* TheFatRat & Laura Brehm – We’ll Meet Again *

***

Waking up from his short power up nap, Draven found himself on the dirty cold floor of the warehouse.

Sitting up and trying to determine whether the previous events were just a dream, or reality, he instinctively looks at his phone.

All of a sudden, memories of the soccer game flashes in his mind.

‘F*ck f*ck f*ck f****ckkk!!’

Cursing Lady Luck, Black Silver, Red Joe and every other criminal he knew, he stood up and rushed through the exit with a flash.

He was supposed to be in the soccer game.

The same one that had started about 35 minutes ago.

———————

“Sam! Over here!”, the captain of the Vikings, Joey, pointed out that he was free from the defenders already.

The moment Sam heard his captain and friend’s voice, he passed him the ball so quick that no one could intercept it.

Joey didn’t wait for the ball to reach him.

He jumped midair and kicked it with his right foot, scoring a perfect 90. (AN: means hit the corner of the goal, or the 90 degree angle of the rectangular goal. Just a casual soccer term.)

Wiping the sweat off if his face with his shirt, Joey smashed a quick high five with his close teammates, raised a thumbs up for the goalie, and then threw a casual wink over to the audience.

Momentarily afterwards, a collection of gasps could be heard.

He’d acquired quite a few fans since he’s set foot in the field, mostly girls.

With his bright rosey skin, light golden slick hair and chestnut brown eyes, many eyes were set in him.

Plus, he’s really good at the game!

Talent seekers who were disappointed with Draven’s absence had to be satisfied with Joey since he’s shown he can a promising player in the future.

Looking at little girl among the audience, the one that had caused a ruckus before the match had started, Joey couldn’t help but admire how even though she’s so young, her body language and gaze were so mature.

When she’s not yelling for you to ‘F*CK off’, of course.

He could feel her observing him from the stadium, almost like a researcher examining a speciment.

‘Not quite the look I would’ve liked to get…’ he thought to himself.

Although he could only see her upper half since she was sitting, he could tell that unlike her small body, her figure was that of a grown woman, from her ample bust *cough* *cough*

Joey turned beat red and scolded himself for his perverted thoughts, she was a true beauty, but he wasn’t into children.

‘But she’s probably not! Judging by- *cough*’ he shook his head at the thought. (AN: lol sorry to break it for ya dear Joey, she’s 13!)

*sigh* ‘ so that’s a real-life loli, huh?’

He couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Running back to his position, he passed by the Black Knights’ captain.

“Hi Capt., Mike was it? Your playstyle is awesome, you’re fast and a quick shooter. But you gotta remember you have teammates. We’re playing one team against the other, not a team against some lone players”, he said with a wave, as he continued running back to his position in the middle of the field.

“Ah… thanks, I guess…?” Mike wasn’t sure if the guy was making fun of them, or genuinely giving advice.

Looking back, Joey only winked as he stood in his spot and waited for the referee’s whistle.

‘I wish it was that easy…’ Mike looked down with a hard expression.

The Black Knights was a team centered around one player, their play style reflects how a group of knights would protect the king, but without Draven, they were missing their king.

‘Or a beehive without their queen, haha’ Mike laughed at the thought and ran back to his respective position.

That’s why Mike was trying super hard to fill his spot.

‘Damn it though, he’s right. We can’t keep this up. Where’s that idiot!?’

Just as he finished that thought, he heard loud collective cheers and gasps all over the stadium, from audience and players as well.

Running towards them was young boy in his gold and black uniform, with the number 11 printed on its back, in white font, strode down towards the Black Knights’ side of the field.

Wind playing with his blue hair, as the sun made his pale skin look silvery, he smiled and waved at his team, azure ireses surveying the other team carefully.

‘Here comes the queen’, Mike couldn’t control his grin, ‘all hail number 11’.

“Time off!” the coach prevented the game from starting while gesturing for the referee to give them a break.

While the coach was boiling with rage, he was really happy the kid haven’t abandoned them.

The score was a whopping 9 – 2, and they were one the losing side.

But looking at him he couldn’t help but wonder “First, you come in late. And now, you look like you’ve been in a funeral? What the actual f*c-?”

“Oi Mr. Vicks, no swearing!” Draven said while trying to recover his breath, he wasn’t tired, but rather stressed because he’s almost broken the promise he made with Maya, “As for your question, I’ve overslept, hehe” he smiled apologetically while scraching the back of his head.

“Overslept?” the coach wasn’t loud this time, but veins could be seen twitching and almost popping like popcorn through his forehead.

At the back of his mind though, he noted that the kid wasn’t looking all gloomy as sad like the last time he’d seen him, ‘something must’ve happened that made him feel better…’

Draven didn’t mind the angry gaze, nor did he care much, Mr. Vicks was always mad at something.

Looking at the crowded stadium, he squinted his eyes.

