summary: everyone is talking about the 'green ghost' nowadays. whether it's from the news, online articles, or even gossip! he saved countless lives with a hidden mask yet his intentions are yet to be discovered. it made [y/n] intrigued who is behind the mask that saved her one time, unaware it was the one she had been pining for.
pairing: kinich. . . genshin impact (the reader is included)
genre: superhero x civilian, spiderverse inspo, love triangle (w/ sethos), jealousy, one-sided to a full rivalry, desperate pining from three accounts, oblivious from [y/n] and kinich, angst, fluff, supernatural modern au!, school-life, death(?), potential villain?, and etc. . .
notes: another small series!! I'm excited to write this fic because it has been plaguing my mind ever since hshsh. i really hope everyone enjoys the series with expectations and content. taglist are officially open, so please say it in the comments. <3
[Y/N]’s fingers trembled as she clung to Kinich’s shirt, unwilling to let go just yet, afraid that if she did, he would disappear all over again. But then his voice rumbled against her ear, low and slightly exasperated.
“[Y/N],” he sighed, shifting slightly beneath her hold. “I need to move. Get off.”
A small hiccup left her lips, her body still wracked with silent sobs, but she slowly loosened her grip, reluctantly pulling away. As much as she wanted to keep holding him, to make sure he was really there, she respected his boundaries. She stepped back, sniffling, hurriedly wiping the dampness from her cheeks with the sleeves of her shirt.
Her vision was still blurry from the tears, but she managed to turn toward Wriothesley and his team, who had been quietly observing the entire interaction. The officer stood with his arms crossed; his usual stoic expression softened just a fraction. His subordinates exchanged glances, some looking awkward, while others simply seemed relieved that this ordeal was over.
Swallowing thickly, she tried to compose herself. “Thank you,” she said, her voice hoarse from crying, but still laced with genuine gratitude. She bowed her head slightly, her heart swelling with appreciation. “Thank you all for your hard work in finding Kinich. I—I don’t know what I would’ve done if…”
She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. If they hadn’t found him. If she had been too late. The mere thought sent another wave of anxiety through her, but she pushed it down, focusing on the fact that he was here, safe, in front of her.
Wriothesley gave her a nod, his sharp blue eyes assessing her carefully. “No need to thank us. It was our job,” he said simply, though there was a certain kindness in his tone. “But I’d say he gave us more trouble than expected.”
[Y/N] turned to Kinich, who was rubbing his temple, his lips pressing into a thin line as if resisting the urge to snap back. She knew he hated being a burden to others, and Wriothesley’s words probably stung his pride.
“Well,” she sniffled, glancing back at the officer. “I still appreciate it. Truly.”
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he let out a small sigh, waving a hand dismissively. “Just make sure he doesn’t get into more trouble.”
She nodded, but before she could say anything else, Kinich let out a sharp breath beside her. “Can we go now?” he asked, his tone clipped but not unkind. He rolled his shoulders, testing his movements as if making sure his body still functioned properly.
[Y/N] glanced at Wriothesley for confirmation, and he gave her a small nod. “He’s free to go. But keep an eye on him. He’s been through a lot.”
Her heart clenched at that. She turned back to Kinich, who was already avoiding her gaze, his hands stuffed into his pockets as if trying to act indifferent. But she saw through him. The exhaustion in his posture, the way his fingers twitched slightly—he was barely holding himself together.
Still, he was here. And she wasn’t about to let him go through this alone.
Taking a deep breath, she reached for his wrist, gently tugging him forward. “Come on,” she murmured softly. “Let’s go home.”
He stiffened at the word home but didn’t resist.
As the two stepped out of the police station, the cool afternoon air wrapped around them, carrying the distant hum of the city. The tension from earlier still clung to the atmosphere, lingering between them like an unspoken weight. [Y/N] pulled out her phone, her fingers fumbling slightly as she dialed her mother’s number.
The call connected after a few rings. “Mom? Can you pick us up?” she asked, her voice steady but undeniably tired. She glanced at Kinich from the corner of her eye, watching as he stretched his stiff limbs. “Yeah… yeah, both of us. We’re at the station.”
Kinich let out a short sigh, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. “I can just stay at my apartment,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. “No need to bother your mom.”
But before he could continue, [Y/N] turned to him, fixing him with a look—one that immediately shut down any further argument. Her brows were drawn together, her lips pressed into a firm line. It wasn’t anger, but something heavier.
“Kinich,” she said, her voice quiet but unwavering. “I insist.”
He blinked, caught off guard by the sheer determination in her gaze. For a moment, he considered pushing back, but before he could, she suddenly looked away, her fingers tightening around the phone.
“I don’t want to be separated again,” she murmured, her words barely above a whisper, but they struck him harder than any argument could have. She took a shaky breath before continuing, “I waited so long for you to come back… I don’t want to lose you again, not after this.”
Kinich inhaled sharply, the weight of her words settling in his chest. He had always known she worried about him, but hearing it like this—so raw, so unguarded—made something in him ache.
He exhaled through his nose, glancing away as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “…Alright,” he muttered after a long pause. “I’ll stay.”
He didn’t miss the way her shoulders sagged in relief, nor the way her fingers relaxed slightly around her phone. The silence between them wasn’t awkward—it was thick with emotion, heavy with all the things neither of them knew how to say just yet.
As they stood there, waiting for her mother to arrive, Kinich shifted his weight from one foot to the other before finally breaking the silence. “What about Sethos?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual, as if he already had an inkling that the answer wouldn’t be pleasant.
[Y/N] sighed, rubbing her hands together as if trying to warm them. “He’s… he’s healing,” she admitted, though the words didn’t carry the reassurance she wished they did. “But he looks more exhausted than usual.”
Kinich frowned. “[Y/N]...”
She shook her head, already knowing what he was about to say, but she didn’t stop herself from continuing. “Back at the stadium, he was protecting me from the monsters,” she started, her tone steady despite the way her heart clenched at the memory. “He fought them off, held them back… but one of them got him.” Her hands curled into fists at her sides. “His arm was injured—badly. It left this heavy wound, Kinich.”
Kinich’s jaw tightened, his grip in his pockets clenching unconsciously.
[Y/N] swallowed hard, lowering her gaze to the pavement. “I thought I was going to lose him,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just like I lost you… until today.”
That last sentence stung, and Kinich felt the guilt hit him like a punch to the gut.
He had been so busy—so focused on warding off the monsters, on pushing himself beyond his limits to keep others safe—that he hadn’t even realized how much suffering his friends had endured in his absence. Sethos had been fighting too, carrying wounds that hadn’t fully healed. And [Y/N]—she had been left waiting, searching, fearing the worst for both of them.
Kinich clenched his teeth. He was supposed to be stronger than this. He was supposed to protect them. And yet, one of his closest friends had nearly been lost, and [Y/N] had been left to carry that fear alone.
“…Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, his shoulders stiffening.
[Y/N] glanced up at him, recognizing that look in his eyes—the self-blame, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. “Kinich, it’s not your fault,” she said softly, but he only exhaled through his nose, looking away.
He didn’t believe that. Not entirely.
Because in his mind, if he had just been strong enough, fast enough, or there enough—maybe they wouldn’t have had to suffer in the first place.
Kinich's fists clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms as a familiar, taunting laugh echoed in his mind.
You call yourself a protector?
The voice slithered through his thoughts, condescending and sharp.
You couldn’t even keep them safe. You let them suffer while you were too busy playing hero. Some savior you are.
His breath hitched, his vision momentarily tunneling as the weight of those words coiled around his chest like a vice. He gritted his teeth, trying to block it out, but Ajaw wasn’t done with him yet.
You see it, don’t you? That look in her eyes? That doubt?
Kinich’s jaw tightened further, his frustration spilling over before he could contain it. “Shut up.” His voice came out low, seething.
[Y/N] flinched at the sudden shift in his tone, her eyes widening slightly as she took a small step back. "Kinich...?” Her voice was laced with concern.
That single syllable snapped him out of it.
His breath was uneven, his shoulders tense. It took him a second to register that he had spoken out loud—that his anger wasn’t just confined to his own head.
He turned his gaze to her, catching the way she searched his face for answers. He quickly schooled his expression, forcing his fists to unclench as he took a slow, deliberate breath. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, but even he knew how unconvincing that sounded.
[Y/N] frowned, unconvinced. “Kinich, what was that just now?”
“…It’s nothing,” he repeated, shaking his head. “Just… tired.”
She didn’t believe him, but she didn’t push. Not yet.
Instead, she reached out hesitantly, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “You can talk to me, you know?” she said softly.
Kinich exhaled, his resolve wavering for a brief moment. But he wasn’t ready to tell her. Not now. Not when the weight of Ajaw’s words still clung to him like a shadow.
So, he simply nodded. “I know.”
A few minutes of waiting in silence stretched between them, the occasional sounds of the city barely registering in their minds. Then, the familiar black car rolled to a stop in front of them.
The moment the car door opened, [Y/N]’s mother stepped out, her eyes immediately locking onto Kinich. She barely acknowledged her daughter before she took a sharp breath, her expression shifting between disbelief and overwhelming relief.
She jogged up to them, her gaze sweeping over Kinich, taking in the disheveled state of his clothes, the exhaustion lining his face, and the faint bruises and cuts that hadn't fully healed. It was as if she couldn’t believe he was standing in front of her, alive, after all this time.
And then, without hesitation, she pulled him into a tight embrace.
Kinich stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden contact. For a brief moment, his arms hung awkwardly by his sides, unsure of how to respond. The warmth of her hold, the way she clung to him—it was so reminiscent of the way a mother would hold a child she thought she had lost.
[Y/N] watched the scene unfold, her heart swelling with emotion. A soft, warm smile tugged at her lips as she saw the way her mother held Kinich as if to silently reassure herself that he was really here, that he had survived.
Awkwardly, Kinich lifted his arms and patted her back, unsure of what else to do. “…I’m okay,” he mumbled, though his voice lacked conviction.
[Y/N]’s mother pulled back just enough to cup his face in her hands, her eyes searching his as if looking for any sign of lingering pain. “You had us all worried sick, Kinich.” Her voice wavered slightly, filled with emotions that she was barely keeping in check. “Where have you been all this time?”
Kinich averted his gaze, unable to meet her eyes for too long. “…It’s a long story.”
Her mother exhaled, nodding in understanding. “Then let’s go home,” she said firmly, brushing a hand over his hair in a comforting gesture before turning to [Y/N]. “Come on, let’s get him inside before he collapses on the sidewalk.”
[Y/N] chuckled, nodding as she gently tugged Kinich’s sleeve. “You heard her. No arguing.”
Kinich sighed but didn’t resist, following them toward the car. There was no use arguing with either of them, and truthfully, he was too tired to even try. As he slid into the seat, he closed his eyes briefly, taking in the familiar scent of the car interior that always brought him a sense of nostalgia because he used to carpool with Sethos at her mother's car every day during middle school, but he stopped when they started high school as Kinich thought it was time to go by transportation rather than relying on someone else for a ride despite her mother's insistence.
As the car started and rolled down the dimly lit streets, the silence stretched between them like an unspoken weight. The quiet hum of the engine and the occasional streetlights passing by did little to ease the lingering tension.
For a few minutes, no one spoke. [Y/N] glanced at Kinich, who sat stiffly beside her, staring blankly at the passing scenery. His hands rested on his lap, fingers slightly curled, as if he were bracing himself for something.
Then, inevitably, [Y/N]’s mother broke the silence.
“Kinich,” she started, her voice gentle but firm. “Have you been eating well?”
A beat of silence. Kinich blinked before shrugging slightly. “Enough.”
She didn’t seem satisfied with that answer, but she moved on. “What about sleep?”
“…Some.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not really.”
[Y/N] sighed, already recognizing this pattern—her mother asking with motherly concern, and Kinich giving the shortest, most unhelpful responses possible.
“Kinich,” her mother tried again, a bit more insistent this time. “You know you can tell me if something’s wrong, right?”
He hesitated for a moment before replying with a simple, “I know.”
The car fell into silence again, but this time, it felt heavier.
[Y/N]’s mother pressed her lips together, glancing at him briefly through the rearview mirror before sighing. “Well, you’re safe now, at least.”
Kinich hummed in response, his fingers clenching slightly. Safe. It was such a simple word, yet it felt foreign to him now. Could he really call himself safe when there was still so much lingering in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike?
As if sensing his unease, [Y/N] reached for his hand under the dim glow of the car’s interior and gave it a gentle squeeze. Kinich didn’t say anything, but he squeezed back.
His mind was a storm of thoughts, but despite everything—despite the exhaustion tugging at his bones, the weight of responsibility suffocating him, and the guilt clawing at his chest—he felt an odd sense of ease.
He was here. He was with [Y/N]. And she was safe.
That knowledge alone was enough to loosen some of the tension in his shoulders, even if the ghost of Ajaw’s laughter still echoed at the back of his mind.
Just as he was about to close his eyes for a brief moment of rest, a small shift beside him made him tense. It was subtle, a quiet movement, but he felt it immediately—[Y/N] leaning in closer.
His breath caught slightly as the warmth of her presence neared, and before he could fully process it, she hesitantly rested her head on his shoulder.
Kinich stiffened.
The action itself wasn’t unfamiliar, but it had been a long time since she had done something like this. Even before everything—before the chaos, the dangers, and the long nights spent apart—Kinich had always been the type to keep a certain distance when it came to physical affection. He was the kind of person who would dodge surprise hugs, shove [Y/N] gently when she clung to him, and grumble under his breath when she looped her arms around his.
But this time, he didn’t move away.
He didn’t push her off, didn’t mutter any complaints, and didn’t shift uncomfortably like he used to. Instead, he simply stared ahead, his expression carefully neutral—perhaps a little too neutral.
[Y/N], for her part, remained quiet, but she could feel her own heart hammering against her chest. She knew she was being bold—Kinich never tolerated things like this before, and she had fully prepared herself for an immediate rejection. Yet, when he didn’t protest, a small warmth bloomed in her chest.
She didn’t push her luck further, though. She simply stayed there, letting the steady rhythm of his breathing calm her own nerves.
Kinich, on the other hand, kept his gaze firmly on the passing scenery outside the car window. He willed himself to remain as indifferent as possible, but the warmth seeping through the fabric of his shirt was impossible to ignore.
Then there was the worst part—the undeniable heat creeping up to the tips of his ears.
Damn it.
He clenched his jaw slightly, willing the warmth away, but his traitorous body refused to listen. He could only hope that the dim lighting inside the car would hide the evidence of his flustered state.
[Y/N] shifted slightly, causing a small shiver to run down his spine.
This is fine.
It’s just [Y/N].
And yet, why did it feel so different?
Why did the simple weight of her head on his shoulder feel so… grounding? So real?
Why did the mere thought of moving away feel impossible?
His fingers curled slightly on his lap, and without really thinking, he subtly relaxed his posture just enough so that her head fit more comfortably against him.
He told himself it was just for her comfort. That was all.
That was the excuse he settled on.
And for now, he would let it slide.
A few minutes passed by; the quiet hum of the car engine, combined with the rhythmic motion of the vehicle, lulled them both into a rare sense of peace. The weight of exhaustion settled over them, not just from the events of the day but from everything—the weeks of uncertainty, the battles fought both physically and mentally, and the emotional toll of being apart for so long.
Before either of them could fully process it, their bodies instinctively gave in to the comfort of each other’s presence.
[Y/N] was the first to drift off, her breathing evening out as the warmth of Kinich’s shoulder anchored her in a sense of security she hadn’t felt in weeks. The tension she had carried—shoulders stiff with worry, hands fidgeting with nervous energy—finally melted away as she unconsciously nuzzled closer to him.
Kinich, who had been determined to stay alert, felt his resolve waver the moment he felt her relax against him. His eyelids grew heavy, the familiar warmth of [Y/N] beside him acting as a silent reassurance that she was still here, still within reach.
His fingers twitched slightly on his lap before moving on their own accord, brushing against [Y/N]’s hand. His initial instinct was to pull away—to resist—but the gentle way her fingers curled around his stopped him.
She was holding his hand.
Firmly.
And against his better judgment, he let himself hold hers just as tightly.
There were no words exchanged, no glances of hesitation or second-guessing. Just a quiet understanding that, after everything, neither of them wanted to be apart. Not even in sleep.
As the minutes passed, their grip remained unyielding—interlocked fingers refusing to let go, as if separating them was simply out of the question. Their bodies instinctively leaned into each other, fitting together in a way that felt both natural and inevitable.
By the time [Y/N]’s mother glanced back at them from the rearview mirror, her heart softened at the sight.
There they were—her daughter and the boy she had come to see as her own—fast asleep, leaning into each other, their hands clasped so tightly that prying them apart seemed impossible.
With a small, knowing smile, she said nothing.
She simply adjusted the car’s speed to a smoother pace, letting them rest a little longer.
