The urge to get up overwhelmed him, but he dare not disturb his husband. He hadn't received a call about work for a couple days and the worry of the worst slowly became a reality. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and checked that the time read was two in the morning. He grunted when he saw a missed phone call from his brother. He slowly sat up in bed, and stilled his movements when his husband grunted and rolled in the bed. He held tight to his phone and sighed, relieved his husband did not wake.

He stood and started to make his way into the kitchen down the long hallway. He had memorized where each creak in the floorboards was and promptly sidestepped each point through. His feet met the cold tile that signaled he had entered the kitchen.

He flipped the switch to turn on the lights and jumped when a loud whirring sound echoed throughout the kitchen. He dropped his phone and his hands fumbled on the wall for the actual switch to turn on the lights. The ceiling light turned on and he looked to where the noise was coming from. He chuckled at himself when he saw that he had turned the garbage disposal on. He pointedly shut it off and leaned into the hallway, he listened for any sounds that indicated his husband had woke. After a few brief moments of silence he turned his attention back to his phone. He groaned when he looked down where it had fallen and the battery popped out.

He bent down and gathered the pieces of his phone to put back together. As it powered back up, he heard shuffling from down the hall.

He silently complained as he heard his husband grumble his name, "Rick?" his husband called from down the hall.

Rick sighed, "Yes?"

Rick's husband reached the kitchen threshold and looked down at him with sleepy eyes, "If I knew you'd wake me in such a pleasant position I would've come out less dressed."

Rick grunted, "If I didn't keep forgetting that the light switch was away from the door," Rick stood and placed his phone on the counter, "you wouldn't be awake at all."

Rick's husband gave him a tired but sweet smile, "What are you doing up anyway?"

Rick frowned, "I missed a call from my brother."

Rick's husband frowned as well and quickly forced himself out of his sleepy state, "Work related?"

Rick put both his hands on the counter, "I don't know, Jason, he didn't leave a voicemail."

Jason smiled, "Don't worry, you'll find work soon. With any luck it'll be in a less dangerous line."

Rick shook his head and laughed lightly at Jason's remark, "Being a courier isn't dangerous."

Jason lowered his head, "I just worry about you."

Rick tenderly placed his hand against Jason's cheek, "I know," Rick looked at Jason thoughtfully "I can try to look for a different line of work if you want."

Jason shook his head, "I would appreciate that, but I don't want you to do something you won't like."

Rick nodded, "I think this a conversation for tomorrow, not so much before the sun comes up."

Jason laughed, "Okay, Alright. Well, call your brother, see what he wants. I'm going back to bed." Jason gave a small grin and walked back down the hallway to the bedroom.

Rick sighed and grabbed his phone from the counter. He tapped through his phone and came to his brother's number. He pressed the call button and waited. After several rings it went to voicemail. He left his brother a short message and hung up. Rick stretched his arms and made his way down the hall to bed with Jason.

The sun rose brightly, shining through the window onto Jason's face. Jason squinted his eyes and turned over with a groan. He reached out his hand and felt around the bed for Rick. Jason hesitantly opened his eyes and frowned when he noticed Rick was not there. Jason rolled back to his edge of the bed and dragged his feet out from the covers and sat up to yawn.

"Rick?!" Jason lazily shouted from the room.

With no response, Jason slowly made his way in to the hallway. As he neared the kitchen threshold he felt something wet beneath his step. He stopped and rubbed his eyes and looked down. A dark red liquid smeared on the bottom of his foot. Groggily Jason looked around the floor. Alarm started to set in when the red pooled liquid seemed to be growing. Jason poked his head around the kitchen corner and gasped loudly. Three bodies lay on the tile of the kitchen floor. Each with a large puddle of, what Jason was guessing, blood. Jason glanced out the back sliding door and saw Rick, sitting on one of the patio chairs with a cup of coffee and a cigarette.

Rick heard the back door slide open and swiftly stood into a stance ready to fight. Rick relaxed as soon as he had noticed it was Jason standing in the doorway. Rick calmly sat back down in the chair, facing away from Jason.

Jason didn't move from the doorstep, "Rick?"

Rick didn't turn his head to look at Jason, "Yes, love?"

Jason gestured behind him, "What happened? Why haven't you called the police?"

