#devu

Now it was the weekend, and Queenie made sure you wouldn’t forget.

You were in the dressing area getting dolled up for tonight. Sita was seated beside you, putting on her own makeup, but the other girls tended to ignore you. You were Chief Rana Singh’s favorite, and no one was allowed to forget it. Already in a revealing red dress that complimented you perfectly, you were currently applying makeup to accompany it. The radio was broadcasting the news as you swiped on some mascara.

“Baba shakti today held a public prayer for victims of the ongoing land disputes, advocating that violence is never the answer. Elsewhere, the transgender inhabitants in Yatana’s northern district have been filmed being attacked by officers. Chief of Police Rana Singh assured the public that the culprits will be brought to justice.”

Putting on some accessories, you twirled for Sita. “How do I look?”

“Hold on.” She grabbed the perfume sitting on the counter and gave you a light spritz. It had some glitter in it, making you sparkle. “Perfect,” she grinned. Mirroring her grin, you linked arms with each other and took the elevator up to the VIP lounge. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Devu's hands shook as he passed through the building’s metal detector successfully. Taking a quick detour through the kitchen to get to the alley, his eyes searched the room for you. You weren’t there. Disappointed and nerves growing ever so steadily, he went through the back door that led into the alley and whistled. The dog came trotting along and dropped a bundle of cloth at his feet. Opening it revealed a gun. He concealed it in the waistband of his pants and walked back inside. 

Devu met Alphonso in the hallway where he had just finished putting coke into vials. Devu was dressed in his finest waiters uniform, gun tucked into the inside of his coat pocket.  Bumping into a cart and causing a clatter, Devu slicked back his hair, trying to hide the sweat.

“Where the fuck you been, man?” Alphonso asked, cocaine evidenced upon his lip. “I nearly finished it all waiting for you,” he complained, referring to the small vials filled with drugs. “You ready?”

Devu took a trembled breath and nodded. “Let’s boogie.”

“This guy!” Alphonso laughed. “Come on.” He escorted him to the elevator, handing him the tray full of vials. “Hey Fresca,” Alphonso greeted the woman in charge of admitting guests into the VIP area. “Brought you a new boyfriend.” 

Devu did not smile. 

Fresca admitted them in. Alphonso opened the door with a smug look. “Welcome to heaven, baby.”

Devu took a deep breath and swallowed as he walked into the room. His eyes were darting everywhere, but they never lingered anywhere for too long. Women were dancing and entertaining men in every square inch of the lounge. He immediately busied himself by passing around the vials of cocaine.

Just when it was becoming too overwhelming, he spotted you. Sparkling underneath the blue glow of the dimly lit room, your red dress was tight and revealing, leaving little to the imagination. Looking closer, he saw you straddling a man, red manicured nails raking their way through his hair. Heart pounding, his mouth became dry and he smoothed his own hair back. 

The man below you was worshiping you; his hands danced around your skin as he muttered something Devu couldn’t hear. He wished for a moment that he could magically switch places. You giggled, but there was no warmth in your eyes. When the man looked down, you couldn’t hide the pure hatred you had for him. 

You bent over to whisper something to the man. Devu’s eyes followed–of course they did, he couldn’t keep them off you. He saw the distinct scar slashed across his ear; it was Chief Rana. Breath quickening and panicked, Devu stumbled away and into the restroom. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Hey, Alphonso. Show us your leg,” Rana said smugly. You were currently nestled against him on the couch. Alphonso just so happened to pass by–he was entertaining the guests. Rana’s boys laughed as Alphonso’s smile dropped. “Fucker tried to run from a drug deal so they chopped it off. Isn’t that right?”

Alphonso looked away in shame as the men laughed harder. Frowning, you also looked away. 

“Tell me one thing,” Rana demanded, voice smooth and deep. “Your dick still works, huh?” He was leaning forward by now. His men cackled. “He doesn’t need one. He’s got no balls.” Rana leaned back into the couch and into your arms. Alphonso looked to the ground as you caressed the man under you. 

“Fuck off. Go get my maal now.”

“Here, sir.”

Your body froze when you saw who the voice belonged to. You didn’t know he was even able to work in the VIP lounge–he wasn’t supposed to be here. Devu had an outstretched vial of cocaine for the man, but his eyes were on you. They were watery, but other than that he was calm. You continued to stare at him, even as Rana lifted your leg and raised your dress.

“Come here, baby.”

As Rana organized the contents of the vial into a neat line on your thigh, you peaked under Devu’s suit jacket. Eyes widening at the reveal of a gun, your gaze snapped back to Devu’s. Your quiet anger subsided into fear, an emotion not well known to you. Devu’s resolve hardened as he watched the emotion in your eyes change and he gained confidence in the consequences that would soon follow. Both of your attention turned to Rana as he snorted the powder and relaxed against the chair. 

Devu stole your hatred expression as he watched the man twitch before screaming in pain. Blood was pouring out of Rana’s nose. Getting off him, he quickly went to the restroom. 

“Bobby,” you warned, grabbing his arm and using the name on his name tag. He held your hand briefly. Squeezing it once, he pried his hand away and followed after Rana. 

