents made it seem as such, Yunho knew from the start not to believe anything of the sorts. Hence why the Knight was giving you your space. Even if it is the worst time for that. “My lord, I am flattered...truly. However looking for a husband is not my intention tonight.” Especially not someone as egotistical as the man in front of you. “Lady Y/n I don’t think you quite understand what I’m offering here.”

   You knew very well of what he was offering. And not a single bone in your body wanted it. Not to mention the fact of him being old enough to be your father. “I’m grateful for your offer Lord James but I must decline” the man was getting flustered, angry. 

“Do you believe everyone is waiting with their hand out for you to take? How insolent” Deciding there was no point in staying in your current place you turned to walk away. “WHO SAID YOU COULD WALK AWAY FROM ME” James roughly grabs your wrist along with the attention of everyone in the room. ‘How bothersome’ it would have been best if he’d just let you go. “My Lord let me go” your voice stayed low, calm. “Or what” his grip only tightened on your wrist. “Please you’re hurting me” you pitch your voice higher to give off a sense of pain. 

  “Hurting you? If you are able to avoid death this should be nothing.” It genuinely would have been better for the man to just leave you be. “Lady Y/n?” You knew the tone well. The tone used before blood was drawn. “Yunho…you’re back” everyone stared at the scene before them in curiosity. “Lady Y/n…” there it was again. That feeling, that sick feeling “it’s fine Yunho. I’m sure Lord James will make the better decision for himself.” You could feel his eyes on you, could practically feel the heat emitting from his body. “Right?” The sweet smile on your face promised nothing but pain if he decided to act out any further. “Ehem My apologies Lady Y/n, I stepped out of line” your wrist was let go and quickly placed in the hand of your Knight. “Are you hurt?” It was a question for show “I’m fine Yunho.” Though, James had given you the perfect opportunity to leave. 

“I feel a bit faint” putting a hand to your forehead, you let out a sigh. “I should get some rest” the Knight let go of your wrist and stood slightly behind you. “Lady Y/n shall take her leave to rest.” It was all Yunho needed to say before a path was practically created for you.

      “Be honest Yunho, you relish in the attention don’t you?” You’d practically skipped out of the ballroom and up to your residential area. “I’m not sure I follow” Yunho walked a few feet behind you. “Oh please. The entire nation knows who you are at this point. ‘The man with dragon flames’ a bit flashy for my taste?” As you grab the handle of your door you turn back to face the man. “Join me for a drink will you?” Usually Yunho would reject your request and stand on guard outside of your room. “It is my birthday after all” but this one time he will accept your request. 

“Only because it is your birthday!” excited you turned and trailed into your room. “God this feels so much better“ the heels you wore felt like sticks of hell. Kicking them off halfway across the room brought you nothing but bliss. “Can you believe that man? I mean he and my father attended the same academy for crying out loud.” It was unbelievable “I should’ve killed him” honestly you didn’t even think it was necessary. “He wasn’t worth it.”

 You grab the bottle of wine and two glasses before placing them on the table. “If I wanted you to stand by my door I would have left you outside of my room. Come and sit.” You wasted no time in popping the bottle open. “You know-” you stare in awe as the red liquid fills the first glass “lately something seems a bit different.” A sweet red wine you’d been saving for today “and what exactly is different Princess?” If only you’d eaten something before drinking. “When will you let that name go? I’m not a princess Yunho, never was.”

You fill the other glass and place it across from you. “Your official title makes no difference to me” the sound of a holster being unbuckled hit your ears. “Oh? Getting comfortable are we” every bone and fiber in your body wants you to look, for your eyes to drift down to where the sound came from. “The sword is heavy” the man looked at you as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Taking a seat without a word he pulled the glass towards him. “Hmm” thoughts swarmed around your mind. Everywhere as well as nowhere all at once. “Why did you reject it” swarmed around your mind as much as the wine danced in your mouth as you downed the glass and pulled the bottle to pour another.

  “I don’t follow” the wine’s was a lot sweeter than you expected it would be. It tastes more of fruit than alcohol, well appreciated. “Sir James may be older but the marriage could have been your out. With your skills the man wouldn’t so much have taken a breath without your permission. Why reject his proposal?” Yunho did have a point, it was an out for you. “I’ve already explained myself Yunho…” your eyes met his as you tipped the glass. Taking a decent gulp before pulling it away from your lips, staring into the glass as you swirled. “I’ve never complained about my life, the only ones who want that for me are the rest of you.”

