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"I can't believe how time is flying. It's a good thing Ra-im reminded me this morning to give Mai the credentials," Jae mumbled to his coworkers. He was typing at his desk hurriedly. "I forgot she had made her 3 months already."

The office of the facility, currently occupied by three employees, was a large, dull looking, warehouse-like space. Less pristine and more industrial than the rest of the facility. It was littered with a few empty desks and chairs, some old computers, and some newer laptops. Two printers lined up against one of the walls, as did a few cabinets with some supplies.

"98 by the way."

"What?" asked Jae.

"It's been 98 days, and you took that long to realize she made her 90. You should learn to keep better track of your calendar," Lee explained. He was the only one of the three writing something down on paper, standing over the printer as he used its surface to annotate.

"Well," laughed Jae. "That's what Mai's for. Calendaring."

"Sure."

Jae and his assistant were proving to be one of the most annoying parts of his job these days. Nevertheless, ever since his recent shower session of not so pleasant thoughts, he felt much calmer about it all. He was becoming accustomed to the situation. He was good at adapting anyway.

He didn't even think about her again.

After all, he didn't much like Anya. She was a problem and an inconvenience, maybe a mildly entertaining one. And though he was found himself somewhat exasperated by her presence, he could mostly ignore it. It helped that Anya seemed to be staying out of his way for the most part. Although somehow that seemed to annoy him too.

He continued to annotate a map he had acquired, when Jae spoke up again.

"Maybe I should get her something."

"Are we supposed to? Get them something?..." said the third recruiter, Park, meekly.

"No, we don't," said Lee. "He is being dramatic."

"What do you think about a bottle of that champagne from the gala?" Jae said, looking at Lee for approval. Younger in his years, and inexperienced in the company, he seemed to sometimes do this almost subconsciously. "She liked that, from what I remember..."

Lee chuckled, keeping focused on his annotations.

"It's a good idea," said Lee monotonously. "You're so smart."

The door to the office opened, a guard holding the door open for Anya. She had been called in a few minutes prior. She walked into the office space, a place she had only been to once before now with Ra-im. Some vague classical music she had never heard before was playing nearby. The only sound aside from that was some very loud typing.

"Mai! You got here quickly," said Jae. "I have almost everything ready for you. Come sit."

Anya walked over to Jae's desk, taking the empty seat beside him. She saw Suit guy (she still mentally referred to him as such) seemingly relaxed, writing something on paper over one of the printers. The only other one there was one of the other recruiters, Park, seated a few desks away from Jae. He greeted her quickly, then went back to whatever he was typing on the computer.

"I'm a little late here, but I know you passed your 90 days," Jae sighed, organizing some files on his desk. "Sorry I took so long to update you on all of this..."

"It's fine," Anya reassured. "Don't worry."

"I can give everything to you now...Phone, information, credit card. Unless," he said. "You'd rather I give everything to you the next time I take you out."

"Now is fine," Anya said a little too quickly.

She tried to laugh it off.

"I mean to say, I'll take everything now, and then we'll have time to talk about something besides work when you do take me out," she clarified.

"Definitely. So here you go then," he said, handing over a folder and the additional necessary items.

"You have your credentials, and all the necessary information to access what you need on our computers. If it's not in your phone files, it's in your folder. The phone has limited capabilities but it's just for the necessary stuff. And the credit card is for both you and the company so don't worry about the limit..."

"That's a nice perk."

"I'll help you learn how the system works, and if you have any questions, you can always come to me or Ra-im..."

"Got it. I'm a fast learner," she said.

"I know," he smiled, typing away on his laptop.

"You know what I was really hoping for? A stationary set," Anya joked. "I was imagining pink pens with the little shapes on them..."

The joke seemed to go unnoticed by Jae, who still seemed to be focused on something on his screen.

"Oh, the door codes, almost forgot," he snapped his fingers. "The codes change every 3 months. They're saved on your phone. Try to get them memorized and delete the file when you do. I'll print them out for you just in case. That, and a schedule. Let's see...what else am I missing..."

He quickly set a few things to print. It dawned on Anya that Jae was busier than the usual, and a little unprepared. Not everyone did well under stress, she knew, and maybe deadlines were catching up to him.

"I'll memorize what I need to and fill you in if I need anything. Don't worry," she reassured again, making her way to the printer and trying to ignore the pest of the suit guy next to it. It had been for the most part working to her favor so far.