It wasn’t long before a loud bang echoed across the room. Everyone looked around, assuming it wasn’t serious, until a second bang confirmed it was from a gunshot. Panicking, women screamed and men clambered to get to the elevator. Alphonso quickly found you.

“Come on! We have to go!”

“But Bobby! He’s-”

“We have to go now!” Alphonso ordered, grabbing your arm and dragging you away. 

Eyes wide in terror, you rode the elevator down to the lobby. You spotted Queenie angrily yelling into her phone while trying to make her way up to the VIP lounge. Alphonso grabbed your arm again and led you to the parking garage. Running through the exit door, Alphonso’s rickshaw greeted you by revving and doing circles around the garage. 

“Is that your-!”

“Hey! Hey! Bobby, wait!” Alphonso cried, dropping your arm and hobbling towards the vehicle. The car skidded to a halt. 

“Get in!” Devu’s voice rang. Alphonso limped as fast as he could, leaving you behind. 

Gunfire chased after them. The men going after the rickshaw sprinted to their cars to give chase, but it was already gone. Devu was gone. 

Tears welling in your eyes, you had to stifle a sob. The world was moving too fast. Your world was moving too fast…this couldn't be real. 

Now you were walking alongside the road, heels in hand and on the way to the temple. Some time had passed and you were reflecting on everything; your job, tonight, Devu… 

…Devu. The new tears that formed were wiped away before they could fall again. A soft whirring sound could be heard in the distance, and it was growing ever louder. Looking up, a bright beacon attached to a helicopter was shining past you and onto the rooftops. Squinting, you could barely make out a tall lanky figure running across the horizon. Was that…?

“Police!” the speaker on the helicopter roared. “This is your last warning!” Following the beacon, you picked up the past, briskly walking before breaking out into a full sprint. You were close, but not close enough. A river flowing through the residential area separated you from Devu. A loud crack bounced off the walls of the apartments, and a bullet whistled through the air before hitting its target: Devu. 

He fell off the roof and into the water, his body sinking. Crying out, you ran and threw yourself to the wall’s edge, which was keeping the river contained, and watched for movement. Not even a bubble. 

The helicopter and it’s beacon quickly flew away, deeming their target down.

Breathing deeply to calm yourself, you dropped your shoes and took a few steps away from the edge. “This is crazy,” you whispered. “This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy–!” 

Soaring through the air, you held your breath before plunging into the cold, dirty water. You didn’t find him your first try, nor the second. It was during your fourth dive beneath the surface did you actually brush up against him. Wrapping an arm around his midsection, you pulled him up to the surface and swam toward the nearest exit. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Please!’ you cried out, gaining the attention of anyone who was awake at the temple. “Alpha!” 

The woman, Alpha, appeared and gasped. Quickly, your friends helped you drag the man who was draped over your shoulder over to a clear area. 

“Please, Alpha, you have to help me!”

As the women ran around to grab supplies and tools, Alpha stood frozen, stunned. You were soaking wet and shivering from head to toe with tears streaming down your face; blood was smeared across you. Alpha feared that the worst had happened again, but she quickly realized the blood was coming from the man on your shoulder.

She had never seen you so…vulnerable. Not since…well, nevermind. She nodded gravely and helped you strip the man of his clothing. There were scars–some old, some new–bruises and cuts, but the ones concerning you the most were a stab wound on his leg and a bullet hole on his abdomen, just below his pec. Under better circumstances you would have loved to admire his physic, but not now. 

“Hold him down,” Alpha ordered. The women around you took hold of his limbs and secured him to the ground. Alpha, now wielding a red hot rod of metal that was given to her, approached Devu. His beautiful eyes snapped open and an impossibly painful cry erupted through him. His body tried to curl in on itself, but the women held steady. Someone was breaking the handcuffs off his wrists.

“Devu?” You kneeled above his head and over him. Your hands rested on the sides of his face and held his head in place. Eyes jumping across his face, studying him, you tried to meet his gaze but he was looking straight forward and through you. His eyes were open but he wasn’t seeing.

Glancing down his body to see the progress made, the women had cauterized the stab wound and had just dug the bullet from his abdomen. Devu’s body was tense and twitching the whole time, but his head fell and rested in your lap, eyes rolled to the back of his head. Kissing his forehead, you clenched your teeth as the wound on his stomach started to be cauterized as well. The smell of sizzling fleshed burned your nose while his screams pierced its way into your ears. His eyes fluttered and he fell limp against you. 

Alpha gave you a minute to study the man. She had never seen you with this much emotion–this attached to someone. When you came home every evening, you never mentioned being with someone; although you coming home almost every night with a small smile gracing your lips should have been a sign in itself. 

The woman gently touched your shoulder and encouraged you to move away from the man. Sniffling, you followed and joined in the prayer circle around his body. Devu’s eyes flickered from under his eyelids after a while before opening briefly. Sliding to his side and brushing his curls away from his face, you whisper, “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

Devu gave a short, incoherent nod before passing out. A single tear slid from under his lashes and down his cheek.

