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(Y/n) never felt so relieved to see Tristan's metallic blue eyes. "Step away from her, Kim," the blue-haired male ordered as he stepped over the overturned chairs and stopped a few feet away from the two. He did not look amused by the state the pool was in. "Put the knife down."

"Or what?" Jaehyun sneered, sending another solid kick into Kieran's gut. "You'll poison me?"

"No. I'll make it so that you'll never see (Y/n) again."

The blond took a threatening step towards the male. "You wouldn't dare."

Where any normal person, grown or not, would've cowered away at his murderous look, Tristan stood his ground. He radiated confidence and certainty. There was no trace of fear in his face. "I will if you continue to break our agreement, Kim."

A low growl came out of the boy at the words, his face warring between compliance and defiance. Finally, the reasonable side of him won. The fight drained out of his body for the most part and with one last sweet smile at (Y/n) and a glower at the white-haired male, he left with no more than four cheerful words.

"See you later, (Y/n)!" He waved at her, beaming brightly, and passed Tristan as he went back inside the Tempus Dorm.

(Y/n) couldn't relax until the boy was out of sight, her eyes following his form as he did so. Then she started for Kieran, strangely worried for the fallen male. That worry didn't last long—as soon as Jaehyun faded out of sight Kieran sat up, an amused grin on his face despite the nasty gash on his forehead and the blood spilling down his face.

Tristan arched a perfect eyebrow at the smirking male. "Get yourself cleaned up, Fujikawa. You're getting the pool dirty."

"Your concern is heartwarming." Kieran wiped the blood off his face with his arm. He sprang to his feet and caught the (h/c)-haired girl's eye. When she realized he was looking at her she turned away, struggling to put back her uncaring mask in time.

"Worried about me, love?" He grinned and sided up to her. "On second thought, I don't think I'm fine. Maybe..." He took her hands in his. "You'll make me feel better—"

His head snapped forward, nearly hitting hers as Tristan threw an inflatable ball at him. "The hell is your problem?" Kieran turned around angrily.

"That ball has an unusual attraction to flirts and playboys," (Y/n) muttered dryly. "You can go on a date with it. Hurry on now."

"A date with a beach ball?" He held up the colorful ball with both hands. "Can't see how I'd get any action like this."

"Come with me, (Y/n)," Tristan interjected coldly, dismissing the other male with a vexed glare. "Leave the fool to his...date." He said the word with such disdain (Y/n) nearly let out a laugh. Kieran pouted in mock offense and threw the ball back at him.

"C*ckblocker."

Tristan caught it with both hands. As expected of a basketball player. "Keep it in your pants."

What a great friendship, (Y/n) snorted as Kieran rolled his eyes and dramatically flipped his damp hair out of his eyes. Reminds me of someone I know.

"You have legs," she heard Tristan call. He was already a good distance away from her. "Use them to walk. I have something to speak to you about."

This again? Swallowing her irritation, she made sure to walk as slowly as possible as she followed the blue-haired male. "Would it kill you to phrase that in a nicer way?"

"Have you phrased anything you've told me in a nice way?"

He's got me there. "You're annoying."

"A little weak on the insults there, (Y/n)." His eyes flickered back to hers briefly as they turned a corner into another hallway. There was amusement and blue fire dancing in those silver-blue orbs. "Have you lost your touch?"

"At least that's the only thing I lost." She pointedly stared out the window. "They've lost their minds."

"Hardly." She didn't realize he had stopped into she crashed into his broad back. Then his hands were on her, on her waist, keeping her from falling. He spun her around so that she was facing him. "They've been that way from the start. You've just only noticed it."

"Prone to violent tantrums and throwing knives at people?" She made an incredulous sound. "The Game really screwed you guys over, didn't it?"

"I'm a little concerned you don't seem that worried, but I'll let it slide." His hands fell from her waist, leaving burning patches on her skin even through the fabric of her shirt and swimsuit. His hand found its way to her chin and tipped it up, forcing her to look at him. His gaze was steady and unwavering as he gazed into her (e/c) eyes. They were like mirrors, she mused. Or pools of water. Pools that revealed glimpses of worlds beyond. Of burning lakes and a thousand whispers. Dark promises and poisonous secrets.

She tried to brush his touch away but like all the others, Tristan was stronger than he looked. "Kim told you, didn't he?" His voice was almost a whisper that swept over her skin, caressing it, and making her shiver.

"T-tell me what?" She struggled to tear her eyes away but something about those frozen orbs was magnetic. Something about it refused to let go. Is he talking about the confession?

