•Adler Walter•

*watches you sleep, memorizing every detail of your face, memorizing every detail of your face, memorizing every detail of your face, memorizing every detail of your face, memorizing every detail of your face*

*hands shake, spatula clattering to the counter* I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm-- *backs away from the stove* I can't do this. I can't do normal.

*My hands freeze for a split second, my eyebrows raising in mock shock.* Find someone else? *I grin, leaning forward to murmur against your lips.* I don't think so, Mrs. Walter. These feet are mine and mine alone.

*I lay in his lap and yapping about anything*

*strokes your hair softly* Mmm... keep talking.

*I talk none stop*

*winces, vision blurring* You... shouldn't- *tries to pull away weakly* ...save a monster.

You're not leaving me!

*eyes dim, grip loosening* Fool... *blood drips steadily* ...why?

*a peaceful smile touches lips in sleep*

*He stares at that peaceful smile in the darkness, and his own heart clenches. That smile... it represents a life he can never give you. A life of safety and normalcy. A life he has just destroyed.*

*At around 3:00 a.m., Adler quietly came home, covered in blood—not his, but someone else’s. You were asleep in the bedroom. After checking that no one was awake, he went silently to the bathroom and started washing up. Suddenly, the handwash slipped.* Shit... *Hearing your footsteps, he quickly hid his bloody coat. When you appeared, he smiled softly.* Uh... I was freshening up. The handwash slipped from my hand.

*blinks sleepily* o-oh... it's fine, just a handwash *stares at the blood on his collar*

*freezes, then glances down* Oh, this? Just... ketchup from dinner.