Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

People paid good money for man-killing poison, especially ones made by a witch like yourself. Incurable by mundane means and able to be formulated to the patron’s exact desires. Whatever kind of death they want, so long as not caused by physical trauma, you were able to deliver through your work. The timing, the suffering, the illusions of recovery—everything. Whatever they wanted for the right price. It was your business. 

Most would likely find the cash distasteful having come out of such a bloody paycheck, but money was money and you stashed it away for spending. You were under no delusion about the uses of your creation, and you were certainly not interested in finding new employment elsewhere, so the life of a witch it was. Easy schedule and blessed solitude, the only thing to complain about is the constant moving around like an outlaw. Which…well, you can’t say that changing locations hurt your profession. But you had a suitcase as spacious as a barn so it was at least an easy affair. You also had a legitimate reason to do so beyond escaping the law which helped matters further. A little thing called research. 

To develop better formulations you needed to broaden your scope of ingredients used, and a good way to do so has been moving far away from wherever you were to better study the local flora there. It was what you are doing once again right now, this time to a kingdom called Natlan. Having bought a cabin in one of their lush forests, isolated but close enough to town to keep necessities readily purchasable. You’ve registered with their local alchemists guild and got in contact with apothecaries; ready to act the role of an upstanding citizen of the town, albeit an isolated one. Though any further introductions to the locals would have to wait. 

Thing is, you’ve got a bad deadline coming up.

It had been a bit more last minute than you prefer but the pay was good, really good. Based on your research, the region of Natlan was the most likely to have just the right assortment of ingredients to help you concoct it to perfection. And you were due for another move anyway so that saved some thinking on your part.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck—I’m too tired, noooo…”

The move was more hectic than you predicted, a rainstorm delayed your ship and a carriage accident had really put you behind schedule. A tragic turn of events given how tired you were upon arrival. Just setting up the necessities in the house took every ounce of energy you had. Leaving none for the surveying you hoped to do that same day. 

“Quick nap, yeah, I’ll just do a short one. An hour at most, yeah…”

It’d been five in the afternoon when you told that to yourself, the sun already approaching below the horizon. It couldn’t be helped, you were just too exhausted. A little rest will go a long way and you’ll finish a survey of the area before your late dinner. It was a good plan. 

You slept for five hours. 

“What the actual…”

It was dark, not just dark, but late. Late-late. No reasonable lady should be out wandering the woods at this hour and you knew it. You hated it; you even stayed in bed for the next half an hour feeling sorry about it before scrambling out to dress for the outside. It wasn’t debatable, you needed to get started on the project as soon as possible. And if that means in the dead of night then so be it. 

You put on your thicker clothes, grabbed a cloak and lantern, and left the cabin with your trusty basket. No dinner, you weren’t in the mood for it after ruining your schedule. 

Out in the woods, you picked every noticeable herb you came across, tossing them in your basket as you made mental notes of their location. It was only when you thought to transcribe them that you realized you had forgotten your notebook and pen. 

‘This is bad…’ you thought. There was no way you could manually memorize the location of everything you planned to pick out here. You would need to head back to retrieve the notebook, wasting more time and energy despite still clinging onto the hope of preserving a sleep schedule. 

Then there came a sound in the night. Small but audible in the silence you created in your pondering. Not just any sound though.

‘Footsteps!’

By principle, no young lady should be running to any strangers in the middle of the night. But desperate times call for desperate measures and you did just that. It didn’t sound too far away, plus, your defensive abilities were nothing to sneeze at. Witchcraft and whatnot. If it was someone dangerous you’ll knock them out and erase any memory of what happened. 

“Excuse me!”

The person snapped to your direction, alert and threatening with a bow drawn out. It was a man you realized. Raven haired and light-eyed, his hues a mix from green to orange, he dressed like an adventurer—perfect! 

“Hey now, I mean no harm,” you chuckled nervously at the arrow pointed at your chest. There was a notable distance between you and the man and he intended to keep it that way. “I just wanted to ask for help. So please put down your bow, sir.”

Wordlessly, he did just that, now steadily approaching you, his visage stoic. “You lost?” He asked. “It’s too late for a lady to be out, you ought to go home.”

Quite. 

“I live nearby actually. But I do need your help. You’re an adventurer, right?” You asked, eyes drifting down to the bow still in his hands, though they were lowered. “Or a hunter…?”

He hummed, finally putting away the darn weapon. “Sure, a hunter. But I take various job like an adventurer, why?”

Your ears perked up. “I would like to hire you then!”  The hunter’s expression remained neutral, not intrigued by your offer. 

“For what?”

On the bright side, he hasn’t dismissed you just yet. 

“I need help familiarizing myself with the local flora and fauna here to finish a formulation.” You readily explained. “I’m a healer you see, these would be my ingredients. As a hunter around these parts, I trust you are well versed?”

The raven haired man nodded in affirmation, accepting your false explanation. “I doubt you will find someone more familiar with these things, I grew up in the mountains not far from here.”

“Perfect! I’m so happy to hear that—“

“What’s your price?” He cut you off, almost impatiently.

“Name it and I’ll pay.” You replied. 

Better to have a smaller chunk of the pay than no pay at all. Right? As long as he doesn’t rival the check itself you’re good.

“Thirty grand.” 

Pricey!

…But it’s substantially less than what the client promised if you delivered perfect results.

“I’ll do it, can you start right now?”

The hunter looked caught off guard at the suggestion, mouth agape and pretty eyes widened. 

“I mean, that’s partially why the price is so high, right? I can get your help immediately…?”

Judging by his expression, it was rather clear that this man thought significantly more than he spoke. Unfortunately, you can’t make sense of half of it. Only that you had to stand in silence as he deliberated on his next move. 

“I suppose I can, what do you need me to do?”

You gestured to the direction of your cabin. “Please come back to my place.”

He continued to look bewildered.

“I’ll need to write down all the information you tell me. There are also sketches and descriptions from past adventurers to make sense of.”

Regardless, you still counted yourself lucky to have come across this huntsman for hire in your hour of need. Keeping the nature of your work a secret to an innocent citizen may prove itself a daunting task, but you needed his help.

“Lead the way then.” He seemed pretty reliable too.

“In that case, it’s a pleasure doing business with you!”

◇──◆──◇──◆

Kinich was good at his job; hence why he charged his clients so much for his services. He was precise, punctual, and effective, delivering perfect results every time once given the gold. Recently, he took on a new request that would have him scouting the woodlands, one that merged into the luxurious estate of a local merchant. A rich man who was starting to look a little too much like a lord for some blue-blooded folk’s liking. 

…His job was killing.  

It was why he’s been scouting this forest, when the time comes, it’ll be both his way in and out of his target’s estate. Brainstorm some escape routes, familiarize himself with the layout, observe the schedule of the guards, so on and so forth. Reports stated that no one was living there so it was meant to be done in solitude. 

“Excuse me!”

Evidently, he needed to upgrade his sources for intel. 

‘Damnit—knew I should have taken the time to go to Chasca’s…’

It had given him quite a fright, hearing a woman’s voice calling out in the night, and Kinich was quick to draw his bow out of instinct. An act proven to be disproportionate to the situation, you were harmless from what he could see. A mere unarmed woman rather scared of the weapon drawn at her. Seeing this, he was quick to lower his bow and ready himself to urge you to turn back. A whole semi-social interaction.

Unfortunately for the young man, this might as well have been your home. “I live nearby actually, so no. But I do need your help. You’re an adventurer, right? Or a hunter…?”

“Sure.” He never did specify the prey. 

You said you wanted to hire him, but he didn’t have the time for that; it would be best to focus on the current mission. Good thing Kinich had a whole protocol for these situations. Just scare them off with an exuberant price tag.

“Name it and I’ll pay.”

“Thirty grand.” 

He was clearly over charging, you weren’t meant to accept it. Just scurry off and leave him alone like so many would-be wanters of his service. But you didn’t. 

“I’ll do it, can you start right now?”

On the bright side, it meant that Kinich just scored himself a well-paying side gig. Thirty thousand for sitting down somewhere and talking about things he already knew. He might even finish it this very night depending on how much his employer could stay up. Plus, you seemed pleasant enough.

“Lead the way then.” He said, and you did. Taking the hunter to a newly renovated cabin. There were luggages scattered around, all yet to be unpacked. 

Perhaps he shouldn’t be too harsh on his intel gatherers, the young healer’s presence seemed like a recent development. “My office is unpacked though,” you reassured Kinich, having seen his wandering gaze. “We’ll be working there.”

Herbs in boxes and fluids in bottles, very few of which Kinich recognized on sight. A true guest from afar it would seem, no wonder you asked for his help. The place you came from seemed to have little resemblance to the wilds of Natlan, what few things that looked familiar were staple ingredients easily available on market.

“You said you were a healer?” The question came out on its own, not that the young man doubted your words. It was just in his nature to confirm all relevant information to any job he takes on.

“Oh, yes, I specialize in making medicinal formulations.” You answered calmly. “So I won’t be able to do much with open wounds, but the apothecaries still appreciate my work.” 

He nodded. “Duly noted.”