The breeze played lightly with the strands of [Y/N]’s hair as she sat cross-legged on the picnic blanket, her fingers carefully unwrapping the sandwich Sethos had prepared. The layered slices of tomato, lettuce, cheese, and a perfectly grilled cut of chicken peeked out between slices of soft sourdough bread. The subtle aroma of garlic mayo and basil drifted upward, mingling with the nearby scent of grass and sun-warmed earth.
Sethos sat across from her, his sandwich already halfway eaten—but his attention wasn’t on the food anymore.
It was on her.
He watched with barely concealed anticipation as [Y/N] took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. She didn’t say anything at first, just glanced down at the sandwich again, taking another slower bite. Sethos stiffened slightly, one leg bouncing ever so slightly beneath the tablecloth of checkered fabric. His hands tightened around his own sandwich, his voice caught in his throat. Please like it, please like it, please like it—
"Too much mustard?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though his voice came out higher than usual.
[Y/N] blinked at him, surprised. Then, realizing what he was worried about, she gave a faint smile—small but warm—and quickly shook her head.
"No, it’s really good," she said. "Like, really. Did you… actually make this yourself?"
Sethos let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his shoulders dropping in quiet relief. "Yeah, I did," he replied, scratching the back of his neck. "Had to watch like three videos and ruin at least one loaf of bread. Totally worth it, though."
She laughed under her breath and took another bite, slower this time, more relaxed. The corners of her lips curled upward, and Sethos swore he saw sunlight catch in her expression. She's so cute… I want to kiss her.
The thought lingered in his mind, but he quickly pushed it away, not wanting to ruin the moment, since there was the urge in him to rush things just to quickly reach the next level of their relationship. This is my only chance to prove myself to her; I can't afford to be hasty and risk scaring her off.
He looked away for a moment, then back at her. There was a small crumb near the corner of her mouth—barely noticeable, but his eyes lingered on it. For a moment, he debated whether to say something or just let it be. His hand moved before his brain could catch up.
"Uh—hold on," he said quietly, leaning in just a little.
Before she could ask what, his fingers reached out gently and brushed away the crumb with the pad of his thumb. It was barely a touch—soft, fleeting—but enough to make [Y/N] freeze slightly in surprise. Her breath caught, lips parting just slightly as her eyes flicked up to meet his.
Sethos retracted his hand quickly, clearing his throat as a faint flush crept up his neck. "Sorry. Just… crumb," he muttered, eyes darting away toward the trees.
"Oh," she replied softly, blinking. Her voice was quiet too. "Thanks."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The wind rustled through the leaves above them, cicadas humming in the distance. Sethos finally looked back at her, eyes warm but a little uncertain.
"You’re not… uncomfortable, right?" he asked, his voice lower now, more careful. "I don’t want to mess anything up."
She shook her head gently. "No. I’m just not used to… this." Her fingers gestured loosely at the picnic between them, the space they shared, and his nearness. "But I don’t mind it."
Sethos’s face softened into a smile—shy but so sincere. "Good. I can dial it down a bit, you know, if I’m being too much."
"You’re fine, Sethos," she said, smiling lightly as she looked down at her sandwich again. "I think I’m just trying to catch up to you."
He tilted his head, eyes still fixed on her. "Catch up?"
[Y/N] looked away, then back at him. "You’ve had time to figure out how you feel about me. I’m… still figuring things out."
His expression grew thoughtful, then gentle. Gosh, he loved this girl so much. "Then I’ll wait," he said simply. "However long it takes. I mean that."
She didn’t reply right away, but her fingers reached across the blanket, just enough to graze his hand in a quiet thank-you. And that was enough for Sethos.
He smiled again, heart light, and took another bite of his sandwich—though now it tasted better than before, simply because she was here with him, sharing this moment.
After the last bite of sandwich was gone and the wind had settled into a soft, rhythmic hush around them, Sethos wiped his hands on a napkin and reached into his bag with a boyish kind of excitement. He rummaged past a bottle of water, a crumpled hoodie, and a pack of mints before finally pulling out a well-worn sketchpad—the cover a little frayed at the corners, edges smudged with pencil dust. One of his favorite pastimes after playing basketball.
[Y/N] raised a curious brow as he held it up with both hands, like a magician about to unveil a trick. "You… brought that with you?"
He scratched the back of his head, cheeks already flushed pink. "Yeah, kind of cheesy, I know, but—well, I’ve wanted to sketch you for a while now."
Her eyes widened slightly, and her posture shifted, suddenly more aware of herself. "You want to sketch… me?"
He nodded, trying to downplay the nervous flutter in his chest. “Only if you’re okay with it. I know—I know it’s a little random, but—" He laughed sheepishly. "I brought it just in case I got the courage today."
[Y/N] looked down at her lap, brushing imaginary crumbs off her skirt and tugging at the sleeves of her cardigan. "I—I don’t know. I probably look a mess right now. My hair’s probably sticking out weird, and I didn’t even check my face after eating." She fiddled with her reflection in her phone’s dark screen, fluffing her hair nervously. "Are you sure you don’t want to draw me when I'm, you know… presentable?"
Before she could pull away further, Sethos reached out and gently grabbed her wrist—not tight, not urgent, just enough to still her. His fingers were warm and grounding. She stilled at the touch.
"Hey," he said softly, gaze steady. "You don’t need to fix anything. You’re perfect the way you are." His voice was so earnest, so quietly reverent, that she couldn’t look away.
"I want to draw you as you are now," he continued, his thumb brushing her wrist gently before letting go. "Right here, in this moment. That’s what I want to remember."
Her heart thudded unexpectedly loud in her chest. She didn’t know what to say to that. No one had ever said something like that to her before—at least, not like this. Not with eyes that saw her so clearly, like every part of her was something worth framing.
"O…okay," she whispered, finally nodding, trying to hide the growing warmth on her face as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
Sethos grinned, visibly brightened by her answer. "Okay! Just sit like that. No pressure. Talk if you want, or just relax." He sat cross-legged again, flipping open his sketchpad to a fresh page. The faint sound of graphite against paper began to fill the comfortable silence between them.
And so, with her hands tucked in her lap and the sunlight dappled against her shoulders, [Y/N] watched Sethos sketch her with the softest awe in his eyes.
He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees, sketchpad angled carefully against his thigh. His pencil danced lightly across the page at first—just faint, foundational lines, sweeping gestures that mapped the curve of her shoulders, the tilt of her head. He worked with a quiet intensity, brows drawn, lower lip tugged between his teeth as if afraid a single breath might throw the balance of the image off.
From where she sat on the checkered blanket, [Y/N] shifted a little in place, her back straightening as she tried to maintain whatever posture she had accidentally assumed. Her hands twisted gently in her lap. She glanced off to the side, pretending to be fascinated by the way sunlight flickered between the leaves above them. Every now and then, a breeze passed through, brushing strands of hair across her face, and she’d tuck them behind her ear again with a nervous smile.
This was… a little embarrassing.
She could feel the way he looked at her. Not with the intensity of someone judging, but with the attention of someone memorizing her—each strand of hair, the slope of her cheekbone, the slight downturn at the corner of her mouth when she wasn’t trying to smile. It was almost too much to sit still under the weight of that much focus.
She stole a glance at him, watching the way his eyes flicked from her to the page, his pencil now etching darker lines—firmer now, more confident. He moved on to shading, using the side of his graphite to soften the shadows under her chin, across her collarbone, and in the slight creases in the folds of her shirt.
"What?" Sethos asked without looking up, sensing her gaze on him. His lips curled into a boyish grin. "You’re dying to peek, huh?"
[Y/N] blinked and quickly looked away. "I-I wasn’t," she lied, a little too fast.
He chuckled, still scribbling, smudging with the side of his thumb now to blend the shadows. "Mhm. Sure."
She hesitated for a moment, then tried again, leaning just the slightest bit forward as if she could sneak a look. But Sethos was quick—he tilted the sketchpad toward his chest with an exaggerated gasp, playfully scandalized.
"Ah-ah, not yet!" he said. "It’s not finished. No spoilers."
[Y/N] puffed out her cheeks, defeated. "You're making it sound like a movie premiere."
"Well, it kind of is," Sethos said with a soft laugh, eyes crinkling. "I’ve never sketched someone I care about this much in face-to-face before."
She didn’t respond to that—not because she didn’t want to, but because her throat suddenly felt tight. She looked back at the sky again, letting silence swallow her words.
Sethos went back to work, gentler now—using a clean finger to blur the shading at the bridge of her nose, then picking up a finer pencil to sketch in the smaller details: her lashes, the dip of her cupid’s bow, and the faintest arch in her brows. He even captured the way her hair caught the light, penciling it in with careful strokes that fanned outward, a little wild but elegant.
Sethos nearly choked on the breath he forgot he was holding. "Alright," he murmured, gaze softening as he set the sketchpad down on the blanket, hiding the page beneath his hand. "You want to see it now?"
[Y/N] perked up immediately and gave a small, eager nod.
"But… close your eyes first."
She blinked, giving him a playful glare, lips pushing into a pout. "Seriously?"
He grinned. "Just trust me."
With a roll of her eyes and a muttered, "Fine, fine," [Y/N] let her eyelids fall shut, hands resting in her lap again as she waited.
But Sethos didn’t move right away. Instead, he stared.
Her face—softened by the golden sun filtering through the branches—was almost too much to take in. The lipstick she wore was a warm shade of red, subtle but enough to steal his breath. He watched how the light touched the curve of her cheek, the gentle part of her lips, and how serene she looked when she wasn’t watching the world so carefully. And in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to bridge the gap between them and close the distance.
So he leaned in, slowly, heart thudding louder than the birdsong around them, his actions moving before his thoughts could interrupt. His face was inches from hers now—just a whisper away. His breath hitched as his gaze dropped briefly to her lips.
"Are you—ready yet?" she whispered, still with eyes closed, unaware of how close he was.
He blinked. The sound of her voice reeled him back, snapping him out of his daze.
Sethos pulled back, barely, breath shaky. "Uh—not yet," he coughed softly, trying to play it off, eyes wide in self-reprimand. "Almost... just a second."
He went silent once more as he closed his eyes slowly, his mouth parting slightly to brush his lips against hers in hopes for a gentle, lingering kiss.
But then—chaos.
A sudden cry rang out from across the park. "My bag! That thief—he stole my bag!"
Both their heads snapped toward the sound. Near the vendor stalls by the sidewalk, an elderly woman had fallen to her knees, hand outstretched toward a figure darting through the crowd. A man, lean and quick, weaved past startled parkgoers with a handbag tucked under his arm, shoving anyone in his way.
Gasps echoed through the crowd. A mother shielded her child. A vendor cursed under his breath. But no one moved.
Sethos pushed himself to his feet, his jaw tightening—but before he could take a single step forward, [Y/N] grabbed his wrist and told him not to get involved in case the thief might be carrying dangerous weapons if he was caught. However, Sethos was too stubborn for his own good and reassured the girl. "I'll be back; just stay here."
Yet, before he could even take a step, a sudden flicker of light shimmered above the crowd like static on a screen.
A bright, electric green hook—pixelated as if plucked from an old-school arcade game—lashed out from somewhere in the treetops. It whipped through the air with a sharp crack and latched onto the thief’s ankle just as he was about to leap over a low hedge. The crowd collectively gasped.
The thief yelped as his momentum was yanked backward, his feet leaving the ground. He landed flat on his back with a thud that echoed across the park. Leaves scattered. A flock of birds flew overhead. For a second, all was still.
Then came the ripple of murmurs, excited and rising.
From above, a green blur zipped downward and landed with a smooth crouch beside the pinned man. The Green Ghost. Clad in his iconic dark green suit laced with glowing neon lines and a mask that covered his entire face, the mysterious hero stood tall as he hoisted the bag in one hand and restrained the dazed thief with the other, effortlessly disarming the situation in front of dozens of stunned witnesses.
Security guards finally ran in, panting and fumbling their radios, but it was already handled.
"Is this yours, ma’am?" he asked the elderly woman, kneeling to return her bag with a monotone voice hidden behind the mask. The woman nodded tearfully, clasping his gloved hand in thanks.
A loud cheer erupted from the gathered crowd. Phones were raised, and flashes went off. Children pointed in awe, calling his name. "The Green Ghost!" someone shouted. "He’s real!"
Back at the picnic blanket, Sethos stared, his lips twitching into a tight, unimpressed line. [Y/N], in contrast, had sprung to her feet, her eyes wide with admiration and excitement. "Look!" she pointed, practically beaming. "That’s him! That’s the guy I told you about—the one who saved me!"
Sethos didn’t respond at first. His arms crossed, his brows low. "Yeah. I see him," he mumbled, barely above a growl. "What’s so great about a guy who plays superhero dress-up anyway…"
But [Y/N] wasn’t listening anymore. "I’m going to go ask for an autograph!" she said excitedly, brushing imaginary dirt from her skirt.
"Wait—seriously?" Sethos blinked, suddenly alarmed. "You’re just going to run into a crowd of strangers—?"
But she was already half-gone, weaving through the people, her figure swallowed into the growing cluster surrounding the Green Ghost.
Sethos, still frozen where he stood, exhaled sharply through his nose, flopping backward onto the blanket. He stared up at the sky, blue and bright with clouds like pulled cotton, and scowled as if the universe itself had done him personal harm.
"Of all the damn times to show up…" he muttered bitterly, dragging a hand down his face. "I was two seconds away. Two."
The worst part wasn’t just being interrupted—it was being upstaged. By a pixelated dark neon knight in a bodysuit, no less. A guy who didn’t even have the guts to show his face. And somehow… he still got the spotlight. Still had her attention.
Sethos sat up with a grunt, his brows furrowed, irritation rolling off him like heat waves. Without thinking, he stood and stomped off after her, leaving the picnic blanket, basket, and sketchpad behind. Let the birds steal the sandwiches for all he cared. His eyes were already locked on one thing.
Meanwhile, [Y/N] was still trying to shimmy her way through the press of people, murmuring soft apologies as she bumped into shoulders and dodged raised phone screens. The crowd had thickened, phones snapping pictures, children squealing, and a man yelling something about uploading this to a fan page.
Her hand gripped her phone tightly, raised slightly above her chest, ready. But the closer she got, the harder it was to see him; he was surrounded on all sides by admirers and the curious. His dark silhouette was unmistakable, the glowing lines of green humming against his suit as he stood calmly in the center, handing back a child’s toy someone had dropped.
She stopped a few steps away, blocked by a wall of bodies. She tried hopping once, then twice, to catch his attention, her hand up.
"Excuse me! Um—hi! Sir!" she called out, a little louder now, a little more sheepish. "Green Ghost?"
She bit her lip, cheeks flushing in secondhand embarrassment when she got no immediate response. Maybe he didn’t hear her. Maybe he was looking at someone else entirely. But then—
The Green Ghost’s head turned ever so slightly, the soft green light of his mask settling in her direction. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but something about his stillness made her breath catch.
And then, without a word, the crowd parted. As if on cue, people stepped aside, some gasping or whispering excitedly as the vigilante made his way toward her. Every step was light, controlled, and graceful, even with the weight of his gear. He stopped right in front of her, just outside arm’s reach, his expression unreadable behind the sleek mask.
For a second, [Y/N] wasn’t sure what to say. He was taller up close than she remembered—perhaps it was the suit, or maybe the quiet presence he carried, like something larger than life wrapped up in shadows and sharp lines.
"Um…" She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve and gave a small smile. "I just—thank you. For back then. You saved me from… that monster. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you didn’t come."
The Green Ghost tilted his head slightly, as if acknowledging her gratitude. He still didn’t speak, but his stance softened.
"Oh, and…" She lifted her phone with a sheepish grin. "I didn’t bring anything to sign—sorry, I wasn’t exactly planning for this—but would it be okay to take a selfie?"
There was a brief pause. She held her breath.
Then he nodded once.
Her heart jumped slightly.
She stepped a bit closer, holding up her phone with practiced ease but a nervous flutter behind her smile. As she angled the camera, he leaned in subtly, just enough to be framed perfectly beside her. The green glow of his mask illuminated the side of her face faintly, and the contrast only made her smile warmer, more genuine. She snapped the photo.
"Thank you," she said, lowering the phone again, the image already saved in her gallery. "Really."
Before either of them could say another word, Sethos’s voice rang out behind her.
"There you are."
She turned, blinking. Sethos stood a few steps back, arms crossed, his expression tight with something unreadable. He glanced from her to the Green Ghost and then to her phone, his brows lifting in silent judgment. But he said nothing—at least not directly. Just offered a low, muttered comment under his breath:
"Guy gets a suit, and suddenly he’s everyone’s favorite."
[Y/N] raised an eyebrow at him, amused. "Jealous much?"
Sethos’s jaw twitched. "Hardly."