As if reading her mind, he dipped his head into a nod. "His feelings," he murmured. "His so-called love." A cruel smile graced his lips as he uttered the word. "A strange thing, feelings. Completely unnecessary yet I can't bear to part with them at the same time."

"If you're going to go all philosophical on me, maybe let me go first?" She looked awkwardly to the side. His unfaltering stare was starting to unnerve her, not to mention his close proximity. This wasn't like him—wasn't like him at all.

"What if I don't want to?" He released his grip on her chin and ran a hand through her hair, marveling in the way the silky (h/c) strands slipped through his fingers. Like a hope, a dream, always so far away and slipping out of his grip. Unless he tightened his iron fist and kept it locked up, forever, in a place only he could reach and see.

But (Y/n), being that dense idiot she was, didn't see any of his inner turmoil. "I'll pull your hair out," she deadpanned. "That or I'll feed you to Tristan 2.0."

"I'm touched you named the dog Matthews gave you after me," he chuckled, making no move to step away. "I assume your answer to Kim was a negative one?"

She clicked her tongue in irritation. "I don't see how that's any of your business. Never mind common courtesy—you got to learn the concept of personal space, which s—Kieran obviously doesn't have. Please don't learn from him. I don't need two Kierans."

"Is that a joke or sarcasm?"

"Depends on how you look at it. Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Depends on how you look at it."

"Ugh, you're annoying."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I said that was a weak one." He touched her forehead to hers, making her eyes widen. The heck is happening? "Don't disappoint me, (Y/n)."

"Wait, am I not getting something here, or are you deliberately asking me to insult you?"

"What—" He laughed, pulling away enough to free her from the scent of irises and morning dew. The sound burst out of him like it's been bottled up all his life, locked in a drawer with no key until a certain Yeti decided to stomp on it.

"No," Tristan chuckled, shaking his head. A devious glint entered his eyes. "I was hoping to have a battle of wits with you, but it seems like you're unarmed."

This cheeky—oh no he didn't. "You—" She spluttered, her face going pink in anger and embarrassment as the male laughed again at her expense. "Says the person who can't even use a computer!"

"Pardon me, but I know how to work a PC," he scoffed haughtily. "How else do you think I get my work done?"

"Seems like I'll have to call up your nin—um, butlers. Maybe they know how to."

"You're not getting anything from them." He folded his arms smugly and lifted his chin proudly. "And don't think you're off the hook for the, well, unique paint job you gave my wall yesterday."

Well, I'm royally screwed. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," she lied, refusing to meet his eyes. "Me? Paint? I can't paint."

"I could tell."

"W-what if I could?" She stammered, trying to save what little pride she had left. "The first part was just a warm-up."

"I highly doubt it." Then he paused as if just realizing something. "Did you...do it with Kim?"

"The vandal—um, new wallpaper?" She shrugged, not really thinking much of the way his eyes darkened. "Maybe. What, did you want him to do the whole thing? Well sucks for you because I—"

She trailed off, just noticing the way his jaw clenched angrily and the furious glint in his eyes. She took an instinctive step back. "W-what's up with you? Lost your hair gel?"

"That's what I want to know," he seethed, taking a step forward as she took a retreating one. He ignored her remark; his attention was only on one thing. "I don't understand myself, why there's this strange feeling in my chest when I think of you with Kim. So tell me...what does it mean, (Y/n)?"

There was a strange helplessness in his voice that stole the breath from her lips. It made her unsteady on her feet—(Y/n) was never one for change and new things. She liked things to stay the same. Just the saw she liked it. But things refused to go her way. Even Tristan, who had to be somewhat the most predictable out of the four was changing.

Perhaps he wasn't as predictable as she assumed. He wasn't merely all cunning and blackmail. And despite her apology for calling him a robot early, she's forgotten about it. He did have emotions. Maybe not as much as the next person, but he had them nonetheless.

Tristan Knight plus feelings was a messy equation.

"U-um, maybe you're coming down with something?" She suggested meekly, cowering away from his gaze. It made her want to retreat to the nooks and crannies of her mind. Not the best time for jokes, (Y/n)! She mentally scolded herself. "It's probably nothing—"

"I don't think so." Tristan crossed the short distance between them with a single, long stride. And before she knew it, she was back in his arms, folded between lean muscle and soft, tailored fabric. Her body was stiff, unresponsive as she stared wide-eyed into his chest, barely being able to process the situation.

"Even I know what this is," the male continued with a breathy sigh. It was a different sigh this time—it was neither exasperated nor tired. It was one of contentment and satisfaction as if everything suddenly made sense to him. Everything was starting to come together. He let himself relax, let himself fall deeper into the moment but not daring to do much more than hold her. It would be enough.

