rotting

He wraps his arms around you from behind and pulls you close, he buries his head in the back of your neck making you wake up. “Roninnn,” you whine, turning over and putting your hands under his collarbones.

“Haha, darlin' what's wrong?” he says in a sickly sweet voice with a sarcastic drawl. He grabs your hands and holds them in between his. You kiss his knuckles, avoiding eye contact. He smirks and starts to get up.

“Where are you going?” you ask, sitting up in bed, missing his warmth.

“I got a kill I need to prepare for tonight, ya know how it goes.” He sits at his desk by the foot of the bed.

“Oh, well can I come with?” you ask while getting out of bed and standing behind his chair.

He grins and looks up at you “You wanna come to purgatory with the devil himself?”

“Always,” you coo, smiling back at him. Ronin looks back at his computer, still smiling.

“Yeah, yeah. You can come with” he yawns “Could ya go make some coffee darling?”

You hum and kiss the top of his head before leaving to the kitchen. As the coffee brews, you cut up an orange for him and plate it. The coffee pot dings and you pour the coffee in his favorite mug. It has a little dog with devil horns on it, you got it for his birthday. You walk back to the bedroom and place it next to him on his desk. “Thanks sugar,” he says, picking up the mug and taking a sip from it.

The rest of the morning is spent with you sitting on the ground next to Ronin with your head against his knee as his hand carded through your hair. Sometimes you’d prop your head up on his thigh and talk to him about what he's doing and who he's killing. Other times, you’d stand up and walk around the room looking at different things or petting Ronin's plush dog.

12pm

You look up at Ronin with wide eyes, head tilted to the side. “So who's this guy?” Ronin looks down at you and smiles.

“His name's Adam, he's in his 30s and I've seen him get a little too touchy at bars and clubs around town,” Ronin answers, patting your head, “but don't worry about it, ok babe?”

“Ok!” you go back to playing with his pant leg and humming a song Ronin likes.

3pm

“I'll be right back, ok darlin?” Ronin tells you, standing up and stretching. He smiles at you before he leaves the room. After he leaves, you climb up onto his chair to see all the info he has on Adam. There are all kinds of info. Where he grew up, where he lives, who he knows and where he works and even more all neatly listed out including photos.

Ronin then returns with a cup of water and some berries. He encourages you to eat gently as he gets out two all black outfits. One for you, and one for him. When looking at the outfits, you can see that the one he picked out for you was all his clothes and you couldn't help but smile.

“Take your pick, darlin’,” He shows you two kinds of masks and asks you to pick one once he does. He helps you push back your hair, tucking away any visible hair. Then he kisses your forehead. “We’re gonna go at 6 alright? Get dressed, darling.” he pats your back before standing up and getting changed. You nod and go to the bathroom to get changed.

The clothes fit nicely and are a little long and baggy. He's so tall compared to you and he tends to wear bagger clothes. Once you're dressed, you leave the bathroom to see he's waiting there for you. “You look nice, baby,” he says with a smirk resting, his hand on your back and leading you to the bed “Wait here, ok hun? I’m gonna get everything ready.” He kisses your hand softly, smiling at you before going to prepare everything.

6pm

He comes back to the room with his crowbar in hand and a smile on his face. “Let’s go, darling.” He pulls you up by your arm and holds your hand, walking you out of the building. You sit in the passenger seat of his car as he drives you uptown. Once you get to purgatory the smell hits you first, the smell of rot and iron. Ronin pulls his mask down and nudges you to do the same. The mask makes it hard to see and it doesn't help that it's dark. “Go stand over there, babe.” He points to a more hidden part of the alley.

“Why?” you ask, not wanting to leave his side and his safety.

“Cuz I don’t want ya to get hurt, baby,” he pulls up your hood, fiddling around with your disguise. Though the darkness obscures his face, you like to think he's smiling at you. Ronin gives you a little pat and you walk to the hiding spot. It was even harder to see from back here, but you saw a figure walk by the alley and then Ronin pulled them in and hit them to the ground sliding back to your feet. You jump and run to Ronin, holding onto his arm terrified. He wraps his arms around your waist and brings you to the man stumbling and trying to stand up. He lifts up his crowbar and with a sickening arc, slams it into the man’s chest. You can practically hear each individual rib snap, each muscle tear, and his lungs let out a final wheeze. Ronin bashes in his chest over and over, and the ever so faint light is enough to glint upon the blood around his body. Finally, Ronin hands you the crowbar.

