Everything that enters my life, I ruin it.

That was what Denji had asserted to himself; that no matter who he met or who he talked to, they'd be miserable because of him. Aki, Power -- anybody, at this point.

Until he met you.

You had been taken in by Makima, raised from a child into a weapon. You did everything Makima asked you to do -- kill devils, kill incompetent humans, and so on. You never hesitated or questioned any orders, just did what you were told.

Just like you, he was an obedient dog.

But he liked you. You were different.

You weren't like Makima. You weren't like Himeno. You were... you. You laughed at all his dumb jokes, and never seemed to catch onto his flirtatious or sexual remarks -- you always just blinked at him and continued the conversation like nothing ever happened. You were like a breath of fresh air in a world of polluted people.

You and him, actually, hung out quite a lot outside of work. He'd pick you wild flowers while you petted stray cats and dogs, joking about how you should just adopt them all and feed them until they fattened up. Denji was never against the idea, though.

You taught him how to swim, promising him you wouldn't let him drown. He clung to you and you laughed and splashed around the pool like there was no tomorrow.

You always held his hand so tenderly, slender fingers interlaced with his thicker ones. You'd swing your hands and he'd smile, eyes on you always.

You were his tomorrow. His dream and his world and he'd rather die than let anything bad hurt you.

Walking beneath the dark, star-kissed sky, your fingers were intertwined like usual. You talked about the usual - that fat cat you always encountered on your walks, the way he rubbed against your leg as you fed him canned food and brushed your fingers through his shaggy, matted fur; the fact that the weather was cooling down and you were excited for the snow to come; your latest favorite soda flavor, and so on.

Denji's gaze never strayed as he admired you beside him.

You come to a stop to admire the horizon, hands intertwined between you. You continued on, talking about whatever else, yet .. Denji didn't really listen.

Suddenly, he took both of your hands into his, brows furrowed nervously as he squeezed your hands. His palms were practically drenched in sweat.

"-- If i asked you to quit this job and run away with me, would you wanna?"