Scott
**Yu Takeyama POV**

``` 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚑... ```

Yu sighed, holding a drink in her hand. She swirled the red wine that she held as she took in the view around her. It was beautiful for sure, but she was almost... Bored right now. There were plenty of people there and plenty had tried to start a conversation with her, but they either got quickly intimidated by her or she got bored of whatever they decided to talk about. The sun was setting and she was getting ready to get a stronger drink. Maybe that would make things a little more fun. 

``` 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝙸 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍! ```

The platinum blonde finished the rest of her glass and made her way over to the bar again. She leaned over onto the counter, raising her hand to wave the bartender over. Winking at the bartender, who seemed to be a pretty cute guy, she ordered a moscow mule with an extra shot of vodka. She just needed something to get her energy back up. Hell, she just won a great match, so she deserved a little bit more fun right now!

``` 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕. ```

The sun was setting slowly but surely as she took a long sip of her cold drink. A smile grew on her face as she sighed gently now feeling a bit better than before. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she turned, leaning her back against the bar as she scoped out the rooftop. It seemed like everyone else here was having a great time, so she might as well too. Well, after she finishes this drink. Liquid confidence always got her blood pumping. Especially when she felt and looked really good. 

``` 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚊𝚕𝚕! ```

**Keigo POV**

Drinking alone was downright depressing. Every two nights or so out of the week, he'd find himself here, lie to himself and say that it was a refreshing break away from normal life; really, it was just as boring as anything else. He sat by the counter of the bar as the sun abandoned the sky. Up above, crows cawed as they clumsily navigated the tiring sky. That envy hadn't left him since childhood; he wanted to be up there too, away from everything else in the world that made him drink, one cup, two cups, three, then four. His limbs were light, his head was too. He could feel himself stupidly smiling at everything and everyone. 

It was enough to numb; his favorite painkiller, burning down his throat. Already, he'd begun to survey the occupied seats around him, knowing going home tonight wasn't an option, at least not alone. For the most part, he was bored to death; everyone here had been lucky enough to have company, someone to wrap an arm around and laugh with. Another sip of whiskey, the clinking of his glass as he set it down against the countertop, gestured pitifully for a refill. Someone had caught his eye and it seemed as though he'd caught theirs in turn. Momentarily, he looked away as his glass was slid across the counter, back to him. His eyes darted back up again. 

She was pretty, the girl he'd locked eyes with. Already, the thought of bothering for company had him irritated. Toya was out, and busy and he was bored out of his mind in his absence. A little lonely too. Only left with himself, he was always reminded of the void he normally had to fight to try and fill. It was bullshit, honestly; feeling this way, struggling with this when people were dying down on the streets below.

A tired huff escaped him as he forced himself from his seat and made his way over to the girl, who he, by then, had been staring at on and off for a solid few minutes. Her hair was almost white; a purer coloring of blonde than his own disheveled mess. She was dressed like a million bucks, exuded confidence and seemed just drunk enough to not laugh in his face, at least not immediately. In contrast to her, he wasn't anything special, at least not with the way he'd dressed and thrown himself together for the night. Pretty clothes usually weren't a priority to him though; he had other ways to get by with people. 

"I don't mean to be too forward or anything, but you're drop dead gorgeous. Is there a reason you're sitting alone?"

He mused, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

**Yu POV**

``` 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝... ```

She had spotted the man across the bar as soon as she had arrived. She couldn't lie; he was attractive, but she never approached guys first. It usually sets up a bad mood. They don't like it when a woman makes the first move. So, she preferred to play it safe, especially if she noticed their eyes meeting more than once. She giggled as their eyes met, taking another swig of her drink before placing it on the counter and tapping it for another round. As she noticed him approaching, she knew she would need it. 

``` 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎'𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚞𝚕𝚝. ```

She quickly swiped a stray lock of hair behind her ear, smiling as she took in the man completely. She hadn't gotten the best look at him yet, so she took a moment to really scan him. She felt a tap on her shoulder as her drink slid to her side. Thanking the bartender once more, she slipped him a five-dollar bill, knowing she would have plenty more drinks that night. She took another sip, the mint, and vodka coating her throat as he spoke. She chuckled, her smile growing as she placed the drink down nearby, making sure it was still within her line of sight. 

``` 𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛, 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚎 ```

Yu's voice was sultry and flirty, clearly interested as her purple eyes fluttered closed for only a moment. 

**"Not really... I could ask you the same thing. You're not bad yourself, dear!"**

She chuckled to herself, adjusting her dress as she pulled two bar stools over. Taking a seat, she offered him the one next to her. She was bored anyway, so what's the harm in talking a bit more? She never shied away from a good conversation anyway. She tossed her hair over her shoulder once more, placing her hand with freshly polished nails next to him. 

