Villain Ch 1918. Like a Virus

"You've lifted enough today," Alice said, picking up the mess of cushions from the floor. "Physically and emotionally."

"Okay," Vivian said, pushing Allen gently upright. "Let's get you comfy."

Shea and Vivian practically carried him to the big sectional facing the media screen—his legs barely working, toes dragging across the rug like he'd aged fifty years in three hours. They sat him down like royalty. Wrapped a throw blanket around his shoulders like a trophy cape. Then adjusted two more pillows behind his back with expert care.

"I feel like an invalid," he muttered.

"You're a king in recovery," Jane corrected, kissing his hair.

Then came snacks.

Azura and Bella returned with a tray of cut fruit, buttered popcorn, mochi and a plate of warm grilled sandwiches someone had thrown together in record time.

"Eat, don't argue," Bella said, handing him a strawberry. "Or I'll feed you."

"You just want an excuse to straddle me again," Allen said dryly.

She smiled. Didn't deny it.

He nibbled the strawberry obediently, and the girls all sprawled out around him—some on the couch, some on the floor with blankets, some curled into each other like lazy cats.

Larissa turned on the projector.

"I swear to hell," Zoe muttered, "if this is another indie documentary about frogs—"

"It's a romance," Larissa said.

"You didn't say good romance," Jane warned.

"I didn't promise anything," she replied sweetly.

Allen didn't care.

The food was warm. The couch was too soft. His legs still didn't feel real. He sat there, surrounded by laughter and snacks and casual touches—someone's fingers tracing circles on his knee, someone else tucking a pillow under his arm, someone throwing a blanket over his lap like he might catch a cold from too much affection.

And the movie?

It was… fine.

Sweet. Soft lighting. Long monologues. A lot of unresolved pining.

He tried to keep up. He really did.

But ten minutes in, his head dipped.

Fifteen minutes later, he was out cold.

Soft snores. Lips parted. Hair falling across his eyes.

Vivian smiled when she saw. "He's sleeping."

"No way," Shea whispered, craning her neck. "Seriously?"

They all watched for a moment.

And there he was.

Allen.

The Devil Emperor. Snoring gently under a blanket and his hand still loosely gripping a mochi.

Larissa chuckled. "Someone take a picture."

"Don't you dare," Zoe hissed. "Let him have this."

They didn't touch him.

Allen stayed still, wrapped up in their warmth, breath slow and steady, body completely surrendered to sleep. It wasn't just exhaustion—it was earned rest. The kind that came after chaos, after fire, after surrendering every inch of control and being held together in return.

They tiptoed away from the living room with the care of girls who knew that waking a man post-worship would be a crime against beauty.

In the kitchen, the soft clatter of pots and the occasional hiss of butter meeting pan filled the air. It smelled like garlic, caramelizing onions, and fried rice—comfort food. Easy. Warm. Familiar. The kind of meal you cook for someone you love who can't move after being ruined in the best way possible.

Jane was chopping vegetables.

Shea stood over a pan of grilled chicken with a wooden spoon in one hand and a smug expression.

Vivian leaned against the counter, sipping from a glass of cold water like she'd just finished a marathon—which, emotionally, she had.

Azura sat on a stool near the island, hugging her knees.

"…Can I ask something?" she said, her voice soft.

They looked at her. No teasing. No judgment.

"Yeah," Larissa said, tossing noodles into a wok.

Azura twirled a loose strand of her hair around her finger. "How did you all… end up like this? I mean, loving Allen?"

The question made the air hum. Not awkward. Just weighty. Because it wasn't something any of them said out loud before—not like that.

"I mean," Azura added quickly, "I get it now. I do. But… when did it start?"

There was a long pause.

Vivian set her glass down, her eyes distant. "Hell's Gate."

Jane nodded. "Yeah. The very first day."

"He looked so dramatic," Alice said, smiling fondly as she rinsed lettuce. "The horns, the cloak, the crown."

"He probably was," Zoe muttered.

"But he was good," Larissa said, voice lower. "Too good. He wasn't just roleplaying. He became the Devil Emperor. We followed orders, sure, but…"

"At first, it was just a game," Vivian said quietly. "We were assigned as villains. Random. A fun build. Cool design. Sexy lore. That was it."

"But then…" Larissa stirred the noodles absently, her voice distant. "It wasn't a game anymore."

They all went quiet for a second.

Azura swallowed. "So it just… grew?"

Zoe smiled. "Like a virus."

"A hot, smug virus," Shea added.

"That we couldn't uninstall," Vivian finished.

Azura's gaze dropped to the marble counter. "I thought I was the only one…"

"You're not," Jane said softly. "You never were."

In the background, the rice cooker dinged.

Shea flicked off the stove, plating the grilled chicken.

Jane added the salad. Alice brought out the drinks—lemon iced tea, some cold barley water, and whatever soda they could find.

By the time it was all ready, it was past 5 PM.

The sky outside was gold fading into rose. Shadows stretching long across the tiled floors. The warm hum of the projector in the next room was still going—some quiet scene still flickering across Allen's half-lidded eyes, though he hadn't reacted to it in a while.

"We should wake him soon," Bella said.

"No," Vivian smirked. "Let him sleep like a spoiled cat."

"He is a spoiled cat," Zoe muttered.

Larissa nodded toward the food. "Let's eat by the couch. He's earned a dinner theater."

Azura glanced back at the living room.

Allen hadn't moved.

His chest rose and fell. One arm draped off the couch, fingers twitching slightly in sleep. He looked peaceful. But even now—even resting—he looked like he belonged in that seat.

Like the throne was wherever he chose to sit.

Azura smiled.

"I'm glad I joined late," she whispered.

"Why?" Shea asked, curious.

"Because I got to fall for him," Azura said, "after he'd already chosen all of you."

Vivian blinked at that.

Then smiled softly.

"We're glad you did too."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.