The Extra's Rise

I watched Master's profile as he worked, noting the subtle signs of fatigue that others might miss. The slight tension in his shoulders, the way his azure eyes occasionally lost focus, the careful way he held himself as if movement might aggravate some hidden pain. He was pushing himself again, despite his body's need for rest.

"Master," I said softly, my voice carrying all the concern I couldn't quite hide. "You should take a break."

"Almost finished," he murmured, not looking away from his screen. "Just need to approve these final resource allocations for the Aetherite security protocols."

I shifted slightly, pressing closer to his leg where my head rested. This position had become natural over the months—close enough to offer comfort, unobtrusive enough that he could work without distraction. It was my way of taking care of him when he wouldn't take care of himself.

"The guild will survive if you finish tomorrow," I pointed out gently. "Luna is waiting for you at home."

That got his attention. Master's hand stilled on his stylus, and I saw his expression soften as it always did when Luna was mentioned. The transformation from guild master to devoted father never failed to make my chest warm with affection.

"You're right," he admitted, finally looking down at me with those eyes that had first captured my attention years ago. "I suppose I am being unnecessarily thorough."

"It's one of your more endearing flaws," I said with a small smile. "Though your tendency to overwork yourself when stressed is less charming."

Master's hand found my hair, his fingers threading through the silver strands with the kind of gentle touch that still made my heart skip. "When did my devoted assassin become such a wise counselor?"

"I've always been wise, Master. You just finally learned to listen to me instead of charging headfirst into danger."

"I don't charge headfirst into danger," he protested mildly.

I raised an eyebrow. "The Red Chalice monastery?"

"That was strategic."

"The vampire nest in the Northern territories?"

"Calculated risk."

"The incident with the corrupted dungeon core that nearly—"

"Alright, point taken," Master interrupted with a rueful laugh. "Perhaps I have been somewhat... impulsive in my approach to problem-solving."

"Somewhat," I agreed dryly. "Like how a hurricane is somewhat windy."

Master chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest in a way that made me want to curl closer. These quiet moments were precious—when he wasn't the legendary Arthur Nightingale, guild master and hero, but simply the man I'd chosen to follow, to serve, to love.

"There," he said, finally closing the last file on his tablet. "Officially caught up on the backlog. Kali can't complain about my work ethic for at least another week."

"She'll find something else to complain about," I observed. "It's part of her charm."

"True. Though I suspect having Luna around will soften her edges considerably." Master's expression grew thoughtful. "She's already completely smitten. I caught her looking up child-friendly training techniques on her phone."

"Luna has that effect on people," I said softly. "She brings out protective instincts in everyone she meets."

"Including you?"

I considered the question seriously. "Especially me. She's precious to you, Master, which makes her precious to me. And beyond that..." I paused, searching for the right words. "She deserves to have a normal childhood after everything she's endured. Protecting that innocence feels important."

Master's fingers stilled in my hair, and when I looked up, I found him watching me with an expression of such tenderness it made my breath catch.

"I love you," he said simply, the words carrying all the weight of absolute truth. "Not just your loyalty or your skills or your devotion. I love you, Reika. All of you."

Heat flooded my cheeks, but I didn't look away. "I love you too, Master. More than I ever thought possible."

"Arthur," he corrected gently. "When it's just us, you don't have to use titles."

"I like calling you Master," I admitted, feeling my face grow warmer. "It reminds me that I chose this. That I chose you."

Master—Arthur—reached down to cup my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing across my cheekbones with infinite gentleness. "Stand up."

I obeyed without question, rising from my position on the floor to stand before his chair. Arthur's hands remained on my face, his azure eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Come here," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of invitation that sent shivers down my spine.

I moved closer, allowing him to guide me as his hands settled on my waist. The motion was natural, inevitable—Arthur pulling me down as I straddled his lap, our faces now level with each other. This close, I could see the flecks of silver in his eyes, could feel the warmth radiating from his skin.