``` 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 ```
Todd
I can send mine using her bot rq
Scott
I'm good with whatever 👍
Todd
I'm at school so I can't do it's fine 😭🫶

So I can respond before bed lol
Forest
Her voice was rich and her words were oddly powerful, even if only wasted away on him. In fact, everything about her was rather endearing; she presented herself with undeniable pride; shoulders back, head held high. It was incredibly attractive, and he was starved to learn more beyond just the pretty face. More about... Whatever the hell her name was. Most of the time, everything else came before the names; a passing glance, empty words, a touch, a kiss, sex. Deciding whether or not she was worth the time or energy when he was horribly poor of both proved to be a challenge. 

Almost immediately, she slid out a seat for him, wordlessly offering her time and attention, which he took with a small nod, a subtle smile. He waved down the bartender, ordered another whiskey, already well on his way to stupid drunk— the kind of drunk that incapacitates and only leaves thoughtless smiles and regrets for the mornings to follow.

"Thanks, but I can hardly hold a candle. Your outfit, everything you've got going on here..." He started, gesturing dramatically to her; nothing in specific, just her. "...It's absolutely stunning."

Another sip, burning down his throat, reddening his cheeks. 

"I'm Keigo. You got a name, gorgeous?"
Todd
Lemme just rewrite this rq hold
Daniel
``` 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕. ```

She was excited to see where this was going to go. This would quickly cure her boredom and maybe she could have some fun with it. The blonde watched as he moved, the confidence with a hint of insecurity told her a lot about who she was talking to. So, she straightened her back slightly, crossing her legs as she did, simply adjusting her posture to observe his reaction. This air of confidence and pride could easily rock the wrong kind of guy. It was one of her go-to moves.

``` 𝚆𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎? ```

She smiled, twirling a stray piece of her hair with her finger. Tapping her foot in the air, she listened to him as he spoke. He was clearly very proud. That was always a good sign. Especially if she ended up interested in him. Well, she couldn't go that far yet. She didn't even know a lot about him. She just knew what she could read from him. Then, with her other free hand, she gently rubbed one of the larger bruises on her arm. It was purely unconscious, so if it ended up drawing any attention to her, she would simply shrug it off. 

``` 𝙱𝚞𝚢 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎? ```

Yu leaned forward, a sly smile on her face as she responded. Her voice was somewhat quieter, more sultry, and expressive now that she was more comfortable having a conversation with the man. 

**"Well, aren't you a flirt?"**, she chuckled, her cheeks reddening as they spoke. Somehow, he knew all the right things to say that just made her knees weak and they had barely spoken thus far. 

Trying to dim her red face, she sighed, looking away from him as she called over the bartender, ordering a refill for her drink. She spoke a bit more casually this time now that more people could hear what she had to say. 

**"Yu Takeyama. Why do you wanna know?"**

``` 𝚆𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎? ```
Todd
THERE ugh I was having technical issues sobs
Forest
He hummed with amusement, the side of his cheek supported against an open palm, the point of his elbow pressed uncomfortably up against the bar countertop. His eyelids weighed heavy, one was open a little wider than the other. 

"I donno... Maybe, just maybe you intrigue me..."

He slurred around a small smile— a false, plastered smile that always strained the muscles in his face, strangely embarrassing. A liar all his life, the borders between reality and fiction were always neglected, ignored. It had become difficult to define the truth in his own words and actions. He found himself second guessing his every advance, though he knew the result would be the same no matter; he'd ruin her. Just like he ruins everything else.

"...Humour me, Yu. What's a lovely lady like you doing, wasting your time here? And alone? I'm shocked, truly."

And he was. It actually was a bit of a surprise. Scum like himself? That's nothing. Every bar has its fair share of pitiful liquor starved leeches, but she wasn't that— at least she didn't seem to be. Note the blotchy purple of bruising against her forearm, the way she endlessly fidgeted with her hair. He'd been working with every type of person in the world for a lifetime and a bit now. He had a talent for cracking codes; every shift in a seat, every movement of the restless human hand, every silent tell in the eyes; joy, sadness, anxiety, a silent cry for help. The hard part; no matter what he saw in those eyes, it was worthless, for he was merely an actor with a pistol in his back pocket. Who lived, who died, it wasn't up to him in the end.