Now it was time for phase two of his plan: kill Rana Singh

Queenie had called your cell phone late last night. While you were laying next to Devu, talking about his fight with Sher Khan and holding hands, your phone buzzed. 

“I don’t know where the hell you’ve been these past few days but you better have your ass here tomorrow,” Queenie growled into the phone. Putting the phone on speaker, you set the phone to where Devu could hear as well.

“Baba Shakti is celebrating at the King’s Club, which means that Chief Rana will be there to guard him. I need tomorrow to go perfectly, which means I need your ass in a red dress on his lap before dinner, you hear me?” Her voice was increasing in volume by the second. “Not the club dress, that one’s too distasteful. I need you in that one evening gown,” she explained calmly, her tone doing a 180. 

“Okay,” you assured, looking at Devu and forming a plan in your mind. “I’ll be there.”

“Great, see you then.” You could practically hear the smile through the phone. Devu went to speak but you hushed him, your mind racing as you thought of your plan.

It was relatively simple. When you went to the club, you would stash a knife in the kitchen so you could retrieve it before meeting with Rana. It would be hidden under your dress, along with a small firework explosive. Devu would break into the kitchen and make his way into the elevator. You tried to persuade him to take a quieter, more discreet route, but he wanted to make as much noise and destruction as possible. Once he made it into the lounge, you would set off your explosive at Rana while Devu fired his explosives into the air, causing as much chaos as possible. 

Rana Singh would die, and then you would be free. Both of you would be free. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Making it into the kitchen, you grabbed the knife and took the elevator to the dressing rooms. Changing into an elegant red dress, with the knife and explosive hidden on your thigh, you did your makeup. Hands shaking, you had to take a deep breath to calm your nerves. You didn’t speak to anyone–not even Sita.

Soon the guests arrived and were escorted into the lounge. Rana saw you waiting patiently by the wall near across the elevator doors and joined you. 

“Hey, baby,” he whispered, voice deep and rich.

“Hey there yourself, handsome,” you purred, leaning closer to him. Making small talk, the guests sat themselves and a man took to the stage. “Is that…?” you asked quietly in fake astonishment. 

“Baba Shakti?” Rana finished. “Yeah, I’m guarding him tonight,” he smirked, eyes scanning over the entire room. He smiled handsomely. “So you can’t distract me too much tonight, hmm? Even though you’re simply to die for.” He made a point by grabbing a handful of your ass.

Gasping in surprise, you giggled. “Oh, baby, you have no idea.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the man on the stage started. “What an honor it is to be here with the Sovereign Party on the cusp of our historic victory.” 

Rana immediately went to work and diligently scanned the crowd. 

“One day, the maharajas on these walls will be replaced with portraits of each and every one of you,” the speaker smiled, making the audience quietly laugh. “We will rid Mother India of her scars and make her beautiful once more. I would like to acknowledge the great contribution of a mighty chief of police, Rana Singh!” The crowd applauded him, and you did as well, along with giving him a small kiss on the cheek. “His courage and integrity has led to Yatana’s lowest crime rate.”

‘Devu should be making his way through the kitchen,’ you thought, still standing by Rana. 

“There is still one other person, without whose blessing, we would not be here. My guru. My mentor. His Holiness…Indian’s lion…Baba Shak-!”

A huge explosion from below you shook the walls and flickered the lights. The crowd gasped and murmured amongst themselves. Rana, now at full attention, began looking around the room for possible answers. 

Your hand slowly shifted down your thigh and through a hidden slit. Grabbing the explosive, you shifted behind Rana so he couldn’t see. There was a candle a few feet away from you. If only you could just…

The elevator doors opened with a ding! Devu’s explosive fireworks flew into the room and straight for Rana. Taking this as an opportunity, you lept towards the candle to light your own explosive while Rana shielded himself with his arm. Everyone rushed to the nearest exit, screaming, which left you a nice and clear target. 

With no warning, you lit the firework and watched as it exploded against Rana Singh. It caused his skin to open and welt, but if it hurt him he didn’t let it show. Devu was lighting his own fireworks and making impressive work out of Rana’s men. 

“You bitch!” Rana yelled, voice growling dangerously. He stalked towards you. Turning to run, he grabbed the hem of your dress, pulling you to the ground. Rolling out of the way of a punch, your hand quickly found the hidden knife in your dress, but unfortunately, Rana was able to pick you up and throw you back onto the floor. 

Groaning, you stumbled back and onto your feet in time to meet Rana’s fist, but you ducked just in time. Using the momentum, you sank your blade into his shoulder with a grunt of effort. 

Rana yelled in pain and pushed you away, back onto the floor. Grabbing the handle of the knife, he yanked out the blade and stalked towards you. Just as you stood up, his hand wrapped around your throat and constricted. Your scream attracted the attention of Devu, which Rana took note of. 

Instinctively, your own hands flew to paw and claw at Rana’s, but it was useless. Rana started to walk forwards, which made you instinctively want to walk backwards as to lessen the pressure on your neck. Your back hit the wall of the elevator room and the hand on your throat increased in pressure. 

