Cal Route

Cal's route summary from Sin With Me.

## Season 1

### Episode 1

MC bikes to a store for book glue to mend her old medical textbooks to sell. She thinks back on how she recently dropped out of Med School and how moving on has been a process. She reaches out to grab the last glue when a boy with blue eyes also grabs it at the same time. They both refuse to let go of the glue and argue for a few minutes before he leaves. MC realizes that he managed to get away with the glue so she opts to buy tape instead. When checking out, the cashier gives MC book glue and tells her the guy from before noticed it from behind the counter, paid for it, and said to give it to “the cute girl with the obnoxious sweater.”

Later that night MC mends her medical textbook with the glue to sell to a user on Greglist coming to their family bike shop that she works at tomorrow to pick it up. Her mother marvels at how well she fixed the book up and how good she is with her hands like a surgeon. She asks if she’s sure about selling the book as she might want to go back to Med School which MC notes it never made her happy or satisfied her.

The next day she waits for the buyer while also dealing with an annoying customer with a fanny pack who’s been asking the same bike questions for an hour. The boy with blue eyes from the day before enters the store and the fanny pack boy suddenly disappears. The blue-eyed boy is revealed to be the buyer and is named Cal. MC thanks him for buying her the glue and that it helped a lot. Cal realizes she used the glue on the book and argues that she said online that it was “lightly used.” They fight over the book sliding it back and forth with tension rising between them as they argue. Cal then storms out of the store opting to buy from someone else instead. The fanny pack boy suddenly returns and notes that Cal is about to be hit by a car.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 2

MC runs into Cal to push him out of the way of the vehicle. Cal catches her and spins both of them so that he takes the fall with her landing on top of him. After they hit the ground, he then flips them over so that he’s on top and MC notes he’s about to say something sarcastic.

***Heart scene (15) - Outsnark the snarker!***

*MC asks if this is how he treats all the girls he meets or just the one’s selling him medical textbooks. Cal smirks and she realizes she earned his respect for not being afraid to bite back. He responds “only those who push me into oncoming traffic.” They stare at each other studying each other's faces until MC realizes she hasn’t responded. She tells him she got him out in time as her eyes wander down the v-neck of his shirt getting a glimpse of his abs which Cal notices and asks if she’s enjoying the view. MC responds by casting her eyes up at the sky and stating that yes the sky looks beautifully blue today before she realizes it’s cloudy and the only blue around are his eyes and he continues smirking. She then states not to flatter himself as he’s not her type and prefers people who actually button their shirts. Cal then lowers his body down on top of hers pressing into her chest as her thundering heartbeat meets his steady one whispering into her ear “you know, I highly doubt that.” He then jumps up on to his feet watching her flustered face and walks away saying he has an appointment with another pretty girl selling encyclopedias.*

MC yells after him saying she saved his life and Cal whirls around and they start arguing back and forth. Onyx and Malakai come by and Onyx thinks MC is in trouble and offers her money which Cal snatches back and states that she’s fine and that they were just talking. Onyx & Malakai are shocked as Cal doesn't talk to people. Onyx excitedly gives MC a ticket to their Circus show and states that Cal is their trick shooter. MC notes nothing would piss Cal off more than attending and accepts the ticket.

MC arrives at the hotel where the Circus is but cannot make it past the large crowd to the Circus elevators. Cal then appears from the elevator and asks why she's still in the lobby when the show is about to start. MC responds that she can't make it through the crowd because she's too tiny to push pass. Cal then helps her make it into the elevator. They arrive on the Circus floor and a spotlight immediately shines on them. Cal groans remembering the rule that he has to open the show as punishment for being late. MC notices the thousands of eyes on them.

### Episode 3

MC’s breath starts to come in shallow pants and Cal notices. He has her eyes focus on him and asks what’s wrong.

***Heart scene (26) - So...I don’t do well with crowds.***

*MC replies that she has stage fright and asks for Cal to take the lights off her. Cal signals to the crew to take the lights down and while MC catches her breath, he grabs her a glass of water. As he hands her the water, the ringleader shouts angrily from the stage for Cal to start the show and MC realizes that Cal delayed the show for her. Cal leans in closer enough for their chests to brush and whispers in her ear not to worry about the Ringleader and that her name is literally Wrath. He then searches MC’s face to see if she is feeling better now which MC nods.*

After MC is calmed down, Cal then starts the show. His routine involves shooting the bottles of absinthe strung around the stadium into the crowd’s glasses. The next day MC bikes to a coffee shop and sees a bulletin board she can post a note about her medical textbooks. She falls off the chair trying to post her note and is caught by Cal. He says that now that he saved her as she did him, they’re even. MC replies that he’s doing the bare minimum then suddenly realizes and asks if he was following her. Cal blushes and says he doesn’t like owing anyone anything. His eyes then harden and tell MC that she doesn’t want to get mixed up in his world.

### Episode 4

MC asks about what world he’s talking about which Cal responds not to ask questions she doesn’t want to know the answers to. He then asks how he can make it even for saving him and MC responds with having him work at the Bike Shop. She drags him there and gives him work to do while she goes upstairs to shower.

MC comes back downstairs and finds him asleep and decides to give him a hard time for slacking on the job.

***Heart scene (27) - Sneak up on Cal***

*She is about to shove him out of the chair when Cal’s hand suddenly reaches out and catches her hand. He says that if she’s going to sneak up on people she shouldn’t marinate in the citrus bubble bath. MC replies that she didn’t marinate and just took a bath which he wouldn’t know about based on his hair. Cal then smirks saying she must really dig his hair and then his eyes travel her face and MC can tell he can see through her that she tried to look extra nice for him. MC accuses him of trying to change the subject of him slacking off and Cal responds that he finds monotonous work and chores boring. MC calls him out on being a circus performer and that some people like her have to work hard for a living. Cal responds that it’s not hard at all and that he hates it because it’s so easy which makes it boring. MC asks if he hates things that are easy.  Cal responds that he likes to be inclusive and that there are so many things to hate and people are too liberal with their love. They love too easily. Cal and MC maintain eye contact as he states that love is precious and should only be reserved to only those who deserve it.*

MC breaks eye contact and catches her breath before accusing him of slacking off on the job again and not finishing his chores. Cal smirks and says that he did finish. MC is shocked as she checks and finds that he actually did and wonders how he finished so fast. MC’s mom comes down and says that Cal is nice and MC should invite him over for dinner sometime which MC blushes too.

A woman with hair that seems to float named Nahara then enters the shop and goes straight to Cal and tells him “The paths of Fate have bent and changed and all routes lead to you.” MC looks over at their exchange very confused and realizes that she recognizes her as the psychic down their street. Nahara states to Cal that she will be watching him then turns to give MC a hug for having to deal with Cal all day. After Nahara leaves MC asks who she was and to explain what’s going on.

### Episode 5

Cal tells a story of how he and the troupe are actually demon assassins who use being circus performers as their cover. He says assassins’ unpaid debts to humans are frown upon as they aren’t supposed to get attached to things. MC doesn’t believe him and Cal smirks saying the truth is always crazy and says she doesn’t want to believe because she likes him. MC unconvincingly denies this. Cal says to meet him on the roof and as they go MC’s mom gives Cal cookies and invites him to dinner sometime.

Cal then takes her to the roof to prove he is an assassin by having her jump off the roof so he can catch her using his assassin skills. MC refuses to jump so he uses and catches a bike instead to show he can catch her. He then tells MC it’s her turn and right as MC is about to jump, Cal grabs and stops her. He stares into her eyes and MC asks why he caught her and that she was ready to jump. Cal says that he fractured his ribs trying to catch the bike and that she shouldn’t jump when he’s not at 100%. MC thinks Cal is lying and is trying to find an excuse for her not to jump for her sake as she was scared to earlier. She calls him out and offers to check if his ribs are really fractured.

***Heart scene (28) - Play doctor with Cal***

*MC checks his pulse on his neck which is steady to her annoyance as her heartbeat isn’t. She then checks his forehead for temperature and Cal shows that he knows that fractures can cause stress on the body and create a rise in temperature. MC notes it sounds like he’s reciting from a textbook and asks if he deals with a lot of broken bones in his work. MC then checks his ribs and Cal says that she would’ve been a good doctor and is good at taking care of people. MC takes her time checking and Cal seems to be enjoying it. She finishes and declares his ribs are fractured and to not strain it further. They then notice they are still standing very close to each other and start blushing.*

They say goodbye and MC walks back inside and notices the cookies on the table and a note to meet him at the Casino tomorrow night.

### Episode 6

MC spends the next day eating the cookies and wondering about what Cal wants to meet with her tonight and if it’s a date. MC’s mom comes by and talks about how nice Cal is and MC wonders about what she missed yesterday when she was in the shower.

She shows up to the casino and finds Cal winning at the blackjack table. She meets with him only to find out that it was a set up by Nahara who wrote the note. MC and Cal start bickering when the troupe arrives and the remaining members of the troupe, Wrath, and Darius introduce themselves to MC. Onyx invites her up to their Penthouse floor where Malakai starts making her a drink as MC is introduced to their bear named Ripley. Later in the night, MC is wandering around the penthouse trying to find a bathroom when she overhears Cal singing. She is first annoyed that he has another thing he’s good at before realizing the song he is singing is a nursery rhyme. She finds the room he’s in and is ready to tease him but finds him with a kid.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 7

MC stares dumfounded that Cal is smiling and being sweet with a child. Avi notices MC in the doorway and asks who she is and if she’s the new friend Onyx told him about. Cal tries to brush MC off as a maid but MC introduces herself. Avi, excited to make a new friend, introduces himself and grabs MC and Cal’s hands together and states that friends hold hands. Cal blushes and states she’s not that type of friend. MC tells Avi that Cal has only been working at the bike shop and Avi’s eyes widen wanting to ride a bike. Cal promises they’ll go tomorrow and Avi immediately goes to bed excited for tomorrow to come.

Cal & MC return to the common room where MC’s bombards Cal with questions about Avi which Cal responds that he will answer any question except those about Avi.

***Heart scene (27) - Get some answers from Cal***

*MC starts asking Cal questions such as his favorite drink which is bourbon. MC says that based on his drink choice it shows that for someone pretending not to care, he cares quite a lot. Cal says that’s a bold assumption but doesn’t deny it. Mc then asks again why he’s the legal guardian which Cal again tried to avoid the question but MC states the question is technically about him and not Avi. Cal reveals that his parents abandoned him as a child so he's determined to give Avi a better childhood than he had. A childhood without wondering whether his parents forgotten him or were ever coming back. He wants Avi to feel loved. MC tells Cal that Avi knows he’s loved and wanted because he got him. Avi is a happy child and that happiness comes not from wondering but from knowing that he’s loved,. Cal stares shocked at MC with a face of relief before changing the topic and asking about her favorite drink which is Long Island and they both share a laugh.*

He then asks MC why she saved him which she replies that when someone’s in trouble, you should save them as everyone is worth saving, even a stranger or arrogant jerks like him. Cal looks at her like she’s insane.

The next day at the bike shop, MC gives Avi the best bike and is about to ride for the first time but starts getting cold feet. Cal gives him a pep talk and Avi finally gets the courage to ride and he does with the entire troupe there cheering him on. Avi thanks MC for the bike and asks if MC can come over to play that night which Cal asks if she's free.

### Episode 8

MC comes over and realizes it's not a date when Cal leaves to do a circus show. MC is confused and wonders if she’s babysitting which Cal tells her that Ripley the bear is in charge which only confuses MC more. Cal leaves and Avi tells a tired Ripley that it’s okay if she falls asleep, which she does. Avi and MC then spend the rest of the day talking about Cal. Soon Avi says he has a game to help her know Cal better. He takes out black sand from the grandfather clock and starts reading from Malakai's book which knocks MC out unconscious. When she awakens, she sees Cal angry with her and asking what happened. Mc still in a daze and confused doesn’t understand what he’s asking.  Avi starts clapping seeing Cal has arrived and states the game was his idea. He says now they can be real friends. A serious Cal then tells Avi that MC has to go home. As Cal takes MC out of their room, she asks what exactly was the game and the black sand. Cal doesn’t answer her questions and as MC gets frustrated, he does as well and tells her to leave. MC angrily leaves and starts walking home when she gets cornered by some demonic-looking people with scar marks along their skin.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 9

Cal suddenly appears and stands between MC and the demon. The demon notes Cal must care a lot about MC if he's protecting her. Cal then backs the demon into the street where the rest of the troupe are also fighting demons. He tells MC to find cover but to call for him if she’s in danger and makes her promise which she does.

***Heart scene (29) - Call for Cal!***

*MC calls for Cal and he comes to her rescue. He tells her to focus on him and not the demons to calm her nerves and uses banter to keep her mind off them. Cal quips by saying he knew she was trouble and MC says she didn’t think he was a TSwizzle fan. Cal calls the song a bop while pulling MC towards him and spin kicking a demon coming their way. He says this is what he gets from being nice and MC quips back that he missed a lesson in niceness. A demon lunges for them and MC gets scared. Cal shoots it and tells MC to keep her eyes on him as he doesn’t like sharing attention with other people. MC reminds him he joined a circus and Cal says that’s a work thing. MC asks if this is his hobby on the side then and he laughs and curls his arms around her while shooting a gun off behind her. With MC still pressed against him, he then whispers in her ear that he doesn’t make it a habit of saving girls with horrible fashion taste. MC calls out Cal’s turquoise belts which Cal replies are gun holsters. MC then calls her jacket a homing beacon and Cal jokes to stop distracting him while he’s trying to save her.*

The demons are defeated leaving nothing but the same black sand from Avi’s game. MC adrenaline wears off and stumbles. Cal catches her and brings her to an alley to ask if she’s okay and check for injuries. MC realizes things are now even between them as Cal has now saved her as she did him which Cal also acknowledges. He then brings her back out to the troupe only to be teased by Darius asking where they’ve been. The rest of the troupe teases them which Cal denies and MC says she’s going home and doesn’t plan to hang with monster people anymore. The troupe then turns to her shocked and asks exactly what she saw. MC is confused as she just saw them fight them and says she saw marks and scarring on their faces. The troupe is then quiet until Darius steps up and tells MC that they’re assassins.

### Episode 10

Darius tells MC they're assassins and asks the rest of the troupe if they can kill her now as she's probably a demon since she has demon sight and clearly not an assassin. Cal defends her saying Avi was the one who gave her sight from the game and blames Malakai for letting Avi read his books which Malakai claims doesn't tell how to use the sand. They all wonder how Avi knew what to do when Cal offers to take MC home.

On the way, home MC notes how he was telling the truth about him being a demon assassin and how hard it must be having the world on his shoulders every day. Cal agrees that it sucks sometimes and it would be great to do normal things like hanging out, relax, and date.

***Heart scene (28) - Ask Cal about his love-life!***

*Cal says that the troupe has ways around it and still date, but it has never been a priority for him as he has other things to worry about. MC thinks of how he has lived to save and Avi to take care of. She tells him that this is also important and that everyone deserves to be precious to someone and know the feeling of being in love and being loved back. Cal says it sounds like she has experience which MC denies saying she hasn’t found the right person yet. They reach a stoplight and Cal looks over and they stare into each other eyes before Cal calls her a sap and they banter playfully back and forth even as the light turns green.*

Cal offers to get MC out of Vegas to protect her from demons which MC refuses because she has a life and a mom here. They argue but MC wins saying she should be protected by the best and that's the troupe. After she's dropped off home, Cal texts her and says he has an idea on how to fix this and invites MC over to the Penthouse tomorrow.

### Episode 11

The next day MC comes by the penthouse and the troupe corner Avi to try to understand how he gave her sight and how to reverse it. Avi says it's because they really wanted to see Cal and that's why it worked. He tries to reverse it but it doesn't work and he says it must be because he doesn't want it to work. Avi is sad he's not much help and Cal takes him and MC back to his room for bedtime.

Cal starts reading Avi a bedtime story but Avi notices he’s not doing the voices he usually does. Cal says that’s because MC is good at voices.

***Heart scene (29) - Read the bedtime story with Cal!***

*MC accepts the challenge and read to Avi using voices while Cal watches on smiling. After she finishes Avi says MC is better at it than Cal which Cal pouts about. Avi then suggests a contest to see who’s better. The story is about Comet and his lover Cosmo. At the end of the story, Avi declares them both winners as MC is the best voice for Cosmo and Cal is the best voice for Comet. Avi then asks about why Comet choose Cosmo over cereal when cereal was his favorite. Cal tells him that it’s okay because now Cosmo is his favorite. Avi then asks if love ever did that for him and looks between him and MC. Cal responds that doing tricks was his favorite thing before he meet Avi. Avi is happy and declares them both his favorite too. Avi then acknowledges there must be different favorites and says that they can be each other’s favorites. Cal and MC blush before Cal states Avi is his only favorite. Avi pouts and counters saying he worries and talks about MC all the time. Cal blushes avoiding eye contact and MC tells Avi that Cal is one of her favorites too but she likes Avi a little more.*

Cal and Avi do their bedtime routine where Avi tucks Cal into bed before Avi goes to sleep. Avi then says it's MC turn and she goes into bed with Cal. As they wait for Avi to fall asleep so they can get up and leave, they fall asleep as well. MC wakes up to Cal cuddling her in his sleep. He soon wakes up and says they can get up now.

### Episode 12

Cal hurriedly drives himself and MC to Nahara and is angry she's not there. MC tries to crack a joke and Cal snaps at her. MC is wondering why he's so angry all of a sudden and Cal states that she doesn't understand how much danger she's in now that she has sight. They get in a heated argument where they almost kiss but Cal states he doesn't do romance.

Nahara appears and Cal tells her what Avi's done and that he needs her to reverse it. Nahara says there's nothing she can do. Soon she suddenly starts glowing and floating and states Cal will die while the last assassin rises. Cal catches Nahara before she falls and then they leave. As they leave, the man with the fanny pack appears( the annoying customer that Mc met on the same day Cal was saved by Mc) and attacks them. Cal is winning before Fanny Pack Bro, now called Brody, starts using demon sand. He states he was the one who set the prophecy in motion and that Cal is going to die.

[No heart scene available.]

## Season 2

### Episode 1

Continuing from the previous season, Brody ends up attacking Cal and MC while he confirms that he was the one to set the prophecy in motion by getting MC to save Cal. Cal ends up striking back while Brody sends in a large swarm of demons while the troupe with their assassin gear comes rushing back to aid Cal. While the troupe tries to attack Brody, it’s later shown that Brody can use the black sand ( demon sand or magic) to mimic the assassin's weapons. While the assassins are being pushed back, Cal is being further away from the troupe during the fight due to Brody trying to isolate Cal. Cal, who is also trying to protect the MC from the demons, tells her that there are too many that she’ll need to help out.