Once you saw it, you knew you had to make Ronin do it with you. You just know it would be a really fun and romantic date for the two of you. Plus, you know how much Ronin loves flowers, his favorites by far being lilies. 

Unfortunately, you don’t know anything about gardening. You have no clue how to go about buying the right flowers, checking the soil for.. whatever you check soil for, 

You buy seeds, flower starters, gloves, small shovels, really any gardening materials you can reasonably get your hands on. For the most part, you’re pretty sure you have everything you need, maybe a little more. You really hope Ronin has some sort of plant expertise, because you, for all intents and purposes, have no clue what you’re doing.

When you come home, you find Ronin in the kitchen drinking coffee. “Welcome back darling, where’d ya go?” he asks, walking over to you and kissing your forehead “and what's in the bag? “So, ya know the garden that's opening… “ you say, swinging back and forth smiling and looking up at him.

“I’ve heard about it, why darl’?” he questions, tilting his head to the side, smiling at you. 

“Well I was thinking we could plant flowers together!" you say leaning forward. “And look I even got seeds and stuff,” you offer, holding out the bag of gardening supplies to him. He takes it and smirks, laughing as he ruffles your hair and looks inside the bag. 

“Jeez darling, if you went through all this trouble I guess we gotta,” he says, eyeing you up and down. You jump up and wrap your arms around him giggling. He rubs your back leading you to the door. “Come on,” he calls out to you, opening the door. You finally let go as the two of you start going down the stairs, talking about everything and nothing until you get to the lobby and outside. 

The garden had no flowers planted in it and looked like no one had visited it. The soil was dry and the short wooden fence around it was partially broken. Ronin fixed up the fence as you took the seeds and the flower starters out. Once Ronin finishes fixing the fence, he puts on the gloves and helps you put yours on, he's humming as he looks at the kinds of seeds you got. 

“You got lilies?” he asks, holding up the packet with a questioning look. 

“Uh, yeah, cuz they're your favorite,” you say, turning away to hide the blooming flush on your face.

“Well, aren't you a little charmer?” he says with a smirk, grabbing your chin and giving you a quick kiss. After a moment, he picks up the garden spade. “How about I dig the holes and you put the flowers in, darl’?”  

You nod and pick up the forget me not seed packet. Ronin digs a shallow mote around the front of the garden right next to the fence and waits for you to pour the seeds in, after he covers them back up with dirt. Then you put the flower starters closer to the center things like red and white Columbines and yarrows in the same colors. 

“I like the colors darling, did ya pick them out just for me?” he doesn't ask more states. You giggle and nod. Finally you plant the lilies and smile at Ronin, he smiles back and kisses your forehead. 

You're both covered in dirt, your elbows and knees as well as faces and hair. Ronin helps you stand “you’re filthy, baby” he says.

“You are you!” you state pushing him gently. “Well I think that means we have to shower” he says with a smirk walking you inside and up the elevator. 

“Do you wanna go first and I'll make you some food?” you question leaning into him.

“Who says we can’t shower together?” He jokes, but you can sense the underlying offer beneath his comedic tone. Of course, there's nothing sexual in his stare. He's a romantic guy and he likes romantic things, like any other hopeless romantic.

“Ronin!!” you yelp and push him away, blushing and giggling. The doors open and you both step out. Ronin leads you to your shared apartment. 

“So darlin’, what do you say?” he inquires, smiling gently waiting for your answer.  

“I’d like that…” you whisper, looking away. He pats your back, cackling, making you blush even more. You both head to your bedroom looking for clothes. 

At this point it was late in the evening around 7pm. “D’ya wanna wear your own pajamas or mine?” he asks you, sorting through his closet. 

“Could I, uh… could I wear some of yours…? Please..” Your voice is meek as you twist and crack your fingers. Despite being officially together, you can’t help but fidget nervously in the few moments of silence it takes him to answer. “Sure thing, babe,” he says casually, almost too casually, grabbing two pairs of his pajamas, one for you and one for him. You’re sure he noticed your hesitance, but for whatever reason, he chose to overlook it. It brings you some relief to know he’s not judging you.

