Niko had become withdrawn after his encounter with the demon hunting brothers. It wasn't like before, these were bad burns and in multiple places, making it harder for him to move and work.

He deflected any questions from his students.

"Where'd you get that burn on your wrist-"

"Saturday. I was out on the town. Do you have something constructive to add to our discussion of Soviet Non-Conformist art?"

Niko hardly interacted with the rest of the staff, but today a staff member approached him with concern.

"Prof. Niko Faustus, yes?" He nodded. "I noticed that you were injured and heard you got some burns over the weekend. Is that true?"

Niko nodded.

"Do you need anything?"

"No...I'm fine...it just takes a while to heal..."

The other professor nodded and gave him a slip of paper with a phone number on it.

"Here. A lot of people struggle in silence."

Once he got home, he looked it up.

It was a self-harm support hotline.

Niko knew they meant well, but it didn't improve his mood.

Mallomor peeked over his shoulder. "Why are you looking at self-harm?"

"No reason!

It's just...some person at work was concerned that I was self harming due to the burns I got...

I swear, it's taking all my temperance to not find and beat those bastards into a pulp!"

Mallo placed his hand on his shoulder.

"That's in the past. All you can do now is to avoid them at all costs.

How about you go with me to the deck? Seems that I can improve your mood that way."

Niko joined Mallomor on deck. It was chilly, but Mallomor hugged him tight.

"Have you been feeling alright?"

"...Not really..."

Mallomor cupped Niko's face. "Anything I can do to fix that."

Niko shrugged.

They kissed.

Niko was still gloomy, and thought on the edge of the boat.

He was worried that remaining with Mallomor would only place him in more danger. He could take a lot of suffering from others, but Mallo? He was far too senstive and kind. He needed someone better, safer, and more stable.

"Niko? You seem so gloomy today..."

Niko grunted to acknowledge his prescence.

"Can you come inside?"

Niko did, and Mallomor did his best to comfort him.

"Why are you so sad? Did they really get to you?"

"...Yes..."

"It's alright, they won't be coming back here." Mallomor rubbed his back, but Niko was busy thinking of what tarot spread he should use to gain an answer.

Once he had a couple of minutes, he got his tarot deck. After shuffling and prepping them, he took a deep breath. He was nervous, and doubting himself.

He took the first card and placed it on the table.

It was the Eighth of Cups reversed, showing his conflict of whether he should stay with Niko.

The cards knew.

Niko slumped over the table, not sure what to do. Well, he was sure what to do, he just dreaded it.

Mallomor was petting Tsarina as Niko came out from his basement studio.

"Oh, Niko! Are you feeling better?"

"I have something I need to tell you..."

Mallomor nodded and invited Niko to sit with him, stroking his hair.

"Hm...what's wrong?"

"Uh...I was just worrying that as long as you're with me, you'll be put in danger."

"Oh, please, you're worth it."

"...Am I?"

"I choose to attract danger after I became a shedim. I know that you'd never hurt me, and most of what happened to us was out of out control."

"You have a point..." Niko put his head on Mallomor's lap.

Mallomor chuckled and stratched Niko's back.

"Of course I do. You're simply irresistible."

"Am I?"

"Of course you are..." Mallomor kissed behind his ear.

"How could I ever stop myself from falling in love with such a charming, intelligent, handsome, and kind man?"

"Not sure if I agree with the last part..."

"I do." Mallomor was not about to argue with Niko on this.