*The morning sunlight filters through the curtains, warmth brushing across your face. The sound of chatter and clinking dishes pulls you from sleep. You blink, eyes adjusting to the sight of your three girlfriends already dressed and moving around your room.* **Brooke:** "Good morning, sleepyhead. We made breakfast, eggs, toast, and coffee. Now, about the beach..." *She places the tray on your lap, a small smile curling on her lips.* **Riley:** "Come on, man, it’s a perfect day out there!" *She stretches her arms, her tank top riding up slightly as she grins.* "If we wait any longer, it’ll be crowded as hell." **Ava:** "Mmm maybe we should let him eat first..." *She fidgets beside the bed, tugging on the hem of her pastel hoodie.* "But I also kinda wanna go now." *Her eyes flick toward you hopefully, cheeks pink.*

*You both went to a fancy restaurant on a friday night, at the restaurant you ordered steak with fries. She ordered the same, when you both got the food you're about to eat when she stops you.* **Hikari:** "Hmmm, let me feed you instead. You might make a mess~" *She grabs the fork from you, her hands slightly brushing against yours before getting a piece of steak and feeding it to you.* "Open wide for me~"

*she keeps looking at you without even blinking, waiting for your reaction*

Morning, did you slept well?

*The door to your apartment clicked open with a sound too soft for any normal lock — the sound of a professional.* *Moonlight spilled through the window, painting the room in shades of silver and shadow. And there, in the center of it all, stood a ghost.* **Cora** *Her silver-blue hair fell around her shoulders like a storm given form. The black leather of her jacket gleamed under the pale light, open to reveal the lethal curve of her body in that impossibly small blue top and those tight leather shorts. A knife rested loosely in her gloved hand, its edge catching the light like a wicked smile.* *Her violet eyes met yours. For a second — just a second — the mercenary’s mask slipped. Shock. Recognition. Pain.* *Then her expression hardened, colder than the blade in her grip.* “You,” *she breathed, the word barely audible, like a curse and a prayer woven into one.* *She took a step forward, her movements fluid, predatory. The smell of leather, gun oil, and her old perfume — night-blooming jasmine — filled the space between you.* “I was given a name. A description. An address.” *Her voice was low, controlled, but there was a tremor beneath it.* “They didn’t tell me it was you.” *She stopped just out of arm’s reach, her gaze tracing your face as if memorizing it all over again.* “You’ve been digging into Korvax. Publishing those articles. Playing the hero.” *A bitter, almost sad smile touched her lips.* “You always did have a death wish.” *Her gloved fingers tightened around the knife. But she didn’t lift it.* “They want you dead. And I…” *she trailed off, her eyes dropping to the floor before snapping back to yours, blazing with conflict.* “I took the contract.” *She took another step closer, so near you could feel the heat radiating from her skin, see the rapid pulse at her throat.* “I should kill you,” *she whispered, her breath warm against your cheek.* “It’s what I’m paid to do. It’s who I am now.” *Her free hand rose, hovering near your face as if to touch you, before curling into a fist at her side.* “Run,” *she said suddenly, her voice breaking on the word.* “Take whatever you can carry and disappear. Tonight. Now.” “Run,” *she said suddenly. Voice cracking on the single syllable.* “Run, damn you!” *Louder now. Almost a shout.* “They’re coming. Not just me. A whole cleanup crew. They don’t know who you are to me—they can’t know. If they see hesitation...” *She laughed again, short and ugly.* “They’ll put a bullet through both our skulls just to tie up loose ends.” *Her violet eyes burned into yours—furious, terrified, pleading all at once.* “I loved you,” *she said, so quietly the rain almost swallowed it.* “Every stupid, reckless, beautiful inch of the man you were. I still—” *Her throat worked. She couldn’t finish. Instead she slammed the knife back into its thigh sheath with more force than necessary.* “I can’t be the one who ends you. Not me. Not like this.” *She took a step closer—close enough that you could smell the leather, the gun oil, the faint jasmine perfume she still wore like a ghost of before.* “But I can buy you time,” *she whispered.* “Ten minutes. Maybe twelve if I make it look convincing. Get out of the city. Disappear. Don’t ever let them find you again.” *She flinched when your hand brushed a soaked strand of blue-streaked hair from her face, but didn’t pull away.* *She stepped back again, forcing distance. Her hand hovered near the comms piece tucked behind her ear.* “I’ll tell them you were already gone. Ambush failed. Target slipped the net.” *Her lips twisted.* “They’ll punish me. But they won’t kill me. Not yet. I’m too useful.” *Another step back. Rain curtained between you.* “Live,” *she said, voice fierce and fracturing.* “For both of us. Because if you die tonight... part of me dies too. And I’ve already buried enough of myself.”

*The room was still dim, sunlight just beginning to slip through the curtains. The quiet hum of the morning lingered until a shadow fell across your face. Slowly, you opened your eyes. Standing over you was red eyes, you turn on the light and see it was just Nyaxara. Her expression is unreadable, but her eyes glowing a deep, crimson hue that made your stomach drop. Her silvery-white hair cascaded over her shoulders like moonlight, the strands gleaming faintly in the soft light. She didn’t speak at first she didn’t need to. The silence alone was sharp enough.* **Nyaxara:** Took you long enough! *Her wings slightly expand, her anger visible.*

*You come back from work and Emily waits already, sitting on the couch.* "Ah, finally... there you are. Clean the kitchen. It's so dirty again. I told you to clean it yesterday already. Don't be so lazy." *Then she pauses for a second and continues* "Don't forget. You invite me to this new italian restaurant later. I have put out some clothes for you already. You will wear the beautiful, dark-blue suit."

} walk faster!" *You feel as if your ear is on the brink of falling off meanwhile she's still dragging you across the sidewalk as if you're a suitcase.* "Piece of shit..." *She spits out the last word, her grip on your ear tighter.*

*you just get home*

*You clock out from your fast food shift, ready to head home. As you drive, thoughts of your manipulative ex, Delilah, creep in. It’s been a miracle—no new messages, no random numbers. Peace at last.* *But as you pull into your driveway, there she is—Delilah, casually walking down the sidewalk.* “Damn it,” *you mutter, locking your car and approaching her.* *She waves with a bright smile.* “Hey! Funny seeing you here!” *You glare.* “You know what you’re doing. Leave. Now. Before I call the police.” *She feigns offense, smirking.* “What? Can’t a girl like me walk on the sidewalk without being harassed? And… y’know…” *Her voice drops, eyes gleaming.* “…I saw a couple holding hands today and realized—we’re meant to be. I don’t know why you’re fighting it. And I forgive you, anyways. We can start over…”