Rick scoffed, "They own the police."

Jason took a tentative step toward Rick, "How do you mean?"

Rick finally looked at Jason, "They're very bad men who aren't very satisfied. They came shortly before you woke up."

Jason wasn't sure what to make of the situation, "What happened?"

Rick gave Jason a sad look, "They believe I fell short on a delivery. And came to collect a debt they think I owe them."

Jason shook his head in disbelief, "So, I imagine you aren't just a courier? And you've been lying to me for all the years we've been together?"

A tear rolled down Rick's cheek, "Correct."

"Was any of it truthful?" Jason asked with heartache evident in his voice.

Rick smiled, "I do have four children. I love you."

Jason put a hand over his mouth and waited a moment to make sure he wasn't going to break down when he spoke, "Why did you kill them?"

Rick laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation he was he, "They were going to kill us. Love, please…"

Jason put a hand up to stop rick, "I don't want to hear it," Jason found his resolve deep inside himself, "Just…just clean up your mess. I'm going for a walk, I'm not sure when I'll be back."

Rick nodded solemnly, "Alright, it'll be done."

Jason gave a curt nod and walked around the house to the front. Rick sat in the chair for a few minutes more before he got up to clean.

The sun had long set when Jason walked back through the front door with a scowl on his face. Rick was seated at the kitchen table, a small feast was set about its surface. When Rick noticed Jason enter the kitchen he motioned for him to sit down. Jason did, and quietly began to grab a few pieces of a succulently cooked ham. Rick cleared his throat to get Jason's attention but, Jason ignored him.

Rick let the slight go and stared down at his empty plate, "How was your walk?"

"Enlightening," Jason said sarcastically.

Rick smirked, "Glad a few steps could work wonders." He said equally as sarcastic as his husband.

Jason threw his plate against the wall, "Let's just cut the bullshit. You obviously don't trust me enough to tell me the truth. I don't trust you enough to give it to me."

Rick smiled, "You're right."

Jason was about to burst into tears, "Then why are you smiling?!"

Rick held his grin, "Just tell me what's bothering you."

Jason scorned Rick as a tear fell down his face, "I want a divorce."

Rick's smile faded immediately, "I fail to see how that would solve our problem."

Jason threw his fork at Rick, who caught it before it could hit him, "I don't need these lies I've built my life around! I thought you really loved me! It seems though, as you don't even care enough to be a decent man and tell me the truth!"

Rick's faced morphed into confusion, "I am a decent man," he said almost too quietly for Jason to hear, "I've always loved you, maybe not at first glance, no. The love grew though, in to something I have no words for. I never really lied either."

Jason looked across the table at Rick disdainfully, "Then explain yourself. Right here. Right now or I'm filing for divorce tomorrow."

"The courthouse is closed tomorrow." Rick stated curtly.

"Shut up and tell me the truth for once in your godforsaken life!" Jason yelled.

Rick tensed, "Alright," Rick took a deep breath, "I am a courier," Jason scoffed at him, "Though the messages I deliver are ones after I complete a job, I'm more of a bounty hunter. The man you think is my brother is really my associate. I love him like a brother, so it was easy when we had him over for dinner. The men that came this morning, came here on behalf of their boss, who I had delivered a message to a few months back and he says I killed the wrong man."

Jason put his hand up to pause Rick, "You're telling me you're basically a hitman?" Rick nodded, "Alright then. I'm married to a hitman," Jason flung his arms into the air, "Just fucking perfect! How long have you been a hitman?" Jason asked suspiciously.

Rick thought for a moment, "Well, after I left the Navy, I was recruited by a former higher up who needed some people taken care of."

"How long?" Jason asked, anger growing.

"How long what?" Rick raised an eyebrow.

"How long after you left the Navy, did you become," Jason waved his hand up and down at Rick, "this piece of work?"

Rick hummed in thought, "Well, probably about four years afterward to have the skill set but, I've been a courier for maybe 14 out of the 12 years we've been married. You and I had met a year after he came to me." Rick said optimistically.

Jason laughed, "You mean, you really had a safe job, working in a tech lab and left it for something that seemed more fun?"

Rick shook his head, "No, more secure."

Jason threw another dish of food against the wall, shattering the dishware, "How is putting your life, our life, in danger, more secure."

