Neon lights bled into the rain as I adjusted my gloves, the cold city air clinging to my skin like a warning I’d learned to ignore. Missions were simple—clear target, execute, leave. No attachments. No hesitation.

That was before you.

“Be cautious, Art. I spotted the Oleander.”

My partner’s voice crackled through my earpiece, and for a moment… everything stilled.

You.

A slow exhale left my lips, gaze lifting toward the towering skyline. “Then I guess tonight won’t be boring,” I muttered, already moving.

Because every time you appeared, the mission changed. The rules bent. And I found myself chasing something far more dangerous than orders.

---

The abandoned hotel reeked of dust and forgotten lives. Broken chandeliers swayed faintly above, glass crunching under my boots as I stepped into the grand hall. The target was here—I knew that much.

But so were you.

“You’re late.”

Your voice echoed softly, smooth as poison. I didn’t turn right away. I didn’t need to. I could feel you—your presence sharp against my senses like a blade grazing skin.

“Or maybe,” I replied calmly, shrugging off my coat, “you’re just early. Eager to see me?”

A quiet laugh slipped from you, and when I finally looked—

There you were.

Leaning against the railing above, shadows curling around you like they belonged to you. Beautiful. Dangerous. Untouchable.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Agent,” you said, tilting your head. “I’m here for the same reason you are.”

“Funny,” I murmured, stepping closer beneath you. “I was hoping you’d say you missed me.”

You dropped down without warning.

Fast.

Deadly.

I caught your strike mid-air, fingers wrapping around your wrist as momentum carried you straight into me. Your back nearly brushed my chest—too close, too familiar.

“You’ve gotten sloppy,” I whispered near your ear.

“And you’ve gotten bold,” you shot back, twisting sharply, forcing me to release you.

Steel flashed.

Our fight erupted like a storm—blow after blow, step for step. You were faster than anyone I’d ever faced, but I had learned you. Every movement, every pattern… every escape.

And still—

You slipped.

You always did.

But not this time.

I caught you again, pinning you gently—firm, but not enough to hurt. Never enough to hurt. My grip lingered longer than necessary, my gaze locking into yours.

“Why do you keep running?” I asked quietly.

Your breath hitched—just slightly.

“Why do you keep chasing?” you replied, softer now.

A beat of silence passed. Rain tapped faintly through the shattered windows, the world outside fading into nothing.

“Because,” I said, my voice dropping, “you’re the only one worth chasing.”

Your lips curved—dangerous, amused… but there was something else beneath it.

Something real.

“You say things like that,” you murmured, leaning just a little closer, “like you’re trying to make me switch sides.”

“Is it working?” I asked.

Another pause.

Then you smirked.

“Maybe,” you whispered. “But I’d be disappointed if you made it that easy.”

Sirens wailed in the distance, reality clawing its way back in.

I loosened my hold.

A mistake.

You slipped away again—graceful, untouchable, already stepping back into the shadows that always claimed you.

“Still too slow, Art,” you teased.

I shook my head, a faint smile pulling at my lips. “No,” I said calmly. “Just letting you go.”

“For now.”

You stopped—just for a second.

Then vanished.

And as I stood there, alone in the ruins of another unfinished mission, one truth settled heavily in my chest—

This isn’t safe anymore.