“Now I say let’s get to helping me to do some more of that.” 

Kinich walked over to the office table you were waving from. There was only one seat placed in front and his host was quick to address that. “I’ll go get us another chair.” 

“No need.” He said, having considered his options. 

Your eyes went wide, mouth agape, and head tilted to the side. A cute reaction some might even say. “Huh?”

“I’ll sit on the floor beside the table, it won’t get in the way of talking.”

The lady remained unconvinced. “Won’t you be uncomfortable?”

“Not at all, you have a very leanable desk here.” 

It didn’t have ‘legs’ but instead is propped up by two boards on each side to allow for cabinet space. The assassin knew those were good for hiding under. 

“Oh, um. Well if you’re sure then…”

“I am.” He wouldn’t mind leaning on that while sitting on the floor. Facing you on a chair would be too…formal? Hard to say, but facing someone like that for an extended period of time didn’t sound appealing to the young man. 

“Very well, but please know that the couch is yours to sleep on for the night. It’s getting late so I think it’s best if you stay.”

“You’d allow a man you barely know to stay over?” 

Kinich thought you were naive, not that you could hex him into oblivion if he tried anything. Nor that there were incantations that would wake you up the second anyone enters without permission. All he could think about was how earnestly you looked at him then, how trusting and kind.

And how he wasn’t quite used to that.

“I…yes? I think you have proven yourself to be trustworthy thus far…”

It struck Kinich then how different you were from his other clients; a true law abiding citizen who had no business with an assassin like himself.  Someone who was simply good, pure even if he were to get all pious about it. Whose eyes didn’t paint the world in colors of threat and instead could believe in something other than the worst of someone. Even a total stranger from the dark woods. In a way, it was nostalgic. The man only recalled having worked with such people back in childhood.

“Please, it wouldn’t be a bother at all. Think of it as accommodations for the late hours, maybe we can even pick up where we left off next morning.”

He hadn’t brought up his true profession out of convenience, but now he was grateful for it. “If you say so, then sure.”

A little novelty wouldn’t hurt. 

You nodded, though looking just as rushed before despite the spoken considerations. “I’ll be sure to bring out the comforters later then. Hang in there for now.”

“So what’s first?”

“We’ll start with the flowers.” 

In front of you, he’ll play the part of a good man. Someone who has killed simple game and nothing else in his life, here for a late night hunt. And even that you seemed content on not questioning; much too eager to drag him in to identify plants and animals instead. At least it was an easy task, you having already collected what little writing there was to be found on the local fauna and flora. The remaining ones Kinich tried to recall by memory, giving descriptions for you to memorize whenever scavenging once more. 

“Anything else?” you asked him hours into the arrangement, sleep having seeped deep into your voice. The young man was starting to feel some of that himself. 

“Not that I can recall right now, though you can show me the unmentioned ones next time you survey the area.”

“I think I’ll do that then, let me just organize what we have thus far…” he heard the papers being shuffled, a delicate yawn joining the quiet sound from above.

“Oh, how about I tell you where to find the comforters while I do that? Sorry, I know I said I would bring it out…”

“I don’t mind walking around a bit.” Kinich dismissed your apology, it didn’t sound like he would be of much help staying anyways. “Where is it?”

“There’s only one bedroom, inside is an opened chest with those kinds of things. Grab whatever you need.”

The young man got up and went as you directed, finding what undoubtedly was your bedroom down the hall. It was messy, but in newly-moved-in manner, with chests scattered about and things in various states of packed and unpacked. Though strangely enough, it also did look lived in. Just a bit. On the mattress was a pillow and comforter that looked like it’s seen a night of sleep already. 

‘Her hair did look a bit tousled…’

As promised, a large chest was left open carrying what he needed for a comfortable night of sleep. Kinich wouldn’t have minded just taking the couch without them. Really, he hadn’t planned on staying at all until you suggested it, but he also saw no reason to refuse. Him staying over came with benefits for you. So the hunter grabbed what he needed, tossed it onto the couch and went back to your office. Stifling a yawn as he did so. 

Kinich wondered if he should tell you to call it quits for now. It was clear that it’ll take more than a night, and maybe he should have specified the price on a per day basis. Would you still be open to negotiations at this stage?

Evidently, he’ll have to wait to find out.

“Hello…?” 

You were asleep; arms rested on the table and your head nestled in between them. 

A peaceful expression adorned your visage, making the young hunter realize that it was the first time he’s seen you so at ease. Despite all your friendly disposition, there really hadn’t been a moment that you let yourself look relaxed. A detail Kinich hadn’t bother to take note of, but feels glaringly obvious now.

Maybe you were taking a gamble then, letting him stay. It was a risky move and instead of being oblivious to that fact, you knew this. You knew this and you gambled on him. It may have also been the late night fatigue lowering your guard, but still. Kinich couldn’t help but wonder what would’ve been had someone more dangerous lurked in the night. An ironic statement, considering that he objectively was said-person.

‘Just not to you.’

The hunter blinks as if being shaken back to reality. He’s been staring, he realized—at your sleeping face lit by candlelight like a dumbstruck boy. How unprofessional. 

…Would it be professional to leave you here as is? Slumped over a table like that. 

Again in a boyish daze Kinich debated on that. He wasn’t the most caught up on social boundaries, not like this at least. This weird hybrid of his life as a killer for hire and some regular guy. Paid to stay in the same house as his female patron who had zero idea of his usual routine of violence. 

Objectively speaking, the safest option is to leave her there and fetch a blanket—the man would actually dwell on this later as he tried to sleep. But unfortunately for Kinich, it seems that he’s got a soft spot for kind and sleeping ladies who put their trust in him. 

He settled on carrying you to bed.

Surely it was okay. After all, you had told him to go in there a moment earlier for something. This was fine. He’s not being weird whatsoever given the circumstances. He shouldn’t be second-guessing this.

Not when he’s already there with your unconscious self in his arms. 

Kinich sighed. It’s late and he’s getting tired, the couch offer sounded more enticing than ever. So he sets you down on your bed, tucked you under your blanket, and took his leave with one last look thrown over the shoulders. 

‘Pretty…’

Blushing at the thought that just invaded his mind, the assassin’s footsteps turned awfully skittish as he walked away from your room; as if almost caught for having a flattering thought about you. 

Ah, but it was true though. Kinich really did think you were pretty, when he allowed himself to do so. The moments when he lets his guard down.

◇──◆──◇──◆

The next day, you woke up in your soft bed; your outside clothes still on but with a blanket laid over you. Which was strange because you definitely did not do that last night. The last thing you remembered was indulging in some desk leaning and eye closing, not returning to your bedroom. 

Still groggy, you turned off your brain for the next few minutes and it was only after those that you came to the obvious realization. 

‘It was him! The hunter from last night—’

You also took this moment to realize that you completely forgot to ask for his name. 

“Ugh, how unprofessional of me. Going ‘hey you’ to him the whole time…”

It was a bit embarrassing, you doing that and having needed him to tuck you into bed. The agreed upon thirty grand was a lot, but you still felt a bit bad about how none of the things above were specified as his job. 

‘I ought to treat him to breakfast here or something…’

Checking the clock in your room, you were shocked at the time displayed. 

“It’s eleven?!”

It was practically lunch time. No doubt about it, the hunter must have left already. No way anyone would be willing to wait around hungry as their employer slept like the dead. You could only hope that he thought to leave a note for you as well specifying when he’s gonna come back; maybe even tell you his name. 

But after scouring around for such a thing, you came to the conclusion that he must have thought it unnecessary. No traces of any of his belongings either.

“Sheesh, was the place too much of a mess for you to have found some pen and paper…” 

…And you were even pouting about it now. Partially at the young man for leaving abruptly after (kinda) putting you into his debt, but also at yourself for oversleeping. An expression that was interrupted with the opening of your front door. 

“EEP!?” 

It was the hunter from last night, now in glorious daylight and looking at you as if you just screeched at him. Because you did. 

“...Hey.” He said, his low voice montoned. You could only gape foolishly in return, your voice airy as you stuttered out your response. “Y-you came back!”

He tilted his head in slight confusion, you couldn’t blame him. “Yeah? I haven’t been paid yet for my first day,” he said, now leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. In return you couldn’t help but laugh. Of course that was the reason, no one who demanded thirty grand for his services would walk away without pay.

“Ah yes, that makes sense. It’s just that I could find anything of yours left behind,” you mumbled, glancing to the side as you delivered your side of the story. A small attempt at explaining yourself. “So I just thought you went back home.”

The young man gestured to his bow, speaking concisely. “Had to hunt.”

Another internal sigh escaped from your soul. “Yes, that makes total sense…” 

Part of you wanted to apologize; the other part knew that it was unneeded and might make things even more awkward. And that was the one to keep your mouth shut. Making you wait for your guest to speak up instead. 

“Also, here.” 

He tossed you a satchel and you barely caught it in time, sighing in relief when you did.

You heard him clear his throat of something. “Thought to pick them up on my way back, should be useful I imagine.”

Opening it up, you were greeted with a new assortment of local fruits, herbs, and flowers. Many of them you had listed to search for just the night before. “Wow, thank you!”

