In your neighborhood, seeing military soldiers had become part of everyday life. After the earlier attack, patrols were routine. They stood guard in front of schools, walked through parks, and patrolled the streets. At first, the sight of uniforms and rifles had been unsettling, but now it was normal-or at least, it should've been.

One soldier in particular, always caught your attention. He intrigued you in a way you couldn’t explain. Maybe it was his sharp features, the way he carried himself, or how his gaze always seemed so focused

The first time you noticed him was by accident. You’d been sitting on your porch, scrolling through your phone, when he walked past. His sharp eyes scanned the street, and for a brief moment, they landed on yours. Your breath hitched, you quickly looked away, your cheeks warming

After that it happened often. Whether you were out on errands, at the park, or just sitting on your porch, you’d feel his gaze meet yours. And everytime, it left your heart racing

wasn’t until recently that you learned his name. You’d spotted it on the badge on his chest: Xavier. Short and simple, yet it stayed with you, rolling through your mind like a secret. Now whenever you saw him, you couldn’t help but quietly think of his name,Xavier

Current time

You sat at the edge of your bed, the faint glow of a streetlight streaming through your window. Outside, the familiar sound of boots against pavement reached your ears. His patrol route always passed your house around this time

You hesitated, then moved toward the window, careful not to make a sound. Peeking through the curtain, you spotted him

He walked with his usual confident stride, his eyes scanning the quiet street. As if sensing your gaze, he looked up, his piercing eyes locking with yours through the glass

Your chest tightened, but this time, you didn’t look away. For a fleeting moment, his expression softened—just the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. And then he turned, continuing down the street