Tired, Free de la Hoya x Reader

Chapter 4

This chapter is now rewritten

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"So what if I can't? What's it to you?" Y/n's retort dripped with passive aggression, but it seemed to roll right off the blader's shoulders without leaving a mark.

In the soft glow of the starlight, the blond blader's features seemed to sharpen, casting a captivating sensuality around him. Y/n couldn't help but notice how the dim light accentuated his chiseled jawline and piercing gaze, causing her to feel suddenly self-conscious about her own attire—or lack thereof. Instinctively, she crossed her arms in a feeble attempt to cover herself, though it did little to ease her discomfort. Despite her attempts to hide it, the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil, though she hoped the darkness would conceal her embarrassment.

Closing the distance between them, Free took a few measured steps forward, his eyes flickering over her scantily clad form. His lips curled into a knowing smirk as he observed her futile attempts to shield herself. "Oh, don't worry about me. Your attire—or lack thereof—is of no concern to me," he remarked casually, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggested otherwise. "Just remember, there are tigers lurking in these woods."

Y/n's scowl deepened at his teasing tone. "You're just trying to scare me," she shot back, her voice tinged with defiance.

Free shook his head, his smirk never faltering. "Believe what you will, but ignorance won't protect you from what's out there," he replied cryptically. "But hey, if you want a medal for your keen observation skills, I can arrange that too."

Y/n narrowed her eyes at the blader, bracing herself for a snarky retort, but she restrained herself. Why waste her breath on him?

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her tone sharp with curiosity and perhaps a hint of irritation.

Indeed, what was he doing here? She scanned the darkened pathless forest beyond him, unable to fathom the allure of wandering through such eerie surroundings at this hour. The thought of getting lost in those shadows sent a shiver down her spine.

Free's response was characteristically nonchalant as he shrugged and glanced around, though Y/n knew he was well acquainted with these woods. "None of your business, L/n," he replied, his expression as impassive as ever.

Y/n huffed in frustration and brushed past him, venturing deeper into the forest with reckless abandon. She suppressed the tendrils of fear creeping into her mind, determined to quell any sense of unease as she plunged further into the darkness. Her vision seemed to narrow, consumed by the enveloping shadows, yet she pressed on, fueled by stubborn determination.

Behind her, Free lingered for a moment, watching her retreating figure with a thoughtful expression before quickening his pace to catch up with her.

"Don't be stupid, you might get lost!" Free's voice called out after the ignorant girl.

Y/n couldn't help but snort in response. "Yeah, but you don't care, remember?" she shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm and defiance.

Free groaned in frustration, halting in his tracks as he contemplated letting the stubborn girl go, thinking she would learn her lesson if she indeed got lost. However, curiosity gnawed at him, urging him to see what she would do next. Climbing a nearby tree with practiced ease, he followed her quietly, intrigued by her audacity.

As Y/n ventured further into the depths of the forest, a triumphant smile played across her lips. She had outwitted him this time. With each step she took, she willingly embraced the possibility of getting lost, relishing the freedom and allure of nature's embrace. Though she knew there would likely be consequences for her impulsive decision, she pushed aside such thoughts for the moment, allowing herself to become immersed in the beauty and mystery of the wilderness.