Secrets and Things (MxM)

Chapter 47 - So, what do you wanna know?

Previously:

"Dammit, I still don't know the motive though."

Erwin gave out a fake cough to get attention (which works) before stating, "uh, yeah. I might be able to answer that actually."

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POV: Nero

"*sigh* Alright, hit me. What's the motive?" I was so done.

"You want the long or short story." Erwin's tone was surprisingly... normal. He stuffed his hands in his pocket and his entire stance was completely relaxed. It's as if he didn't experience a bombing and discovered that his best friend's employee happened to be the midnight vigilante that the cops were after.

"Please, have mercy on me and give me the short one."

My plea garnered a chuckle out and he went on to explain, "well long story short, Rothwell had a huge thing for Nori, he proposed to her, she rejected him but said we can still be friends–"

"Ouch."

"–he went crazy and bit insane and began threatening her under a pseudonym. She never knew nor found out, until now. I guess his motive is along the lines of 'if I can't have her, no one can' or 'I will destroy everyone she loves'... that's at least how I see it."

"Hmm... you're probably not far off. But your explanation poses the next question, how did you know about him secretly threatening her?"

"*shrug* I accidentally found out. Don't remember how but it wasn't my problem so I didn't do anything about it. I thought it was just empty threats of a heartbroken friend. Clearly, I thought wrong."

"Yeah... you did. Don't blame you though. On to more pressing matters though. One, don't tell Leo about me or Aiden, two, don't snitch to the police and three, help me get these people out of here safely. I'd do it myself but it'd just end up with me being discovered by the police and it's much safer if you create a portal at the parking lot."

It went quiet for a moment as Erwin studied me with a blank expression, which soon turned into a mischievous smirk. "Oh yeah, sure. I can help the attendees out of here, however, I have no obligation to keep silent about you and your identity. In fact, I'm pretty sure there is a hefty reward if I hand you two in."

Although my façade was cool, I'm panicking inside and completely losing it. I had no idea how to deal with the situation so I did the first thing that comes to mind, which was beg. "You're made out of money! You don't need more! Please, don't tell anyone about this. I mean it. This entire... thing is important to us and losing it just like that... I can't. I beg of you is sheer desperation." Yep, definitely one of my lowest points in life.

He studied me further before saying something unexpected. "Hmm, fine. I'll meet your demands. I won't tell Leo or the police. Maybe"

"What, really? Wait, maybe?" Well that was easier than expec–

"There is a condition..."

"Of course there's a condition," I mumbled under my breath. "What's the condition?"

"You tell me everything."

"Everything?"

"How you guys started, why you started and your methodologies behind your... visits. And you tell tonight. After then shall I decide whether to hand you over or not. We got ourselves a deal?"

"I- is there no other conditions or another way? That will ensure your silence?"

"Nope."

Time was running out. If I stayed here any longer, law reinforcements were going to manage to clear up the debris and I'm exposed. Welp, I'd have to take what I can get. "Yeah, ok fine. Just, do it fast, please. The incompetent fools are going to show up and all this talk would be for nothing."