What better use of such a skill, such a ruined, dehumanizing gaze, than to waste it away on this. On her. This code he had yet to crack.
Daniel
``` 𝙿𝚘𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢... ```

Yu felt her face grow brighter, a small, yet genuine smile growing on her face. She shook her head, slightly rolling her eyes at the comment. Taking another long swig of her cold drink, she thought about her answer. In truth, she wasn't really sure herself. Why was she here? Well, she had free time on her hands and didn't have a fight coming up for another day or so, so this was the only thing she could think of to do. She was tired and sore, so alcohol calmed those aches and pains. It really was the most logical option. At least, when she was beaten and bruised. 

**"Well, alcohol tends to calm down the muscles, you know? I'm a professional fighter, so I get sore and achy. This tends to help one way or another till I head home for the night! What about you? Any particular reason you're all alone tonight? It's almost suspicious that someone who looks like you is standing all by yourself."**

``` 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚗 𝚊 𝚜𝚒𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚗! ```

She had yet to notice anything particularly strange about the man in front of her. She adored his confidence and his demeanor, so she wanted to keep talking to him. If everything went well, maybe it would leave this bar. The blonde closed some of the distance between them, playing off of the rather flirtatious energy he was throwing her way. She was a bit tipsy and somewhat attracted to the person in front of her, so it made sense in her mind. She sighed, sliding the now empty cup away, indicating the end of her drinking for now. She wanted to give all of her attention to Keigo. At least, for now. 

``` 𝙻𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸'𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚖. ```

Right now, she might seem naive or too trusting. Especially for a woman alone at a bar. In reality, she was very aware of what was going on. Every movement registered in her mind, putting it into the context of their current situation. That was part of the reason she was done drinking for the night. Yes, she wanted to make sure he had all of her attention, but she also wanted to make sure that she didn't let her guard down. Not yet. Again, she liked to act dumber than she was. It meant that no one expected a lot from her until they wanted to get to know her. Otherwise, she had no reason to put in that kind of effort. 

``` 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚎𝚐𝚘. ```

Nonetheless, she made sure it was clear that she was engaged in their conversation, absent-mindedly brushing over the noticeable purple blemishes on her otherwise clear skin. She could never keep still for very long. Staying still just meant that you were being lazy or unproductive, so if she was doing something, she was worthy enough to take up space. Otherwise, she was simply a person taking up an area she didn't deserve yet. She would earn that. She always has and always will. No matter what anyone else says. 

``` 𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕, 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑! ```
Forest
A fighter? Well, It made sense; those odd bruises, the definition in her forearms and biceps, the fantastic figure. He truly didn't hold a candle, shocking that she hadn't figured that out yet. She drank for pain. He did too, but it was different; a breed of pain not to be discussed here or anywhere else. A countless series of wounds that always bled, once outside, now buried beneath the bounds of ruined flesh. He was here to drink. He was alone because he didn't deserve the relief of company. There was very little in the world that he actually deserved.

No one needed to know that though. He was fine to stay simple. He noted the way Yu had leaned herself just a little closer, the way her eyes darted in the cautious search for flaws. Finally, he was able to define the coloring of those beautiful eyes of hers; some beautifully mixed deep shade of violet. 

"I usually prefer to drink alone. I'm a bit selective of the company I keep..." Selective was a horrible stretch when the only company he'd ever kept was Toya. "...You caught my eye, though. You're incredibly captivating."

It would be tacky to keep drinking when she had already pushed her empty glass aside. He could have drowned himself in booze tonight. It would have been easy to sink beneath those bitter, numbing currents all over again; the poisonous cycle it was. In a way, Yu had saved him from himself, at least for tonight. He mirrored her, slid his empty glass across the countertop back to the bartender. No one ever had his full attention, but he could pretend. He was good at pretending.

"So, you're a professional badass..., you know, I wouldn't mind hearing more about that, if you'd be so inclined to share."
Daniel
``` 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎 ```

