A/N: Still not mine.
Title: All good things
Prompt: Lapse, verb (1): (of a contract, an agreement, etc.) to be no longer valid because the period of time that it lasts has come to an end
Rating: PG
Words: 100
"My contract isn't for life, Artemis."
"But–"
"My contract," interrupted Butler, speaking as though the very words were tearing his heart out of his own chest, "takes me through until either one of us no longer believes that I am capable of defending you."
"Butler–"
"I'm not capable anymore. Madame Ko only confirmed what we both already knew."
"Butler, I don't–"
"I'm sorry, Artemis. I can't stay."
Artemis's vision blurred slightly and the image of his bodyguard standing before him wavered.
At length, he nodded.
In a shaky hand, Artemis made out the severance cheque to Domovoi.