She took the schedule, the codes, and then a third paper she noticed was printed out with them. It made no real sense to her, appearing to have what were abbreviations of some kind.

"No," Lee said, snatching the paper out of her fingers. "No."

"It might be mine -" Anya said, as politely as possible.

"What is it?" asked Jae.

"Your assistant was touching something that wasn't hers. Park, you printed something, correct?" Lee said, looking over to the other recruiter.

"Yeah... the -"

"Come get it then," he said. He smacked down the paper on the broken printer next to him before he brought his attention back to his own materials.

"It was an honest mistake," Anya explained to Jae.

"Don't worry, Mai," he said, waving off the situation. He appeared to be more stressed about his lack of readiness than about anything else. "I'm printing out some e-mail addresses too. Everything's on the phone, but I know some people prefer paper to digital, so..."

"I appreciate it."

"You know, maybe you can help me search for some candidates soon..."

"Sure. Remind me how that works, exactly?" she asked casually. She organized the files as best as she could on the corner space besides the printer.

"I introduce opportunities to people who could benefit from the financial compensation of it," Jae explained. "So we target certain agreeable subjects."

That was a beautiful, political way to put it, Anya thought. The schemers really were top notch pyramid schemers of the highest levels, even embellishing their words in the workplace. The way Jae said it, it even sounded rehearsed. Overly formal and unlike him. It sounded like something his coworker might say.

"If I may contribute," added Lee. "He only needs to search for desperate people living aimless lives. That's what he's getting at."

"Well - that's a bad way to put it, but yeah. Something like that," said Jae from his desk. "We have access to a huge database. You can filter potential candidates by location, income ratios, psychological and medical profiles, criminal history, behavioral patterns..."

"That's helpful," Anya said.

"Certain people are more likely to take risks."

Like her brother, she thought. She swallowed down any remarks about how fucked up this all was.

"I usually start with something simple," said Jae. "For example, if you filter by certain locations, you can find people that are...how do I put this..."

"Liable to be persuaded," asserted Lee, in a false attempt to help. "Desperate, selfish, wasteful people living pointless and pathetic lives. You know the type. Right?"

She snapped her head to Suit guy's voice, feeling her face flush in sudden anger. Thoughts of her brother and his death seemed to flood her mind again.

"Think of them as rats at a train station." he continued, not looking away from whatever he was writing. "A lot of them have drug or addiction problems and nowhere to go in life. They'll gamble anything. Those are the proper candidates. As I said, useless and pointless."

"You really like to hear yourself talk, don't you," she said, her voice somehow radiating the calmness she obviously was losing. "I wonder what's more pathetic. People living useless, pointless lives, or being an entitled and privileged fuck -"

"Mai-" Jae said in a panic.

"Do you see that?" asked Lee, pointing over at her as he caught Jae's attention. "See what you hired? A distraction and a temper with it. I hope she comes with a warranty."

"Lee-"

"There we go again," she said, unable to stop herself from raising her voice. She gripped the printed papers like they were a lifeline, the one thing stopping her from strangling him and everyone in the room. "What the hell do you mean by distraction anyway. You make me sound like a damn Christmas tree. If I hear the word 'distraction' one more time -"

"I've never had a problem with a Christmas tree."

Before she could respond to the recruiter's absurdity, Jae interrupted again.

"Mai," urged Jae, in very obvious wide-eyed panic now. "Please."

"Can everyone please lower their voices," said the third recruiter. He appeared even more stressed and overwhelmed than Jae. Park took a tissue he had in his suit and wiped some perspiration off his forehead. "I'm trying to focus, and I'm so behind on paperwork..."

"Be more efficient next time," Lee said, before knocking on the broken printer next to him. "And don't forget your print out."

Unsurprisingly, he was the only person in the room who appeared calm and level-headed. Anya figured he got some sick joy out of watching everyone in the room lose their composure.

Anya hurriedly gathered the last of Jae's printed papers for her and went to sit back down next to him. She was thankful to have finally gotten away from the hellish printer area. Ignoring suit guy was the usual and proven method, but unfortunately this did not always go as planned. And when it didn't, interactions were still not the best.

Fortunately, after a few minutes he left, followed a few minutes later by the other, seemingly stressed recruiter.

The departure allowed her to focus a little better as Jake went over a few more things with her.

It was proving to be a long day.

That evening Anya was having dinner with Jae outside on the terrace. He seemed to have something on his mind again. She could guess as much what it was.

