Platonic/ Hsiao Shun x Male Reader.
TW: Mention of loss, Implied past sexual relation.
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She'd only given in because she was lonely.
That was what Hsiao Shun kept telling herself. The only reason she'd given in to the male's gentle touch, his smooth words, his awkward gestures was out of sheer loneliness. Nothing more.
Just a brief moment of weakness. That's all it was.
After the loss of her late husband, Matthew, she needed somebody to try and ease the never-ending ache he had left her with, the crippling guilt, and (Y/N) had just happened to be there for her in that exact moment.
The guilt didn't fade. If anything her sinful actions with the male had only added to it, fueled the pit in her stomach.
Hsiao was sure there was no going back from this. She had betrayed her late husband, in her eyes she did anyway.
(Y/N)'s nonchalant attitude didn't help the matter, but of course (Y/N) was not a widow, nor a partner of any sorts, he had no commitment to anyone or anything by what Hsiao had gathered over their acquaintance. He was just a normal man, who had also given in to his desires and was able to return to normal, act like everything was just as it was before, unlike Hsiao.
"You came back here?" Hsiao almost jumped as his voice came from behind her.
"Wan Shang Hao, (Y/N)." Hsiao greeted him as she did everyone, her eyes not shifting from her husband's tomb.
"I thought you were going to stay in Whitechapel and help out?"
"I have, and will continue to. I just...needed a moment here."
(Y/N) silently cocked an eyebrow at the back of the woman, silence hung in the air along with the strange tension that had made Hsiao retreat back to the cemetery that she once rarely ever left.
"Is this about what- happened between us?" Hsiao tensed up as (Y/N) brought up the topic that she had been actively trying to avoid with all her being, didn't want to have to face her actions just yet, not now, not here.
"No. I didn't come here because of that. Unlike you, I still have someone I care about and I needed to see him right now." Hsiao hadn't meant to get annoyed at the man, her friend, but she couldn't help but spit out the words laced with annoyance as the presence of the man alongside the ever-growing guilt and the sight of her husband's grave was becoming too much for her to keep a calm composure.
(Y/N) visibly winced at the woman's sharp tone and unapproachable aura that radiated around her as she continued to stare at Matthew's grave, a sombre look plastered across her features. The man wasn't quite sure on what to do in this situation, it isn't like he could turn back time and erase what happened, if he was able to then he would've, not because he regretted it, the opposite actually, but seeing the usually larger than life Hsiao Shun look so defeated hurt.
(Y/N) was fully aware that Hsiao held no romantic feelings for him, and most likely never would, she was fully devoted to Matthew even after death. The guilt she held from his passing had weighed her down for so long, something (Y/N) was incredibly sympathetic about and willingly chose to lend an ear for her to rant to, but Hsiao was finally starting to move on with her life and was doing good for the people in Whitechapel in till (Y/N) appeared and made the balance Hsiao achieved falter.
"Alright, yes. I understand. How long have you been standing here though?"
"Does it matter?"
"Well it is pretty late, and cold. People have also been going missing as of late. I don't suggest you stay out so late, especially on your own."
"This epidemic is not the only issue on our hands it appears." Hsiao mused, quietly.
"No, it's not. Do you want me to walk you back to Whitechapel? I have to go through there anyway." (Y/N) casually offered as he stared expectantly at Hsiao.
With an all most exasperated sigh, Hsiao hesitantly nodded and with another final glance towards her husband's grave, she followed.
"Why are you travelling through Whitechapel anyway? You usually linger around the West End so why are you here? At this hour especially." Hsiao asked as she sped up her pace somewhat so she could walk side by side with the man, who just shot her a nervous smile at her inquiry before clearing his throat. Hsiao wasn't exactly thrilled with his reaction.
"Well about that...you know how this epidemic has caused a shortage on staff and supplies and well...pretty much everything at the Pembroke Hospital." Hsiao just raised an eyebrow, an unimpressed look clear on her face.
"Well I decided I might sign up to help that Milton Hooks, I believe his name was with the ambulance and bringing the sick and injured to the Pembroke. I have a meeting with Dr. Edgar Swansea later this evening."
"You want to work at Pembroke Hospital?" Hsiao kept her eyes forward as she seemed to mutter something quietly to herself. (Y/N) just nodded apprehensively as he payed close attention to her reaction.
"Well Dr. Jonathan Reid does work there...I'll have to inform him to keep a close eye on you when he is able to if you do end up working at Pembroke, I know the trouble you can get yourself into." (Y/N) almost physically stepped back at the quick restoration of the woman's frightening fierceness that appeared in the glare she gave him.
"Oh come on Hsiao I'm not that bad. Anyway if I do get the job I'll probably be working under that Milton bloke so I don't need your doctor friend to watch my every move."
"I'm still asking. The more eyes on you the better."
"But Hsiao..."
"No. If you do start working at Pembroke you'll let Dr. Jonathan Reid help you if he sees fit. Right?"
"Yes, Hsiao." (Y/N) stopped himself from letting out a defeated sigh.
"Good." Hsiao gave the man a brief smile before carrying on down the street, her dejected friend trailing close behind.