Y/N strode down the dark entrance of Zak's house entirely too early, about 4 AM to be exact. Her shift had been uneventful, a few regulars and a bit more money than she had aimed for. She fixed her pink duffle bag to sit more snuggly on one shoulder as she used both hands to throw her hair into a quick pony, happy to have the hair off her neck and to go put tiger balm on her aches that the pole always left. She was fit, she could really fly on that pole, but damn did her knees hurt after. Her shoulders did too, if she was being honest.
Y/N threw the duffle on the kitchen island and opened the freezer in search of ice to put on some newly acquired bruises she didn't want showing next shift.
"Good morning"
The voice she knew all too well rasped from the other side of the kitchen, startling Y/N
"Jesus Christ Zak, try making more noise next time"
She grabbed at her chest, and expected him to come back with an easy innuendo. She would have made one too, if not for the haunted look in his eyes as he stepped closer to the soft glow of the freezer.
"What's wrong?"
She took a step back to close the fridge and he moved to turn on the ambient lighting
"I..."
His voice was strained, bundled in a cozy sweater and sweatpants. If not for his next words, that would have been enough to get Y/N's mind wandering.
"I have something to tell you"
Y/N tilted her head, her mood taking a nose dive. Zak took a seat at one of the barstools bordering the massive island, running a hand through disheveled hair.
"I think you were chosen for this whole bracelet thing because... because something wanted us together for some reason."
Y/N let out a cold laugh
"Wow. I'm so sorry, i forgot the world revolves around you"
She ripped open the freezer again and grabbed an ice tray. It was shaped like little skulls. She groaned.
"No, no that isn't what i was trying to say at all-"
His defensive voice nearly stuttered from behind her
"Yeah? Then why can't anything just happen to me without you making it about yourself?"
This was not the fucking night. She had been in a good mood, yes, but her perceived powerlessness had been eating away at her. She cracked the ice free from the moulds while walking over to him to search her duffle for her cute ice bag.
"I'm fucking serious, Y/N. I think you got pulled into this because of me."
She furiously met his eyes, unscrewing the bag to place ice inside with muscle memory. All her life things happened because of anyone else, never her. Nothing was ever her choice or her work.
Great. Just another thing she had no say in. All she had to say in response was a huff.
"Why the fuck do you always have an attitude with me, huh? I thought you'd be glad to know this has nothing to do with you"
She raised her eyebrows, feeling all her previous emotions ice over at his words.
"You're right, i should be so thankful for you, making sure i die young just because of a god damned bracelet."
Y/N threw the ice tray back in the freezer, empty. He could damn well fill it later. Leaving the duffle but grabbing her ice bag, she stormed off down the hall leading to her room. She heard him growl and stalk after her but didn't care.
"You are such a pain in my ass, sweetie."
He hissed, she stiffened.
"Don't. Call me. Sweetie."
Y/N spit through gritted teeth
"It's ironic, sweetie. You're the most bitter, broody, stuck up -"
She pivoted slowly, letting all the wrath she felt fill her to the brim and imbued each step she took toward him with it. Even with the hight difference, she had the gall to look down her nose at him when she stopped, inches from his perfect chest. She saw him breathe in her scent, sweet peach perfume mixed with sweat and chilled Vegas night air. Half of his mouth spread into that arrogant grin.
She placed her claw tipped fingers on his chest, stabbing through his gray sweater and pricking his skin as she shoved him backwards into the wall. His breath gusted out as he thudded against it, whisking her fly-alway hairs out of her face as their eyes met, electricity sparking. She dropped her voice to a purr
"Don't fuck with me, Bagans."
He rested his head against the wall and smirked down at her
"You'll be begging me soon enough"
His fucking entitlement drove her mad. She dug her filed-to-fine-point nails deeper into his chest, making him hiss in a breath as he dropped his head forward. His exhale tickled her neck. Her fingers curled into her bag of ice in response to the heat that flared to life inside her.
"You've gotten us confused -"
Y/N murmured
"If anyone is going to be begging, it'll be you from your knees."
She felt his lips brush the curve of her jaw, followed by his fingers grazing the small of her waist tentatively. Her rage crystallized into something sharper, she could feel her pulse through every vein in her body. Alive.
"You've got a real dirty mouth, sweetie."
He whispered in her ear.
No. No, she couldn't. She was cursed, the people around her were going to get hurt. She was going to be slaughtered. With a huff, she shoved him back again and sauntered down the hall towards her room.
"Fuck"
She heard him breathe before he wandered back to his own bed.