The aftermath of the battle was a stark reminder of the world they inhabited. Blood stained the concrete floor, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and regret. Dmitri's sister was safe, but the scars of her captivity lingered, a constant reminder of what they had risked—and what they had lost.
Elías watched Dmitri from across the room, his expression unreadable. They had fought together, bled together, but the weight of their secrets still hung heavy between them.
"You didn't have to do that," Elías said quietly, breaking the silence.
Dmitri turned to face him, his eyes haunted. "She's my family."
"And what am I?" Elías challenged softly. "Collateral?"
Dmitri's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "You are everything but."
He reached out, cupping Elías's face in his hands. "You are my anchor, my strength. You are the reason I survive this hell."
Elías's heart fluttered at the raw emotion in Dmitri's voice, but doubt still lingered in his eyes. "Promises mean nothing in our world, Dmitri."
Dmitri's voice was low, intense. "Then let me prove it."
Their lips met in a desperate, hungry kiss—a promise whispered in the dark, a bond forged in blood and obsession. The scars of their past may never fully heal, but in each other's arms, they found a fragile hope for a future where love could conquer even the darkest shadows.