Devu heard the elevator ding. Looking over, his eyes widened in dread as Rana Singh met his stare, his hand still choking you. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Devu rushed after you as quickly as possible. Alpha and her warriors arrived, which let him focus his attention on you. However, Queenie arrived with a gun and almost shot him. Sita managed to strike a devastating blow against Queenie's head, killing her and allowing Devu to sever her thumb for later use. 

Devu tried to catch his breath during the elevator ride to the VIP lounge, but the thought of you in danger through that out the window. Hands clenching with blood, he readied himself to save you. 

When the doors to the VIP lounge slid open, he heard a wet gasping and several body blows. Throwing all caution to the wind, he sprinted inside to find you. Laying in a small puddle of blood, you gasped for air, crying. The knife you struck Rana with was now in your own shoulder, blood oozing out of the wound.

He’s seen this before, hasn’t he? Devu, paralyzed by the memory of his mother, looked at you in horror as the realization of the similarities set in. Immobilized by fear, Rana took advantage of his trap and struck Devu across the face, sending him to the ground next to you. Your bloody face with eyes peering into him would haunt him for the rest of his life.

“Finally out of your tree, huh?” Rana mused. “Get up.” 

Devu groaned as he got up, giving you one more heartbroken glance before steadying himself for a fight. 

“Did your mother send you back for more?”

Devu dodged Rana’s heavy punches with incredible speed. They exchanged several blows, but Devu was fully prepared for this fight. He was able to knock Rana down briefly, but the chief of police shoved him through a glass display, temporarily halting Devu’s progress. 

“Get up, motherfucker!” Rana let Devu rise to his feet. “You son of a whore. What are you looking at?” Following his gaze, he saw that Devu was watching you slowly climb off the floor and rest your back against a tipped over table. The knife was out of your shoulder and rested loosely in your palm. 

Rana hummed and chuckled. “The son of a whore is in love with a whore. How romantic.”

Devu went feral. Yelling, he dodged another blow and kicked Rana in the thigh, stunning him slightly. Sizing each other up briefly, Devu glared at Rana with fire in his eyes before they each threw a punch, which landed on the other’s punch. Rana shook his hand to ease the pain as Devu just watched. 

It was over for Rana. Devu, now wild and reckless, attacked the man with full abandon. Rana got sent to the floor. Devu, panting, strolled to you and grabbed your shoe that had slipped off. He winked at you before striking Rana across the face with the heel. 

It was…terrifying to see Devu like this. He striked Rana again a few more times with the heel of your shoe before dropping it to the ground. Grabbing Rana by his hair, eyes crazed, he punched him again, sending him to the floor. 

“Get up,” Devu ordered. “Get up!” Rana groaned; he rolled onto his back as he wheezed for breath. 

You watched–eyes wide in horror–as Devu delivered blow after blow onto the man’s face, killing him with nothing but his fists. A large puddle of blood flowed out and away from his head, life slipping away with it.

As if suddenly remembering, he turned on his foot and dashed to you, yelling your name. He extended his hand rather quickly to help you up, but you flinched. Devu’s eyes widen and his brows knit together, realizing that you just watched him kill a man with his bare hands. His bloody hands shook as he displayed them, trying to relay that he was no harm.

“No, no-no-no-no!” he mumbled quickly. “It-it’s okay! It’s over. It’s done.” 

Breathing raggedly, you shifted against the wall but moaned in pain. Devu instantly came to your side, helping you stand and lean against him. The blood on his hands transferred to your skin. 

Devu helped you get into the elevator. His finger hovered over the lobby button, but you smacked his hand away with effort. His brows furrowed in confusion.

“Penthouse,” you gasped. “Shakti’s there.”

“But you need-”

You shook your head. “I’m f-fine. I can wait.” Devu watched you, unsure. “Baba Shakti will get away if we don’t go now.” 

Devu, eyes still on you, slowly retrieved Queenie’s severed thumb from his pocket and used it to get into the penthouse. The blood on your hands made it difficult to keep the blade in your grasp.

“Welcome, Queenie.”

Devu maneuvered your arm to wrap around his shoulder for better stabilization. The elevator display screen image turned into a crown, signaling that you had made it to the penthouse. The doors opened to reveal Baba Shakti sitting across the wall, foot lazily splashing in the water below his seat. Devu and you slowly walked towards him, stopping beside the painting of Hanuman.  

“So you are the one?” Baba Shakti looked out the window and at the fireworks dancing across the sky. “Look at them all…Diwali. The triumph of light over darkness. The defeat of Ravana. But Ravana was no demon. He was a scholar. A visionary. He built an empire out of nothing.”

The man shook the water from his foot and grabbed his shoes before coming to a stop in front of you two. “Why not end this cycle of violence? Or we will be trapped in it for generations.”

“Do you even know my mother’s name?” Devu asked quietly. “Do you know any of their names?”

Baba Shakti rolled his eyes. “Anger will not quiet your soul, my son.”

“Don’t call me ‘son.’”

The man scoffed softly and tapped his wooden shoes together. “These were carved by a devout follower, who wore them to protect his feet from harming any small creature. On the side here, there’s an old prayer: ‘Forgive me, Mother Earth, for the sin of injury which I inflict with each step.’”