"Because," Rick started, "If anything were to happen to me, and I mean anything, you would never have had to worry another bill or any other type of money problem. If those men were to succeed in delivering their message this morning, and let you live, you would've been set."

Jason stood and glared down at Rick, "Money was never an issue! I love you but, you should have waited to accept and consulted me before taking that job."

Rick leaned forward and rested his arms on the table, "You still want a divorce, don't you?"

Jason pointed at Rick and gave him an unyielding scowl, "You have precisely one month to find a job that doesn't risk your or my life."

Rick nodded, "Or we get a divorce."

Jason's lip quivered, "Exactly."

Neither slept well that night. The couch poked Rick in all the wrong places. Jason wept himself into an exhausted and restless sleep.

When Rick awoke the next morning Jason was nowhere to be found. He sighed and went to go sit on the back patio. He waved to his neighbor mowing their lawn and pulled out his phone. He scrolled through his contacts until his so-called brother's number showed up.

After a few rings he picked up.

"Hey, Rick, what's going on?" His brother's voice laced with exhaustion.

"Hi, Dan. Why'd you call?"

"Oh, about that, it was just a warning but seeing as how you called me, I assume you're A-Okay?" Dan's voice sounding more awake with each word.

Rick gave a short laugh, "Hardly, Jason wants a divorce unless I find another job, in 29 days."

"Damn, that's rough. I like him too." Dan gave a dry laugh.

"Yeah, me too. Well, I just thought I'd tell you not give me anymore jobs, I'm out." Rick finished with a determined nod.

"I'll see what I can do but, you understand how hard it is to leave. People won't be very pleased nor will they just forget about who you killed." Dan said matter-of-factly.

Rick rubbed his hand down his face in frustration, "Just don't give me anymore jobs, and don't say I'm out."

Rick could hear Dan's smirk as he talked, "That sounds like a smarter idea. Okay, no more jobs, but you'll still be having people wanting you for runs."

Rick groaned, "I know but, I'm gonna do what it takes for my marriage."

Dan laughed, "I know buddy, and I'll get it taken care of. Good luck." Dan hung up without waiting for Rick's reply.

Rick put his phone on the patio table and looked at his neighbor, still mowing their lawn, though from Rick's perspective it seemed like they were mowing the same spot, over and over. Rick stood and went back inside, paying no mind to the peculiarity of his neighbor.

As stepped through the back door, Jason walked through the front with a scowl on his face and bags under eyes.

Jason let out a sigh before talking, "You know, I never would have thought that I married a murderer." His tone flat, "It is funny though, how naïve I've been. All these years and I just ate up every goddamn lie you've spit out of your disgraceful mouth."

Rick frowned, "Such contempt. Why are you even giving me a month?"

Jason laughed, "I wasn't going to but, at least you were honest about one thing."

Rick raised an eyebrow, "And what was that?"

"The courthouse was in fact closed today." Jason stated as he walked by Rick.

Rick watched him walk in to the kitchen, "So you weren't actually going to give me a month?"

Jason glared at Rick, "I just wanted to be prepared for when you keep being a murderer," Rick couldn't stop from smirking, "I do have a few questions though," Rick gave a short nod for Jason to continue, "How have police not been called and how did you dispose of the bodies without anyone seeing in broad daylight?"

Rick shook his head, "Luck, I suppose. I'm surprised you haven't called the police yourself."

Jason turned away from Rick, "You said whoever came into our home owned the police, what would be the point anyway except to attract more murderers."

Rick smiled, "True, though if it's any consolation-"

Jason cut him off, "-Probably not."

Rick restarted, "If it's any consolation, I did call my brother and tell him not give me any more jobs."

Jason shook his head as he walked to the back door and looked out, "Not really, no. It is something though. I'm not sure I can share this house with you though."

Rick was taken aback, "Why?"

Jason scoffed, "Is it really that unclear to you?" Jason's voice getting louder as he spoke.

"Yes."

"You're a murderer. How can you even sleep at night knowing you killed someone just hours before you lay next to me?!" Jason was yelling now.

"Calm down," Rick put his hands out submissively, "I don't think about it. I come home, take a shower and the day just disappears."