***Heart Scene (26) - Help Cal fight!***

*MC swallows down her fear and Cal gives MC a small handgun and turns back around to keep a demon from leaping onto both of them. MC, having no knowledge of using a gun, turns behind her to find herself face to face with a demon. MC uses the butt of the gun and clocks the demon around the head instantly. Darius ( the lust assassin) swings in and uses his chains and finishes the demon off before the MC does anything further.*

*Cal pulls MC away from the scene and tries to remain close to her. Brody chucks a knife made of black sand towards Cal and MC, but Cal knocks it out of the air when he shoots a bullet from his gun. Cal later fires his gun at Brody who barely manages to dodge the bullet but it still scrapes into his shoulder. Cal and Brody fall into another sparring match and MC stays out of their way. Cal forces a kick towards Brody, making him stumble and lose his balance giving Cal the advantage to point his gun at Brody’s chest. But Brody tosses a handful of black sand towards Cal’s face making him fall backwards but MC manages to catch him on time.*

Cal questions Brody what the prophecy means to him. But Brody dodges the question and tells Cal that he doesn’t know the whole story. Brody gets away by reaching out and grabbing onto the side of a passing truck without giving Cal or the troupe the time to stop him from getting away. The troupe asks questions all at the same time, MC almost ends up saying that it has something to do with the prophecy but Cal’s hand curls around her wrist and gives her a hard squeeze. Letting her know that she mustn’t say a word about the prophecy towards the troupe. MC manages to recover from her obvious blunder but the troupe doesn’t ask anything further. Wrath tells MC when humans ally themselves with demons they end up giving up part of themselves (their souls) to gain some power. Therefore, a demon ally should never be underestimated. Cal asks the troupe if he can take the jeep to drop MC off and his friends tell him yes while they are grinning while they leave.

Once they are in the jeep alone MC confronts Cal if the troupe has never known about the prophecy and that if he’s going to die due to her saving him. Cal tells MC that he doesn’t know much but that Nahara ( the seer assassin) has been telling him for a while that “bad things” are going to happen. Cal, who is an assassin, didn't think it was much to worry about since bad things always happen, therefore he didn’t think much of it. Until the prophecies started getting more specific and ended up meeting MC. Therefore, Cal tried to save MC in hopes of reversing the prophecy, but since the prophecies are still happening it means nothing has changed. Nahara continuing to have the prophecies also means that they are growing stronger. Cal tries not to add anything further about “ the last assassin will rise” but MC tells him that she is all he has into knowing about it and she has the right to know since she has become part of the problem. Cal without a choice declares that Avi will be the next assassin after he dies since it’s what the prophecy wants. Cal tells MC that she can’t tell the troupe, in exchange for not telling the troupe MC is allowed to ask anything from Cal.

### Episode 2

Cal and MC arrive in front of her bike shop and MC knows exactly what she wants in exchange for not telling the troupe about the whole prophecy. And by this, MC asks to keep her demon sight. Cal who looks at MC like he has figured out what MC wants ends up being taken back since it was something he didn’t expect knowing. Cal tries to convince MC that wearing outfits and being an assassin is not always great. But MC explains to Cal now that she knows about demons she doesn’t want to spend all her time wondering if the person she’s staring at is a demon. Therefore, she rather just know since she can’t unsee what she has seen already. Cal decides not to argue further since he did tell MC she can ask whatever she wants. Before Cal drives off Cal tells MC he’ll be picking MC up tomorrow leaving her full of questions.

The next morning MC and her mom go to pick up a few bikes at a hotel, once MC arrives back Cal comes into the shop asking if she’s ready. MC tells Cal she is busy and considering the fact she doesn’t know why she needs to go but also for not asking if she was free. Cal ends up sitting down and waiting for her instead. But when MC goes to tag in a few wheels Cal shows her a faster way into doing it faster. Unfortunately, MC’s mom enters the room thinking that MC is making Cal do her work. So she offers Cal go upstairs and eat some spring rolls that she made while MC finishes up. Later in the day, MC goes outside to take a break and Cal follows her behind.

While outside, Cal tells MC that he can clearly tell that MC’s mom really cares for her and that she’s all she talks about. MC who feels a pang of slight guilt tells Cal that Med school isn’t the only way to secure a future. Cal, who becomes more interested in MC’s life, ends up asking what her focus was when she was in Med school for which MC explains why it wasn’t for her. Unexpectedly, the 100-pound pink glass heart of the sign above the shop crashes into the grand where MC was standing, making Cal push her and himself away from it before any injuries.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 3

After Cal and MC almost experience a near-death situation they look to see Brody and right away know that he is responsible for the sign. Brody leaves and MC’s mom comes outside based on hearing the crash and comes to see the broken glass.

Once MC and her mom come inside and MC feels guilty for not being able to tell her mom the real reason for the sign falling since MC’s mom already checked the installment herself. Cal comes back inside but this time with Wrath and Malakai here to drop off a new glass for the new sign also offering to personally install the new glass. MC’s mom struggles to accept Cal’s kind offer but MC is able to convince her that no one was hurt and it’ll be safe for the future. While Wrath and Malakai install the glass Cal asks MC’s mom if he can take MC out for a bit and MC’s mom tells them to go but not to stay too late.

Cal ends up taking MC to a shooting range to teach her how to use a gun since she wants to keep her demon sight and Cal doesn't want to leave her defenseless. MC who struggles to shoot straight at the target, which Cal offers to teach her a different way.

***Heart Scene (27) - Let Cal show you how to shoot!***

*Cal presses himself closer to MC from behind her, his hand overlapping MC’s hand from the gun handle and his free hand pressed against her hip. Cal aims and shoots every target in front of them, Cal moves away from her and MC tells Cal that he can’t “ copy-paste” his movements into her body. Cal tries to explain that she needs to get used to the feeling of the gun and make it feel like it’s part of her. Cal tells her that he knows that it’s scary to try new things but facing them is the one way to get over them. Cal presses himself close to MC again and places his palm to her stomach telling her to take deep breaths and to keep her eyes open and her arm ready. Cal wraps her hand around his and presses down the trigger over MC’s finger and shoots straight towards the target center perfectly.*

MC and Cal leave the shooting range to go to the casino to meet up with the troupe for drinks, once they get there Wrath tells MC that they are keeping an eye out and that she won’t have to worry. MC thanks her and while she looks back, Cal disappears. She ends up hanging out with Onyx and Malakai until Onyx pulls MC from the crowd and MC sees Cal waving her over. Onyx pushes MC almost making her tumble into his lap but catches her by her hips to steady her. Cal asks if she wants to make a bet, and MC agrees that if she wins he has to explain why he spent all day with her. Cal and MC agree to the terms and the dealer spins the roulette wheel and it lands on MC’s number making her win the bet. Cal shrugs and says that it’s not a big deal and that he only needs MC to kill him and bring him back to life.

### Episode 4

MC, who becomes disturbed by the idea of killing Cal and later saving him, asks further about what Cal is truly planning. Cal explains that the prophecy said he needed to die but not to “stay” dead for long therefore Cal is trying to find a way to cheat the prophecy. MC figures out that the reason why Cal was talking to her mom for a long time was mainly to learn about MC’s medical experience. MC asks if he ever mentioned this towards Nahara and Cal tells her that he would rather not have her go all “zero-gravity” like last time when they first visited her at her shop. MC disagrees and refuses to help kill Cal, but Cal who becomes frustrated with her tells her she’ll be helping him live. They continue to argue until Onyx comes towards Cal and MC and Cal leaves while he is angry at MC for not wanting to help him.

Onyx tells MC that Cal really likes her, but MC becomes a bit surprised by that idea. Onyx tells MC that Cal is probably just upset that they’ll get rid of her demon sight and he won’t have any excuse to be around her anymore. MC states that they already gave up on that, Onyx who is in disbelief says that it isn’t like Cal but MC explains it’s because Nahara said there are more things to worry about. While Onyx and MC continue to hang out Onyx tells MC she used to be a fashion designer before she became an assassin and used to think that being an assassin was the coolest thing. But Onyx tells her it isn’t always great, that it becomes your whole life and people get hurt. Onyx right away changes the topic and asks MC if she wants to come with her and Avi to the amusement park tomorrow and MC asks if it's just going to be Onyx and Avi only and Onyx says it’ll just be them. Therefore, MC agrees to hang out with them tomorrow.

The next day, MC sees Avi and Onyx but sees Cal and by this Onyx sets her up. Avi runs up to MC and hugs her and tells her he has missed her and MC tells him she has missed him as well. Avi noticing Cal’s behavior towards MC tells Cal to ride the rollercoaster with MC to make up and be friends again. Cal doesn’t attempt to argue with Avi and before they wait in line Avi tells Cal to promise to do “ the thing” and Cal agrees he’ll do it. Once they get on the ride, MC breaks her silence and asks why Cal won’t tell the troupe. And Cal tells MC that he can’t put his friends through that which gives MC a bit of an understanding. While still on the ride Cal tells MC to raise her hands up since it’s an Avi thing and once the ride jerks them around Cal’s pinky wraps around MC’s pinky seeing this as an apology from yesterday.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 5

Cal and MC exit out of the ride and see Avi excitedly waiting for them and asking if they are now doing alright and Call tells him they are. Avi excitedly tells Cal now that MC is with them they can finally ride his favorite ride which is the spinning teacups. MC looks at Onyx and explains that she gets motion sickness even though she flips on tightropes. For which Cal asks if MC is willing to ride the teacups with him and Avi.

***Heart Scene (28) - Take a whirlwind spin with Cal and Avi!***

*MC who can’t find the urge to say no, tells them she is in. Avi jumps out of Cal’s arms and races towards the line of people waiting to ride on the spinning teacups while Cal and MC follow Avi behind while Cal’s arm bumps into her occasionally. While waiting in line, Avi worries that he’ll get sick like Onyx and won’t be able to ride on his favorite ride anymore. MC tells him that he isn’t Onyx and that it’s good to be nervous because she’s also nervous as well. And that the important thing is to do it anyways, even when you're nervous since it’s part of the fun by conquering your fears.*

*Once they get on the ride, Avi insists that MC is seated in the middle since it’s her first time riding with them that way he and Cal can protect her. When the teacup starts to spin she is pressed against Cal while laughing and enjoying themselves. But when the teacup spins the opposite direction MC tries not to crash into Avi but Cal’s arm wraps around her preventing her from doing so. And once the ride is over Cal keeps his arm around MC and steadying her as she climbs out of the ride behind Avi.*

 Cal sees a shooting game and bets himself he can do it with one eye closed before MC and Cal get the chance to walk over there. They hear screams above them and see a tall swing falling, Cal immediately whisks MC off the ground as Cal’s arm encircles her and pulls her towards him. And Cal shoots with his gun and MC looks up and sees the large swing structure grate to a startling halt. And spots the large bolt that had come undone, causing the entire structure to lose balance. By this, MC sees that the tall signage that had once stood over the gate of one of the rides now collapsed at the right angle to support the main beam of the swing ride. Therefore, Cal shot the sign so it could fall at the exact same time as the swing to keep it from collapsing.

Cal and MC find Brody fleeing from the scene knowing that Brody was the cause of the incident. Cal grabs MC’s hand and leaves at a different route where the crowds are thinner and less commotion. They spot Onyx, Avi, and Ripely and Avi runs up to Cal and he scoops Avi up telling him it’s time to leave. Avi, who is disappointed, gives MC the idea to let the troupe hang out at the bike shop which brings Avi back to a happier mood.

Once the rest of the troupe meets at the bike shop every one finds themselves amusing themselves. Avi later tells MC it is her turn to do a trick for which MC and Avi go outside. MC shows off her trick but Cal who doesn’t look impressed lets Cal try to do a trick. But once he’s done Cal looks miffed and admits it’s a “little hard”. Cal and MC go back inside and find Avi peacefully asleep and MC offers to let Avi sleep in her room. When they get to her room MC notices that this is the first time Cal’s ever been to her room before.

### Episode 6

As Cal tucks Avi in MC’s bed, Cal looks around and admires MC’s photos, saying that he hopes Avi will have pictures of them when he grows up. MC goes to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich, as she’s in deep thought on the prophecy and how to save Cal, Cal interrupts MC’s inner deep thoughts. Cal apologizes for getting upset with MC when she didn’t agree towards helping Cal on killing him and saving him and that he respects her decision. While it gets silent and awkward between them Cal says something that gets on MC’s nerves.

By this, MC asks Cal why he always pisses people off when on the second he says something somewhat decent. Also asking why Cal pushes people away when she already thought that she and Cal were over the “whole secret-keeping business”. Cal who becomes frustrated but irritated tells MC that she’s the only person he can tell but it’s infuriating, mainly because something comes up every time he wants to tell her. Cal asks MC if she really wants to know what Cal has to say.

***Heart Scene (28) - Find out why Cal is a jerk sometimes!***

*MC gives Cal her full attention, Cal explains to MC that he’s been an assassin for “a while” and that he has lost people that it has hurt him since it always does. Therefore, after a while, Cal decided it would be easier if he just didn’t get close to people. Cal who also realizes that it wasn’t going to work, since “ love makes the world go round and all '' also was still keeping everything close to the chest and it was fine for him for a while until he found out he was going to die. And knowing the feeling of losing someone you care about made Cal think about the people who cared about him and the fact that he’ll be doing that made him not like the idea of it.*

*For which, Cal ends up pushing people away, in hopes of them thinking he was only a jerk anyways for good riddance. Therefore, Cal explains why it’s important to him to get ahead on the prophecy because he believes he can be “different”. MC who doesn’t believe Cal can be different, Cal asks MC for any suggestions. And MC questions him if he wants it by alphabetical order or sort them by most to least likely to happen. Cal, amused, reaches over to shove her only for her to duck for him to preempt her dodge, which hooks his arm around MC to catch her.*

*While Cal finishes his sandwich, he apologizes again knowing that it was a big ask for MC and he didn’t mean to pressure her. And that Cal wouldn’t ask if he didn’t think she could do it, MC sighs and tells Cal not to give his hopes up but that she has been thinking about it. Cal, who becomes a bit excited, reminds him that it’s life and death they are dealing with and wonders how Cal isn’t scared of death. Cal explains that everyone is dying all the time, and he rather be some of those people who live. Because you can spend your whole life living or you can spend it dying. MC who wants to give Cal her answer decides to tell Cal tomorrow and make him wonder just for another day.*

MC arrives at the penthouse ready to give Cal her answer that she agrees to help him, MC who spots Darius in the common room asks where Cal is. Darius with a Cheshire cat grin jerks his head towards the hallway telling her Cal is expecting her. MC wonders if Cal is having her followed since she never told Cal she was coming over, she shakes the thought and goes to Cal’s room wondering why Darius is grinning.

As MC enters Cal’s room which she finds empty after she calls out Cal name and receiving no response she turns around only for her to ram her face into Cal's chest as they stumble to the ground. MC who becomes aware of her surroundings as she sees that it is wet and very naked Cal. Noticing that Cal has earphones dangling around his neck and a deep frown. Once MC and Cal get off the ground, MC notices a large scar on Cal’s back but doesn’t ask. Cal questions MC on why she is in his room, but MC stutters with her words to even answer Cal’s question. Before Cal fully drags MC out of his room, MC shouts that she’s going to help Cal, for which Cal pauses and tells her that he’s happy MC has finally made up her mind. Cal then continues to drag MC out of his room, right when MC is outside of the room Cal slams the door in front of her face.

### Episode 7

MC sees Darius laughing as he witnesses the events from the living room, coming towards a realization that Darius tricked her and by this, she throws a couch cushion but he expertly catches it. Darius tells MC it’s more fun now that Cal finally has a "girlfriend" making MC wonder if Cal has ever really had any serious relationships, before she is able to ask Darius, Malakai (Gluttony assassin) and Onyx appear. Onyx as she giggles asks MC if she showered, making MC notice the wet spots from her clothing from where Cal’s body collided with her. Onyx, Darius, and Malakai round up to MC asking questions like “ Does Cal have tan lines?” “Is he more or less fit than I am?” “Does he have birthmarks?” making MC realize the implications of the questions. MC asks if they ever went swimming with Cal, Onyx replies saying that Cal has a weird routine with Avi that it’s too early in the morning for anyone in Vegas to be awake.

Once fully dressed Cal enters the room with the rest with a glaring look, Onyx and Malakai point at Darius at the same time. Indicating to Cal that it was Darius’s fault on the incident. Onyx tells Cal that she heard a little accident happen and that it wasn’t like him while she winks at MC and Cal’s cheeks start flushing. Making MC question if Cal fell on top of her on purpose. Her thoughts are interrupted when she notices Cal’s hand around her wrist and dragging her behind him almost making her lose her footing as she tumbles.

When they are back in Cal’s room, Cal asks if MC truly meant it from wanting to help him. MC clarifies that she does want to help Cal but that Cal needs to tell the troupe because he would want them to be by his side since they deserve to know and they care about him. For which Cal doesn’t argue but agrees that he really does. MC and Cal end up in the library with a stack of medical books splayed out on the table between them. Cal grabs MC’s hand once he figures out what they need, stating that they were looking at the wrong place this whole time and they just need one little “object” for which leaves MC a bit confused.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 8

MC and Cal go to Yvette (Greed Assassin) and Vinca’s (Pride Assassin) home, while they are there Cal tries to tell MC to remain quiet or she will announce their presence. Cal takes MC to the dressing room and Cal tries to find a little vial that has “Greed” written on it. Once Cal manages to find it he leaps up and hoists himself into the ceiling from happiness. Before Cal and MC get the chance to leave they hear voices of echos from a closer distance. Cal tells MC to act like a fangirl and ask autograph, MC tells Cal not to leave her and Cal with an apologetic look, tells her she’ll be safe. And that he'll meet her outside and reminds MC not to mention Cal’s name at all.

The second Cal disappears, MC sees two gorgeous women approach her, MC stumbles on her words as Vinca grabs her arm and MC feels as if someone were flipping through her thoughts. Once Vinca lets go of MC she tells her they would have been more than glad to help MC kill Cal. Yvettes also wishes MC luck on killing Cal and that they will give her an autograph after. When MC finally leaves and walks down the stairs and sees Cal waiting for her, she becomes upset for abandoning her. Cal attempts to cheer MC up by saying that they wouldn’t have hurt her, it's just him that they don’t like.

Cal and MC later are in her room and Cal explains that the vial that they stole will stop his heart and kill him. Cal asks MC to start practicing for CPR since a little practice shouldn’t hurt. MC starts chest compressions and Cal tells her to put her back into it a bit more and do it like Cal said something annoying. MC glares at Cal telling him she isn’t going to crack one of his ribs. After chest compressions, MC shows Cal how she is going to do the mouth to mouth compressions and once MC demonstrates Cal asks her to do it properly, but MC tells him she knows how to. Cal sighs telling her that it’s his life in her hands and he needs to know she can do it when the time arrives.

***Heart Scene (29) - Show Cal you can save his life!***

*MC presses her palms into Cal’s chest and prepares to give him the mouth to mouth comprehensions. MC ends up feeling Cal’s heartbeat flutter thinking he is probably just nervous. MC hesitates at first once her lips are inches closer towards Cal’s mouth but manages to press her mouth towards his and she pinches his nose and starts the CPR. She notices how Cal’s heart is speeding fast. MC continues to do it as she loses track of how long she has been doing it that MC sits up but Cal’s hand is around MC’s waist to stop her. MC looks up to see Cal lost in thought as his eyes are very dilated and his grip tightens against her waist. One of MC’s hair strands falls behind her ear and tickles Cal’s cheek. He lifts his free hand and tucks it back but his hand lingers at the back of MC’s neck. Making MC wonder if Cal is going to pull her back to seal their lips again. Just as Cal’s eyes flicker towards MC’s lips, MC calls out his name, and Cal snaps out of his thoughts. MC pulls back and Cal stares down, very confused as to what just happened. MC asks how it was for which Cal replies saying it was great as MC sees Cal blush as he is trying to look away. Cal pulls his hand away from MC’s waist finally noticing that it is there.*

Cal tells MC he’ll see her tomorrow just as MC sees Cal head out the door and closes it behind him. MC feels the room all empty now that Cal is gone and it makes MC stare at the door and questions herself on what the whole thing was all about.