A helicopter slowly whirred outside, its beacon blinding you with its light.

“My chariot is here.”

Baba Shakti revealed a hidden blade from his shoe and stabbed Devu in the stomach. He gasped and gripped the hand that was twisting the blade further into his abdomen.

Quickly, you brought your blade over your head to stab the guru, but he was too quick. His second blade from his other shoe lodged itself into your chest. Screaming, you dropped the knife, landing it right onto his arm, the one that was still holding the blade. Baba Shakti shrieked and let go of both blades as fell backwards onto the ground, his good arm holding the wounded one.

Eyes suddenly becoming hazy, you slipped off of Devu’s shoulder and onto the ground. With your hand feeling the hole in your chest, you gasped raggedly as you kneeled on the floor. Blood seeped past your fingertips and onto the marble. 

Devu became overrun with anger and allowed his adrenaline to kick into overdrive. Yelling, he took the blade that was in his stomach and lunged for Baba Shakti. Sinking the weapon into his chest multiple times–the same place he stabbed you–he readied himself for the final blow.

Shakti gurgled, blood flowing past his lips. “You can’t,” he said weakly. “These people need me. Please, I’ll give you what you want.” He started to plead. “I’ll do anything. Forgive me! Ha-ha-have mercy, please!”

“Only God can forgive you now.”

Devu heaved the small blade above his head and stabbed it in the middle of Baba Shakti’s forehead, killing him instantly. Panting quietly, Devu stumbled to his feet and clutched his stomach. His eyes slowly panned over to you, and he screamed in agony. 

There you were–lying on the floor, hand to your chest, eyes staring into nothing. 

He didn’t bother to stifle the sob that escaped him. Crashing onto his knees, he gently picked up your head and let it rest in his lap. Bending down to kiss your forehead, tears raining onto your face, he placed a small kiss on your temple.

He did not get back up.

His body slumped over yours.

Three bodies entered the room that night. Not one made it back out.

It was three days until the weekend.

Your Romeo really was acting like a Romeo during those three days. There was something new or surprising that he did that made your attraction–your bond–to each other grow.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the first day you had caught him feeding that dog again. The kitchen was closing for the night, so after you washed your hands you left out the exit door that led into the alley way. Opening the door only to reveal your Romeo crouching in front of it with that dog scared the shit out of you.

Bobby fell back on his ass as he let out an uncharacteristically high yelp of surprise–it seems like you scared him too. He was in his waiters uniform with his vest and jacket neatly folded out of the way. He did not appreciate you chuckling at his misfortune. 

“What are you doing?” you asked, voice warm and welcoming, but your face was otherwise neutral. He stayed seated on the ground, but his posture relaxed.

“I’m, uh, I’m training her.” The dog was sniffing at the scraps of food hidden in the palm of his fist. You raised a brow, and Bobby scurried to stand on his feet. “No, no! Look,” he tried to convince hastily and held a treat out.

 “Sit.” 

The dog did not listen. He tried again, and again, and…again. He finally focused his attention on you when a small giggle escaped past your lips. 

“She just did it, I swear! Right before you came out here.”

“Of course,” you assured, teasing. “I’m sure she did.” 

He rolled his eyes and tried one more time, but the dog didn’t sit. Sighing, he sat back down on the ground, his elbows resting on his knees. After a moment, you folded your apron that was slung over your arm and joined him on the ground. His face held a look of surprise, but his eyes revealed that he was delighted. 

The two of you spent the next hour teaching the dog to sit, and with great success. When she sat for you the first time after you gave the command, Bobby excitedly hopped up and towards the dog to pet her.

 “Yes, yes! Good girl!” 

When he sat back down, he moved a little closer, with his leg touching yours. Stealing a glance at him, he seemed slightly nervous, but he could not stop smiling. A small smile graced your own lips as you continued to perfect the trick with the dog.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the second day, you were both cleaning in the kitchen; Bobby was assigned to be kitchen staff that day. You were already at the sink when Bobby joined you, although his positive mood didn’t seem to leave him from last night. If anything, he was happier. 

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” you asked, slightly suspicious. 

He shrugged with a smile. “I don’t really know.” 

You squinted your eyes, but he just gave a wider smile that reached his eyes in response. It was infectious. Rolling your eyes playfully, you turned your attention back to the sink. Bobby would scrub a dish and pass it to you for rinsing and drying, and it stayed like that for a while. Until– 

Bobby gasped loudly and the bowl he was holding clattered its way into the sink. Snapping your head to him, you couldn’t even try to suppress the laughter that suddenly erupted from you. In front of you was an annoyed Bobby, covered almost head to toe in powdered sugar. 

“How-how did that even happen?” you cried, wiping a tear away. Watching him just stand there was so humorous that you had to cover your mouth in an effort to stop laughing. He somehow got sugar in his hair! He had never heard you laugh this much before, and in an effort to make it funnier, he wore a mock scowl and crossed his arms. 

“Is this funny to you?” he asked, slightly exasperated. 

You shook your head and tried to deny it. “No, no! It’s-it’s not funny,” you huffed out in between giggles. Bobby grinned and took a step closer.