‘There!’ he thought he saw a familiar face.

‘Oh well sh*t, that the mayor’ he thought looking at his mother in the crowd with some of her assistants and secretaries, he didn’t think of her as his mom anymore.

‘She probably thinks of it as mayoral reputation thingy, never here for me’

Ignoring his teammates and the cheering crowds, he focused more on the seats all around, only to be greeted by the two people he’s looking for.

Pointing at them, he smiled, and the crowd did as well, following his finger.

He then pointed at the bench near the field, where his team members sat.

The two girls gave a nod and headed down the stairs, and towards their brother.

Looking at Maya and Maria, the crowd was stunned. They knew his mother, the mayor, was present at the stadium.

They could see her in the VIP section.

But VIP or not, sitting near the players is always what everyone wished for.

Yet, Draven didn’t invite his mom, but the two girls that were causing a commotion before the start of the game.

They could all see the shock in the mayor’s face, as her son didn’t even bother wave at her.

Looking at the two girls with eyes filled with envy and lust, the people didn’t know what happened, but a sudden chill down their spine caused them to shiver for a second before it subdued the moment the girls set foot near number 11.

Those gazes weren’t new to Draven, he knew his sisters were top beauties, and so he didn’t usually mind the stares, as long as they weren’t that of lust or hatred, that is.

Surprising nearly everyone, once she was close enough, Maya ran at full speed towards Draven, who was expecting a hug.

But Maya had other plans.

Being trained in martial arts by an expert who had no special powers, agility was one of her strongest suits.

She ran at full speed, till she was a meter away from Draven.

She then jumped up once, using the ground for support, then a second time, using Draven’s knee.

He was shocked but decided not to react all of a sudden as not to throw her off balance.

Now being midair, and at face level with Draven, Maya trapped his face inside her open palms, and went in for the big prize.

Realising her goal, Draven held her waist gently and stopped her midair.

“Oi, a French kiss?” He whispered so only Maya could hear, while releasing her as soon as her foot hit the ground.

The crowd was left speechless, more surprised at what the little girl was trying to do, rather than her agility that gave her the ability to do it.

But Maya wasn’t impressed, “YOU PROMISED!” the look on her face made Draven flinch.

She currently has a look of shock and betrayal, that would make the pained face of an injured soldier look like a happy puppy, in comparison.

‘Promised?’ Draven thought, as a memory flashed before his eyes.

***

It was when he’d gotten home early from school, while he was getting ready to leave for his ‘mission’.

“Hey, the game’s today by the way, you wanted me to play so you better be there!” he said to both girls.

It was them who’d insisted he joins the game so he could ‘relieve some stress in a friendly manner, rather than killing some poor people’.

Although he’d mentioned a hundred times that no one he killed was innocent, they never listened.

Looking at him, both girls noded, “We’ll be there, promise!”

He nodded too, satisfied.

But Maya wasn’t done.

“is it not better to prepare for the game? You literally have about 3 hours till the game starts” she questioned him with her puppy eyes.

His heart melted, and he knew something was off instantly, but he shrugged it off as his Imagination.

“Nah it’s alright, I’ll be there before the game starts, promise”

“Promise?” Maya questioned.

“Yup, that’s what I said…”

“What if you’re late?”

“I won’t, I-”

“Yea yea, but what if, like hypothetically…?”

“Umm, I guess I’d make it up for you..?”

“Uhm” she nodded, happy that they’re finally on the same page, “I was thinking of something along the lines of… let’s say a kiss..?” *puppy eyes intensify*

“Ahh.. sure..?” Draven was taken a back by her display of ‘friendly gaze’ which be was sure would down a few boys in an instant.

Also, he was in a hurry, the gang was already at the warehouse, according to Red Joe.

A cheek kiss isn’t something he takes away from the girls anyway.

“Sure, if that’s all you want” he said and smiled warmly at his sister.

Maria couldn’t believe her ears, but she knew Draven wasn’t aware of the lurking dangers of that promise, ‘she omitted the part which explains what type of kiss it is!’ she thought, but couldn’t help but compliment her sister’s power of manipulation.

Maya, hearing that, could no longer contain her wide grin, she even stood in a ‘be proud you get to see me’ pose while covering her mouth with the back of her palm, “in case you haven’t noticed, you’ve fallen right into my trap, houhouho~”

Draven didn’t understand what she meant by that so he shrugged it off and started walking outside the door, “It’s a promise!” he winked.

“Now, of you’ll excuse me, I got a bunch of idiots waiting for me! Will see you at the game!” he said and headed out.

All the while, Maya’s pose didn’t waiver, nor did her evil laugh.

***

Remembering the previous events, Draven knew he missed up pretty bad, ‘well, rip my dear soul’, he thought.

But a quick look at Maya’s sad expression made him feel like the biggest jerk alive.

