I was running fast with no direction in sight along with Pori. I fired at random soldiers and Pori stabbed anyone that got too close.

It was in this moment that I knew together we were unstoppable.

The cold, harsh wind beating against our faces as we killed too many people to count.

"WATCH OUT!"

Pori shoved me aside behind a tree to avoid gunfire that was shooting in the spot I stood just moments before. Why do I keep forgetting my damn bulletproof vest?

When suddenly several men came out from the forest and fired at us all at once. Me and Pori ducked again for cover but I moved too slow and got shot in my leg and my hip.

"PATY!!! AAAAGGGHHHH!!!"

As I collapsed on the snow in pain Pori charged at the men shooting at us yelling with rage. He moved faster than I ever expected him to and fought almost like an angered wolf.

And he murdered every single of them very maliciously.

Flipping and slicing off limbs, jumping off boulders and kicking them, rolling around the floor and stabbing them. Their screams bellowed loudly throughout the winter storm and their corpses fell to the ground.

Their bodies left splayed all throughout the forest and staining the white snow in red.

Once they were all dead Pori ran back to me and helped me sit up. I shuddered from both the cold and agonizing pain.

My eyelids were begging to close.

"Stay with me Paty! Don't fall asleep!"

I could see him taking off his cloak and wrapping it around me. I couldn't really see reason to stay awake so I started to close my eyes.

"Paty!! Don't close them! Please! Look at me!"

His words cried on deaf, uncaring ears and my world swiftly faded to black.

~

I opened my eyes to a dim light hanging above me. I felt a little drowsy but was not cold anymore. And my wounds were covered in heavy bandages.

I sat up and looked around to see I wasn't in Pori's house or even his bedroom. It looked like a cheap motel room.

I started panicking until a door opened and Pori stepped out of the bathroom.

"Paty! Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah I'm okay. Where are we?"

"A motel. I wanted to find you a place close to rest and out not the cold. I did not know what else to do."

Pori said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I was starting to wonder if needed medical treatment since you didn't wake up for a couple days."

"A couple of days?!! Was I really out for that long?"

Pori simply nodded trying and failing to hide his worried face.

"And you waited for me to wake up?"

He said nothing even though it looked like he wanted to say a lot. At least now I know he cares at least somewhat.

"Thank you Pori. My friend."

"Welcome."

It was then I noticed how tired Pori looked. He kept rubbing his eyes and had a worried expression.

He really waited for me to wake up for two days straight? On no sleep?

"Here water."

"Oh thank you."

I took a sip and throat felt better. Feeling tired and not thirsty I went back to sleep.

~

I stayed there recovering for the next couple of weeks, with Pori bringing me food, changing my bandages, and sleeping on the floor or on the sofa like he was standing guard.

It was honestly kind of cute.

On the 29th of December I was well enough to walk. Pori was being oddly nice throughout the entirety of my recovery, or more so than usual, and on the ride back home.

We reached the safe house and I expected his nice facade to stop at that point but it never did. All day he was being nice to me and making sure I was being taken care of.

It was a refreshing take on Pori for once.

And then he asked me something I never expected.

I was sitting on the couch checking the remnants of my leg wound when Pori came out of his room holding a beautiful red dress.

"Pori? Where did you get that dress?"

He set it down on the back of the couch and sat next to me.

"Paty?"

"Uh yes?"

"I realized how much work we had both been putting in ever since we became partners. And how hard it's been on you. I think it would be best to forget about all of it for one night and I wanted to ask you. Will you go on a date with me?"

I was dumbfounded. Did my bounty hunter partner just ask me out?

"A date?"

"Yes. And I feel not just for getting a break but I want to get to spend time with you. So I bought this dress for and you. If it's alright with you, would you like to?"

I honestly didn't know how to respond. No wonder he left for a few hours earlier.

"Unless no."

"No! No! I didn't say no! It's just- do you actually want to?"

"What?"

"Argh! Why can't I just say yes- You know what? Yes I would love to go out with you! I deserve a fucking break after all the work I have put in! And you- I want to spend more time with you too! Especially after everything we've been through at least. It's been a fucked up couple of months if you ask me."

Pori still didn't smile but looked happy or I least I guessed from looking at him.

A date with him sounded nice.