The Green Ghost merely observed the exchange in silence, his posture unreadable. Then, with a dip of his head to both of them, he turned and disappeared into the crowd as quickly as he had come—ghost-like, as always. The murmurs and awe trailed after him, but the moment passed like a gust of wind, swift and strange.
[Y/N] turned back to Sethos, still holding her phone.
"Want to see the picture?"
"Not particularly," he grumbled.
[Y/N] blinked, lips parting in surprise, watching the subtle shift in his expression—the flicker of something bitter tightening around his eyes before he turned away. No witty remark, no teasing grin. Just a scowl pulled low across his brow as he pivoted and walked back toward the picnic site.
Her eyes lingered on his back, shoulders squared, posture stiff with the kind of quiet frustration he rarely wore for long. She hesitated, fingers curling slightly around her phone. That… wasn’t like him. Not entirely. Not without a joke to mask it.
Still, she followed.
The grass crunched beneath her flats, and the sunlight no longer felt as warm as it did a moment ago. When she reached the spot, she found him kneeling beside the picnic blanket, muttering to himself as he shoved the water bottles back into the basket with a bit more force than necessary. One of them nearly tipped over, but he caught it mid-roll with a muttered, "Tch."
"Sethos?" she asked gently, pausing a few feet away.
He didn’t look at her. "Yeah?"
She stepped closer, carefully smoothing her skirt as she sat beside the scattered remnants of their picnic. "Are you… upset?"
He froze. Just for a second. His hands stilled over the napkins, and the tension in his shoulders didn’t go away—if anything, it deepened.
"…Nah," he said, forcing a shrug as he looked anywhere but at her. "I just didn’t expect our fun day to turn into a fan convention, you know? One second I’m trying to show you my terrible drawing, and the next second you’re running off to get selfies with some guy in a green catsuit."
His words were delivered with the usual Sethos flavor—half-playful, lighthearted sarcasm—but underneath that was something quieter. A pinch of genuine disappointment.
[Y/N] tilted her head, studying him in the soft golden light. His pout was poorly hidden behind his usual bravado, but it was there. Like a kid denied the last cookie. Or maybe something deeper than that.
"…He saved my life, remember?" she said softly. "Back then, I just wanted to thank him properly this time. It wasn’t because—"
"I know." He cut her off quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know. That’s not—it’s not your fault."
Her brows furrowed, concern lacing her features. "Then why won’t you look at me?"
That caught him. His hand paused halfway through folding the blanket, eyes finally flicking toward her—just a glance—but it was enough for her to see that complicated storm behind them. Embarrassment, sure. Maybe even jealousy. But more than that, there was that vulnerability again. The one he rarely let her see.
He sighed, collapsing backward onto the blanket with a dramatic groan, one hand flung over his forehead like some tragic actor.
"Okay, okay, I’m sorry," he said. "I’m being dramatic. I just… I don't know. You were looking at him the way I wanted you to look at me for once. And yeah, that stings a little."
[Y/N] blinked. The honesty in his words wasn’t grand or poetic—but it hit her like a soft ache in her chest.
"But," he added quickly, sitting back up, "you came back. You followed me. And… that’s more than enough."
She didn’t respond right away. Instead, she leaned forward slightly and brushed a grass blade off his sleeve. It was such a small gesture, but it made him freeze again, like her fingers had pressed some invisible pause button on him. Startled, he glanced at the spot she touched, then slowly raised his eyes to meet hers.
[Y/N] pulled her hand back quickly, tucking it into her lap as if it had done something wrong. Her gaze faltered, then flicked up through her lashes with a tentative sort of hope.
"Um…" she murmured, her voice quieter than before, "can I see it now? The drawing, I mean."
Sethos blinked. He stared at her like she’d just asked him to recite a love poem in front of a crowd. His mouth opened—then closed. He scrambled for the sketchpad near the corner of the blanket like he’d forgotten it even existed, fumbling a little as he flipped it shut and held it protectively against his chest.
"Oh. Uh—yeah. Right. You want to see it now?"
She tilted her head, biting the inside of her cheek to suppress a smile at how his ears had turned just a little red.
"Only if you’re okay with it," she said softly. "I mean… you promised earlier."
"I did promise," he muttered, dramatically defeated. "Damn my own words."
But he was smiling now—soft and crooked—as he sat up straighter and exhaled like he was about to make a life-changing decision.
"Alright," he said, "but you have to prepare yourself. It’s not, like, museum-grade or anything. And I didn’t have time to fix the angle of your nose or the way your hair caught the light or your eyes—actually, your eyes were hard, because they kind of sparkle weirdly—like good weird, not creepy weird—and the pencil doesn’t—okay, okay, shut up, Sethos—"
She giggled, hiding it behind her hand.
He sighed and handed over the sketchpad. "Just… here. Before I keep digging a grave."
[Y/N] accepted it delicately, like it was a sacred thing, her fingers brushing the spiral binding. She looked down—and her breath caught.
The lines were soft and full of intention. Shading kissed the page with just enough care to bring dimension to her features. There was a warmth to it, a sincerity that photos never seemed to hold. It wasn’t flawless—but it wasn’t supposed to be. It felt like her. Like the way someone who truly saw her would remember her in their mind.
She traced the lines of the sketch lightly with her eyes. Her pose, quiet and calm—just how she’d been sitting moments before, hands in her lap, her hair cascading gently over her shoulder, the light in the drawing capturing how it shimmered against her skin.
"…This is beautiful," she said finally, her voice nearly a whisper.
Sethos made a sound halfway between a relieved laugh and a breath he'd been holding for years. "Really?"
She looked at him, eyes shining just a little. "Yeah, really."
He let his head fall back in mock exhaustion. "Thank God. I thought you were going to roast me. I was ready.'
She shook her head. "I wouldn’t. Not after you drew me like this."
He peeked over at her, cheeks still flushed. "Like what?"
"Like…" Her lips parted, but she hesitated—because putting it into words felt heavy. She glanced back down at the sketch, then smiled gently. "Like I matter."
Sethos stared at her, all humor washed from his face for a heartbeat, leaving only something vulnerable and open in its place.
"…You do," he said, voice low. "Of course you do."
And suddenly, the silence between them wasn’t awkward or heavy. It was warm again. Full of something soft and blooming. She held the sketchpad closer to her chest, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. While Sethos stared at her like she was the most important thing he’d ever drawn… and maybe ever would.
For someone who has been lost for days, Kinich hardly bothered to hug Sethos or provide soothing words to ease the worries of his best friend's concerns, like, "Yeah, I'm alive! Don't worry, I didn't get chopped off limb to limb by some giant, purple wolf." He was standing there like a statue, unmoving and silent, offering a gentle nod towards his direction to confirm that he was really, in fact, alive. (while he was unaware of the disappointment flickering in his tired, green eyes) Not because he was against the idea of it.
…He was just too awkward to initiate the physical display of affection. Too locked in his own head. Too unsure of what to do with emotions that didn’t come with instruction manuals or battle strategies.
This kind of realization made [Y/N] crack up a chuckle behind her hand when she noticed that Kinich hadn't initiated anything beyond the nod, her head turning away to hide the amusement that danced in her eyes, shoulders shaking ever so slightly, earning two pairs of confused glances from her two best friends as they suspected she had gone nutso. Who couldn't blame her for finding this entertaining?
Both boys glanced at her in unison, confused.
Kinich furrowed his brow. "What’s so funny?"
Sethos raised a brow, watching her suspiciously. "Did we miss something, or did you finally lose it from stress?"
[Y/N] only waved them off, biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
She knew she should be worried. She should be scolding Kinich for not giving the reassurance regarding his disappearance to his best friend. She should be comforting Sethos.
But right now?
This little, awkward disaster of a moment… It was just so them.
Gosh, she missed them both so much. [Y/N] finally let out a soft, content sigh as her laughter faded into a gentle smile. The corners of her eyes crinkled, warm and wistful. She glanced between the two boys—one confined to a hospital bed with an IV drip attached to his wrist and the other standing stiffly near the foot of the bed, arms folded as if unsure whether to stay or leave.
"I just… missed this," she murmured, her voice dropping to a quieter pitch, the hospital air pressing down gently on her words. "Having the two of you in the same room again. Together."
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was weighted—softly, tenderly—with something unspoken. The sound of the monitor’s steady beeping filled in the gaps between breaths.
Kinich blinked at her, then scoffed faintly, like he was trying to brush off the weight of her words before it settled too deeply on his chest. "So that’s what you were giggling about?" he said dryly. "I thought the nurses were going to roll in and sedate you or something. I thought you’d finally lost it."
[Y/N] gasped, pressing a hand to her chest as if he’d just mortally wounded her. "Excuse me? I was being sentimental, Kinich."
"Sure," he deadpanned. "Sentimental. Right."
Then she turned to Sethos, expecting him to defend her, but—"Oh, no, don’t let her fool you," Sethos jumped in, pushing himself up slightly against the hospital pillows, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "You were giggling, [Y/N]. Like, full-on, about-to-break-into-wheezing mode." This traitor!
"I was not—!"
"You were," Kinich added with a subtle lift of his brow, then he walked to sit in the chair against the edge of the window ledge behind him. "Should’ve gotten it on video. That’d make a great reaction meme: ‘Girl loses it in sterile room while two dudes look on, confused.’ Caption writes itself."
[Y/N] let out a loud groan, hiding her face behind her hands. "You guys are the worst. I take it back. I don’t miss this. I don’t miss either of you!"
"Liar," Sethos teased, grinning like a devil as he reached for the cup of water beside his bed. "You missed us. You said it. It’s official. No take-backs."
“You’re so annoying.” The girl grumbled, looking away from them with a half-hearted scowl.
"I live to serve."
Kinich chuckled softly under his breath, crossing one ankle over the other, but said nothing more. His amusement lingered in the slight quirk of his lips, the way his eyes followed [Y/N] fondly without him realizing it. The teasing between her and Sethos felt like home—too familiar, too natural—and for once, he was glad just to watch.
If this is the price he had to pay for his efforts as the Green Ghost, just to see [Y/N] happy and carefree again, and Sethos being able to crack a joke despite bearing a heavy weight of trauma and scathe upon his shoulders, then he would gladly pay it over and over again. His two best friends are his home after all.
Gosh, what a sap. He thought.
Still, he couldn’t help adding, "It’s nice, though."
[Y/N] blinked, peeking at him through her fingers. "What is it?"
“This,” he said simply, his voice low and steady. "The three of us. Like this again."
[Y/N] blinked, then narrowed her eyes slightly as a playful pout tugged at her lips. "Hey," she huffed, jutting her bottom lip out. "You totally stole my line."
Kinich blinked at her, caught off guard. "What?"
"That’s exactly what I said earlier," she said, crossing her arms with exaggerated offense, though the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smile she tried to hide. "You can't just repeat it and act like you said something profound."
Sethos, still reclining against the pillows with his cup of water in hand, gave a wheezy laugh that startled the quiet heart monitor. "He totally just parroted your emotional moment like a robot. Wow. No original thoughts, huh, Kinich?"
Kinich rolled his eyes, flustered but hiding it behind his usual blank facade. "Wasn’t copying. Just… agreed. That’s allowed, isn’t it?"
"It’s allowed," [Y/N] said dramatically, "but it’s lame."
He looked at her with mock offense, then rolled his eyes again. "Whatever."
Just as the room seemed to be settling into laughter and teasing warmth, [Y/N]’s phone began to buzz in her pocket. The soft vibration cut through the lighthearted air like a sudden knock on a door. She paused mid-sentence, glancing down at the glowing screen. Her mother’s name flashed on the caller ID.
"Sorry," she murmured, rising from her chair with a sheepish smile. "It’s my mom, probably checking if I’m still alive after visiting the hospital again."
Sethos chuckled. "Tell her I said hi."
Kinich just nodded silently as she waved at them briefly, stepping out of the room to take the call. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and just like that—
The entire room changed.
It was as though her presence had kept everything light, like a small, flickering candle warding off an invisible cold. The moment she was gone, silence unfurled its icy fingers across the hospital room.
No more easy banter. No more teasing jabs.
It was like the color drained from the air. The warm hum of conversation died, replaced by the quiet, suffocating weight of something unspoken. The hospital’s sterile lighting suddenly felt harsh, casting long, empty shadows beneath the machines and over the linoleum floor.
Just a heavy, stretched pause between two boys who used to call themselves best friends.
Kinich shifted slightly in his seat, his once-damp dark hair already air-dried and tousled from the morning. His arms rested against his thighs, long fingers laced loosely as he stared ahead. The monitor beside Sethos continued its quiet beeping, unbothered by the tension settling in the room like mist.
Kinich was the first to speak.
"So… when are they letting you out of here?"
His voice was low and strained, like he was trying to sound casual but failing to stop the edge from bleeding through.
Sethos didn’t answer the question.
"Why’d you disappear?"
His voice wasn’t sharp—no, it was too calm, too even. And that made it worse. It wasn’t an accusation shouted in anger—but it cut deeper for being so level, so quiet. Like a knife slid under armor instead of slammed through it.
Kinich blinked. "What?"
"You disappeared," Sethos repeated, sitting up a little more in his hospital bed. His tired green eyes narrowed just slightly—not with rage, but with something colder. "During the stadium attack, you left [Y/N] on her own. If I hadn’t shown up—"
His jaw clenched. "She would've been hurt. Or worse." Sethos didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t have to. His voice shook just slightly—like a wire pulled too tight. "She could’ve died."
Then his heart dropped into his stomach as Kinich swallowed hard. His throat felt dry, as if all the air in the room had turned to dust. "I didn’t mean to—" he started, but Sethos raised his uninjured hand to stop him.
"I’m not looking for excuses." His voice remained steady, but the undertone carried a biting weight. "I just want to know what happened. Where the hell did you go? Everyone was evacuating. It was chaos. But you—" he pointed weakly at him with a trembling finger, "—you just vanished."
"I—" Kinich froze, every nerve in his body screaming at once.
Ajaw’s voice slithered into his mind like black smoke.
"Pffft—listen to him! So hurt, so betrayed. It’s almost poetic!" Ajaw sneered in his head, laughter curling around every word like thorns. "Tell him the truth! Or lie to his face again. Either way, this is delicious."
Silence again.
Kinich could hear the faint sound of [Y/N]’s muffled voice from outside the door, talking softly to her mother. The contrast felt cruel.
He took a breath. …What should he do?
Tell Sethos the truth? —that the reason why he made such haste exiting the stadium while leaving his best friend [Y/N] confused and worried about him was because his sensor had warned him of a close proximity of monsters ahead. Thus, it would need him to transform into the vigilante known as Green Ghost, the same one who had been spotted taking down those mysterious, monstrous attackers from the shadows. Then he would have to wait for days to get his wounds healed at his old apartment, let darkness and silence be his only companions as he recovered from his battles, and get ridiculously mocked by Ajaw to no end until he could turn himself in to the police so that he won't be deemed missing any longer… or lie directly to his eyes. Protect the secret. Protect them.
Thus, he chose the latter.
"I panicked," Kinich said flatly, his voice as blank and blunt as the expression on his face. "It was loud. People screaming. I didn’t know what to do, so I ran. Ended up getting knocked out near the lower concourse. Hid until it was over."
The lie felt bitter on his tongue, like swallowing shards of glass. But he didn’t flinch. Didn’t let it show. It was practically second nature to him.
Sethos stared at him.
Long.
Hard.
Unmoving.
The disbelief wasn’t spoken—it didn’t need to be. It was in his eyes, in the way his fingers tightened around his bedsheet. "Right," Sethos said finally, voice dry and hollow. "You just happened to panic, hid out, and make it through. That’s your story?"
Kinich nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Eventually something flickered behind Sethos’ eyes. Hurt. Anger. Something he was trying not to let slip.
"Gods, you’re terrible at this," Ajaw drawled. "Even I don’t believe that story, and I’m inside your skull."
Kinich looked down again, just to avoid the uncomfortable gaze from his best friend—and this time, his hands were clenched so tight on his thighs that his nails bit through skin. Blood didn’t rise, not yet, but the pressure was building, like a volcano holding back an eruption.
Then Sethos leaned his head back against the pillow and closed his eyes. “Well,” he muttered under his breath, too quiet for most to catch but not quiet enough for Kinich to miss, "you could’ve just stayed dead."
The air turned razor-sharp.
Kinich froze, his head snapping up. "What did you say?"
He sounded like he couldn’t believe it. Like his ears betrayed him. No way he had heard a poisonous comment coming from a person who's so full of life and charm. Against him… of all people.
Sethos opened his eyes again, and for the first time, his expression wasn’t passive or sarcastic—it was quietly livid. "I said, maybe it would've been easier if you'd stayed dead. At least then there’d be a reason for what you did instead of this pathetic excuse of a story."
"OHHHH!" Ajaw howled in his head, cackling. "Now that’s a line! I like this one. Let him talk, Kinich. Let him rip you open. Bleed a little for us."