“Alright” he sighed, ” a promise is a promise, after all”

“Eh? What d-” Maya couldn’t finish her sentence before being cut off by Draven who was now kneeling down slightly to be face to face with her.

Raising her chin up with his right hand, he then put his left behind her head before proceeding to kiss her.

Maya was shocked, to say the least.

Of course, she wasn’t happy he hadn’t accept at first, but that was expected.

‘Yet, now he’s actually kissing me?’

She didn’t know how to react or what to do, this boy, Draven, her saviour, had given her everything she needed in life.

She’d previously thought about countless ways to end her life, while in Lady Luck’s place.

Yet, she couldn’t thank herself more for not going along with it.

‘I don’t deserve such a good soul next to mine’, she thought while opening her eyes to look at Draven.

She saw warmth, calmness, and love.

She knew he thought of her as a sister, not as a lover, and although she thought she’s given up, she realised that she still hasn’t.

Time and time again, she’s proven herself wrong.

‘I love you, Draven O’Bannon. I’ll never stop loving you, not till I die. But if I can’t get your love, I’ll make sure only a girl who’s better than myself and better suited to you, and who actually deserves you, gets it. For all I care, I don’t deserve such love…’

She didn’t know when, but she’s already closed her eyes again, opening them back up, she couldn’t prevent her tears from rushing down her cheeks this time.

Feeling her tears on his face, Draven activated his Ruler’s Touch and tried to give her the warmth and happiness he thought she deserves.

‘Sorry lil Maya, I can’t have you falling for me, since I’d never know whether they’re your true feelings, or those generated by the feeling of dependency on myself as your protector.

‘After this, you’ll be my little sister, and only that…’

Feeling the warmth and calmness wash over her, she couldn’t help but try hopelessly to stop her tears from pouring out, she knew he was giving her some of his life force.

She couldn’t let such a precious gesture go to waste.

After a few seconds, she felt her stress fade away, her muscles relax under his touch, and her mind at ease.

The release from his embrace was so sudden for little Maya that she flinched, but she recovered soon after.

‘Damn it, akin to a dagger to the heart. First it’s inserted quietly, then removed harshly to let it bleed…’ she couldn’t help but muse about that.

Draven saw her expression, and without even waiting for her to say a single word, he wiped her lingering tears with the back of his index, “hey now, don’t cry, you’ll make me regret my decision…” he said with a forced smile.

Judging by his expression, she knew it wasn’t easy for him either.

“Oh hou~ look at you going all sensitive, lil Maya”

Hearing that and remembering where she was and what she was doing, Maya jumped back in an instant.

Gently, but fast enough, she assumed a playful pose and pulled her lower eyelid down a little bit. Sticking her tongue out, she said: “Haha! I knew you’d be late! I won, like always!”

Almost too fast, she said what she had to, then left back to the bench.

Draven couldn’t help but let a sad smile climb his face. He knew this was just an act.

‘Was I wrong to go through with it..?’ he couldn’t help but wonder.

Draven wasn’t alone feeling the tension, so Maria tried to ease what’s left of it in the air.

“Makes me feel envious… She gets a public kiss while I’m left all alone to watch from afar”, she assumed a fake sad expression and out her hand over where her heart would be.

Yet, Draven couldn’t help but feel bad, even if it was just an act.

He walked over to her, which surprised her.

With Maria being almost as tall as him, standing about 167cm or 5.6″ high, he didn’t need to kneel, so he just pulled her chin down a bit, and kissed her forehead.

“Che. Of course you’d do that!” Maria clicked her tongue, then followed that by a shrug, “but I guess it’s better than nothing. Now, treat us with a big win,” She waved with a wink before following Maya.

With both girls calmer, Draven could finally sigh in relief, ‘I hope I didn’t mess up…’

The stadium was so quiet that you’d hear a pin drop before it reaches the ground.

The coach was left shocked, just like everyone else.

He didn’t even question Draven’s manners for not asking permission before inviting people to the sidelines.

No, his mind was a bit overloaded with what he’d just saw.

‘Isn’t she still underage?’ he thought, and so did many.

Yet, most of the thoughts were leaning towards how the monster of a girl was tamed and reduced to a quiet refined maiden, with but a single kiss from that boy.

“Ummm..? Shall we start the second half? Er, or continue what little is left of the first.” Draven’s words were like a spell that made time flow again.

———————————

Seeing the scene in front of him, Joey was awe struck.

Not because of what the blue haired boy has done, but for what and who he is.

He’s seen those features before, there was no way he’d forget someone so memorable.

“Blue hair.. Azure eyes.. Angel pale skin…”

Preventing his knees from doing what they’re so used to doing, and kneeling on the grassy ground, had proven rather difficult, yet he endured.

“We finally meet… your majesty…”

Only a handful could see the captain of the Vikings bow slightly at the Black Knights’ number 11.