…E-rank, Thalia thought with a quiet sigh, her chin lifting as her jacket slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. Her caramel eyes gleamed and a warmth spread across her skin as she remembered how effortlessly he had wiped out the bandits. She was no stranger to violence, nor was she fond of it, but the way he maneuvered with grace and finesse while protecting her was nothing short of breathtaking.
Her breasts rose and fell in a sinuous fashion as she pulled the dress over her head, hard nipples protruding against her bra. Bending over, her curvaceous posterior filling her panties, Thalia slowly peeled the damp stocking down the length of one creamy leg before moving on to the other.
Surreptitiously, she stole a glance at Daisuke as he busied himself preparing the fire. She couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment that he didn't attempt to sneak a peek, but as she unhooked her bra and her breasts spilled out, she wondered if her nerves would have been able to shoulder the embarrassment.
WHOOSH~
Daisuke let out a contented sigh as the ember, which had been slowly consuming the tinder, finally blossomed into a steady flame. As its warmth permeated the small space, he glanced over at Zephyr who was curled into a tight ball and gently stroked the canine's head.
"…Is he going to be okay?" Thalia asked with a blush as she approached, her tiny fingers keeping the hide tightly closed around her vulnerable body.
"Well, I healed his wounds, so he's fine in that regard, but it'll be a while before he wakes up."
Thalia sighed. "I'm relieved to hear that."
Daisuke turned around, his first thought being "cosplay." Thalia resembled a snow-white rabbit, her makeshift robe preserved with surprising care. Adorable bunny ears rested atop her head, complemented by a small plush tail and a soft, fluffy underbelly. Daisuke's gaze lingered on the delicate material, and he made a conscious effort to avoid the areas of exposed skin visible through the garment.
"Don't stare at me like that," Thalia muttered quietly, her gaze dropping shyly. "It's embarrassing—and you're the one who told me to wear this."
"I've got no complaints," Daisuke said, his tone cool and amused as he observed her flustered reaction. "I just wish I had something else to offer you."
"…No, it's fine," she replied, inching closer while her exposed skin under the garment made her feel even more self-conscious. "I'd be unreasonable to expect you to carry women's clothes with you… unless you're into that sort of thing?"
Daisuke grimaced, shaking his head. "Not in the slightest."
Thalia chuckled lightly, finding a bit of humor in their predicament. "I have to admit," she said, settling back-to-back with him, "you're practically prepared for anything, aren't you? The tent, the fire, the warm hide, your own change of clothes… what's next? Food and water?"
"Thirsty?" Daisuke asked, offering her a cup of water.
Thalia giggled softly. "You're something else, you know that?"
Daisuke allowed a bittersweet smile, adding another log to the crackling flames. "When you've spent so long on your own, and life hasn't exactly been forgiving, you learn to expect the unexpected—and be ready for anything."
There was a long pause, and Thalia wrapped her arms around her knees, her gaze distant. "I was… an orphan for as long as I can remember," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as though trying to hold back the pain that threatened to surface along with the memories.
"Every day was a battle to survive. I lived in a world where violence was constant, and betrayal was the only thing you could count on. We were always on the run, always hiding from slave traders and their merciless hounds."
Her eyes darkened as the pain of the past flickered in them. "It was a never-ending nightmare. I lost so many friends to hunger, illness, and those traders. But when I was seven, everything changed. I was taken in by Murvah. She was the best thing that ever happened to me—so kind, so patient, and her voice… it always made me feel safe.
It took a long time for me to heal, or at least, I thought I had," she whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of the loss. "But three years ago, bandits killed her while she was out foraging. Ever since then… the fear of them has never left me."
Daisuke lowered his gaze, struggling to find the right words. "Thalia… I'm so sorry. I… I can't imagine what that must have been like." He paused, his voice thick with regret. "No one should have to go through—"
Suddenly, his eyes went wide as his body braced forward by the weight of Thalia leaning against him. He could distinctly feel her warm presence and the plush curve of her bare chest against his back.
"Haxks…," she whispered in an almost amorous tone, her breath warm against his ear. "I think one of the reasons I feel so at ease with you is because we share so much. You understand hardship. You know the sting of poverty and the weight of loss. When you first walked into the guild, I saw it in your eyes—your past wasn't kind to you, just like mine wasn't. You had that coldness, that unforgiving look, and your heart was like stone—unyielding, unbreakable.
You looked like you were on the verge of being crushed by something overwhelming, but you never gave up. For your sake and all those who believed and sacrificed for you," she said, clearly aiming the words at herself, as well, "you continued pressing forward and never gave up, you persevered. And now look at you. You're nothing like the boy I first met months ago."
