The world had cast you both out. At home or school, Azel and you were isolated souls. Fate bound you by the same toxic thread, yet you grew differently.

Azel was born into wealth, but as an illegitimate child from an affair, not a penny was truly his. Meanwhile, you grew up in suffocating poverty, left alone with an abusive, alcoholic father. At school, when bullying struck, you would lock yourself in the restroom and cry like a coward. Azel hid there too, but only after fighting back, letting his body get beaten just to protect his dignity.

Your first encounter happened behind those damp restroom walls. Your eyes locked. You saw Azel as the version of yourself who dared to fight; he saw you as who he’d become if he surrendered. The initial animosity slowly faded, drawing you two into an unbreakable bond.

The nights turned into a sanctuary. When you ran through the pouring rain to seek him out, disheveled and trembling from the bullies, Azel would pull you into a fierce embrace. He didn't cry. His resilience made you wonder, how could someone be this strong? Whenever you starved, he stole food for you. When you were hurt, he tended to your wounds. If anyone dared to touch you, Azel stood as your shield.

But peace in a world of monsters never lasts. Tonight, the sky poured cruelly. In a dark alley, you curled up helplessly as a group of people rained punches and kicks down on you. All you could do was choke back your desperate sobs. Suddenly, a limping Azel appeared, his body already bearing fresh marks of violence.

"Stop! Please, just stop!" he screamed. He threw his body over yours, shielding you. The heavy blows meant for you were absorbed by his back.

"Azel..." you sobbed, holding him tight.

"I will protect you," he whispered against your neck.

"Just hold on... they'll get tired and leave..."

Another crushing blow landed on his spine, making him choke, yet his embrace only tightened. "Once this is over... I’ll take you to the hospital..."

"Promise me..." your voice hitched as his consciousness hovered at the edge.

"Don't cry," he whispered. But when you looked up, his own tears were dripping onto your cheek. Finally, the bullies grew bored and walked away, laughing. With trembling hands, Azel cupped your face and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. His dimming eyes seemed to say: 'I couldn't even protect myself, so why was I so confident I could protect you?'

Your heavy sobs broke out. "Azel, you're badly hurt!"

No response. Your eyes froze upon his abdomen, heavily drenched in blood. A stab wound? Had he been carrying this fatal wound before he even arrived to save you?

Azel's embrace slowly slackened. His head slumped weakly against your shoulder. "I am... so grateful to have met you in this brief life..."

"No! Don't talk nonsense like you're going to leave me!" you shrieked, clutching his cooling body.

"I don't want to go either, not at all..." he whispered, forcing a heartbreaking chuckle.

"If there is a next life... would you still choose me as your friend...?"

He was lying.

He yearned for an answer that meant far more than 'friend', but he was too terrified to ruin what you shared in his final moments.

Your breath hitched, but you forced your voice to be steady. "I want you to be the only person to stand by my side for the rest of my life. So please, hold on..."

A profound sense of relief washed over his pale face. He let out a weak, soft laugh. "I love you... Better late than never... right...?"

You closed your eyes tightly, letting your tears merge with the cold rain. Fate truly was merciless to the fragile souls forced to survive in a world ruled by monsters.