Yunho looked physically taken back seeing your eyes harden. “If leaving was what I wanted I would be gone and no one would find me.” Even through the slight irritation you felt building, the man in front of you remained as composed as ever. “Almost no one” it was frustrating to always see the Knight so unbothered all of the time. “Pardon me?” It was as if disturbed didn’t belong in the Knights vocabulary. “Almost no one would find you” now that it was on your mind, the man in front of you rarely acted out. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?” It made you want to pull any reaction from the man. “It means that you will always have someone who will find you no matter where you go.” Yet it seemed you were always the one who reacted. “The Knight has time for jokes tonight I see?”

  The cough released from your throat was more than enough to show how off guard his comment caught you. “I have time for many things tonight. Joking is not one of them” maybe it was the alcohol, but you could feel your body suddenly heating up. “Yunho. You have yet to marry. You’ve been my Knight since we were young. Do you not wish to experience something new? Even settle down?” You weren’t sure what led you to asking the question. Maybe you were genuinely curious. Or maybe you were scared of what you felt if it hadn’t been asked. “The thought has crossed my mind” Yunho finished his second glass with a short shrug of the shoulders. “Why’ve you never mentioned this to me before? You know better than anyone I’d never tie you down to being my Knight.” You weren’t sure if you felt relieved or sorry from hearing his answer. “I’m a dragon Princess. There isn’t anything in this world that could tie me down.” Somehow he sounds unsure of his own statement. “You don’t sound too convinced of your own words” it felt more of a question than a statement. 

  “And you Princess? Why are you so adamant on avoiding any sense of romance?” Where had this conversation gone? “I am not” the man gave you the strongest ‘you’re lying to no one but yourself’ look.

“You run at the sight of any man or woman who approaches with any romantic intent. As a matter of fact you physically curl into yourself when anyone asks for a dance.” ‘Maybe they should leave me be’ is what you want to say. Is what you prepared to say. “Have you considered maybe I am just waiting for the right person to approach me?” Yunho raised his eyebrows in curiosity “are you saying there is someone you’re waiting for to approach you?” Something in the air was shifting. It felt electric. As if you’d touched uncharted territory. “I said no such thing. I am just expressing that I have no fear of romance.” This was a feeling you were unsettlingly familiar with. The feeling of your hands suddenly growing moist, your eyes following anything in the room to ignore the shifter in front of you.

Yunho made you nervous. Not many were aware of what being nervous or scared looked like on you. But he knew all too well, just a simple look from the man drove you crazy. “Is everything alright Princess? You seem a bit…tense.” Or rather the current look he wore. You weren’t necessarily sure if it was intentional or not. But sometimes when the man looked at you it seemed hungry, desperate. A near predatory look would find its way onto his face. “Yunho-” the sweet, nearly innocent smile that made its way onto Yunho’s face sent a shiver down your spine. 

“What are you doing right now” you weren’t stupid. You knew you were attracted to the shifter, more than attracted actually. “Have I done something Princess?” It wasn’t as if you weren’t aware of your feelings towards him. They were just complicated. “As far as I’m concerned I’ve done nothing wrong” shifters were already a race that walked another path. But a dragon shifter was another being entirely. They were known to keep their distance from others. It was the main reason his name was so known. But the biggest thing about dragon shifters, they were a very tight nit race. Even being so close to humans is looked down upon. Loving and procreating with them was practically treason.

    “No. You’ve done nothing” however to say you’ve fantasized about the man would be nothing short of an understatement. “Is there something you’d like me to do?” What did his hair feel like, how did he look when he slept, how soft were his lips, what did he feel like? All things you were disturbingly curious of. “I don’t I’m not-" you were at a loss for words. “Stand up for me Princess” “what the fuck’ your brain was beginning to spiral. “Y/N” it was simple, it was just your name, nothing new or special about it. But the way it rolled off his tongue made you dizzy.

   “Would you rather I come to you? I cannot promise it will be very civil.” You had a decision to make. Will you respect the shifters' laws, their traditions? Or will you give into the shifter sitting in front of you? “Your move Princess” honestly it wasn’t even a question. 

Your body moved on its own. Standing up from the sofa you take slow determined strides towards the man.

 You’ve read the stories of the women who would be swallowed whole by the man with the dark unreadable expression. However the man in front of you wore no such look. Yunho made sure you could see. Made sure you could see just how much you were driving him insane. “Well…here I am” A simmering fire burning in his eyes.