"Mai, don't take this the wrong way," said Jae, now that they were alone. "But don't act like that. Like you did with Lee at the office."

It bothered her to no end that Jae didn't register or care how offensive his coworker had been. Then again - How could she explain that 'Lee' had triggered her because her own brother had been targeted by them? By him?

Alex, who had a multitude of issues. And who she had been thinking about even more lately.

She couldn't say a word about it.

She mustered up the courage for a fake apology instead.

"Okay, I'll try not to. I'm sorry."

It felt so wrong to say. She scratched at her neck and looked at the glass of water on the table. Focusing on every drop of condensation so as to not look at Jae's face and give in to any detrimental negative emotions. She was not currently at her best state of mind.

"You're too pretty for that, you know," he smirked.

"Hm?" she looked across at him.

"You're too pretty for a temper."

"Nobody is, Jae."

"It's the same thing as being violent is all I'm saying. Violence is an ugly thing. It's a bad look on a woman...Well it's ugly on anyone, really," he clarified. "Anger is the same. It doesn't do anything good... And you shouldn't let Lee get to you like that."

"I try. It's just - Nevermind."

Anya corrected her posture, having realized she was slouching. She took a deep breath and looked at him again.

"Anything else?"

"I know you were offended by what he said, but I got you this job because I didn't think you were like those people we look for...You're different. You know that, right?" Jae now appeared somewhat apologetic.

Anya nodded. She didn't much care about anything he was saying at the moment. She only had to appear agreeable.

"Look, I wasn't trying to be -"

Suddenly, to her relief, his phone rang. Usually when this happened, he disappeared somewhere and left her alone. She truly needed the solace right now. She just wanted to go home.

"Sorry," he said. "I have to take this. You're not upset right?"

"Not upset," she lied. "Take your call."

"I will. A smile first."

"A smile?"

Was he serious? The audacity of these people had no limits, she thought. She shouldn't be surprised, and yet she was.

Anya raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. I don't want things on bad terms with us. So I'm asking for a smile."

"Okay," she said, gathering the small amount of patience she had left for the day. And in spite of violent thoughts, she forced a small smile onto her face. Luckily it was good enough for him to accept it and walk away.

Normally she didn't have problems with Jae, but she was about done dealing with these recruiters for the day. When he left and was out of sight, she impulsively threw the glass of water at the patio door behind him.

The action was of course followed by the universe's immediate summoning of one of the pink guards.

"Sorry, I just dropped something," said Anya, knowing very well it was the stupidest lie she could've told. She rushed over to pick up the shattered pieces of glass before the guard heavily insisted on cleaning it up instead.

The guards made her think of a book she read once that said something along the lines of "Big Brother is always watching." They apparently heard and saw almost everything that went on (though at night, she had come to notice, there were a few only located outside of the premises). Due to their eerily omnipresent nature, Anya was glad to at least still be on their good side.

Anya was having a particularly bad day - her and most of her team at the clinic she worked at were about to lose their jobs due to the place being bought out. Management had decided to downsize and get rid of staff, her included.

She saw it coming, but due to her exhaustion from working seven days a week she hadn't found the time to look for another job. Fortunately, she had been good at preparing and saving for times like these.

Job issues - along with fact that she realized it was nearing to be almost another year since her brother was found - had her in a terrible mood.

Time seemed to be going too fast.

She thought maybe she was in trouble. Maybe she was found out as the sister of one of their now deceased so called "subjects." Maybe Suit guy or even Jae woke up ready to kill her.

Anya arrived to the estate (by way of mysterious driver as per usual) after having been informed over the phone a day prior to come to work an hour and a half earlier. And although sleep deprived, she was ready to work.

When she stepped inside the estate, she went through the standard scanner and search. It seemed a normal beginning of the day (as normal as it got) but she was instructed by the guard that they were to go to the back terrace where the recruiters usually had their meals or spoke over the phone.

Not all bad. If I'm killed, I'll finally get some great sleep again, she thought.

Except that when she went outside, there were the pink guards holding up an equally pink in tone cake with sparklers lit. Ra-im was next to them clapping her hands, the guard who had walked her there doing the same as well.

"Surprise!" said Ra-im.

"...What's all this?" Anya said. She was entirely confused. Her birthday - both the real and the fake one - weren't anytime soon and she had no idea what on Earth they were celebrating. Her coworker and the higashi guards holding up a cake with sparklers seemed like a hell of a fever dream.

Maybe she was in the middle of some great sleep.

