fuumoksun

[fuumoksun]

Oh you like spice? Me too !

A/n : this chapter is for mature audience only. Mention of alcohol, drugs, spicy stuff. 18+

Read the fanfic on Ao3 and Wattpad!

(ﾉ' з ' )ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Zayn, the Crimson lion.

It was hard to not look at him.

The impressive stature, the scars that mapped his tan skin, the long, dark hair streaked with crimson strands. His abs and chest barely covered with leather belts, decorated with silver and pearls.

He was a figure shaped by the desert's harshness, every inch of him telling a story of survival.

"You're staring," he smiled, pulling up his blindfold, just enough to reveal his sharp amber eyes.

"Just counting the scars," you scoffed, avoiding his insistant gaze. "How many now? Thirty?"

"Thirty-four," he corrected, with a wide smile. "Want to see the ones under my -"

"Pass." You rolled your eyes, though the faint twitch of a smile betrayed you.

"Ah, yeah. I figured. Well, I'm happy to see you too Sunyati~ What are you up to? Still hiding in the darkest corner of Sumeru, I see," He said casualy, gesturing the bartender for a drink.

"Still stalking me, I see." You shot back, though your lips betrayed you with the faintest twitch of a smile.

"Not stalking, scouting." He said cocky smirk on his face. "A good merchant always keeps tabs on their most valuable associates."

You rolled your eyes. Again. "Oh, is that what we are now? Associates?"

"Of course," he said with mock seriousness, placing a hand over his heart. "My trusted confidant, keeper of secrets, finder of forbidden things… If it weren't for you, I'd have to, gods forbid, get my hands dirty."

You snorted. "As if they were clean to start with,"

"Ah, Sunyati~" he sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "You know that I'm a man of honest trade. And speaking of trade…" He leaned forward, lifting his blindfold, his amber eyes glinting with interest. "What brings you here tonight? Another job? Or just drowning your sorrows?"

"Neither. I was just thirsty," you replied, taking a deliberate sip from your cup.

"Hmm, thristy?" Zayn mused, tapping a finger on the table. "If you're here to drink, you're doing it wrong. You need company for that."

"Let me guess," you said setting your drink down. "You're offering yours."

"Only because I'm feeling generous," he said, grinning.

Your gaze softened despite yourself, "Sure"

Zayn had always been trouble, but there was something comforting about his presence. And while you wouldn't call him a friend, he was… familiar.

"Fine," you said, gesturing to the bar. "Just a few drinks-"

Zayn laughed, the sound warm and carefree. "First to pass out loses! Bring it on!"

The conversation flowed easily, like no time had passed since you last met.

Zayn's stories of the desert lightening the air between you. He had a way of making the world feel smaller, his charm and humor easing some of the tension knotted in your shoulders.

"WHAT?! You explored Deshret ruins AND fought a giant robot? Without me?! Why didn't you call me?!" He slapped the table with his large hands making the glasses dance.

You laughed. It felt good like weight was falling off from your shoulders.

"Habibati~ Seems like you reached your limit. I win~" Zayn whispered, a teasing lilt to his voice.

"Nuh- uh I'm… Not done yet…" You rested your head on his barely covered chest.

His proximity was intoxicating, the air around you now charged with a familiar tension.

You could feel the heat of his body, his fingers entwining with yours in a way that felt… natural. Like it had always been this way.

There was no need to pull away.

No need for words to fill the space between you. Just silent touch.

His golden eyes searched yours, his other hand finding its way to your tigh massaging it gently.

You let out a low sigh at the touch. "Ah…"

"Feels good?" He chuckled in your ear.

"Yeah… Harder please-"

"Hmm… It's too early to ask me that habibati~" He kissed your temple, his hands working wonders on your legs.

Maybe that what you needed.

Maybe you needeed him?

He always made you feel good afterall… Why not?

"Zayn…" You whispered.

"You look so tired Habibti… Lemme take care of you." He kissed your forehead gently slipping a hand under your skirt. "Remember our little trip to Sobek oasis?"

You pressed your legs together at the memory, making him stop his motions.

"You do huh?"

Memories from Zayn's hands, lips and tongue all over your body flashed in your mind.

"Fuck-" you bite your lips as his fingers reached a sensitive spot.

'Yeah… Maybe that's what I need.'

Your hand traveled from his abs to the back of his neck.

His lips brushed against yours.

His thumb rubbing your inner tigh. Teasing, testing your self control.

He kissed you, deep and slow.

Your pulse quickened, and it wasn't from the drinks.

'How is he so good at this?'

You leaned into the moment, letting yourself bask in the fleeting distraction he provided.

This wasn't right.

