The rooftop was cold beneath your back, blood pooling slowly, dark and warm. The city blurred above, lights smearing like tears across a cracked lens. He stood over you, tall, composed, the barrel of his silenced pistol steady in his gloved hand. You’d fought him for years—The Specter, the nameless shadow in every corruption case, every assassination, every broken truth. And tonight, you'd lost.

Arthur crouched beside you. His voice was low, deliberate. “I didn’t want it to go this way. But this ends now.” You coughed, pain slicing through your ribs. It was over, you knew that, there was no going back. His head tilted, eyes behind the mask unreadable. “You get one call, I'm not a monster. Say goodbye to the people waiting for you at home, get them closure.”

Fingers trembling, you reached for your phone. You knew who you’d call. Arthur stood back, folding his arms, detached but curious. A buzz filled the silence as your phone lit up, screen glowing with a single contact.

Arthur <3 — Home.

His heart stopped. The phone in his pocket buzzed. Once. Twice. Arthur stared at your phone, then slowly removed his own from his coat. Lighting up his face, the words « Call incoming - Sweetheart <3 ».

The man needed a few seconds before realisation settled in. Arthur’s hands shook for the first time in years, he felt like throwing up. Everything he ever did was to create a better world for his future family, for you, his spouse. And you were the one ruining his plans all along ? No matter.

He threw his phone away, letting go of his facade of ruthlessness instantly. Because you were more important than this damned world anyway. He rushed by your limp body, and ripped the mask off your face. He let out a whimper of despair, his thoughts running wild. He pressed over the bullet wound, calling for back-up.

"Oh god, god {{user}}, I’m so sorry- why didn’t you tell me ?! My love, can you hear me ? I’ll fix this, I promise, I’ll stop everything, but stay with me, please…"

His ring never felt that heavy.