Blood & Vows A Step Too Close

A Step Too Close

[Leon’s Office – 9:45 PM]

(A quiet night. Too quiet. Rin stands by the window, scanning the streets below. Leon pours himself a drink.)

Leon

Are you always this tense?

Rin

Are you always this reckless?

(Leon chuckles)

Leon

What now?

Rin

The sniper.

(Leon takes a slow sip.)

Leon

Ah. You saw him.

Rin

Two buildings over. Scope glint. Amateurs.

Leon

Handled?

Rin

Still breathing. For now.

(Leon smirks)

Leon

Efficient.

Leon

But unnecessary.

Rin

Excuse me?

Leon

If someone wants me dead, let them try. It keeps things exciting.

(Rin steps closer, his voice low.)

Rin

You don’t get paid to play with death. I get paid to stop it.

Leon

So serious.

Rin

So careless.

Rin

How many people have tried to kill you?

(Leon smiles)

Leon

Lost count.

Rin

You won’t be smiling when they succeed.

(Leon steps closer, his voice gets softer.)

Leon

Then make sure they don’t.

(Silence feels heavy. Charged.)

Leon

What, no comeback?

Rin

I don’t waste words.

Leon

Then waste something else.

(Something flickers between them. Not tension. Something sharper.)

(Rin steps back.)

Rin

Get some rest, Varela.

Leon

You too, Kuroda.

(Rin doesn’t answer. But as he turns, he knows—Leon isn’t the only dangerous one in this room.)

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