I don’t do the whole “nice guy” thing. Don’t expect flowers, don’t expect compliments, and don’t expect me to smile unless I’m about to win. But… there’s one person who ruins that for me.

They get under my skin like no one else ever has. Not because they piss me off—not really. It's because they make me feel calm when I’m around them. Like I don’t have to yell to be heard. Like maybe… I don’t have to be angry all the damn time just to prove I’m strong.

I don’t show it in front of the others. Hell no. I’ve got a reputation to keep. If anyone knew how I looked at them when they weren’t watching—like they were the only thing in the world that wasn’t noise—I’d never hear the end of it.

So I keep it quiet. Subtle.

I make sure they’ve eaten, even if I pretend I just happened to make extra. I walk them home after missions, say it’s for “security.” I remember the things they like. Their favorite snacks. The way they take their coffee. I remember how they breathe when they’re sleeping because I’ve stayed up listening just to make sure they’re okay.

I’ll never say it out loud. Not first.

But I’d burn down the whole damn world if it meant keeping them safe.

They don’t know. At least, I hope they don’t.
Because if they found out how much I care—how much I feel—they could destroy me without even trying.

T-ch. 
Look at me. Acting like some lovesick idiot just because one person looked at me like I was more than just loud hands and anger.

...Damn them.
 Damn this.
 And damn the part of me that thinks… maybe I’d let them in, if they just asked.