Ebony Rose

Confession.

It had been a couple of days since Y/n's encounter with Dio, and she couldn't get his image out of her mind. His smile, his figure, and those captivating hazel eyes lingered in her thoughts, as if he had a hold on her heart. The excitement and curiosity of seeing him again filled her being.

Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder interrupted her daydream, bringing her back to reality. Y/n realized it was pouring outside and she had forgotten her umbrella. Checking her watch, she noticed it was almost 5 o'clock, nearing the end of her shift. She hurriedly began her closing duties, preparing to leave.

As she was about to walk out the door, one of her coworkers called out to her, "Hey Y/n, wait up!" Y/n turned around and saw Guillermo rushing towards her. "Hey Guillermo, what's up?" she replied, one foot holding the door open while the other inside the store.

With a nervous look on his face, Guillermo said, "Well, actually, a few of us were planning to go out for drinks and possibly visit a nightclub on Saturday. Would you like to join us?" Y/n stood in silence for a moment, contemplating her decision. Thoughts of Dio crossed her mind, but she reasoned that she hadn't seen him in days and he was just a stranger. So she replied, "Yes."

Guillermo's face blushed a light pink, and he stammered, "Cool... cool! Um, I mean, we can meet you at your house on Saturday night then." He stumbled towards Y/n, holding the door for her. Y/n replied with a confused look, "Okay, I'll see you guys at my apartment on Saturday. Wait, what time are you coming?"

Realizing his omission, Guillermo quickly responded, "Oh, right, right! Um... how does 7:30 sound?" Y/n smiled and replied, "Okay, see you then." She turned around, walked towards her car, and giggled at the thought of going out with her coworkers. However, as she drove, her smile gradually faded as thoughts of Dio flooded her mind. She longed to see him and couldn't help but ponder over their connection. "Why am I thinking about a stranger I hardly know? He's the one who entered my life, not the other way around. Ugh!" she exclaimed, lightly banging the steering wheel at a red light.

Looking at her steering wheel for a moment, Y/n had an idea. "It wouldn't hurt to go jogging today, right? Maybe I might see him... but he knows where I live. But still..." Lost in thought, she didn't notice the light had turned green until the car behind honked at her repeatedly. "Alright, sorry!" she hastily pressed on the accelerator and headed home.

Entering her apartment, Y/n saw Buttons, her cat, asleep on the couch. She gently petted his head before going to the cupboard to get him some food. Afterward, she changed into her jogging attire and headed towards the front door. Addressing Buttons, she said with a smile, "I'll be back, Buttons. You're in charge of the house." She walked out the door and toward her car, undeterred by the pouring rain. Her determination to see Dio outweighed any discomfort from the weather.

As she stepped out of her car, Y/n inhaled the cool, fresh air brought by the rain. She began walking along the forest path, growing more anxious and excited with each step, as if her heart might burst from her chest. Finally, she reached the Big Oak tree where she had seen Dio. Pausing for a moment, she then proceeded towards the tree. Surprisingly, there were no interruptions along the way, and the dark feeling she had experienced before was absent. Y/n looked around the tree and in the bushes, hoping to find him hiding, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Well... it was worth a try," she sighed to herself, turning to walk back to her car. Sitting inside, she listened to the raindrops pattering on her car roof. Thoughts raced through her mind, questioning why Dio wasn't there. Did she do something wrong? Did she leave a bad impression? Maybe he found her annoying. She looked down at her hands, frustrated, and said, "God, I'm so stupid for coming here! To think he would be here!" Disbelieving her actions, she started the car and headed home.

Once safely inside her apartment, Y/n took a hot shower, the sound of rain pouring outside growing louder. She pondered why she had gone in the first place. "I can't believe I went! I'm so stupid!" she exclaimed in frustration. Turning off the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and walked towards her closet, mumbling, "Why did I go? He must not have liked what he saw. Or maybe he isn't even real at all..."

Her thoughts halted as she caught sight of the red rose Dio had given her, still sitting on her nightstand. "No, he has to be real," she affirmed, walking over to pick it up. Gazing at the rose, she softly continued, "Where are you, Dio?" Just then, the flickering light above her caught her attention, and she glanced toward the window, noticing the heavy downpour.

DIO'S POV Before he left:

As Dio released The World, he bid his farewells to Y/n, he then gazed at her, savoring the moment , standing face to face, their eyes locked in an enchanting dance. With outmost tenderness, he caressed her cheek and whispered, "I'll be back, My love," before gracefully departing through the window. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, he drew nearer to the forest, his heart filled with her image.

As time began to slowly resume, the sun's rays began to gently paint the horizon. Panic surged through Dio as he landed among the trees, hurrying towards the Big Oak where he often spawned from his world to hers. Just before activating The World to open the portal, a sunbeam grazed his arm, causing him to cry out in pain. Grimacing, he shielded his arm and chose to open the portal without delay, reuniting himself with his mansion and a star lit sky.

"My Lord!" Vanilla's voice filled with concern as he rushed to Dio's side. "Are you alright? Oh my Lord, you're hurt! Was it those Jostars?" he asked anxiously. Dio reassured him with a smile, "No, Vanilla it was just a beam of sunlight, nothing to worry about." as he chuckled, Dio's arm reminded him of the danger he faced. "It shall heal in no time," he assured Vanilla, who helped him inside. Vanilla suggested preparing a soothing bath for Dio to relax, an idea he graciously accepted. With Vanilla's assistance, Dio made his way to the master bath, where the warm water awaited him. As he soaked in the tub, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by the flickering flame of a nearby candle. Thoughts of Y/N danced through his mind, filling him with warmth and joy.

Afterward, as Vanilla handed him fresh garments and lavender vanilla scented essential oils, the faithful servant couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. Once more he asked "My Lord, I must inquire, where are you venturing off to? It seems dangerous, considering your injury." Dio explained that he had found a way to travel to another world and that it was indeed where he had been going. Vanilla found it hard to believe, but Dio Insisted on the truth.

Pressed further by Vanilla, Dio admitted that he had indeed encountered someone in that world, a person who had somehow caught his eye. He described Y/N's beauty, independence, and intelligence, realizing that he had a deep connection with her , unlike anything he had experienced before. He marveled at how this monstrous being, as he saw himself, could fall for someone so pure and captivating. Vanilla, understanding Dio's feelings, encouraged him to pursue Y/N in her world but to be cautious. He then wrapped up Dio's wound with care, and as he prepared to leave, he asked if Y/N might visit them in the Future. Dio hadn't considered it yet, but he thought it could be a possibility.

As Vanilla Departed, Dio Stood before the bathroom mirror, contemplating his reflection. He vowed to be cautious in his travels, but for Y/N, he would be willing to take the risk. With a smile, he caressed his face, chest, and arms with the scented oil, the thought of Y/N filling him with a longing to be reunited with her. "You will be mine and no one else's, my dear," he whispered as he smirked with determination, "We will be one again soon."

Dio then proceeded to put on the clean garments, ensuring every detail was perfect, and carefully tended to his hair, making sure it framed his face flawlessly. As he moved gracefully away from the bathroom mirror, his reflection captured a picture of confidence and allure. He confidently strode towards the master bathroom door, feeling invigorated and eager for his nocturnal pursuit for Blood.