Chapter 67 - Growing cold, will you let me go?

Note:

- Chapters are going to take longer to get out because they're going be longer from now on (so I don't meet the 200 chapter max limit)

- I think there will be a few POV changes in this chapter (I say I think because I'm writing this as I go and putting whatever I feel like putting in at the moment)

- Hey wanna see the dot points I had for chapters 25-35? I'm gonna show you anyway since I'm currently too busy to write anything. It's also a little easter egg for any re-reading or reading after 20th March 2022.

I'm a meme. This is how I made 6 dot points into ten chapters apparently. I feel so old looking at this again.

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POV: Nero

I didn't know how long had passed since I arrived at the dance floor and I honestly couldn't care. At that point, I was letting the music dictate my movements, mostly being various forms of smooth and fluid movements. The pulse of the bass had been exciting every organ of my body and I'd lost myself. Well not completely because I was still doing my designated task but there was an extent of how much I could see Aiden exchanging spit with dirt.

I recognised the current song as Killshot by Magdalena Bay, which had a very sensual sensation to it. So everyone around began dancing with the closest being to either sway with them, grind on them or make out. I knew I was good at dancing so when I moved to the music in a sultry manner myself, I noticed a couple of people gravitating in my direction.

There were a couple of hand grabs on my hips from god knows who but I managed to smoothly push them off and directed them to someone else. Bless their drunk asses. I'd noticed recently that I didn't panic (much) if I were to be touched on the dance floor (without consent), opting to calmly move them to someone else. If it were anywhere else, I'd jump up and shake on the ground. I blamed the music for the weird phenomenon. And maybe the drinks beforehand.

The club was dark, only being lit up by the pulsing strobe lights, flashing purple UV lights and the glow from the white lowlights tracing the roof. The smell of people due to the semi-packed floor and the smell of drinks filled the air, the music making it hard to hear the people around unless they were to speak right next to your ear. It put you in your own world. Just the music and the dancer. And the conversation from the Killuc table that I was half listening to. I was sure Aiden was more than able to memorise all the important parts without my help.

I closed my eyes to once again temporarily lost my life and escaped from the real world.

Oh god

Can you make my heart stop

Hit me with your kill shot baby

I mean it so serious

God

Can you make my heart stop

Honey with your kill shot baby

I mean it so serious

Still swaying to the music, I opened my eyes, only to freeze on the spot. A couple of metres away, on the other side of the dance floor was the last person I expected to see looking back. For anybody else, it would be difficult to clarify whether it was him under these lights. But after pining for so long, I could probably tell him apart from a kilometre away. That being said, everyone could tell he was drop-dead gorgeous so now there were a bunch of people touching him all over the place with no shame. It made me want to douse them in petrol and flick a match at them.

Leo on the other hand didn't give them the time of day (or night) and stared back at me with equal shock before morphing his facial expression into delight and... relief? Why relief?

He moved through the crowd, towards me and I panicked internally. All I wanted to do was run away and hide in a corner, out of embarrassment for being caught here out of all places, where I was more or less vulnerable and raw. But my body didn't listen to me, instead, it stayed rooted in its position and resumed moving side to side.

We were still staring at each other, blurring everyone around us and bringing us into our own private world. When he was a metre away from me, he joined in with my movement and finally, he stopped proceeding forward until his head was a couple of centimetres away from mine and I could feel his minty breath against my cheek.

I had to crane my head up to meet his eyes, being blinded as the lights are in my vision but I ignored all that as I called out, "Nardo? (I'd only recently come to terms with the nickname and I could proudly say I do not combust red whenever I said it. It was worth it for the joyful reaction I got out of it)" just loud enough for him to hear.

POV: Leonardo

I looked in every nook and cranny, every dark corner, dark alleyway and even the female stalls but none of them turned up with Nero. I was about to give up, thinking that maybe he'd never turned up in the first place, but then it hit that I hadn't checked one place.

The heart of the place.

I would've checked there earlier but I found it highly unlikely that if he were to be doing some sort of mission, he'd be situated there. But out of sheer desperation, I gave the dance floor the benefit of the doubt.