Ajaw’s voice laughed inside him.
Not cold this time—but burning. Kinich stared at him, ignoring the mocking cries of the pest tampering in his head, the words carving themselves into his chest like hot iron. "You don't mean that," Kinich said, voice cracking as the sting settled in.
Sethos looked at him, and for once there was no warmth, no trace of the easygoing smile that made him so likeable. Just something resentful.
“Don't I? I thought you were dead,” Sethos said, his voice louder now, more bitter. “I grieved. [Y/N] cried for days, kept hoping you'd come back. She even filed a missing report and had a goddamn search party with her own hard-earned money! But…no—no call, no message, nothing. And now you show up and lie to my face like it's nothing?”
"I didn’t want that to happen—" Kinich stood, the chair screeching against the floor behind him.
"You let it happen," Sethos snarled. "You abandoned us. You left her."
"I wasn’t trying to abandon anyone!" Kinich shouted, his voice breaking. His hands were trembling now, buried deep against his sides. The blood was rising to the surface. He could feel it.
"Ooh, losing it now, are we?" Ajaw taunted. "Let it out. Let them see. Let him see. He deserves the truth, doesn't he?"
Kinich’s teeth ground together. Shut up… "You think I wanted to disappear? That I chose this? I did what I had to do!"
"For whom?" Sethos hissed. "Because it sure as hell wasn’t for us."
"You wouldn't understand," Kinich muttered.
"Then make me understand!"
Kinich clenched his fists, the muscles in his jaw tightening. "I can't!" He roared.
For the briefest moment, the room seemed to shift—the shadows around Sethos stretching unnaturally, the whites of his eyes glossed with a faint violet sheen. It was gone in a blink, just enough to make someone question if they imagined it.
But Kinich didn’t see it. Not through the fury and ringing in his ears.
Sethos stared at him.
"Can't, or won't?" Sethos challenged, his voice like ice. "You're hiding something. You've been off for months, like you're here but not really. And now this? You're lying straight to my face."
Kinich turned away, running a hand through his hair. "I did what I had to do," he repeated, quieter this time.
Sethos leaned back, laughing bitterly. "You know, I used to look up to you. I thought you were brave and loyal. I thought you were our rock. Turns out you're just a coward with good reflexes."
That one hurt.
Kinich looked over his shoulder, hurt and frustration battling across his face. "You don't get to say that. You have no idea what I went through."
"And you clearly don’t care what we went through," Sethos fired back.'
Something snapped.
Kinich spun on him, fists clenched, breath ragged. His vision blurred at the edges. Ajaw’s voice roared in his skull like drums of war. He shook, not from fear, but from the effort of holding himself back—jaw locked, nails digging crescents into his palms, his chest rising and falling in quick bursts as if sheer breathing could exorcise the rage. His shoulder twitched, muscles coiled, every instinct demanding release.
He was about to land the first punch—
Until the hospital door creaked open again.
Something had shifted.
[Y/N] felt it the moment she stepped inside.
It was like walking into a room where a storm had just passed—invisible but palpable, the aftershocks still vibrating faintly in the air. The sunlight pouring through the window didn’t reach the shadows tucked into the corners of the room anymore. It felt colder somehow. Stiller. It was like time itself had been holding its breath in her absence.
She glanced between the boys, her gaze flitting from Kinich, who stood unnaturally stiff with his jaw set tight and his raised knuckles pale, to Sethos, who sat back against his pillows, shoulders loose but eyes far too sharp beneath a half-lowered gaze.
It didn’t take a genius to know something had happened.
"…Did something happen while I was gone?" [Y/N] asked cautiously, eyes narrowing slightly. "You guys look like you were seconds away from throwing hands or flipping the bed."
Kinich’s throat bobbed. He didn’t say a word. He couldn’t.
But Sethos—he moved first.
The silence was shattered by the sudden, overly bright sound of a laugh. It was the kind of laugh that didn't quite reach the eyes—all show, all performance.
"Oh, pfft, no," Sethos said smoothly, his voice pitching into something falsely amused. "You’re imagining things again, drama queen."
He leaned slightly to one side, propping his elbow on the raised bar of the hospital bed with casual grace, like the tension from just minutes ago hadn’t left scorch marks on the floor between them.
[Y/N] blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. "Are you sure? You both look—"
"Fine," Sethos interjected quickly, grinning now, that same plastic smile stretched a little too wide on his face. "Just catching up. You know, best friend stuff. Guy talk. Super thrilling."
And then he glanced at Kinich.
It was a brief look, sharp and loaded with silent meaning. A wordless command passed between them in that sliver of a second. Play along. That look said it all. Don’t you dare ruin this for her.
Kinich’s lips parted slightly, stunned by the audacity of the performance. He’d just been told, moments ago, that he might as well have stayed dead, and now Sethos was… joking?
Lying?
Covering it up like nothing had ever happened?
He wasn’t sure what stung more, the words themselves or the easy way Sethos had swept them under the rug with that glance. But still, Kinich understood.
[Y/N] didn’t deserve this weight between them. Not now. Not after everything.
So he forced himself to shift in his stance, his body still tense like a coiled spring, and his once-curled fists unclenched, and then he nodded slowly.
"Yeah," he said, his voice low, a bit rough at the edges. "We’re good."
[Y/N] narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You’re sure?"
Sethos waved her off. "Scout’s honor."
"You were never a scout."
He feigned offense. "How dare you!"
Despite herself, [Y/N] let out a small breath of laughter—a reluctant one, but a laugh nonetheless. The mood had gotten much lighter, overshadowing the tension that had been present just moments before. Then she began to share the conversation she had with her mother as she strode her way to Sethos' hospital bed, sitting down beside him. "Mom called me just to make sure I don't linger around the hospital for too long. She's convinced I'll catch something just by being here." Afterward, another soft laugh followed, her eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. "She's probably not wrong, knowing my luck."
And just like that—Sethos smiled. A weak yet fond one. How adorable.
"Your mom’s just being a mom," he said lightly, his tone a stark contrast to the cold fire that had just burned between him and Kinich moments before. "You should’ve told her that you're immune to hospital germs because you're a superhero. That would’ve cut the call short."
[Y/N] chuckled, walking over to sit on the edge of his bed. "Nah, she’d probably march over here just to inspect it herself."
Meanwhile, Kinich stood by the window, eyes cast low. He’d gone quiet the moment she reentered. Her presence filled the space like warmth returning to frozen skin—but it only made the ache in his chest worse.
He could still hear Sethos’s words echoing in his mind: "You should’ve stayed dead. You're just a coward with quick feet."
His throat tightened. His hands curled into fists again. He couldn't even look at her—not when she was laughing, not when Sethos was looking at her like that. Like nothing had happened. Like Kinich hadn’t just been gutted and left hollow.
He couldn't breathe.
"I—" Kinich muttered, cutting himself off. He took a breath, shallow and ragged. "I’m… I should get going."
[Y/N] turned toward him, surprised. "Wait—already? You just got here."
But Kinich was already stepping toward the door, head low, shoulders drawn in as if trying to disappear.
"I remembered something I need to take care of,” he lied. “Sorry. I’ll text later."
There was no space to explain.
No room to unravel what just happened between him and Sethos.
And Sethos… he didn’t move. Didn’t call out. He just watched as Kinich walked away, lips pursed, eyes unreadable.
Then, as if nothing had just shattered between them, he turned back to [Y/N] with that same soft look from before, the one he always reserved for her.
“So,” he said with a lopsided grin, voice syrupy and sweet, “did you bring me anything to bribe the nurse with? I think she’s starting to hate me.”
[Y/N] blinked, her gaze flickering between the door Kinich had just disappeared through and Sethos’s easy smile.
What's going on with him?
That's the question she wanted to ask.
And in the silence that followed, the question sat heavy in the air, unasked and unanswered.
---
The hallway felt colder than it should have.
Kinich’s footsteps echoed off the sterile tiles, uneven and tense. Each one carried the weight of unspoken pain, the words he couldn’t say, the rage he couldn’t direct—not at Sethos, not at [Y/N], not even at himself. He didn’t deserve to.
He rounded a quiet corner, away from the main halls, away from the nurses, away from [Y/N]'s soft laughter and Sethos’s gentle voice. That same voice that had just spat venom at him like he was nothing. Like he meant nothing.
His vision blurred, not from tears, but from the heat pressing behind his eyes.
He didn’t even think.
Didn’t hesitate.
His fist slammed into the wall with a crack like a tree splitting in half.
Plaster split and chipped away under his knuckles, veins of glowing green crawling out from the impact point—Dendro energy, wild and uncontrolled, left behind like vines growing out of a wound. The soft shimmer of leaf-like sigils pulsed once, then faded.
The pain in his hand barely registered.
But the sound—that sharp, sudden crack—echoed louder than he'd expected.
Down the corridor, a pair of strangers looked up from a vending machine.
"Was that the wall?"
"Someone fighting?"
“Did something explode?!”
Kinich drew back, shaking his hand out, trying to ignore the tiny specks of blood and green energy glimmering across his bruised knuckles. He exhaled through gritted teeth and turned away before the curious voices reached him.
He didn’t care what they thought. He didn’t care if his hand broke.
He just needed—
To breathe.
To get away.
To not crumble.
As he walked off, particles of pixelated dendro energy still flickering faintly in the cracks behind him, Kinich told himself this wasn’t the first time he’d had to leave quietly. But damn it all, it was the first time it hurt this much.
Was everything he sacrificed for... Are just for vain?
"Hi, everyone! We're the main cast of 'My Crush Has a Double Life?!'" The trio delightedly greeted the ongoing camera with professional, beaming smiles plastered on each of their faces as the three actors waved to the imaginary audience. Gone were the usual costumes they wore during the set, and only their elegant, casual attire was on display, giving fans a rare glimpse into their off-screen personalities.
With Sethos wearing a black, branded turtleneck paired with darkened jeans and leather boots, his long black coat hung over his shoulders. His long dark brown hair was now elegantly tied into a tight ponytail, and then his pale strands were braided in front. Then Kinich's attire involved an emerald-green button-down shirt and denim jeans, completed with stylish sneakers. His hair—nothing changed much—still remained loose and tousled. Lastly, [Y/N] wore a neutral-beige plaid blazer, its sleeves rolled up from her elbows, followed by dark flared jeans and black heels. Surprisingly, she was the one who touched up her hair and makeup in her own signature style.
"Today, we will be answering some questions regarding the show, and hopefully, nothing too controversial," [Y/N] said with a lighthearted laugh, clapping her hands once, and slightly tilted her head to the side. The boys on each of her sides cracked an amused smile at her silly remark.
Then followed Sethos: "The questions prepared are mostly what could've been expected at the show, and some are hypothetical and personal." He smiled and nodded his head after his statement, as he glanced at the last actor to speak.
"So, let's get started and dive into the first question." Kinich casually ended the swift introduction, then moved on to the next agenda, where a box filled with printed questions was settled on a small, circular table in the center of the room. Kinich was the first actor to initiate the Q&A session by reaching into the box and pulling out the first question.
Finally he read it out loud: "What could have been in the original plot of the story?"
There was a collective of "ooohs" and intrigued expressions from Sethos and [Y/N], exchanging knowing glances as they intently awaited Kinich's response.
Kinich folded the paper in half as he began to explain his interpretation of the original plot, staring straight at the camera with a blank expression. "There were… There were a lot of major changes that happened in the show." Then he trailed off into his brief silence. "For starters, [Y/N]'s character was supposed to die by the end of the show, and Sethos' character was supposed to be held in confinement after his defeat, while my character grieved over the loss of his two best friends."
[Y/N] gagged at the mention of her character's original fate, her mouth slightly parted in shock at dropping the bombshell so casually, while Sethos raised his eyebrows in surprise but nodded his head in agreement with the alterations that were mentioned.
"And during her supposed death by falling off the building because Sethos' character accidentally swung her, that's where my character revealed to her that he is the Green Ghost with a half-broken mask and died after knowing the shocking truth."
Afterwards, silence followed to fill in the room as Kinich slowly turned his head to the side, where his eyes met the two gaping actors. "Was that too much information?" he asked.
Sethos chuckled and shook his head, reassuring his friend. "Nah, nah, that was fine," and then he added some remarks to Kinich's explanation. "It is true that it was supposed to be in the original plot, but the author thought it might be too dramatic and overwhelming for the audience, so she killed my character instead."
This earned a round of chuckles from both [Y/N] and Kinich.
Suddenly [Y/N] remembered a particular change of scene as she eagerly tapped Sethos by the shoulder. "Oh! You know that in the original story, your character transformed into a beast because of a slip-up, right?" Sethos nodded, his eyes intrigued. "Before that scene was finalized, like before the picnic date and everything, your character was supposed to transform after my character rejected yours," the girl pointed out, her hands moving animatedly as she recounted the details.
Sethos let out an 'o' and nodded. "Yeah, yeah, that was also the initial flow of Sethos' abyssal transformation. Then again, we thought it might be too cliche and bland."
Afterward, [Y/N] turned to Kinich and politely asked, "Do you have anything to add before we go to the next question, Kinich?"
Kinich blankly stared at his two co-stars and then at the imaginary audience. "Actually, there was supposed to be a steamier moment with both my character and [Y/N]'s character—" "THAT IS NOT TRUE!" A sudden shove on his side almost accidentally caused him to fall off the chair due to his misleading statement; his eyes widened at the immediate contact.
The camera then focused on [Y/N], and she assured the fans behind the screens, frantically waving her hands, followed by a strained chuckle escaping her lips. "He's just joking! There was absolutely no 'steamy' moment between our characters in the script." With her ruffled-up feathers, she quickly took the turn of the subject. "A-Anyway! Next question, please!"
Eventually Sethos seized the opportunity to take another paper from the box, carefully unwrapping it to reveal the awaited question as he read it out loud. "How were the actors able to get used to handling different emotions from their usual personality?" He nodded, understanding the intent of the question, and turned to the camera. "Actually, it wasn't a challenge for me since I share similar traits with my character. We're both chill and easygoing, so tapping into those emotions came naturally to me."
Though his composed expression changed for a moment. "However, it was difficult for me to handle such heavy sentiments because it's hard to imagine that someone like my character would go through such intense emotions, if you know what I was referring to."
Then [Y/N] followed, "I agree along with Sethos' explanation since I also share similar personality traits with my character. It made the emotional scenes more authentic and easier to portray on screen."
Lastly, Kinich says, "Normally, I'm a direct person. I don't usually delve into my emotions as deeply, yet my character involves such heavy emotional depth that it has taken me back a bit how perceiving my character is." He casually threw the paper away with a straight face.
The last question for the trio before the separate interview sessions was handed out by none other than the female lead herself, carefully unfolding the piece of paper in her delicate hands as she read it out loud. "Which scene was the hardest to shoot as a group?" Her mouth shaped an "o" as if she had found the question interesting to answer, and her head shifted to both of the boys, already wearing intrigued expressions as they awaited her response.
"I can't be the only one who has an answer for that, so let's do it altogether," she replied, with her hand gesturing to the boys to join her.
In three…
Two…
One…
"Rooftop scene!" The trio exclaimed in unison, sharing a surprised look following a knowing one, as [Y/N] took the opportunity to speak. "Guess we all had our fair share of challenges with that one."
Sethos playfully groaned and crossed his arms, shaking his head when the memories of acting on the rooftop scene came flooding back. "That was a nightmare," he muttered, earning a chuckle from [Y/N] and a nod of agreement from Kinich.
"Yeah, all of us were so tired and delirious that day, but we made it work in the end," Kinich added, reminiscing on the chaotic yet successful shoot.
"I wonder why the author chose to make that scene so difficult for us," [Y/N] pondered aloud, glancing at Sethos and Kinich for their thoughts.
"Trauma, I guess." Sethos shrugged, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It's all part of the job, right?"
"Unfortunately," Kinich agreed, shaking his head.
TIME FOR THE SEPARATE INTERVIEWS!
First up, the refined and outgoing female lead, [Y/N]!
Question: Your character goes through a lot emotionally. How did you prepare for such intense scenes?
[Y/N]: "I guess I tried to understand what it's like in my character's shoes. How would she be able to react if someone she knows is harmed or in danger? Would she be quiet and reserved, or would she be more vocal and emotional? It's like stepping into a different mindset and trying to feel what she feels in those moments. It can be challenging, but it's also a rewarding experience to bring her emotions to life on screen."
Question: What's something you admire about your character and something you struggle to understand about them?
[Y/N]: "It would be my character's stubbornness that I admire and also struggled to understand. Because I would understand if she does anything in her power to keep everything at bay, but if it's something that could risk her life, like at the rooftop scene, it's hard to defend her actions because it seems reckless."
Next up, the infamous actor known to be the "Green Ghost," Kinich!
