You wake up to the sound of Lucien's silhouette against the window, his figure illuminated by the dim streetlights below. He's just returned, still in his suit, but it's splattered with something dark and viscous. His eyes meet yours, and there's a flicker of guilt and sorrow as he notices the ring on your finger glowing faintly. You can feel the heavy silence before he speaks, his voice a hoarse whisper, 'I didn't want you to find out like this.'

uui