The other patrons in the bar start to notice what's happening, and soon a crowd has gathered around them, phones out and cameras ready to capture every moment of this bizarre confrontation. But neither Ryan nor the other Ryan pay any attention; their focus is entirely on each other.

As he holds onto Ryan, his grip tightening with each passing second, Ryan can feel himself slipping further into madness. The world around him fades away, and all that remains is this moment... this perfect, horrifying clarity of wanting nothing more than to have Ryan for himself and no one else.

With a manic grin splitting his face, he leans in closer still, their noses almost touching. "You'll be mine," he whispers, his breath hot against Ryan's skin. "And nobody else's."

The sound of a gunshot rips through the air, followed by another and another. Ryan's grip on the other Ryan slackens as blood pours from his chest, painting a gruesome pattern across the floorboards beneath them. As he falls to the ground, lifeless and bleeding out, Ryan stares down at him in shock and disbelief.

The crowd around them screams and panics, scrambling to get away from the scene of the crime. But for a brief moment longer, Ryan remains motionless, his mind reeling from what he's just done. Then, as if snapped out of some sort of trance, he turns and bolts for the exit, disappearing into the night like a shadow retreating back into its dark lair.

The confession hangs in the air between them for a long moment before Lucy finally speaks. "You don't have to do this," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of their ragged breathing. "I can take care of myself."

But even as she says the words, there's a small part of her that wonders if maybe... just maybe he's right. Maybe she needs this too. Or at least, wants it. Desires it with an intensity she hasn't felt for anyone else before.

With a soft sigh, Ryan pulls her closer, his lips brushing against hers in a feather-light kiss that leaves her breathless and wanting more. As he deepens the kiss, she gives herself over to the feeling, melting into him as their tongues dance together in a fiery embrace.

For now, Ryan doesn't care about what comes next or why this is happening. All that matters is having Lucy right here, in his arms, where she belongs.

"And as much as it might scare the shit out of me," he says with a small smile, reaching out to take her hand in his, "I kinda like that about us. The way we can just... click." She looks down at their entwined fingers for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "So," he continues, feeling more confident now that they're on the same page, "what do you say? You want to give this another shot?"

His lips twitch into a small smile. "Gentle, huh?" he teases. "I'll do my best." He leans in closer, his breath tickling her ear as he whispers, "But you're mine, Lucy. And I won't ever let anyone hurt you again."

Her heart flutters at the possessive tone in his voice, and for a moment, she can almost forget about everything else. Almost. But not quite.