Even the Villain Can Play Innocent
Death and Rebirth
Gunfire.
Betrayal.
A heartbeat fading
That was the last rhythm Noah’s life knew before the silence swallowed him whole
He remembered the smell of rain and smoke, the way his hand slipped against the pistol as the light left his body. Someone had shouted his name — not with love, but regret. Then came the warmth of blood under his fingers, and the cold that followed after.
Now, the world smells of roses.
When Noah opens his eyes, sunlight filters through gauzy curtains, scattering over cream walls and gold filigree. The air tastes faintly of ink and lavender soap. His body feels lighter, smaller. The weight of his old world — the guns, the blood, the enemies — all gone.
The ceiling above him isn’t cracked concrete anymore. It’s carved ivory with painted cherubs smiling down.
Slowly, he sits up. His reflection in the mirror across the room catches his attention — and for a moment, he forgets to breathe.
The face staring back at him isn’t his.
The boy in the mirror has pale, delicate skin and silver-blond hair that curls softly at the ends. His eyes — a clear gray-blue — hold no trace of the exhaustion Noah remembers living with. His lips are pink, almost fragile-looking, his body thinner and unscarred.
No tattoos.
No bullet wounds.
No ghosts from the past
liam(noah)
…What the hell? (murmurs)
And then, memory flickers.
Liam D’Ardent.
It’s a name he knows — not from real life, but from the stupid otome BL game his old subordinates once forced him to play as a joke. Garden of Hearts. The game where the shining hero, Lan D’Ardent, wins over two male leads through pure goodness and love. And Liam — the villainous stepbrother — spends the entire story sabotaging him out of jealousy.
A pathetic, tragic figure. The audience’s favorite punching bag. The one who dies unloved.
liam(noah)
(Huffs a faint laugh). You’ve got to be kidding me.
A soft knock interrupts his disbelief. Before he can answer, the door opens — and in steps a boy bathed in sunlight.
Golden hair, amber eyes, a smile that could melt glass.
the boy breathes, relief flooding his tone.
The name rings strange in Noah’s ears, but he doesn’t correct it.
liam(noah)
Lan, (says quietly, voice hoarse)
Lan D’Ardent — the hero. The golden boy of Garden of Hearts. The one everyone loves, the one who always wins.
lan
(Rushes forward, setting a tray on the bedside table). You scared everyone. The doctor said you fainted again — you shouldn’t skip meals, you know.
Noah blinks, dazed. His instincts hum — this smile, this tone. It’s too perfect. Too polished.
liam(noah)
(Forces a weak smile). Sorry… I’ll eat next time
Lan’s hand reaches out to brush a strand of hair from his face — gentle, almost brotherly. But his fingers linger just a moment too long, pressing softly against Noah’s cheek, like he’s testing something beneath the skin
lan
You should (murmurs). You always make me worry
There’s a flicker in his amber eyes — affection, maybe. Or ownership
Noah feels it instantly. The same kind of energy that used to fill interrogation rooms — that need to dominate dressed up as care.
liam(noah)
(Lowers his gaze, lips curving faintly).
Thank you, Brother, (says softly). I’ll rest more
lan
(Smile deepens). That’s my good boy
And as he leaves, Noah stays perfectly still, eyes tracing the closed door
He understands now.
He’s not the villain this time.
He’s just the prey.
But the funny thing about prey — it can learn to play dead.
liam(noah)
(Smiles faintly to himself).
Alright then, (whispers). Let’s play innocent
The Gentle Brother
Morning light spills over the bed, soft and gold.
Noah wakes to the scent of breakfast — butter, jam, and something sweetly floral.
Lan sits near the window, flipping through a book with casual grace. The way he looks up when Noah stirs is gentle enough to make any outsider melt.
lan
You’re awake (says, smiling). You slept almost the entire day
Noah pushes himself up, keeping his expression open and harmless.
liam(noah)
I… must’ve been tired
Lan sets the book aside and crosses the room, sitting beside him on the bed
lan
You worry me, Liam. You always act like everything’s fine. But I see how pale you are
liam(noah)
(Meets his eyes). I’m fine
Lan chuckles, the sound light and tender. But when he reaches out to touch Noah’s wrist, the fingers curl tighter than they should — a grip just shy of pain.
lan
You’re always saying that (murmurs). But you never listen
Noah doesn’t move. Doesn’t pull away.
