#haetae

“You are up.” A cocky voice said. You looked up and saw a familiar face. Or at least you recognized the voice. Horangi had his neck warmer over his mouth and nose, and wearing glasses. He blended in perfectly with the rest of them, clothed in jackets, gloves and hats. You yourself had your leather jacket on and your scarf. Horangi looked well enough. You swore you could see his cheeky grin even with it covered.

“Did I say I wasn’t?” You asked.

“You said sure I’ll take you for food when we’re in the same neighbourhood.” Horangi pointed out. He wasn’t wrong.

“Any preference or are you at my mercy?” You asked him. Horangi shrugged. He wasn’t a picky eater to begin with. Though you noticed he’s more observant. You offered him your arm and smiled, tugging him along. Your touch seemed to let him relax more as you took him to your favourite restaurant.

Before then König was asking Horangi about you. Of course Spirit got curious as well. Horangi rolled his eyes, assuring you it was just a meeting among two friends, two coworkers.

“Simon and Johnny are coworkers and they do more than just work.” Spirit pointed out. König snickered at the blunt statement.

“Just a friend. Konig can vouch for me.”

“Since when?” Konig asked, with a stupid smile on his face. Horangi had half a mind to shoo both of them away but honestly, you’re one of the nicest things to happen to him.

A big crowded area would make Konig uncomfortable. You know Horangi, and he doesn’t mind crowds. Easier for him to lay low, and avoid people. A small night market was perfect for the occasion. Food stands and booths for you both to try, and plenty of friendly people. Horangi may be out of his element but he was impressed. You were so relaxed. Sure you didn’t have people coming after you for debts, but when last he saw you, you seemed reserved, headstrong and quiet. Yet here you were smiling and messing around at booths selling crafts. Maybe the holidays brought that out of you.

“You could probably take the sunglasses off, I doubt there will be anyone here who wants to collect money from you.” You told him. Horangi was caught off guard by what you said, so it gave you the chance to take off his sunglasses for him. Now you understood why he left them on. There was the remains of a nasty black eye, thankfully healing and useable but enough to make you were. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Horangi asked, trying to turn away and move on. You stared him down, tail whipping from side to side behind you. Horangi made a small growl, as you tugged him forward. He tried to pull away but you pointed out the kids running past behind him. Horangi refused to look at you. You took a quick glance and pulled him aside. He begrudgingly came with you so you could talk more privately finding a small alley.

“What happened?” You repeated. Horangi kept looking down the alley instead of at you. Ugh, of course he had to be such a trope. You took him by the chin and made him face you. “Start… talking.”

You voice could send chills down his spine, while relaxing him at the same time. If anyone would understand it was you. He told you what happened with him and Spirit, and the guilt he felt. “I put a kid in danger, just for going outside. I covered up, and nearly got her killed, and then I messaged you to see if you wanted to go out, and then… I didn’t want anything to happen to you.”

There is a moment of silence between you two as you consider everything he told you. You sighed, annoyed. “Really?”

“What?” Horangi shrugged, still refusing to make eye contact until you crossed your arms.

“You think I can’t take care of myself? I’m not a child.” You told him. “And clearly you know that otherwise you wouldn’t come out with me. If you need a break say the word, and we can find another alley. It’s not like I didn’t come without some defence.”

You gave him a warm smile and held his arm. Horangi wasn’t used to the tender side of you but he had to admit it was kind of hot.

“If I need a break?”

“Say the word.” You told him. “This is my way of saying thank you, and making you uncomfortable is the last thing I want.”

Horangi got this glint in his eye, one you’d seen before, his tail brushing your leg. Your face was turning pink, but you guess it was from the cold air.

“Shall we continue then?” He asked. You gave him a smirk and tugged him back to the market smiling and chatting with him. It was a good night, and it didn’t take long for there to be a light snow fall.

The market is filled with plenty of things to do, it's like a small fair. Kids were enjoying maple syrup on snow, some bean bag toss games, and of course snowballs being thrown. You and Horangi ducked stepped out of the way of a few throws. Then you felt a hard packed one fired at your back. You laughed, but it did kind of hurt.