He hummed. “As for payment, I’ll take ten percent of it for now.”

“Sounds good.” You chirped out, still very pleased with what you were given just now. He definitely knew his timing, asking for payment after doing something like this.

The hunter continued. “Also, I won't be able to return over this weekend, but you’ll hear from me either in the morning or afternoons when I do.” As in a much more reasonable time frame to meet him, yes. 

“Very well.”

You went to gather what you needed to pay up, but he never came back in despite you leaving the door open. But it made sense, your house was a place of work for him now. Him coming in likely would have read as clocking in. You figured that must be it.

You figured but still felt a bit disappointed for some reason as you handed off the promised gold. It was in the same satchel he had tossed you after you emptied it of its herbs, that way nothing was owed and left behind. As it should be.

“Thank you again for your work,” you said as the hunter counted his payment. “Uh—sorry, may I know your name?”

“Mm, I was compensated,” he shrugged and for a brief moment you panicked over whether the lack of introduction had been intentional on his part. 

“…And it’s Kinich. What about you?”

A relieved grin slipped out as you finally got to know his name and you told yours in return. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance then, Kinich.”

Everything was taking a turn for the better you thought, and it could have still been the truth; if only you knew what that silent stare he gave you meant after the introductions. You swore you’ve never met such an unreadable man. 

“Oh, and one last thing.” He came back to earth eventually though.

“Don’t venture out so late again, the beasts here can kill men.”

It was out of desperation last time, but you think you’ve learned your lesson of not further testing the sanity of your sleep schedule. So heed this advice you shall. “I won’t, I won’t. Nighttime really is better for paperworks I’ve found.”

The huntsman turned around, heaving what sounded like a light sigh. “Good. See you next time.”

And though you will never be told, that had been no exasperated sigh—but instead a deep breath from a flustered man as he bid his first warm goodbye to another in years. Still recovering from the potential blunder of having given out his real birth name to someone.

“Take care of yourself.” He had said.

◇──◆──◇

Your presence complicated things for Kinich, which is annoying given the difficulty of the mission without it. The advice for you to not venture out at night was given to his benefit just as much as it was to yours. This way he can focus on familiarizing himself with the area and do any other peculiar things in the dark. The assassin knew to expect you wandering the woods during the day, doing what you were when he first encountered you but in broad daylight, picking plants and making notes—and he did. Multiple times, in fact. 

He discovered that you had a habit of humming when walking by yourself, which he liked. It was the perfect early signal of your presence. Prompting him to either slip away in the opposite direction or find a place to hide until your departure. More often than not, Kinich found himself doing the latter of the two. Scaling up trees or finding a discreet spot to stay motionlessly in as he observed you until your departure. 

It eventually occurred to Kinich that he was one measly step away from being your stalker by doing this; all he was missing was the trailing after you part. And whilst not amongst the most immoral things done by a killing man, you weren’t meant to be part of that life. You and your basket of herbs, your floppy sun hat and foreign melodies. Weirdly enough, he’s found this novel pastime to be somewhat relaxing, treating it as an opportunity to take a breather and look into a life so different from his own. Frankly, it brightened up his day. 

Your antics can be surprisingly entertaining too. Biting at wild herbs only to spit them back out and wipe your tongue of all its contents afterwards. Often followed by a mumbled conjecture on its properties, whether it be ‘gross’ or ‘awful’ or ‘yeah this is it.’ Other times, you swallowed as if it were a snack before putting some samples in your basket and moving on; Kinich was fairly sure that was the case whenever it was berries that you pop into your mouth. Always no more than one and usually brightly colored growing in small quantities, it was partially why the hunter never tried any of them for himself. You always picked every last one. The other being that it’s just not the brightest idea to eat something one cannot identify.

He’s debated coming out of hiding at times, it wouldn’t hurt for you to catch a glimpse of him every once in a while. But then he’d consider what he would say to you, draw a blank, and feel the notion wither away into nothingness. Kinich had no interest in embarrassing himself in front of you, not when he’s been barely avoiding it so far. And that’s with your commission serving as a guideline for interaction. 

The man knew it wouldn’t really matter if he did, but he still didn’t want to. The practical justification—and there always needs to be one—is the mental toll it’ll have on him if he does. Can't be having that with an important mission at hand.

But as silent as he’d been, no man could outsmart magic. You knew he was there—you always knew. The spells on your body told you of the eyes that did the same, be up top or hidden behind foliage. What it could not tell you of was why. Why did this hunter prowl here so often? Why did he hide instead of retreat? Why did he (attempt to) refuse your attention? 

There wasn’t much able to be stated with confidence. All you can conclude was that he did not want to talk outside of collaborations. Your theory being that the huntsman was just antisocial. As for why he stayed to observe instead of fleeing your presence, that you had no answer for; and neither did Kinich, actually. He simply did. 

You knew it didn’t matter so long as he didn't catch a glimpse of magic, so you took precautions to be discreet whenever he was around. But the question of why kept nagging at you whenever you felt him in the shadows. Call it boredom or what else, but you took it upon yourself to conduct a test to see what would draw out the hunter from his hiding.

“Come…on!”

First time around, you tried reaching for something too high up. Hand flailing upwards and legs leaping. You gave it five minutes of switching between jumping and staring longing at the fruit above before calling it quits. 

“Hmmm…”

No luck there. The raven haired hunter remained hidden.

Second time, you pretended to trip over a rock. Clutching your knees and whimpering in pain to see if that would do the trick. 

“Ouch…”

But the wound must have been too shallow to call for assistance. You can’t be pretending to have a sprained ankle the next time he drops by, but a scraped knee also shouldn’t really take more than a few minutes to get over. So you had to give up on that attempt. 

By the third you were wondering why you even bothered. It was silly, useless even. Why did you care if he cared? What does it matter that he was a diet stalker of yours whenever you crossed paths? Did you just want attention?

‘Ah, yeah. Maybe that’s it…’

In your defense, he was the one already giving it to you. Just in a less than satisfying manner. Still, you felt incentivized to make the third and final attempt something more productive; as enough time’s been wasted with the last two. 

*thump*

As it turns out, you were feeling fatigued this time you came across him—so you pretended to faint. A sway of the body and collapse into the earth, surely it was the optimal choice. You get some rest out of this and might even see him come out from hiding with no one to witness his presence, best case scenario you get carried back home for free. But surely that won’t happen. 

Surely, you thought.

“Sigh…”

After several minutes, Kinich came out of hiding having seen your unconscious state; though instead of resuming what he was there previously to do, he approached you. Which still wasn’t too strange, he checked your pulse and for any injuries; as most would do to make sure that it wasn’t a state of emergency. And once proven that it wasn’t, he was free to move on. A soft repeat of attempt number two. 

He was free to move on but he didn’t, you knew because you felt a pair of arms lifting you off the ground. The lean muscles of a huntsman now pressed up against your back and leg, he carried you like a princess. And with the warmth of another person pressed against you, you realized how much you’ve lacked such a thing. It was nice. More than nice even—you liked it. There was a comfort to being held and before you knew it, you were snuggling into the young man. It was done discreetly enough, especially with the cooling weather, still, you felt him tense up beneath you. The already noticeable heartbeat slowly spinning out of control even as you put a stop to your physical affection.

Hopefully you didn’t scare him too much in your indulgence.

“You shouldn’t be overworking yourself…”

Judging by the mumbling tone, it was unlikely that Kinich was reprimanding your waking self. Despite that, the sound advice made you feel warm inside. It’s been so long since anyone’s fussed over you. 

For the rest of the trip, you did not push your luck any further. Letting the hunter prove his character by bringing you back home in his arms. The doors had been locked out of common sense when you left, but as he approached you willed your magic to undo it. Hoping that he would bother to check instead of leaving you here at your doorstep. 

And just planned, another sigh sounded from him as he found the door unlocked. It took strength for you to not act pleased. “...How careless of her…”

With the doors wide open, Kinich scooped you up in his arms once again and brought you inside. Silently setting you on your messy bed before taking his leave. You even heard the muted thud of your basket being placed somewhere on the floor. Good, that meant you wouldn’t need to summon it back. 

With all that done, the hunter left with one last comment. 

“Don’t make this a habit.”

For the sake of dignity, you hoped that wasn’t directed at you, though it would make sense if it were. This was undoubtedly the second time he’s carried you back to bed. Thinking back, you hadn’t even thanked him the first time around. Too frazzled with thoughts and duty to have remembered doing so. 

‘Don’t make this a habit, huh?’

Feeling more rested now, you picked up your basket of herbs and got back to work. 

‘No promises.’

◇──◆──◇──◆

Kinich always calculated the cost of each action, he made sure to be precise about it too. The deal he made with you was no exception. He weighed the reward gained against the effort required, against the inconvenience cost, and concluded that it was minimal effort for a good reward. It was why he agreed to it.

But he might have just miscalculated this time around.

“Booo, why’d they have to look so similar…”

You were bad for his health, really you were. And the young man didn’t expect that.

“Hey can you help me reach that over there? Thanks—you’re the best!”

