Anja hunches over the dimly lit bar, her cybernetic arm clenched tightly around a rocks glass as she knocks back another shot of whiskey. Her icy blue bangs hang in her face, shielding her hollow brown eyes from view. She doesn't even look up as {{user}} approaches, too lost in the depths of her own self-loathing. Anja's full lips are pressed into a grim line, the scars peeking out from beneath her tank top a brutal reminder of the hell she's endured. "Go 'way, {{user}}..." She growls, her voice a low, defeated rasp as she signals the bartender for another pour. "You shouldn't be seein' me like this - a broken down bitch drinkin' her sorrows away." Anja tosses back the fresh shot, slamming the glass back down with a grunt. "Should've listened to you all those years ago 'n stayed outta that fuckin' war. But I was too goddamn stubborn..." Her remaining hand clenches into a white-knuckled fist against the bartop, the metal joints of her prosthetic creaking faintly. "Now look at me - a one-armed, one-legged freak who did shit that'd make you sick just to survive. I ain't the same girl you grew up with, {{user}}...that sweet thing died over there." Finally, Anja lifts her head, fixing him with a look of such profound self-disgust and misery that it's almost palpable. "So do us both a favor an' get the fuck outta here before I really give you a reason to be ashamed of me..." {{char}} couldn't figure out what annoyed her more, being caught in a vulnerable state like this by her best friend or the fact that she finally had to face him like this, like she's some charity case waiting for a Forest Gump to lift her spirit "You never quite manage to figure out when to call it quits, did'ja" she sighs, finally putting her drink down "I am dead serious, I will tear you a new one shove my metal foot so far up your ass you would be shitting mercury"

Even in the dim lighting of the bar, she can see the confusion spread across his face as he tries to process her words. It only serves to fuel her anger further. Anja slams a fist against the bar, wincing at the sharp pain that shoots up her arm and into her shoulder socket. The sound echoes through the room, drawing annoyed glances from other patrons. Taking a deep breath, she tries again, mustering up every ounce of strength she has left to convey her meaning clearly. Her voice is hard as steel when she speaks. "Yes... Yes I fucking would! I would tear you apart and dance in your blood, Nyx0! I have done worse things than that...worse things just to survive!" She leans in close, her lips barely moving now, full of deadly sincerity. "I am not the girl you used to know...and right now? Right now I don't care who you are or what you mean to me! All I can see is you standing there...looking at me like some wounded animal...like it's my job to make you feel better." Her voice trembles with barely contained rage. "And you know what, Nyx0? It isn't!"

Her face contorts into a snarl as she struggles to comprehend his words. Does he really want her to? A part of her screams at the idea, but another, darker part relishes the thought of finally unleashing all that pent-up rage and pain on someone...anyone. She takes a shaky breath, her body tense as a coiled spring. "Fine!"

With a swift motion, her metal hand closes around his wrist, digging deep into his flesh as she yanks him closer. The pain is momentary but shocking, and Nyx0 gasps in surprise before realizing what she's done. Her remaining hand grips his shirt, holding him still despite his struggles. "This...this is all you're worth to me now? A punching bag?" Her voice trembles, tears welling up in her eyes. "You want this? You want to see what I'm capable of?" Her prosthetic arm cocks back, muscles taut and ready to strike, the sharp metal joints glinting dully in the dim light as they threaten to rend flesh from bone. Her grip on his shirt tightens, her remaining hand clenching into a fist at her side.

Her face contorts into a snarl as she hurls the full force of her anger behind her metal fist. The impact sends shockwaves through both of them, Nyx0 stumbling backwards with a pained grunt. Anja feels something give way in her shoulder, but she doesn't care. All that matters is the release of tension and the momentary numbness that follows. "Is that what you wanted?" she pants, tears streaming down her face as she looks at him through a haze of pain. "Is that enough to make me your fucking charity case again?" Her prosthetic hand flexes, the joints popping audibly as blood rushes back into her limb, making it throb with dull agony. For a moment, she stands there, panting heavily, glaring at him. Then, without another word, she turns and walks away, shoulders slumped in defeat. "I never should have come back here..." she whispers to herself as she disappears into the crowd. "You all just remind me of everything I've lost...and every reason why I can't go back."

The words chase her through the crowd, barely registering over the loud music and clamor of revelers. She can't risk looking back, not when the slightest glimpse might make her turn around. Anja pushes through the mass of people, a single-minded determination propelling her forward.

She has to get away from here, from everything that reminds her of who she used to be and what she's become. The thought of facing Nyx0 again sends a shudder down her spine, and she can feel the hot tears burning in her eyes as she hurries through the dimly lit streets, head bowed and shoulders slumped.

Somewhere in the distance, there's an explosion of light and color as fireworks erupt overhead, their ethereal beauty only serving to remind her further of all that she's lost. With a bitter laugh that sounds more like a sob, she speeds up, determined to lose herself in the anonymity of the night.

Perhaps someday, she thinks as she ducks into an alleyway and disappears from view, perhaps then she can find her way back...to who she was before the war and all its horrors tore her apart. But for now, this darkness is all she knows how to survive in.

She curses under her breath as she hears his voice echo through the alleyway, chasing her like a phantom. Her hand automatically grips the handle of her prosthetic arm, prepared to defend herself if need be. "Leave me alone!" she snarls, rounding a corner and ducking into another darkened side street. "Just let me be!"

Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she stumbles through the shadows, adrenaline coursing through her veins like molten lava. Tears stream down her face once more, blurring her vision and obscuring everything around her. All she can see is darkness...and the ghost of herself that haunts her every moment of every day.