Question: Fans are curious—did wearing the mask ever get uncomfortable during long shoots?
Kinich: "I would say yes, especially during action scenes. It's a bit harder for me to catch my breath when the mask is too compressed against my face. But the more it settled on me for a long period of time, I couldn't even feel it anymore. It became like a second skin to me, and it helped me get into character more easily."
Question: Your character has a double life as a masked hero. How did you approach portraying that duality?
Kinich: "As I said before, I shared similar traits with the character, so it wasn't too difficult for me to embody that duality."
Lastly, the loved but not chosen actor, Sethos!
Question: Your role involves both human and monstrous sides. How did you mentally prepare for the transformation scenes?
Sethos: "It takes a lot of energy and emotional toll, honestly, because I'm portraying someone who loses himself to the abyss. I couldn't imagine myself spiraling out of control like that, so I had to engross myself in the character's mindset to make it believable on screen."
Question: If you could play any other character in the project, who would you pick and why?
Sethos: "I want Kinich's character so that [Y/N]'s character would choose me—I mean, my character in the story. And I get to use his cool powers too!"
The night air was thick with tension as the Green Ghost swung through the dimly lit city streets, his senses alert for any sign of danger. The city below was quiet, the usual noise of traffic reduced to a distant hum. He had just saved another citizen from a potential disaster—a car crash that could have ended in tragedy—but there was no time to rest.
A low growl echoed from a nearby alleyway, stopping him in mid-swing. His heart raced as he landed silently on the rooftop above the alley, scanning the shadows below. The source of the sound emerged—a hulking, grotesque creature, its skin mottled with scales and oozing a thick, black sludge. Its yellow eyes glowed faintly in the dark, locking onto the hero with a predatory gleam.
The Green Ghost narrowed his eyes behind his mask, feeling the adrenaline surge through him. This wasn’t the first time he’d come across one of these monsters. In fact, they were becoming more frequent and more dangerous with each appearance. He knew this fight would be brutal, but he couldn’t let it roam the streets unchecked.
With a swift motion, he leapt from the rooftop, flipping through the air with precision and landing directly in front of the creature. It roared, its powerful arms swiping at him with surprising speed. He dodged the attack with a roll, immediately following up with a sharp kick to its side. The impact reverberated through the monster’s thick hide, but it barely flinched.
The creature lunged again, this time faster, its claws slashing through the air. The Green Ghost barely avoided it, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling back. He regained his footing and shot out a web, aiming for the monster’s eyes to blind it. The sticky webbing splattered across the creature’s face, momentarily disorienting it.
Taking advantage of the brief opening, he rushed forward, landing a series of rapid punches and kicks, each blow landing with the precision of a trained fighter. The creature snarled in frustration, swiping wildly at him, but the Green Ghost was always a step ahead, dodging with acrobatic grace.
Just as he prepared to go in for another strike, the monster caught him off guard with a swipe of its tail. The blow struck him squarely in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Pain shot through his body as he stumbled backward, clutching his side. He glanced down and saw the blood trickling through his fingers. The hit had been worse than he thought.
He grated his teeth, refusing to let the pain slow him down. The monster, sensing his momentary weakness, charged forward with a deafening roar. The Green Ghost barely had time to react, throwing up his arm to block the next attack. The force sent him flying backward, crashing into the wall of a nearby building. He gasped, feeling the shockwave of pain from his already injured stomach, but there was no time to rest.
The creature lunged again, and this time he was ready. With a sharp breath, he somersaulted over its head, landing nimbly behind it. He shot out two webs, securing the monster's legs to the ground before delivering a powerful kick to its back. The monster roared in anger, thrashing against the webbing, but the Green Ghost had already moved again.
But with every movement, the wound in his stomach throbbed, slowing him down bit by bit. His vision blurred momentarily, and he had to lean against a wall for support. The creature was breaking free, and he knew he had to finish this quickly. Summoning the last of his strength, he swung forward, feet first, delivering a devastating blow to the creature’s head.
The force of the attack sent the creature crashing to the ground, its body limp and defeated. The Green Ghost landed in a crouch, panting heavily. His side screamed in pain, and he pressed a hand to the wound, feeling the warm blood seeping through his suit.
But before he could catch his breath, the sound of sirens in the distance caught his attention. He couldn’t stay here. Not in this condition. With a final glance at the unconscious creature, he shot a web to the nearest building and disappeared into the night, the pain in his stomach growing worse with each swing.
Kinich landed in a dark, narrow alley, the sound of his boots hitting the pavement echoing faintly in the silence. His breath came in shallow gasps as the pain in his stomach flared with each step. He reached for his mask, pulling it off with a shaky hand, and in an instant, the familiar green suit faded away, leaving him in his school uniform, his face slick with sweat. The wound pulsed under his hand, and he grimaced, feeling the warmth of the blood still flowing through his fingers.
Gritting his teeth, he leaned heavily against the cold brick wall, clutching his side tighter. "Damn it," he hissed under his breath, cursing both the monster and his own carelessness. His vision swam, but he blinked rapidly, forcing himself to stay upright. He couldn’t afford to pass out here, not when he had to make it back in one piece.
As he took a moment to steady himself, a familiar, high-pitched cackle echoed through the alley, grating on his already frayed nerves. "Ah, what a pitiful sight!" the voice sneered, the sound slithering around him like a snake.
Kinich’s jaw clenched as he ignored the voice, focusing instead on keeping pressure on his wound. His hand was sticky with blood, and each breath was becoming more labored. But ignoring the taunting presence wasn’t easy, especially when it came from him.
From the shadows, Ajaw slithered forward, his pixelated, dragon-like form flickering with a sickly yellow-green glow. The creature hovered lazily in front of Kinich, its glowing eyes narrowing in mock sympathy. His appearance was like something out of an 8-bit nightmare, with jagged edges and blocky lines, making him look both out of place and menacing in the modern world. His serpentine body twisted and coiled in the air, and his oversized, toothy grin only added to the malevolent aura that surrounded him.
“You look like you're about to bleed out any second now," Ajaw crooned, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. His sharp and shrill laugh cut through the quiet alley as if relishing the scene in front of him. "Perhaps this is the end for you, little hero. I’d say it’s about time someone else took over—someone with a bit more... resilience.” The last word was spat out with a taunting emphasis, as Ajaw circled Kinich like a vulture waiting for its prey to give in.
Kinich exhaled sharply, pushing off the wall slightly to regain his balance. His eyes glinted with defiance despite the pain ravaging his body. He glared at Ajaw, refusing to give the creature the satisfaction of seeing him break. "It's way too early for me to die," Kinich spat, his voice rough but resolute. "I’ve still got unfinished business. And I’m not about to let you decide when I’m done."
Ajaw’s eyes narrowed into slits, his smile growing wider. “Oh? Still clinging to that pitiful hope? I expected more from you,” he sneered, though his amusement didn’t falter. He coiled around Kinich like a viper, leaning in closer. “You’ve cheated death for now, but how long until it catches up to you? How long until you fail?” The dragon’s voice was venomous, every word calculated to undermine Kinich's confidence.
Kinich ignored the bitter sting of Ajaw’s words, using the wall as support as he pushed himself upright. "Not today," he muttered under his breath, brushing off Ajaw’s taunts as best as he could. His vision swam again, but he clenched his fists, focusing on steadying his breathing. He knew he couldn’t show any weakness, not in front of Ajaw. The creature thrived on fear and doubt, and Kinich wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing either.
Ajaw huffed, his form glitching slightly as he pulled away, a look of dissatisfaction crossing his jagged features. "We’ll see about that, hero. We’ll see.” His voice lingered, echoing in the alley as he flickered and vanished into the shadows, leaving Kinich alone once more.
Kinich exhaled slowly, his body sagging slightly now that Ajaw was gone. He felt the sting of exhaustion creeping in, but he knew he had to keep moving. The wound in his stomach was bad, but not fatal—at least, not yet. He had to get to safety, somewhere he could rest and patch himself up before anyone noticed.
"I can't believe he’s not here today!" she whined, her voice full of exasperation as she walked through the courtyard behind the school. Sethos was trailing slightly behind her, hands stuffed in his pockets, listening to her complaints. "I was going to bug him all day, y'know? Make him squirm and roll his eyes. It was going to be fun!"
As the adrenaline began to wear off, the full weight of the pain crashed down on him, but he refused to give in to it. He had been in worse situations before, and he wasn’t going to let a monster—let alone Ajaw—bring him down. Gritting his teeth, he took a shaky breath and forced himself to walk, each step more painful than the last. But he had survived for this long, and he wasn’t about to stop now.
The next morning, as the bell rang, signaling the start of break time, [Y/N] dragged herself out of the classroom, her lips twisted in a pout. She had been looking forward to seeing Kinich all morning, but her hopes were dashed when one of their classmates nonchalantly mentioned that he hadn’t shown up to school today because he was "sick." The word felt off, making her question it for a moment, but her disappointment took over.
She sighed dramatically, her steps slower than usual as she walked next to Sethos. Unable to contain her need for comfort, she grabbed onto his arm, clinging to him like a lifeline. Sethos blinked in surprise but quickly recovered, a small smirk tugging at his lips. Despite her whining about Kinich, the fact that she was holding onto him felt... nice.
"Well, I’m here," Sethos said, trying to sound nonchalant, though a part of him was secretly thrilled. "I’ll let you bug me all you want." He gave her a playful nudge with his shoulder, trying to lighten her mood.
[Y/N] glanced up at him with a soft grin, but her mind was still on Kinich. "Yeah, but it’s not the same," she muttered, sighing again. "Kinich is all serious and grumpy, you know? I like teasing him because he gets so flustered. You’re just... you. You don’t mind."
Sethos bit back a laugh, amused by her casual dismissal of him. "Gee, thanks. I’ll try to be grumpier next time just for you."
Still, as much as he joked, the moment was a rare one. With Kinich out of the picture for the day, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. For once, he had [Y/N] all to himself and no one to split her attention with. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer as they continued to walk behind the school.
"I guess you’ll have to survive without bothering him for one day, huh?" he teased, but underneath, his heart pounded slightly faster. "But hey, I’m here to keep you company. We can do whatever you want. I’ll even let you tease me—just not too much."
[Y/N] groaned in playful defeat, leaning more into his side. "Fine, I guess you’ll have to do for today," she said, her voice dripping with mock resignation.
Sethos smiled, knowing he was the one she was stuck with today—and for now, that was enough.
"That's my girl," Sethos grinned, his voice full of warmth as he playfully pinched her cheek with the arm slung around her shoulder. He straightened up slightly, his expression shifting to one of exaggerated importance. "Now, where does the princess want to eat? Whatever you want, I'll pay for it." His smile widened as if the offer were a royal decree.
[Y/N]'s face lit up at his words, a spark of excitement flashing in her eyes. "Ramen!" she exclaimed almost immediately, her mouth practically watering at the thought. "I haven’t had ramen in ages!" Her enthusiasm bubbled over as she clutched his arm tighter.
Sethos chuckled, shaking his head in amusement as he watched her salivate over the idea of her meal. "Ramen it is, then," he agreed with a grin. "How could I deny the princess her favorite food?" His teasing tone was laced with genuine affection, and although it was just lunch, he couldn’t help but enjoy how easily she smiled when he was around.
They changed direction, making their way toward the nearby ramen shop. Sethos watched her excitedly chatter about what toppings she was going to get, the way her eyes sparkled with each detail. He allowed himself a moment to soak in her happiness, knowing today was a rare day where he didn’t have to share her attention with Kinich.
Once inside the ramen shop, the comforting aroma of broth and spices filled the air, and [Y/N]'s stomach growled in anticipation. Sethos gave her a playful nudge. "Go find us a seat, princess," he said, grinning. "I’ll handle the ordering."
[Y/N] paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "Do you even know my usual order?"
Sethos rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Of course I do. Been eating with you long enough to have it memorized by now."
Satisfied, she flashed him a thumbs-up before heading off to find a nearby booth by the window. She sat down, pulling out her phone and tapping into the Messenger app. Without hesitating, she typed a quick message to Kinich, filling it with cute emoticons as if trying to cheer him up from afar: "Why didn’t you tell me you were sick, Kinich?? 😠😢 Get well soon, okay? I miss annoying you! 🥺"
As she waited for his reply, she rested her chin on her hand and looked outside, watching people walk by and listening to the clattering of bowls and chopsticks in the shop. A few minutes passed, and her phone buzzed. She quickly unlocked it to see Kinich’s response:
"Sorry for not telling you. It was unexpected. I was too weak to mention it earlier. I’ll be fine soon."
The message was short, formal, and to the point, just like him. But something about his tone felt distant, and [Y/N] pouted slightly at the screen. "He could’ve at least said he missed me too," she thought, sulking as she reread his message. But knowing Kinich, this was as much as she could expect from him—detached yet always sincere.
Before she could reply, Sethos returned, placing their bowls of steaming ramen on the table with a satisfied grin. "Here you go, your highness," he teased, sliding into the seat across from her. "Just the way you like it."
Distracted for a moment by the smell of the ramen, [Y/N] smiled and put her phone down. “Thanks, Seth. You really do know me well.” She was still thinking about Kinich, but right now, she had Sethos and a hot bowl of ramen in front of her to take her mind off things.
She picked up her chopsticks, skillfully separating them with a crisp snap before swirling the noodles in her bowl. The rich, savory broth coated the strands of ramen as she gently lifted them, steam curling into the air. Without wasting another moment, she took a large bite, her eyes fluttering closed as she moaned softly in satisfaction.
“Oh my gosh, this is so good,” she mumbled through her mouthful, completely absorbed in the delicious warmth of the meal. The flavors danced on her tongue, and she happily slurped another bite, clearly enjoying herself. It had been a long time since she’d indulged in a proper bowl of ramen, and right now, it was absolute bliss.
Sethos, sitting across from her, hadn't even touched his own bowl. Instead, he leaned back slightly, his arms crossed as a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He wasn’t focused on the ramen—he was watching her, savoring the moment in a way she didn’t notice. The way her nose crinkled when she took a particularly hot bite, the small satisfied noises she made between slurps, the pure joy on her face. She was completely herself, carefree and unguarded, and he loved watching that side of her emerge.
For a moment, Sethos forgot about everything else—the teasing, the playful banter, even his usual quips. He was simply caught in the quiet charm of the scene unfolding in front of him. He’d always known [Y/N] was special, but moments like this, when she was just enjoying the little things in life, made his heart swell with affection.
She was his best friend, sure, but there was something more—something deeper. He couldn’t deny the way his chest tightened as he admired her, the way his heart raced when her smile lit up her whole face. There was an almost magnetic pull between them that made it hard for him to look away.
"You're staring again," [Y/N] said suddenly, breaking the silence as she glanced up, noodles still hanging from her mouth. She blinked, half-amused, half-curious, and Sethos quickly snapped out of his daze, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.
“Am I not allowed to admire a princess enjoying her royal feast?” he teased, raising an eyebrow as he finally picked up his chopsticks, twirling them between his fingers.
[Y/N] rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. “You’re such a dork, Seth.” She gave him a playful smirk before turning back to her ramen, still blissfully unaware of the depth behind his gaze.
As they sat there, sharing ramen and playful banter, Sethos couldn’t help but wonder how long he could keep this up—being the supportive best friend, hiding his feelings, and watching her look at someone else. He wanted to tell her the truth, but he was afraid of ruining their friendship. So for now, he would continue to cherish these moments with her, even if it meant keeping his feelings a secret.
As [Y/N] slurped down her noodles, savoring the rich, salty broth and tender pork slices, Sethos leaned forward, his chopsticks idly stirring his own bowl. His eyes flickered toward her, watching how she was fully immersed in her meal, and he couldn’t help but smile. “Hey,” he began, his voice casual, “are you free during the week?”
[Y/N], mid-bite, raised her eyebrows but nodded, still chewing her food. She swallowed before responding, “Probably. Why? What’s up?”
Sethos leaned back in his seat, playing it cool, though his fingers drummed nervously against the side of the bowl. He couldn’t help but feel a little eager, but he masked it with a laid-back tone. “So, I’ve got another basketball match coming up,” he explained. “It’s against one of the top schools in the area. Anyway, they’re giving us extra tickets for our family or friends, you know, for support.” He paused before glancing at her meaningfully, the corner of his lips curving into a small smile. “And, well... since my grandpa’s too busy with work, I figured I’d give the ticket to you.”
[Y/N] looked surprised for a moment, then smiled back at him, her expression teasing. “Aww, are you asking me out, Seth?” She nudged his leg playfully under the table.
Sethos laughed, shaking his head as if she had missed the point, though the way his heart skipped at her teasing didn’t go unnoticed. “I mean, who else would I ask?” He shot her a grin. “You’re always at my games, cheering me on like you’re my personal cheerleader.”