I walked into the somewhat crowded dance floor till I was near the edge but not at the edge and searched for a short, jet black-haired male. It proved to be a lot more difficult than anticipated due to the different colour lights spasming everywhere and the constant interruption by nearby horny dancers. I almost dropped the search then and there until I found someone who met the criteria. It was just the back of his head but that head looked very familiar. Call it wishful thinking if you must.

I pushed through the crowd to confirm suspicion but it only remained unanswered for a short while because the man turned around to reveal himself to be Nerovsky Poston. Elation erupted through my body and I nearly ran toward the man but instead, my legs were paralysed. Like meeting eyes with Medusa, I was turned into stone, enchanted not by his eyes but rather at his dancing.

With his eyes closed, Nero's fluid manoeuvres once again were bewitching, just like at the anniversary ball. His body was telling everyone he currently had no care in the world as well as challenging the people around him, telling them to try and get a piece of him if they could. The sight was doing wonders to me.

A couple of people stood up to the challenge and an involuntary growl escaped from my throat, surprising me out of shock. However, the people who tried, failed as the man cleanly avoided them and went back to his world.

Finally, Nero opened his eyes and he came to face me. He froze, shock befell his features and it almost made me laugh out loud, if it wasn't for the fact that I was still seduced by his dancing. Eventually, I freed myself from the spell, where relief and joy washed over me. I pushed toward him.

He resumed swaying to the music but didn't take his eyes away from mine, nor did I. We were in our own world as the club disappeared around us and anticipation continued to build as we closed the distance between us.

I blended in with the crowd as I matched the movements of my target and finally, I was dancing in front of Nero, with a couple of centimetres gap between us. Nero looked up at me with a mixture of confusion and delightful surprise while keeping a cautious distance between us.

The urge to wrap my arms around his waist and pull him up against my body nearly overwhelmed me but I barely managed it under control.

"Nardo?" asked the smaller man and a newfound wave of fondness shook my body. He could repeat the special nickname over and over again but it'd still have the same initial effect from the bank. I loved it coming from his lips and the fact that he got used to it warmed up my heart.

Still moving in time with the music, I threw the question back at him. "I can ask you the same thing. I didn't think you were much of a club person."

Nero snorted out loud and answered over the music. "You're right but wrong at the same time. I'm not a club person but I am a dance floor person and nightclubs have the best dance floor."

"Fair enough," I responded, "Is that why you're here tonight? To test out the dance floor?"

Nero smirked. "Something like that."

Somewhere along the short interaction, the two of us moved closer to one another until we were up against each other. I thought that was as close we were going to get but this man never ceased to surprise me. I briefly spotted the determination in Nero's eyes before I got distracted by his arms pulling up around my shoulders and looping his hands around my neck.

My eyes widened because this was the first time Nero initiated anything intimate between us but it didn't stop me from instinctively lifting my hands and cautiously placing them on his hips. I don't what kind of switch flipped within him but I was by no means complaining. I continued to look at him warily but his growing grin and sultry eyes were the green light I needed, so I wrapped my arms around his waist and heaved him towards me.

He gasped before his features settled with a smile. I brought my face down to his ear and asked, "Nero, why are you really here? You"

The man in my arms visibly shuddered, causing a smirk to form on my face. Knowing that I had an effect on him was extremely pleasing.

Either he was too out of it or he hadn't noticed because he didn't pout or steam up like he usually would in reaction to my smirk. Instead, he tiptoed up and dragged my head down so he could speak into my ears this time.

"What makes you say I'm not actually here to just loosen up on the dance floor?" Nero leaned back and continued guiding us with music with an innocent yet mischievous look on his face.

"Because as soon as we entered the place, we notice your blue-haired friend seating with one of the grimy Killuc kids, however, you mentioned the other day how he beats the daylights out of guys like him so it's kind of suspicious. There are also a couple of mean-looking men who have been keeping an eye on us ever since we began staring at Aiden. Need anything more?" Because honestly, I got no more.

