Truce

Evening slipped in, trading the orange warmth of sunset for a dusky purple glow.

The fridge door opened with a soft creak. Crow pulled out leftover rice, stir-fried vegetables, and some barbecue from lunch. He moved quickly, setting the pans on the stove.

Hinata rested her cheek on the table, burying her face beneath crossed arms.

“I thought you left,” she murmured, barely looking up.

“Just hung the laundry,” Crow quipped. “Why would I ditch someone who just discovered barbecue?”

He smirked. “Wait. Are you getting clingy?”

She barely lifted her head, ears warming.

“Enjoy it while you can. I’ll knock your teeth out in your sleep.”

He chuckled. “Oookay....”

Hinata flushed. “What an annoying person.”

Crow smothered a giggle.

It didn’t take long. Two plates, two glasses, and two sets of utensils.

Then, a big plate of fried rice, vegetables, and the leftover barbecue that he cooked into something new.

Without a word, they dug in.

Crow kept grinning at the banter. Hinata was still flushed.

They ate slowly, letting the quiet stretch—no rush to end it.

The meal was simple. But the moment? Unmistakably theirs.

And that was enough.

— • —

Hinata gazed at the city lights, scattered like distant fireflies. The warm breeze brushed against her skin and hair. She feared this kind of peace—unfamiliar, yet oddly comforting in the darkness that enveloped her.

She stood there, lost in a swirl of thoughts. Her fingers wrapped tightly around a long sling bag, holding it like a treasure.

The rooftop door clicked open, and she startled slightly, quickly lowering the bag beside her.

"Hey!" Crow called out.

He held out a can of soda towards her. "Didn’t expect you to like it up here. What’re you moping about this time?"

Hinata scoffed, "Tch. Moping? You assume too much."

"Well," he said, raising an eyebrow, "I assumed your name, and I was correct, wasn’t I?"

Hinata sighed, accepting the soda reluctantly. "What a jerk."

They popped their cans open almost simultaneously, the fizz hissing into the wind. Crow took a deep sip and let out a contented, unapologetic burp.

"Shameless," Hinata muttered, wrinkling her nose.

"That’s how you know it's good," Crow replied with a playful grin.

For a moment, they lingered in the quiet companionship neither realized they needed.

Something shifted inside Hinata. Her lips parted slightly, almost ready to speak. But Crow beat her to it.

"Thank you," he murmured. "For saving me."

She stiffened slightly. Flashes of that night rushed through her memory—carrying him through the alleys, the desperate escape, her restless vigil by his bedside. A part of her hated that her guard was effortlessly dismantled by his selfless stupidity.

"Beat it," she retorted, feigning annoyance. "I don't like debts."

Crow smirked. "Fair enough," he said lightly, taking another sip. "I expected another ‘stupid’ burn, though."

Hinata’s voice softened a little, "You’re worse than stupid."

"So mean!" he chuckled, mock-hurt.

"Shut up," she hissed. "If you'd died, whose responsibility was that supposed to be?"

Crow tilted his head thoughtfully. "Honestly, I didn't think about that."

Hinata clicked her tongue in disbelief.

"I saw the news. I looked for you—and saw you hurt," he explained.

"I wanted to grab you and run, but then—I realized you'd hate me if I did that."

He brushed his thumbs on his soda can. "So, I decided to hold them off so you can get back up. That's the least I can do."

Hinata’s chest tightened, and she quickly looked away. "Aren't you making this up? You took them down yourself."

"I don’t remember much about it," Crow admitted, "but I wanted you safe. That's all that mattered."

A reluctant warmth bloomed in her chest, rising to her face. "Ridiculous. You're like a dog."

Crow laughed, unoffended. He glanced at her, wondering about the guarded calmness that always gleamed from her eyes.

"Uh, what about you? I realized I haven't asked anything about you," he said.

Hinata’s breath hitched. She felt cornered by his gentle curiosity, yet reassured by it. Something urged her to jump into the fire, to lean into this unexpected, comforting presence.

She took a breath. Almost too quiet.

"I have a mission," she admitted.

Crow's eyes brightened with excitement. "Oh? A secret raid? Assassination?"

Hinata shot him a sharp glare, and he backed down like a puppy.

She picked up the sling bag she had dropped earlier. "Before my teacher died, he left these to me."

Crow’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at the bag. "Arnis sticks?" he said, almost in awe.

Hinata nodded gently. "My teacher's heirloom. I'm supposed to find their rightful owner. That's his last wish."

Crow nodded at her. “Do you know arnis?”

“Not much,” she replied.

Silence settled between them again.

"Can I see them?" Crow asked hesitantly.

"No."

"Please?"

"No," she repeated firmly.

But after a moment, her resolve cracked. With a sigh, she handed over the bag.

"My master's gonna haunt me for this."

Crow carefully removed the sticks, then briefly spun them into a redonda*. The weight and fit felt weirdly perfect in his hands.

"I used to train with my grandfather. I don’t remember why I stopped."

Hinata crossed her arms. How he got some fight skills made sense now.

He slid them back into the bag, then returned them, looking contemplative. "So, what happens after you find the owner?"

Hinata’s voice softened wistfully, "Then I'm done. Maybe I'll live a normal life somewhere. My master wished it for me."

Crow smiled faintly. He cleared his throat, scratching his head nervously. "You know, you can stay. Until you find the person."

Hinata blinked, startled. "What?"

"No rent, no pressure. Just don't wreck the place," Crow grinned warmly.

Then, he held out his hand.

Hinata stared at his outstretched hand, her heart racing. She knew she should refuse.

If she took it, there’d be no turning back. No place left to run—only here.

She clutched her forehead, effectively hiding the glimmer in her eyes.

“Tch. First a marriage proposal. Now this. Damn idiot’s dragging me around.”

Then, she scoffed like a breath, reluctantly clasping his hand.

"Fine. A truce. Until the mission’s done."

She shook his hand like it meant nothing. Like a soldier taking orders.

Her heartbeat said otherwise.

— • —

Author's note:

Redonda - a continuous, circular downward-striking, double-stick twirling technique. It whips in a circle to return to its point of origin. This is especially useful when using sticks rather than swords; it enables extremely fast strikes, but needs constant practice. (Source: Wikipedia)

I recommend watching videos that show this drill. Crow has some advanced knowledge of arnis, but he stopped practicing in his early teenage years.