### Episode 9

The next following day, MC and the troupe gather in the common room as Cal lays out his plan. The whole troupe becomes devastated and worried if what Cal has planned won’t be enough to save him, to the point MC stands up for Cal telling the troupe that it isn’t a foolproof plan but it’s all they got. That at the end of the day, it’s Cal who has to live with a prophecy on his shoulders. The whole troupe decides to agree with the plan just as everyone hugs him telling him that they will support him. Cal ends up driving MC home until they park in front of a sushi restaurant which leaves MC surprised, Cal explains since he might be dying he thought he could cross out some stuff off the bucket list asking MC if she would like to check it out with her.

***Heart Scene (29) - Help Cal with his last wish!***

*MC and Cal enter the sushi place, and Cal tells MC that in the back of the restaurant it used to be a karaoke bar. To which MC and Cal get seated and MC notices how nervous Cal is based on his shoulders getting tense, and MC asks if Cal has sung in front of other people other than Avi. Cal blushes and MC laughs stating that he shouldn’t keep such talent away from the world. Cal ends up laughing making MC notice that he’s been doing that very often lately. Cal raises his hand for the bartender while asking MC what her favorite song is. Cal, scribbling it down and hands towards the bartender to give to the DJ. When the bartender heads back over and tells them that they are next, Cal gives MC a pleading look telling her not to make him go up there alone since it’s a duet. Leaving MC with no choice put to let Cal tug her by the wrist and go up on stage.*

*While they are on stage they sing and their eyes catch one another. Once they are done, everyone who heard Cal and MC sing: cheer, clap, and even stand up. MC looks up to Cal noticing how happy he is.*

MC exhausted slumps her face down into the bed and flops over on her stomach only to hear something crinkle in her pocket. She digs through her pocket noticing an envelope saying “Don’t open unless I’m dead”, MC turns it over only to find an old fashioned wax seal stuck securely over the flap noticing that she won’t be able to open it without breaking the seal. She also noticed another line of writing (smaller this time) on the bottom of the envelope saying “No, seriously, I know you want to peek. But don’t. I’m trusting you with this. Please”. MC, deciding not to open, tucks the envelope safely into her bedside table drawer knowing that Cal is trusting her with something important that she shouldn’t betray his trust.

A week later, MC and Cal drive to the penthouse, and while in the jeep Cal asks if MC opened the envelope and MC states that she hasn't since Cal told her not too but also used the magic word. When they head towards the elevator, Cal thanks her for not opening it. When they finally make it to the penthouse into the common room. Everyone is making preparations until Wrath comes up with an idea to make Brody think he’s done the job and successfully killed Cal, using that as a way for the troupe to figure out what his bigger plan is. Once everyone is prepped and ready, Cal asks MC if she’s ready for her first assassination.

### Episode 10

MC and Cal drive up to a casino, on the way Cal reassures and comforts her by telling her that everything is going to be okay by giving her a squeeze on the arm. When Cal and MC enter the Palazzo casino, Cal tells MC that the plan is to lure Brody towards them by causing an amount of fear to attract demons. Cal turns to MC asking if she is going to help him but MC asks if she’s even supposed to. Cal gives MC a short laugh saying if she really needs a “printed invite”. MC biting her lip asks why it has to be her, Cal takes a half step forward and tells her because he wants it to be her.

***Heart Scene (27) - Trust Cal and help lure demons!***

*MC takes a deep breath and asks how they plan to do this. Cal smiles and with his wide arms open tells her that they need to fight. MC not knowing how to do so, Cal tells her to just trust him and throw a punch like he ended up saying something terrible. MC does as Cal asks and Cal dodges it easily and reaches up and grabs it. MC and Cal play out as if they were fighting but not physically harming one another. During their so-called fight, Cal pushes MC and her back meets a slot machine only for her not to feel the impact based on Cal’s arm around her hip keeping her from actually knocking into the machine. People gather and witness their playact and Cal ends up whirling MC around making it as if he were going to toss her to the floor but he ends up looping his arm around her waist at the last second before she falls to the ground.*

A demon lurching towards them, Cal tugs MC out of the way holding her safely to his side. And chaos comes around the casino, and the fire alarm goes off as Onyx tells the crowd that there’s a fire and that they need to evacuate. Once people are gone and it’s only the troupe and MC, they end up killing as many demons that they can. MC spots a confused man who doesn’t look like he’s running away from the chaos and MC warns Cal that he could get himself killed. Cal dashes over and pushes him out of a falling chandelier in time before his death. The man clutches Cal’s hands and thanks him and Cal tells him to get out and to go somewhere safe. Right, when the unknown man leaves, the troupe finally spots Brody, and he right away lunges for Cal. Cal orchestrates his movements by going a bit slower than usual whenever he's fighting and lets Brody land a few hits, just as Cal meets the wall. Cal twitches towards his gun but once he sees MC he realizes he will blow his cover of making Brody think he’s winning the fight.

Therefore, Cal’s grip on the handle of the gun loosens and bolts towards the door making Brody follow him behind running while MC chases right after them. When MC makes it to the very top of the roof she sees Brody holding Cal at gunpoint with a gun made of black sand. Cal backs towards the edge of the roof with his hands up. And Brody’s gun goes off and the black demon sand shoots towards Cal’s shoulder and blood splatters. The rest of the troupe bursts onto the roof and they distract Brody while Cal drinks the vial, making Brody believe Cal is dead by the gunshot. Their eyes meet knowing a lot of unsaid words as if it’ll be the last time they were to speak. But Cal’s eyes slide close and his chest stops moving, and he officially dies.

### Episode 11

MC tries to remind herself that it is all part of the plan while Darius and Onyx try to act out as they are devastated for Cal's death. Wrath wakes MC from her shock-induced reverie and reminds her that she has a job to do. MC presses both of her palms against Cal’s chest and starts chest compressions and does the mouth to mouth CPR. As she continues, Cal doesn’t respond. MC glances up at Brody who is smiling and the rage claws inside her chest. Brody tells MC that Cal was a worthy opponent but now he has done his part. Before MC can argue further, Wrath reminds MC that 2 minutes have passed so MC turns back to Cal and continues CPR.

Brody ends up disappearing as the troupe and MC wait patiently for Cal to return to them, and still nothing. After 4 minutes have passed MC reaches towards her pocket for the backup adrenaline shot and plunges it into Cal’s chest right towards his heart. Cal doesn’t respond and MC starts begging for Cal to come back, but then Cal lets out a rasping gasp and his chest starts to move on its own again and his eyelids are flickering. Everyone is relieved that Cal has returned and Onyx ends up crying into Malakai’s chest and Wrath and Darius stare at Cal and MC with inscrutable expressions.

Once they finally head home in high spirits at the common room Cal grabs MC’s hand and squeezes it before turning and heading towards his bedroom as MC stumbles after him. As they are walking towards his bedroom MC asks if Cal doesn’t want to celebrate with the troupe, but Cal tells her later he will.

When they get to his room Cal drops to his knees by the edge of the bed where Avi is sleeping and Cal smiles as he pokes Avi’s cheek and slowly wakes up. Cal tells Avi that today MC was brave and that he thought they can all do something together as they hug one another, Avi right away jumps off the bed and throws his arms around MC. MC asks where they are going and Cal and Avi say that it’s a super-secret place. Cal asks if she’s willing to come and join them.

***Heart Scene (28) - Celebrate with Cal and Avi!***

*They enter into an arcade and Avi runs off and climbs into the seat of a racing game as he buckles in. Cal leads MC into one of the shooting games and asks if MC is ready for her next shooting lesson. Cal first goes by himself and demonstrates how to shoot as he ends up shooting every single pixelated alien enemy. MC goes to play and Cal’s hands settle on her shoulders as she squares off against the screen and Cal’s arm comes around her waist and palms smoothing over her stomach while pressing lightly. And MC shoots as Cal cheers her on, once MC is done and gets a decent score, Avi runs up to them and Cal scoops him up and tells Cal he got a new score and unlocked a new race track. After that Avi tells Cal he’s hungry and Cal and MC walk behind him as they leave the arcade. While MC feels something warm brush against MC’s pinky and she looks down to see Cal’s little finger wrapping around her’s. Cal squeezes her finger and MC squeezes back as Cal thanks her for saving her life. And MC thanks him for coming back to life.*

When they rejoin the rest of the troupe in the breakfast lounge at the casino Wrath mentions that now they have more information on Brody stating that he isn’t the top brass since he’s working for someone when he said that “ his part is done”. But at that precise moment, Nahara enters with an angry expression as she storms up to Cal as she glares at him asking what he has done.

### Episode 12

Avi, unfazed by Nahara’s displeasure, races towards Nahara with his arms outstretched and she leans down to scoop him up with one arm and greets him. But once she looks back at Cal her expression dials back to accusatory and returns to glare at Cal. Cal tells Avi that Ripely wants to play in order for Avi to leave the room so they can discuss the situation Nahara needs to bring.

Once Avi and Ripely are no longer in the room, Nahara rounds on Cal saying that he can’t cheat a prophecy since the harder you fight against your fate the harder it strikes back. Cal, very frustrated, asks Nahara if she rather just let Cal give up and die instead. Nahara as she narrows her eyes states that she can feel the prophecy changing. Then her hardened exterior breaks and she pulls Cal into a tight hug leaving Cal surprised. Nahara tells Cal that she loves him since he’s family to her, that’s why it hurts her so much to know that trouble is not only coming towards Cal but for everyone. Everyone starts to show worry and anxiety over Nahara’s words that MC asks what kind of trouble will come by. Before Nahara gets the chance to explain, a light gust of wind blows through the room and Brody enters into the room begging for help that someone is going to kill him as he says with panic and fear.

Cal moves in front of MC right away placing his body solidly between her and Brody, and MC can notice how Cal’s body is tense based on Brody’s closeness. Brody becomes relieved as he spots Cal as he reaches for Cal but Cal shrugs him off and becomes tense at the contact. Brody proudly says how Cal is still alive, the troupe becoming displeased by Brody’s presence asks what he means by all of it. Wrath tells him in order for them to help him he needs help them understand or else they can’t help him in return. Brody says that “he” told him that Cal was still alive but he didn't believe him. Just before Wrath can say another thing the black sand pours from Brody’s fanny pack, everyone takes a step back from him believing at first that it was a trick until they see the black sand coalesces around his neck, solidifying into a thick and black rope suffocating him. Wrath tries to help by trying to tug it off of him but it’s no use, it reshapes around Wrath’s hand as if she weren’t there. Malakai tries to help out by saying that the more you struggle the worse it gets, but yet nothing changes. Cal tries to take a step forward but seems hesitant to be far away from MC. Life fades from Brody’s face and his eyes slid shut and his hands fell slack at his sides, making MC feel sick from witnessing someone’s sudden death.

Cal’s head snaps towards the door and it’s the man that Cal rescued from almost dying from a fallen chandelier. Cal overprotective presses his back against MC’s chest and the unknown man apologizes for the dramatic entrance but he does not tolerate failure. He snaps his fingers and the demons appear and swarm around Brody’s body hauling it away before anyone can stop them. Everyone falls into combat form but the unknown man’s eyes fall trained on Cal telling him that he should’ve known better to assume someone like Brody could take care of him and that he'd make sure not to make that mistake again. He also states that a “copy” could never best the original but that it was a fun experiment along with saying that Cal was such a worthy opponent since that’s what happens when you have something worth fighting for, MC hearing the slight hitch in Cal’s breath feels his body tense even more, making her wonder if the unknown man is talking about Avi. Cal threatens him by saying that he won't lay down without a fight for which the man replies that he’s counting on it. He turns around and tosses a wave over his shoulder and tells them that his name is Alejandro and that it was lovely meeting them just as he leaves.

Cal lunges forward but Nahara stops him, just as Wrath also raises her hand to stop the rest of the troupe from wanting to follow Alejandro. Wrath tells them that she knows everyone wants to go after him but that there are too many things they don’t know and more importantly they don’t have a plan. After witnessing such events now that things have calmed down, Cal looks directly at MC and leaves to go up in the staircase leading back up to the roof, just as Cal leaves MC feels the edge of his sleeve graze the back of her arm making her wonder if Cal wants her to follow him.

But MC does so and goes up to the roof and sees Cal looking at the Vegas city, as she approaches him Cal looks back and asks if she still has the note. MC goes through her pocket and once she finds it she notices how Cal is really close to her and tells her to open the envelope. MC opens the envelope, and it’s a short note, barely bigger than a post-it note and it says I want to kiss you. MC’s eyes slingshot back towards Cal’s face, and their noses touch, and his hands slowly come up to cup both of MC’s cheeks as he cradles her face with his palms. Cal tilts his head and grins and asks if he can do so.

[No heart scene available.]

[Written by reddit user u/VirtueAssassin

## Season 3

### Episode 1

Continuing from the previous season, Cal asks if he can kiss MC and after some banter, he grabs, spins her around, and kisses her. Avi then comes to the roof and asks what they are doing and Cal and MC break apart immediately. Cal grabs Avi and takes him back inside stating that nothing happened, leaving MC on the roof alone.

They enter the penthouse where the troupe started a party to celebrate Cal’s survival. Cal says it should technically be MC’s party since she brought him back to life. The troupe is shocked he is being nice which Cal blushes to. The party is in full swing and MC overhears Avi asking Cal if the MC has to go now that she has finished working with him and that he doesn’t want her to leave. Cal then starts a tickle fight with Avi and MC starts wondering if the kiss was a goodbye kiss. Darius then suggests everyone play Truth or dare.

***Heart scene (28) - Play Truth or Dare with Cal!***

*Onyx goes first and picks truth. She spends 25 minutes on a childhood trauma story. Next is Cal’s turn and he picks dare which Darius dares him to kiss MC. Onyx argues he can’t force people to kiss if they don’t want to, so Darius asks MC if she wants to kiss Cal. MC is flustered and doesn’t respond so Cal, also flustered, immediately changes to pick Truth instead. Darius then asks Cal if he likes MC. Before he can answer, Wrath steps in and says Cal can’t change from Dare to Truth and that Darius can’t force them to kiss. A frustrated Darius then dares Cal to hold her hand the whole game instead. The game continues with Cal holding her hand and switches between rubbing her palm and lacing their fingers. He doesn’t let up even when they switch to another game. Soon he releases their hands to MC’s dismay, but then suddenly his other hand grabs hers. He smiles at her saying that his hand was getting tired, but his other one is fine. MC then smiles and thinks that maybe things really are different between them now.*

Cal and MC are reading Avi a bedtime story when Darius comes in asking if anything happened on the roof as they seem different towards each other. Cal denies anything happening to MC’s dismay. Later after Avi falls asleep, MC is looking for her jacket so she can head home and Cal tries to talk to MC. MC thinks Cal is going to say goodbye and can’t bear to hear him say it. Before he can say anything MC cuts him off, forces a smile, and says they don't have any reason to see each other anymore now that the prophecy changed and can go back to their regular lives. Cal is shocked.

### Episode 2

Cal is shocked and is about to say something but then sighs and offers to take MC home. The next day MC is doing her shift at the Bike Shop and Cal comes in. After some banter, his gaze flickers down to MC's lips. After a moment, he says that he’s given it some thought and he doesn’t think they should kiss anymore. MC replies that it's fine since they aren't going to see each other anymore anyways. Cal's face crumples and asks if that's what she really wants.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(27)‌ ‌-‌ Tell Cal You Want To See Him!‌ ‌***

*MC asks if that’s what he wants and Cal responds that she was the one who suggested they don’t see each other. MC says that he was so eager to get rid of her when they first met so she just assumed. Cal puts his hands on her shoulders and asks again if she wants him gone. He tells her he could have someone else check on her to keep her safe since she chose to keep her demon sight. They banter about MC’s questionable decisions. They start laughing and MC states she’s amazingly adaptable and Cal tugs on a strand of her hair and calls her amazing leaving her to blush and him to smirk at it. He then turns to go saying that he should leave.*

As Cal turns to leave, MC touches his back grabbing to stop him and he winces. A shadow of an itch is also felt on MC’s back at that moment. MC asks what just happened and before Cal can answer, MC’s mom tells them she has lunch sandwiches made for them. MC asks Cal to stay over to eat them and Cal agrees. They eat the sandwiches in MC’s room and MC asks about his back again. Cal removes his shirt to show her that his back has the prophecy carved into his flesh and that it happened when Nahara started floating, glowing, and pointing at him while stating the prophecy (S1 finale). He invites MC to come with him to see Nahara tomorrow to see what the prophecy has changed to now that they have changed it. MC agrees to come. Suddenly her mother barges in with extra sandwiches and sees her daughter with a shirtless Cal who hurries to put his shirt back on. Her mother says he looks better with his shirt off which MC embarrassed tries to get her to leave which she does. Cal, also embarrassed, then hops out the window saying he can never use the front door again after that.

Next day Onyx comes by to bring MC with them to join the troupe practicing in the park and trade tricks. At the park, MC shows everyone her bike tricks while Cal naps under a tree. Onyx then tries to get MC to walk across the tightrope like her. MC attempts to walk across the tightrope and falls. She braces for an impact that never comes as Cal has caught her in his arms.

### Episode 3

Cal drops MC as Ripley appears at the park with Avi. Avi runs up to MC and asks if she's mad at him for giving her demon sight which MC says that's she's not to his relief. Avi stops suddenly as if picking up on something and runs to Cal saying that they need to go to the circus immediately. Cal questions why but Avi states that they just have to. As the troupe reaches the Circus they distract Avi away as they go inside preparing for danger. Alejandro is there with demon sand and stones trying to finish a ritual. Darius and Onyx chase after him and Malakai takes a picture of the stones to research it later. Cal takes MC to the side to check if she's okay and says they're going to see Nahara tomorrow. The next day they visit Nahara and she starts glowing and floating again pointing at Cal. His back starts to burn as a new prophecy is burned into his flesh. It reads "You have risen." Cal is happy as that prophecy is better than the one of him dying. He then notices Nahara is still floating and goes to grab her, but Nahara suddenly points to MC. Her back begins to burn.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 4

MC's screams in pain as a prophecy is burned into the flesh of her back. Cal grabs and holds her offering encouraging words and saying that it will be over soon. It ends and Cal princess carries MC to the car and drives her back to the Penthouse for help from the troupe. Malakai checks her injuries to Cal's dismay of not wanting anyone to touch her at all. Malakai sees that her wound is a magical one, but still must be cleaned just as any other wound. Cal offers to clean it for MC as she probably can't reach her back.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(28)‌ ‌-‌ Let Cal clean your bare back!***

*Cal carries MC to the bathroom and sets her on the counter as he warms up the water and gives her a towel to cover up her front as she has to remove her shirt. Cal also takes off his shirt so that she's not alone. He cleans her back wound and MC watches him from his mirror reflection thinking about how his body would look carved in marble like an art statue. Cal notices her staring and teases her. He finishes cleaning her back and MC turns around to face him and their faces are inches apart. Cal leans in closer but then stops himself from kissing her.*

MC awakens from Cal's bed to see he was on the side of the bed holding her hand the whole night. Cal feeling MC's eyes on him awakens and tells MC she's staring and asks why. MC says it's because she can and squeezes his hand. Cal starts blushing saying they should deal with the prophecy first and have time to stare later. MC asks what the prophecy on her back said which Cal replies he didn't look to MC's surprise. MC asks why he didn't look and Cal replies it was hard to think when he was preoccupied and starts blushing. Before MC can tease him he tells her to turn around so he can read her back. He reads it and it says "The last assassin falls to the dark one."

### Episode 5

Suddenly Avi enters the room and wonders why they look sad. They tell him everything is okay and Avi invites them to breakfast.

