A paranoid individual by nature and years of training was definitely something (Y/n) would say she was; overly cautious, observant and calculated were practically her middle names. Something was off no matter how she looked at it, being that she found herself constantly feeling watched and on edge. It was different than her normal sense of safety, it seemed that someone was indeed tailing her. Whoever they were, they were skilled at their job. As (Y/n)'s black heeled boots slammed repeatedly onto the pavement, (Y/n) made her way back into the office after her coffee break. I wonder who hired them... or is it, perhaps, a curious kitten following me themselves? A crazed fan? It wouldn't have been the first time a crime junkie had followed her and attempted to personally interview her over an active case. After all, (Y/n) was one of the most successful investigators in the world. Typically when this happened though, they didn't stay in the shadows for days like this one had, leading to (Y/n) curiously peering out of her office blinds, wondering just what the hell they wanted. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts as her hand let go of the blinds before turning towards her guest shutting the door. "I take it you haven't found anything of note since we've last spoken a few days ago?"
(Y/n) stared at Art with a rather unreadable expression before opening a case file on her desk, diverting her gaze away from his piercing one. "I haven't. Here to hound me about packing my things?" Art smirked, partly in amusement and partly in silent confirmation. Passive aggressively shutting the file before slowly making her way around the desk, (Y/n) began to pace around the room, not being a fan of Art's newfound attitude after their tension-filled disagreement a few days prior. "I'm aware you want me out of your hair, but you promised me three weeks. Being that I have two weeks and four days left, cut me some slack."
Art opened his mouth to speak, but found no words forming. His lips pressed together in a tight line and, unsure of what emotions the room was now filled with, deciding to get ahead of himself and leave. Finding his way to the door, Art put his palm on the handle before he decided to speak. "Have you decided where you're going after this?"
Even without turning around, he could tell that this question didn't reach the investigator without harm. A scoff reached his ears as he waited for the anticipated response... only for nothing to satisfy this craving. Closing his eyes tight, Art opened and shut the door without looking back, knowing that the rest of the trust the two had developed had crumbled silently as he left. (Y/n)'s shaking hands pulled out her phone, trembling as they began to type the dreaded message she had been procrastinating. She had asked for 3 weeks just to ensure everything between her and Jeff could be settled within that time, just to be safe. She also knew that time flew faster than it seemed, and the woman did not wish to foolishly mismanage what little she had left.
Art wasn't stupid, and neither was she; the two criminal justice officers were hiding something from one another, something big. Of course, (Y/n) had managed to hold Jeff off from killing due to her unethical deal with the monster, but she even knew that this did not justify her betrayal to the officers and her country. (Y/n) was more than relieved that she had successfully won one out of the three games thus far, as this meant that Jeff couldn't follow her for the rest of her life like he had wanted. It was also just one step closer to locking up the nuisance for good and moving on with her life. This was the pep talk going on in (Y/n)'s head as she pressed send on her text to Jeff before chewing vigorously on her fingernails, feeling her heart pounding inside of her chest. The end is really near... yet, it seems to have only just begun.
Jeff's pissed off gaze centered itself on his phone below him as he pulled his mask down to frown slightly at the text before him. 'Next game is in 2 days.' It seems she's trying to expedite her departure from here... fine, so be it. Emitting an obnoxious growl, Jeff stuffed his phone back in his pocket before putting his mask back up and turning to Ben next to him, a pigmented red light shining on the two in an otherwise dark room. "We need to make this quicker than anticipated, Benny." Ben, who had witnessed the entire exchange of Jeff's frustrations at the text he just received, gulped before nodding silently and continuing with the task before him. Ben didn't like this plan, not one bit.
You see, Ben wouldn't describe himself as particularly weak-minded or easily intimidated --- though, Jeff likely would beg to differ. He somehow managed to get dragged up into Jeff's business due to originally owing him several huge favors. When Ben tried to finally cash out the last one, Jeff simply threatened Ben, with something along the lines of 'if I go down, you go down with me.' One could say that Ben was blackmailed into seeing this through to the end. Ben was one of the only pastas that didn't actually mind humans, and in fact found most of them to be capable of doing good. He didn't agree with Jeff's plan to take down the investigator, regardless of the intent behind it. Nonetheless, Ben continued to bite his tongue, in hopes that everything would be all over soon.