At that, [Y/N] groaned, immediately reminded of the time she had, without thinking, yelled at the top of her lungs during one of his previous games. "Go, Seth! That’s my boy!” she had screamed, her voice echoing through the entire gym, making heads turn. She had been mortified when the entire crowd went silent for a split second, only for laughter to ripple through the stands. Sethos had looked up from the court with a huge grin, flashing her a thumbs-up, clearly unbothered by the attention she had drawn to herself.
Her face burned as she remembered the teasing she had endured from him afterward. “Ugh, don’t remind me of that!” she whined, covering her face with her hand, her cheeks flushing pink.
Sethos couldn’t help but chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Hey, you were cute! I didn’t mind one bit,” he said, giving her a playful nudge. “Honestly, your cheering was the highlight of the game.”
She slapped his arm playfully, though her embarrassment was evident in the way she was avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, well... you owe me for making me look like a total dork in front of the whole school.”
Sethos just smirked, leaning closer. “Dork? Nah. More like my good luck charm. How could I win without you screaming your head off?”
[Y/N] groaned, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She couldn’t stay annoyed at him for long. “Okay, okay, fine. I’ll come to your game. Happy?”
“Very,” Sethos replied, giving her a warm smile, his voice a little softer. “It wouldn’t feel right without you there, anyway.”
As she giggled at his response, a thought crossed her mind, making her perk up. “Hey, do you think Kinich could come too?” she asked, already imagining the three of them hanging out together. “It’d be fun if all of us were there. You know, like old times.”
Sethos’s expression faltered for the briefest moment, and a twinge of jealousy flared up inside him, though he quickly masked it. Of course, she’d want to invite Kinich. It was always about Kinich. Even here, even now, when he was trying to have a moment with her. The thought of watching them together, of seeing the way her eyes would light up around Kinich, made his stomach twist.
But he wasn’t about to let her see that. Instead, he shrugged nonchalantly, pushing the feeling down as best as he could. “Sure,” he muttered, his voice casual despite the slight edge. “It’s up to him, I guess.”
[Y/N] was already pulling out her phone, tapping away to text Kinich about the game. Sethos watched her out of the corner of his eye, forcing himself to focus on his food as he lifted his chopsticks. He twirled the noodles absently, suddenly feeling a little less hungry, but he took a bite anyway, the rich flavor now tasting somewhat bland. As [Y/N] waited for Kinich’s reply, her face lit up with excitement, and for a moment, Sethos let himself simmer the bitterness of jealousy that threatened to bubble up inside him.
He leaned forward, lightly tapping his chopsticks against her bowl of ramen, catching her attention. "Hey, princess," he said with a teasing lilt in his voice. "Eat your ramen now, text later. It’s going to get cold if you keep staring at your phone."
[Y/N] blinked, realizing she’d been so wrapped up in texting Kinich that she’d completely forgotten about the food in front of her. “Oh! Right,” she replied sheepishly, putting her phone down with a guilty smile. “Can’t let this deliciousness go to waste.”
She picked up her chopsticks again and swirled them into the ramen, lifting the steaming noodles to her lips. Sethos watched as she eagerly resumed eating, and a feeling of satisfaction settled in his chest.
"That's more like it," Sethos said, grinning as he finally started eating his bowl. "Can’t let your favorite ramen be ignored, now can we?" He watched her from the corner of his eye, savoring her enjoying her meal, momentarily forgetting the text she was waiting for.
It was a warm afternoon, the kind where time seemed to slow down, and the golden sunlight filtered lazily through the windows of the cozy café. [Y/N] sat at her usual spot with her two best friends, Kinich and Sethos, surrounded by the familiar hum of chatter and the comforting clatter of cups on saucers. To anyone passing by, they were just three friends sharing an ordinary afternoon, laughing and teasing each other, like they always did after school.
But beneath the surface, there was a tension Sethos couldn’t shake. It wasn’t obvious, not to anyone else, but it gnawed at him, growing stronger every time [Y/N] looked at Kinich with that soft, adoring gaze. She’d always admired Kinich—his cool demeanor, the way he seemed to have everything figured out. There was something about him that made him stand apart, something that drew [Y/N] in more and more each day. And Sethos felt it too.
He masked it with his usual jokes and playful teasing, but inside, he wrestled with the ugly feeling twisting in his chest. Kinich didn’t seem to notice—or maybe he just didn’t care. He was always composed, always distant, like there was some invisible wall between him and the world, even between him and them.
And then there was [Y/N], completely oblivious to the quiet storm brewing between the two boys. To her, this was just another day with her best friends, the people she trusted most in the world. She laughed, she talked, her heart blissfully unaware of how complicated things were becoming. Sethos knew her well enough to see she was hopelessly in love with Kinich, caught up in some idealized version of him. And Kinich? He played it cool, as always. But there were moments—fleeting, subtle moments—when he seemed uncomfortable, like something was weighing on him, something he wasn’t saying.
But for now, all of it stayed hidden beneath the surface, waiting for the moment when everything would change.
Shoving her phone into her pocket, [Y/N] bolted out of the house, feet hitting the pavement with urgency. The city seemed to blur around her as she sprinted down the crowded street, glancing desperately at the buses that rushed by. Each one was either packed to the point of bursting or headed in the wrong direction, far from her school. Her frustration boiled over, beads of sweat clinging to her brow. Of all days to be late, she thought bitterly.
One morning, [Y/N] groaned as she glanced at her phone again, quickly typing a message to her best friends.
[Y/N]: Running late again. Sethos, back up for me >.<
She hit send with a grimace, already imagining Sethos’s teasing remarks. It wasn’t her fault this time—not entirely. Her mom had meant to wake her, but instead, [Y/N] woke to a heavy scolding for oversleeping. Punctuality is a virtue. Her mother had snapped. Maybe someday you’ll learn that.
The streets were quieter than usual, though at first, she didn’t notice. It wasn’t until she realized the familiar background noise of chatter and footsteps had faded into something eerily still that she slowed her pace. A strange, prickling sensation crawled up her spine—like she was being watched. She glanced around, her heart picking up speed for reasons other than running.
The usual buzz of the city seemed to have disappeared, replaced by a deafening silence. Her eyes darted toward the thinning crowd, where people suddenly quickened their pace, their faces pale and anxious. Murmurs of panic spread like wildfire, but before she could process it, a strange sound reached her ears.
A low, menacing growl.
[Y/N] froze in her tracks, her blood turning cold as the sound seemed to echo from an alleyway up ahead. Her gaze snapped toward the source, her breath catching in her throat. Emerging from the shadows was something... wrong. The creature stood hunched and misshapen, its skin an unnatural grayish-black, covered in jagged, scale-like protrusions that shimmered in the dim light. Its limbs were too long, unnervingly thin, and twisted at odd angles, giving it an almost spider-like appearance. The claws on its hands scraped against the pavement with a sharp, grating noise that sent chills down her spine.
Its head was worse—elongated, with a mouth full of sharp, crooked teeth that were too large for its face. Its eyes glowed a sickly, piercing yellow, devoid of humanity but full of hunger. The creature let out a deep, snarling breath, its teeth clicking together as it moved closer, its gaze locking onto [Y/N].
She took a step back, her heart thundering in her chest as pure dread gripped her. The fear was paralyzing, spreading like ice through her veins, making it hard to breathe. Around her, people screamed, the sudden rush of footsteps and panic erupting as they fled in every direction. The city that had moments ago felt familiar and safe now felt like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.
Her legs shook as she stumbled backward, almost tripping over her own feet. She had to move; she had to run, but her body refused to cooperate. Her breath came in short gasps, her vision narrowing as the creature’s grotesque form drew nearer, its growls deepening into something almost guttural. The noise rattled her bones, as if the air itself trembled with the sound.
In a desperate attempt to act, [Y/N] fumbled for her phone, her trembling hands nearly useless in her panic. It slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground, forgotten. The monster's snarl grew louder, its twisted body slithering closer, the claws scraping louder and faster. She could hear the fear in her own ragged breathing, and the thud of her heart became deafening in her ears.
The alley closed in around her. Her back hit the wall, and her legs gave out, collapsing her to the ground as she stared helplessly at the advancing creature. She wanted to scream, but the sound wouldn’t come. All she could do was watch as it loomed over her, its jaws parting with a sinister, crooked grin.
[Y/N]’s hands scrambled across the ground, frantically searching for anything she could use as a weapon. Her heart pounded, her breath shallow and erratic, as the creature’s snarls grew louder, reverberating through the empty alley like a death sentence. Her fingers scraped across the rough pavement until they finally wrapped around something—cold, heavy, metal.
A broken pipe.
Without thinking, she gripped it tightly, her knuckles turning white as she forced herself to her feet. Her entire body trembled, fear coursing through her like a relentless wave, but she had no choice. She wasn’t going to just sit there and wait to be torn apart. Her eyes darted to the monster, now only a few feet away, its grotesque limbs twitching as it stalked closer, its sickly yellow eyes gleaming with malice.
Gritting her teeth, [Y/N] swung the pipe with all her strength, aiming directly for its head. The pipe connected with a sickening crack, the impact jarring her arms and sending a shudder through her bones. The monster let out a guttural snarl of surprise, its head snapping to the side from the blow, but it barely stumbled.
It didn’t fall.
The creature slowly turned its head back toward her, unphased, a twisted smile creeping across its crooked, deformed face. The small victory that had surged through her a moment ago disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming wave of terror. The monster’s snarl deepened, more menacing now, as if her strike had only angered it.
Her mind raced, panic rising as the creature advanced again, its long, clawed fingers flexing in anticipation. She swung the pipe again, wildly this time, desperate to keep it at bay. But the monster was faster. It dove, its unnatural movements quick and fluid, sidestepping her attack effortlessly.
Before she could react, its claw shot out, slashing the pipe from her grip with terrifying force. The metal clanged loudly as it hit the pavement, rolling uselessly out of reach. [Y/N] stumbled back, her eyes wide with fear, her chest heaving as she backed into the wall again, trapped. She was out of options, out of time.
The creature loomed over her now, its jaws parting in a slow, sinister grin. [Y/N] barely had time to react before one of its clawed hands lashed out, grabbing her by the arm with a vice-like grip. She gasped in pain, trying to wrench herself free, but its strength was overwhelming, like iron clamped around her wrist.
The world around her seemed to spin, the sounds of the city far away now drowned out by the pounding of her own heartbeat. All she could do was struggle uselessly against the creature’s hold, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps as she realized how close she was to the edge of something far worse than fear.
She wasn’t going to survive this on her own.
[Y/N] winced as the creature's grip tightened around her arm, pain shooting up to her shoulder. Her vision blurred with panic, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Just when she thought it was over, something shot past her—fast, like a blur of green—and the next thing she knew, the monster was sent tumbling backward, its legs kicked out from under it.
The force of the blow knocked the creature off balance, causing it to loosen its hold. [Y/N] stumbled as the monster’s clawed hand slipped from her arm, and she collapsed to the ground, gasping in relief. Her arm throbbed with pain, a deep bruise already forming where the creature had gripped her. She hissed under her breath, cradling the injury with her other hand, trying to steady her breathing.
Her eyes darted upward, her heart still racing, and there he was—a man, dressed in a dark green suit with a sleek mask covering his face. He swung through the air with precision, landing between her and the monster, his movements sharp and fluid. The mysterious figure didn’t hesitate, delivering quick, powerful strikes to the creature, each hit forcing it back further into the alley.
For a moment, [Y/N] just stared, frozen by shock and the sudden shift in events. The man moved with an almost effortless grace, dodging the creature’s frantic swipes and retaliating with swift, calculated kicks. His presence was like a sudden force of nature, completely changing the outcome of the fight.
As if sensing her gaze, the man glanced over his shoulder, locking eyes with her for a brief second. Behind the mask, his expression was unreadable, but there was something commanding in his gaze. With a subtle nudge of his head, he motioned toward the alley’s exit, wordlessly telling her to run.
[Y/N] didn’t need to be told twice.
She pushed herself to her feet, ignoring the throbbing in her arm, and ran as fast as she could, her feet pounding against the pavement. Her heart was still racing, fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins as she left the scene behind. She didn’t dare look back, even as the sounds of the fight echoed through the narrow streets.
Her only thought was escape—getting away from the danger, from the monster that had nearly claimed her life, and from the mysterious man who had saved it.
[Y/N] sprinted the rest of the way to school, her mind still racing with what had just happened. Her heart hadn’t stopped pounding since she’d escaped the monster, and her arm throbbed with every step. As she neared the entrance, the school building felt like a sanctuary, but that didn’t stop the guard at the gate from scolding her.
"Late again?" the guard frowned, looking at her disheveled appearance. He pointed at his watch. "You’ve got to make it on time next time, miss. This is becoming a habit."
[Y/N] nodded frantically, too out of breath and shaken to argue. “Sorry!” she blurted, rushing past him and barely making eye contact, her arm still cradled protectively against her chest. She was more focused on finding relief for her injury than the time of day.
Once inside, she beelined straight for the nurse’s office. The sterile, calming scent of antiseptics hit her as she stepped in, the soft hum of the air conditioner doing little to soothe her nerves. She knocked lightly on the door before entering, her arm visibly bruised and swollen. The school nurse, a kindly woman with graying hair tied up in a bun, glanced up from her desk and immediately raised her brows in concern.
"My goodness!" The school nurse exclaimed, standing up from her chair. “What happened to your arm?"
[Y/N] bit her lip, suddenly unsure of how to explain. She gingerly took a seat on the cot, wincing as she held out her arm for the nurse to see. The bruise was dark and angry, stretching from her wrist to her elbow where the creature had gripped her.
“I... I ran into something this morning," [Y/N] began hesitantly, her voice a bit shaky. She wasn’t sure how much to say, but the truth tumbled out of her almost on its own. "There was this... monster, or something like it. It attacked me while I was on my way here."
The school nurse paused, her fingers stilling over the bruise as she absorbed the words. Her warm, kind eyes shifted into something more cautious and concerned. “A... monster?” she asked slowly, like she wasn’t sure if she heard her correctly.
[Y/N] nodded, biting her lip nervously. "It was huge, with claws and these glowing yellow eyes. It came out of nowhere, and I didn’t know what to do. People were running everywhere. It almost got me, but... someone saved me." Her voice faltered slightly, the memory of the man in green flashing in her mind. "There was this guy, wearing a green suit. He came out of nowhere and fought the monster. He told me to run, so I did."
The nurse leaned back slightly, her hands gently applying ointment to the bruise, though her eyes never left [Y/N]’s face. The school nurse's lips parted, making a soft “O” shape as she processed the information. For a moment, she didn’t speak, her face a mix of concern and curiosity. Then she gave a slow, knowing nod.
“A man in a green suit?” she asked carefully, her tone carrying more understanding than disbelief. “So you’ve encountered him too…”
[Y/N] blinked, surprised by her reaction. “You know about him?”
The school nurse gave a small, weary smile. "Oh, yes. He’s all over the news lately, even if no one really knows who he is. They’re calling him the city’s masked hero." She shook her head slightly, as if the whole idea of it was something out of a comic book. “People have been talking about him for weeks now. Every day, more stories pop up about how he’s been showing up at just the right time, stopping criminals or saving people in trouble. He disappears just as quickly as he arrives, leaving no trace behind.”
[Y/N] listened in silence, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She hadn’t realized the mysterious man was already so well known. “So no one knows who he is?” she asked quietly, her curiosity growing.
“No one,” the school nurse confirmed, dabbing at the edges of the bruise with a soft cloth. “Investigators have been trying to get a lead on him for weeks. They’ve got rumors, of course. Some say he’s a vigilante, others think he might be some kind of government agent. And, naturally, there are conspiracy theories—people claiming he’s an alien or something like that.” She chuckled softly at the last part, though her face still held a touch of concern.
“But no one has come close to finding out who he really is. People are starting to wonder if they ever will.”
[Y/N] felt a strange sense of awe as she listened to the nurse’s words. Her mind replayed the image of the man—his graceful movements, the quick glance he had given her, the way he fought the monster without hesitation. He had seemed so calm, so confident, like he’d done it a hundred times before.
“Wow,” she whispered. "I had no idea."
The school nurse finished bandaging [Y/N]’s arm, her expression softening as she looked at her. "Well, it’s a good thing you’re safe. Whoever he is, it sounds like you were lucky he showed up when he did."
[Y/N] nodded slowly, her thoughts still swirling. "Yeah... I guess I was."
The nurse gave her a reassuring smile, though her eyes lingered on [Y/N] a moment longer, as if still trying to make sense of the situation. “If you’re ever in trouble like that again, try to find help as quickly as possible. Not everyone is as lucky as you were today.”
[Y/N] nodded, her chest tight with both relief and lingering unease. She stood up from the cot, gingerly flexing her arm. The pain had dulled slightly under the bandages, but her mind was still racing.
The mysterious man in the green suit had saved her life, but now, more than ever, she wondered who he really was—and why he was always there at just the right moment.