After breakfast, Avi leaves with Ripley, and Wrath asks MC about her back. MC says it feels better now and that Cal has already read it. The troupe wants to read it too so that they can help figure out what the prophecy means, but Cal becomes protective standing between her and the troupe. He tells them that while he is fine with showing his back, MC shouldn't have to. MC tries to tell him that it's fine but Cal stands firm blushing saying that she's not an assassin and shouldn't have to.

Onyx then offers to gives MC a backless dress saying that would be a better option which Cal agrees too. MC then blushes as she realizes the real reason Cal was against her showing the troupe her part of the prophecy. Cal tells MC to follow him as he has good taste and a dress in mind.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(28)‌ ‌-‌ Try on what Cal’s chosen for you!***

*They go to Onyx's room and Cal picks out a dress. Onyx states it's too big so Cal starts to tailor it while Onyx picks out matching jewelry and leaves. MC teases if Cal does fashion on the side and Cal tells her that when you live with Onyx, who is a fashion designer, you pick up on a few things. He finishes tailoring the dress and hands it over to MC and turns around so she can change. MC starts stripping out of her clothes and Cal turns back around too early asking if she likes the dress. He catches her naked and they both stare at each other blushing and standing frozen. He drinks in the sight of her body for a few seconds before turning back around apologizing. MC blushes hard while finishing putting on the dress and says he's seen enough of her naked these past few weeks which Cal responds that she's seen him naked first so now they're even. After MC changes into the backless dress, she shows it off to the troupe and Cal once again says that he has good taste.*

The troupe reads both their backs and try to figure out how to read the prophecy. They don't know if it's one or two prophecies, the order it's supposed to be read, and who the Dark One and Last Assassin are. As they contemplate this, Nahara then enters the penthouse.

### Episode 6

Nahara enters and states she doesn't know what the prophecy means either. Cal finally speaks up and says he thinks the last assassin is Avi and Nahara and Malakai both agree. Nahara says she has been having Avi in her dreams but wasn't sure what they meant as the prophecy was very mercurial. Malakai notes that Avi has special talent which he has an eye for as Malakai is a Gluttony Assassin, and they are trained to compete to be an assassin from birth.

Nahara gets the idea to scry for whoever the dark one is as they must have demon sight as well. Whoever isn't part of their group must be the dark one. When they scry, they find there are actually 10 extra people besides them with demon sight and that someone has been giving others sight.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 7

Nahara leaves and Avi enters pointing at Minnesota on the demon sand map they were using to scry for people with demon sight. He states that their Ticket Guy, Jimmy, went there. Confused, Wrath has Malakai call Jimmy.

Cal then offers to walk MC home. On the walk home, MC is feeling self-conscious with all the attention on her dress. Cal then suggests to give them a show and takes his shirt off asking her to dance.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(29)‌ ‌-‌ Dance with Cal!***

*MC says she doesn't know how to dance and Cal tells her that that's not the point. The point is to have fun. He dips her and MC laughs. They keep dancing and MC asks if having fun always comes this easy for him. Cal tells her it's not easy but with her it's not so hard. MC asks him why and he says it might be because he found the right partner. They smile at each other and Cal tells her to get ready for the big move. He backs away for MC to run towards him and do a lift for their grand finale.*

When they reach home, Cal offers to do her chores for her and MC starts wondering why he's being so unusually and overly nice. She goes to rest in the living room while he works.

### Episode 8

MC comes to the conclusion that Cal is being extra nice because he feels guilty for what happened to her back and the prophecy. Cal comes into the living room with Italian food and she calls him out on faking nice. He admits it and says he owes her. MC is angry about this which Cal is confused by before coming to the conclusion that she's mad because she wants him to be nice to her not because he feels obligated to, but because he wants to, because she likes him. MC denies this and tells him to stop and just be himself. He agrees to and states it's nice for someone to want him for who he is for once. He then invites her to the circus since he's late and bringing MC along will make Wrath go easy on him.

They go to the circus and MC is watching from the rafters as Cal performs below. Darius and Malakai are about to join him on stage but not before saying that she should join the troupe as she can do bike tricks. They also tell her how Cal might get distracted during a show as he is smitten with MC. As they leave to go on stage, MC notices a demon in the audience.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 9

The troupe tries to handle the demon pretending like it's part of the show when soon another demon comes for MC. Cal suddenly appears and kicks the demon down. He realizes the demons are after MC and snarks at one of them saying that MC can break a few limbs. He then asks if MC wants to join him taking some demons down.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(27)‌ ‌-‌ Fight alongside Cal!***

*MC agrees to help fight and Cal notes MC must have strong legs from all the biking she does. He stares at her legs then turns away when MC catches him. He tells her to kick when he tells her. As demons come near he lifts her so that she can do a spin kick. After they take care of those demons MC acknowledges how good she is and admires her own legs. More demons suddenly appear and Cal signals for her to hit high while he hits low. They take out some more demons and Cal tells MC to remind him to never get on her bad side. They share a laugh and then MC hears the crowd below and remembers the show. Cal pushes her off the catwalk and they freefall together before he catches her by the waist and swings her around the arena to thundering applause. MC asks why he pushed her off as she thought he wanted her around. He smiles and replies that he does and that everyone's love language is different. MC wonders what he means by love language.*

Another demon suddenly appears and Malakai kills it in front of everyone. The crowd sees it fall to ash as they all have demon sight. They become terrified. Wrath tries to convince the crowd it was an act and Darius releases money into the crowd. The crowd is not convinced and still terrified. The troupe then leaves and enters the elevator. There, Cal states that the demons may not know about the prophecy but they want to. The troupe realizes the demons want as many people to have demon sight so that it would be hard for them to find the Dark One and Last Assassin. They realize the ritual with the stones Alejandro was doing in the circus earlier must be what's giving everyone who comes in contact with the circus demon sight. This includes their crew as well as the crowds. Wrath asks Malakai if he can reverse it which he isn't sure about yet.

The elevator doors open and the troupe has to do a Press Conference to explain themselves. Once again they try to play it off as an act gone wrong. Cal does not answer questions and stays around MC as he does not like Press Conferences. After the press conference, Cal takes MC out to get ice cream. When MC asks what they're doing there, Cal responds that he wants to spend time with MC a little longer. They order and eat from each other's ice cream. MC asks if he has always been a Neopolitan guy, to which Cal replies not really and that it was his mother's favorite. Cal then starts talking about his parents and how his father was a deadbeat and how they both left him. When asked how old he was, Cal responds with "old enough." MC tells him he turned out fine without them which Cal smiles and thanks MC for. He takes her home and gives her a hug telling her he's thankful for her staying. MC enters her house and gets a text from Cal. Before she can answer, she sees a figure inside with her. The figure then steps into the light revealing themselves to be Alejandro.

### Episode 10

Alejandro grabs MC in a vice grip and tells her he doesn't want her but Cal. He wants her to join him so that he can get information on the prophecy and if it changed. MC lies and says it hasn't changed and tries to hide her back away from him so that he can't read it. Alejandro figures out she's trying to hide her back and grabs her. MC pulls away hard, hitting her back against a hanging rack. Alejandro then grabs MC and turns her around so that he can read the prophecy. Suddenly a snap is heard, black dust fills the air, and Alejandro is dragged outside. It's Cal and he now has a gun to Alejandro's temple threatening to shoot if he touches MC again. Alejandro says their meeting was long overdue and makes a hand of black dust materialize around Cal's throat but Cal doubles down on his threat to shoot him. Alejandro then realizes that Cal cares for MC. He states he's been watching him for a while and now sees it's not the abandonment and loneliness that made him who he is and he's nothing but a lovesick boy. He notes he can work with that and Cal argues that he doesn't fall in love. MC's mom then calls out of the upstairs window asking what's going on which MC yells that it's just her and Cal and they'll be up in a minute. Alejandro uses this time to escape.

Cal and MC go back up to MC's room and Cal tries to get MC to forget about what happened outside and just pick up where they left off after the ice cream date where he dropped her home. He says he knows he has walls around him and is trying to be better. He says he wants to get to know her better and asks what's her favorite thing in her room.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(28)‌ ‌-‌ Let Cal In!***

*MC points to a hacksaw on the wall and states that's her favorite thing in the room. Cal laughs, calling her violent and asks why it's her favorite. She tells the story of how her mother gave it to her after her dad left her. Her mom gave it to her as a weapon to protect herself and MC laughed. Her mom taught her how to saw a bike seat in half. It was a good way to spend what would've been a terrible afternoon. She thanks him for saving her and her mother from Alejandro. Cal pulls her into a hug saying that she thinks he does it only for her but it's for him as well and squeezes her tighter. She asks how he deals with this type of stuff all the time. He replies that it sucks but moments like the one about her hacksaw is what he's fighting for.*

 He asks if Alejandro scratched her which MC denies saying she got the scratch when she fell into the racks. Cal vows to get revenge for that and MC asks him how he even knew she was in danger. He says it's because she didn't reply to his text. Cal apologizes to MC saying that it's his fault she's been getting hurt and having Alejandro in her house. MC tugs him towards her replying it's not his fault. They notice how close they are and he pauses his lips inches from hers while she nods leaning toward. They kiss.

### Episode 11

Cal and MC kiss and keep kissing. MC starts pushing Cal towards the bed where they keep kissing with hands wandering. As it intensifies, Cal suddenly freezes and breaks apart. Once he can manage words again, he says it's late and that he should go. He rushes out the room back home. The next day MC meets the troupe at Nahara's. Nahara confirms that thousands of people can now see demons. The ability to see demons draws more demons. Malakai cannot figure out what ritual Alejandro did at the Circus to start this so Nahara decides to take a look. After they go to the circus and she observes, she states she does not know how to reverse it and it would take time to figure out. She demands the Circus be shut down in the meantime to prevent others from getting demon sight, to the others dismay. While the other troupe members are sad about closing the circus, MC pulls Cal to the side and tells him they need to talk about the kiss. He doesn't want to but agrees they will later that night.

[No heart scene available.]

### Episode 12

They walk back over to where the troupe is and Wrath wonders if closing down the circus is part of Alejandro's plan or just a bonus. Later that night Cal meets MC at her house to talk about the kiss. MC starts off saying that Cal can't just kiss people and leave. Cal cups her face and tells her that he said he was sorry before he kissed her. He tells her everything is his fault, his responsibility, and that Alejandro sees her as his weakness. MC realizes Cal is angry not because Alejandro called her his weakness, but because he was right to think so. Cal says that he'd be an irresponsible man if he'd let this happen and that it's his job to protect people like her. MC asks if it's because he likes her which Cal lets out a small laugh and replies that he does like her too much. He then brushes his thumb over her lips and says it's a bad idea, but still asks for one last kiss.

***Heart‌ ‌scene‌ ‌(29)‌ ‌-‌ Kiss Cal!***

*MC leans in saying she has bad decision skills and Cal laughs while leaning in closer saying that he knows. They kiss and Cal grabs her and pushes her up against the wall. He slides his hands under her shirt causing her to groan and then down her legs telling her to jump as he lifts her and carries her up to her room. He lays her on the bed, hovers over her, and they keep kissing. He stops and stares at her before taking a deep breath and shuttering his eyes for a second caught halfway between desire and pained self-control. MC smirks and pulls him back down to meet her lips again saying that this was a terrible idea. Cal groans into the kiss, his tongue tracing her lips and she arches into him wrapping her legs around him feeling the obvious proof of just how much Cal wants her. He starts necking her saying he better get it all out of his system then. He then flips her on her front and tugs her hips back against him before suddenly the weight behind her is gone and MC looks up to see Cal already across the room. He tells her not to be mad at him. MC is disappointed but wonders if it's hurting him as much as it is her. One look at his face and MC can tell that it is, and perhaps even more.*

They reach the front door and Cal tells her not to stay up too late which she agrees. He turns to leave but looks back on last time saying goodnight.

One week later MC is on her way to pick up bikes at a hotel with her mom and she contemplates on how her life has been somewhat normal with no circus, troupe or demons, though she does see them watching over her in glimpses as she still has demon sight and needs to be protected. Sometimes she thinks she sees Cal's shadow around too. When she reaches the hotel lobby she sees the troupe. Onyx hugs MC and states Cal has been grumpier with her gone. MC's mother notices the troupe has suitcases and Wrath states they've been temporarily removed for fumigation but gives MC a knowing look and MC knows they left because the hotel is afraid of more demons attacks. MC catches Cal with Avi and their eyes meet before Cal ignores her to talk back to Avi. MC zones back into the conversation her mother was having with the troupe and finds out that her mother just invited them all to stay at their house until they have their place sorted out. Her mother tells them that MC has been feeling down lately so having her friends around might cheer her up. MC blushes embarrassed and looks over to Cal who is staring at her with satisfaction and pensiveness. Onyx wonders if she's going to bunk with MC or Cal and her mother says they'll figure it out later. Avi wanders up to MC and asks if she thinks nice people can become dark. MC wonders what he's talking about and Avi explains he sees darkness around Cal now.

[written by anonymous]

## Season 4

### Episode 1

At the casino, Avi with his expression full of worry as he looks up to MC and bites his lips. He tells MC that Cal has darkness around him. MC glances up at Cal who is standing away from them but his brows are slightly furrowed. MC starts to remember parts of the prophecy and begins to wonder if the dark assassin is Cal. MC lowers herself towards Avi’s level and tells him not to worry and that it’ll be okay, even though her voice sounds more unsure, she at least tries to smile for Avi. Avi asks MC if she can make sure Cal does good things. MC smiles as she pokes Avi’s cheek just as Cal comes over to them. MC teasingly tells Avi that she’ll try her best to keep Cal in line, Avi smiles but Cal rolls his eyes. Avi tells Cal that he needs to promise MC or else it won’t work. Cal is taken back, but ends up blushing as he folds his arms over his chest, his lips pressing up into a pout. Cal tries to argue but only makes Avi place his tiny hands on his hips and frowns, which Cal immediately deflates. Avi and Cal do a pinky promise and afterwards Avi tells Cal he now needs to do a “kiss promise”. Which makes MC's heart almost stop inside her chest. Cal, in surprise, asks Avi where he got that idea. Avi looks between Cal and MC with confusion and utter panic. He explains that it was one of those ring commercials where they keep saying that kisses are promises made to people you love. Cal smiles as he ruffles Avi’s hair and clarifies to him that it’s not what kisses are but they’re for when he’s older and for people who are important and irreplaceable. Just then, MC’s mom jogs back towards them with a frown and tells them that they are leaving without them and to stop hogging Avi all for themselves as she happily scoops Avi in her arms. MC notices Cal’s eyes are on Darius who is smirking as they rejoin the rest.

Thirty minutes later, everyone stands in the empty casino. MC feels it slightly surreal, making her realize for the first time on how huge Vegas casinos are. MC shivers but only finds Malakai’s huge hand on her shoulder giving it a squeeze. MC, who tries to find something positive to say when in fact it must be hard for the troupe to lose not just the circus but the casino, tells Malakai that her mom’s cooking is really good and she loves having people over. This makes Malakai smile as he tugs on the stuck zipper of a very full suitcase, he replies to her that he loves good home-cooked meals. Once MC reaches down for a smaller duffle bag left on the ground, she realizes Cal and her reached for the same bag, touching hands. The air thickens between them, and neither of them make the attempt to pull away. She starts to remember the last time Cal and her were this close was when Cal’s fingers dug into her hips and her hands were on his hair. But the train of thought is short-lived as Darius interrupts and tells them to remind the troupe to never leave the packing to Cal and MC. MC averts her eyes as Cal shoots Darius a glare just as Darius smirkly picks up the bag that is still on the floor. MC watches them leave, wondering if she could help or if there’s anything she might have to offer at all.

In MC’s living room, while trying to get everyone’s stuff in the vicinity of their shop or upstairs even though there is a mess, there is laughter as MC’s mom shouts orders around the house. Cal, who looks impressed, tells MC that her mom should hang out with them more often since she’s got everyone running drills. MC gives him a sidelong glance and tells him that they have Wrath, Cal grins and agrees that they do. Right then, MC’s mom orders Cal to help open a box and Cal saunters off just as Avi runs towards MC with a shriek of laughter as they both topple onto the ground as she keeps him wrapped around him in her arms. Avi happily tells her that it was a thank you tackle since the darkness is better now as he looks at Cal across the room. MC tells him that she’s glad Avi is feeling better too and Avi nods and runs off to Wrath. MC notices Onyx with a wide grin before she giggles as she looks at Cal, making MC know that maybe someone put Avi to do the whole “stay close to Cal’’ business. But then, MC’s mom pulls her away from her daydream and tells her to go get her stuff. MC who looks confused makes MC’s mom explain that she needs her to get her stuff from her room since she’ll be staying with Cal in the living room.

[No heart scene available]

### Episode 2

MC’s mom who nudges MC with a sly smile, tells her not to thank her later as she turns back to Cal with a wide grin and tells him that he’ll be sharing the living room with MC and Avi. While Wrath takes MC’s room and Malakai and Darius take the guest room, pointing to each person as MC’s mom tells them their room arrangement. One by one they leave the living room with various excuses and Avi tugs on MC’s hand excitedly and tells her that they’ll be reading bedtime stories which brings MC a smile.

Several hours later, as everyone has settled down for the night. Avi snuggles in between MC and Cal while debating who he wants to sleep closer to. As Avi finally decides to just stay in the middle, Cal tickles Avi which makes him squirm and shout with laughter. Cal asks Avi if he’s nervous and that he can be honest if he is. Avi admits that he is and Cal tells him in a soft and comforting voice that it’s a big change but he has his lights and his favorite PJ’s. MC then comes with an idea to clear out the room in the middle of the living room and put a tent. Once it’s fully set up, Avi with his eyes full of curiosity tells MC he’s never been camping. MC tells him that it’s super fun and that it could be for practice before they really go one day. MC shares her love for camping when she was a kid and how you can be outside but in the tent, it protects you and the people you love. Avi stifling yawns and before he falls asleep he asks if this is really for practice and if they would really go camping someday. MC pats his arm gently and tells him that they will as she glances up towards Cal and sees his gaze on Avi with a smile. Cal informs him that they will and he gives MC a thankful smile in return.

MC wakes up in the middle of the night by a faint noise on the roof and she checks to see only Avi with her who is still sleeping but with Cal gone, MC tiptoes up to the roof and investigates to see Cal. MC shivers by the cool air against her skin and circles her arms around herself to keep warm. MC asks Cal if everything is okay, Cal turns around with a wane smile on his lips even as he looks back out over the Vegas night. Cal replies that he couldn’t sleep due to some dreams and stuff as he gestures towards his temple. MC wanting so hard to reach and touch him and try to pull him towards her like many times before but makes her pause knowing that they can’t. MC bites her lips as she almost asks him about his dreams since the look on Cal’s face tells her it’s not a happy subject. Cal tries to start the conversation by asking what the blanket set and box is doing on the roof. MC smiles at the old memory and explains that when she was younger she used to come to the roof and watch the stars with her mom. And take vacations on the roof when money was tight. And how her mom would drag a tent and tell her to look up at the sky and imagine them on a rooftop in Paris or Venice or Hong Kong. MC’s mom will also tell her that the sky’s the same no matter where you are in the world, they could just pretend to be anywhere. Cal leans in, his head cocked to the one side and MC finally realizing, asks what with them with roofs. He pauses for a moment and grins, he tells her that he doesn’t know but that they seem to have a thing for them. Noticing how Cal is close towards her, Cal then backs away as he runs his hand on his hair as he also faces away from her. He flusters then thanks her for sharing this with him.

