Redemption (Midas x Reader)

• IX •

🚨Smut Warning

It was storming out. The humidity in the air added to the already hot room, and I was miserable. I had propped my door open with one of my combat boots, and had borrowed a fan from Connor in the kitchen, although it really wasn't helping much.

The floor was mostly quiet, except for a few maintenance people milling around trying to sort out what the problem was. Usually there was quite a bit of foot traffic back and forth from the training room, but most people were avoiding it because of the heat.

It had been two days since the incident with Midas, and I hadn't seen him since, which was fine by me. I had no idea what to say to him when I did. "Sorry" just didn't quite seem to cut it.

I was stuck. I couldn't leave, obviously Shadow hadn't stopped hunting for me. I was supposed to be under Ghost's protection, but I can't imagine that after I'd marred their leader's perfect face, any of them, including him, would want me sticking around too much longer. I was sure me still being here was just a formality until they found somewhere else safe to send me.

Maya stopped in every once in awhile to check on me. I could tell she was curious about what happened, but I pretended like I didn't notice. I had expected Midas to fill her in, like he did with that elevator ride when we first met, but apparently he hadn't, and her sly badgering was starting to get on my nerves.

"Hey, how's it going?"

Speak of the devil.

Maya poked her head through my open door. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure," I answered, unenthusiastically.

She sat down on the couch beside me, sighing. "You've gotta come out eventually," she said.

I was immediately annoyed. "But why though? I don't belong here, Maya. I mean, I appreciate you guys saving my life and all, but why am I still here? I don't work here, I don't have any special skills, I'm completely useless."

"Come on now, that's not true. Midas is going to get you set up with..."

"I assure you that Midas wants absolutely nothing to do with me right now," I interrupted her.

She was staring daggers at me. "Why won't either of you explain what's going on? I get that he probably scared you. I get that you probably punched the fuck out of his face. But none of that explains this lingering awkwardness between you two. He won't come out either, he's been avoiding everyone for two solid days. And quite frankly it's starting to freak me the fuck out."

"Maya, I...I can't. I don't even know what's going on myself." My head dropped into my hands. I couldn't even cry anymore. I felt empty.

I felt her rub my back reassuringly. She sighed. "I promise it'll all be alright soon," she said, pausing, "but for now, why don't you come hang out in my room for awhile? It is hotter than hell down here."

This was about the last thing I wanted to do. I couldn't handle the emotional stress of her trying to get me in her bed at the moment.

"Listen, I appreciate it, I really do, but I'd rather just be alone right now," I said.

She had a look of resignation on her face. "Okay, but if you change your mind, the invitation's open," she spoke, standing up. She reached down and squeezed my shoulder before walking out.

Now what?

It was evening, and I'd already eaten dinner when I'd gone to get the fan. Out of boredom I decided to pour myself a whiskey, and plopped back down on the couch. I flipped on the TV, settling for some random nature show. The room was illuminated by only one small lamp on the corner table by the bed.