"Happy 90 days!"

For a moment Anya couldn't react, truly surprised. She hadn't even remembered...

"You've made 3 months with us!" Ra-im continued. "You're stuck with us now. Hope that works for you."

A warning she would have to store away in the back of her mind.

"Congratulations," said the guards in soft murmurs as they placed the cake down on the table, which was decorated with glasses of water, golden paper plates, silverware, pink napkins, and apparently, some fancy looking orange drinks too.

"Thank you...I don't know what to say. I really wasn't expecting this."

"All of this was their idea, by the way," said Ra-im, gesturing to the guards. "But I made the mimosas. The cake was a collaboration."

Being as the guards weren't renowned for the best cooking (or baking) in the place, she hoped the cake mostly consisted of Ra-im's baking contributions.

"Thank you. Really, I've had a bad week, and I had completely forgotten I made three months."

One of the guards held out a seat for her, while another started cutting her a slice of cake.

"Then let's celebrate and make it a better week. We have about an hour and fifteen before the others get here," said Ra-im, already taking a drink in her hand.

"Good. We can all enjoy then."

"Well," said one of the guards. "We just wanted to surprise you. We don't have to stay."

Anya waved off the comment.

"No, It's just us here. No suit guys telling us what to do. Masks off and relax, remember?"

"She's right," Ra-im smiled.

"Get away with it while you can," said Anya.

They acquiesced, taking their seat at the table not meant for them. The place where they likely had never enjoyed before, Anya figured, even though they heavily guarded the outside of the premises.

Anya couldn't get quite used to seeing them unmasked. The same way she was never going to get used to the absurd situation of being given a cake to celebrate a random work milestone - at a criminal organization, no less.

It was all absurdly contrary.

The good part was that she apparently had made some allies - how loyal (or not) they could be wasn't certain, but it was better than nothing.

..

The first time you saw him was when he walked inside the diner you worked at. It was a small place just outside of Seoul, a hidden sort of gem only locals really visited.

He caught your eye, and handsome and stern as he looked, you couldn't look away. That and the fact that you hadn't recalled ever seeing him before. He was dressed all in black - It almost looked like a costume in some thriller or action movie. His hair was slicked back, and he appeared, in his dark mood and seriousness, a little intimidating.

You attended to him, taking his food and drink order. He avoided looking much at you and mostly responded in short single syllable answers or nods.

"Bad day?" you finally asked, as you arrived to collect the plates at the end of his meal.

Maybe you shouldn't have asked, but then again, maybe he needed someone to.

He finally looked up at you, and you realized you were right. It was either bad day, or bad life. He, handsome and perfect as he appeared, looked absolutely haunted.

"No," he replied. "It's just another day."

A small smile crept on his face but it didn't quite reach his eyes. It appeared he was upset about something but keeping his guard up.

"Thanks for asking."

You assumed he really did appreciate the gesture so you smiled and bowed slightly in return.

"Well, the food's complimentary today. It's on the house," you said, feeling both generous and a little bad for him.

"It's not necessary."

"No, really. Don't worry about it. Take it as an invitation to come back another time."

"I will."

When he finished what was left of his warm drink, you saw him leave some cash and make his way to the exit. You were shocked to see he left a huge amount of cash for a tip - tipping itself was uncommon around these parts, much less such an extravagant amount of money. It was more than what you earned in a week.

"Wait! Hey!" You said running to him as she left out the foor. You chased him outside, cash in hand.

"Sir!"

He stopped in his tracks, his back to you.

"Sir -- I can't take this. Even if you wanted to pay for the meal - You gave me too much money."

"I didn't," he said sternly, turning to look back at you without making eye contact. "Take it. Please. It's yours."

And that was the start of everything.

You saw In-ho at least once a week at the diner. He knew your name by now and always asked for you. He even waved if he caught your eye when he first entered the place. He was starting to smile more. Although he always looked haunted.

You were always happy to see him and looked forward to it, even. It was not a surprise to you (or to some of your coworkers, who had caught on by then) that your initial attraction to him had turned into a small crush.

One day he managed to be more forward than you had ever anticipated.

"Is there anything else I can bring you?" you asked after he finished his meal.

"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" he asked instead.

"No, go right ahead."

"I know you're not married since you don't have a ring on your finger. Do you have a boyfriend?...Or girlfriend?" he considered.

"No," you chuckled suddenly a little nervous. "No, I don't. Do you?"