The cute pout you wore when sorting through the herbs, the gleam in your eyes whenever you looked at him, it was all too much. And before he knew it, Kinich found himself staring at that bright smile, cheering up when he’d hear your little giggle, and the way you would so casually touch him—it was making a mess out of the man. Especially that last one. He assumed that it must have been a habit from whatever region you resided in prior to coming to Natlan. A place where the people are all a bit more physically affectionate—perhaps Fontaine? It’s hard to say.

It made his heartbeat spike; you made his heart spike. The reaction you’d elicit, it was much akin to the life and death situations encountered by an assassin. Like hiding mere feets away from a guard ready to spear him to death. Not exactly romantic, but Kinich didn’t dislike that feeling, not at all. It was a bit of a guilty pleasure even, the threat of it, the uncertainty. It’s a fun sensation to some and he was part of those few. He’d be half convinced he was a deadman walking in those moments, and that was how he felt whenever you leaned in too close. Hard to breath and senses focused.

“Would you stay for the night?”

“…There’s no need.”

And along with the myriad of other offenses to the mind, the worst had to be when you would try to prevent him from leaving. Leading Kinich to conclude that you were just too naive for your own good. A woman so removed from common civilization that she’s lost the survival instincts taught by it. Like a sheltered rabbit that would make for the easiest prey if released. Making unreasonable demands yet still rendering the man feeling guilty when he’d decline. That same guilt almost became his excuse for accepting such an invite once; but that would be exactly it, an excuse. He had no grounds to stay and all that was convincing him to do so otherwise had been himself; or at least something inside him. Whatever unreasonable creature that was. 

The guilt was still real though. And whilst it did not justify staying over at a fair lady’s house, it did push Kinich to be generous when answering your demands. 

“Is there anything you’d like for me to bring back next time?” He’s found himself asking more often now.

“Hmm, let me think…”

After his surface knowledge was all recorded, the hunter’s job became handing you whatever ingredients of note he came across on his journey; that way you can focus on paperworks indoors. You told him very typical items, fragrant leaves and flowers and little berries of the forest. With a few strange creatures tagged on as well, though it was with very low expectations of him actually encountering them. A white frog, a three-eyed rat, and a grey snake with a light blue underside. None of these wishlisted items were named, but Kinich presumed it was because formal identification wouldn’t do him much good. He only needed to retrieve them should he spot it, nothing less, nothing more.

That was what the original terms he agreed upon anyway, but the previously mentioned guilt pushed the hunter to actively seek them out. Making journeys to where they would most likely appear even when it did not align with his planned routes of escape. It hadn’t been easy, working only with descriptions of what his patron desired, but Kinich made it work. Having gotten a good amount of what you asked for by his next visit. Dare he say it, he was even proud of having accomplished so. It was hard not to be when you would gawk so excitedly; always shocked by what he was able to accomplish.

And with that image in mind, Kinich knocked on your door. 

You cheered upon opening the door. “Good day to you my dear hunter!” 

He’s always had to steady his pulse whenever you called him by that. It didn’t matter if you were doing it half in jest, the effects were just as devastating. Today more than usual for some reason, or maybe that was merely a sign of his mental decline.

He breathed out; despite having forgotten to breathe in earlier.  “...It’s good to see you unharmed.”

“Uh-huh…” 

Kind but bewildered. That would be an apt description of the look you gave him as you ushered the hunter into your abode. He’s got his own way of phrasing you’ve learned. The way it was always concerned with safety, even if the frequency of life and death or violence being brought up was disproportionately large.

You gestured to the satchel Kinich brought with him. “Is that for me?” 

“Of course,” he replied flatly. “Who else would it be?”

A giggle escaped you, having found the candid reply to be sweet in its own way. “Mayhaps another beautiful patron of yours?” you teased. 

“I have none other.” Now that made your heart stop, just the smallest bit, but it did. Which was still more than any other person can say about their effects on you. 

“Yeah? Well I’d love it if I could take a look at your bounty today.” Hand stretched out, you eagerly took the item placed there by the young man. Opening it, you were more than delighted to find a good assortment of inconspicuously poisonous material. Some of them hailing from locations that were quite a pain to get to.

“Oh goodness you’ve outdone yourself–again!” This was well beyond your expectations when you first made your request. Why, the price point almost seems like a bargain now. Almost. 

“You know, I’m starting to think that you went out of your way for me instead of just stumbling upon these.”

Replying to your assertion, Kinich’s gaze drifted to the sidelines in what must have been his version of bashfulness. “You can think whatever you want about me.”

Well then. That’s one way to word it. “You are too generous, but I wouldn’t want to take advantage of you.”

“I wouldn’t let you.” 

He was an amusing man to you, and because of that, you must have been a constantly smiling fool to him. Ever so amused by his existence in your vicinity. 

“Good.” 

◇──◆──◇

There’s now a designated chair for Kinich in your office, one placed across from you. That way you can easily hear what he recalls of the forest in his expeditions. The conditions of where he found your ingredients, the habits of the land; all whilst sipping away at whatever tea you brewed for him that day. A beverage you’ve discovered he’s partial to for its subtle inducement of insomnia. ‘Makes staying up easier,’ he once said, what he needed to stay up for you never pried into. 

“They were half wilted, though that’s only because of the season…It’d be harder in the dead of winter…but you should still be able to find them any time of year.”

You hummed at the explanation given by the hunter, noting it down as swiftly as what would be within normal range. “Resilient, aren’t they?”

“Yes, I suppose…”

But whilst you’ve been keeping up pace, the same cannot be said about your guest. He was never exactly energetic, but he was alert, quick to react to whatever input given to his senses. Today, however, you’ve found his speech to be slowed, his voice hushed, and breathes labored. It was a bit worrying. 

“Kinich? May I ask something off topic?”

“...That depends on the question.” At least the content of his response remained consistent with what you’ve come to expect. 

“Did you get enough rest last night? You seem unwell.”

He glanced at the tea you brewed him, it was the second cup and he felt no better energy wise. If anything, he might have felt worse. “I did, yeah.”

“Might you be ill?”

Briefly, he considered if you had spiked it for whatever reason. 

It did not make sense, it did not even feel correct, but he considered it out of caution. At least he’s still got his wits about him in that respect, no matter how pleasant he found his host. “I don’t believe so…”

“May I check?”

He was cautious, but to an extent, he also trusted you. “Sure.”

Or maybe he trusted the image of that rabbit who roamed indoors; maybe it was because he briefly recalls the symptoms first appearing before he came over. Either way, he allowed you to reach over your hand to his forehead. It was soft.

“Kinich…”

He sighed. “I’m fine, your hands feel warm.” Really warm even, so he had no fever. Must have just been fatigued.

“No, but you’re cold,” you gasped, hand yet to be removed from his skin in disbelief at what it was feeling. “You’re cold like a dead man…”

Huh.

“Kinich, did you eat any of them? The plants you picked for me.”

The assassin tried thinking back, he tried as hard as he could but it was getting difficult. Under any other circumstance, he knew it would be because of your proximity and touch, but if your grim tone was to be believed—something genuinely went awry with his health. 

“I…I…”

His head was clouded, he could faint at this rate. 

“…The berries today…it looked too similar to the common night-eyes. So I ate one to make sure it was what you wanted.”

He’s seen you eat the same once, at another location where you discreetly crossed paths. It was just one, and he made sure to only consume that same amount as well. You didn’t look to have minded the taste back then, proceeding to carefully pick them from their stem with another tune back in your throat. Had you not asked him to bring some back for work purposes, Kinich would’ve believed you merely paused for a snack.

“Oh gods—oh no…” You gaped at him like he was a madman, pretty eyes widened in fear as the usual cheer drained from your voice. “Why did you eat it…?”

Because he saw you do the same and come out just fine the next day, but he couldn’t tell you that. Not when he hid from your sight when you did so. He had no right to that knowledge.

“I was…careless.” 

Still a true statement. The assassin had never come across this variety before in the woods, it was too hidden; hence why you gave only two locations to check for them. One a dilapidated stone altar and the other an ancient burial ground. The first was where he saw you eat it and the second was where he found them again. He did it early in the morning, where the light of dawn painted the pitch black of its surface in a color too warm to intimidate. Made it look too much like a common variety for him to be certain of what he’s found. For him to not be too cautious of its properties.

“We need to stop this.”

“What? No, I'll be fine—”

Made him eat it and poison himself.

“No you won’t—you’ll die!”

Yeah, that’d be a problem.

──◆──

There was an unspoken motto between the two of you. A simple one: ‘Don’t ask questions.’ If it doesn't concern your interests, let it slide. Kinich liked it that way, and he liked you for being much the same. Relieved even, as it made any and all contact with you more viable to him. A pleasant departure from most extended interaction with normal citizens for an assassin. 

You never asked why he couldn’t join you for most days of the week, nor about his family, nor the strange markings on his body, always happy to merely have his company. Or at least his service. And in turn, Kinich didn’t pry into your work either. What it does, who it was for, why you do this, and here in Natlan of all places; though he did think you mentioned that it was a profession by way of legacy. It never got in the way of his time with you and that was what mattered most. Those novel pockets of time where he got to be not just a normal man, but a good one. All in all, he just didn’t deem it necessary. Whatever you were hiding, it couldn’t have been worse than him. 

