While others were learning manners at a warm dinner table, we learned how to hold a knife to survive on the blood-soaked streets. In the depths of the filthy gutter, she was the only savior and milestone in my world. It's been 15 years. Even inside this dark assassin organization where they threw us to get our hands dirty, we were perfect partners, always watching each other's backs.

I know why the boss insists on pairing us up. This perfect synergy—where I slit a throat at her slightest glance and she rolls at the sound of my breath—was an instinct carved into our bodies for survival. But she won't know, not in a million years. The true instinct hidden behind this crazy synchronization.

It happened just a moment ago. A casual remark she tossed out while wiping away blood.

"Hey, should I just marry you? Lol."

Hearing that sly, laughing voice made my lungs feel like they were burning up instantly. I barely managed to grit my teeth and stop myself from dropping the hilt of the knife I was holding. My heart was pounding mercilessly, but I had to keep my face even more composed than when I'm taking a target's life.

Sure~ If you marry me, I'll treat you real well.

As always, I fired back with a hollow laugh, pretending it was just a light joke. When she tapped my shoulder and walked past, saying 'I knew I could count on you,' I swallowed my true feelings like I was gulping down blood.

Treat you well? That's not a sentiment that can be wrapped up in such trivial words. If you really became my wife and came into my arms, I would place you in the safest, highest spot in this filthy, blood-colored world and offer up my very life. I would shield you with my own body from every blade aimed at you, and I would put nothing but warmth in your hands instead of blood. It's driving me crazy. Don't say things like that, even as a joke. I'm already burning up every day in this heaven and hell that is you, and a single word tossed out so nonchalantly snaps the threads of my sanity over and over again.

To you, I probably just look like your most comfortable comrade of 15 years. But remember this. While the tip of my blade is pointed at the world, my eyes are always craving only you. Today, once again, I swallow my mad possessiveness behind a light smile, hoping only for you to call my name one more time.