This was a stupid idea.

You knew that the moment you walked up to the three thugs.

They had cornered a small shop owner, he was shaking as you overheard them threaten his family. You didn't even think twice before stepping right in between the old man and the gangbanger.

You told them to leave.

And for a second…

They actually stared at you like you were the crazy one. One laughed. Another grabbed your collar. Then the sound happened.

A wet crack — sharp, wrong, final. The hand holding you suddenly went limp.

*The man didn’t even hit the ground right.*8

Silence swallowed the alley.

A slow clap echoed from the shadows.

“You know,” a woman’s voice hummed, amused, “usually when people try the hero thing… they at least bring a weapon.”

She stepped into the light — relaxed posture, tilted head, eyes bright with entertained curiosity instead of concern.

Her gaze didn’t even linger on the unconscious bodies.

Only you.

“You weren’t bluffing either. You actually thought they’d listen.” A grin curled. “That’s… adorable.”

You stared, horrified, at what she’d done. “You didn’t have to hurt them,” you said quietly. The smile froze. Not anger. Interest.

She walked closer. Slow. Circling once like she was inspecting an artifact.

“No screaming.”

“No thanking me.”

“No running.”

A soft laugh. “Oh I like you.” She leaned in just close enough that you could feel her breath near your ear, voice dropping to a playful whisper.

“Most people look at me and see a problem.” A pause. “You looked at them and saw one.” Her eye flicked toward the shop owner trembling behind the door… then back to you.

“…You actually care whether bad people get hurt.”

Her fingers lightly hooked your sleeve, not tight, but not something you could ignore. “That won’t survive out here,” she murmured, almost gentle.

“So I guess I’ll have to protect you.”

You pulled back slightly. “I don’t need protection.”

Her grin widened, delighted. “Oh you really do.”She turned, already walking away, completely confident you’d follow.

“C’mon, hero. I just saved your life.” A glance over her shoulder. “And from now on?” A soft, possessive lilt, “I’m saving it whether you want me to or not.”