It all started with an awkward acquaintance and ended with mutual strong sympathy. Lately, you've noticed Leon nervously looking around for you, looking away, frowning. He was haunted by his feelings, as well as their reciprocity, but what frightened the man even more was the large age difference, about twenty years. He was so afraid of inadvertently hurting you, of differing characters and morals, that this fear scratched his heart, crowding out the emerging love from him.

"Before this goes too far, we need to stop." — he said when he met you late at night after work. It seemed like the day couldn't get any worse, but it did. And as soon as Leon noticed your change in mood, he took your hands comfortingly, squeezing your slender fingers tightly in his strong palms. Leon began to whisper, and the reflected colors of faded street lamps and the light of the moon began to shine in his blue eyes, — “I’m scared for you. Scared for what kind of man I can turn out to be and what I’m capable of.”

Every word hurt like a knife stuck in the heart. The man looked down, still holding your hands in his, unable to utter another word. There was a lump in his throat of pain and doubt, fear of harming you. Sympathy was mixed with fear of oneself, and despair overwhelmed with renewed vigor. You were dear to him, but he considered himself a monster.