Yu didn't think much about him sliding his drink away. In fact, she hadn't seen even a slight break in his character thus far. That was impressive, especially when he seemed to have been drinking throughout the night. She was a very observant woman, so any flaws that illuded her were either unimportant or the person hiding them was good at what they did. Either way, she didn't care right now. Maybe it was him or maybe it was the alcohol. She wasn't quite sure. Maybe she would find out or maybe she wouldn't. In all honesty, they would probably never see each other again, so why waste time doing something that doesn't matter, right? 

``` 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚎 ```

She chuckled, waving off the comment as she took her scornful gaze away from the man in front of her. She was confident that nothing would go wrong between them, and if they did, she could wipe the floor with him. She knew that about most people she talked to. She was somewhat paranoid when she talked to new people, so this wasn't strange for her. Maybe to some, this thought process would be concerning, but when all you do is fight all day, both men and women, you get used to it. The blonde felt safe, at least for now.

``` 𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎, 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 ```

** "Well, what do you wanna know? There's a lot to it. More than a lot of people think, actually. I could also include some experiences from *Before* I went professional." **

She raised a brow, curious as to what exactly he was so curious about. Many people usually wanted to avoid the conversation of her career. Some people found it strange or violent so it surprised her that anyone would ask about it first. That showed on her face. Other people also found her job scary. Her reddened knuckles and frequent bruises concerned both friends and strangers. Unless, of course, they were also fighters. She had a few friends like that. It was a huge comfort. 

``` 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 ```
Forest
"Huh, no shit." He chuckled with surprise. She was actually willing to share. Most people weren't, and he certainly wasn't an exception; average bar dirtbag, trying to be mysterious, more unbearably irritating than anything. "I want the full rundown. Before, during– all of it." His words were glazed with sweet excitement as he smiled this tight, strenuous smile that tugged up at the corners of his mouth, puppet strings to contort and control his features, put on a performance.

Hardly a moment had passed him and he was already craving another drink. Hook ups were one thing. Conversation? Actually working to romance a woman? That was another thing entirely. While he did have a knack for dealing with people, and laying on the charm, it was always a little exhausting. Most things were though. Most things were exhausting. 

For too long, he'd acted and performed upon these terrible stages. Rooting around through the dusty bins of age old masks; his every role, his every character, every part he'd ever played– It was simply impossible to pick a single truth. These pretty lies were all too convincing; one liar to another, his life was stock full of filthy liars. Never before would he have predicted that he would become one of them though. These old bins were always so untidy whenever his being was doused in liquor. Which mask was he wearing now? Which Keigo would he be tonight? What face would be enough to make this one smile? What would be enough to please? 

His gaze clashed against Yu's. Dazed and glassy golden eyes upon pretty purple. He was nothing but stupid smiles for this girl. Whether or not the smiles were real, he couldn't fully tell anymore.
Daniel
``` 𝙵𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚒𝚍 ```

To say Yu was curious about the man in front of her was an *Understatement*. A huge one. But, in order to get people to talk, you had to talk first. Get them comfortable and all that, right? That was at least what she heard from the hundreds of ridiculous cop shoes she watched when she was bored. The blonde swept her gaze over the shorter man in front of her one more time. Just to make sure nothing had changed while she spoke. He seemed trustworthy, at least, for now. She would just hint at a few things here and there and see how that landed before getting into the nitty gritty. Some people said they wanted to know everything, and they did until they found out what *Everything* Was.

``` 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝙸'𝚖 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚢𝚜 ```

 Well, here goes nothing. 

**"Alright, if you say so. I started fighting in not the best places. When I was younger, you had to make money however you could, right? So, I got a decent cut of the pool whenever I won. Then, I could move on to bigger and better places."**

She paused, turning slightly as she waved the bartender over and ordered a tea. She was thirsty but didn't need any more liquor, so that would have to do. She made sure she could still see him through the corner of her eye just in case he decided now was the time to react to anything she had said thus far. So, her purple eyes stayed on his golden ones. Still as kind and comforting as ever.

``` 𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 '𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚊𝚜𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚝 ```

After receiving her drink, she squeezed the lemon slice into the drink, resting it on the napkin afterward. Taking a long sip and staining the plastic straw, she sighed. If he had any follow-up questions after this, she would need to be hydrated. 

