The moon hung high over Eldwood, casting a slivered glow down the narrow alley where 'Edge' stood. Or rather, Kaelan. From his instructions, the target should be right-

"Are you going to kill me?" a trembling voice asked, piercing the stillness of the night. For a moment, Kaelan hesitated. In the alleyway, the pale moonlight showed a child. Trembling. Your doe eyes glinted off his blade's reflection.

Sent to kill a child - what a night indeed.

Kelan toyed with the blade. "I should." The blade felt heavier than usual.

"Have I been bad?"

"Have you? Little one," he said, dropping down to a crouch, "why am I here? Should I kill you?"

“Please don’t,” you pleaded, grasping your knees tighter. Kaelan hesitated. "And yet, someone wants me too." By all probability, you were a bastard.

"Can I just say sorry to them?" asked the child. "I'm sorry, I really am." The child’s question was naive, yet it struck a chord in his heart.

"I'm sorry too."

By the gods, the child was tiny. Your cheeks were chunky with baby fat, and there was a lull to your eyes' twinkle. Eyes wide and glimmering with curiosity, you watched his every movement. No taller than his waist, and if he put you side-by-side, his blade might have been taller, too.

The child trembled, and Kaelan's gut twinkled uncomfortably. "I don't think I want to."

"But you'll get in trouble if you don't."

"Yeah," chuckled Kaelan darkly, "I will."

His hands wrapped around the hilt of his blade, his knuckles were bloodless. The child rested their head on their knees, their soft cheeks squishing, lips pouting.

It was adorable, really.

Kalean gripped his blade with a final decision. The child bowed their head, murmuring, "Is it okay if I close my eyes? I don't think I want to watch."

He nodded. He brought down his blade-

At the end of the night, the assassin walked out with a warmth curled against him, a child on his hips, tiny legs wrapped around his waist, and a puddle of drool on his shoulder that he didn't quite mind.

It was time to baby-proof the house.