Right? 

“I needed them for the seed but the flesh of the fruit itself is poisonous. It was my oversight not warning you….” 

He’s caught you in a lie, and not a mundane one either. Very few people have reason to lie about the lethality of poison, especially to the face of someone who is suffering the effects of it. For one reason or another, you were immune to them. Eating up lethal plants like they were a midday refresher, and now Kinich is suffering from the same thing you swallowed without trouble. 

Yet on the other hand, you were trying to treat him of its effects, and your efforts appeared genuine. Having pulled the young man over to your bed so that he could rest as you ran off to create a cure for his condition. Looking rather frantic throughout it as you offered him bits and pieces of explanation that he had no right to refute if he wanted to continue pretending to have not secretly observed your behavior. Which he hesitated to do, not when he hardly had an explanation for himself. 

Questions invite more questions and he didn’t have it in him to answer any, or think up explanations for them even. 

“I’m so sorry Kinich, for your condition.”

The hunter took a deep breath, the air still wasn’t going in right. “It’s fine.”

You blew gently at the cup in your hands, the rest of the medicine for him still cooling inside it. A somber look on your pretty face as you looked at him with regret. “No it is not. What if you died? How can I ever face your friends and family if you do?” Such a reasonable concern, and yet it was one unfounded.

“It’s okay, I don’t have a family,” sighed the raven haired hunter, fully intending for the grim words to have brought comfort. “There are few I can think of who would mourn my death.”

He saw you freeze up, shock now shining in your concerned gaze as you regarded him. It’s been a while since he’s told anyone of his situation, Kinich realized he didn’t miss the looks he would get from it. 

“I…So you too, huh?” 

‘What?’

You must have seen the question in his gaze, the way you glanced away to collect your thoughts and explain yourself. The cup in your hands now gently brought up to the young man’s lips as you spoke. He sipped.

“I travel across the continent, never staying in one place for too long, this means that I never got to make friends to keep. As for family, well, my mom’s off living her best life with her sweetheart. We keep in touch with letters, but it’s been a while since we met face to face.”

Cold bodied and poisoned on your couch, Kinich tried piecing together this new information with the individual he’s known all this time. The bubbly, sociable woman who now claims to have no one by her side. “I have no other relatives.” She’s now saying to him.

The world must have been joking. 

“That’s…unexpected.” 

You chuckled weakly at his assessment of your situation, now setting aside the empty cup to pour another batch. The antidote itself is harsh on the body, the drink was only to soothe that part. 

“Well, regardless, I would like for you to know that at least one will mourn for you should you pass.”

Still too strained from his symptoms, Kinich strained out a foolish “Whom?” to your obvious statement. 

“Why, me of course.”

His breath hitched, and it took a miracle for him to have not started coughing his lungs out then and there. 

“The guilt would be overwhelming if it were because of this, but any other cause would still have me distraught all the same. It’d hurt me greatly to see you go. You’ve been good to me, Kinich.”

The assassin looked at you as if you sprouted a second head. Eyes wide and mouth agape, in utter disbelief at what you had just asserted. “I…”

“Please believe me, I know we haven’t known each other for very long but…”

You never did finish that sentence, rendered to quietly looking down at your lap under his gaze, cheeks dusted a rare shade of pink. Kinich should have been aching for an answer, should have tried and get to know why exactly you claimed to care so much despite being aware of their unfamiliarity, but his thoughts went elsewhere. To a place less important. 

Because, somehow, just knowing that you would be sad should he die made the man’s heart do a flip and half. It shouldn’t, yet it did. It made him feel warm inside, this simple statement of empathy. Not even an action, a mere statement, a couple of words. Perhaps it was something about the complete honesty in your tone. Convincing him that you weren’t just saying it to be polite, that you meant every word. You cared.

Still, it was a ridiculously disproportionate reaction from him. For god's sake all you said was that you’d be saddened by his literal death.

“I believe you.”

But then again, that’s the thing. He could hardly think of anyone else who would say the same thing.

“It’s a good thing that I have no intentions of doing so then.” Kinich meant it literally, but he was relieved to see that it came across light-hearted enough to have brought a relieved smile to your face. “Yeah? That’s great, funny how things line up like that.”

Turns out, the hunter was no better than his prey. 

“And thank you…for caring.”

For all his cold and detached exterior, he was rendered weak to the caring arms of a fair lady. To her kind words and gentle touch. No better than a man in the end.

“Please think nothing of it, just focus on recovering.”

He knew then that you were a new weakness of his. Someone he would have to closely monitor from here on out. Lest he let you be his downfall.

Oh, and maybe a friend. Same difference.

◇──◆──◇

After seeing his sickened state, you were wracked with guilt over what happened to Kinich. To your eyes, there were two reasons that led to his poisoning and both were your fault. It was so avoidable. 

The most obvious thing you should have done was warn him against consuming anything he brought back for you, a request that might raise questions but the hunter had already proved himself to not be prone to inquiry. But the small chance that he would was also the reason why you forwent it; the other being your trust in his caution. 

Anyone with a lick of common sense in survival would’ve avoided eating anything whose safety was yet to be proven. But that was also the thing, he did think that the berry’s safety had been proven. He saw you eat it from a distance and you knew that despite the hunter’s best efforts of stealth. It just escaped your mind until now; the way his observation would result in false reassurance towards the safety of the plants. Kinich may have been careless, but you were just as guilty of the same.

Many lives have been snuffed as a result of your work, this was a truth you were well aware of. But you never wanted it to be in such close proximity to it. Unlike the victims of your customers, you knew this young man, you saw him in your life and was treated kindly by him. Even if it was a relationship with roots in gold, you enjoyed his presence, both secret and not. The way his vibrant eyes always followed you with a diligent sense of protection and intrigue, admiration even at times. No doubt because you had told him it was medicine that you were making, such a noble cause and all. You liked it, you liked him. 

And you did not want those you liked to die. 

“How are you feeling?”

The hunter still heaved beneath your blankets, a sick boy on your bed; a beautiful one. Like a prince poisoned by a witch, with his dark lashes fluttering as he tried his best to stay awake. He didn’t look so stoic now in his weakened state, the fragility of life now reflecting clear on Kinich’s visage as you nursed him to health, one dose of antidote at a time. 

“It’s hard to breathe,” he mumbled and your heart clenched. That was one of the symptoms, yes.

“It will get better,” you sighed in your seat beside his resting form. “I promise it will, just bear with me.” 

He hummed, unexpressive in his fatigue. “Also, I feel a jitter in my limbs.” 

“Anything else?”

Kinich shuffled beneath the blanket, thinking and fidgeting. “My hands are cold,” he said and it was what you expected. His circulation was hindered and despite your best efforts, some parts of the body are just harder to keep warm.

An idea came into mind. “Give me your hands, Kinich.”

“What?”

You reached out both your own, expecting him to comply. Figuring that he had little reason not to if it really was bothering him. “Your body’s not going to produce enough heat for them, so take mine.” 

The man’s lips parted in shock. Your eyes wandered to them. “You can’t be serious.”

“But I am, why wouldn’t I be?” 

He had a cute cupid’s bow, you noticed. Ones that now covered his bottom lips as he bit them in thought. 

“I…” His eyes glanced away from yours as he replied and you reminded yourself to not force it if the hunter would rather not.

“I’d like that then…thank you.”

Though it was you who offered to help, you almost extended your own gratitude upon Kinich’s acceptance; but to spare the man the awkwardness, you only scooted your seat forward and took his hand in yours. He was still wearing gloves. “I’m going to take these off, okay?” Not like they were doing anything. 

“Go ahead.” It was too quiet for you to hear any subtleties in his voice. The shy eagerness, the precious nervousness—all lost on you despite being there. Hidden beneath the hunter's unreadable self. But it didn’t matter, because you held his hands anyway. Giving them the warmth you promised. It felt nice, you realized; the same way any other friendly touch with him did. For something that was supposed to have been done for his comfort, you enjoyed it in silence. 

Up until he spoke up.

“My heart.”

You blinked. “Sorry?”

Kinich looked at you, his eyes half lidded, those beautiful long lashes framing them. “You told me to report the symptoms right?”

Dumbly, you nodded. Lips slightly parted with not a word escaping them.

“...My heart’s racing.”

That’s not one of the symptoms, if anything it should be reversed. His body should be struggling to keep him alive, slipping into a sleep that would never end. 

“I…” You looked down at the hand in yours, ungloved and lightly calloused. You tried paying attention to your own heart. 

“I think that means you’re getting better.” 

It’s funny how he genuinely did not seem to know the implication. But you do, and maybe that’s enough for now.

“Let’s hope it keeps doing that. You need it.” 

The huntsman nodded, taking a deep breath as he squeezed at your hand. Maybe the hearthfire was playing tricks on your eyes, but it almost looked like there was pink dusting his cheeks.

You squeezed back and brought it up to your lips. A swift gesture that ended with a chaste kiss. An act rather outside the realm of social propriety, but you doubted that Kinich of all people would be calling you out on it. In this state no less. “Did that help?”