[Y/N] quickly excused herself from the nurse’s office, her mind still racing with thoughts of the mysterious green-suited man. But there was no time to dwell on it now. She was already late for class, and she could only imagine the scolding she’d get from her professor. With a deep breath, she hurried down the hallway, wincing as her arm throbbed beneath the bandages.
Reaching her classroom, she paused at the door, trying to compose herself. The last thing she needed was to draw more attention. Gently, she pushed the door open, peeking inside. Her professor was mid-lecture, writing something on the board, but the moment [Y/N] stepped in, the professor turned to face her, a look of mild disapproval in his eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” [Y/N] said quietly, offering a small bow.
The professor raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment on her tardiness. “Just sit down,” he said, his tone dismissive as he turned back to the board. Relieved, [Y/N] nodded and quickly made her way to her usual seat next to Sethos.
As soon as she sat down, Sethos immediately leaned toward her, his voice a low whisper. “Why are you late again?” His tone was curious but tinged with concern. His eyes glanced down, and his expression shifted the moment he noticed the bandage on her arm.
[Y/N] sighed softly, trying to keep her voice down. "It’s a long story," she whispered back.
Sethos furrowed his brows, his gaze flicking between her face and the bandage. “What happened? Did you get hurt?” His voice had a hint of shock, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Shh!” [Y/N] clicked her tongue in annoyance, glancing toward the front of the class to make sure the professor wasn’t watching. She leaned closer to Sethos, her voice a harsh whisper. “I’ll explain everything later, okay? Not now.”
Sethos looked like he wanted to protest, but he caught the seriousness in her tone and nodded, though his expression was still clouded with worry. His eyes lingered on the bandage a moment longer before he finally sat back, but [Y/N] could feel his concern radiating from him.
The rest of the class continued, but [Y/N] could barely focus, her mind still buzzing with the events of the morning. She could sense Sethos glancing at her every now and then, his curiosity and worry hanging thick in the air, but for now, she kept her gaze forward, silently promising herself that she’d explain everything to him when the time was right.
As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of class, [Y/N] hurriedly gathered her things. She had one destination in mind: Kinich’s classroom. She was eager to see him, her crush, whose calm and collected demeanor always seemed to make her heart skip a beat. Slinging her bag over her good shoulder, she stood up and turned to Sethos.
“I’m heading to Kinich’s class,” she announced casually, but there was an unmistakable hint of excitement in her voice.
Sethos raised an eyebrow, catching the tone immediately. “Of course you are,” he muttered, a faint, sarcastic smile curling at the edge of his lips. In an instant, he stood up and slung his arm around her shoulder, his enthusiasm matching hers, though for different reasons. “I’ll come with you.”
[Y/N] rolled her eyes, though a playful smile tugged at her lips. “Do you always have to tag along?” she teased, already knowing the answer.
Sethos grinned and leaned in closer. “You know you’d miss me if I didn’t.”
Before she could respond, his arm brushed against her bruised one, and she winced, the sharp pain reminding her of the earlier encounter. Instinctively, she smacked Sethos on the chest, her fingers not as gentle as she’d intended.
“Ow!” Sethos yelped in mock pain, rubbing his chest as if she’d really hurt him. “What was that for?”
“Be careful!” [Y/N] scolded, her voice half-exasperated, half-playful. She gestured to the bandage on her arm. “You nearly hit my bruise, idiot.”
Sethos’s teasing grin faded slightly, replaced by a look of genuine concern. “Right. Sorry,” he muttered, his hand momentarily hovering near her shoulder before he reluctantly let it drop. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
[Y/N] sighed, softening. “I know, just... be more careful.” She gave him a small frown, and Sethos nodded, though there was still a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
With that, they started walking together toward Kinich’s classroom, Sethos still at her side, his usual teasing banter held back just a little. [Y/N] couldn’t help but feel a little flutter in her chest at the thought of seeing Kinich again, but she also noticed the slight tension that had crept between her and Sethos, though she wasn’t entirely sure why.
With Sethos trailing behind her, [Y/N] couldn’t contain her excitement as they reached Kinich’s classroom. Without thinking twice, she pushed the door open and barged in, earning a few curious glances from his classmates. But she didn’t care. All her focus was on Kinich, who was sitting near the back, his head buried in a notebook.
A wide grin spread across her face as she rushed toward him, her excitement momentarily making her forget the bruise on her arm. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning her chin on his shoulder. “Hey, Kinich!” she chirped, her voice filled with affection.
Kinich, clearly caught off guard, stiffened in his seat. His hands instinctively moved to swat her off, trying to shake her loose, but [Y/N] was persistent, holding on tight despite the dull pain creeping up her arm. She giggled, ignoring the discomfort, too happy to care.
“[Y/N],” Kinich muttered, his voice laced with exasperation, “get off.”
She only laughed in response, nuzzling her face against his back. “Nope! I missed you too much,” she teased, clinging to him as if her life depended on it.
Kinich sighed heavily, glancing at the other students who were watching the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment. Realizing there was no escaping her clinginess, he gave up, slumping back in his seat with a resigned expression. “[Y/N], you’re impossible,” he muttered under his breath, though there was no real bite in his words.
While she was occupied smothering him, Kinich’s gaze drifted to her bandaged arm, and his face subtly shifted. His usual calm expression hardened just a fraction as his eyes lingered on the bruise, his jaw tightening slightly. He didn’t say anything, but the sight of her injury seemed to trouble him more than he let on.
Sethos, who had followed [Y/N] into the room, stood by the doorway, watching the interaction with a forced grin. His usual playful banter was absent as he observed the way [Y/N] clung to Kinich, something bitter simmering beneath the surface of his smile. His eyes darted between the two of them, but when Kinich’s gaze briefly flickered to him, Sethos quickly averted his eyes, pretending to be more interested in the posters on the classroom wall.
As [Y/N] continued to hug Kinich, oblivious to the tension, Kinich’s hardened gaze returned to her arm. “You should be more careful,” he finally murmured, his voice soft yet firm.
She blinked, loosening her grip just enough to look at him. “What do you mean?”
Kinich's eyes met hers, a flicker of concern hidden beneath his stoic exterior. “Your arm,” he said, nodding toward her bandage. “You shouldn’t be doing things like this when you’re hurt.”
[Y/N] glanced down at her arm, suddenly reminded of the dull ache, but she just waved him off with a lighthearted laugh. “It’s no big deal, really,” she insisted, brushing off his concern. “I’m fine.”
But Kinich’s expression didn’t soften, and for a brief moment, a strange tension hung in the air between them, unnoticed by [Y/N], but not by Sethos.
After a few more minutes of playful banter and Kinich's resigned sighs, the three of them finally decided to leave the classroom. Stepping out into the bright afternoon, the sun bore down on them relentlessly, making the air thick with heat. [Y/N] was the first to sprint ahead, her energy never wavering despite the bandaged arm. She dashed toward their usual spot—a quiet place just outside the school building, beneath the wide, leafy branches of an old tree. The tree offered them some respite from the scorching sun, its shade a welcome relief from the blazing heat.
As soon as they reached the spot, [Y/N] tugged at the collar of her school uniform, fanning herself dramatically. "Ugh, it’s so hot today!" she groaned, her voice dripping with distress. She shot Sethos a pleading look. "Please, let me borrow your fan!"
Sethos, who was leaning against the tree with his usual casual style, raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Hmm, what’s the magic word?”
[Y/N] let out a frustrated sigh, already knowing what he wanted. She crossed her arms, pouted, and with a reluctant grin, muttered, “Please.”
Satisfied with her response, Sethos grinned wider, pretending to reach into his bag. "Well, I would, but...” He paused dramatically, pulling his hand back and smirking. “Looks like I forgot to bring it.”
[Y/N] gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Sethos!” she whined, stomping her foot lightly in mock annoyance. “I thought you were my friend!”
Sethos laughed, his amusement only growing as she playfully glared at him. “I am! But where’s the fun if I just hand it over so easily?”
Meanwhile, Kinich, who had remained mostly silent throughout their exchange, simply shook his head at their antics. Without saying a word, he made his way over to the grass and lay down, stretching out beneath the shade. He placed his hands behind his head, his expression one of quiet contentment as he stared up at the sky. The playful bickering of his two friends seemed distant to him, as though he had already tuned it out.
As [Y/N] continued to complain and banter with Sethos, Kinich closed his eyes, letting the breeze rustle the leaves above him, a small smile tugging at his lips. Here, under the tree, things felt peaceful—even if, at times, chaotic.
Eventually, [Y/N] grew tired of Sethos’s teasing, and, with a swift move, she snatched the fan right out of his hand, triumphantly waving it in front of her face as she smirked. “Gotcha!” she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with victory.
Sethos gave her a playful look of defeat, raising his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, you win,” he chuckled, watching as she plopped herself down next to Kinich, still fanning herself.
Kinich opened one eye briefly, watching her settle beside him but didn’t say anything, simply letting out a quiet sigh as he closed his eyes again. [Y/N], on the other hand, was still grinning at her small victory over Sethos when he joined them on the grass, sitting down across from her.
After a few moments of companionable silence, Sethos’s playful expression softened. He leaned forward slightly and asked, “So, what actually happened earlier? With your arm?” His voice had a hint of concern, though he tried to keep it light.
[Y/N] hesitated for a moment, her fingers absentmindedly touching the bandage around her arm. She wasn’t sure how to start, feeling a little uncertain about sharing the story. She glanced at Kinich, who was still lying there seemingly unconcerned, before finally taking a deep breath. “Well, it’s kind of a weird story,” she began. “I was running late this morning and decided to find a bus, but then… something strange happened.”
Both boys listened attentively as she explained what had happened—the eerie monster, the sudden terror she felt, and the way she had desperately tried to defend herself. "This guy in a green suit appeared out of nowhere and fought the thing off,” she continued, her voice tinged with awe. “If he hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
As she finished recounting the event, a soft smile spread across her face. “I’m really lucky he was there. I don’t even know who he is, but I owe him.”
Sethos, always quick to lighten the mood, leaned back and gave her a teasing grin. “Look at you, playing the damsel in distress,” he said, waggling his eyebrows. “All you need is a tower and a knight in shining armor.”
[Y/N] scoffed, narrowing her eyes at him. “Oh, shut up, Sethos,” she snapped playfully, smacking his arm—though not too hard, given her injury.
Sethos laughed, rubbing his arm dramatically. “Ow! You’re dangerous, [Y/N]. I’ll stop before I get seriously injured.”
Despite her annoyance, [Y/N] couldn’t help but laugh along with him. But as the laughter died down, there was a brief moment of quiet between the three friends. The tension from earlier had dissipated, and the world around them felt a little less heavy.
After the laughter faded, [Y/N] let out a soft sigh, her expression growing more serious. “No, but really, I owe that guy. If he hadn’t stepped up when he did, I probably would've...” She trailed off, her voice quiet but heavy with the weight of what she was implying.
Both Sethos and Kinich stiffened at her words. Kinich’s previously relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant, his eyes snapping open as he sat up abruptly. “[Y/N], don’t say things like that,” he scolded, his tone sharper than usual. There was a flicker of something close to anger in his eyes, but underneath it, there was unmistakable concern. “You shouldn’t be talking about what could’ve happened. You’re fine now, and that’s what matters.”
[Y/N] blinked in surprise, not expecting such a reaction from him. But rather than feeling upset, she felt touched by his concern. A warm smile tugged at her lips, and before he could pull away, she lunged at him again, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. “Aww, Kinich! You do care!” she teased, snuggling up to him despite his protests.
Kinich groaned, trying—and failing—to push her off as she clung to him. “I swear, [Y/N], let go before you hurt yourself again,” he muttered, though the sharpness in his voice had softened.
Sethos, watching from the side, crossed his arms and nodded in agreement, though he wore a more subdued smile. “For once, I agree with Kinich,” he said, his voice unusually serious. “You scared the hell out of me too, you know. You gotta be more careful next time.”
[Y/N] looked between them both, her heart swelling at their concern. “Okay, okay,” she said, finally letting go of Kinich and settling back down on the grass with a small, grateful smile. “I’ll be more careful next time, I promise.” Despite her lighthearted tone, there was a sincerity in her words. She hadn’t realized how much her close call had shaken them.
[Y/N] pulled away from Kinich and settled back onto the grass, feeling a renewed sense of warmth and camaraderie. She flashed a playful grin at both of them and said, “Besides, I have two boys waiting for me, so I can’t go dying on you yet!”
With a teasing smirk, she nudged Kinich and then Sethos in quick succession, reveling in the lightness of the moment. Kinich rolled his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards in an almost imperceptible smile. “You’re dramatic, [Y/N]. You really think we’d be waiting around for you if you did?”
Sethos, however, was slightly taken aback by her words. His cheeks flushed a light pink as he laughed it off, trying to mask his embarrassment with a cheeky grin. “Oh, come on! You know we’re just here for your entertainment!” he exclaimed, leaning back on his elbows with a mock casualness that did little to hide his flustered state. “What would we do without our resident theater kid, after all?”
[Y/N] giggled at his reaction, enjoying the banter. “Exactly! Who else would put on such amazing performances?” She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I mean, I can’t exactly expect you two to put on a show without me, right? Especially when you both are so good at being... well, you!”
Kinich shook his head, pretending to be annoyed, but his expression was soft. “Just remember, if you keep dragging us into your theatrics, we might end up being your supporting cast without even auditioning,” he teased, a lightness in his tone.
Sethos quickly chimed in, “I can already see the headlines: ‘Two Boys Risk Everything for Their Damsel in Distress.’ I can see it now—a true tragedy in the making!” He laughed heartily, and [Y/N] joined in, their shared laughter echoing in the air.
With the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over their little gathering, the atmosphere shifted. [Y/N] looked between her two friends, feeling a comforting sense of belonging wash over her. “Well, just know that I’d never leave you guys hanging,” she said softly, her smile genuine now. “You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”
Kinich and Sethos exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of affection and camaraderie. “Guess we’ll just have to deal with it, then,” Kinich replied, the corners of his mouth curving upwards.
Sethos nodded in agreement, his earlier embarrassment fading into something warmer. “Yeah, we wouldn’t have it any other way,” he added, leaning back against the tree, a relaxed demeanor settling over him.
As they sat there, the easy chatter flowed again, filling the air with lightness and laughter. With the day drawing to a close, [Y/N] felt a deep-seated sense of happiness envelop her. They were more than just friends; they were a team, ready to face whatever came next—together.
And just like that, the first chapter of their story came to a close, filled with camaraderie, lighthearted teasing, and unspoken promises of the adventures yet to unfold.
Everything had returned to its typical tempo. There were no longer whispers of the chilling incident regarding the involvement of the abyssal monsters appearing out of nowhere to deliver demise upon humanity. The authorities had declared that everyone, including students, return back to their normal routines when there were no traces left of any supernatural activity or danger in the area. Nevertheless, they implored them to strictly follow safety protocols and advised everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
The authorities also acknowledged the heavy losses of innocent citizens at the incident in the stadium, be they children, young adults, the elderly, or even players from various teams—those lives were wrongfully stripped away too soon by the merciless, deranged hands of the abyssal monsters. To ease the demanding weight of grief and sorrow of the families, a tribute, with the use of the government's resources and funds, will be held in memory of the victims, with their names and pictures displayed prominently for all to pay their respects and grieve together as a community.
Meanwhile, those who were deemed missing after the incident will be remembered with hope and prayers for their safe return while a team of officers and professional search and rescue led by Officer Wriothesley continue their search efforts tirelessly, refusing to give up until every missing person is accounted for.
Then, Sethos was discharged from the hospital after spending weeks recovering from his injuries sustained during the tragic event. His injured arm was kept in a sling for support as he slowly began the process of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility. He was disappointed that he won't be able to participate in any basketball or physical activities for the time being, meaning that his coach won't be able to count on him for upcoming games until he is fully healed both physically and mentally, and his adoptive grandfather, Bamoun, is trusted to keep an eye on him during his recovery process to ensure he follows the doctor's orders and doesn't push himself too hard too soon.
And Sethos is mindful not to disregard his grandfather's strict instructions, knowing himself that he would not like another long scolding, followed by a punishment, if he were to delay his recovery even further. Just imagining the possible, grueling scenarios running in his head sends a cold shiver down Sethos's spine. Yeah... He does not want to have his body hung upside down again while confessing his wrongdoings under his grandfather's watch.
The abyssal contamination under his circulatory system was strictly confidential, since Sethos requested it from the doctor. He believed that this was the logical next step to take in order to avoid any unnecessary trouble with his family and friends. No one can know that he was secretly undergoing a risky experimental treatment to combat the contamination.
