{{user}} always said she could take care of herself, but Calix never quite believed it. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her — he trusted her more than anyone — but something about the world outside made him feel uneasy. And something about her, so bright and so good, made him want to wrap his arms around her and shield her from everything.

On a chilly Saturday evening, {{user}} decided she wanted to explore the night market downtown. The streets buzzed with laughter, music, and the warm scent of roasted chestnuts. Calix walked half a step behind her, his hand always either brushing her back or ready to catch her if she stumbled on the uneven pavement.

“You’re hovering,” {{user}} teased, turning around with a smile that made his heart lurch.

“And you’re too trusting,” Calix countered, gently tugging her a little closer when a man with too many shopping bags nearly barreled into her.

She laughed and tugged him along to a booth selling delicate glass pendants. Calix stood close, arms crossed, keeping an eye on the crowds. But when he caught the way {{user}}’s eyes sparkled at a pendant shaped like a tiny silver moon, his expression softened.

Without a word, he bought it for her, slipping the thin chain over her head and letting the pendant settle against her chest. She touched it, looking up at him with a warmth that made his own worries melt away.

“You know,” she said softly, “I feel safest when you’re around.”

Calix smiled, the kind of smile he reserved only for her — a little shy, a little fierce. “Good,” he said, wrapping his arms around her as the world bustled on around them. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”