For now, that was.

"Turn down Kim." His whisper was like a spring breeze, not quite warm but not cold at the same time. It swept over her cheek and her skin prickled with goosebumps. His arms snaked around her torso, tightening, trapping her in a time vault with no key. "I could love you as no other has, in a way you'll never forget. I could be the lover of your dreams (Y/n). I'd give you anything you want. You won't have to want anything when you're with me—you'll have it all. I promise you."

He pulled back, just slightly, enough to throw an arm out and gesture to the mansion. There was a passionate gleam in his eyes that wasn't there before. "All of this, and more, it'll be yours. All you have to do is be here. With me. It's as simple as that. Won't you say yes?"

He pressed a chaste kiss to her fingers, his eyes locked on hers the whole time to gauge her reaction. (Y/n) was a late reactor, and it didn't help that her nervous system was already as f*cked up as it was.

The sudden turn of events made her head spin. Her mind futilely clawed at his words to put bits and pieces together. No matter how she tried to deny it, the fragments all came back to spell one thing. The accursed r-word and l-word.

"I—what?" She blinked rapidly. It was one thing if Tristan suddenly told her he was going to erase her when this was all over but this? "Why...me?"

"Feelings are complicated," he murmured, his eyes caressing the back of her hand. "I can't say it clearly myself. It just made sense. Maybe it was the way you didn't expect much from me. You were never afraid of me, I suppose." Then he sighed, dropping his head to her shoulder. "Must I explain it to you? It's an enigma not even I understand."

Where was the arrogant flair, the haughty attitude? Gone was all of that and in its place was a boy. A mere boy unfortunately born into high expectations and chained wealth. A boy that was just tired of everything and wanted to let loose. A boy who was seeking someone who was the complete opposite of him.

(Y/n) wasn't sure if she was meant to be that someone.

"I'm flattered, really," she began slowly. He's not Jay. It'll be fine. "But...relationships aren't really my thing—"

"Is it Kim?" He interrupted. His expression was now one of urgency and desperation. "Or Grayson? It can't be either of them, can it?"

"Wait—let go of me first!" His grip on her wrists tightened until it was almost painful. The bruises on her upper arms from where Jaehyun had dug his fingers into the skin smarted sharply at her struggles. "Tristan!"

"It can't be," he repeated, not hearing her. "Because Kim...his father is the researcher."

She froze, her body going taut as her blood stilled. The gears in her head spun rapidly even as time seemed to slow around them. Everything melted away until all she could see was Tristan and the darkness. "...What did you say?"

"I didn't mean to say that now." The blue-haired male looked apologetic. But then he smiled. "What is said is said. I meant every word, my dear. Kim's father, Professor Kim, is the one behind all those kidnappings and unethical tests on children for his new drug. You were a victim, were you not? And I believe Matthew's youngest sister was sold to him by their father too, but that was all covered up..."

The rest of his words was lost to her ears. Through the black haze that gripped her and the lengthy claws that crept out from the shadows, she struggled to hold onto the snippets of his voice that threatened to elude her.

Tests. Kim. Victim.

Her life was a rollercoaster and she was the only one riding it. And the track has begun to rust away, little by little.

She couldn't fix that sort of thing.

Tristan smiled softly at the unresponsive (h/c)-haired girl. He knew how it felt like to be trapped by his own demons. "It must be frightening," he crooned, stroking her hair even though he knew she wouldn't feel it. That's what made it better. He gathered her into an embrace that was more constrictive and possessive than comforting, resting his face on top of her hair. "Must be shocking, isn't it, (Y/n)? But that's okay...because you understand now. If you stay with me, you'll never be sent back there again."

"You understand me, don't you? You're not allowed to leave."

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"Big brother!"

A little bundle of excitement and unconditional love barreled through the double doors of the manor and straight into Leon's opened arms. Conan squealed happily as his brother affectionately tousled his hair and set him back onto his feet. Leon's eyes scanned the boy's form for any sign of injury as he straightened his brother's clothes.

"How was your trip little guy?" He grinned as he took the hat off the little boy's head. "Did you make any trouble?"

"No way!" Conan huffed, placing his hands on his hips. "When am I ever bad?"

"You cheeky little thing," Len chuckled. He rose to his full height and extended a hand for his brother to take. "Come on, let's get you comfortable. Juice?"

"Orange!"

They settled into the living room where the black-haired male entertained his brother with a game on his phone. Then, deciding Conan had his fair share of screen time for the day, Leon pulled a tray of cookies he had sitting in the oven and offered them to his brother.

