?Azalea

Arius looked at me wide eyed, he probably wasn't expecting me to play such a bold move. Actually I didn't either. But I've been trying to get his attention for a while now. I even chose to walk ahead of him when my clothes burned. I mean, I should take hold of any opportunity I get right? I looked at the water below.

"Why did you suddenly decide to come in?" He asked. His expressions had gone back to being calm. It's always so hard to read him.

"Just because." I lowered my towel showing a bit more of my cleavage. "You were the one who said I should get rid of all my shyness." I looked at him and froze. He was staring into my eyes so intensely I forgot to breathe. It wasn't just curiosity he had in his eyes. There was something more, something- dangerous.

"I'm starting to wonder if you're doing this on purpose." He drew his face closer to mine.

"On purpose?" I tilted my head, "Of course I'm doing it on purpose. You were the one who asked me."

"I don't remember asking you to seduce me." His face was a few centimeters away.

"Seduce? I'm seducing you? What makes you think that?" I played innocent as his hand reached my cheek.

"Oh? If you really came in to just lose all the shyness then," His other hand travelled to my towel, "You don't need this." He grabbed it, probably to pull it away but I grabbed his hand. I wasn't yet ready to be completely naked in front of him.

"I uh-" He kissed me before I got the chance to say anything.

And it wasn't just any kiss, this was different than what he had given me before. It felt completely new. There was a feeling of desire in it, it made me feel he wanted me and I got the hope that he might like me.

His hand travelled from my towel to my back but as his hand caressed the rougher area of my skin I flinched.

He broke the kiss and looked at me, "How did you get this?" He asked softly.

"Isn't the question ruining the mood?"

"Well then it's already ruined." He smirked, "Unless you take off that towel and make it better."

"..." Somehow he always has something to say that gets me speechless. "Should I?"

He raised his brow at me, "I get that you want to avoid the question but what's the point? I already know you have it. I've already seen it and now I've even felt it." He read right through me.

"It's disgusting isn't it?"

He shook his head, "An injury is never ugly. It makes you a warrior." He took my hand in his, "Shows how strong you've been." Then he placed my hand on his chest where he had his tattoos, "Feel it."

I was a bit astonished as to why he would suddenly ask me this but I was even more surprised when I did move my hand around over his tattoos. There were places that were quite rough, depressed and raised.

I looked back at him in confusion and he spoke, "Injuries make you?"

"... Stronger." He smiled at me after hearing my reply.

"That's right." He held my shoulders wanting to turn me around but I hesitated.

"Let me see." He said calmly and I gave in.

I turned around, brought my hair to the front and let him see my burned back. He slid his fingers down my backline and it made me shiver but that wasn't all. My eyes went wide and I was shocked when I felt him plant a kiss there.

"A-arius?!??" The room was already warm and his actions made my body heat up even more.

"Your scars make you beautiful Azalea." I felt goosebumps all over my body. The way he softly says my name makes me melt. "Accept them." He pulled me into a back hug, "They made you what you are today."

I smiled lightly, it was supposed to be a seduction incident but I guess it turned into something even better.

"How did you get yours?" I asked him.

"..." He remained silent for a few moments and I got out of his arms and turned back to look at him. He smirked at me and instead of answering my question, he decided to play, "I asked you first."

I rolled my eyes. We won't get anywhere like this. I sighed but then an idea popped inside my head, " Arius?"

"Hmm?"

"Let's make a bet."

"Bet?"

"Whoever gets the killer first out of both of us can ask the other person for anything. Deal?"

He shook his head in denial, "No."

"No? Why not? It's a fair enough deal."

"I want to propose a change."

"Uh- Okay?" I guess that's fine as long as we make the bet.

"Whoever kills the killer first wins." I was surprised for a second but it finally came to me as to why he wanted to do this himself. He didn't want to hand him over to the police since that means the killer would only go to jail and possibly get out too if he has a strong political or mafian connection.

"Okay." I agreed. I'm not a fan of killing but I don't want a rapist and a murderer to stay alive either. "It's a deal."

He smiled and stood up, "Deal." He left the tub immediately, grabbed the robe on the hanger and wore it over the towel he was already wearing around his lower body, "You can stay in for however long you like." With that, he was gone.

I slumped back against the border of the bathtub.

Well, that plan failed.

I sunk in deeper till the water reached my lips.

But it wasn't all bad. I placed my fingers on my back.

'Your scars make you beautiful.'

His words revolved in my mind and I couldn't help but feel happy. His words were completely different than what I had been hearing all my life. It made me feel so much better.

I took a deep breath as I stretched my arms and legs.

I'm really curious.

How did he get those injuries?