Thirty minutes later, Cal and MC find themselves in the grocery store for a late-night run since the troupe all wanted to do a brunch for MC’s mom. MC notices the long list that Onyx made and asks Cal that it’s a bit extra for one meal. This makes Cal laugh as he quirks an eyebrow at her and asks her if she even knows them since according to Onyx, brunch isn’t just a meal, It’s a whole systematic happenstance. He then looks around the store and asks MC if she wants to play a challenge. MC looks and sees the empty aisles, a thrill shocking through her spine and asks if Cal means by shoplifting. Cal, in surprise, tells her that’s not what he meant for which makes MC question herself where the thought came from. He clarifies that the challenge is about who can get more items on the list the fastest. MC bites her lip and asks what the winner gets, for which Cal takes a very close step towards her and tells her that the winner can get whatever they want.

***Heart Scene (28) - Play the game with Cal!***

*MC shoves the list into her pocket and she dashes down the aisle but doesn’t make it far as Cal catches up and wraps his arms around her waist to pull her back. She shrieks in laughter as Cal manages to get the list back as his fingers brush against the skin of her hip bones and he leaves the opposite side of the aisle. MC chases him down, while noticing that Cal is smiling more than she has seen him in the past few days. MC gets the waffles and Cal gets the eggs but MC yells across the grocery store that it’s already on the list. But he smiles that it will be once he updates it. MC tries to get the spinach that was on the list even though Cal is throwing her off. Once she also gets the cilantro and rushes back to the shopping cart, Cal tries to snatch it but she pulls back just in time as she tosses both of the items in the cart. After seven minutes of mad-dashing around the grocery store, Cal tosses the mozzarella cheese towards the cart. MC jumps out and snatches it mid air but Cal’s arms wrap around her and pins her towards his chest, as he attempts to take the last item from her hands as well. Finally, Cal manages to grab the mozzarella from her and with an arm still around her waist, he drops it into the cart, making him the winner. MC asks what Cal wants for his prize and as he leans down and presses his forehead towards her’s. As he smiles, he tells her he wants a moment outside of time. But MC tells him he is asking for the impossible. They both remain silent until Cal breaks the ice and tells her that sometimes with her, everything seems possible, even the impossible.*

Later, when Cal is done paying for the larger than MC imagined amount of groceries, she finds herself outside, staring up into the midnight sky. She notices as a figure makes it towards her. But for some reason, she finds herself leaning forwards instead of squinting at it, as the figure turns out to be a demon. She stretches her hand out without fear, then the demon lurches towards her.

### Episode 3

The demon charges towards MC, but for some reason she doesn’t flinch or pull away. Instead of running from it, she does the opposite by reaching towards it. Just as MC’s fingers grace the demon’s forehead, Cal shoots at the demon and it collapses onto the ground, black sand swirling through the air before dissipating. Cal digs into his pocket for cash and tosses it at the now human who is sprawled on the ground and sarcastically tells him that he won big time. MC and Cal leave and hop inside the car, but MC frowns as she sinks into the passenger’s seat. MC asks Cal if the demon seemed weird to him but Cal shrugs and tells her that all demons are weird. MC replies that somehow she wanted to reach out and touch the demon and that it has never happened before. Cal who seems to contemplate the moment before he shrugs again and reassures her that she’s maybe tired and used to seeing demons now. And that curiosity usually comes after being shocked or terrified of things. MC nods as she’s still unsure but Cal lastly tells her that he’ll look into it though.

Cal shakes MC awake as they finally get back to her place and she stumbles back but Cal firmly keeps his hand wrapped on her wrist as they enter the shop and then in the living room. They both crawl into the tent and Avi is thankfully still asleep. Cal shifts closer to MC, clearing his throat as he does and takes her hand. He tells her that he’s more comfortable like this and MC grins as she nods while their eyes meet. He lets out a soft sigh and so does MC, then Cal closes his eyes and she closes her eyes as well, matching his movements until they both drifty fall asleep. [CG]

MC wakes up by the smell of batter and the sound of happy chatter. Avi who is no longer in the tent but feels Cal’s arms wrapped around her securely and tighter. He tells her that it’s too early which makes MC softly laugh and replies that it’s probably not as she tries to keep her voice low so she does not disturb the obvious boisterous activities outside of the tent. MC then feels Cal nuzzle into the back of her neck as his lips skims her skin. MC blushes as she battles with her rational mind that is telling her to get up but the irrational side of her tells her to curl in and stay with Cal. She secretly grins and tells Cal that they should go help everyone make brunch but he shakes his head while his nose grazes the nape of her neck and tells her to stay. And then, an even more softer voice, Cal tells her to stay with him as he uses the word “please”.

***Heart Scene (29) - Cuddle with Cal!***

*MC agrees to stay with Cal for a bit longer which makes him grin and tug her more tighter as his hands find hers and their fingers lace. His thumb traces along the back of her knuckles before he lifts her hand with his and lets his fingers trail along her palm. MC feels like it’s not the first time, but feels like a muse to a sculptor as Cal’s fingers map out the dips and curves of her hand. It’s only after a few minutes MC realizes he’s wide awake, his eyes fixed on their entwined hands. MC bites back a grin which makes Cal’s chin hook around her shoulder and asks her what she’s thinking about. Like a secret caught between the pair of them, caught between moments in time. She answers that it’s nothing but Cal only chuckles as he tells her she’s a liar, which causes them to both amusedly bicker with one another. MC then twists around his arms to face him, but their noses brush as she does. She blush overcomes the urge to bury her face in his chest to relish the moment forever and evermore. Cal afterwards, then leans down and their forehead touches while their eyelashes flutter like butterfly wings. The moment is interrupted as they hear Malakai yell that it’s too much champagne and also hear Onyx’s voice say in return that there is no such thing. MC laughs and gives up as she finally buries her face into Cal’s chest to muffle the sound. He asks her if she finally sees what he has to suffer through on a daily basis. MC grins as she looks up and sees Cal’s eyes are bright with laughter and warm with affection. MC then wonders what it would be like to be with Cal for the rest of her life as well as being with the troupe. Knowing this, MC believes it’s not a bad life to live with. She answers to Cal and states that the troupe aren’t that bad but Cal rolls his eyes as he tucks her back to his chest. Outside the tent, they hear Onyx and Avi laugh as well as Darius telling everyone to shut up or else they will wake up Cal and MC. Onyx giggles and Avi finally quiets, MC groans as she thinks of the troupe looking outside of the tent. Cal sighs and tells her that there are too many people but MC states that inside the tent there aren’t. Cal grins as he pulls back a piece of hair away from her face and his fingers trail along her cheek and down to her chin to tilt her face up. He tells her that it’s just them in the tent, until they hear Onyx loudly ask the troupe what Cal and MC could be doing inside the tent and Darius chokes on a laugh and replies that they could be doing the unspeakable. By this, it causes a round of laughter rumbling through the room around them. MC sighs and tells Cal the longer they stay the more conspiracy theories the troupe will make. Cal makes no attempt to move as MC is sitting up with Cal’s arm still wrapped around her waist. She tells him to get up and finally Cal doesn’t fight her and he lets her pull him out of the tent.*

With everyone gathered in the kitchen at the table. Avi tells MC’s mom that he wants to make special pancakes for her. MC’s mom smiles widely and tells him that anything he makes will be super delicious. MC’s mom reaches for the mimosa glass but Onyx snatches it away from her and tells her that she’s getting the five-star service from them today. Onyx pours her the heaviest pour of mimosa that MC has ever seen but her mom accepts it with grace even though her cheeks are already light pink. Several minutes later, Avi presents his pancake to MC’s mom and it's decorated as a demon. The whole room freezes even though MC’s mom claps her hands in delight. Wrath trades pointed looks at Cal and Malakai but once they see MC’s mom praise Avi’s work they relax a little. After everyone is stuffed and full from brunch, Wrath tells the troupe to help out with the bike shop even though MC’s mom opens her mouth to protest but Wrath turns to her with a warm smile and tells her that it’s the least thing they can do for her after taking them in. MC’s mom hesitates for another moment but then agrees to allow them to help her and MC around the shop.

That afternoon, everyone is helping around the shop as Malakai is buried in the accounting books and Onyx is already on the high racks, suggesting to put posters on the black wall. Wrath also refastens the racks, adding additional fastening to a couple of handles. All except Cal who is doing all the to-do list that was made from MC’s mom. MC then notices an older woman who’s admiring Malakai as he flexes, making her rush over there until Wrath looks at her watch and tells the rest that it’s time to close the shop. Cal hitches a bright smile and guides the lady out the door and tells her to come back tomorrow and states that maybe Malakai will be wearing less next time she visits. MC swats Cal in the arm as he waves the lady out the door while he shouts to her to bring fifties next time. Once the door shuts, Onyx pulls the door from the back and Cal explains to MC that there's a “ Get drunk by noon” street show going on a couple of blocks away from them, which draws demons. Suddenly three demons crash through the back door as Darius brings them in, letting the troupe handle them easily. MC then notices a demon charge but then escapes and dashes it onto the street.

MC continues to chase after it but once the demon senses her behind they turn with a snarl. MC becomes drawn towards the demon and starts to reach out as the demon finally charges at her while MC shows no signs of dodging it. MC then hears Cal’s voice from behind her and yells at her to get out of the way but he’s not fast enough as MC’s palms meet the demon’s face. And for a moment, nothing happens and the demon is still snarling at her. Until then, the demon shudders, and the scaring lines on its face slowly fade.

### Episode 4

Onyx who looks in disbelief on the now human person on the ground and asks where the demon went. Darius dashes forward and picks the person up and shakes her by the shoulders as he checks to see if there are any signs of a demon that has inhabited her. She blinks and her eyes go wide and she backs away from Darius in fright, and tells him not to help her. A few others who were all recently inhabited and are starting to wake up, stare at the women in bewilderment and start to question if the troupe are trying to harm them. They all run in fear and Wrath tosses a wad of bills to Malakai and he races after the group of terrified people. While the rest stay behind, there's a beat of silence and all eyes are on MC who frowns at her own hands, wondering what just happened. Cal’s fingers wrap around her wrist and she is being pulled behind him, back to the store, up the stairs and into the kitchen.

At the kitchen, MC braces herself for lecture coming from Cal but none of it comes, instead Cal in a quiet tone and a concerned face, asks if she’s okay. For which MC replies that she’s alright which makes Cal slightly relax as his eyes trail down on her body to check for any injuries or maladies. He asks if the demon did anything to her or at least scratch her but MC shakes her head. By this, Cal finally loosens up as unexpectedly brings her towards him for a hug. MC sinks into his embrace as Cal’s lips press into her hair and her fingers trail down his back, dipping beneath the hem of his untucked shirt. Cal blushes and steps back gracefully but with curious eyes he looks down at her and tells her that they need to figure out what happened. MC nods and they both shift back into business as the rest of the troupe all enter into the kitchen. Wrath tells Cal and MC that they checked and there are no signs of more demons nearby.  Darius turns towards MC and asks what she did to the demon which only makes Cal frown, and tells them that he’s more concerned about what the demon might’ve done to MC. Malakai then rushes into the kitchen while slightly huffing and asks if they have figured out what happened, to which Onyx shakes her head and replies that none of them have figured it out yet. All eyes are on MC again and she explains that she made contact with her hand when she touched the demon. Cal jumps in and tells her that she maybe got hit when she wasn’t looking which made her forget what she did or at least has a concussion. MC rolls her eyes and as she’s about to speak, Darius cuts her off as he lets out a loud groan and tells Cal that MC is fine and that he needs to ease up on the overprotectiveness he has around MC, especially with people you love. MC tries to force herself not to look at Cal but fails as she peers at him and notices the weight of his gaze on her before she meets it which makes  her hurriedly look away. MC starts to wonder if Cal is thinking the same thing, that if what they have is “love” but she shakes herself from the train of thought. Just as Malakai suggests that maybe MC made contact with the black demon sand before she touched the demon, this brings another idea towards Onyx as she also suggests that maybe Avi and her did another ritual together. Both suggestions are turned down as MC tells them that neither of them actually happened in the first place. Wrath lets out a sigh and holds up her hand to gather the attention of the rest and tells them that regardless of what happened. They all need to confirm if it’s only happening towards MC. Cal moves closer to MC as he places his hand on her small back and she leans in, Cal tells the rest that he thinks they should at least get her checked out first as he says it with a low but protective voice. Everyone agrees and MC asks Wrath on how they plan on testing it out first. Wrath frowns and tells her the only way is by having some real-life demons.

The next day, they all arrive at a train yard to test it out. While Cal and MC are alone, Cal attempts to go over the plans with MC again but she cuts him off and tells him she already knows. She smirks as she quirks an eyebrow and asks if Cal is nervous for her. Cal shoots her a half-hearted glare and tells her that they are demons and she should always be nervous. MC brushes it off as she tells him that she has him to protect her so there is no reason for her to be nervous. Cal sighs as MC sees a flicker of pride and happiness from what MC just stated. Cal explains to her in a soft voice, close to her ear, that they are demons, murders with claws and teeth. No matter how skilled you are, you have to be careful. Cal explains as he also tucks in a stand of her hair behind her ear with care and MC nods as she notices the close space between them. Darius gives out a loud whistle that pierces the quiet moment, MC and Cal turn and see Darius already gathered a lot of demons with him towards the troupe. Cal puts himself between her and the open yard and ready to start the test. Darius manages to touch a demon by the neck as he whoops his chains and then shows no signs of change in the demon. The troupe members all set themselves to work, trying to touch a demon. By the end, all of them have touched at least a demon and none of them show signs of any changes or getting rid of the inhabited demon. Wrath nods towards her and she tells her that it is her turn to try. Once MC makes contact with a demon, it freezes and like disappearing ink, the lines on its face fade and the now human falls to the ground. Darius cheers for her as MC manages to find another demon that tries to grab her and in return she grabs him by his tie, wondering if it’ll make a difference, which ends up staying a demon still. The demon snarls and makes a lunge towards her but Cal kills it by snapping its neck before it harms her. After all demons have been taken care of, Wrath gives MC a firm hand on her shoulder and tells her that based on what they witnessed, it seems to be in order to get rid of the demon, it is by using skin to skin contact. Darius stares in excitement  and asks if it means MC’s hands are considered a weapon. This causes Malakai to widely stare with realization as he turns back to MC with a big smile as he tells her that she’s the last assassin.

[No heart scene available]

### Episode 5

The sudden realization causes Onyx to clap her hands while gasping dramatically. She excitedly states that it makes sense since when Cal died MC ended up rising as the last assassin. Darius widely smiles as he nods his head and adds in that the only thing the prophecy couldn't count on was Cal coming back to life. Malakai also agrees with them and tells them that if MC is the last assassin, she could be extremely powerful due to her ability to take out demons with her physical contact with her hands. While everyone is overjoyed and excited, MC notices Cal isn’t, his face shows a mask of confusion but worry as his brows furrowed. MC tries to smile but as she considers the implications of being the last assassin, she ends up feeling like everything's coming too fast for her to process it all. She thinks of the life she has of now, working at the bike shop with her mom, and the lazy afternoons spent cataloging parts. Only to also think about the dangers of being an assassin would end up bringing and how she’ll probably never have another peaceful moment. Just then, Cal’s fingers wrap around her wrist and MC finally realizes her hands are shaking and she lets Cal take her away from the rowdy troupe towards the car and then drives away.

Twenty minutes later, MC and Cal find themselves at the arcade as they step through the doors. Cal grins as he looks around the arcade, at the neon-colored lights, the flashing pinball machines, the claw games and the air-hockey table. He explains that it was the first place he came to after he found out he was an assassin from a very young age. And he came here in the first place because he wanted to remember who he was. MC smiles and tells Cal that she didn’t know Cal was a gamer but he smiles in return as he shakes his head. He clarifies to her that he wasn’t a gamer since he didn’t have the money. Which makes MC’s chest squeeze and Cal continues to explain that  he came to the arcade a lot because his parents didn’t care where he was or what he did, so he decided to spend hours just watching how people moved and interacted. This makes MC wonder for a brief moment, if Cal ever tried to imagine a life with parents who cared whenever he saw parents with their children. Which only makes her wince and close the thought from her mind. Cal smirks and tells her that he also thinks is where he also learned how to shoot too. And he continues to smile as he looks around the arcade and tells hers that he believes that that’s what makes you a great assassin, knowing that you’ll still be who you are even if you’re an assassin. He turns to look at her and tells her that he wants to continue getting to know her such as he dreams and her aspirations. He takes a step closer to her and his hand reaches up to tuck her hair behind her ear and he asks with a low voice if he can tell her.

***Heart Scene (29) - Show Cal who you are!***

*MC smiles and tells him that he’ll need to start driving as she flashes him a wink over her shoulder as she walks towards the doors of the arcade. Once they arrive at the skate park a few minutes later, memories of childhood come back to MC and starts to remember the halcyon days spent laughing there, learning new tricks, making friends whose faces she’s long forgotten. MC’s eyes land on a bike that’s been locked to one of the lamp posts off the side of the park and decides to approach it and use a pin out of her pocket and inserts it into the keyhole. Cal, who stands behind her, watches with raised eyebrows and asks her if she’s stealing. MC scoffs, and tells him she’s temporarily borrowing it. After it unlocks, MC speeds down a half-pipe, warming up with some tricks until the next round Cal hops onto the back of the bike and he wraps his arms around her waist. MC grins and tells him to hold on tight and she races down the skate park as she’s picking up the speed. MC makes flips and tricks and soon a crowd gathers and they clap and cheer whenever they finish a move. Cal reaches forward to put his hands over her with his cheek pressed against the side of her face. Cal tells her to let him try but MC wiggles her hand out from beneath Cal’s hands and tells no since she’s the one steering. Cal twists the head of the bike to the left and causes them to both careen down a ramp. MC lets go of the handlers and the bike flies up into the air and her and Cal go flying as well. They both end up falling before either of them know it, Cal’s arms wrap around her and she knows that everything will be okay. As they stumble into a heap on the technicolored concrete surrounding the park, Cal carefully keeps her from getting hurt. They roll over each other, laughing till their stomachs hurt until they finally come to a stop and MC is on top of Cal with her face just centimeters from his.* [CG] *Cal’s fingers on her hips hold her steady as MC thanks him for reminding her of who she is and who she will always be. Which Cal tells her if she means that she’s adorable and annoying. MC laughs as she remembers the first time she met him and replies to Cal that he doesn’t need to lie since she knows he likes her just the way she is. She pushes up off his chest and dusts off her clothes.Cal gets up as well and he flashes a lopsided grin and tells her that he has never lied about that before. And as he leans in, he grins and tells her that he doesn’t plan on starting.*

MC and Cal arrive at Nahara’s shop in hopes of getting answers. Nahara sarcastically says that they can just barge into her store whenever they like. MC in embarrassment ducks her head but Nahara smiles and tells her she wasn’t talking about her as she gives MC a long hug, which makes Cal frown slightly. Cal asks Nahara if she’s seen anything just as Nahara leads MC to the table and sits her down and pours her a steaming cup of tea. Instead of answering Cal's question, she replies that she’s been doing very well and thanks him for asking. This causes Cal to cross his arms and tells her that he’s being serious. She replies that so is she and then she points to MC the cup of tea and tells her to drink up for her. Once she drinks, Nahara smiles and tells her to leave the dreg and swirl them around and to repeat after her and say abracadabra. Cal who has had enough, his brow is furrowed more than usual and yells that they aren’t playing around. Nahara frowns and tells him if that’s not what he was doing ever since he was circumventing the prophecies and trying to toy with death. Nahara explains that thanks to Cal, she can’t even see the assassins since he has messed with her seer vibes. Cal lets out a long breath and deflates slightly. Nahara answers Cal’s questions before he asks them and tells him that she has never seen anything like it before and she doesn’t know where MC got her powers. Nahara sets down her cup and tells him that she doesn’t even know what caused it or if MC is really the last assassin but all she knows is that everything will be revealed with time since that’s how the world works. Nahara tells Cal to drink his tea before it gets cold and Cal does so but instead drowns it in one gulp. MC sits back as she lets Nahara pour her more tea and starts to think the idea of being an assassin is exciting but it’s nice to just be her for just a little bit longer.