"Chocolate chip?" He asked though he really didn't need to. He knew all of his brother's likes and dislikes.

Conan gave the older male a toothy grin. "You betcha! Thanks, big brother!"

"Wait." Leon pulled the plate away before the boy could grab one. "Did you wash your hands?"

"Oops. I'll be right back. Don't steal any of my cookies okay?"

"No promises."

"Grr, brother!"

Leon chuckled as Conan made an I'm-watching-you motion with his hands and ran into the kitchen. Then he was out, plopping himself back into the wooden chair. "One...two...three..." he counted the sweet treats with a serious look. Leon covered his mouth to hide his smile.

Conan brightened when he realized all of them were still there. "Good, you kept your promise!" He took a cookie off the plate and offered it to his brother. "For you, since you were a good boy."

"Thank you," Leon said in amusement as he took the treat from the boy who beamed back at him. The cookie looked tiny in his hands compared to Conan's smaller ones.

"You're very much welcome!"

As Leon watched his brother eat, he felt utter contentment and satisfaction with the fact that the only two people he cared about in the world were safely in this dorm. With him. Even as he hated this place the first time he arrived, he began to be thankful for it. Tristan was right—they could do whatever the hell they wanted here and no one would know.

No one knew Tristan had been secretly replacing the board with his puppets. No one knew Jaehyun had created far more artwork than he's let on. No one knew the exact number of people Kieran's screwed over, and no one knew how many people Leon had to kill and threatened to keep his brother safe.

His "father" had countless men to send after the youngest Matthews. Leon had tireless energy to send them all to Hell.

His mood dampened at the thought that the eldest Matthews male would be coming to the dorm today. He didn't want the foul creature breathing in the same space Conan and (Y/n) were. He didn't want him anywhere near them. Leon would be damned before he let anything happen to the two.

He knew his father. He knew how a politician's mind worked. If his father saw that (Y/n) was another one of his weak links, he'd try to use her against him.

And for that Leon must erase him.

Kieran chose that exact moment to waltz in through the door. A smug grin was dancing on his lips as he went straight to the fridge and pulled out a canned drink. The familiar green tint of the can made Leon's eyes narrow. His silver eyes tracked the white-haired male as he came over and cracked the can open, taking a long swig.

"Hey, little man." Kieran swiped a cookie from Conan's plate. "Heard you were coming. Welcome to my humble home."

"Hey, that was mine!" The boy protested, futilely reaching for the sweet treat that was soon reduced to nothing but crumbs. He scowled, his cheeked puffed up cutely. "Some welcome. And big brother always says not to talk to people who look like they're aging prematurely!"

"What—you—" Kieran sent a glare Leon's direction who stared back with a challenging grin. What are you going to do about it? The other male coughed indignantly and turned back to the boy. "I was born with this hair. It's in my genes, Conan—"

"Brother said not to talk to you," Conan continued in a sing-song. He stuffed the rest of the cookies into his mouth, hopped off the chair, and ran around the table to hide behind his brother. "Brother, he's bullying me!"

"I am WHAT?!" Kieran spluttered. "Kid, you got some eye problems—uh, Leo-chan?" He began backing away as Leon rose to his feet and stalked towards him. Conan pulled down an eyelid and stuck his tongue out at the male. "Wait, Leo-chan, this is a misunderstanding! You saw it, didn't you? I didn't do anything—GAH, NOT THE FACE!"

Conan fell over giggling as his brother gently threw Kieran across the room. "You can never beat my brother!" Conan placed his hands on his hips proudly. "Not while you're an aging citizen!"

"Teach that kid to respect his elders, Leo-chan," Kieran groaned from where he laid upside-down on the couch. "He reminds me of (Y/n)-chan. All insults and no compliment. Gosh, none of you understand my charm." He pushed his bangs out of his face and moved into a more comfortable position on the furniture. "Useless. All of you."

Ignoring him, Leon bent down to his little brother's eye level. "Do you remember (Y/n)?" He asked softly. "The girl who helped you at the waterpark two weeks ago?"

The boy scrunched up his face in thought. "Umm...oh yeah!" He brightened. "The one with the friend that wears too much makeup!"

"What?" Leon frowned in confusion before shaking his head. "Yeah, (Y/n). She's here too. Do you want to play with her?"

"Wait, really?" His mouth fell open and he placed his hands on his cheeks. "Is tomato brother and caramel sister here too?!"

"Who?"

"Reese and Carmen!" He threw his hands into the air. "They played with me when (Y/n) and her other friend, the one who looks like a girl, were busy talking. We played Marco Polo! I even won!"