“Ohhh, right. So it wouldn’t be funny if I did this?” 

You tried to scream but he was too quick. He enveloped you into a tight hug, ensuring your demise. 

Gasping, you tried to push him off, but it was too late and he was too strong. He laughed as he held you close, resting his chin on your head, and smeared the powdered sugar all over you as he began to sway. Because you both worked by the sink, the water that dampened your aprons made the sugar turn into a slimy, confectionary mess. 

Letting you go, it was now his turn to laugh at how you looked. There was still way more sugar on him, but he managed to transfer some to you. Now it was your turn to scowl. 

“This isn’t very Romeo of you,” you noted, but his smile grew in size at the name. “You think this is funny?”

“Oh, yeah. Very.” he chuckled.

“I’m glad. I’m glad I could humor you.” 

Bobby took off his apron–which was where the bulk of the mess was–and set it off to the side before offering to take yours. Untying yours, he slipped it off and put it with his. Trying to suppress a giggle, he tried to shake out the sugar in his curls as you carefully washed your hands.

Alphonso would later tease Bobby about this encounter; he was walking over right when Bobby hugged you. He decided to bother you guys at a later time. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the third day, Bobby invited you and Alphonso to watch him fight in the ring later that night. You were in your apron sitting on the counter while Alphonso was leaning against it. Bobby was in his waiter's uniform, bow tie untied and hanging loose around his neck. 

“Come on, what do you say?” he asked, eyes bouncing between the two of you. Alphonso whooped and agreed, but you were a little less enthused. 

“Last time I went, you got your shit rocked and your boss harassed me,” you sighed, crossing your arms. 

“...Maybe I’ll win this time?” he said hopefully, voice increasing in pitch. It was an obvious lie and you rolled your eyes.

“You don’t want to watch some guys beat each other up?” Alphonso asked you, grinning.

“No! Why would anyone?” 

Alphonso shrugged. 

“You’re paying to watch guys get hurt.”

Bobby was silent for a moment. His facial expression softened, and his eyes were a little larger than before. “Maybe it would hurt less if you were there…” he suggested slowly.

“Oh, no. I see what you’re doing,” you accused, furrowing your brows and pointing a finger at him. “You’re trying to use those big eyes against me. Well, it’s not gonna work.”

. . .

You and Alphonso were in the audience waiting to see Bobby fight. His eyes definitely worked; Alphonso kept trying to tease you, but one threat later and he dropped it. Soon, Kong took his place, crouching in the corner of the ring, as Tiger announced his opponent.

“We have the champion of India! The s-s-s-s-s-snake!” he hissed as the crowd hissed along with him. “King Kobra!” Kong menacingly stood up and waited for the command. 

“Fight!”

For the duration of the entire fight, your hand was practically glued to your mouth in concern. It was hard, though. On one hand, he was getting beaten to a bloody pulp and forced to lose, but on the other, it was hot to see him fight. The way his muscles tensed and relaxed with every punch or kick was mesmerizing. Everytime he got hit, you winced or gasped worriedly. 

Tiger must have spotted you in the crowd, for he stopped his commands in the ring and raised the microphone up to his mouth. Kong must have noticed as well, because he delivered a shockingly heavy punch to King Kobra, knocking him off balance. A loud cheer came out of you, earning a surprised look from Alphonso, but he soon joined in. That was enough to redirect Tiger’s attention away; he started yelling insults at Kong again. 

After the fight, Alphonso immediately left to collect his earnings. 

“I can’t believe you’re betting.”

“What?” he shrugged. “If I’m gonna be here, I might as well make some cash. Want some?”

“No,” you deadpanned. Your eyes scanned the arena, trying to find Kong. He was supposed to meet you after the fight. “Actually,” you doublebacked, holding out your manicured hand. “Only a little. Just enough for dinner.” Alphonso laughed with his finger in your face before handing you some cash. It wasn’t enough. “Dinner for two,” you corrected. 

Alphonso raised a brow in mock suspicion, but his grin ruined it. “Are you…?”

“I’m hungry and I’m sure Bobby is as well. I was going to suggest grabbing some dinner,” you stated objectively, as if that was the only reason. 

The short man chuckled. “So then can I come?”

“No.” 

Alphonso scoffed and crossed his arms, but there was a glint in his eye. “Whatever, man. But I’m not driving you home in Nicki then.”

“That’s fine, I was just going to walk.” 

He pouted. “You don’t want to take Nicki?” he whined in offense. Shaking your head in amusement, you bid him farewell and waited for Kong. It didn’t take long. 

Bobby returned to you–slightly bruised and with specks of dried blood along his hairline–with a big smile. It looked like he had tried to clean himself up a bit before coming out. He laughed as he approached. “So, how was it?”

“It was…interesting,” you answered. You were about to elaborate before you noticed a slow stream of blood flowing down his face, just above his eyebrow. A scab must have torn while he was on his way to you. “Oh–baby,” you sighed. “You’re bleeding.”

“What?” His brows furrowed and he walked to the nearest reflective surface that he could find. Looking around, you spotted some napkins at the bar nearby. 