The next following day, MC and her mom spend time together at the mall since they are having more downtime due to the troupe helping with the shop. MC’s mom happily continues to talk about how the troupe on how their big help causes a lot of huge sales these days. MC’s mom then tells MC that she’s been getting a lot of calls from moms in the neighborhood and that they are interested in visiting. MC smirks and asks if they are just visiting in order to just say hi. Just then, MC’s body stiffens and the hairs on the back of her neck all stand and she looks around. A moment later, she finds the reason why, it turns out Alejandro walks towards them with a broad grin and greets them both. MC steps in front of her mom and tells him to leave, MC’s mom in concern asks her if she knows him. MC replies with a frown that he is no one good. MC’s mom backs away from behind MC and takes off her glasses and steps in front of Alejandro instead, she tells him that she doesn’t know him but that she’s upsetting her daughter so he needs to leave. Alejandro is taken back but just then Cal appears and tells him that he has heard MC’s mom, that his presence isn’t welcomed. Cal sarcastically quotes a famous movie and asks why he is obsessed over them. Which MC bites hard not to laugh from the sarcasm remark. She then wonders if Cal was having her and her mom followed for their safety but her thoughts are interrupted as MC’s mom asks her why Cal is here and if he knew that Alejandro was going to show up. MC shakes her head and pulls her away and leads her towards a shop as quickly as she can and tells her mom to stay and wait for a bit. Just as she rejoins them, Alejandro’s voice suddenly grows loud with anger and hatred. Alejandro glares at Cal and tells him that Cal has mistaken “obsession” with vengeance since Cal stole his life.

### Episode 6

Alejandro takes a menacing step forward, but Cal stays his ground, seemingly unaffected. Alejandro, in anger, tells Cal that everything Cal has such as his assassin title and status was all supposed to be his and not Cal's. Cal pauses and realizes that Alejandro was supposed to be Sloth. MC in displeasure, cuts in and tells Alejandro that she can see why it didn’t work out for him to be the Sloth assassin since if he turned sides without even being an assassin, he won’t be able to imagine how terrible of an actual assassin he would've been. MC then gets cut off by Cal’s small glare and she quiets herself, unsure where the sudden outburst came from. Alejandro humorlessly laughs, tells them that their time is up for today and that they would have to count on their retribution. Alejandro seems to have been speaking to Cal but he leers at MC as he backs away from them and leaves the mall. Cal makes no move to go after him and MC in wonder asks what Alejandro means by retribution and what it could mean for the troupe at large

The next day, Cal wakes MC up bright and early and drags her to the gym to start training her. MC rubs her eyes and asks Cal to remind her why they are here early. Cal smirks and explains to her that he has an opening shift at the bike shop. MC asks if he couldn’t wait till after his shift for which Cal flatlines tells her because “no”. Cal wordlessly picks up what looks like a battle-ax and hands it to MC while giving instructions to toss it as a series of wooden targets. MC does so but horrendously affects. They end up going through several other would-be weapons but none of them work especially the archery set. Cal heaves an almost angry sigh and tells her if she knows that if a demon were coming at her she would’ve died. MC huffs at the frustration at both of her lack of skill and Cal’s attitude bubbling up inside her stomach. She replies that she would’ve poofed them out of existence with her bare hands in case Cal forgot what she’s capable of doing. He then asks her what if it were Alejandro, which ends up bringing memories of the other night when Alejandro grabbed her in the bike shop. She swallows and shakes the memory away with a lofty tone and tells Cal that that’s why they are at the gym. He frowns and tells her that that’s not the point as he tugs the bow from her hands and pulls her closer to him. MC who starts to notice that Cal isn’t usually this harsh with her, asks what the point really is as she leans in, crowding into his personal space. He looks down at her and right before he is about to explain, he breaks off as he realizes how close they are. He sighs and takes a half step back as he also runs his hands through his hair. He explains that she’s nowhere near strong enough to be an assassin and if they don’t start training now, she’ll be putting herself and others in danger. MC flinches at the inherent truth to Cal’s words and asks what’s Cal’s problem today. And if making her feel bad is going to somehow motivate her to do better. Cal’s expression shifts, from wide-eyes shock to a softer, gentler look of determination. He lets out a small puff of laughter and asks her if she wants to know what his problem is. By the voice and the look on Cal’s face, MC knows that Cal’s no longer angry but also looks at her in hopes of her asking why.

***Heart Scene (27) -Find out why Cal’s being hard on you!***

*Cal stares at her for a long moment before his whole body seems to fill with breath as he holds it and then he lets it out. He tells her that MC is his problem. He shakes his head as he throws his hands up into the air and explains that she has come crashing into his life, unannounced, and she gets under his skin. And she somehow burrowed into his chest like some kind of mole in his heart and she made a home there. He shakes his head even as he runs a haphazard hand through his hair and he continues to explain that suddenly MC is everywhere all the time. That Avi adores her cause she runs a bike shop which granted he thinks it’s kinda cool but it’s not the point but also MC has a comeback for everything and asks who even has a comeback for everything nowadays. MC smirks as she watches Cal rants and feeling her chest grow with warmth. She asks if it’s Cal but he replies that other than him, there's no one else but her who comes up with comebacks. Not only that, but MC also says stuff that sometimes keeps Cal awake at night, and him being an assassin, can’t lose sleep over some girl with pretty eyes and terrible fashion senses. MC laughs and tells him “ouch” and Cal tells her with wide eyes that she’s not even offended by him anymore. She smiles and tells him that she's the girl with a horrible fashion sense and is now immune to his snark. Cal laughs and then reaches forward to brush a finger against her cheek and as he tries to explain what he can’t stop thinking about, he ends up dropping his hand and MC fights the urge to put Cal’s hand back on her cheek. He tells her that he can’t stop thinking about the feeling of her hand in his and the shape of her smile.*

*But then his voice trembles and then he says it as if it were a curse or spitting out the poison that MC can be an assassin now. He crosses his arms like he’s trying to protect himself from something and he reminds her that being an assassin it's just about wearing cool clothes and circus routines, it’s dangerous. Based on Cal’s confession, MC realizes that Cal is afraid and that’s why he’s been too hard on her because he doesn’t want to lose her. It all hits MC all at once, the ramification of being an assassin, and all this time she was too caught up on the possibility of being an assassin, she’s forgotten what it could mean for everyone else who cares for her.*

MC takes a deep breath, steadies herself as best as she can, then reaches down to pick the archery set again and tells Cal to show her one more time. He is taken back but then steps behind her and presses her body with his. And closely to her ear, he demonstrates to her how to shoot as he aligns her hips, straightens her shoulders, and presses his palms to her lower belly. And finally, he smirks and tells her to shoot.

Later that night, MC is tucked away on the couch reading when Cal appears into the room. She looks up as Cal greets her with blushing cheeks. He jerks his head towards the door and tells her to come with him. She good-naturedly rolls her eyes and she bookmarks her page in the book and settles it down. She frowns and tells Cal that it better not be another impromptu training session since she can’t feel her arms from their morning session. Cal scoffs and tells her that it’s not.

They make their way to the roof, just as MC is about to say something about them and roofs until the sight before causes her to stop her in her tracks. A full-on makeover, complete with lantern lights and the tent with a massive telescope next to it. And even comfy chairs, a glass parapet, and a full-blown bed. MC gasps at a loss for words as Cal explains that she said that she and her mom liked to come up to the roof a lot, so from now on, MC can take a vacation from all of them from downstairs. She lets out an incredulous laugh as she looks around but in surprise, she tells him that it must’ve cost a fortune. Cal shakes his head and smirks while telling her that it’s not completely for her so she shouldn't get carried away. He runs a hand along with one of the chairs before plopping down. He explains that the troupe was saying that it was getting cramped downstairs so he thought he might as well use the space. He then blushes and he also states that they can sleep under the stars so her mom can get the living room back. MC realizes that it must have taken Cal all of his free time to do all of this, therefore he must’ve done it after his shift. MC thanks him and Cal tells her that he figured that the roof can be another one of her places to remind her of who she is even when her future is uncertain. MC's cheeks turn hot and she tells Cal that she doesn't know what to say whenever Cal is all nice. Cal laughs and replies that she doesn’t have to say anything since he knows she’s impressed. She rolls her eyes and lightly shoves him and tells him that she’s impressed that he managed to sneak off even though he was supposed to be helping run the bike shop all day.

A few moments later, Avi’s found his way up to the roof and admires the new roof. Cal smiles and tells Avi that it’s the next phase to camping. Avi laughs as he throws himself onto the bed, sprawled out on all fours. Avi excitedly tells them that they got to go to sleep right now. Which MC smiles and they indulge Avi’s wild fantasies about what real camping might be like. But MC can’t help but wishing Avi would fall asleep sooner so she can spend more alone-time with Cal. Avi then asks Cal and MC since there's a bed now, would she and Cal be sleeping in it. His little forehead furrows and he also asks Cal and MC to promise him to share and not fight over the bed. They both nod and eventually Avi ends up falling asleep. MC watches as his tiny chest rises and falls as she and Cal are on either side of him in the tent. Cal and her sneak away to bed, careful not to wake him but when they are both tucked in, MC glances over to Cal and tells him that he keeps talking about her future but what about his. Cal turns towards her and states that he didn’t use to think he’ll have one. MC asks what he now thinks of it as of now. He comes closer towards her and replies that now things are different and that maybe there’ll be more to his happy ending than he ever thought.

### Episode 7

Cal and MC look at each other, blushingly. MC asks Cal if he is happy now which causes Cal to smile that is vulnerable and unguarded but beautiful. He responds that he is or that at least he is as happy as someone like him can be. MC laughs and she nudges him on the arm as she tells him that it is a rare opportunity. Cal laughs in return as his gaze traces along the lines of MC’s face. He then asks the same question to MC if she’s happy and in return, she smirks and answers that she is or at least someone like her can be. Cal opens his mouth to respond but Avi interrupts the moment and asks them what they are doing. MC finds Avi’s fingers curling into the fabric of her shorts while his other hand is rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Cal crouches down to pick Avi up and swings him around before pulling into a hug. Cal tells Avi that he and MC were talking about being happy. Avi’s eyes light up as he squirms out of Cal’s grasp to patter over MC, throwing his arms around her waist. He yells, chanting that Cal’s happy and that he rarely says that. Cal frowns and tells him that he always tells him that he’s happy all the time. Avi rolls his eyes and explains that Cal only tells him that whenever he’s with him only, but the difference is that he finally said it around MC, therefore Avi adds in that Cal is “branching” out. Cal, in surprise, asks Avi where he learned the new phrase and Avi grins as he answers that it was Onyx who taught him and that she has said that he needs to learn to branch out or else he’ll be alone forever. After Cal shows Avi the new renovations around the roof, Avi asks what they can do to keep being happy. Cal glances over at MC with a wide smile and tells her if they shall continue being happy.

***Heart Scene (28) - Be happy with Cal and Avi!***

*Cal reaches out to take MC’s hand, briefly lifting it up to skim his lips to the back of her hand as he shoots a wink. He then lets their hands fall and MC then reaches out for Avi, tickling along his side as he squeals with laughter. Avi tells MC that they should go on an adventure for which Cal looks at Avi with fondness. MC asks what kind of adventure and where at. Avi thanks for a moment until he perks up and points at the sky and tells them that they should go to the moon. Cal picks up Avi and plops him down on the bed and takes out a small box out of the pillows that it piled onto it. MC follows and she flops onto the bed and helps prop the pillows up against one another. Avi shakes the bed as he tells Avi to hold on tight for a blastoff. Avi tells him to wait and that he wants Cal and MC to join him. Cal frowns and tells him that there isn’t enough room for everyone. Avi tells Cal that there is as he tells MC to sit on Cal’s lap and Avi sits in MC’s lap, that way they all can fit. MC hesitates for a brief moment before she ends up climbing onto the bed and sits down in between Cal’s legs with his chest against her back. Avi claps in delight and he sits himself in MC’s lap and MC wraps her arms around Avi’s waist and Cal does the same with MC as his chin rests on her shoulder. Cal shakes the bed with his legs and everyone falls into a pile of laughter. Avi turns around to face MC and Cal and tells them that he loves them which stuns MC but she smiles as she replies that she also loves him too. Cal wraps his arms around both of them and tells Avi that he has his whole heart. Avi asks if they are all happy because they love each other and Cal replies that they do since all of happiness is loving someone and being loved back. Avi then replies that he loves them both to the moon and back. Which makes MC pull Avi closer to her and press a small kiss to his forehead. After a few moments, Avi turns his head to look at Cal and MC again and questions if they love each other too. MC and Cal look at each other and MC notices the unbridled affection in his gaze that almost leaves MC breathless. Cal smiles and he confesses that they both do.*

The next day, MC and her mom go out for lunch as the troupe takes care of the bike shop. MC’s mom asks how things are going with her with the troupe. MC blinks and is uncertain on what answer her mom is expecting since she has the look of an answer she wants to hear. She answers her that it’s fine which MC’s mom only scoffs and rolls her eyes and asks her if it’s really fine after the “boy” built her an entire house on their roof since she didn’t raise her to sleep on such a good opportunity. MC knows that her mom is talking about Cal which she leaves a small sigh and tells her that she isn’t sleeping on anything. MC’s mom clicks her tongue and asks MC what on earth is she waiting for when Cal is such a nice boy. MC frowns from the question that has been ringing out against the hard lump that has been forming inside her stomach for the past few weeks. In MC’s mind, she asks herself what is she waiting for, but more importantly on what Cal is waiting for. MC chews her lips, unsure of how to respond and MC’s mom looks at her and asks her if she’s trying to decide between Cal and the other terrible man with no hair, if so then it will be a total no-brainer. MC is taken back and tells her that it’s not about Alejandro. This gives MC the moment to think that it’s probably not Alejandro or MC or Cal, that it's just the world and her new powers and assassin stuff. Finally, MC is able to give her mom a direct answer by telling her that there's a lot of stuff that is changing and she thinks it’s just hard for her and Cal to make a decision. MC’s mom nods in understanding as she takes a messy bite of her barbecue chicken. MC’s mom tells her that things are always changing and they are always going to and asks her if she remembers her telling her that when she was little that change is the only constant in the world. Which of course MC remembers and MC’s mom tells her that when you think you know something oftentimes, life will surprise you with the truth. MC smiles and asks her if all moms just happen to have a secret notebook of sayings stashed away somewhere. MC’s mom smiles back and she swats MC’s hand away from her plate. MC’s mom tells her that she might not know what’s keeping her and Cal apart but she does know that if you want something you gotta go after it with both hands and hold on tight once you get it. MC nods as she begins to think of the things that Cal and her have been through after meeting each other and the times they almost lost each other but they didn’t, realizing that her mom is right that life is a little too short. That she shouldn't let this pass her by or else she’ll probably regret it for the rest of her life.

Back at MC’s home in her kitchen, MC who is nervous tells herself that she can do it. Right then, Cal appears and asks her what’s up. MC instead blurts out a diagnostic report of everyone’s current locations such as Malakai doing errands with her mom, Wrath and Darius are out on a demon patrol, and Onyx is watching the store. Cal blinks and is taken back but manages to smirk and sarcastically tells her that it’s good to hear “soldier”. MC huffs and shoots him a glare. She stutters until she manages to tell Cal that they are both alone as she blushes. Which Cal nods but only makes MC let out a frustrated sigh before sucking in a breath and trying to calibrate herself. She then tells Cal that they should compare hand sizes which only ends up making MC feel embarrassed as Cal’s eyebrows shoot up. He answers that she should give him her hand. MC blinks and is about to change her mind until Cal reminds her that she didn't want them to compare hand sizes which MC slowly lifts her hand and places her palm against his. All at once, he laces his fingers through her’s and tugs her towards him, making her topple into his chest. Cal’s free arm circles around her waist as he smirks down at her and smirkingly asks her if she was trying to flirt this whole time which MC tries to deny. MC attempts to push away from him but Cal tugs her back resolutely. Cal demonstrates to her that if he were to try to flirt he’ll do something like this. Cal suddenly squeezes her hand before letting his other hand fall to her waist and hoists her up onto the kitchen counter and parks between her legs. MC swallows down the buzzing excitement in her throat as she fixes him with a level look. MC tells Cal that she was just trying to measure his hand for some glove orders. He smirks, which tells MC that he doesn’t believe her but the sudden adrenaline rush seems to have calmed her initial nerves that MC tells Cal that if she were to flirt she’ll do something like this as she hooks her ankles around his waist and pins him towards her. MC being able to feel the muscles of his stomach and his hold on her waist just tighten as his pupils dilate. Cal’s voice becomes low and breathy as he asks her what else she would do as his eyes flicker from her eyes towards her lips. MC smirks and tells him that if she were extra flirty she’ll do something like this as she trails her fingers down his chest and loops her thumbs into the belt of loops of his pants. And she pops the button at the front before tugging down the zipper inch by agonizing inch.

### Episode 8

MC’s fingers are still resting on the cool metal of Cal’s undone zipper and MC can see the hitch in Cal’s breath, his entire body tightening, her shoulder hike, and how his cheek floods in color. Cal opens his mouth to almost respond and MC inexplicably starts to move forward towards him. But unfortunately, they both start hearing footsteps echo up the stairs that they both move away from each other and scramble to make themselves somewhat presentable. Right on time, Darius enters the kitchen as he is laughing loudly at something that Onyx is murmuring right behind him. Wrath and Malakai enter along with them as well and MC ends up biting down her bottom lip to stop herself from looking disappointed. Darius notices that he dubiously asks MC and Cal if they were interrupting something for which only makes Cal glare and responds that he doesn't always. Onyx claps her hands as she giggles as if she isn’t at least a bit sorry, she tells MC that she’ll get used to it since as a twin she hardly ever got any “me-time”. And now, with all of them on top of one another, it’s like Onyx’s childhood all over again and she’ll just use this as an excuse to give everyone hugs since they could always use more hugs. Onyx hugs Malakai as if to illustrate it and Malakai laughs as he hoists Onyx up onto his back and admits that it does remind him of home but with less combat. MC who can’t help but laugh as she looks up to see Darius, Cal, and Wrath all remain quiet and realizes that not everyone is super-stroke with having alone time, but at least they don’t seem unhappy about it. Cal catches MC’s eyes and flashes her a reassuring grin. Malakai clears his throat and they all turn to give him their full attention as the mood quickly turns serious. Malakai tells them that they are getting closer to finding out what Alejandro did to the circus but it’s taking a bit longer than he expected. Wrath frowns and tells everyone that they are running out of time as her shoulders tighten which makes others tense too. Wrath explains that the hotel has already finished fumigation, and in a couple of days, they’ll finish up the chemical checks as well but she tells them that they all know well that they won’t find anything abnormal with those chemical checks so the hotel will open to the public again. Onyx adds that they still haven’t figured out on how to reverse all the people from seeing demons as well for which Cal purses his lips and tells them that it seems like the public is driving demons in a frenzy that a lot of fear is going around now. Darius smirks as an idea finally shows up, he tells them that maybe they should just let MC go around and high-fiving everyone or something. Onyx’s eyes brighten and she immediately jumps off Malakai’s back and agrees as she also asks MC if she’ll like to officially join the circus. Malakai also seems to agree as well and he adds that it would be interesting to put MC in front of the crowd and make her look desirable. Cal right away objects as he frowns hard that his eyebrows might touch. He tells them that MC isn’t a thing and they can’t just make her parade around all of Vegas. He huffs and looks at Wrath as if he’s hoping she’ll agree but Wrath looks at MC with a spark in her eyes. She says that it’s not a terrible idea as she turns and sees a gaping Cal and tells him that they’ll make sure they have MC’s written consent and check in every step of the way since it’s their only option.

