Inheritance of Shadows [Hugo Vlad x Fem!OC]

Chapter 10: Revelation of Agony

Hugo woke with a groggy breath, his head pounding. The sound of birds chirping filtered through the window, too gentle for how wrecked he felt.

He groaned, clutching his forehead. The aftershock of the demon's rampage still echoed in his bones.

Where was he?

The last thing he remembered was losing control... watching Yukari nearly get torn apart. Then darkness.

His fingers brushed over his leg—healed.

He touched his face next.

The mask was still on.

Was he... still at the heist?

Then he felt it. A hand over his.

His breath hitched.

'Wh-What...?'

Yukari lay beside him, her head resting gently on the cushion. She was fast asleep, her face turned toward him, completely vulnerable.

Her fingers curled lightly around his own.

His heartbeat kicked up—wild and uneven. Thoughts scattered in every direction.

What the hell happened?

She mumbled something, voice barely a whisper.

"...Hugo... come back please."

Her voice echoed in his head.

'Hugo... come back please.'

He froze.

That voice. That name.

She said it with such softness, like it belonged to someone kind. Someone worth saving.

But he wasn't that man anymore, was he?

His chest tightened, a silent ache blooming where his heart should be. Her fingers still curled lightly around his hand, like she trusted him—like he deserved to be held like this.

Why?

Why would she say that name? Why would she... still care for him?

He should've pulled away.

He should've left the moment he woke up.

But he didn't.

He stayed. Breathing in her scent. Letting her warmth seep into his fingers like a slow poison.

'This is a mistake,' he thought. 'You should run. She'll hate you once she knows everything. She has to.'

But her hand... was warm.

And for the first time in so long, he didn't feel like a monster.

He smiled.

"Yukari, you'll catch a cold like this." He murmured. He propped himself up, watching her with tender eyes. "Letting your guard down in front of me is a rookie mistake, you know?"

He gently patted her hair, stroking it down until his gloved fingers caressed her cheeks. He often wondered what life would be like if he had met her without any baggage.

He imagined having lovely hangouts, feeling her soft warm hands over his. Laughing, smiling, the occasional teasing, watching her pout. Maybe even wanting to be more than what they are.

Oh how it hurts to be restrained like this.

He sat up, taking care to not make a sound or moved her too much, her hand still holding his.

He wanted to stare at her for as long as he could. He wanted to take in the moment. He's afraid of letting her go.

But he had to.