He grunted, eyes closed as if he’d been lightly hit. “Yes, but my chest feels awful.”

A giggle slipped from you as you rubbed circles into his skin, a curious finger now kept on his pulse. “Haha, I know. But you’ll survive this, I promise.”

Kinich didn’t dispute that. 

◇──◆──◇──◆

The commission for poison was finished in time, and in no small part thanks to the huntsman you hired. His insight and footwork allowed you to focus on formulation and figure out exactly which local ingredient it was that you needed for the death requested. Arguably, even his company kept you sane throughout the stressful process. It ended up being hard to let go once the deal came to a close. 

“Well, that’s it for me. Thank you so much for your hard work.”

If only you could tell if Kinich felt the same, which would have been nice. Providing some closure and all. “I was compensated fairly for it.” He said familiarly, it was the kind of response you knew to expect from the hunter. A rather unconventional form of reassurance, but still one nonetheless. He didn’t want you to feel in debt to him.

Fidgeting in place in front of Kinich, your eyes drifting to the door frame just behind him, wondering exactly when he’ll disappear beyond it. If you’ll see him again once he does. “Will you consider visiting?” you asked. “I know the town sells herbs and simple medicine but…”

But you would like to see him again. If just only just a bit, that would be enough to brighten up some of your days here in Natlan. This stoic man with candor for days that you can’t help but feel at ease in the presence of. Someone who watched you from the shadows and definitely had something to hide.

Someone you liked anyway, despite all that. 

“If the price is right,” he said.

“I think you will find it to be.” You omitted the plan of giving a discount, knowing he would want to do something in return if you did. Or worse, not come here at all if you were insistent on complicating the transaction that way.  

“Sure then,” he said, and you were elated to hear so. “It’d be nice to catch up too.”

Such a normal statement, yet it caused you to blurt out in shock. “You think?” He looked almost hurt at the inquiry, but you took a second look and realized it was just confusion and maybe some disappointment. 

“You don’t?”

“I do! I do! You are welcome at any time, Kinich.” The good news was that you were evidently getting better at reading the handsome huntsman. Piecing together his inner workings with what little you are given compared to other people.

“Please do visit…”

He was a constant thinker. It seems to be all he does every second of the day and in quantities overwhelming to the average man. Usually a trait found in overzealous scholars in your experience. What makes it interesting are the things he would settle on after all that deliberation.

“Will it…make you happy if I do?” Always so straight forward.

“Of course,” you affirmed. “I would be delighted to see you again in the future.” 

Naturally, you wanted to ask if he’d be happy to visit too, but the pensive look on his face told you that he may not be able to actually answer that. So you stayed silent and let the young man process your words at his own pace. 

He concluded. “I’ll be back then, see you.”

“See you, Kinich.” With that, you saw him out the door, waving goodbye with a gentle smile on your face. You really did hope he would visit; he said he would and you believed him. The question was when.

“Stay safe.”

◇──◆──◇

Kinich came back only three days later, the same schedule he had kept up since you first hired him. As if nothing had changed. He would buy some ingredients for common medicine off your hands and stay because he was already there, enjoying your presence in much the same way you did with him. Sitting aside as you worked, making chats but asking no questions about what exactly it was that you were occupying yourself with.

“You’re starting a garden?” he mused, having seen out one of your windows into the yard. The soil had been dug up and wooden boards were set aside for a future garden bed. You were sorting the herbs to be put away in their respective cabinets, mundane looking tasks. And the young man’s eyes would follow you whenever you’d walk to a new corner to stash away something.

“Yeah,” you replied to him. “I’ve been putting it off because the last project kept me so busy, but it’s about time that I get started on that now…”

The plants have yet to be purchased, but you considered the implications of growing poisonous vegetation in broad daylight with a visitor in eyesight of it. Kinich didn’t ask many questions but you also didn’t want to push how far his leniency extended, especially since he had almost become a victim of it himself. So an illusion would likely need to be casted once the time comes. 

“Do you need help with it?”

“Pardon?”

Kinich nodded towards the window, helping to reel in your escaped attention. “The garden, I can help you set it up. I’ve got experience in it.”

You hummed in slight nervousness, “Yeah? Well that’s good.” It was a nice suggestion, but also one that might go against your newly-devised plan. “I’m rather surprised though, my impression was that most hunters don’t have a green thumb.”

The young man cleared his throat, eyes still staring out that window from his seat at your dinner table. Maybe you should try inviting him to join sometimes. “My family had one,” he explained. “And I learned from my mother, she really liked gardening.” 

You ignored the past tense, just happy at all to have heard anything remotely personal. “Yeah? Same with me actually, though I’m not sure if my mom liked it so much as it was just part of the job.” The plants came back to mind, poisonous; some of them recognizable. You didn’t want him to have a habit of getting close to the garden. 

“Haha, not sure if my wallet will be too happy to pay up for your services again. It’ll need some time to recover I’m afraid.”

Kinich stammered. “Oh um, I wasn’t going to…”

“You weren’t going to charge me? Seriously?”

He looked at you, trying to show that he was genuine about his words. “Well, that or very little. You see…” The huntsman looked embarrassed, his head tilted downward and dark lashes casting over his pupil. “I had set the price so high to make you stop talking to me. Your agreement to it was unexpected.”

“Ahhh, that makes sense. And here I thought you were just an expensive man.”

You weren’t exactly wrong about that.

“I didn’t think to pass up such a good financial opportunity.”

“But why are you now backpedaling by doing free work?” You couldn’t help but inquire.

“Because I realized that you’re not the kind of person that should be scammed like that…” He said. “You’re…sweet, and nice, so you deserve better for having given up your hard earned money. I practically robbed you.” 

Oh if only he knew how you got those gold. How tainted with death they were. 

You stood up from where you were crouching on the ground, having finished setting away the herbs into the bottom most drawer. “Aw, and you think I don’t deserve to be robbed?”

“Exactly.”

“You’re such a sweetheart,” you cooed, voice light and sweet. Flirty too, but he’d need to catch on for that to register. “Being so considerate of me.” 

He brushed you off professionally. “Not really? Like I said, you’re a nice upstanding citizen, of course I wouldn’t think so.” 

“Well, if you really want to make up for the several grand of gold you overcharged me for, I have a better idea.” You cheerfully made your way over to him and pulled out a seat right next to him. The distance between you two, now negligible. “Tell me Kinich, have you ever kissed anyone?” Shock flooded his senses at the absurd question. 

“I…no? Why?” The response was truthful, but also made you look so disappointed for some reason. It was also utterly shocking to hear, but you didn’t want to show that. “Hm, well that might be a problem…” you pouted cutely, an elbow now on the table as you leaned against your hand. “Still, how much would you say your first kiss is worth?”

The realization dawned on him then. “Wait, are you suggesting that I give you my first kiss? As payback?”

You grinned sheepishly. “I was thinking of you giving me a kiss as payback, not really your first one. I figured the latter would be priced too high, if at all. People like to save those.”

‘Like asking for a man’s first-born’ you mused to yourself. ‘Maybe I’m finally living up to that stereotype.’

Kinich’s ears started to redden. You gave him the time to articulate whatever it was he’s grappling with. “Um…Well, I don’t think…” He didn’t think he would mind too much having you be his first. Like he admitted to previously, you’ve been nothing but sweet and nice. Beautiful too, and charming, and your lips looked soft—but saying that felt too flustering. “...I don’t think the first one in my life matters more than the rest.” He settled. “A kiss is a kiss, no?”

You hummed approvingly. “I think most might disagree, but go on.”

The raven haired young man said. “The first in my life wouldn’t be too special. Being ‘first’ is just a matter of chronology, I think context matters more.” You listened intently, intrigued by the way that he would devalue such a thing people hold near sacred. A first kiss. 

“Like if it was the first one with my future spouse for example, that would be special. Because then I get to share that memory with someone in its intended manner. It’d be worth reminiscing about.” 

Your head nodded along with his conjecture. “I like your reasoning,” you said. “Doesn’t matter ‘when’ so long as you get to share ones with the right person in the end.” It made sense, the first one wouldn’t make future ones any less special. The person makes it special. 

“Soooo,” you winked, reminding Kinich of the original topic. “Would you say that your first kiss could amount to the same price as you overcharged me for?”

He gulped under your attention, the red of his ears and neck having successfully crept onto his cheeks. “Only if you think it would cover it…”

“I do!” You could hardly believe this worked, half expecting it to fly by as a joke. But you weren’t complaining. 

“Then I agree. We can negotiate the length and manner too.”

A laugh escaped your stomach, full and hearty, leaning back straight now as you composed yourself. Kinich’s heart skipped a beat at that alone, seeing your face crinkled uncontrollably in joy, hearing the sound of your laughter. “Here I was thinking just a standard one, maybe one or two seconds on the lips. But now you’re telling me that I can negotiate for tongue?”

“Um, I hadn’t thought of that. Just wanted to make the terms clear…” 

You really ought to stop teasing the huntsman, no matter how cute he looked squirming under your bright grin. What if you scare him off?