Horangi looked up and saw it was some adult human. Didn't apologize either just smiled looking smug. He attacked a defenseless person in the back, and he was acting smug. Horangi barked at him, saying something in Korean, but you tugged him away. There was some barked comments about his masculinity and hybrids being dirty animals. You flipped them off continuing your stroll.

"Could've fought back." Horangi grumbled.

"And then there would be a fight, and the kids around would get scared, police would be called, fingers would be pointed and nothing would really get resolved." You told him. "We would give them what they want and get nothing out of it."

Horangi had to admit you had a point. You worked for Kortac as a mercenary but you were getting paid, you were getting what you wanted. Equal exchange. Starting a fight here, there would be nothing but problems. Although he had to ask one thing.

"So when you punched the guy at the convenience store...?" Horangi asked.

"Well he was a pig. Needed to be put in his place." You said, folding your arms. "And he was teasing Konig about his height."

Horangi chuckled. You always had to be the bigger person one way or another. It was attractive. Wait.

Horangi waited just outside a small store front, not wanting to be in the way of the other shoppers while you browsed the tables. The mask was back over his face, but it was more as a neck warmer. It seemed to intimidate a few people, which was fine with him. At least it was less likely for him to be hit with snowball. While he focused on you, everyone seemed to ignore him. Except one.

There was a tug on his jacket, that he at first thought was just the material getting caught on something. He brushed it aside, and then he felt a small hand. When Horangi looked down, he found a young boy staring up at him, and politely saying "Excuse me."

Horangi wasn't really used to kids, it had been a while since he'd seen any of his younger relatives. He raised a brow, and then looked around. Where was the boy's parents? The boy said again, "Excuse me?"

"Uhh... yes?" Horangi replied.

"Are you a hybrid?" The boy asked.

"Yes." Horangi answered. The boy's eyes seemed to widen as he asked what kind of hybrid Horangi was. Horangi knelt down so he could talk to the boy a little easier. It was getting pretty crowded, and he didn't want to kid swept up, though he guessed the boy may already have been based on the absence of a parent. The boy was honestly just curious about Horangi and haetaes, asking what Horangi could do, and what it was like.

When you came back from purchasing a small gift, you found the pleasant sight of Horangi letting the boy touch his tail. You also looked around for the child's guardians as you can over.

"You making friends?" You asked Horangi who looked up with the boy. Before Horangi could answer, the boy spoke up.

"Are you a lion?" He asked. You smiled, answering him. Then it was you getting overloaded with questions. You don't mind, he isn't asking anything rude, and you welcome curiousity. You don't mind him touching your tail either. He's having fun but you are concerned about his safety.

"Are your parents nearby?" You asked. The boy stopped looking at your tail and then looked around. Had he not noticed them missing? There was a worried and panicked look on his face, and Horangi stepped in immediately.

"Hey, it's okay. We'll find them. Do you remember where they were last?" Horangi asked. The boy looked on the brink of tears as he shook his head. You stood up and looked around for a security guard or maybe a volunteer running some of the activities.

"Did they have a spot for you to go if got lost?" You asked. The little boy nodded, sniffling. "Do you want us to take you there?"

The boy nodded again. You took the little one's hand as Horangi stood up, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be looking frantic or worried.

Thankfully as soon as you arrived at the spot the boy led you too, the mother was there, and rushed over to hug her child, checking that he was okay, while the boy was apologizing. The woman thanked you both profusely. Honestly it wasn't a problem at all, he was so polite. You waved good bye to your little friend as the mother took him into the crowd, carrying him.

"Not what I thought this thank you would look like." You said, sitting at a table with some food. Horangi shrugged, taking another bite of food.

"Not the worst reunion I've had." He pointed out. Now was a better time than any. You set the small gift bag on the table.

"Not sure if you celebrate but happy early holidays." You said. Horangi was a bit surpised, staring at the back for a moment, before takin it to opened it up. Inside was a necklace with a symbol cut out of wood. A symbol Horangi recognized, symbolizing luck.

"Not one for superstition, but I figured you could use all you could get." You said. Horangi smiled. Jewellery wasn't much his thing, but this, this he would wear. Could tuck it into his shirt if he needed.

"Worried you might lose me?" He teased.