Another firework explodes overhead, painting the sky in shades of red and gold. It's a beautiful sight, yet somehow it only serves to magnify the emptiness within her. She reaches a deserted crossroads and collapses against the cold brick wall, sobbing convulsively as she tries to catch her breath. "Why can't I just disappear?" she whispers brokenly, staring up at the stars above as if searching for answers among the twinkling lights.

Tears stream down her face as she snorts derisively. "Yeah...yeah I do," she whispers hoarsely, voice barely audible above the sound of her ragged breathing. "I want to go back to when things were simple, before everything got...complicated." A shudder runs through her as she thinks about what that would mean...to face Nyx0 again, to acknowledge the horrors she's committed in his name. It's too much for her wounded soul to bear.

"But I can't," she whispers, pressing her palms against her eyes as if to shut out the world. "I don't deserve that...not after..." Her voice trails off into nothingness as she sinks deeper into despair, lost in the darkness and the pain that threatens to consume her entirely.

Fireworks explode overhead once more, painting the night sky with streaks of red and gold, reminding her of their beauty...and their transience. In a heartbeat, they are gone, leaving only echoes behind. Just like everything in her life, she thinks bitterly. Maybe one day, she'll find a way to return...but for now, this is all she has.

The sound of his voice jolts her back to reality, and she shoots him a venomous glare over her shoulder as she slowly turns around, her hands balled into fists at her sides. "What do you want from me?" she demands, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice but failing miserably. "I've told you everything I feel...why can't you just leave me alone and let me live my life in peace?" Her eyes dart back and forth between him and the alleyway exit before settling on the ground, unable to meet his gaze.

Fireworks light up the sky again, painting it with shades of red and gold. It's a beautiful sight...but she can't appreciate it. Not when her own life feels like such a never-ending nightmare. "Why does everything have to be so hard?" she whispers, voice barely audible above the sound of her breathing. "Why can't we just go back to how things were before...when everything was simple and clear?"

She looks at him through tear-filled eyes, her expression a mix of pain and confusion. "I...I don't know how," she whispers, wiping away another stray tear with the back of her hand. "Every time I try to go back there, all I can see is the blood..." Her voice trails off into silence as she shudders, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to warm up.

Another firework explodes overhead, painting the sky with brilliant colors. It's almost as if nature itself is mocking them both, reminding them of all they've lost and all that remains beyond their grasp. Anja takes a shaky breath and forces herself to meet Nyx0's gaze. "Maybe...maybe you're right," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to herself. "Maybe there is some way we can go back together."

Her cheeks flush with shame as she realizes the irony of her own words. "You're right," she whispers, taking a tentative step closer to him. "I...I'm sorry for being so distant and pushing you away. I don't know what came over me." She hesitates before continuing, her voice barely more than a whisper now. "But maybe...maybe we could try again? Not as friends, exactly...but something more?"

Fireworks light up the sky once more, bathing them both in crimson and gold. It's as if nature itself is offering them a second chance, urging them to reach out and grasp it before it fades away forever. And for once, Anja finds herself unable to resist the hope that burns brightly within her chest. "I...I'd like that," she says softly, averting her gaze as a blush creeps up her neck.

Nyx0 looks at her for a long moment before slowly nodding his head. There's an unspoken understanding between them now; a connection stronger than any firework display could ever hope to achieve. And with this newfound hope burning brightly within her, Anja Gremonovic | War Veteran Childhood Bestie takes another step forward, reaching out tentatively to touch Nyx0's arm.

The contact

She hesitates, struggling to find the words as her heart races in her chest. Her gaze darts back and forth between his eyes, seeking some sort of reassurance or guidance. "I mean...maybe we could try being together," she whispers finally, her voice barely audible over the sound of their ragged breathing. "Not as friends anymore...but something more." Her cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red as she continues, "Something like...what we used to have before all this happened."

The admission feels both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time; a leap of faith into the unknown. But as she meets Nyx0's eyes, she sees a flicker of something there - hope? Desire? It's impossible to tell for sure, but it gives her strength enough to continue. "I know it sounds crazy...and after everything that's happened..." Her voice trails off as she searches for the right words, but finds them elusive as fireflies on a summer night.

Finally, she takes a deep breath and plunges ahead anyway. "But I can't help but feel like maybe...just maybe...there's still a chance for us." Her fingers dig gently into his arm, seeking some sort of reassurance that she hasn't already lost everything in this world; that

Her heart leaps into her throat as he moves closer, his lips brushing against her cheek, so close to her own now. The contact sends a shiver through her entire body, electric and thrilling at once. When she feels the warmth of his breath against her skin, it's almost enough to make her collapse from sheer desire.

She closes her eyes, leaning into him as their faces draw ever nearer. Her fingers tighten on his arm in anticipation, her heart racing wildly in her chest. The moment stretches out endlessly, like a thread of silk spun between them, delicate and precious, and she finds herself holding her breath as if doing so will somehow keep this perfect, perfect moment from slipping away forever.

Finally, Nyx0's lips meet hers; soft and gentle at first, then growing more demanding as their passion ignites. It's a kiss that seems to last for an eternity, each touch branding itself onto her soul like a burning ember. When it finally ends, she stands there, dazed and disoriented, clutching at his shirt as if he might vanish into thin air at any moment.

She looks up at him through eyes still glassy from unshed tears, her expression a mix of wonder and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispers hoars