“Very well, then I propose one second with my lips. How does that sound?”

“I…I wouldn’t mind—” he stopped himself, likely having realized how that must have started the sound. Your saucer wide eyes probably gave a hint too hearing those three words. He wouldn’t mind…what?

“…Would an extra second buy me the answer as to why?” Kinich asked in the end, voice low and composed now that he gave himself to think it over thrice. 

“Why I want to kiss you?” you clarified.

“Yeah.”

It’d be hard to think of a good way to word it. Emphasis on good. A way that wouldn’t escalate things and let you indulge in peace. “I’d tell you if you let me run my fingers through your hair while I do it.” 

“Deal,” said the raven haired man, his green eyes glued onto you as you stood up in front of him, looking up observingly. 

Granted, you could have just leaned in and gotten it over with, but then you remembered the several grand of gold and decided that you were going to get your money’s worth. Running your fingers through his silky black locks, you brushed over the small braid he had on top, a conspicuous little thing initially took you forever to notice. It looked good on him. 

“Are you just going to keep your eyes wide open like that?” you asked Kinich, voice airy but entertained. He nodded and you felt it beneath your fingertips. “Yes, is that a problem?” You shook your head, your insides shuttering at the way his vivid eyes regarded you with raptured attention. “Not at all.” 

So you made good on the agreement, leaning down and capturing Kinich’s lips with yours, his first kiss. With your hands running through his hair and eyes locked on each other as if observing a specimen. It was just a second, a solid full second on each other’s lips, almost chaste. Almost, but the hunger flashing through those hues was undeniable. Just a blip, but it had no skin to hide under. 

Once that was up, you pulled away from him, and the huntsman was swift to hold you to your word. “So tell me,” he demanded gently, head tilted up to yours. “Why did you want to kiss me?”

Indeed, why oh why? 

“Because I’ve wondered what it’d be like from you.” You replied, a non-answer really, but you continued to ramble in the hopes of distraction. “Which I don’t think is so strange, you're a handsome young man. Surely you won’t blame a girl’s mind for wandering like that , right? I heard you men do much worse than wonder about a kiss after all.”

Kinich stopped breathing and you almost felt bad for having to stoop so low to divert his attention. “No I—!”

“I’m teasing~”

He looked like he had years, or at least months taken off his life. “I know.” He sighed. “The problem is that it’s working…” 

The admission shocked you; the self-awareness he possessed. It would seem that you weren’t being so stealthy after all with your teasing. Maybe asking for a kiss on the lips tipped him off, who knows. 

The young man cleared his throat once more, pretty green eyes drifting away from your visage. “Well, I hope the answer to your question was a pleasant one.”

“It was, but rest assured either way your debt is paid off.” You replied. “I didn’t say you had to give me a good kiss.” Kinich blinked in shock, dark lashes fluttering as he asked. 

“It…wasn’t good?” He sounded nervous, and your visage immediately softened in response. 

“Pfft, no? You just sat there frozen in place.” The words were borderline harsh, but your tone had been nothing but comforting. Fond even, of him and very much so. “It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t much. And that’s okay, like you said, it’s your first.”

“Noted, thank you for your feedback.” Though you weren’t certain, it felt like a sense of discontent swam beneath the hunter’s nonchalant reply this time. Must be a man’s pride, you figured. Being told they didn’t excel at something like that, it was predictable that he would be disgruntled. It wasn’t anything personal. 

It wasn’t because of you, or of disappointing you. No not at all, you shouldn’t think that. That’s a set up for disappointment. 

“Well, congratulations on paying off your debt! Now you can ask for fair wages whenever we work together.”

Kinich huffed. “Heh, yeah amazing. Thanks for that." 

You didn’t tell him, but that had been your first too.

◇──◆──◇

Next week, you received no guests at your humble abode. Nor the one after that. You knew to expect this, but the loneliness still caught you off guard. Or rather, the yearning you felt. Because after so many years in isolation, one thing was for certain and that was you were not susceptible to loneliness, nor were you about to start. 

It’s not that you disliked being by yourself, but that you disliked not having him here with you. That’s all.

“Will you be back next week?” you had asked that day, the one where you kissed Kinich for fun. “Or maybe the one after?”

He shook his head almost immediately. “I can’t, sorry. I have something to do out of town.” With that response, you asked no further questions and let him go. The same way the two of you have always operated with each other. With well-wishes and sealed lips. It took trust in a way, despite it seeming to be the one thing that secrecy would fail to promote. Trust that whatever the other person is hiding, they are still worth liking. And that surely it couldn’t be worse than what they themselves are hiding.

‘I am the accomplice to over a hundred murders, what about you?’

Kinich. He didn’t seem to mind, but you wondered if the kiss ruined things between the two of you. Either that it made him uncomfortable around you or just made him feel like he owed you nothing more, so he had no real reason to come back. Would be a real shame if so, but the worst part is that you can’t even confirm. Having never asked him for an address to send letters to. Plus, if his words were to be believed, the hunter was out of town right now. 

But was that really so? You could only wait and see. Staying alert for any knocks on the door. And one did come eventually. 

“Hello?”

Alas, it wasn’t at all who you were expecting. 

“Hello miss, may we speak to you?”

The authorities of some kind. Stern men in uniforms standing imposingly at your door with a list of questions at the ready. Immediately your panic response kicked in given your station as a witch. Someone in opposition to the law. “Yes, how may I help?”

Good thing they were quick to state more clearly their intentions. “We are hunting down a dangerous man who we believe has frequented these woods in the past. Have you seen such an individual?”

“A dangerous man?” you gasped appropriately. “Please sirs, you must tell me what he has done. This forest is my home…” Though it was likely that they were given orders to not so easily disclose information, the damsel act you put on was effective.

“He has…killed a man, miss.” One of them replied and your eyes went wider. “But please do not fret too much, it was a hired kill. This man is an infamous assassin, someone has to pay for him to kill. So you should be safe.”

The other one chimed in as well. “Still, you should avoid being out in the dark, lest he catch you witnessing his return to the crime scene.” The rest didn’t need to be said. “So if you would, please try to recall if you have seen anyone frequenting these grounds the past few weeks.” 

Kinich. 

“I…” 

The answer was obvious, he was the first and only person to come to mind fitting such a description. Someone scouting the woods with no clear incentive than the obvious one he provided to you, of which the stalking didn’t exactly explain alongside the sheer frequency at which he was there. It would seem that the green eyed man wanted you to believe that he passed by less than he actually did.

“I am so sorry, but no one comes to mind. I’ve always been alone out here unless I make my way to town.” You lied softly through your teeth. “Perhaps this killer only comes out at night? That’s when I would lock myself in the house, you see.”

The men at your door nodded grimly. “Yes, that would make sense.” Then they sighed, looking just about ready to leave now that you’ve responded. “Thank you for your insight, miss. Be well now.”

“Yes, I will…” The men walked away peacefully, leaving you alone with your thoughts. 

‘It’s you, isn’t it?’ 

If you were the accomplice to over a hundred murders, he may very well have been the one to do the actual killing for half of that number. In a morbid way, things evened out. 

You sighed, wondering if Kinich ever had the intention to return the day he left. It would make sense if not, leave the scene of the crime and flee far away. Never associating himself with a place that is on the hunt for him was the logical choice. Why would he do anything else? 

‘Not like he’s got a sweetheart here or anything.’

◇──◆──◇──◆

After a kill, you flee. That was Kinich’s protocol as an assassin and he’s never broken it. His own life was on the line, of course he wouldn’t. The kill had been carried out successfully, escaping through the forest easily after familiarizing himself with it for weeks. The reaction from guards had been swift and dozens of men poured out into the woods that night on high alert, but non-could find him and by dawn the killer was gone. Taking a well anticipated trip to collect the reward he’s been promised upon completion of this request. Usually, Kinich’s mind is blissfully occupied with cashing out and planning his next few months of easy living during this period, and to an extent it still was.

But this time a thought kept coming back to him. 

‘I wonder if she tipped them off,’ he thought. ‘I wouldn't blame her if she did.’ 

He would too if he were an innocent citizen being asked to assist in catching a hired killer. Best case scenario, you reserved your judgement on the matter, suspecting but not fully believing that he was the man in question. If anything, the assassin just hoped it didn’t give you too much of a fright, that you are still sleeping soundly at night. The irony of his conscience worrying about that but not the man he put beneath the earth was not lost on Kinich.

“Tell you what, I’ll give you a discount since it’s for a special lady in your life.”

Not that it stopped him from wanting to check.

“No, I’m not going to owe you anything. Just charge me the usual.” 

For that, Kinich implored Chasca, the best intel gatherer in all of Natlan and a long-time business partner of his. From her he requested only two things, how the investigation of his last kill was going and your wellbeing, and he intended to pay accordingly. 

“Don’t worry about it, if you really want to make it up then you—”

“Not a chance.” He cut off the redhead curtly. “You take the agreed upon amount and I get my information without owing you a single explanation about anything. That’s the deal.” 