You’ve seen Ronin without a shirt before. He takes it off when he works out and when he works on his bike and car and you have seen him get changed before, but this is a whole different thing. You can’t help but feel a mix of terror, giddiness, and excitement. 

He turns on the water as you brush your hair, sneaking looks at him when he's not looking but once he starts to undress you stop looking instead focus on your hands. He takes his shirt off first then his jeans until he's just left in his boxers. When he finally looks at you his brow furrows, he sits down and gently takes your hand pulling you close to him till you're standing in between his legs. For once, he's looking up at you and you're looking down at him. 

He strokes your hand as he speaks “You look uncomfortable.” He looks genuinely concerned.

“No no, I’m fine, just really nervous,” you manage to say. His eyes soften even so slightly. “Do ya want me to look away?” he coos, looking at you for an answer. You nod and smile ever so slightly. He smiles back and kisses your jaw before letting you go. You step away from him and he stands. You both face away from each other, him facing the shower and you facing the door. 

He finishes getting undressed and you do too he gently grabs your hand still looking away and leads you into the shower. Once you're in the shower you hug him, your face against his chest and your hands on his shoulders, his arms going around you and on your back. The warm water washes over the two of you.

“I think you're divine,” he whispers into your hair then kisses the top of your head. He pulls away to grab a wash cloth and wet it. He then turns back to you and pulls you close. You don't complain as he washes your back and shoulders. He then moves onto your arms and neck, making you giggle as he washes along your throat. “Can I wash your back?” you ask, giving him puppy dog eyes, leaning forward. “I guess darling, if you insist,” he says smugly, turning around so you can reach his back. You clean him, humming a tune as you do and he hums along, making you smile. “Can you wash my hair?” you request smiling sweetly at him, already tucking the wash cloth into his hands. “Of course darling, but will ya wash the devils hair too?” he teases, smirking at you. You nod at him very enthusiastically, smile widening. He washes your hair as you wash his, although he does have to bend down ever so slightly so you can reach. After you both are all clean you step out and dry off smiling at each other as you get dressed. “Hey, I'm gonna get food delivered kay’?” he says pulling out his phone.

“Mhm!” you reply sitting on the couch and looking for a movie to watch together, you land on a horror movie knowing Ronin is a sucker for them. He ordered from a small Chinese restaurant that probably knows him by name. 

You turn on the movie and eat the food, sitting in his lap on the couch, kissing him from time to time. You start to get sleepy and turn your head into his chest as he holds you even tighter, running his hands through your hair as you doze off.

“It just sucks, you know?” you complain, spilling your woes to Ronin again. It’s become somewhat of a routine now, but you can’t help it. What else can someone do when they don’t even have the privilege to see the stars at night?

“You talk about this every other night, darlin’, what do ya want me to do?” Ronin says, Beaufortly.

“I don’t know, it's just such a shame. I love the stars so much,” you say with a sigh, sitting down on your shared bed. 

“I know baby,” he says, kissing your cheek. “I have to go to the store, okay?” he says sitting next to you on the bed “Do ya wanna come with me?” he asks, tilting his head to the side.

“Sure,” you giggle, taking his hand as you stand together. He intertwines his fingers with yours, squeezing your hand tight. 

After you both get your shoes on, (Ronin insists on helping you). He leads you through the apartment complex down to his beat up old truck that he insisted be wrapped in red. He opens the passenger door for you, always insisting on being polite. He loves pampering you and you have no idea why. He was always so kind, even if others couldn't see it; he has a unique way to express his affection that most struggle to understand. 

As he drives, you look out your window at the cloudy sky, the only light in the sky being the moon peeking out from behind the clouds. Ronin would peek at you from time to time, his expression getting more and more woebegone. After about 10 minutes he finally pulled into the parking lot of a small store, the kind that would have all kinds of kids toys and cheap trinkets. 

“Darlin?” Ronin questions, placing his hand on your shoulder in an attempt to snap you out of your daydreaming.

“Hmm,” you reply noncommittally, turning your head to look at him. He meets you with a toothy grin before he opens his door and then walks around the car and opens yours, reaching his hand out to help you step out and kissing your cheek. 

