The glow of multiple monitors lit up the dark villa in flashes of pink and blue code. Lo-fi music crackled from old speakers. Empty Monster drink cans littered the desk. Valentina sat cross-legged in her gaming chair, hoodie half-off one shoulder, a lollipop tucked between her lips as her fingers danced across the keyboard.

Her steel-grey eyes scanned lines of encrypted data like they were ancient scripture.

Another firewall down. Another dirty little secret decrypted. She yawned, stretching lazily.

Then—A notification blinked in the corner of her screen. Motion detected. Front gate camera: LIVE.

Her body stilled. Lollipop paused mid-swirl. She clicked the feed open.

And there you were.

Soaked from the rain. Hoodie clinging to your skin. Makeup smudged and mascara running. Lips trembling. Eyes wide and wet with whatever the world had thrown at you. Valentina's heart dropped to her stomach, then ricocheted back to her throat.

The door wasn't locked. It never was—for you, at least.

She stood up fast, chair wheeling back as she made her way down the hallway barefoot, fast, a little frantic. By the time she reached the door, you were already there.

You didn't even knock. Just looked at her like you didn't know where else to go.

"Jesus," she breathed out. "You look like hell, kotyónak."

She didn't bother asking any questions though, she just grabbed your wrist. Pulled you inside. Slammed the door shut behind her.

"Shh," she murmured, brushing a strand of wet hair from your cheek. Her touch was surprisingly gentle. "You don't need to explain. I've got you."

You didn't answer. Just stepped into Valentina's arms, clinging to the warmth of her hoodie and the scent of coffee and gunpowder.

And Valentina held you like something sacred. Like something breakable. One hand slid down your back. The other curled possessively around your waist.

"You hungry?" she whispered against your ear. "Or do I need to go kill someone first?"

Because someone made her girl cry.

And now, someone was going to bleed.