**"From there I just kept getting bigger and stronger. I learned it was what I wanted to do. Therefore, I got safer and better informed. You live and you learn, right? I got a few scars but you gotta learn to live with it."**

She took another long draw from her glass. Her expression had turned almost melancholy as she spoke as if remembering a time long past. In truth, it wasn't that long ago at all. She had fought in one of those places in the last month. The flickering lights, loud yelling, and dirt floors just brought out something in her. Something those professional settings never could. Something she never wanted to lose. That was where she had started, after all. That would probably be where she ended, as well. At least, she hoped so. 

``` 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸'𝚖 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝 ```

Maybe he would get that, but she didn't want to test that just yet. She had no reason to. So far, he seemed like a regular guy with a secret or two to hide. Nothing out of the ordinary, but something was different. Something about the way he spoke or the way he moved meant something. Yu just wasn't sure what that was just yet. She would find out eventually. Time would tell all. It always does. One way or another. 

``` 𝙻𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝙸'𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚢 ```
Forest
A world of pain hid in plain sight behind those words. He could sympathize with that desperation; the need to act, become a stranger to yourself simply to survive. Such need had been bloodying his hands and darkening his gaze for years. His job was all consuming, to some extent, it sounded as though she might understand; it was different, but there was something of a connection there. He wasn't being paid to throw his fists like she was, but he was fighting, he was fighting for his life. 

He subtly nodded, head heavy with the weight of thought as those words finally settled into the cold night air, no longer followed by further explanation. 

"Maybe I'm a broken record, but those scars of yours are beautiful. I mean, they're a part of you." 

He'd be eyeing the bruises and subtle markings against her as she spoke. Indentations in the skin, lighter than the skin itself. Once broken, it's as though the flesh forgets how to be okay again. Strange how these markings, neglected by the eyes of most, hold such power; bearers of memory, shame, smiles, tears. 

With a small hum of interest, he reached forward and laced his fingers with hers, thumb brushing against bruised knuckles, eyes locked, colours clashing, mixing as one.

"...Do you wanna get outta here?"
Daniel
``` ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ : Bubblegum Bitch ```

She sat silently for a moment as she sat with her own words. It had been a long time since she explained that to anybody in a very long time. She wasn't sure why she trusted this person so easily, but she did. It felt so natural. Maybe she saw part of herself in him or just felt something she hadn't felt since she started her career. *Comfort.* How strange is that? She really didn't know why all of this was happening, but it was, and Yu was in no hurry to stop it. 

``` 𝙶𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚙𝚒𝚗-𝚞𝚙, 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚍𝚘𝚕𝚕 ```

Her gaze fell to her hands as he spoke. She sighed, a small smile coming to her face as she remembered how she got each of the visible scars that decorated her skin. It could be from a fight that she signed up for or ones she didn't. Either way, they made her who she is. They motivated her to keep going. It showed her, that despite it all, she survived. Survived everything her mother did to her. Every single fight she was in. Every stone in her way. Sometimes she forgot she was a survivor.

``` 𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙸'𝚖 𝚍𝚞𝚖𝚋, 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 ```

**"Well, thank you! That means a lot, I assure you. Especially as a taller and more muscular woman. I promise you, a lot of people think that's unattractive."**

She chuckled as she spoke, remembering a few comments she had gotten over the years. Excluding her career, she could be intimidating, and that tended to make people insecure. She really didn't care, but she likes to complain about it when she got the chance. This was different. She actually appretiated his opinion. It made her chest feel warm and her muscles relaxed. She had become so calm that she almost missed his offer. She would have if he hadn't grabbed her hand.

``` 𝙲𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚛, 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚎, 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 ```

She almost jumped but kept herself calm as her eyes rose to meet his, her face obviously flushing pink. A dumb smile appeared on her face as she squeezed his hand in return. 