Nero's face was blank momentarily before it changed into amusement. "Someone's been playing sherlock in their free time." His appearance quickly changed into something more serious as he added on. "Yeah, you're right. We're here to do some information collecting. Long story short, Aiden's doing the actual information gathering while I'm just playing lookout, in case he raises suspicion on himself or if there's any other dodgy activity going on far from the table."

"What are you guys gathering on?"

"That's for us to know and for you to not find out."

I frowned. "I don't think that's how the saying goes."

"Eh, tomayto, tomaato. Point is, you're not going to get involved. At least, not directly. You're going to be the thing that finally casts their gazes off me. I don't know how you're so good with your timing but always seem to arrive just when I need you. They seemed to be very wary of me, mainly because I'm dancing alone and looking around constantly. Like, what's wrong with dancing alone to a sexy song? I don't need this kind of judgment..." Nero continued you rambling and complaining. I couldn't help but find it adorable. "... anyway, that's not the point. I need you to look like you're in love with me, or at least look like you want to fuck me right here, right now while dancing with me, so we can blend back in."

I had absolutely zero complaints. That is a very easy thing to do. I'd get 100% if this task was assessed. I felt the tips of my ears heat up at the use of the vulgar statement but feigned confidence.

"Oh, so that's why you're feeling bold with me. I'm being used in your little ploy of yours." I was kidding of course but I couldn't help toying with him.

It did its desired effect and Nero was flustered, stammering out an explanation quickly. "W-What n-no! Of course not! I'm just say–"

I feel bad but this is golden. I quickly interrupted him. "No, I get it. It's understandable but I just don't want to be used like that. You should... find someone else." Putting on a (fake) sad smile, I began to pull my arms away from his waist and took a step back.

Only to be met with a death grip on my wrist and a panicked expression. My arms are brought back to their original position and he crowded up against me again, maybe even closer.

He looked up at me with confusion and panic. "I-I-I didn't mean that– I just was saying that­­– Well it's kind of like I trust you enough to touch me and it's a good opportunity to shake off those guys and I-I didn't mean it that way I– why the fuck are you snickering right now?"

I couldn't help it, seeing him all flustered and red was adorable. On top of that, he just dropped a huge bombshell on me and mentioned how he trusted me enough to allow physical contact with him. It was all too much. It took my all (once again) to stop myself from saying fuck it and snog him without any care.

"I'm sorry, I was just messing with you," I said as my snickering dies down. "I would love to help you with this mission of yours."

Nero's very much angered and how he was the one trying to push away, punching my chest a couple of times to get out of my grip. Obviously, I chortled and refused to let him go, tightening the grip further. He gave up relatively quickly and pouted, looking out to the side. I laughed harder and tried to get him to look back at me again.

"Nero~" Nothing. "I'm sorry" Nothing. "I won't do it again?" Still nothing. "The dodgy people are looking at us again. I suggest we resume dancing." That seemed to do it because he was back on alert, looking around the venue.

Once satisfied, he looked back at me with a glare and an angry (adorable) pout. "I'm still mad at you. I'm only talking to you right now for the greater good."

A new wave of laughter hit again and later, it settled into a fond smile that made Nero's eyes widen and made his breath hitch (he was doing a very bad job hiding it today). "I'll take what I can get."

POV: Nero

Manning up and not giving a fuck happened to be the best decision ever made because I got to be as close to the apple of my eye. Granted, I was going to be very fucking confused later tonight as the man was just as intimate, if not more and he was probably going to go back to normal the day after but we'll leave that for future me. For now, let's just enjoy ourselves.

After I suggested my plan (and had our mini dispute), we'd been dancing together in the same position for a while with my hands on his nape and his arms around my lower back. I had to make it pretty sexy, which heated my face to a hundred degrees but I was ever so grateful for the dark environment of the place. Plus, Leo seemed to enjoy my movements. I noticed the way he looked at me when I dance and it screamed hunger. My non-existent ego was now existent.

We continued moving to the music, feeling the music but all of a sudden, Leo stopped us and he looked at me... mischievously? What's he planning...

"I don't think we're convincing enough."

I scrunched up in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"We're still getting stares. Probably because everyone around us is a lot more... into it."

I looked around and he was right. People were on the verge of having sex on the dance floor. They were all going at it. It made my face flush further and I looked back at Leo.