He simply lowers his gaze, voice small.
Lan freezes for half a second — then his grip softens, his expression turning soft again
lan
You don’t have to apologize
There it is, Noah thinks. The moment of satisfaction. The reward
lan
(Pats his hand, like comforting a child). You should eat something. I had them prepare your favorites
liam(noah)
My… favorites? (echoes faintly)
lan
(Beams). Of course. You like sweet things, don’t you? Strawberry tarts
Noah stares at the delicate pastries on the tray, perfectly arranged. It’s a kindness so precise it feels rehearsed.
He eats quietly, aware of Lan’s gaze lingering on every motion. Every bite, every blink, every pause
lan
Do I make you nervous? (teases softly)
liam(noah)
(Looks up, lips curved faintly). You make me feel… safe
Lan’s smile falters for the briefest second — then warms again, glowing like the sun
lan
Good. That’s how it should be
When Noah finishes, Lan helps him to his feet. His hand brushes Noah’s shoulder, fingers tracing down his arm before pulling away.
lan
Rest, Liam. I’ll come check on you later
liam(noah)
Alright, (whispers)
When the door closes behind him, Noah finally exhales. The sweetness still clings to the air like perfume — too thick, almost choking
He glances at his reflection in the mirror again.
The boy who looks back is perfect, soft, harmless.
Exactly what Lan wants to see
Noah tilts his head, smiling faintly at the mirror.
liam(noah)
Then that’s what I’ll be
A Quiet Realization
> “Sometimes silence is the only language that keeps you alive.”
liam(noah)
I’m just thinking
liam(noah)
How bright it is here
lan
(laughs softly) You’ve always hated sunlight.
liam(noah)
Maybe I’m learning to like it
The way Lan’s laugh fills the study feels too perfect — a warm, golden sound that hides edges Noah can already sense. He keeps his eyes lowered, fingers brushing the rim of his teacup.
lan
The others are saying strange things again. About you
lan
That you’ve been ignoring them. Acting distant. But you wouldn’t do that, right?
liam(noah)
I don’t talk much. Maybe they misunderstand.
lan
(smiling) You should smile more. They’d like you better
Smile more.
That line hits like déjà vu — a phrase he’s heard before, in another world, from men who wanted obedience wrapped in charm.
Noah obeys. He smiles softly.
It’s easier than explaining.
The rest of the morning drifts by in a gentle haze.
Lan’s world — this whole academy — feels like it was built for his perfection. Every painting, every hallway, every student whispering his name.
And Liam… Liam D’Ardent, the “villain,” was nothing but a shadow in this place. A story they already decided to hate.
liam(noah)
(thinking) He bullied Lan, right? That’s what the game said. Jealousy, temper, cruelty…
But as he listens to Lan speak — the measured tone, the polished empathy — a small chill crawls up Noah’s spine.
liam(noah)
If I ever… do something bad, would you still forgive me?
lan
(smiles gently) You’re too soft to do anything bad
lan
Then I’d make you stop. For your own good
His words are light. His smile is sunshine.
But Noah catches the faintest flicker beneath it — possession, not affection.
He lowers his gaze again, voice faint.
liam(noah)
Then I’ll try to stay good
lan
(pleased) That’s my brother
Lan reaches out, thumb brushing the corner of Noah’s lips — as if wiping away invisible sin. Then he leaves, humming quietly.
When the door shuts, the world exhales with him.
Noah stares at the cup on the table — still warm, still half full.
The liquid inside trembles faintly, reflecting his face.
It’s calm. Too calm.
He looks like someone who’s already accepted his role.
liam(noah)
(thinking)So this is the script, huh? Liam the villain, Lan the angel. I die unloved while he wins everything
He lifts the cup and drinks slowly, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips.
Fine. Then let’s play the part — just differently.
He won’t fight the game.
He won’t expose Lan.
He’ll survive quietly — like smoke slipping through fingers.
If Lan wants innocence, he’ll give him innocence.
If the world wants a villain, he’ll give them silence.
Unimportant person
Servant: Young Master Liam? Lord Lan requested you join him for tea
He straightens his collar in the mirror, expression soft.
No hint of his old self, no trace of rebellion.
Just a calm, well-behaved boy with secrets behind his eyes.
liam(noah)
(whispers to his reflection)Let’s make them believe
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