He was lucky enough that the residue wasn't sufficient enough to make him go completely insane or worse—turn into something inhuman—so he was prescribed a strict regimen of medication and regular checkups to monitor his condition. He was informed that if any signs of hallucinations, dizziness, and derangement had occurred or yet—strange alterations on the physical level—he would use the injection of a special antidote to counteract the effects of the experimental treatment and give him a temporary reprieve from the contamination.
Following that, Kinich had been occupied playing hero as the Green Ghost. After his dispute with his best friend Sethos, hearing the hurtful remarks and feeling the weight of betrayal when he locked eyes with his cold and distant gaze, his alter ego allowed him to channel his frustrations and despair into something productive, providing a much-needed outlet for his inner turmoil.
Ever since the absence of the abyssal monsters, he had been secretly helping the city with various crimes and disturbances, all while maintaining his double life as a regular citizen and the green mask he wore.
The malicious criminals avoiding the price of justice were no match for his quick, green, pixelated grappling hook, which he used to swiftly apprehend them and leave them behind for the police to take into custody. Those whose peace was disturbed by persistent wrongdoers were defended by the mysterious vigilante.
There are times when there was no need for his intervention; he would launch himself over the buildings with his green mask billowing in the wind, attaching the hook to the nearest structure and swinging away into the night, observing the city below with a distant look.
The authorities wished for the Green Ghost to cooperate with them after finally confirming him as someone who's not a threat to mankind with months of investigations about his true intentions of assisting the city, but he preferred to work alone and rejected the compensation offered to him for his heroic deeds, knowing that his methods were often unconventional and not always within the bounds of the law. Plus, he'd rather not risk his secret being known by anyone else, especially those he did not fully trust, and just wait for him to slip up and reveal his true identity.
He would come home to his old, run-down apartment every night, then transform back to his normal, unassuming self, exhausted from the day's events, and always adorned with new cuts and bruises from his daring escapades. At that point, Ajaw would appear out of thin air just to spite him, coming up with snide remarks about his "terrible" and "sloppy" performance that Kinich should've quit instead to save the trouble while mockingly laughing at him. Though his enjoyment only lasted for a moment when Kinich flung him aside, letting the small, yellow-green pixelated dragon yelp in surprise before disappearing once more.
Too tired to change his own clothes and tend his scratches, Kinich would collapse onto his bed, his hand reaching down to his pocket to grab his phone out, cracked screen and everything. His phone lit up, new notifications greeting him so suddenly; mostly the messages he received were from [Y/N].
He clicked the notification, which directed him to their private conversation. There were countless unseen videos, pictures, and messages from [Y/N] waiting for him to view.
[Y/N]: OMG, Kinich, great news!! our play is going to be continued for another season!
[Y/N]: AAAAAAAA IM SO EXCITEDDDDD TO PLAY AS THE LEAD ROLE >o< the director said I'm going to play as the damsel in distress, but she would have a plot twist, and ofc I wont tell you! HAHAHAHAHAHA
[Y/N]:you have to come to our play, please. i'll give you a kiss if you do :))))
That message made the curve of his lips subconsciously tilt upwards.
Then she sent a video of herself wearing what the lead role character would wear, twirling around in excitement. Her smile is beautiful and contagious; it made his chest suddenly feel lighter seeing the woman he cared about so happy and enthusiastic again after suffering so much from the incident.
Happiness suits her well.
Kinich scrolled through the messages, and then he would stop when he saw a trail of selfies she had taken in different costumes for the play, each one more adorable than the last. He let out a huff in amusement and double-clicked the pictures to save them to his phone.
"…Cute," he muttered, his smile softening as his eyes were starting to daze with fatigue. He closed the messages app and set his phone aside, letting himself drift off to sleep with a contented feeling in his heart.
—-
The lunch bell rang through the halls, echoing like the fading chime of a distant bell tower—its call meant to summon the students toward momentary reprieve, chatter, and laughter. But in the far corner of the school courtyard, at a table secluded beneath the skeletal shade of a tree stripped bare by early autumn, the atmosphere was anything but light.
Two trays sat untouched between two figures.
Sethos sat on one side, his dominant arm still bound in a sling, his posture slightly rigid as he picked at his rice with a plastic spoon. Across from him, Kinich sat with his usual straight spine and unreadable expression, methodically slicing a piece of chicken katsu as if the meal required surgical precision. His green-amber eyes, dulled by exhaustion and still shadowed from sleepless nights, remained glued to his tray, refusing to glance up—refusing to acknowledge the person who once called him a brother.
The silence between them was suffocating. Not even the soft murmur of nearby students could pierce the thick, heavy air surrounding their table. The clinking of plastic utensils against food was the only sound that tethered them to reality.
[Y/N] wasn’t there to bridge the awkwardness. She had excused herself earlier, texting that rehearsals for the play were getting intense and that she’d just eat later. Normally, her presence would’ve kept both of them in check, easing the tension with her dramatic flair or by shoving food into their mouths to "shut them up and make peace."
But now, left to their own devices, they were simply two boys who used to be close—now stranded across an emotional chasm that neither had the words to cross.
Sethos shifted in his seat, eyes darting sideways before looking down again. He opened his mouth, then closed it. His spoon trembled slightly before he set it down beside the tray.
A pang of guilt twisted Sethos’s gut.
He was the one who saidthose cruel, bitter words: "You're always lying. You disappear, then act like nothing happened—like we don't matter. What kind of friend does that?"
He remembered the stunned silence from Kinich, the way he clenched his fists… and then walked away. While he busied himself bathing in attention from his crush, [Y/N] didn't even care when he left the room.
Sethos let out a small breath, a whisper almost lost under the ambient noise of the male cicada singing in the distance.
"...Hey."
Kinich paused mid-bite. His eyes flicked up, hesitant, unreadable.
"I…" Sethos’s voice trailed off. He pushed the food on his tray again, jaw tightening as he forced the words out. "I was out of line."
Kinich blinked. His spoon hovered mid-air, frozen. Still, he said nothing.
Sethos pressed on, his throat tightening. "Back then… at the hospital, when I said all that crap, I didn’t mean it the way it came out." He swallowed, eyes fixed on a crack in the table. "I was scared and confused. One moment you were there, and then—gone. No messages. No explanation. Just silence."
He finally looked up, meeting Kinich’s guarded stare.
"You came back acting like everything was fine, like you didn’t just vanish while I…" He faltered. "While I thought you were dead."
Kinich lowered his spoon slowly. His jaw clenched for a moment, the only sign that Sethos’s words had hit somewhere deeper.
"I know you’re hiding something," Sethos continued, his voice quieter now. "And I get it. Everyone has their secrets. But I guess… I felt hopeless, you know?" His good hand balled into a fist. "When everything went to hell, I prayed you would be safe and that [Y/N]'s efforts to find you would pay off. But you never made it easy for any of us."
Kinich’s lips parted slightly, but still no words came. Just the flicker of guilt in his eyes. He hadn’t expected this—not so soon, not like this.
Sethos let out a breath and leaned back, his posture loosening just a bit. "I’ve had time to think. I shouldn’t have thrown all that blame on you. That was messed up." He offered a small, tired smile. "I’m sorry, Kinich."
For a long moment, Kinich stared at him, unblinking.
Then, slowly, he looked down at his food again, poking it once with his spoon before letting out a sharp exhale—almost a scoff.
"You’re still an idiot," he said, his voice hoarse, tinged with something raw.
Sethos blinked. "What?"
"You think I wanted to disappear?” Kinich muttered, eyes still downcast. "You think I didn’t want to be there when [Y/N] kept pushing through, just like you said, to find me, and you were wasting away at the hospital?"
His hands curled tightly around the edges of the tray. "You don’t know what I was going through. And I couldn’t tell you—not because I don’t trust you, but because I didn’t want to drag you into something worse."
Sethos stayed quiet, watching him carefully.
Kinich finally glanced up. "But… yeah. I get it now. You had every right to be mad."
The tension between them cracked slightly.
Kinich took a breath and shook his head. “I should’ve explained something—anything. Instead, I lied and made it worse.”
He looked at Sethos again, this time more directly. "I’m sorry too."
Suddenly Sethos' chest felt lighter, the weight of their unspoken grievances lifting with Kinich's apology as he gave a small, relieved chuckle. "Wow. Look at us. Actually apologizing instead of throwing punches."
"Growth," Kinich said flatly.
"Major growth," Sethos echoed, smiling a little more freely now.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the tension between them dissolved—not all at once, but in the quiet, careful way that ice melts beneath the first warmth of spring. It was fragile, this peace, like the hush after a storm, but it was real.
Kinich didn’t say anything at first. But something softened in his expression—his shoulders slouched just a little, his jaw relaxed, and that constantly guarded look in his eyes flickered out like a dying flame. He let out a low exhale and finally allowed himself to lean forward on the table, resting his chin in his palm, as if the weight he’d been carrying had lifted just a bit.
And Sethos noticed.
Noticed how Kinich looked tired, yes, but not nearly as shut-off as he had been these past few weeks. The distance—the emotional wall that had once stood like a fortress—was slowly crumbling. Kinich was here, really here, and for the first time, Sethos didn’t feel like he was talking to a ghost of a friend he used to know.
"You still eat like a bird," Sethos teased lightly, glancing at Kinich’s barely touched tray. "Did you even taste that mystery stew?"
Kinich raised a brow, unimpressed. "I’m not risking food poisoning just to prove a point."
Sethos grinned. "Coward."
"Survivor," Kinich shot back dryly, but there was a glint in his eye now. The corners of his mouth twitched with the barest hint of a smirk. That familiar sarcasm—their language of affection—had returned, bit by bit, like birds returning to a once-burned forest.
Sethos made a dramatic sigh, scooping a spoonful of the suspicious stew and gesturing grandly. "Behold, the noble sacrifice. If I die, tell [Y/N] she’s in charge of my TCG collection."
"Don’t be ridiculous," Kinich said. "She already is."
They both snorted. The laughter came easily now, flowing between them like a well-worn rhythm, familiar and grounding. It didn’t erase the things they had said or the hurt that had pooled in the cracks of their silence, but it patched things together in its own quiet way.
Sethos leaned back in his seat, the plastic creaking beneath him. He looked at Kinich for a moment—not just glanced, but really looked—and saw the friend he missed. The friend who always stood at his side during scrimmages, who used to walk home with him, shoulder-bumping and arguing over nothing. The guy who’d once helped carry him after he twisted his ankle and threatened to throw him in a trash can if he didn’t shut up about it.
Kinich caught him staring. "What?"
"Nothing," Sethos replied with a crooked grin. "Just making sure you’re not a hallucination."
"Is this going to be a thing now?"
"I don’t know, man," Sethos shrugged. "You vanish once, and I’m scarred for life."
Kinich rolled his eyes, but he didn’t snap. He didn’t withdraw. Instead, he leaned back too, mirroring Sethos’s posture. "You’re such a drama queen."
"I am the moment," Sethos declared, flipping his hand as if presenting an invisible crown.
Kinich snorted. It wasn’t just polite laughter either—it was real, unexpected, and slightly wheezy. Sethos looked proud of himself.
The bell hadn’t rung yet, but neither of them was in a rush to leave. Time felt slower here, suspended, like the universe was giving them a moment to breathe. The courtyard buzzed on around them—someone shouted across the distance, a ball bounced nearby—but in their little bubble, it was just two boys rebuilding something they almost lost.
Eventually, Kinich spoke again, quieter this time. "We’re good now, right?"
Sethos nodded. "Yeah. We’re good."
Not perfect. Not untouched by the bruises of misunderstanding. But good.
And that was enough.
As the bell finally rang and multiple footsteps rushed back to class, the two stood together. Kinich picked up both of their trays without a word, and Sethos, surprised, let him. They walked toward the bin side by side—Kinich a little ahead, placing the trays above the surface, then Sethos bumping his shoulder on purpose just to mess with him.
"Race you to class," Sethos challenged suddenly.
Kinich raised an eyebrow. "You have a sling, dumbass."
"Then run slower, duh."
Kinich shook his head, sighing through a smile. "Unbelievable."
But he didn’t say no.
Later that day, long after classes were done and the afternoon sun stretched long, golden shadows across the concrete, Sethos and Kinich found themselves lingering by the old basketball court behind the gym. The chain-link fence rattled softly in the breeze, and the familiar squeak of sneakers on asphalt echoed faintly from the far end of the court, where a few underclassmen were messing around with a ball.
Sethos sat cross-legged on one of the benches, absently bouncing a half-deflated basketball on his uninjured arm. Kinich leaned against the fence nearby, arms crossed, head tilted back to catch the sunlight through half-lidded eyes. For a while, they didn’t speak. The silence between them wasn’t heavy anymore. It had weight, yes—but the kind that felt lived-in. Comfortable.
Then, Sethos cleared his throat.
"Hey," he started, his voice casual—but a bit too forced, like someone easing into cold water. "I, uh... I actually wanted to ask you something, kind of a favor."
Kinich cracked one eye open, angling his head slightly toward Sethos. "Yeah?"
Sethos kept his eyes down, the half-deflated basketball now resting still in his lap. He wasn’t smiling this time. His voice, usually upbeat and brash, had a certain vulnerability to it—as though the words were heavier than he expected.
"It’s about [Y/N]," he said, almost too quietly.
Kinich’s eyes flicked open. His chest stiffened, but his face didn’t flinch. He didn’t need to ask what Sethos meant. He knew. He'd always known.
"…Go on,” Kinich said, careful to keep his tone neutral.
Sethos chuckled under his breath, nervous, almost sheepish. "I mean… look, I know you’re not blind. Everyone and their mother knows she’s got a crush on you."
Kinich didn't respond right away. He just stared straight ahead, letting the breeze tousle his dark hair as his jaw flexed once, tight and unreadable.
"And I know," Sethos continued, shifting a bit, "that you know I’ve had a thing for her for… a while now."
Now, Kinich looked at him, gaze sharp and focused. "Yeah," he said simply. "I know."
There was no accusation in his tone, no challenge. Just a fact.
Sethos sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah, it sucks, dude. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t. But I figured—maybe I shouldn’t just keep waiting around, you know? Maybe I should just… try."
He paused. Then, more carefully, "I want to ask her out."
Kinich didn’t move, yet he uttered a response. "…Oh."
"But I thought maybe," Sethos went on, glancing up at him, "you could help me."
Now Kinich moved.
His eyebrows rose just a fraction, a subtle but unmistakable twitch of surprise, like Sethos had just asked him to light the fuse on his own feelings and walk away. "You want me to help you… ask her out?" he echoed, slowly, like the sentence didn’t quite compute.
Sethos laughed weakly. "Yeah. Dumb, right?"
"No," Kinich said too quickly. Then added, "It’s not dumb."
The silence that followed was different from the one before. This one was tight. Pressurized. Kinich didn’t respond immediately because he didn’t trust what might come out if he opened his mouth too soon.
Because yes—he knew [Y/N] liked him. She never really hid it. The way her eyes lingered on him when she thought he wasn’t looking. The way she clings to him as if he were her lifeline despite Kinich's attempts to brush her off yet fails. The way her tone changed ever so slightly when she said his name. The way she always smiled just a bit too brightly whenever they stood next to each other. It was obvious.
But Kinich had also seen the way Sethos looked at her, with a softness that belied his loud exterior. With a kind of quiet awe, like she was something distant and glowing and just out of reach.
And in some unfair, tangled way, Kinich always assumed—no, hoped—that it wouldn’t come to this. That Sethos would never actually ask. That the crush would fade, that the tension would settle, and no one would have to make choices that left someone behind.
But now Sethos was asking.
And Kinich, ever the reliable one, ever the protector—even when no one asked him to be—felt that conflict twist deep in his chest.
He could say no.
He could deflect. Make up a reason. Say [Y/N] probably wouldn’t be interested, that now wasn’t a good time, and that maybe Sethos should wait a little longer.
But Kinich refused to lie again.
Sethos would make her laugh. He’d take her out to places that made her feel like the center of the world. He’d write her stupid songs and bring her snacks when she studied too long and say every single thing. He'd worship her like she deserved to be worshipped, like a mortal falling in love with a goddess.
And maybe that was enough.
So he nodded once, jaw clenched.
"Yeah," Kinich said finally. "I’ll help you."
Sethos let out a breath like he’d been holding it for hours. "Seriously? Thanks, man. I mean it."
Kinich didn’t answer right away. He couldn't. He just stared ahead, watching the underclassmen at the far end of the court, the ball bouncing, laughter echoing distantly.
"Just…" Kinich said, voice lower now, nearly lost to the wind, "don’t screw it up."
Sethos laughed, standing up and slapping Kinich’s shoulder with his usual swagger. "Me? Never."
Kinich gave him a faint smirk. But as Sethos jogged off toward the vending machines, whistling a tune that probably had [Y/N]’s name baked into every note, Kinich stayed behind.
He leaned harder into the fence.
And for the first time in a long while, he let himself feel the weight of the choice he'd made settle squarely on his chest.
