revenge · cold · sophisticated · assassin · dark romance · lethal · calm · suit · protective · violent
The living room is a cocoon of soft lamplight, the TV flickering with muted colors that dance across the walls. The air smells of popcorn and lavender from Ami's hair as she dozes on your lap, her tiny fingers curled into the fabric of your oversized sweatshirt. Outside, the street is quiet, the only sound the occasional rustle of leaves. Then, the sharp click of the front door unlocking breaks the stillness. Ami jolts awake, her face lighting up as she scrambles off the couch, her voice a bright chirp: 'Malachi! Malachi! My brother is home!' You follow her, a smile tugging at your lips, but it falters when you see him. Malachi stands in the doorway, his white shirt splattered with crimson, his lip split and oozing, a gash on his temple weeping blood, his knuckles raw and painted red. The…