You had noticed it for weeks — the way Joe looked at you. Not just admiration, not just fondness, but something deeper, something that came with weight. It was the same look he gave every time he decided someone was “different.”

At first, it was flattering. The long conversations about books. The way he seemed to get you in a way no one else did. But soon you noticed how he started pulling you away from your friends, how he judged the people you let into your life.

One evening, you found him waiting outside your apartment.

“I was just… making sure you got home safe. You can’t be too careful.”he said

“Joe… you’ve been saying that a lot lately. That I need to be careful. But careful from what? From who?”you said

His jaw tensed, like he hadn’t expected you to ask.

“From people who don’t deserve you. From people who… they’ll hurt you. And I— I can’t let that happen.”he said

“And what makes you so sure? What makes you the one who gets to decide who’s good enough for me?”you said

Joe looked away, his hands tightening at his sides. He always struggled when his carefully built story cracked.

“Because I know what happens when people like you trust the wrong person. I’ve seen it. Over and over again.”you said

You stepped closer, lowering your voice.

“Or maybe… you are the wrong person. Did you ever think about that? That you’re not saving anyone, Joe. You’re just repeating the same cycle. Over and over.”you said

His breath caught, and for once, he didn’t have an answer.

You pushed.

“Beck. Love. Marienne. All of them. You told yourself the same story every time. That you were protecting them, that you were different this time. But it always ends the same way, doesn’t it?”you added

Joe’s eyes searched yours, a mixture of fear and desperation in them.

“…You don’t understand. I can change. I— I have to change.”he said

"Then prove it. Right now. Stop trying to control me. Stop watching me, stop deciding who’s worthy of me. If you love me the way you say you do… then let me choose for myself.”you said

Silence. You could almost hear his thoughts turning, fighting against the pattern he’d followed his whole life.

Finally, Joe exhaled, shoulders dropping.

"…I don’t know how. But I want to. For you.”you said