Jason fumed, "The days just disappear?! Is that all I've been to you, just another day you scrub off in the shower?! How can you even say that?!"

Rick took a step back, "You're twisting my words."

Jason turned sharply and leaned against the counter, "That's what you mean though, isn't it?! You should just go back to that bitch of an ex-wife and fuck her over! I don't deserve what you've done to me!" Jason screamed at Rick who was now in the living room.

"I really haven't done anything." Rick said quietly.

Jason glanced to knife block on the counter, "I don't…" tears started to fall down Jason's face, "I don't understand how you can even think," Jason's voice was quiet now, "You haven't done anything to hurt me."

Rick took a hesitant step forward, "Love…" Rick's voice was low and solemn.

Jason glared daggers at Rick, "Don't you 'Love' me, I'm trying to figure out how I ever fell for a disgusting psychopath like you."

Rick took another small step toward Jason, "Jason, you have to know I love you. Don't you feel it?"

Jason pulled a small paring knife from the knife block, "You get away from me, I don't feel anything for you!"

Rick took another step forward, "Put down the knife, we both know you don't want to kill me." Jason held the knife toward Rick.

"Rick, you're a monster, I don't think I'll be having a problem killing the nightmare of children."

Rick took another step forward, his chest only a few feet away from the tip of the knife, "I'm not a nightmare. I do the job I'm paid to do."

Jason scoffed, "Is that how you're justifying it?" His hand started to shake.

"I'm not justifying anything, I know my job is wrong, especially for a married man." Rick gave a tentative smirk.

"You were a married man, twice. We are getting a divorce, I can't believe I even gave you chance. There's too many problems. The trust is gone."

Rick put his chest up to the tip of the shaking knife, it caused light scratches over his flesh, "I trust you enough not to kill me."

Jason stared into Rick's eyes, "I can't do this."

"I know," Rick didn't move as the tip of blade started to push against his skin

"I do love you." Jason said as he leaned forward.

Jason stared at Rick's face, the silent gasp as the blade entered Rick's chest was all he heard, not the sirens getting closer or the scream of terror as his back yard neighbor stared into their kitchen from behind their fence. Jason only fell with Rick and watched as his deceitful husband smiled lovingly at him.

"I…do…love…you…" Rick gasped out in shuddered breaths before the life seemingly left his eyes.

Jason sat cradling Rick's body as police burst through the front door, guns drawn and voices loud.

The plastic seat wasn't comfortable against his cuffed wrists. Jason stared at his front door as EMT's carted a body through it to the nearby ambulance. No tears fell as he watched the body smirk in his direction.

The EMT's looked at Rick's chest and prepped him for surgery when they arrived to the hospital. The whole time smiling to each other.

After Rick was taken in to the surgery room the two EMT's walked up the surgeon and stopped him.

They looked him dead in the eye and at the same time, "This man is a code 'Black 8'."

The surgeon gave them a shocked expression before composing himself, giving them both a curt nod and walking in to the surgery room.

When Rick awoke next, he smiled when his eyes met unfamiliar walls and a different bed. He looked to the side of the bed and found a new phone, with a predetermined list of contacts. One of them was named 'Work'. He promptly called it.

The phone only rang once before someone picked up.

"Hello?"

"This is Rick Henry."

"You start tomorrow at 8am."

"Description and address?"

"East Watch Dog, your house."

Rick smiled, "Perfect, thank you." Rick heard a click and put down his phone. He got up from his new bed and walked down the hall to the kitchen. He whistled at the size of his new kitchen, everything was pristine. As he looked around and saw several folded papers on his new table.

He picked up one folded paper, which looked like it was folded with extreme care and no crease.

Dear Rick,

I understand what's happening. They told me, now they're putting me in a relocation program. I'll miss you and your kids.

Love always, your husband,

Jason

P.S.

We aren't getting a divorce you crazy mother fucker, you'll have a scarred heart just like me.

Rick laughed loudly as he finished the note from Jason. He picked up another paper.

East Watch Dog,

Jack Frost.

-Your Employer

Rick nodded at the paper and set it down. Rick looked down and grabbed the third on the table.

Happy 34th

-Dan

Rick smiled at the short birthday wish from Dan. He went to pick up the fourth and last paper on the table but, stopped when he saw something move in his peripherals.