"I thought this was some classy club. It's just a more expensive shabby club."

Leo laughed boisterously and then suddenly, I was spun around so my back was up against his chest. We fit perfectly, with the heat of his body seeping onto mine, essentially burning me up. I gasped at the sudden shift and I tried to look over my shoulder.

I instantly stopped the attempt when Leo brought his head down, next to my ear where there wasn't the earpiece. I looked straight ahead, tensed.

"What are you doing?" I breathily said.

"Trying to make it convincing. Plus, you can see the surrounding a lot more clearly."

"How's this more convi–" my sentence was cut off with my own surprised gasp when I felt Leo's lips grazing my jawbone, just underneath my ear. I couldn't help repeating the question as a lack of any other words coming to mind. "Leo, what are you..." but I trailed off breathily when he kissed the same place and more purposefully. I loosened up my muscles and leaned back into the comforting heat.

"I told you, I'm making it more convincing." The husky sound did wonders to me and I closed my eyes involuntary. He picked at the skin with his teeth, causing another gasp out of me which quickly turned into a breathless moan when he sucked on it. When the fuck did I move my neck to give him more access?

I was in absolute bliss as he moved down my jaw onto my neck and the thought of him leaving a mark afterwards (a very dark, long-lasting one by the feel of it) wracked another moan out of me.

It's all an act. He's doing it for the scene, not for you.

The thought was like an ice bucket splashing over my head and my eyes snapped open again. I quickly looked around to see that no one was looking at us anymore and gently pushed Leo away. He complied immediately but he didn't remove his arms.

I turned around in them and looked back up at him. I quickly hid the anguish in my eyes and brought back the look of desire, although not as intense as before. I gave him a smile, which was half forced and in an amused tone said, "I think that seemed to do the job. Do you use this technique to chase away your groupies when you want to pay attention to one person?"

Leo looked at me with an unreadable expression before his eyes lit up in amusement, meaning he couldn't figure out what I was feeling. Leo's grip tightened slightly before he said something that I could probably never forget for the rest of the night, or my life.

"No, I only use it for you and chasing away the groupies is only one of the minor reasons."

POV: Aiden

God, I was bored and I wanted to leave already but I knew it wasn't time yet. I got everything I needed to hear and I was done dealing with this sleazebag who kept groping my ass like some sort of stress ball.

You'd think that he'd be a greater kisser, all things considered. He's just disappointment on top of disappointment.

Right now, Brad's attention had been caught by the slut sitting on the other side of him and the people around him weren't talking about anything noteworthy, so I took the opportunity to take a short "break" and looked around. Mainly looked for Nero.

Luckily for me, the crowd was a lot more dispersed now, so you could see through the gaps if you wanted to see the middle of the dance floor. I immediately spotted the midget and immediately sprayed out the drink in my mouth onto the table. I instinctively apologised but it was very half-assed.

Now all the attention was on me, with various ranges of annoyance, amusement, blankness and very little concern. But none of that shit mattered because...

IS THAT MY FUCKING BEST FRIEND DANCING WITH THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE WITHOUT BEING AN AWKWARD LITTLE SHIT?! HIS ARMS ARE AROUND HIS NECK AND HIS ARMS ARE AROUND HIS WAIST. Does it look like they're in some sort of high school dance? It's a fucking club.

...Oh my god, he looks like he's enjoying himself. Meaning this wasn't a forced upon situation. It's a VERY MUCH VOLUNTARY THING. A CONSENT THING.

THAT'S MY BEST FRIEND!

... doesn't looking up like that for a long time hurt your neck? Stupid midget, just jump up and wrap your legs around him. Saves your neck muscle from the pain.

... wait why is Nero trying to beat him up? Now it's resolved. That was quick. Now Leo looks smitten with him. I'm confused.

... MAKE OUT ALREADY. THE SEXUAL TENSION IS SUFFOCATING ME FROM ALL THE WAY HERE.

Well, as long as he can manage to keep that smile on Nero's face, I wouldn't mind Leo hanging around him a bit longer.

I didn't bother hiding the affectionate smile creeping up on my face.