Black Rose

Chapter 32

Mild was quiet on the ride back. He had noticed how Gulf had shut himself down at the realization that he had been comfortable with Mew. He looked shocked and annoyed and this only meant his walls were about to go way up. He sighed this is going to be complicated.

Gulf looked out the window lost in his thoughts. Why had he felt so comfortable?? Why had he allowed for his distant way of being to be put aside and intruded by a stranger. What was Mew's endpoint, what did he want from him? No one befriends a cold distant person for no reason. It really annoyed him having all this questions. He rather be at peace, having people dislike and avoid him and here came this stranger knocking walls down without him even noticing. It was annoying and it had to stop. He didn't need new friends.

He closed his eyes and recalled the afternoon.

***Flashback ***

Gulf woke up to the smell of crispy pork. His stomach growled reminding him he was starving , he slowly opened his eyes, and looked around he was laying on the couch with a blanket over him, he blinked, he had actually slept here and by the looks of the setting sun for a really really long time.

He got up slowly, music was playing softly and Mew was dancing while cooking, Gulf observed him quietly, he was so engulfed by the sight he didn't realize he was smiling broadly. Mew did a turn and their eyes connected. He was taken aback by the big smile on Gulf's face, which faded quickly the moment their eyes met.

"Uh, sorry I didn't mean to spy" Gulf said looking away, he felt so embarrassed like he had been caught stealing. His stomach growled once again .

Mew snapped out of it "Dinner is ready he said turning back to grab the plates he had prepared, the crispy pork for Gulf and sushi for himself. Gulf took a seat and looked at the plates. "Mild told me your favorite food is crispy pork and I was in the mood for sushi" he smiled at him "since you were asleep I took advantage of the time and did both"

"Thank you" Gulf said softly, he didn't like the way his heart was hammering in his chest. He tried to squash down the emotions.

"Do you mind if we talk a bit while we eat" Mew asked bringing him back to the table. Gulf just nodded he rather ignore him completely but he was in his home eating his food. "What happened at the last scene? You seemed weird and also I wanted to apologize for grabbing you"

Gulf looked at him blankly for a moment, it seem that was so long ago with everything that had happened "It's fine I might have over reacted as well" he said monotoned "Something felt off , I was looking around for clues" he lied, he didn't want to tell him he was being paranoid and felt someone was watching him.

"You looked like you were about to pass out back then, sorry for some reason my big brother genes kicked in and I felt over protective" he regretted it the moment he said, big brother? The fuck? Did he just brother zoned himself.

Gulf smirked because he sounded like Mild. They continued talking about the case, neither one realized they had been talking for a while. Gulf felt so at ease, it was like when he talked to the guys, a knock finally interrupted their conversation shocking both of them, they had not even noticed they had transitioned from eating at the table to just sitting on the couch talking , Mew stood up and opened the door to a smiling Mild.

"Well hello! Did you eat my friend?" Mild teased "I mean I texted both of you and called you multiple times and nothing from either one! What were you doing?" He said peaking in.

"Come in, sorry we were talking and lost track of time" Mew said walking back to the living room

"Talking ? You were talking with Gulf?" Mild was glad his hunch wasn't wrong but a little shocked too. "Gulf doesn't talk"

"Gulf can hear" responded Gulf sarcastically. "You got out of work early, did you even get any of the files completed?"

Mild opened his eyes widely letting Gulf know he was hurt by those words "What? Are you doubting my skills?" Gulf didn't change expression " Okay you're right , I didn't" Mild shrugged "but also it ain't that early it's already 8"

Gulf blinked. What? It was already 8? Granted he spent most of his time asleep but he had apparently been talking with Mew about the case for more than 2 hours. He saw Mew realize the same thing.

"Let's go" Gulf said abruptly causing Mew to look at him, his distant cold face was back in place, Mew frowned. If he had been okay why change now?

***Flashback ends***

No he couldn't allow anyone else in. He wouldn't. He didn't need to place his burdens on anyone else, it was better this way, no one would accept anyone as damaged as he was, it was ridiculous to hold on to the hope and it was unfair to those who thought they could be part of his life. Jimmy was right, it would be a waste of their time. He was better off alone.

Meanwhile...

He looked at her and smiled she blushed slightly, gullible just like the rest. She continued talking but he wasn't listening, he didn't care what she had to say. Women were stupid and trash, full of themselves thinking their bodies could carry them through life and they could treat people however they liked.

"Are you okay?" She was watching him wearily. Fuck he had been too into his thoughts to keep his face in check.

"Sorry, it was a really long day just kinda stressed since my boss changed my schedule" she seemed disappointed "I was just so happy I got to see you, it helped me feel much better about this shitty day" he gave her a big smile and she smiled back widely, back on track. So simple minded like always. He didn't care though they only served one purpose for him.

She continued to talk about herself again when he had calmed her insecurities, he remembered to nod and smile at her reassuring her how interesting she was, pathetic, all of them are pathetic. He reached for her hand and she blushed, he tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear, black like Kana's he smiled lovingly at her, when in reality he had Gulf in mind, ah if he only knew the things he had to do just to show him how much he cared. He smiled even more. Soon they would see each other again and it would make all of this worth it.