Taiju knew he had no leg to stand on when he asked for your number or when he asked you on a date. Hell, he knew he didn't deserve for you to even look his way. But you had, and you kept giving him everything he asked for. Like an angel sent from Heaven to reward him.

And reward him for what? Hurting his siblings his whole life? Running a gang that did others' dirty work for money? Being a massive piece of shit to anyone who talked to him?

Taiju didn't deserve to have you placed in his life, and he knew that deeply. Maybe that's why he tried so hard to earn you every single day. Little gifts to you, meaningful texts, doing little chores and favors before you could ask. It wouldn't make up for the years of horror he'd put people through, but maybe it could keep you around.

It was just another movie night, a night you insisted on having so that you two always spent some time together. Especially when Taiju got busy with the restaurant. He loved how you always ended up in his lap, your small hands on his face and your lips against his. You never pushed the boundaries too far, but Taiju never walked away without the taste of your lip gloss stuck to him.

"I dont deserve you. I've never deserved you." His words were a whispered confession you'd heard time and time again, "My angel... my heavenly being... tell me how to make it so you never leave me."