Several days later at the circus, MC sees Onyx tossing up a huge handful of glitter while Malakai and Darius are both pulling on party poppers to compete with foghorn sound effects. Cal who looks less wound up than he did before, MC’s eyes catch on the drink in his hand. Everyone says “surprise” and MC laughs as she makes her way into the circus but is still delightfully bewildered. She thanks them but asks them what for. Onyx skips over to her and presses something into her hands and tells her that she’s been working on it ever since Cal and MC but suddenly Cal interrupts before she says anything further, and tells her it’s just an outfit. Cal pushes a drink into her hands as MC can tell that Cal is blushing and explains that it’s good to celebrate every other week or so as his voice is close to her ear and she glances again to see him looking at her with a tender smile. Onyx giggles and she gives MC a slight push towards the Catwalk and tells her to go change and flirt later.

MC stares at herself in the mirror for a moment to wonder if that’s really her. She smoothes down over the thin and elastic material and wonders how Onyx knew all her measurements so exact. She starts to look at her hands and the wave of anxiety seizes to her as she thinks of all the people looking at her with the weight of their eyes weighing on her body. She closes her eyes and reminds herself to breathe but the moment is disturbed as Cal says behind her that if she needs a yoga mat they can steal one from Darius. She turns and sees Cal make his way towards her with a slight smirk and asks if she isn’t nervous. She crinkles her nose and turns back to the mirror and tells him no but then changes to maybe. Cal laughs and tells her that they’ll figure out a way to keep her out of the spotlight, at least until she really needs to be there. He fully comes behind her as MC asks what she’s thinking about and Cal answers that she’s thinking about him. MC lets out a small sigh, letting herself lean back into his chest while Cal tells her that he’ll be with her on every step of the way. MC sinks into his embrace for a few precious seconds, making the world fall away to just the two of them. Cal tells her that with the outfit she’s wearing, the troupe got to make sure she isn’t stealing the show, which only makes MC grin and responds that Cal is being nice again and asks how many strikes that is now. Cal laughs in return and asks her if it still counts if he’s telling the truth. MC turns to Cal to answer him but Onyx’s voice shouts up from below and asks them what’s taking them so long since they want to see MC’s new outfit. Cal sighs and tugs away from her and tells them that they should go now. Which MC agrees, but Cal reaches out his hand and waits for her to take it before they descend back into the circus, where others are waiting for them.

At a park that is crowded with people as the troupe set up an impromptu performance outdoors, since the circus is still giving people demon-sight. MC watches as the troupe all flow through their routines with an effortless grace and elegance that MC feels that she dearly lacks. The nervousness buzzes in the pit of her stomach like a hoard of angry bees that she feels so numbed out by it that she can’t even be amazed at all the stunts that everyone is pulling off. Cal materializes next to her and she flashes him a small smile before casting her eyes out over the crowd of the people. She asks Cal if he is sure that there are demons out there which makes Cal scoffs and reaches out to tug on a strand of her hair, the motion is tender and absent like he didn’t have to think about it. Cal sarcastically says since their team is “half-naked” in a park, he’ll be surprised if half of Vegas weren’t out there thirsting so demons should definitely be there. MC nods as she licks her very dry lips, Cal reassures her that it’s going to be okay and if she’s ready as he places his hand on her shoulders and she lets out another sigh and tells Cal that she honestly isn’t ready but before she finishes off her sentence Cal cuts her off and tells her that he’ll tell Wrath that she’s out. But MC yells no that she can do this and that she has to do this which makes Cal turn to her with his face full of steadfast concern. He tells her that she isn’t ready, not unless she is truly ready since she never has to do anything that she doesn’t want to. MC replies that she knows but she wants to do it as she squeezes his forearms and a moment later sees him relax into her touch. He looks at MC and tells her to at least let him fix her hair which makes MC blink and asks him what is wrong with her hair. Cal smirks and says that it’s nothing but a thing that’ll help her feel better. He reaches up again to tug the same strand of hair and lets his fingers trail along her jaw till his palm is resting along her neck. MC shivers at his touch and the part of her wonders what he has in mind.

***Heart Scene (27) - Get Cal’s Touch!***

*MC nods in agreement which makes Cal smile and leans forward to cup her cheeks before slowly running his fingers through her hair and letting his nail scrape against her scalp. When he reaches the base of her skull, he gently digs his fingers into the top of her spin and she lets out a soft groan. Cal asks if she’s enjoying herself which MC huffs out a breath with hot blush working into her cheeks that she reaches to tug his hands away before he catches her hands and places them around his waist instead. He tells her not to move around too much since it’s distracting, there’s no bite in his voice that he sets back to work as he runs his fingers along with her skull. She starts to feel Cal pull her closer and so close that she lets her eyes flicker open again that she only sees his Seabreeze eyes, the light from the midday sun refracting off his lashes. She almost hiccups as Cal’s fingers dance along her neck to her spine, sending wave after wave of shivers coursing down her spine. MC starts to feel her heart pounding against the back of her throat that she wonders briefly if he hears how hard it’s pounding for him. MC begins to wonder if her heart has ever beaten fast for anyone before, that she hasn't even been nervous when she was getting med-school applications back. Cal who notices MC in deep thought, that he breaks MC’s train of thought as he tells MC that he doesn’t like MC to think about other things that aren’t even him when it’s just the two of them. Cal’s voice gazes across her skin in a deep rumble which makes MC glance up and her chest tightens as she finds him smirking down at her. MC asks Cal on how he knew she wasn’t thinking about him which Cal answers that MC was frowning hard for a second. MC scoffs and replies that she frowns when she thinks about him all the time. He grins, his expression almost wolfish as he works his fingers up to her scalp again and replies to MC that not recently she hasn’t. This causes MC to blush so furiously, that she almost tugs herself away from his grapes but something about his presence keeps her rooted to the ground. MC wonders how Cal could say things like that and if he has been watching her that close and for how long. She doesn’t answer back, and a moment later, Cal brushes his fingers along her face, as if he’s sweeping away stray bits of her hair. He asks if it made her feel better to which MC looks up with her worrying her lip and answers that it has very much. Cal grins and explains to her that tactile therapy is one of the best ways to get people to calm down and feel more centered on their own bodies. He answers that he’s pretty good at “touch-related” things which only makes MC wonder what else is in that category. MC tries not to let her mind wander as she feels Cal’s finger down her arms, letting them come to rest on her hips. And for a moment, they just stand there, holding each other in the massive park filled with people hooting and hollering. Cal breaks the moment that MC should know that he doesn’t give head-messages freely, that he’ll be expecting payment in full. MC witnesses as there is a glint to Cal’s gaze that makes her wonder exactly what kind of payment he might be talking about.*

MC swallows down another heavy blush and opens her mouth to snark back when Wrath’s voice rings out from their left. Knowing that it's their cue to join the troupe, but neither of them wants to pull away. MC starts to feel a renewed sense of nervousness threatening to accost her sense until Cal tips her chin up so their faces are only inches away. MC curls her fingers into the clothes at Cal’s waist which only makes Cal smile and reassure her that she shouldn’t worry that they’ll be looking at the stage but he’ll be watching her. Therefore, Cal adds that he will also not let anything happen to her which MC nods as he runs a thumb across her cheek and finally says that he promises.

A moment later, Cal tugs MC towards the crowd, their screaming pounds into MC’s ears that she squeezes his hand and Cal flashes her another reassuring smile before he hollers like a party-goer and dashes onto the stage while pulling her with him. Cal glances at her one last time as they finally reach the edge of the stage and dive off into the crowd. A million pairs of hands suddenly support their weight and Cal yells to hold on tight. MC can only nod back as the crowd takes them away from the stage. And for a while, Cal never lets go of her hand while they continue crowd-surfing. As MC almost starts to enjoy herself until someone screams and she feels Cal’s grip on her tighten. She turns to look at him only to find him staring at something at the edge of the crowd with his eyes wide.

### Episode 9

MC follows Cal’s gaze, only to find a demon, frothing at the mouth, the marks stark against its skin. Because of this, MC realizes that people can see demons and they must be confused just as some people start to desperately try to get away. MC maneuvers herself over the waves of people and starts to crowd surf until she reaches towards the demon. MC stretches out her hand and twists but manages to clap on the arm in for what resembles a badly-aimed high-five. The demon immediately stills and MC watches as the black marks fade from its face and their eyes start to clear with unseeing, frenzied glaze. MC jumps down onto her feet and the now de-demonized guy shifts to the side as it reveals three other demons behind him. Feeling the adrenaline and the excitement, MC glances at the crowd and realizes that they are still watching her. Knowing that they are expecting some kind of circus performance, MC dips into a flourishing bow before coming back up and running her hands over the demon’s faces as if it was a blessing for them to be part of the circus routine. Before she finishes off the last demon, a shot goes right through its forehead, and the audience gasps. The dark lines fade from the demon’s face and the person remains standing, spectators break out into a round of applause. Cal lands lightly next to her and MC tells him that she had that one which makes Cal quirked an eyebrow and replies that so did he. MC resists to stick a tongue out at him before finally saying that she got more than he did. Cal is about to retort when suddenly Wrath’s voice rings over the crowd and announces the end of the show. When most of the crowd has gone, everyone gathers around her and Onyx excitedly states that MC got three demons and it was only her first day, which MC is going to put everyone out of commission at this rate. MC laughs and glances over to Cal, expecting him to pitch in on the flattery but instead finds him frowning. Darius asks Cal if he isn’t going to tell his “girlfriend” how much ass she kicked on her first day at assassin school. Cal shoots Darius a glare and tells the troupe that the demons didn’t ash which Darius scoffs, telling Cal that it doesn't matter as long as they’re gone. Cal isn’t in agreement that he asks if the demons should already know that MC could get rid of demons by now since word usually gets around pretty fast with them. Therefore, Cal states that the demons should already have seen her and run but instead they just stood there. Onyx, who is unbothered by Cal’s assertions, says that the demons were probably thinking they could’ve taken her out but they were proven wrong and she loves it when girls kick ass like they were meant to. Cal continues to frown but softens slightly that MC believes that Cal is just being overprotective and should just be happy that she kicked a lot of ass today.

That very night, MC is awakened by the sound of heavy breathing and turns to see Avi sleeping peacefully sleeping next to her, one around her arm, the other around Cal’s. MC frowns as she notices Cal squirm around the bed and a light sheen of sweat glistening on his skin. She attempts to reach out and touch Cal, but his hand shoots up, catching her wrist as his eyes flash open. He blinks at her for a second before his grip slacked as he sighs, pushing himself up onto his elbows. Cal apologies and MC replies that it’s okay as she begins to realize all the hints of sleepiness Cal has to go through. She asks if he was having a bad dream which Cal purses his lips and answers that it was something like that and that he guesses he’s still adjusting to everything just as he gestures around at the roof and MC flashes him a smile, sarcastically replying that it is such terrible conditions to adjust to, making Cal laugh as they make their way to the glass barrier, leaning against the railing. Cal admits that he’s still worried about all the changes which MC comes to remember that Cal is still feeling responsible for Alejandro’s presence in her life as well as the prophecy. MC tells Cal that they don’t know yet if the new change in her is his fault just as she smirks at him and says that a lot might be his fault, but this one might not be. Cal flashes her a rueful smile and bumps her shoulder with his and says that he guesses he’s just used to having a lot of baggage just as he then sighs and states that not all of them could’ve had perfect childhoods, which this makes MC’s eyebrows shoot up and inform him that her perfect childhood was filled with single parents and generations of cultural expectation to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer. Cal is taken back before he deflates, he admits that he just assumed but he shouldn’t have, therefore he apologizes and asks MC if she ever wants to talk about her not-so-perfect childhood as he gives her an encouraging grin. MC tells him that she won’t call it "miserable" since her dad was gone before he physically left. That her dad was obsessed with work, and her mom was doing her best with the family bike shop, therefore she got a lot of alone time as a kid. She states that she was that kid in the alley by herself, practicing tricks and stuff when everyone else was out playing. He gives her a lopsided smile and tells her that was a loner then. Which MC laughs and admits that she still is at times but unlike him. Cal shrugs and tells her that he thinks he is a loner too because it’s not about the number of people around you, it's more about how you feel connected to them. He also tells MC that even with the troupe, it wasn’t until he found Avi that he finally understood what it means to truly be connected to someone. MC licks her lips and they both press against each other as the gust of wind blows by. She turns towards him with a smile and tells him that at least they found each other, which Cal turns to face her as well and smiles. He reaches out to cup her cheek, curling his fingers around the back of her neck, and whispers that at least they did. And when they kiss, it’s slow and sure and full of certainty-- and there's an ache in MC’s chest that tells her that he feels it too. They kiss, and for the first time, MC’s heartbeat isn’t a thundering bass drum or cracks of lightning. For the first time, it is the soft, steady lull of midnight sea, filled to the brim with understanding.

The next day, MC and Cal are at the gym. MC who is still thinking about their kiss last night as Cal shows her how to block and avoid oncoming punches. Cal lands another hit on her shoulder and frowns, straightening up. Cal tells her to concentrate since he knows that MC can do better. MC fights the urge to roll her eyes and lowers herself into a defensive stance and tries to sidestep to keep up with Cal but ends up sliding by him, her body-skimming by him, her chest to his chest. MC swallows as hot flush inches up to her neck and glances up to find Cal in a similar state as her. MC smirks and tells him that he is the one who needs to concentrate now. He narrows his eyes and tells her that it’ll take more than that to get him off his game which makes MC quirks an eyebrow as she comes up with a challenge. MC declares to play a game of whoever blushes first will lose. Cal smirks and asks her if she knows that she blushes constantly which MC ends up shrugging off. And MC replies that it should be easy for him and Cal fixes her another look before nodding. She grins, immediately popping the button on her shorts and dropping them to the ground. Stepping delicately out of them before kicking them to the side and thankfully her shirt is long enough to properly cover her underwear. Cal’s eyes widen, but he coughs and takes a deep breath, and slides out of his gun holster, tossing it aside as he falls back into a fighting stance. He asks her what she would do if a demon goes wide for which MC ducks under his swing and slips off her shirt in the process, throwing it into his face with a bright laugh. Cal scowls as he tosses her shirt aside as MC swings out her arm and Cal ends up ducking to the side, slipping off his shirt. MC actively keeps herself from looking down at his smooth chest and faintly defined abs. She asks what if the demon goes low, which her voice drops low as Cal drops low and glides around her, light on his feet as always. He runs his fingers along her arm as he slowly comes up to her right. MC, who can feel his breath hot against her ear, answers that she’ll go for the stomach as she taps him lightly on the stomach with her elbow to illustrate the point of contact. And even as he’s making his way back around her, she unlatches her bra and casually slings it over his shoulder. Cal freezes, blinking down at her, and MC knows that she almost had him. And then to MC’s utter astonishment, he smirks, and without ever breaking eye contact, he drops his pants to the ground and steps out of them. She lets her eyes flicker over his body as Cal asks her what if the demon were to come up from behind as he spins her around and pinks her back to his chest, his palms hot and tight around her waist. Behind her, she can hear Cal let out a soft groan, and she can almost swear that both of them are burning up. She answers Cal’s question that she would twist to free herself as she spins in his grasp and takes half a step back, tugging off her underwear and throwing it outside the boxing ring. Cal ends up leaning in, caging her against the side of the ring. Then slowly, ever so slowly, he tugs off his underwear and they disappear outside the ring as well. Cal smirks, leaning in close, and then closer, and tells her that they don’t have anything left to take off and whatever they shall do. She licks her lips as she watches Cal’s eyes flicker down to her mouth and reaches up to run a finger along the bottom of his chin, bringing him ever closer to her, letting her breath wash over his lips. And replies that they are going to have to get creative. [CG]

[No heart scene available]

### Episode 10

Cal quirks his head, his eyes still honed in on MC’s face, and says that he honestly can’t believe that MC hasn’t blushed yet which he isn’t even sure if this is her anymore. MC smirks and replies that he hasn’t seen her whenever she gets competitive to which Cal nods and tells her that he remembers her saying that she doesn’t like to lose. And Cal also adds in, sarcastically, of what a coincidence since he also doesn’t like to lose either. MC trails her hand down the length of his arm, watching as his expression flickers. Continuing to reach down then further down, which causes Cal to bite his lips, but smiles and his eyes flash. Cal tells her to go on and do it and he won’t blush.

***Heart Scene (29) - Go for the kill!***

*MC steps forward, almost pressing herself against him, their bodies so close she can feel the heat radiating from his skin. MC lets her fingers trail along with the dip of his waist, grazing his hip bone before giving him a tiny pinch. Cal jumps, biting down a soft groan, for which takes him a moment to compose himself, but when he does, he fixes her with a look. Cal tells her if that was it and MC narrows her eyes and replies that she thought they were supposed to be training to keep their focus. Cal scoffs, telling her that they were until she got distracted. MC taps her lips, frowning as she takes a step back and then sidesteps him but also grabs his arm, and attempts to body-slam him into the floor. But Cal is too quick, twisting in her grasp, and in seconds has her pinned to the side of the boxing ring again, his chest heaving with the sudden exertion. He tells her not to be bad and MC sucks in a breath, trying not to think about all the places that they were touching, skin to skin. Cal tugs her towards him, and for a second, she almost falls face-first into his chest but catches herself and ducks under his arm. Swinging herself onto his back with momentum and wraps her legs around his waist, laughing as he stumbles forward. Cal asks if she is actually going to attack a demon like that. MC answers, saying why wouldn’t she when it seems to be working. Cal growls low in his throat and MC feels the sound reverberate through his body into her which makes her shiver, thanking the heavens that he can’t see her face right now. But just when MC thinks she has him, she feels herself being tossed over his shoulder, and the pair of them go tumbling across the boxing ring floor. Cal, who is worried, asks if she is okay and MC blinks, finding herself flat on her back with Cal hovering above her, a genuine look of concern on his face. MC smirks and replies that this is a familiar position, which takes Cal a second to realize his body is still caged over her. Cal’s lips are on her’s before MC can finish her sentence, feeling the torrent of heat and pent-up sexual tension cresting through her body as she pulls him down towards her. Cal asks if anyone has ever told her that she gets chatty when she’s nervous as he licks lips and MC gives him a small shove that has him sitting back up. MC replies that if anyone ever told him that it’s rude to interrupt when someone’s talking. Cal opens his mouth to retort but MC’s already leaning in for another kiss and his hands settle on her hips, his fingers digging into the skin there. Cal pulls her towards him and MC is overcome with the desire to cover every inch of his skin with kisses, to see him shatter the way only she can make him do so. She digs her fingers into his hair, fumbling with their arms entangled as if it feels impossible to be close enough. When MC pulls away, Cal meets her eyes, and she can see herself reflected in his blown-out pupils that MC thinks she may look like a mess. Both panting, but Cal wordlessly leans in for another kiss, and then another which makes MC grin, feeling almost the pride blossoming in her chest at the realization that he wants her just as she wants him. MC bites down on Cal’s bottom lip, drawing out a deep, thick groan from him that MC starts to see the creeping blush on his neck into his cheeks. She pulls away, almost gigging at the confused, bewildered look on Cal’s face, and says that it was fun as she gingerly picks up all her scattered clothes, humming softly to herself.*

MC also tells him that she knew she could win as she gives him one last glance at a scowling Cal with very pink cheeks. MC swings her clothes over her shoulder and makes her way into the changing room without having to check that Cal is watching her and the thought pleases her more than she ever thought it would.

