Summary: Margaret and Nathaniel are at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Features: Mitchell, Hawthorne, Yumeno, Akutagawa, the start of HawthMitch
Ao3 Link
Margaret wasn’t sure why Francis had thought she’d paired herself up with Nathaniel and why Nathaniel had let her lean on him. If he hadn’t done that, Francis wouldn’t have been able to think that. Then again, if he hadn’t she might have fallen over…
So, she wasn’t sure she could be as angry as she wanted to be. No, she would just have to endure this for a while. Besides, she...did find Nathaniel at least somewhat interesting. If she could just talk to him some, it would be worth it, hm?
“So, Mr. Hawthorne, what are you thinking of Japan so far?” She asked, a small smile on her face.
“It’s fine.” He shrugged a bit and kept walking. “At least, for the bit I’ve seen…”
“You sound worried…” Margaret frowned. “Is it the fact there’s a Mafia here?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t worry!” She slapped a hand on his back. “I’m sure it’ll all turn out fine, Mr. Fitzgerald did say this area was low on Mafia activity.”
“Low, but not rid of it,” Nathaniel replied.
Margaret couldn’t help but sigh a bit at that. Of course the priest would be the one who couldn’t stop thinking about the corruption of the city. Was there anyway she would be able to distract him so they could do something?
“Well, I’m sure they don’t do much around areas of play. Even the Mafia must have standards when it comes to children.”
“...Perhaps.”
“So why don’t we take a stroll in the park and try to forget about the Mafia for a while?” She suggested, tugging on his coat just a bit. “Something to do other than walking around, eyeing everyone like they’re going to attack us.”
Nathaniel seemed to think for a moment. Was he really not sold on the idea? Of course, he’d rather be on edge, just in case something happened.
“Please?” She asked, pouting just a bit. “I want to be able to have some fun on this vacation!”
“...” Nathaniel sighed a bit and shook his head. “I suppose we can go for a stroll if we can find a park.”
Perfect, they might actually be able to have a pleasant conversation that day. No bickering, just chatting. Since Nathaniel seemed to be playing nice for once, at least.
Margaret smiled up at him. “Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne. I knew you could be somewhat agreeable at times.”
Nathaniel sighed a bit, shaking his head just a bit. “You say that as if I’m not usually agreeable.”
“You really aren’t, no offense to you.” She replied, giving a small, almost sympathetic smile. “That’s just part of who you are.”
“I can be agreeable.”
“Rarely.”
“Ms. Mitchell, I’m usually agreeable. More-so than you, if nothing else.”
“Do you really think so, Mr. Hawthorne?” She shot him a glare. So much for them having a pleasant conversation.
“I know so, Ms. Mitchell.” He frowned at her and started walking. “You’re not exactly the nicest lady around yourself.”
“I’m just fine.” She followed after him with a frown. “I have nice chats with quite a few people.”
“Name some.”
“Mr. Melville, Ms. Alcott, and Ms. Montgomery. Just to name a few.” She replied, head held high. She wouldn’t back down.
“...I see…” Nathaniel thought for a moment. “What about…”
-
The two had finally found a park and were now walking side by side, silently. It seemed like their argument earlier had thrown them both into silence. Nothing to say that wouldn’t be rude, huh?
That was bothering Margaret. She wanted to be able to say something else, but didn’t want to start a fight. What was something she could say? She needed to know. Well, maybe…
“Oh! Mr. Hawthorne,” she tugged on his sleeve, “look at that! A little ice cream truck.”
“Do you want ice cream?” Nathaniel asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No! Just look at all those sweet children, lining up to get a treat.” She giggled a bit, smiling at them.
So many children were crowding around, asking for treats and giving their money. The ice cream man seemed to be just as happy, trading the money for the said treats. She had to say, though, the treats did look tasty…
“Are you sure you don’t want some ice cream?” Nathaniel asked with a sigh. “You seem to want some.”
“Maybe, but we should just keep walking.” She shook her head. “I forgot my wallet back at the hotel, anyway.”