Thalia slowly wrapped her arms around him, her cheeks flushed, emotions swirling within her. "You've changed so much—transforming into someone so strong and reliable. It's truly remarkable. You're remarkable. Congratulations on how far you've come, and thank you—for everything you've done, and for all you still hope to accomplish."
Daisuke lowered his gaze, his eyes trembling as the profound weight of the girl's words settled deep within him. In an instant, the chaos of his life—his mother, the betrayals, the brutal battles, and the cutthroat politics—flashed through his mind like the rapid turning of a flipbook.
He had given his all, done countless acts of charity, and received many "thank yous," but never once had anyone acknowledged his personal growth or the ambitions he had fought so hard to achieve.
Thalia gasped, jolted from her heat-induced trance as his hand gently brushed against hers. Her cheeks burned a deep crimson as he spoke, his voice laced with raw emotion.
"I needed that," he whispered, his voice softer and more vulnerable than she had ever heard. "Thank you."
Thalia smiled, her pulse racing as his intoxicating heat flooded into her from their physical connection. "No. Thank you."
Daisuke offered a sidelong glance, his voice calm yet sincere. "You can thank me after I've fulfilled my promise tomorrow. For now, how about we grab a bite to eat and get some rest?"
"Okay," Thalia murmured, still feeling the fatigue from the day's nightmarish ordeal. "But can we just… stay like this for a while longer?"
Daisuke's eyes softened, a warmth in his gaze as his fingers gently tightened around hers. "Sure. I'd like that, too."
CHAPTER 144.5
The What If Ship: Daisuke x Thalia
Disclaimer: This chapter is a part of the "What If Ship" spin-off series. Please be advised that the events and relationships depicted in this chapter are purely fictional and non-canon. They explore alternate scenarios for entertainment purposes and do not reflect the official storyline or established continuity of the series.
For the full version of this chapter, please visit The What If Ship collection on Patreon.
Several months ago, Thalia could never have imagined being this close to Daisuke. He had always been cool, shrewd, and impossibly aloof. Back then, he radiated an untouchable air, like someone who existed in a realm far beyond her reach. If it hadn't been a requirement for the guild's application form, she doubted he would have even bothered sharing his name. And during their first meeting, he hadn't said hers out of courtesy—he simply didn't say it at all.
He was cold, distant, and utterly unapologetic about it. Yet, that unyielding demeanor had been inexplicably magnetic. There was something about his silence and sharp, calculating gaze that had made her pulse race, even as his disinterest stung. That icy exterior, while frustrating, had been undeniably, maddeningly sexy.
There was also something about him that felt far beyond his years—a quiet confidence and steady presence that made him seem unshakable. Despite being younger than her, he had a maturity that she couldn't help but be drawn to. She'd tried to push these feelings away, to convince herself it was nothing, but they lingered all the same. Right or wrong didn't matter anymore. In this moment, all she wanted was to be close to him—to feel the warmth of his presence and the reassurance of his silent strength.
But as she rested against her valiant savior, the comfort and safety that she yearned gradually became a bit more than she bargained for. Against the welcoming warmth of his back, her ni-omitted slowly tightened into peaks. Gradually, the hot breaths escaping her lips became more ragged, and each rise and fall of her chest stimulated her br-omitted even further.
Surrendering to her desires, Thalia closed her eyes, letting the world blur into irrelevance. She buried her face in the curve of his neck, inhaling deeply, as if his scent alone could sustain her. Her fingers trailed down his chest with a quiet urgency, each touch stoking the fire already consuming her.
"Haxks," she gasped, his name falling from her lips like a prayer.
Daisuke let her pleading voice wash over him, a soothing balm to a void he once thought impenetrable. The chains encasing his wary heart slackened, their grip loosening under the warmth of her desire. In that fragile moment, her yearning breathed life into his own, igniting a spark long dormant and fanning it into a blaze that burned with newfound intensity.
Without a word, he turned his head to hold her hooded gaze, as if searching for a sign, permission, to ravage her and take what he wanted. When her eyes fluttered close and her lips parted in a tantalizing invitation, he got his answer and his hesitation crumbled. In an instant, he closed the space between them, capturing her small mouth with a hunger that left no room for doubt.
"Mmm," Thalia moaned as his soft lips pressed against hers in a delicious promise, her head swimming as his tongue dipped into her mouth, intertwining with her own. A soft, luxurious bedding woven from Polar Hare hides materialized beneath her as he eased her down, her small frame sinking into its warmth.
By this point, Thalia was utterly lost, swept up by a raging sea of hormones that she gladly embraced. Her caramel eyes gleamed with unspoken need as she slowly unfastened the makeshift garment concealing her body, revealing herself in a tantalizing tease. The flickering firelight danced across her bare form, casting her in a warm, golden glow. Coyly, she raised her hands above her head, a silent gesture of surrender and trust.