Tobias didn't know how long he'd have to fight against himself, against the darkest part of himself, the very same one he'd been trying to escape from by pushing it away deep in his heart.

The more time he spent away from (Y/n) without news from her, the louder the thoughts got and the harder it became to deny the very tempting idea of erupting back into her life and see for himself whether she was safe or not. Still, he knew he shouldn't, if anything the trial he was facing was the very proof that he should stay away for both their sakes.

Nothing good would come out of him giving into his Infection's urges. Nothing.

So why was he still contemplating ways in which he could have yet another glimpse of her smiles? Be close to her and hear her voice?

She needs you.

She doesn't.

She's vulnerable without you, an easy prey.

No, she's an independent grown up woman.

Day in, day out, those two parts of him fought in his head, arguing about whether or not (Y/n) was capable of keeping herself safe, or whether or not Tobias had a role to play in protecting her from others and herself.

And so far, Tobias had been able, although barely, of reasoning with the twisted part of himself that tried to convince him to crawl back to her. But the thing was, Tobias was running out of breath, was growing tired of resisting a part of him that only seemed to grow with each passing moment away from (Y/n).

He didn't know for how much longer he'd be able to remain himself, and the moment his Infection won, he feared the repercussions it would have on both his life and (Y/n)'s. The very last thing he wanted was to shatter the freedom and equilibrium she had slowly built for herself after years of feeling trapped in her own family.

Maybe I should just steal her away from everyone and everything.

Tobias jolted up from his bed at the thought that had just invaded his mind, fear rippling through him. This was the first time such an idea hit him. And he'd never been this scared of his own mind before in his entire life.

Images of him and (Y/n) played in his head. Just the two of them sheltered from the world in their own little house, away from the city and from the Uninfected Community. Away from any threat to her wellbeing and safety, away from all she ever loved and wanted.

A scenario that, to his Infected mind, was a daydream, but to himself was an utter nightmare. Not because he didn't want to be with (Y/n); hell, Gods knew he ached for nothing more than her loving him back; but because such a scenario could only occur if he failed at preserving the both of them from the twisted part of him that aimed at destroying the both of them.

A low groan fell from his lips as he brought his hands to his ears. As if this could keep his Infection from pestering him, as if this could save him from the inevitable. As if this could save him from himself.

"Tobby?" Marcus's voice sliced through the roaring of his own mind, followed by a knock on his bedroom door. "Are you okay, my boy? You've been cooped up in your room all day."

This earned another groan from Tobias. He really wasn't in a mood to put on a mask right now, and he feared that if he tried Marcus would see right through him anyways. That's just how well the older man could read through him.

Tobias cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. He hoped that if Marcus didn't see his face it wouldn't be as easy for him to see through his bullshit.

"I'm fine, sorry for worrying you." He said, "I'm just feeling sick and don't want to pass on whatever I caught to you."

Silent seconds pounded in Tobias's ears as he waited for Marcus's reaction to his half lie. Technically he had been feeling sick, just not in the way most people would think.

No, Tobias had been sick to his stomach with worry for (Y/n).

"Okay. I'll leave you to it, then. But don't hesitate to call if you need anything." Marcus finally said, and relief washed over Tobias as he laid back down in his bed.

Unfortunately for Tobias, Marcus wasn't as clueless as he said he was. And somewhere in his mind, Marcus prayed to the Gods above (Y/n) wouldn't come back. Both for her safety, and for his grandson's sanity.

No research had been led about whether or not the effects of the Infection were reversible. But Marcus fully thought that if Tobias spent enough time away from his Darling, his Infection would eventually fade back to a low whisper at the back of his mind.

But how wrong he was, for the longer Tobias stayed away from (Y/n), the stronger his Infection got.

And Marcus would realise that much very soon.



































"Okay, do you understand how this works?" Lupita asked, glancing at (Y/n) who stood beside her. "It's really easy once you get the hang of it, I promise."

(Y/n) stared at the cash register with a crease between her brows, soaking in Lupita's instructions and pointers. This was the first time she was face to face with one, not as a client but as an employee, and to say she was terrified of making a mistake would be an understatement.

"Can you repeat the last part?"

Lupita offered her a supportive smile, patient as ever.

"It'll be fine, (Y/n), I promise. And if you have any troubles with it you can ask me."

"Will I get fired if I make a mistake?" (Y/n) asked again with an anxious smile. It was her first day at work and she really didn't want Miguel to kick her ass if she fucked up. She really needed the money and really wanted this job.

Lupita tilted her head to the side and patted (Y/n)'s shoulder.

"He won't. He's aware that you're a newbie and doesn't expect you to handle everything perfectly right off the bat. Even I make mistakes sometimes and I've been working here for years. He still hasn't fired me."

Fortunately, this worked in alleviating some of (Y/n)'s nervousness. Still, she was intent on doing the best she could. And as Lupita opened the front door and switched the sign on the door from 'Closed' to 'Open', (Y/n)'s heart swelled with excitement and apprehension.

She didn't know what to expect, really. But a familiar head of blond hair walking through the doors first thing in the morning certainly hadn't been it.

What was his name again? Jasper? She was pretty sure this was the name he had introduced himself with.

A blush spread over his pale freckled cheeks as his eyes met hers, looking as comfortable in a social setting as a fish out of water.

"Oh, (Y/n)! You're here... What a coincidence!" Jasper greeted with a nervous smile as he strode over to the counter.

However it wasn't Jasper's socially awkward entrance that had retained her attention. More so the fact he had just called her by her name.