“I could buy you a treat, if you really want one.” He offered and Margaret didn’t know what to say. She’d never expected him to offer to buy her a treat.
“Well, if you’re willing…” She looked over, tapping her chin. It did look pretty tasty. “I wouldn’t say no to a handsome gentleman buying me something.”
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “Did you just--”
“Or you! I wouldn’t say no to you buying me something either.” She shook his head, hoping that she covered herself well enough. Please let Nathaniel not catch onto that being a cover…
“I see.” He frowned at her. “I should have known that was the case.”
“Is that so?” She smiled up at him, sticking her tongue out at him. “Anyway, are you still planning on getting me a treat?”
“I’m not sure…” Nathaniel fixed his glasses. “You don’t seem to care for me much.”
“Oh please?” She frowned at him. “You said you would buy me one. Would you really go back on that?”
“I...no.” He shook his head and sighed. “I’m a man of my word.”
She smiled up at him. “That’s what I thought~”
“Then let’s go. Try not to pick anything too expensive.” He sighed as they made their way over to the truck.
“I promise I’ll pay you back, though, so does the price really matter?” She asked.
“Is there a reason you’re planning to pay me back?”
“I’ve decided I’ll only take a free gift from a man I find handsome.” What a lie that was.
“I see--” Nathaniel blinked when a little boy ran into him.
“Oopsie!” He smiled up at the man. “Sorry mister!”
“It’s alright…” He frowned a bit, most young children wouldn’t be so happy about hitting into someone.
“You two shouldn’t be out here right now, though, you know?” He said, still smiling widely. “It’s not safe!”
Margaret frowned. “What do you mean?”
That was when the first gunshot rang out.
-
When Nathaniel’s eyes opened, the entire park had erupted into chaos. The ice cream vendor seemed to have been shot down, a bullet right between the eyes. The children were all screaming, running towards their parents.
It seemed only one had be killed, but, why?
“Hawthorne…” He heard Margaret rasp it out and looked, only to see the woman on top of him. “Are you alright…?”
“I’m fine.” He replied, a frown on his face. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Shot…” She gasped in pain as she tried to shift. “I was shot.”
Nathaniel tried to hold her still. “Don’t move around if you were shot. We’ll call an ambulance.”
“Not yet.” She shook her head and looked behind her shoulder. “They’re still here…”
Nathaniel looked over and saw the little boy who had hit into him talking to man who was placing a gun in his coat.
“Ne, Akutagawa!” The boy smiled up at him. “You sure you got the right one?”
“I know you said silver hair was on the man and I shot both of them.” The Akutagawa fellow replied. “Whichever one it was, he won’t be framing us anymore.”
“Are you sure they’re both dead, though~?” The boy asked, tilting his head to the side. “Maybe a little more shooting would be good.”
“It will be fine, Yumeno.” He replied and started walking away. “Come on now. Mori-san will want us to be back.”
“Fiiine!” The boy (Yumeno was it?) turned to look back and grinned at the two on the ground. “That was fun, still, Akutagawa~”
“Mmm, I suppose. Just lead to the next target.”
Nathaniel would have stood and followed if Margaret hadn’t held him down. “Don’t follow… They tried to kill you before, they might do it again.”
“ Mitchell…” He grimaced. He didn’t want to let those criminals get away and kill someone else…
What if the person was innocent? If they weren’t acting in the name of God…
“Please...don’t worry about it for now.” She was clinging to him. “Please, I need to go to…”
Nathaniel then remembered Margaret had indeed been shot. He gently moved to lay her down, the bullet wound up. He held his hand to it, trying to stop the blood flow. He had no phone and no way to call emergency services.
“Someone call an ambulance!” He yelled out, looking at everyone. “Please!”
Someone who seemed to understand him nodded and made a call. Nathaniel, meanwhile, was trying to keep an eye on Margaret. Please don’t let her lose too much blood. He had a feeling he was going to be praying for a while.
“I’ll be fine…” She said, despite the pain in her voice. “Don’t worry too much about it, Mr. Hawthorne.”
He would have believed her if she hadn’t passed out right after that.