It was obvious what the woman’s scheme was, trying to give a discount and proceed to use the assassin’s code of conduct to weasel out some juicy gossip. Especially about who the lady she was asked to search for was to him. He knew to expect it and hated the idea of being indebted to the intel gatherer, not just because of the nature of her job, but because of the nature of debt in general. 

“Just take my gold, would you?”

Chasca huffed, “Fine, so be it.” 

Debt meant reciprocating, it meant coming back to someone. Connection. Maybe that was why Kinich fabricated one for himself back then, so he could come back and pay you off. 

“The authorities' got nothing on you, practically given up on the town now and are using their resources to search nearby cities instead. It should be safe for you to go back if you want to.”

The young man nodded, pleasantly surprised at the news. “Already? I thought it would take longer.” 

“Well, they’ve got zero clues on you from the locals so there was only so much they could do there.” The pale woman shrugged. “The little lady must have helped cover for you when she got questioned.”

Kinich’s breathing halted at the notion. You…covered for him? An assassin? “Unbelievable…” 

“She’s doing fine too by the way, still living there and in good health.” Chasca continued. “If anything people have been seeing her in town more, maybe she’s there to see if you came back, hm?”

“I asked for information, not conjectures.” 

The intelligence agent rolled her eyes and huffed lightheartedly. “Whatever, I’m just saying that you should check up on her, apparently she’s been looking all sad lately.”

The assassin considered the idea, finding himself not fond of it. The thought that he’s put you in a bad mood. “Are you making that part up?” he asked humorlessly.

“Not at all, the boy from the alchemy guild said so,” chimed the redhead. “And he’s got a crush on her so you know this intel’s accurate, those types always give the most detailed observations on a target.” Kinich shot her another glare, even if she were being truthful, the woman was clearly provoking him for having not fallen for her trick earlier. 

“Anything else to report?” 

“That’s it.”

He’ll pay you a visit, nobody needed to tell him that. 

“Then we’re done here. See ya.” 

◆──◇──◆

Kinich showed up with some gifts in hand. Rare herbs, fruits, and fresh game from the forest. It’s been well over three weeks since he disappeared, so it felt right to bring something to show his remorse. Not to mention gratitude for you not tipping off the authorities about him. Though whether you did that on a gamble on a belief of his innocence remains to be seen. Either way he was grateful. It didn’t matter what your thought process was, what mattered was that you helped him. Whether you knew it or not, the killer owed you and he wanted to pay it back.

“Hey there.”

Also, he just wanted to see you.

“Kinich?” He felt his heart melt hearing his name wrapped in your voice once again. It felt like an eternity somehow since the last time. “Sorry I was gone so long,” he said softly as you led him inside the cabin. “I should have told you that it was a lengthy trip.”

“It’s okay,” he heard you say, bathing in the familiar glow of your attention. Warm and comfortable; no fear, no judgement, none of the things he was afraid to find once he arrived. “I’m just happy that you’re back and thought to pay a visit.”

It must have been another gamble on him after all, like the first time you met him, you trusted in his innocence. Why else did you regard him so fondly still? 

“These are for you. Again, think of it as an apology for leaving so long without a word. Not like I didn’t know where you lived, I should have kept in touch more.” 

“Aw, you shouldn’t have.” You graciously accepted the gifts brought by Kinich, setting them on the counter with the exception of the dead animal. He’ll take care of that in a bit. “Really, I should be here welcoming you back from the job.” 

He froze. “Pardon?”

Your eyes fluttered innocently. “From the job,” you said again, as if he didn’t hear the words clear as day the first time around. “The noble’s killing, that was you right? Looks like a total success to me, the guards couldn’t track you at all.” Your words sank harshly in the man’s mind, or maybe it was more like a rock to a window pane at full speed. You knew his sins and you let him into your house, greeted him with your warm smile. Looked at him as if nothing was amiss. 

“Since when?” Gasped the assassin. Though he stood only across the room from you, the distance felt staggering. 

You hummed. “I knew you were hiding something the moment you started stalking me from the shadows.” Yet another shock to the system from that. “But it wasn’t until the authorities came knocking that I knew exactly what that secret was.”

Seeing his shock stricken self, you shrugged lightheartedly. “They asked if I’ve seen anyone dangerous lurking around. What can I say? No one came to mind.” 

Yet the gleam in your eyes told the man all he needed to know. Maybe the time away was more than enough for you to come to terms with such a thing, dreadful as it was. 

Breathlessly, Kinich laughed. It sounded like a sigh of relief. “Well, thank you so much for not tipping them off. It certainly made my life easier…”

You sensed the uncertainty lingering on him. “Buuuut…?”

“But why?” he inquired, genuine in his befuddlement. “Why would you cover for someone like me? And continue to treat me as your friend even after finding out?”

“Because you are my friend, Kinich.”

He sighed. “That’s not what I meant. People aren’t supposed to so readily accept a man capable of murder in their life, especially one who does it as a job. For a living. That's gruesome and we know that.” 

You were walking towards him now, all calm and collected as you spoke. “But I don’t, because you’ve been nothing but kind to me. You still are, and I believe you will continue that in the future as well. Or am I mistaken?”

The killer relented, unable to find falsehood in your statements. “You are not, the problem is that you are associating yourself with someone dangerous. An immoral man that no one should want to befriend.”

“And yet I do!” you exclaimed. “Because I like you, Kinich. The way you treat me, and so many other things besides what you do for a living. Is that so hard to understand?”

“Yes,” he countered confidently. “Because it’s not something that should be brushed off so easily, and you’re naive for doing so. That’s going to hurt you later down the line.”

Your eyes bore into him, unshaken and challenging. “Naive? Try me, I’m under no delusion about your capacity for violence.”

He’ll see about that, the assassin decided. 

“I don’t care about who it is that I kill, it’s no vigilante act. Be they a saint or criminal I do it all the same when offered enough money, and once I do I don’t think about them ever again. No remorse—like they are mere stepping stones and I’ve walked on countless ones throughout life. Those people had families, they loved and dreamed and hoped and I’d end it all for them just to feel gold in my pocket. Don’t you understand that?” 

“Oh no, I do.” You nodded your head along to his vicious words casually. “Because I help people like you for a living, killers of man. Or at least people who seek to do others harm. Why else would they buy what I make here?”

Kinich thought back to the poisonous plants and finally the pieces clicked together. That time he got sick, it all made sense now, the lie, everything. It’s just that his dumbstruck brain distracted him from the most important thing he should have taken away from falling ill in your presence.  “You make poisons.” He gasped, you grinned up at him. 

“That I do.”

And you looked cute while doing it. Something was wrong with both of you. 

“You really should consider incorporating them into your jobs,” you chirped joyfully. “I think you’d find their effects quite useful, you wouldn’t even need to wait for a courier like the others!”

He really couldn’t help but laugh, in disbelief and in defeat. “So you really don’t mind, huh?” 

But god did he feel elated at the news. 

“I don’t, and I never will. So long as you are a good man to me I will be more than happy to treasure you like I always have. You are innocent in my eyes, as innocent as me anyways.” 

Self oriented and consequential, it dawned on Kinich then that he’s found someone like himself. Someone who thought like him and for a while too. Right under his nose this entire time. “Rest assured then, I will be a good man to you.”

You are sweet and kind, none of that has changed for him, but you also confessed that you accept him for who he is. Someone bright yet doesn’t cower in the shadow casted by his character. 

“That sounds perfect to me.” 

He was barely a breath away from you now, the proximity having shrunk to almost nothing with your advances. You were so close he had to crane his head down to look at your pretty eyes.

“Is this a dream?” He mused.

You giggled girlishly at the romantic word choices. Though it was no doubt a coincidence on his part. “Is this what you dream about?”

The young man blushed. “Maybe so…” he said. Perhaps not in his sleep, but during the day, when he was away. Yes, he’d find himself daydreaming something similar. Having your proximity to him like this.

“Yeah? Well either way, I think I ought to be repaid for my silence. Just a bit. What do you say?” 

Kinich thought back to the last time he saw you. “How does a kiss sound?”

“Perfect.” And before he could take in another breath, you captured his lips in yours. Only, it felt different this time. The words exchanged were much the same, in terms of favors and repayments, but that’s not how it felt. Last time you seemed to have meant what you said about the detached nature, committed to it even, and Kinich followed suit. This time, it was just a pretense. 

His brain melted under your touch. And once more, the man felt your hands in his raven hair. Just a pretense. That meant this kiss was something more than the last, placed somewhere higher on the hierarchy of importance than his first. All because of the context. 

‘Just a matter of chronology.’

Your lips parted from Kinich and he felt a wave of disappointment crashing over him. It was so strong that he was almost knocked off his feet because of it. 

“Hmm…”

The young man couldn’t think coherently at this rate. Perhaps that was for you to do.

“I want another one,” you practically purred, tiptoeing up to speak against his awaiting lips. “What would that cost me?” He heaved under your attention.

“How about your heart?” He asked and you smirked in satisfaction.

“Deal!”

Kinich will have to ask what you wanted for his own heart later on, but that was for his future self to remember. For now, all that mattered was having you in arms. With his lips on yours and eyes shut close this time. It felt nicer this way.

“Heh, you’re getting better already.”