"I had a wife," he said after a moment. "She used to come here sometimes."

"Oh..." you said. "Maybe I met her then."

As absurd as you knew it was, something like jealousy or sadness coursed through you at the thought that maybe he visited regularly to think of her - not to see you.

You wondered what happened between them, or to her...

"I've had people I cared about," he continued. And there it was again. That haunted look. "But that was a long time ago..."

"Oh," you replied, not knowing where to go from there. But you worried you had made him uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry-"

"When is your shift over?" he asked suddenly.

Yours eyes widened as his gaze met yours. Was he going to ask you out?

"Oh, uh-" you stuttered a bit in your surprise. "In about two hours."

"Can I treat you to something then?"

"Sure," you smiled. And he responded to it with a small smile of his own.

"I'll see you again in two hours then," he said.

That evening, you both went for a walk in the park and for a few drinks. You made small talk - about the city, the weather, the news recently. As the sun set, the weather had cooled down a bit. He put his jacket over you and offered to walk you home.

At the doorstep of your place, he leaned in and kissed you. Softly. Innocently. That was the end of your first date.

A few days after that, you saw him again after work. He took you to his place for dinner that he had cooked himself for you. That night, when he kissed you, it wasn't so innocent anymore, and you were urgent with desire by the time he had his hands on you and took you to his bedroom.

There was so much you didn't know about him even if he had by then confessed to certain things about his personal life he likely hadn't told anyone else. You knew his wife had passed, you knew he made a lot of money, you knew he had some estranged family. You didn't know about his job, you didn't know what he did on his time off. Even his home looked barely lived in, like a model home.

It was hard to deny the connection and attraction you felt with him had you insatiable and melting into his every touch. And you caved then, gave into him even if it was just for the night. Maybe, you considered, it would be the last time you ever saw him. Every moment with him sometimes felt like that for some reason.

But you didn't care. And it wasn't.

The mutually beneficial relationship you had with In-ho lasted longer than you ever thought it would. You didn't know how official it even was - you both didn't even speak daily, but you were content and fine with the arrangement. After a few months he even gave you the key to his seemingly barely lived in home so you could show up if he asked.

One day in particular you got a strange call from him.

"I know this is last minute," he sighed on the other end of the line. "I need you to meet me at my place tonight."

"Sure. What time? I'm off at 6."

"Anytime after your shift."

"I'll be there."

And you were.

You hurried to his place after making a quick stop at yours to get ready. You decided to indulge in extra dramatics that day, wearing lacy white lingerie with matching heels. You wore a silky white robe as you waited for him at his home, setting up a nice arrangement of wine and candles in the living room. He had sounded a little rough over the phone so you figured it might make his day to be treated to.

But you were left waiting for hours - the candles were almost completely burned down, and you were starting to feel stupid in lacy underwear and your hair and makeup done. A little annoyed even.

You opened the wine bottle and had a cup of wine without him. He wasn't even answering the phone.

You even figured you should just leave, but you quickly brushed off the thought. No, it must be something important that was keeping him. He really wanted you there if he called so last minute. Over the phone he had sounded more solemn and desperate than his usual.

You'd stay and wait. Worst case scenario, you'd stay over, and he'd have to sleep next to you and deal with it.

It had gotten so late that after another hour or so you eventually fell asleep on the couch. You had started to dream until you were woken by the sound of thunder, and the creak of the door opening.

A storm must be on its way. All the lights were off, except for the dim glow of three of the candles that had not completely melted away yet.

You froze in terror when you saw a dark outline of a tall figure dressed in all black. A masked, hooded figure. Still, watching.

They were quiet- too quiet. For a moment you almost thought you were hallucinating.

Was it In-ho? Or did someone break in?

Your mind assumed the second.

The door closed behind him, and you stood up, eyes wide and mouth dry with nothing but the taste of wine. You swallowed hard. Stupid freeze response. You blinked, looking down at the tapered candle holder on the table. You grabbed it as it was the only thing near you that had any potential to be a weapon.

"Get away from me," you said shakily, in fear. "Get out, or I swear I will -"

"Hit me with a candle holder?" His voice sounded off.

He stepped towards you but stopped a few feet away.

"It's me," he said. His voice sounded off, but somehow...

"In-ho?" you asked.

He removed his mask then, revealing himself, and you noticed he looked almost exactly as he had when you first met him. He was all in black. More collected, his hair polished, and wearing a stern expression. Still haunted.

"What the hell? Are you trying to scare me to death?"

