Saving the Villain

[PRESENT TIME]

"In other words, you have a very shitty dad?" Luke summarized in a knowing tone. "But less shitty since he doesn't want anything to do with you for as long as you don't bother him?"

Maxen pressed his lips into a thin line and just nodded. He didn't detail everything to them, especially to Luke, since Maxen was aware it was better for Luke to know less. It wasn't about his relationship with a mafia don, but the criminal organization itself. Not that it would add anything to Luke's life, after all.

Cosette, on the other hand, didn't need all the details. She was already aware of the criminal organization. Hell. She even met a few members since Maxen used to be the Don in their previous life. She knew more about it more than one could expect, but at the same time, she was just as clueless as anybody else regarding most things about the organization.

"I hope he is someone who sticks with his words," continued Maxen, casting Luke a look and then at Cosette. "And stay where he is. I don't want anything to do with him."

"Same." Luke lazily leaned against the wall, stretching his legs while stretching. "I mean, I would feel bad if you are in a terrible situation. But, to be honest, I think you're already living a good — a better life than before. I don't want those people who abandoned you to leech on your success."

"I'm not successful."

"You're at peace," Luke argued in a knowing tone. "That alone is a success, don't you think?"

Maxen stared at Luke with a slight surprise in his eyes before he smiled subtly. "That's right." He assessed Luke and then faced Cosette.

"I am at peace." — it wasn't about the luxurious lifestyle, the branded clothes, and the mansion house or anything of the sort. It was the peace that Maxen was successful at the moment.

Now, he could go home and take a rest if he wanted to. The people around him were not only good people but also people from whom he could learn, whether they were small or big matters. Maxen didn't realize that until Luke mentioned it.

"Where did you learn that from?" asked Maxen to Luke. "I thought you'd say I'm successful because I am now under the Blac's wing."

"Well… that too?" Luke shrugged, making Maxen chuckle. He then noticed that Cosette was exceptionally quiet, so he asked, "Cozie, why are you being so quiet now? It makes me worry whenever you don't speak. It makes me think you're up to something again."

"I am just praying." Her voice was quiet, staring at Maxen squarely. "That everything will go well this time."

"This time?" Luke cocked his head to the side while Cosette didn't look at him. Instead, she kept her eyes on Maxen while the latter held her gaze.

"Let's focus on our study from now on, Max." Cosette reached for Maxen's hand, squeezing it slightly. "Hmm?"

"Mhm." Maxen hummed, rocking his head mildly.

"Ey…" Luke called, planting his hand on top of Cosette's hand. "How can you guys promise and make plans without me, eh? Hello? I'm here, right in front of you."

"Aren't you tired?" Cosette let out a deep breath, rolling her eyes until they fell on Luke.

"What?" Luke's brows rose, blinking. "Tired of what?"

"Dying in my head?" she deadpanned. "Read the room and let us have some romantic moments."

"Will you even let me have some brother time with Max?"

"No."

"Then, no hell no!" Luke squeezed her hand as he strongly refused. "Have some romantic moments whenever I'm not around."

Cosette's soft expression immediately scrunched up as dismay slowly dominated her face. At this point, Luke had officially because of her rival for Maxen's attention and affection. Luke just kept acting like a spoiled little brother who wanted to monopolize his big brother!

'For goodness's sake! He has his own brother!' was what Cosette wanted to scream as she have a glaring competition with Luke. However, she couldn't because that was quite insensitive of her. Not that Maxen found Luke annoying. If anything, Maxen had been too soft on Luke, as if he see the latter as a child.

Still, this was annoying.

'I feel like I just can't go lovey-dovey with my dearest Max because a child is with us! But this guy is no child!' The more Cosette thought about it, the angrier she felt at Luke. 'So annoying!'

Although Cosette didn't speak, her sour expression already said it all. Well, she wasn't the only one who thought the same because Luke was also judging her existence.

'If Max is just my actual brother, I will make this sister-in-law's life a living hell!' was what Luke held back from saying. 'Isn't she sorry? How can she always use her charm when it's obvious she just knows how to bully Max?!'

Meanwhile, as Luke and Cosette were having silent banter, Maxen darted his eyes between them. He could almost see the invisible lightning buzzing in between Luke and Cosette.

'It's still a mystery how these two became like this.' Maxen mentally sighed at the thought of Cosette and Luke's love-and-hate relationship. It was also strange how Luke used to taunt and try to bully Maxen in the beginning, claiming to be Maxen's rival over Cosette.

But now, it was Cosette versus Luke. Quite a twist, Maxen didn't expect himself, but not that there was something she could complain about.

"Stop that now…" Maxen raised both his hands, stretching his arms until his hand was on top of Luke's and Cosette's heads. "... don't fight today. I'm officially an orphan — I'll treat you to something nice later."

"Really?!" Cosette and Luke replied in unison, facing Maxen with twinkling eyes. If Maxen wasn't used to their quick transition of moods, he would've been startled.

"Yes." Maxen flashed them a smile, nodding to confirm it. "Really. Though this is the last time we'll skip class."

"Yey~!" Cosette clasped her hand while Luke grinned from ear to ear, like excited children looking forward to going to an amusement park.

'This might be strange,' Maxen thought as he retrieved his hand from them. 'But I feel like I will miss this rooftop once we graduate.'

There was still another year before they graduate, but Maxen already thought of this rooftop. This place had witnessed most of everything Maxen went through; it had witnessed his bad days where he felt like jumping from this place and his good days such as this one. Without realizing it, it became one of his comfort zones.

He was glad Cosette and Luke were able to change the memories he had in this place.