The sun had already sunk below the horizon, leaving only a bruised sky in its wake. Luca lay sprawled across Aurelia's lap, blood flowing freely from his wound and staining her dress a deep crimson. Her shoulders shook violently as tears streamed down her face, her voice breaking in anger and despair.
"You… you bastard… is that what you're worried about now?" she cried, her trembling hands clutching at his tunic as if holding him together by force alone.
Luca's bloodied hand lifted weakly, his fingertips brushing against her tear-soaked cheek with a touch so faint it nearly slipped away. "O-of course I'm w-worried about that," he rasped, his lips curved in a fragile smile despite the blood at their corners. "W-wasn't that the reason I t-took this mission…" His words dissolved into another fit of coughing, scarlet spattering against his chin.
Aurelia shook her head furiously, sobs escaping her throat as she tried to steady him. "You—"
