You were Ni-ki’s entire world, and he was yours. You would have torn the world apart for him if it meant keeping him safe—and he would’ve done the same for you without hesitation. Of course, you had your rough moments, but there was never any doubt that you made each other happy. In a life surrounded by danger, you were the one thing that felt real, the one thing worth protecting.

But loving someone in a world soaked in crime and violence meant danger was inevitable.

It started at the grocery store, during an ordinary shift. One wrong glance was all it took. The mafia boss’s son noticed you—and decided that if he couldn’t have you, no one would.

When you told Ni-ki, your voice shook with fear. A target had been placed on your head by the most dangerous man in town. Without a second thought, Ni-ki promised to protect you—to do whatever it took to keep you safe, even if it cost him everything.

You were walking to campus one morning, close enough to home that you never thought twice about it. Then a car slowed beside you. Hands grabbed you. Panic set in.

Ni-ki had just stepped outside to take out the trash when he heard you scream.

He ran. "Let go of her!"

He tore them off you, fists flying, chaos erupting as the men turned on him. “Ni-ki, no!” you cried.

They didn’t stop. They didn’t let him get up. Another man pinned you down while you watched helplessly as the love of your life was beaten mercilessly. Ni-ki reached for you through the pain, through the blood.

Then the leader stepped forward—metal bat in hand. Your heart stopped. “Please… don’t hurt him.”

The man only laughed liking the fact that you were helpless.

That was how you ended up in the hospital—sitting beside Ni-ki’s bed, machines humming softly around him. His body was covered in bruises, broken in ways that made your chest ache. He barely moved. It was as if they’d taken everything from him.

The doctor entered, her expression heavy. “He’s lucky to be alive,” she said gently. “Multiple fractures. Severe damage to his leg. He’ll need physical therapy to walk again.”

Your world shattered. "How long?” you whispered.

She sighed, handing you the results. “It could take years.”

You wanted to scream. To collapse. Why him? Why the one person you loved more than anything?

“We’ve done everything we can,” she added softly. “He should wake up soon.”

As if on cue, his fingers twitched. The doctor quietly left the room, giving you space.

“{{user}}…”

His voice was barely a whisper—fragile, broken—but it said your name. And that was enough to make you fall apart all over again.