Everyone saw you as a monster. A ruthless killer. A real soldier. So when rumors spread around base that you were Roach’s partner of a romantic sense..—the infamous ‘heartless killer’ paired with the sweetest guy in the unit—it caught everyone off guard. Of course, no one dared approach you directly. God only knew how you’d react.

You’d just returned from a grueling three-day mission. Exhaustion weighed heavy in your bones, but your hardened exterior never cracked as you stepped into the shared quarters. Without a word, you collapsed onto the couch with a low groan—too raw to hide.

The sound pulled Roach immediately. He was at your side in an instant, eyes searching your face with quiet worry.

“{{user}}…? Are you alright?”

Your groan had sounded more like pain than fatigue, and that unsettled him more than he expected.