Lighting cracked through the sky illuminating Aina’s fear-stricken face, the most feared villan was now clinging to her doorframe soaking the floors with rain dripping from his clothes. Red liquid poured from a wound in his stomach that he held tightly.

“Aina” The Villan half whispered her name. His voice shaking as if he was about to cry.

She stood stunned, how does he know my name? She was unable to ponder for long before the villan collapsed to his knees.

Before processing her thoughts, Aina rushed to his aid, wrapping her arm under his she used all her strength to help the man back to his feet. She carefully helped him through the house and to the dining room where she sat him at the table.

“I’ll get some bandages.” Aina said with the intent to get help but before she could step back he grabbed her wrist. His grasp wasn’t forceful, it was weak and easily breakable. If she truly felt in danger she could hit him with the nearby candlestick on the table and run but something about him seemed…familiar.

She looked into his eyes, the only thing that wasn’t covered by a mask. Without words his eyes pleaded with her to stay. She stay standing, her breath caught in her throat.

“I’m sorry Aina. I never wanted this for you.” The villains voice cracked. More blood was pouring from his wound.

Her heart began to pound in her ears. If he doesn’t get help now he will die.

“I don’t-“ she couldn’t find the words to express.

“Let me help you.”

“No” It was barely a whisper.

“I’ve done horrible things Aina… I’m sorry. This is my punishment.”

Her mind flashed to over the years. This same villan stealing and destroying. Though his kill count was low and never seemed to go out of his way to hurt people.

“Why are you here? Who are you?” She asked.

He let out a shaky laugh. His body began to sway so he put his hand on the table to stabalize himself. Reaching up he grabbed the mask covering his face and pulled it off.

Her stomach dropped, she took a step back unable to process the sight before her.

“Lawson?” She put her hands to her mouth, tears forming.

Realizing their situation she ran to grab her phone.

“No!” Lawson grabbed Aina before she reached her phone. “Please, I don’t have much time. I can’t spend it away from you.”

“You’re dying!” She cried, pressing her hands against his wound hoping to stop the bleeding.

“I know.” A soft smile came across his lips. “I just needed to see you one last time.”

Lawson was stubborn. Once he made up his mind about something it was impossible to get him to stop. Her mind flashed to their first date, their first kiss, the week before yesterday he even got down on one knee.

“Please!” She didn’t beg for him to tell her why he became what he was. Seeing his eyes she could already tell. “Don’t die.” She pleaded.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He couldn’t hold himself upright anymore so they both slid to their knees onto the wooden floor.

“I’m sorry. I never wanted this for you.” His voice was getting weaker. His face becoming pale and his lips dry.

She grabbed his face in her hands, “I don’t care, I promised we would be together no matter what.”

He smiled. He leaned in close giving Aina a gentle kiss that turned passionate. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her nose, and her tear filled eyes.

“I love you.” He whispered.

“Lawson don’t- I can’t do this without you, you have to stay!”

“Aina…I love you.” He said again a little more sternly. He wanted to hear those 3 simple words for the last time.

“I love you too.” She embraced his body through her sobs, tightly holding onto him even as his body went limp.