“Come here,” you ordered, grabbing his hand and making your way to the bar. He was a little surprised and stiffened up, but he quickly recovered and tightened his grip on your hand. Grabbing some napkins, you gestured to a bar stool. “Sit.” 

He stared at his scarred palms for a very long time before focusing his gaze on you.

His eyes followed your every movement as you blotted his eyebrow and wiped away the blood. You tried to ignore his staring; it was very distracting. The bar stool luckily gave you the perfect height advantage to properly reach his face.

 “Thank you,” he said after you were done. 

You hummed in acknowledgement and lightly shook your head. “What am I going to do with you, Monkey Man?” He smiled in response.

Making your way out of the stuffy building, you both walked aimlessly along the road. Bobby was trying to make you laugh, and he succeeded a few times. He had loosely twirled around a street lamp but was interrupted when his stomach growled, which earned a quiet giggle. He chuckled in embarrassment. 

“Hungry?”

“Only if you are,” he shrugged, but you rolled your eyes. Holding up some cash, you placed it in his hand. “What’s this for?”

“Dinner,” you answered. “Alphonso’s paying.” 

“I know a place!” Bobby lit up and gingerly grabbed your hand, immediately dragging you down the street. Once arriving at a street vendor, he slowed his pace. He realized that his hand was still in yours and quickly dropped it, laughing out of nervousness. Smiling slightly, you snaked your hand into the crook of his elbow and left it there. Bobby’s smile grew along with his flushed face. 

“Have you ever been here before?” You shook your head. “What would you like?”

“Whatever you think is good, I’ll have.”

“Four samosas,” he ordered. “Oh, and two regular paan.” As the vendor was making your meals, he bent down slightly to whisper into your ear. “I just got my regular to play it safe.” Your food was quickly made and Bobby handed over some money. You both sat along the roadside curb and started eating. 

“This is really good!” you complimented after taking your first bite.

Bobby swallowed. “Thanks. I come here pretty often.” 

“I can see why. I’ll have to start coming here too.” 

Finishing your food, Bobby stood up and extended his rough hand for you to take. Helping you up, he continued to hold your hand as you walked while you smoothly guided him to the area that you lived in. 

“This was nice,” he said quietly, hand squeezing yours ever so slightly. 

“It was,” you agreed. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

“You know, it did hurt less-” he started, breaking the silence that had formed. “-with you being there.”

Your cool exterior broke as you let out a short laugh. “I’m glad.”

“I think you’ll have to come to all of my fights now.”

“Don’t push it.” 

Bobby laughed and squeezed your hand again. You squeezed back. Raising your entangled hands, you asked, “What happened, Bobby?” 

He hummed in confusion. 

“Your hands.”

“Oh.” Bobby dropped your hands and looked at his own. “Fire. Although I do work with my hands a lot, so some of its chemical burns.” You reached for his hand and inspected it. 

“Does it hurt?” You softly traced a finger down his palm to his fingers. Bobby swallowed. 

“Not anymore.” You ran your fingers back up to his palm and interlaced your hands. Bobby was silent for a very long time as he was lost in thought. “You know…” he started slowly. “My name’s not Bobby.”

“Well I guessed that,” you chuckled. “Don’t tell me it’s not Romeo either?”

The man huffed in fake annoyance, then smiled as he nodded. “I’m tired of you calling me by my fake name–names,” he corrected. “I want you to call me by my real name.” Watching him curiously, your hand tightened in his as you waited for the reveal. “...Only if you tell me yours. Deal?”

Nodding slowly, you agreed.

“My name is Devu,” he explained nervously, eyes piercing into yours. “My mother picked it. She used to yell it across the whole forest when I would run off,” he smiled sadly. You squeezed his hand back.

“Devu…” you tested. He looked at you anxiously, his eyes wide. “...I like it,” you smiled. You told him your name and he whispered it several times, his smile growing with each repetition. Suddenly, you laughed in disbelief. “I can’t believe it,” you giggled. “I’ve known you for weeks and I’m just now learning your name.”

“I could say the same to you.” Devu’s eyes twinkled. He shifted his hand to better grasp yours.

The next few days were probably the best you’ve had in a long while.

Your daily activities were simple, but having Devu by your side made it all the better. You’d wake up together, eat together, do chores together, and you’d watch him train with various equipment to get stronger. Sometimes he would coax you into training with him–it always ended with the both of you doubled over from laughter. 

Currently, you were sitting next to the tabla maestro as Devu punched the sack of rice to the rhythm of the drums. When the rice came spilling out and onto the ground, you grinned at him with pride. Devu grinned back, but it soon fell when screaming came from inside the temple.

Running to the entrance, you and Devu saw a crowd hunched over a limp body. Alpha was trying to get information on what happened. 

“What happened? What happened?” She demanded. 

“These men put a notice on the door. She tried to take it down, but they beat her!”

“She’s not breathing-”

“-Breathe, Lakshmi, breathe!”

“Did you see who it was?” Alpha pried further. 

“It was Shakti’s men-!”

“-They said the temple never belonged to us. Alpha, where will we go? If we don’t have money, they will keep doing this. We cannot pay off some thugs.”