This won't help…

Like the drugs didn't help…

Like running away didn't help…

It felt wrong to use him.

Your thoughts betrayed you, conjuring the image of Al Haitham and your last conversation. The frown of worry when he looked at you. The little notes he left on your desk. The hot cup of coffee that would be delivered every morning. The blanket you found folded on your chair.

He had tried to help you, but you were to scared. Stubborn.

'Pathetic… He probably hates me now anyways…'

You grabbed the hand under your skirt, the warmth fading as doubt overshadowwed your desires.

"I can't…" you whispered under your breath, almost too low for him to hear.

Zayn tilted his head. "What is it?"

"Zayn," you said, as he pulled his hand away with a small pout. "Sorry… I need to go home"

His eyes searched yours. A moment passed, he burried his face in your neck with a long sigh. "Alright…" he kissed you gently. "Gimme a minute to calm down and I'll walk you - "

A loud thud interrupted him.

The taverns door slammed open.

The mood shifted in an instant, a cold tension creeping into the air. Zayn swiftly threw your hood over your head, as several men filed in, their gazes scanning the room, immediately locking onto him.

"There you are, thief," the man growled. "Hand over what you took."

Zayn didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned back lazily, lips quirking into a grin. "You'll have to be more specific I'm afraid~ What is it your looking for?"

"Zayn…" Your voice was a warning, but he ignored you.

"Gentlemen, let's handle this civily yeah?" he drawled.

"yoir kind only understand with violence it seems-"

You tucked his pants "What did you do?" you spat.

"Relax, habibti~ Just hide your pretty face for me yeah?" he said, standing with a lazy stretch. "This'll be over in no time."

The man didn't wait for any more negotiations. His blade arced toward Zayn, but Zayn parried with practiced ease, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. The tavern erupted into chaos as you ducked to avoid a chair flying past your head.

"Stay down habibti!" Zayn called over his shoulder, engaging another attacker.

"Don't fucking call me that!" you snapped, grabbing a bottle and smashing it into the nearest assailant's face.

You stumbled back as the fight tore through the room, trying to stay clear of the violence. Your head spun and then you saw it…

Something dark flickering at the edges of the chaos.

Shadows twisting unnaturally, taking shape. Moving between the combatants, lashing out as if alive. Your breath hitched as one stretched toward you, its claws reaching for your arm.

"Little Lamb~ I told you you couldn't run away."

You stopped breathing. You tried to scream but nothing came out.

[... To be continued]

[fuumoksun]

Oh you like angst ? Me too !

Chapter 5 Sunflower read on AO3 / Wattpad

[...]

Al Haitham stood, slipping out to the balcony with his drink in hand. The cold night air greeted him as he leaned against the railing, staring out over the city. His jaw tightened as Kaveh's words echoed in his mind.

'Tools? What an idiot-'

"Mind if I join you?"

The voice startled him. Al Haitham turned to see Aether stepping onto the balcony, his gaze fixed on the stars. Al Haitham hummed in response.

Aether leaned against the railing beside him. "So... Did something happen with Y/N?"

"How should I know?" His voice was defensive, almost exasperated. "Why is everyone asking me?"

"Because you're her friend aren't you?" Aether's voice was steady but firm.

"It seems she doesn't see it that way," Al Haitham's fingers tightened around his glass. "She can take care of herself. You all need to stop prying on her like she can't handle herself. She's been avoiding you for a reason-"

"I can't say you're wrong. This is rationnal. As expected... but" Aether studied him for a moment before speaking again. "... even strong, capable people can struggle. When it's so hard for them that even taking care of themselves becomes a burden."

"I tried to help her," Al Haitham admitted, his voice quieter now. "She wouldn't listen. She's stubborn, always insists on doing things herself."

"Sounds familiar..." Aether chuckled. "And, tell me, did you approach her the way you approach everything else? Cold, logical, detached?" Aether asked, his tone pointed but not unkind.

Al Haitham frowned. "I gave her solutions even a purpose to 'motivate' her. Isn't that what matters?"

Aether shook his head. "Sometimes it's not about solving things. People don't always need answers. They need to feel seen, understood. If you only focus on the problem, you miss the person behind it."

Al Haitham's gaze shifted to the city below. "And what would you have me do?"

"That answer is up to you...." Aether sighed.

Al Haitham said nothing, but the weight of Aether's words hung in the air as he stared into the distance.

Moments later, his feet carried him through the quiet streets until he found himself standing in front of a house growing around an old tree.

[To be continued]

[fuumoksun]

Would you readt it... ?

I often said I pourred my heart into fanfics but this time... I really did. It's been a real therapy I hope people who read it feel the same, or even more than I did!

Read on AO3 and Wattpad