"Better," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. "Much better."

"Master," I whispered, the title carrying all my devotion, all my love, all my absolute trust in this man who had saved me from darkness and given me purpose.

"My Reika," he replied, and then his lips found mine.

The kiss was gentle at first, tender and exploratory, as if we had all the time in the world. I melted into his touch, my hands coming up to rest on his chest where I could feel his heartbeat steady and strong beneath my palms. This was home—not a place, but this feeling of perfect rightness when I was in his arms.

The kiss deepened, a slow, intoxicating pull that sent heat curling through my veins. Arthur's lips moved against mine with a quiet hunger, his hands tightening on my waist as if anchoring himself to me. I pressed closer, my fingers curling into his shirt, savoring the warmth of his chest beneath my palms. Every touch, every shift of his mouth, stoked the fire building inside me, and I couldn't help the soft sound that escaped my throat—a needy edge to it that made Arthur pause, his breath hitching.

I'd mentioned Luna to get him to stop working, to pull him away from the endless demands of the guild. It had worked, as it always did—her name a gentle spell that softened his edges. But the truth? I'd wanted this. Wanted him. Not just the quiet moments of tenderness, but this—the way his hands roamed my sides, the way his azure eyes darkened when he looked at me, the way he made my body sing with every touch. My violet hair spilled over my shoulders, catching the dim light of his office, and I knew my flower-shaped eyes were glowing faintly, betraying the desire I couldn't hide.

"Reika," he murmured against my lips, his voice low and rough, sending shivers racing down my spine. His hands slid upward, fingers grazing the curve of my ribs through my shirt, and I arched into his touch, silently begging for more. When his palms brushed over my chest, cupping me gently, a sharp gasp tore from me, my head tilting back as heat flooded my core.

"Arthur," I whispered, the name slipping out like a plea. His thumbs traced slow circles over the fabric, teasing, and I squirmed in his lap, feeling the hard evidence of his own desire pressing against me. The sensation made my thoughts scatter, my body humming with need. I'd wanted him for myself tonight, and now that I had him, I wasn't letting go.

His mouth found my neck, lips grazing the sensitive skin just below my ear, and I shivered, my hands sliding up to tangle in his black hair. "You're trouble," he said, his voice a warm rumble against my skin. "You know that, don't you?"

"Only for you," I managed, my voice breathy as his hands slipped under my shirt, calloused fingers brushing bare skin. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I tugged at his hair, pulling his mouth back to mine. The kiss was hungrier now, all pretense of restraint gone as our tongues met, a dance of heat and want that left me dizzy.

I broke away just long enough to fumble with the buttons of his shirt, my fingers trembling with urgency. "Off," I demanded, and Arthur's soft laugh vibrated against my lips.

"Impatient," he teased, but he helped me, shrugging the fabric off his shoulders to reveal the lean, scarred planes of his chest. My hands roamed over him, tracing the familiar marks of battles fought and survived, each one a testament to the man I loved. My gaze flicked up to meet his, those azure eyes burning with the same intensity I felt, and I knew he was as lost in this as I was.

"Your turn," he said, his voice a low command that sent a thrill through me. His hands tugged at the hem of my shirt, and I raised my arms, letting him pull it over my head. The cool air of the office hit my skin, but Arthur's hands were warm, cupping my bare chest with a reverence that made my heart ache even as it stoked my desire. His thumbs brushed over sensitive peaks, and I moaned softly, my hips shifting against him instinctively.

"Gods, Reika," he groaned, his forehead pressing against mine as his hands explored, teasing and kneading with a touch that was both gentle and possessive. My violet eyes fluttered shut, my body trembling under the weight of his attention. I'd wanted him to stop working, yes, but this—this was what I'd craved. Him, all mine, in this stolen moment where the world outside didn't exist.

I reached for his belt, fingers deft despite the haze of want clouding my mind. "I need you," I whispered, the words raw and honest, and Arthur's hands stilled, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.