“We all must pray,” Alpha ordered. She looked up and saw you and Devu peering through the doorway in horror. “God has a plan.” Devu grasped your hand and forced you to follow him. 

Speeding through the courtyard, he grabbed an abandoned hoe and brought you into the part of the temple with Parvati and Shakti.

“What are you doing?” you whispered, but he ignored you. Sending a small prayer first, he heaved the tool high above his head before crashing it down on the lock of the donation box. “Devu!”

He grabbed as much money as he could with one hand and dragged you out of the temple with the other.

“I have a plan.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

“Ladies and gentlemeeennn-!” Tiger’s voice rang through the arena. “Are you ready for a fucking fight?!”

You had to admit, it wasn’t a bad plan. Devu took the money and gave it to his friend Lucky so he could bid on himself. His plan was to win and give the earnings back to the temple. He would earn an impressive amount back since he was the underdog. The only hazy part was that he had to win. 

Currently, you were standing in the pit, right next to the ring. Devu put you there, and Tiger sure wasn’t going to complain about it. 

“On my left, the still undisputed champion in aaallllll of India! The s-s-s-s-snake…” he hissed, getting the crowd to join him. “King Kobra!” The fighter was wearing a nylon mask and flexing to the audience. The crowd chanted his name.

“Settle down. Settle down, you animals,” Tiger ordered. “From his majesty, all the way to the deepest, darkest jungles of my mother Africa. I hunted him down. I-” he blew into the mic. “-darted him myself, and I brought him all the way here for your entertainment. He’s evil-” You rolled your eyes. “He’s ferocious-” Scoffed. “He’s a dark destroyer-!” That was a new one. “I give you…Kong!”

The crowd jeered as he crouched menacingly in the corner of the ring, but you clapped and yelled his name in excitement. This time it would be different. You weren’t going to see him take the beatings this time. This time, he would be the one dishing them out. Your heart beat fasting as you waited in anticipation. 

“Do you want to see these two animals fight?! The snake and the monkey…Fight!”

The crowd chanted King Kobra’s name as he jumped up and down, reading himself. Tiger collected some of the biddings and tried to show it off to you, but your eyes were entranced by Kong, who stood perfectly still in a guarded position. 

Finally, the bell rang for the fight to start. Holding your breath, you watched as King Kobra rushed at Kong…only to be knocked out by a single swift kick to the head. The crowd gasped, but you cheered with the breath you were holding. Kong gave you a thumbs up as he prowled the ring’s floor. 

“Did he fucking knock him out? Kobra, wake up!” Tiger demanded, voice hushed. He turned his attention to Kong. “You get him up right fucking now!” 

Kong blew a kiss instead. 

Ordering his men to take Kobra out of the ring, he grabbed the mic and took to the stage. Kong was standing in front of you and watched as you patted the ring’s floor in excitement. Your faith in him kept him going, and he hide a grin of his own behind his monkey mask. 

“Wow. Woooowww. That was a surprise,” Tiger announced, slightly nervous. “Fucking lucky kick, eh? Looks like we got a cheeky little monkey on our hands tonight…” The crowd was chanting ‘kill the beast!’ as Tiger brought out another fighter. Giving Kong two thumbs up, he readied himself. 

“Ladies and gentlemen! I give you the biggest, the baddest, the bone crushing… Bhalu the Bear!” 

He was almost an entire foot taller than Kong, standing at an impressive seven feet and two inches. Tiger instructed Bhalu to fuck Kong up royally. 

Kong tilted his head to the side, studying his opponent as the bell rang. 

Kong kicked Bhalu in the stomach, but he didn’t budge. Instead, Kong was knocked back into the ring’s rope. Using the force of the ropes to his advantage, he rolled along the floor, dodging Bhalu. Kong threw some punches, but was eventually knocked to the ground where he had to roll out of the way of Bhalu’s stomps. 

They’re dance of rolling and jumping around went on for too long. Tiger threw a bat wrapped with barbed wire into the ring.

Bhalu grabbed the weapon, but he was too slow. Every swing was dodged. Eventually, Kong was able to kick the weapon out of Bhalu’s hand and punch him in the throat with a jump. Kicking him in the balls allowed Kong to get a good hit on his face before he kicked Bhalu with both feet, sending him to the ground. 

“Yes! Go, Kong!” you screamed. Faintly in the crowd, you heard another person cheer for your Monkey Man. Kong pointed at you before beating his chest like an ape, grunting as played the part of the monkey.

The crowd chanted for him to ‘kill the beast’ as he picked up the weapon, but he soon dropped it, letting it clatter to the ground. A hush fell over the crowd. 

“Hail the mighty one!” you cheered. Kong looked at you in surprise, and then looked around the crowd as they started cheering too. Tiger was even speechless. He looked sort of…proud.

Kong basked in the praise for a moment before hopping off the stage. Coming straight towards you, he picked you up in a very tight hug and spun you around. Laughing, you kissed the cheek of his monkey mask. He slipped off his mask and kissed you–no hesitation. Squeaking in surprise, you quickly recovered and flung your arms around him, pulling him into a deeper kiss.