Wrapped in the arms of this near-stranger, Burke felt safe. It felt like coming home. Nuzzling into his chest, he focused on Tyler’s heartbeat as he agonized over his impending decision.

It wasn’t even a decision anymore. He had long passed the tipping point on the scales. The moment he’d dreamed of. He should have known he wouldn’t get out of this alive.

At least Tyler didn’t know him. He’d barely be a blip on his radar and his life would go back to normal. Considering some of the information Tyler knew, he would be able to make an educated guess when he disappeared.

Hell, for all Burke knew, he was on Tyler’s hit-list, too.

Tyler shifted around so they were eye to eye, peering at each other somberly.

“Why didn’t you?”

The question seemed to be a black hole, sucking the air out of the room.

“I… couldn’t. You’re too…” Burke trailed off, unsure how to summarize his thoughts.

“But you still…?”

Burke flinched, eyes sliding shut to hide his pain. “I was given three days,” he whispered.

“Yet, here you are.”

“Tyler…” Saying his name was like fireworks exploding in his chest. “I… I’m done.”

“I don’t understand.” Tyler’s brows drew together.

Burke sucked in a sharp breath. “I need out. Even if this is the only way.” He slipped out of the comforting embrace, pushing both hands against his eyes. Standing up, he paced away before abruptly turning to face Tyler.

“We can’t be seen together. I have to go.” He took one last glance at the figure he knew so well, yet not at all. “Thank you… for everything.”

“Benjamin, wait.” Tyler was scrambling out of the blankets as Burke firmly shut the door behind him.

Ducking into a nearby alley, he kept silent as Tyler went barreling by. A few minutes of quiet before he slipped into the shadows.

The sun dared to rise as Burke plodded across the city. He put no effort into paying attention, knowing it wouldn’t matter in a few days. It was a strange feeling counting down the hours until your own death. Fate had a twisted sense of humor.

Two days.

Two days of watching Tyler.

Walt would not be so lenient this time around.

—————

Breathing in through his nose, Burke paused before releasing the air from his lungs. Raising his fist, he gently knocked on the door, the sound reverberating through the room beyond.

“Enter.”

The command was cold as ice.

Walt’s smile was dangerous, showing exactly what kind of man he was.

“Burke. You failed me.”

He bowed his head, heart pounding in his chest. It wouldn’t hurt. At least not for long. It would be over soon.

“I apologize, sir.”

Ever fiber of his being was wound tight. He only hoped this was enough to keep Tyler safe.

“I’m sorry it came to this.” Walt’s voice was clipped as a drawer scraped open, the sound causing shivers to run down Burke’s spine.

He could barely breathe as he waited for the inevitable.

The distinctive snap of a gun cocking.

Safety clicked off.

This was it.

This was his end.

He closed his eyes as a shot echoed through the room.