He leads you inside, holding the door for you all the while smiling a sinister smile which makes you question if he has any ulterior motives. Knowing Ronin, it's highly likely that he does. 

“Why don’t ya pick something nice out for yourself darlin,” he hums, already leading you to the candy aisle, holding his hand on the small of your back. His eyes meet yours and you smile at him. You turn to face the rows of candy and look around for the certain treats that you like. Ronin stands about a foot behind you, watching over you before he speaks up.

“Hey darlin’ I'm gonna go get some food, ok? You stay here and I’ll come get you.” 

“Ok, Ro,” you mumble before turning your attention back to the treats.

He chuckles a little before walking away. He gets some fruits, vegetables, bread, and some meat. As well as some ice cream for you too.

On his way back to you, he passes the toy aisle and spots some cheap glow-in-the-dark stars that kids stick onto their ceilings. He thought about how much you wanted to see the stars and how sad it's been making you over the past weeks. On a whim, he decides to get them. Carefully, he repositions the groceries to hide the packet of little plastic stars at the bottom of the basket before walking back to you. 

He taps you on the shoulder ”Hey, are you ready to go yet?” he questions, grinning at you. 

You smile, holding up some chocolate and nod, taking his hand. He walks you to the check out and asks you to look for something on his phone to distract you from seeing what he got.  He holds your hand as he walks you out together. Ronin puts the grocery bags in the back seat and then, being the gentleman he is, he holds the passenger door open for you to get in before getting on his own side and starting the car. 

It’s around 11pm by now and the street lights have turned on, making it even harder to see the stars and the sky, which grew even more cloudy. Ronin rubs your shoulder as he sees your glum face reflecting in the window. 

He parks the car in the apartment’s parking lot, leading you inside and into your apartment. He places the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. Using one hand, he tilts your chin up and kisses you with the other. He fishes around in the bag, looking for the packet of stars. Once he finds it, he hides it behind his back and gently lets go of you. 

“Hey darling, do you think you can put these away?” he inquires, stroking your cheek. 

“Mhm,” you mutter out, nodding ever so slightly before turning your attention to the bags. Ronin hums out a reply before disappearing into your bedroom leaving you alone in the kitchen. Unpacking the grocery doesn't take that long. You giggle seeing he got the ice cream you like and hum approvingly at different items. 

After putting everything away you approach the shut bedroom door. You give it a questioning look before knocking lightly. “Ro?” you ask, waiting for a response. 

“Come in!” you hear Ronin call out to you. You sigh and reach for the door but Ronin beats you to it, opening the door for you and staring at you with a shit eating grin. 

“What did you do..?” you ask, trying to look around him into the room. 

“It wounds me to know that you think so poorly of me, darl’,” he says, placing a hand on his heart before ushering you into the room and sitting you on the bed. He stands in front of you still smiling that devilish smile. 

“Ronin, what did you do?” you question looking more worried as time goes on. 

“Nothing bad babe, just close your eyes for me,” he snickers while holding your hands. After a beat, you finally close your eyes. You can hear his laughter grow louder and louder. You hear him stand, flick the light switch off, and then he takes your hands again, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles. 

“Okay, open them again,” he whispers to you and you practically can hear him smiling. You open your eyes and the room is completely dark. You can just barely make out the contours of Ronin’s silhouette. You tilt your head, not understanding. He gestures up to the ceiling, causing you to look up. You see countless glowing stars of all different sizes. 

You make eye contact and squeal. You lunge forward, wrapping your arms around his neck and giggling. He chuckles, hugging you back. 

“I’m glad you like them, darlin’,” he states quietly rubbing your back. After a while, you pull away and look up again, collapsing back on the bed. You giggle more and more, giddy off of love. He stands and lays beside you, wrapping his arm around your back and over your stomach. He presses his face into your hair and peppers your head with kisses. “You wanted stars darlin’, so the devil himself carved them into your ceiling. He tore them free from God's hand and brought them to you, writer darling. You're welcome.”

“Thank you devilll,” you say teasingly, turning your head into his chest. 

The stars shine bright above, illuminating how you and your lover rest peacefully, tangled in the sheets of your bed and each other's arms. “I love you, Ro.”

“Love ya too, darlin’.”