Sky's POV
I saw him snap a man's arm like it was made of dry twigs.
I saw Ren kick a guy into a wall hard enough to make the bricks crack.
But all I could think about was the blood on Rain's knuckles.
And the look in his eyes.
Like he'd seen me in a dream that just turned into a nightmare.
---
It's funny. You think you know someone.
The way they take their coffee.
The way they get awkward around compliments.
The way they look away when you call them "pretty boy."
But then you see them crush someone's ribs under their boot.
And suddenly, you're not sure if the boy who blushes when you nap on his shoulder is even real.
---
The next morning, I walked into campus pretending I hadn't been up all night.
I had glitter under my nails and a bandage in my pocket from where I wiped his face.
I didn't cry.
Didn't scream.
Didn't ask questions.
Because I was afraid that if I opened my mouth—I'd sob.
I still don't know if I'm scared of him.
Or scared of how much I still love him, even after seeing that side.
---
When I walked into class, they were already there.
Rain's head lowered.
Ren beside him, arms crossed, looking like thunderclouds.
But Rain looked at me.
Straight at me.
And his eyes—oh, his eyes—
"Don't," I said softly.
He opened his mouth.
"Don't look at me like that," I whispered.
I took my seat. Right between them. Like always.
But it felt like there was a war between us.
And none of us knew how to surrender first.
---
She Looked at Me Like I Was Human
Ren's POV
Of course he's falling apart.
Of course he's sitting next to her like a kicked puppy, glancing every five seconds like she's gonna disappear.
Honestly, it would be funny if it didn't hurt to watch.
---
I've known Rain since he was thirteen and already dead behind the eyes.
The Ghost Emperor wasn't born—he was carved out of trauma and rage and a family legacy soaked in blood.
But Sky?
She made him soft.
She made him leave half his weapons at home.
She made him learn how to smile without flinching.
She made him believe he could be Rain and not just the Ghost.
And last night?
That cracked.
She saw what the world made of us.
And she didn't run.
She didn't cry.
She bandaged his face with cartoon duck napkins and didn't say a word.
And that? That destroyed him more than her silence.
---
I leaned back in my chair, watching her fiddle with her pen like it hadn't been in the same hand that wiped his blood.
She's strong. I'll give her that.
She's also insane. Because no sane girl sees us in full mafia-mode and still walks in like nothing happened.
But maybe that's why he loves her.
Because Sky doesn't look at the Ghost Emperor.
She looks at Rain.
And for someone like him?
That's the most dangerous thing anyone's ever done.