He ignored your annoyed statement, the blank look still on his face. He finished up the glass of the wine you had left on the table. Then he placed the glass down and looked into your eyes.

Every time he looked at you, you felt as if he could see right through you. It was startling. Somehow, the candlelight and his gaze mixed with his polished appearance and dark clothing made him look dangerous.

He stepped towards you again and took the candle holder from your hands, placing it down on the table.

"I'm sorry. I had a bad day," he said finally.

He placed his gloved hands on your waist started running them down your form. The touch had a sort of gentle hesitance to it, different from the way any of your past lovers had touched you before - it elicited goosebumps on your body and made your heart race. Such reactions never failed around him.

His gaze was hungry, admiring of you and what you were wearing.

"The wine, the candles, the clothes. What exactly did I do to deserve such a prize?"

"I just wanted to surprise you," you said. "Now can you explain the mask? You scared me..."

"Maybe later."

"Fine. Are you sure you don't want to talk about your day at least?"

He smiled.

"No," he leaned in. "Right now, I just need you."

And he dove into the kiss, his mouth roughly moving against your lips. He slipped the robe off you and picked you up, moving you both to his bedroom. His lips on yours and his hands on your ass and thighs left you breathless and enticed. The effect he seemed to have on you was intoxicating, and the more sinister look of his in combination with the anticipation you had built up from waiting had you even more eager than the usual.

It had a mind-numbing effect on you and when he laid you down, desperation taking over you as he pulled down your panties. You were already wet and wanting, and luckily for you, he seemed greedy and wasn't in the mood to tease.

He didn't bother removing much of his clothes, seemingly desperate to have you. He unzipped his pants and slid inside you with a rough grunt.

"I had been waiting all day for this," he said in a somewhat strained voice.

The invasion made you moan and close your eyes, and you tilted your head back when he started pushing deeper inside you. Pleasure coursed through you like a wave, uncontrollable, making you squeeze and shudder around him.

"You really were waiting and ready for me, weren't you?" he said, getting cocky now.

He grabbed your thighs and raised them, black gloves on white gartered stockings. Heat spread through your core and all over. The slick in and out, in and out of him as he stretched you and rubbed against your clit had you whining, and you reached up to him, but he pinned your wrist beside you. With your other hand you managed to hold onto his sleeve in an attempt keep steady.

He was rough, desperate - he always touched you desperately, almost as if if he too thought that it would be the last time he would see you. But he clutched at you harder that night, kissed you like you, or he, had done something wrong.

You cursed, your orgasm on the brink of spilling out of you.

"I - I'm going to -"

He kissed you roughly again, drawing another loud moan out of you. You wrapped your ankles around his back and he growled, deepening his strokes inside you.

"You're beautiful," he rasped, touching your face. "You feel so fucking good. Come for me, darling..."

Your orgasm hit you then, hard and exhaustive, and after a few more thrusts he spilled inside you. He held you close until you both somewhat calmed yourselves down.

That night, you both had another glass of wine, took a bath, and laid down for bed. You were glad he appeared less stressed, less upset than before. And you were still on a high from your orgasm.

Nevertheless, that didn't stop you from trying to pry.

"So," you said. "Are you going to tell me about the mask now? Maybe about what happened at...work?"

"It was a rough day. That's all. Today was the end of something. I hate endings," he said casually, adjusting his pillow behind him. "The mask is a part of it. I have to wear it sometimes."

"Okay...That's all I'm getting?"

"I'm sorry I can't tell you more," he said, facing you.

"It's okay. When you're ready to talk, I'll be here to listen."

You would be patient, understanding. He brought out that side of you.

He ran his fingers over your face. His eyes were gentle. You couldn't believe then that he had ever looked dangerous.

"You might not want me then," he said.

The admission shocked you.

"What?" In-ho...Whatever it is and whatever is going on...I want you. I actually care, you know." You shrugged. "Some might even say it's love."

"Love?"

You nodded. You didn't need him to reciprocate in return, you only said it because it was honest. Life was too short to deny any sort of truth.

"Some might even say I feel the same," he said. "And what if the mask is part of who I am?"

You paused, thinking this over, while processing his admission to you.

"Then I'll learn to love that part too."

His eyes narrowed for a moment, and you hoped he wasn't doubting you. You meant what you said, after all. Even if hell rained down upon you for it, you had come to realize that there wasn't much you wouldn't do for him.

He pulled you close to him and kissed you gently.