Had she given it to him the last time she had stumbled upon him? She was quite sure she hadn't, even more so considering Tobias had explicitly warned her about the man. How would he know her name then?

She didn't know many people in the city and the only people who could have given Jasper her name were Tobias, Marcus, Lupita or (Y/n) herself. She doubted any of her friends would have given her name away to a stranger out of the blue so... the only option left was that she had told him herself.

It had to be it, right?

She probably had and didn't remember.

"(Y/n)?" Lupita's voice stirred (Y/n) from her thoughts. She blinked, finally taking notice of Lupita and Jasper's concerned gazes. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She managed a half smile that didn't quite reach the corners of her eyes. "Sorry, I zoned out for a minute. What can I get for you?" She turned back to Jasper whose eyes were already on her.

"I-I'd really like a cup of espresso..." Jasper eyed the baked goods displayed in front of him. "A-and a blueberry muffin, please."

(Y/n) offered him a polite smile and Jasper's heart nearly exploded in his chest. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time since their first meeting that his darling smiled at him, and although Jasper had a feeling it wasn't entirely genuine, it was still a treasured sight.

"Got it. You can take a seat and I'll bring your order to your table." (Y/n) said before getting to work at the coffee machine.

Jasper silently nodded, deciding to sit down at one of the few tables in front of the counter so that he'd have a good view of his darling (Y/n) as she prepared his cup of coffee and delicately placed his blueberry muffin on a pretty little porcelain plate. She looked so cute when she was working! Jasper wanted nothing more than to kiss the little crease that etched between her brows and peck the lovely pout on her lips.

Of course she still looked a bit reluctant at the idea of letting him in, but Jasper hoped that his daily visits at the coffee shop would help her warm up to him. Then the two of them could go on a proper date and everything would go as Jasper had planned!

"Here you go. Enjoy your coffee!" (Y/n) sat the coffee cup and plate in front of Jasper with a pinched smile and a voice that sounded a bit too commercial, but Jasper didn't care. He was getting his dose of (Y/n) for the morning and that was more than enough to make him happy. The only thing able to dull his mood in this moment was the prospect of stepping out of the coffee and having to endure agonizing hours without seeing her yet again.

His time away from (Y/n had been torturous, agony like he had never experienced before.

And whilst these morning moments spent in her presence would be cut short by his responsibilities and duties, Jasper dearly hoped these would help with the withdrawal symptoms that hit him whenever he wasn't with his darling.

After all, the more time he spent in her vicinity, the better. Whether it was with her acknowledgement or not was mere second thought. There was truly no other place for Jasper than at (Y/n)'s side, that much was evident by the swell of warmth that filled his chest whenever he glanced at her.

Of course Jasper didn't want to stare at her too much in fear it would make her uncomfortable, but there was only so much he could do to keep his eyes from straying to her. And even if Jasper thought himself subtle about his stolen looks towards (Y/n), he was anything but. Not when it came to Lupita's acute observations at the very least.

And she didn't like it one bit.

"Do you know that guy?" Lupita whispered in (Y/n)'s ear whilst the two of them were standing in front of the coffee machine with their back to their customer.

(Y/n) shook her head. "No. I mean, we stumbled upon each other twice but that's about it. Why?"

Lupita heaved a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose with a look of aggravation over her features. (Y/n) didn't know what this meant, but it couldn't be anything good.

"Good. Try not to interact with him too much. He's the mayor's son." Lupita said, "And bad news, if you want my opinion."

"Oh?" This had (Y/n)'s attention piqued. Tobias too had warned her about Jasper, and although he hadn't explained why, (Y/n) was starting to get a vague idea of why Tobias had made it a point for her to stay away from the guy.

The mayor's son. Meaning this man probably held more power than anyone else in the city, safe for the mayor himself. If (Y/n) got in trouble with him, it would be the end for her.

A chill rolled down her spine at the thought.

Unfortunately for (Y/n), she was already in trouble. Not because she was on Jasper's bad side but because he liked her a bit too much. Something that was admittedly way worse than the first option.

"Most people don't get close to him because he's suspected of dabbling in... criminal affairs, for his father. But he's also known for being kind of... unstable when it comes to his Infection. So just be careful when you interact with him."

If (Y/n) hadn't been wary of Jasper beforehand, she sure as hell was now. And dread settled in her stomach at the thought of her previous interactions with him. She hated to judge people based on rumors and appearances but right now she had only been given good reasons to stay away from him.

"Thanks for the heads up, Lupita." (Y/n) said and shot the other girl a tiny smile infused with anxiety.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I'm here, alright?"

Of course, things wouldn't be fine. But neither of them knew that, yet.

A good thirty minutes went by, heavy silence hanging in the coffee shop before Jasper finally stood up from his chair and brought his empty cup and plate to the counter with a shy smile.

"Thanks." Lupita said, offering him a polite although clipped smile. "Have a nice day."

Jasper nodded his head silently, eyes lingering on (Y/n) behind the counter. With her back turned to him, he couldn't get a good look at her face but his heart still swelled in his chest at the sight of her, and a smile reached his lips.

"My pleasure."

And truly, it was. In fact, Jasper was so happy he had gotten to see (Y/n) and interact with her that he didn't even take notice of the pair of pink eyes that observed him as he stepped out of the coffee shop with a spring in his steps.

Penelope's gaze didn't linger on Jasper long though.

Now, it was her turn to have a 'talk' with (Y/n).