He did not recognize those names. "No. It's just the four of us and (Y/n)." He wasn't about to make his brother scared by telling him their scumbag of a father would be arriving soon as well. Leon patted Conan's head affectionately again. "Let's go to her, okay? You're probably bored being around me all the time."

"Nah." Conan shook his head. "I need to stay near you to learn you know, big brother. How else am I going to become a secret agent from Narnia too?"

F*ck. Leon coughed awkwardly at the memory of his lie. "You need to take a break too. Listen to your brother, okay?"

"Fineee."

Kieran watched the two interact with idle interest, his face propped up in his hands. "How long is he staying?" He asked, directing the question to Leon even as his eyes remained on the boy who stuck his tongue out at him. The male made a face back.

"Until things die down," Leon answered gruffly. "He can't stay here forever." But (Y/n) can.

"But whyyy?" Conan whined, crossing his arms. "I want to stay with brother!"

The black-haired male crouched down and leveled a serious look at the boy. "You can't become a secret agent if you stay here and shirk on your education."

Conan grumbled in displeasure but sighed, relenting. "Fine. If you say so."

"Good boy." Leon patted him on the back and stood back up. "Come on. Senior citizen over there is polluting the air. We gotta scram before we suffocate."

"Hey!" Kieran cried in outrage as Conan ran out of the living room giggling. "I take a bath every day and I never wear the same thing twice!"

Leon furrowed his brow at the male. "What are you, a girl?"

"Goddammit, Leo-chan!"

They arrived in front of the (h/c)-haired girl's door. Conan was practically bouncing in his excitement at the thought of a new playmate. Their father being after the boy meant he had to lie low, so he didn't have many friends in school. Having too many friends would come and stab him in the back anyway—their "father" could find out about one of them and use them to find out where Conan lives.

Leon knocked on the door. "(Y/n)?" He called, his voice a low rumble. "Are you awake?"

There was no response. A little concerned, he knocked again. Maybe she didn't hear him. "(Y/n)? Connie is here. Do you remember him?"

"Hi, half-dead sister!" Conan chirped brightly. "I'm here to visit you!"

Again, silence. Conan looked up at his brother in confusion. "Is she dead for real now?"

"Don't say that," Leon shushed him with a stern look. "That's bad luck."

"Oh, okay."

The male turned the doorknob—it was locked. He pressed his ear against the wooden door. There was no sound. Then he heard a bark come from down the hallway; it was the Samoyed he had brought to the female. Tristan 2.0, he believed.

"It's a pupper!" Conan squealed as he stretched out his arms. The canine barked happily as it flew into the boy's arms and knocked him over. Conan giggled as the dog licked his face. "He's so fluffy! Who's is he, brother?"

"It's a girl. She belongs to (Y/n)."

"Half-alive big sister?" He patted Tristan 2.0's fur. "What's her name?"

"...Tristan 2.0."

"Two...point oh?" Conan stared at his brother to see if he was kidding. Leon's face remained stony. Then the boy fell over giggling. "Just like Mr. Prince! Trishie! Did half-alive big sister name her? It's perfect!"

For once the sight of his brother's joy didn't appease him. Leon clenched his jaw as he thought of all the places the (h/c)-haired girl could be outside of her room and all the people she could be with. She wasn't with Kieran, that's for sure, which meant she had to be with Jaehyun or Tristan. There was no way she could've escaped. But which was worse? Her escaping might be better than her being with Jaehyun. Leon's eyes dropped to the scar hidden under his shirt from where the blond stabbed him years ago.

At least Jaehyun could be controlled when he wasn't in a rage. Tristan was uncontrollable. To be frank, the black-haired male still didn't quite understand Tristan. The male at first glance seemed like someone with a good head on his shoulders and knew how to get things done. But the more Leon spent time with him, unwillingly or not, the more he saw a human rather than a perfect robot.

Robot Tristan wouldn't care for (Y/n). He wouldn't do anything to her. That was relieving. But human Tristan was another story.

The thought filled him with burning rage.

"Brother?" Conan looked up worriedly when his brother didn't respond to a question he had asked. "What's wrong?"

Leon snapped out of his thoughts that were soon growing dark. Too dark. He turned his full attention back to his brother and smiled. "Nothing. Let's go play hide-and-seek, okay? (Y/n) is hiding and we have to find her."

"Hide-and-seek?" The boy clapped his hands together, the dog forgotten. "I love hide-and-seek! Do we have to count?"

"No. You just have to find her and make sure she never escapes again."

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A/N: I changed Tristan's picture in the prologue, folks. His glasses were being neglected and got sad 😔