Redemption (Midas x Reader)

• XXI •

I'd caught his scent in the draft from his movement, and my eyes fluttered closed as the familiarity disarmed me. It made me dizzy, and I had to hold my breath for a few moments to regain my composure.

When I'd opened them again I realized he had taken a step towards me, and I'd found myself staring directly at his tattooed chest, him having at some point undone the top couple of buttons on his bloody white shirt.

He'd leaned in, close enough that I could feel the heat from his skin on my face, smell his salt. He grasped my chin and tilted my head back slowly, forcing me to finally meet his eyes as he towered above me.

"Please stay with me. Please...I don't know if...if I can bear it if you run from me," he'd begged, his golden eye piercing straight through me.

I'd actually considered it. Maybe I'd overreacted. I had wanted it. And he seemed harmless enough now, with his bloody lip, his messy hair. GOD he was somehow even more attractive despite it.

He'd reached up, gently dragging two fingertips down the back of my right arm, from my shoulder to my elbow. My breath caught at the light tingle, and my hands flew up and gripped his shirt at the waist for balance.

I'd unconsciously moved in his direction, using his shirt to pull myself into him. He grunted as our bodies connected. A butterfly circled in my stomach before leaving my mouth with a sigh.

He'd almost had me. Our lips so close, his hot breath on my face. His hands sliding up my lower back. If only he hadn't smiled. That telltale smirk that reminded me that he knew what he was doing. He knew I was weak for him.

I'd come to my senses, blinking my eyes rapidly as I fell back to Earth. "NO. No I...I need to be alone," I'd said before shoving him in the stomach to push him away.

I'd turned on my heels and run as fast as my sore body would allow me. Out of his room, through his office. The tears hit once I'd reached the hall.

THIS. This was why I hadn't wanted to look in his eyes, hadn't wanted him to touch me. I knew if he did I'd immediately forget why I was mad. Instantly forget who I was. What I'd been through. Whatever this was that I was going through.

It was hard to see in front of me as I'd barreled down the hallway towards the elevator, eyes blurred as I openly weeped. I had wanted to take the emergency stairs just in case I ran into someone, but wasn't sure whether I'd be capable of walking down them without falling.

When I'd reached my room my hands had been so shaky that I'd dropped my keycard, and a torrent of curses escaped me as I had to bend down to grab it. I'd almost been unable to stand upright again.

I'd slammed the door behind me as I entered, leaning my back against it in relief, trying not to slide to the floor so I didn't end up crawling to the bathroom. I knew I needed to clean up and check if I had any injuries.

I did.

Apart from the shocking amount of gold painted across my skin, I'd been unable to properly clean my bottom due to the pain, and the fact that it bled a little every time I wiped at it with a cloth. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough that I'd feared I might have to have Remedy take a look at it, the thought of which had made me cringe in horror.

I'd held off until evening to call her, giving in after an ill-timed bathroom break had nearly made me hit the ceiling in agony.

I hadn't needed to tell her what happened, it was blatantly obvious to her when she'd examined me. She'd tried her best to remain professional, despite her shock upon seeing the gold and figuring out who had been the one to do it.