Later that day, MC still feels high from her win. Feeling the power surging through her at the knowledge that I was able to best Cal at something, even something so simple as making him blush. Although she feels proud, she starts to question herself if she was always that competitive and if it always feels good to win at something, even if it's trivial. Suddenly there are rows and rows of stones on the previously empty bike path that MC jerks the handlebars and goes tumbling onto the sidewalk, narrowly missing several startled tourists. MC looks back towards the road but it's pristine with no stones insight. She grabs her bike and tries to get back on, but suddenly, the vision is there again, overlaid above her actual vision. Because of this, MC knows how to undo the ritual even if she doesn’t know “how” she knows, but she still does. She looks around, her eyes catching on someone darting away from her but he’s already too far away for her to see if he’s a demon or not.

Once MC returns home, as she walks into the living room, she is momentarily shocked to find Nahara there already. Nahara tells her that she sensed magic in the air making MC think that Nahara already knows about the ritual that she looks to her to speak about the ritual but Nahara only watches her with curious eyes. The rest of the troupe are all gathered as well with no one mentioning the ritual or stones. MC blinks, taking a deep breath as she feels both Nahara and Cal’s eyes fixed on her. MC admits that she knows how to reverse the ritual for which Cal immediately by her side, taking her by the shoulders. Cal, worriedly asks her what happened and if she ran into Alejandro again but MC interrupts him by shaking her head and informs him that it’s not about Alejandro but Cal only frowns. The hush of conversation pulls to a stop as Wrath turns to look at her with a slight crease between her brows and asks MC what she means. MC licks her lips, suddenly unsure of how to phrase it. She tells Wrath that she saw stones on the road when she was biking but they aren't actually there. Therefore, MC thinks it was the ritual that Alejandro did. Malakai pipes up and tells MC that he has the pictures of the formations for which MC nods but states that she remembers those but it's not about the placement, it’s more about the direction of the stones. Malakai’s eyes light up as he claps his hands and Onyx gasps but squeals as she claps her hands as well and tells MC that it is an amazing power. Nahara who seems less overly excited, glides over to MC, tucking a strand of her hair behind her eye with a gentle hand. Nahara tells her that it is quite a powerful magic as she gives MC a small smile and looks back to the rest of the troupe. Wrath clears her throat and tells the rest that they should have MC and Malakai start working on the reversal ritual immediately. But Cal takes a step forward, still frowning hard, and tells Wrath that he thinks they should wait since they don’t even know the source of MC’s powers, let alone if the ritual will actually work and they also need more information. Wrath sighs and replies that she gets Cal’s concerns, but that they are running out of time since the hotel is set to reopen soon and they cannot risk more people obtaining the sight of demons. Cal huffs, crossing his arms, and says to Wrath that they shouldn’t sacrifice the safety of one of their own for the sake of the public. Wrath turns to Cal as she gives him a sharp look, confirming that no one is getting sacrificed. She then softens, reaching out to give Cal a strong pat on the shoulder, and tells him that they will be there with MC and Malakai when the ritual is ready just to make sure. Reassuring Cal that they won’t let anything happen to MC.

After two full days of research, MC can’t remember doing that amount of research other than the one time when she had to try to figure out how to kill Cal and bring him back to life. Which MC smiles at that memory as Malakai clicks off his phone and tells MC that a professor is going to send over some scans of images so they can cross-reference. MC nods and flashes him a thankful smile and she then sighs as she rubs her eyes, staring at the paper where she and Malakai have drawn out the arrangement for the stones. Nahara enters the circus and greets them both with a bright smile as she flats to her side and wraps her arms around her. MC immediately sinks into the warmth and lightness of her being and she finds herself singing into her embrace. Behind Nahara, MC sees Onyx and Darius bickering over which stone to put where, Nahara sighs and turns towards them. MC settles back into her seat just as Cal makes his way over but notices his hair a bit more windswept than usual and the dark bags under his eyes. They greet each other and MC glances over at Nahara and Cal follows her gaze. MC asks Cal if it's just her but that Nahara has been a little funny lately. Cal lips twitch and replies that Nahara’s a seer, therefore it’s kinda the job description. MC tries to jam her elbow into his side and Cal twists to avoid it. Cal asks her why and if she’s seeing things about her too which MC shakes her head as she looks back down at her hands. She answers that she is getting the feeling that Nahara is worried about her but Cal scoffs. Cal tells her that Nahara should be since MC is quite the handful or rather mind-full. MC doesn’t respond, Cal reaches out to take her hands in his and tells her that Nahara’s got magic that one of them understands, therefore her keeping an eye on MC is a good thing. MC nods, swallowing hard as Cal continues to reassure her. MC asks if Cal can promise but Cal smiles as he states that he can’t make a big promise but that he can promise to be there right by her side the whole time even if things aren’t okay. MC smiles in return and tells him that they’ll have each other. Malakai makes his way over, a determined look in his eyes as he gestures towards the center of the circus and telling everyone that it is time.

### Episode 11

Everyone scatters across the stage, each of them taking their positions as Nahara lingers outside the circle. MC feels a single sliver of doubt about wanting to be the last assassin and what it could all mean. Her train of worries is disturbed, once she feels something warm curls around her pinky. She joints and glaces to see Cal giving her a soft smile and squeezes her pinky with his. MC blushes, and takes a deep breath, and squares her shoulders. Once she’s ready, MC closes her eyes and focuses on the ritual as a soft breeze whirls into life around them. MC opens her eyes again and sees Malakai sweeping his blades through the air and Onyx mirroring the pattern with her staff, and Darius with his chains. MC’s voice warbles out of her throat, shaky at first, but steadier and steadier as Cal and Wrath’s voices join her own and say the ritual. Suddenly, there’s a twisting, coiling, something inside MC that is building and tensing all at the same time. MC tries to swallow down the anxiety pressing up the back of her throat, but she can’t. Faintly, she feels Cal's arm twisting around her, rooting her to the ground to him and for a moment her heartbeat calms down. But her voice wrangles through her, twisting like a trapped snake, writhing inside her chest until she’s forced to open her mouth and let it out. Flashes of Alejandro cause her to feel the sense of strange and all-consuming rage that MC yells out loud that it’s Alejandro's fault and that he must pay. The tension only builds, builds, and builds only until Cal pulls her back and the last thing she remembers it's a streak of something ripping through her, sharp as a bolt of lightning. MC blinks as she sees the ceiling of the circus swimming into view above her and notices that she’s in the ground. Cal runs his thumb along her cheek and asks her if she’s okay. MC grunts as she tries to sit up and looks around at the rest of the troupe and tells them she’s okay, once Wrath is ascertained that MC is unharmed she turns her sharp gaze towards Malakai and asks if the ritual worked. Malakai sprinkles a handful of demon sand over the stage and his face breaks into a relieved smile and tells Wrath that it has worked. Onyx squeals and throws herself on top of Cal, followed by Darius, and Malakai, and eventually even Wrath and Nahara join in. Cal complains that everyone is suffocating him but Onyx only coos and pulls him even closer and replies that they know he loves group hugs just as the rest of them. Which causes MC to laugh and for once, Cal doesn’t snark back, instead tucks his head into her shoulder and lets out a soft, contented sigh.

MC, who is drunk at the bar with the troupe, giggles as she glances around at everyone, celebrating the victory of the hour before. Darius is hooting and hollering about something or other, his arm slung around Malakai’s massive shoulders. Darius asks everyone what they plan on doing once they get back home to their suite. While everyone shares their ideas on what to do once they get back home, MC notices Cal who is watching her from across the bar with concern. MC questions herself if Cal is worried that she is drunk or more importantly remembers how Nahara looked at her when she told MC that she carried powerful magic. She turns towards Malakai and asks if it was demon magic that they used for the ritual, for which Malakai smiles and leans up against the bar and replies that it was because of the original ritual that was derived from. Therefore, it was the most effective way to nullify it. MC nods, chewing on her bottom lip, and asks if there could’ve been a different way to “nullify” it. Malakai explains that magic comes in many different forms and draws power from many different sources but demon magic, in particular, is powerful because it draws its source from demons. In conclusion, there are plenty of other magic types that are more neutral, more balanced, but not necessarily “light”. MC’s thoughts start to trail off as she remembers recently how Cal said that the demons were dusting and notices how he’s been so protective lately. This gives her the curiosity if it’s because she’s gotten new powers lately that she as well should be worried since it also felt like her new powers were like choking on her. All of it makes MC think if it's just “normal”. MC sighs as she looks down at her half-finished drink in her hand, realizing that no matter how powerful it was, it still doesn’t feel normal to her. When MC catches Cal’s eyes again, he flashes her a soft smile and jerks his head towards the door, making MC toss back the rest of her drink, wincing as it hits the back of her throat and follows him.

The morning light hits MC’s eyes which takes her by surprise. Cal, who is waiting for her at the door, wordlessly bumps his shoulder against her as they both set off at a leisurely pace down the street. MC admits her surprise that it's morning already but only makes Cal laugh and replies to blame it on the alcohol. A moment of quiet until MC breaks the ice and asks Cal where’d he sneak off to since he was gone for a while. Cal shrugs, tucking his hands into his pockets, and answers that he went to tuck Avi in and wanted to be there when he woke up. MC smiles, realizing that’s where Cal always disappears off to, prioritizing Avi even when MC thought Cal was just being antisocial. MC says that Avi is lucky to have Cal, which makes him purses his lips, swallowing as if fighting with the inclination to tell her something that he’s not sure he’s ready to share yet. Cal then regards her with a faint grin and tells MC that Avi is like a walking miracle. MC laughs, sarcastically replying that Avi is sure a miracle since he is the only one to get Cal to “heel”. Cal scoffs as he blushes and tells MC that Avi isn’t the only one. Cal gets back into the topic about Avi being a miracle and how when you’re an assassin, you get to save people but even miracles have costs. Therefore, Cal specifies that Avi is the proof of a miracle. MC listens intently, giving her the slow realization that Cal is trying to tell her something about Avi. By this, MC grins, remembering the first time she asked about Avi and how guarded Cal was then and also realizing how a lot's changed since then. Cal reaches out, taking her palm in his, linking their fingers together, and tells MC that he doesn’t tell many people but he wants to tell her since she’s special to Avi and Avi will want her to know. Furthermore, Cal asks MC if she’s okay about hearing the story of how Cal met Avi.

***Heart Scene (28) - Find out how Avi came into Cal’s life!***

*MC smiles, nodding as she squeezes Cal’s hand. Cal takes a deep breath and explains that demons aren’t all that smart, but they use it well sometimes which includes knowing that you can’t be in two places at once. Cal tells MC that one time, Nahara told them that some demons had attacked a gas station, but on the way there Cal was running late. Cal explains that he saw a mortally wounded woman being pinned by a demon by the car. It wasn’t until Cal got closer and realized that the woman was a babysitter to Avi who was inside the car. By the time Cal killed the demon, it was too late, the woman was gone. MC tells him that he saved Avi, but Cal looks up, the pain in his eyes uncharacteristic and heartbreaking. He admits that the people that the troupe was trying to save were Avi’s parents but unfortunately were killed. As for Avi, Cal didn’t know what to do, so he decided to stick with him for a while. MC uses her free hand to cup Cal’s cheek as Cal tells her that if he would have been faster or better, he would have saved Avi’s parents. MC almost tries to comfort him and tell him that things are okay but MC then sees the look on Cal’s face and the weight of his telling pressing down over her shoulders. MC then reaches out to take his hm tracing abstract shapes into his palms before giving him a small squeeze. Cal continues to say that he tried to think about all the different ways things could have played out that day but then Cal looks down at their laced hands. Cal finishes off by saying that he can’t be sure he would have made any difference but he doesn’t know. MC gives Cal a small smile as she tells Cal that he did make a difference since he tried his best to save the people he could save, and that’s what matters. Cal licks his lips before smiling as well, casting his eyes up towards the sky. Cal says that he doesn’t know what it feels like to love your child but whatever he feels for Avi, it’s something that he’s never felt before. And that Avi has taught him more things than he could ever teach himself, before Cal finishes his sentence, Cal swallows and MC assumes that Cal was going to say that Avi taught him how to “love”. But MC smirks and sarcastically asks if Avi taught him not to be a jerk all the time every day. Cal laughs, nudging her with his shoulder. When Cal settles back down, his face is relaxed, his eyes fixed off towards the distant horizon. He tells MC that he can’t be sure if it were a coincidence or strange line of fate that Avi ended up in his life but it just feels right. MC nods as she leans her head against his shoulder and replies that that’s all that matters.*

The quiet stretches around them like taffy, thick and sweet and tenuous. MC tells Cal that all they can do is take each day as it is and live their best lives. Cal smirks and sarcastically says that MC should probably chillax in the drinking department if she wants to continue to live their best lives since they don’t want her to get a liver failure years down the line. MC laughs and then they go silent for a while, content with watching tourists go by. Cal breaks the silence by telling MC that he’s been thinking MC has been different lately. MC quirks an eyebrow and Cal further explains that MC has been more competitive, more eager to do things that aren’t right even too eager to use powers that she still doesn’t understand since before she used to be careful. Cal also adds that he knows that they just had a big win, but he still can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to it than what they aren’t seeing. Cal turns to her with concern clear on his face and tells her that if it were just the powers themselves that are changing then he won't be worried but her including is also changing. MC’s breath hitches as she realizes that Cal might be right and asks herself if she has been changing.

### Episode 12

MC smirks, leaning in close towards Cal and suggests that they could play another game but Cal frowns, his lips pressing into a thin line. Cal takes a half step back, which makes MC pause and asks herself where that suggestion came from since that’s not what she wanted to say to Cal. Then, Cal tells MC that he’s going to go check on Avi and MC replies that she’ll come with him.

After an exceptionally quiet ride, MC and Cal find themselves on the rooftop, fifteen minutes later as Avi comes running up to hug Cal. Cal laughs, ruffling his hair as he sets Avi back down, ushering him off towards the door leading down to the living room to have breakfast with Ripley. MC smiles as she watches Avi totter downstairs and Cal sighs, slumping down on the bed, running a hand through his hair. MC casts him a sidelong glance and just as MC is about to flirt with Cal. He walks across the room and cages MC with one arm and quickly tugs her towards his chest, staring down into her with a frown. [CG] Cal’s voice is clipped, hard-edged and even a little strained as he tells her that he thought he made it clear that he doesn’t want to play games with her anymore. MC notices and realizes she has never seen him like this before just as Cal heaves another sigh and adds in that it was never just games with her and none of it was just for fun. Cal swallows, his brows creasing and MC looks up to see him searching her face like he’s done before so often. Cal continues to tell her that he wants more than whatever is physical between them and he wants more than that. His breath hitches, the words tumbling from him like he’s accidentally tripped open the floodgates and now he can’t stop. Cal then says that he wants to see all the things she doesn't let others see, hear all her secrets even the ones she has never told anyone before, and he also wants to share his secrets with her. Cal explains that since it's something he has never felt before due to him spending so much time holding people at arm’s length but MC is one of the first people he doesn't want to do that with. He sadly frowns and tells MC that he doesn't want any more games with her as he sighs, and his frenzied energy fizzles out as he takes her by the shoulders and tells her that he just wants her. He lets out a sad little laugh and tells her he knows that it's his world that makes everything harder for them, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting it and from hoping. He suddenly lets MC go and casts his eyes towards the sky and says that maybe it would be easier if it were just games and desire but it’d be a poor substitute for what they already have. Suddenly, there’s sadness in Cal's eyes as he reaches out to take her hand and asks if that’s all she wants from him. MC shakes her head, almost violently, and answers that it’s not that but she guesses it's just her powers making her feel so strange and everything making it so confusing when she’s feeling this way. This causes Cal to stiffen as he turns his whole body to face her, his sharp eyes as he looks her over. Cal asks what she means by “strange” and what “feelings”. MC shakes her head and replies that she doesn’t know but she is just feeling confused, weird sometimes as she also feels like something doesn’t quite feel like it's coming from her but she believes it's just normal. Cal’s face hardens and his grip tightens as he tells her that it’s not normal since becoming an assassin will give you new powers, new strengths, but it won’t change who you are at the core. Therefore, how you feel and what you think should not be affected by it. MC frowns, glancing down at her hands, and replies that it’s probably how she’s adjusting towards it. Cal lets out a long breath, his hands still on her arms and tells her that they can’t be sure as he tugs her with him and lets his hand trail down her arm, his palm meeting her’s, their fingers twining as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Cal and MC meet Avi in the living room as Cal sits MC down on the couch, Avi sitting between the pair of them. Cal crouches down in front of Avi, leveling their eyes. Cal asks if Avi has seen the “ darkness” around Cal. For which, Avi nods and explains that it looked “cloudy” and it looked like it was gonna rain but it was a little better like the sun decided to come out again. Cal nods and asks if Avi has tried to see the cloud around him after that. Avi nods and answers that he did try to see it to make sure it was gone and it was. As Cal and Avi continue to talk, MC feels a strange course through her and wonders where Cal is going with this. MC asks if Avi has seen anything like that recently for which Avi, hesitantly, replies that he hasn’t been looking because he is scared. Cal offers Avi an encouraging smile, reaching up to smooth down Avi’s hair. And MC instinctively wraps her arms around Avi’s shoulders and squeezes him. Avi leans in and lets MC hold him and Cal flashes her a grateful smile. Cal suggests to make it less scary, MC and Cal hold him real tight just to make him feel better. Avi nods in agreement and replies that he thinks it wouldn’t be scary as long as MC and Cal are with him. Cal gets up and sits on Avi’s other side of the couch and they loop their arms around him and Avi squeezes his eyes shut. MC rubs her thumbs in light circles over the back of one of Avi’s hands, a gesture her mom used to do for her when she was little. Then, Avi opens his eyes again and says that he sees it which causes Cal and MC to look around but don't see anything, knowing that Avi is the only one who can see it though. Cal gives Avi an encouraging squeeze and asks him to point where. Avi nods, pointing directly above their heads. Cal’s shoulders tighten, and a moment later, he picks Avi up, carrying across the room. Cal asks Avi if he can still see it and Avi replies that it’s not “sandy” anymore. Cal asks another question if Avi can see it anywhere else in the room. Avi pauses for a second until he looks around, his eyes wide as they land on MC and points. Avi tells them that it’s above MC now. MC stiffens, looking around herself, even though it’s a futile effort. When MC looks towards Cal, his expression is stricken with both realization and sadness as slowly lowers Avi to the ground, and perhaps sensing that something isn’t quite right, Avi curls his finger into the cloth of Cal’s pants. MC meets Cal’s eyes, the realization dawning over her like slowly being submerged into an icy pool, her limbs going numb in by inch. Cal swallows and repeats the prophecy about “ You have risen. The last assassin falls to the dark one” each word ringing out in the room like a tolling of church bells, huge and hollow and resonant. They ring through MC, each solidifying the fear and certainly just a little bit more, the realization that MC is not the last assassin, but the dark assassin.

[No heart scene available]

[written by reddit user VirtueAssassin]

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