"You know most people would just say thank you." You argued, deflecting the question. Horangi gave you that cheeky grin and you smiled back. Damn that grin was hot. You coughed realizing you were staring. Your face was turning warm.

"Your cheeks are rosy. You cold?" Horangi asked casually.

“Why don't we find a warm drink after this." You said, focusing on your food and avoiding the question.

“Thank you for the gift. I appreciate it.” He said. You relaxed. It would hopefully make him feel safer on missions.

You and Horangi had found warm cider, and a park bench to relax on to people watch. Horangi was still looking around, you were too. You didn’t have very long with each other, maybe a couple more days or so before Horangi had to ship out again. Still, you wanted all the details.

“A wraith? Really?” You said, sipping your drink, while keeping your voice low.

“Caught me off guard too.” Horangi admitted. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“And Konig has more control?”

“Yeah that kid… that kid does something to you. It’s weird.” Horangi said, sipping his cider. He noticed your coy smile. “What?”

“Nothing.” You said. Something about the snow in his hair, and the scars peeking from behind his cup made him adorable and handsome all at once. You wondered if it was part of the lure a yokai could have. Horangi tries to ignore you, but then you get a thought in your head. You’d had this thought before but it was from a distance. And private.

“You know… I didn’t want to say it, cause of your pride.” Horangi started.

“My pride?” You asked, your smile now a scowl of confusion.

“Oh please you think you’re hot shit and you know it.” Horangi said with a raised brow.

“Cause I am hot shit, but go on. Tell me whatever it is that could wound or support my pride.” You commanded, puffing up your chest.

“You…um… you fight good.” He said. That took the wind out of your sail a bit. It was a nice compliment just… not what you’d hoped for.

“Thanks.” You said, feeling a little disappointed. You finished your drink and Horangi finished his quickly after. Suddenly he told you he needed a minute, so you followed him. Okay a little odd. Where was this going? He took you to the alley and you kept scanning the area. Nothing but happy people with a few tired and blank faces. No one trying to cover up their intentions. Horangi started to pace a little. You let him stir for a bit. It would go away. He was overwhelmed. You have a crazy idea. You approach him carefully and take hold of his shoulders. “Hey… what's wrong?"

Horangi stopped as soon as you got in front of him, looking at you. That red on his cheeks wasn't from the cold, and neither was yours. Horangi is still at war with himself because for the longest time he has been hiding, keeping a low profile while taking out higher ones. You weren't an easy target yourself, so he had little to fear for your well being. And he was still debating whether he wanted more than what he had. Once again, he refused to look at you.

"Nothing." Horangi answered after a brief moment of eye contact. Your tail flicked up, and a hand went to his neck. You found the sweet spot easily, and he started involuntarily chuffing. "It's nothing."

"Nothing is wrong?" You asked.

"Nothing at all." He said standing up straight.

"Good..." You said. Another moment passes, and both of you look around. Now was your chance. Horangi noticed your hand was still on his neck and moved his hand to remove it. Then your soft touch became firm. You tugged his mask down in one quick clean motion. You took your shot.

You kissed him. Horangi's eyes widened before relaxing and kissing you back. Your arms went around his neck, while he wrapped his arms around your waist and torso. You two weren't going to see each other for a while. This time was a thank you for the help with your family, but it was a chance to meet up, and see the person who meant a lot to you. You felt his tail go loosely around your leg. The world seemed muffled as you just focused and lost yourself in the moment.

After what felt like hours, your lips parted and you take a moment. Then you realized what had just happened, and you don't think your face has ever felt this red in your life. Now neither of you can make eye contact, and neither of you know what to say.

"S-sorry." You said. Horangi gave you a look. Yeah you couldn't believe you said that either. Then he started to snicker, and you punched him in the arm out of embarrassment. "Shut up!"

"What are you gonna do, kiss me again?" He asked with that same smug and cheeky smile. This joker.

"And what if I do?" You asked, folding your arms. Horangi had the best time when he got you to pout like that. It didn't look like a pout, you hid it well, but he could tell. Horangi's tail hadn't left your leg. He just smiled. The question still remained about what exactly just happened, but he didn't care. That could be discussed at a later date. Instead he gave you a kiss on the cheek.

"We should keep going." You said, still flustered. Horangi just grinned, and you wanted to smack him.