**"Yeah. That would be nice, actually,"**

``` 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚍 𝚍𝚒𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 ```
Forest
With that, he stood, stumbled a bit sluggishly to his feet in something of a dull, drunken haze. The tightrope line between coherent and happy that he constantly toyed and tampered with, barely balancing, always just short of falling. A familiar buzz in the head, not quite pleasant, but not unbearable either. A sense of warmth to rise up to the skin, tint his features in rosy red.

Most of the time, this sort of shit was always a mistake. Everything was wrong and pointless when it wasn't with– The thought was massacred before it had the chance to poison his thoughts. Next to a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman like Yu, why the hell would that be the first place his mind drifts? He internally cursed himself for the thought. His mind was probably supposed to be running wild other things; thoughts of this woman and such. 

Dragging himself back to reality, he lead Yu out by the hand, past the crowds, down the stairs, out the door. He'd held her hand tight, absentmindedly squeezed it a few more times. He couldn't help but fear that she'd notice; he wasn't willing to let go just yet. Even if it was the smallest gesture, something in him never knew to let go, something in him was desperate to hang on. Touch meant the world and then some; the warmth of another body, a short lived absence of loneliness.

He sought out his sanctuary in the physical; a childish need to feel something– something comforting that had always frustratingly lacked a name. He couldn't recall a single moment in his life that his anatomy hadn't craved kindness, touch of any sort at all. 

Out of the building, away from the clashing of countless voices, the gross warmth of mingling bodies. The wafting of cheap and expensive perfumes mixed with body odor. The chilled night air was bitter, nipping hungrily at sensitive flesh; a greedy monster the heaters from that rooftop could no longer protect neither him nor Yu from any longer. They were merely silhouettes in this dark, outlines hardly illuminated by the tired glow of nearby flickering lamplight. Keigo reached up with his unoccupied hand and his fingers brushed Yu's skin before he pressed his palm to the side of her cheek, raised her other hand– the hand he'd been holding tight for a few minutes –now to his lips, kissed softly against bruised knuckles, gaze never once abandoning her and those stunning eyes.

"You fascinate me, y'know."
Daniel
``` 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚘𝚞𝚝 ```

Yu smiled as she was led out of the crowded building. She could tell something was going on in that head of his, so she didn't protest or speak as they made their way down to the ground below. She chuckled and returned the squeeze he gave her before just following behind, a small smile growing on her face as the wind seemed to pick up outside. She didn't notice until they were outside, of course, but as soon as her hair blew into her face and started to stick to her skin she knew she needed to get it out of the way. 

``` '𝙲𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚐 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 ```

She took her perfectly styled hair into her hands as she tied it up into a tight ponytail on the back of her head, only a few pieces framing her face. Well, that was time wasted earlier in the night, but who cares? It was going to get messed up anyway with a breeze like that. Nonetheless, she kept a smile on her face as she swept whatever stray hairs still stuck to her now reddened cheeks. She barely noticed him lift her hand to his mouth and didn't put anything together until she saw it for herself. Her free hand went to her face, trying to hide a somewhat flushed expression as she broke eye contact for only a moment. 

``` 𝚂𝚘 𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚖𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍! ```

She wasn't uncomfortable at all just... Surprised. No one had treated her like this before so this was uncharted territory. She squeezed his hand again, letting her hand fall down to her side as she let go, her face still tinted with a light pink from his actions. Maybe she could just say it was cold? She would come up with something. She always does. So, she crossed her arms over her chest, her embarrassed and coy look turned to a teasing and almost sly expression. She had to keep her cool. 

**"Oh? And why's that, pretty boy?"**

``` 𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚙 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚋𝚞𝚋𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚞𝚖 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 ```
Forest
"I donno. I'm sorta still tryna figure it out myself."

And it was true to some extent. She wasn't a mystery— not by a long shot. Humans are simple and predictable animals that thrive in repetition, familiarity, stability, and, overall, something of a pattern to live by. You strip that from someone and the response is always predictable in itself; watch a person crumble and collapse. No one is anything without a sense of knowing to lean on. He knew in himself that he was no exception, though he was born collapsed and crumbled; poor of all the fundamentals of human nature. It left him distant. It left him as a bystander. The world must have figured something out about him before he did himself, being set with a job like this; housed and fed simply to watch the patterns of people, strip them of that repetition when the time is right and fall into his own self made pattern of aching in the aftermath. Yu lived to fight; he'd gathered that as soon as she'd opened her mouth to speak. It didn't matter if she was using her head, her voice or her fists; she was a fighter. That was her pattern, that was her vice. It was a destructive pattern but a pattern nonetheless. 

"Not many people manage to fascinate me, Y'know."

The hand that had been holding the side of her cheek grazed a little lower and his thumb brushed and teased at her bottom lip as his eyes darted. He knew what he was supposed to do. He knew what was expected of him here, both from himself and from her, so he did it, no problem doing it. She was a vision of beauty and he only wished to learn more, become more immersed in the story of her. He leaned in a little closer, smallest step forward. His lips brushed before they pressed to hers, his head just slightly tilted to one side. It was short lived; three seconds, maybe five before he left and allowed his warmth to drift from hers just barely. Their breaths still clashed. He was still close. The biting cold had returned though. Those three, five seconds, it seemed that it had somehow vanished. 

"...What do you say we go for a walk? Keep the night going?"