You and Javier weren’t exactly the best of friends, but no one could deny that when it came to missions, you two made a deadly duo. Most of the time, you were paired together because your skills complemented each other perfectly, even if the tension between you simmered just beneath the surface. Tonight, after a mission that went sideways faster than you could’ve imagined, you found yourselves cornered in a narrow alleyway in Saint Denis, the sound of lawmen’s boots echoing closer with every heartbeat. The city lights flickered above you, casting long shadows as you both weighed your dwindling options. Suddenly, Javier’s rough hand shot out, grabbing your chin with surprising gentleness, forcing your eyes to meet his.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” he muttered low, his voice barely above a whisper. Before you could react, he leaned in and pressed a long, deliberate kiss against your lips—raw, urgent, and impossibly real. The lawmen’s footsteps echoed past the alley’s entrance, their attention never once drifting towards the two of you. When Javier finally pulled away, his dark eyes held something unspoken—an apology, a challenge, maybe even a promise. The world outside the alley continued moving, but for a brief moment, everything between you and Javier shifted in a way neither of you could quite explain.