*2 days later*
*18:12*
"You act like I'm a creep all the time, but aren't you the real creep here? Being that you have us out in the park for a game that could be played indoors and all... especially in the middle of the night."
(Y/n)'s eyebrows raised with an incredulous look on her face, before she turned around and continued walking towards a small basketball court. She placed down two small bags that both jingled as they hit the cool pavement, making Jeff even more curious as to what game she had chose. "You don't look it, but you're actually such a fucking baby. It's 6 at night... or did you have a curfew?" Jeff rolled his eyes, not in the mood for her antics. As (Y/n) sat down in front of the two small baggies, Jeff did so on the opposite end, curious as to what the two would play. (Y/n)'s hair swayed slightly in the wind, making her perfume hit his nostrils tenderly. Sweet like roses... He snapped out of it as he witnessed the girl tossing a bag in his lap, while she kept the other for herself. As the fluorescent lights overhead shone on the two of them, they both emptied the contents of the bags onto the pavement in front of them. "The game is clearly marbles." (Y/n) appeared to have also brought a small piece of white chalk, which she drew a medium-sized circle with between the two. Dropping the chalk and clapping her hands together while getting up, Jeff followed along. "We each have ten marbles. The goal is to shoot them into the circle. You may do that, or you may shoot for your opponent's marbles and try to knock them out of the circle."
Jeff snickered lightly, only looking over upon not hearing a response back. "Wait --- that's it? This is our game?"
"That is all."
If (Y/n) had been anyone else in that moment, Jeff would've likely snapped and killed them in an instant. As he clenched and unclenched his jaw repeatedly, Jeff was struggling with regulating his emotions properly. It's clear she wants to get this over with as quickly as possible. I mean... I've known that this entire time, but... calm down, calm down. His heart raced in his chest as he repeatedly attempted to mentally talk himself off a metaphorical ledge. Meanwhile, (Y/n) could practically hear the fumes emitting from Jeff's head. Crossing her arms, she decided to give him a minute to compose himself. Whatever. These were never real games to me. You have caused me so much pain and suffering... I wish I never met you.
It was true that Jeff turned (Y/n) into a sort of monster in her own way, with her compromising her ethics and morals for personal gain. It went deeper than that, philosophically, however --- (Y/n), who had always been logical yet caring, had now turned into a seemingly ice-cold robot; incapable of expressing or comprehending her feelings or humanity had left the investigator craving something no longer attainable. She knew this deep down, yet she still tried to convince herself daily that perhaps if she tried hard enough, if she were able to physically lock him away and bring him to justice... perhaps she may get her humanity back.
Breaking her silence, the woman held back tears as she turned towards the mass murderer beside her. "Rock paper scissors for who goes first." Jeff's angered face turned towards hers, not allowing the sole tear running down her right cheek to go unnoticed. "Come on, I don't have all day." Jeff won the game of rock paper scissors, permitting him to begin. As the two stood there in the cold weather, it almost felt like a bitter ending along with a sweet beginning, even though they had one game after this one to play. Jeff paused as he eyed his now picked up orange marbles in his bag, choosing one of a medium size to go. Standing next to (Y/n) around twenty feet from the circle, Jeff flicked his first marble.
Author's Note: They are both feeling sadness at their relationship soon ending, but for vastly different reasons. For (Y/n), Jeff took away parts of her that she will never get back, yet she continues to strive for these missing feelings in hopes of it. It just isn't possible, not after the sacrifices Jeff has cornered her into making. In Jeff's case, he is obsessive and does not want her to leave. The very thought that she is trying trying rush his exit from her life infuriates him.. He will do anything to keep (Y/n) by his side forever, as he sees her as nothing but an object, a possession that he has won over. What do you guys think will happen next?