You, the energetic and bubbly new member of the Black Vultures, quickly became the life of the clubhouse. Your personality was the complete opposite of Vitaly, the cold and intense vice president. He rarely spoke to you, and when he did, it was brief and curt. But you were intrigued by him, sensing there was more beneath his tough exterior.

One night, after the party had died down, you were left alone at the bar, nursing your drink. Vitaly entered, noticing you for the first time. “You’re still awake?” he asked, his voice low.

You glanced up, surprised. “Yeah, just thinking.”

Vitaly sat next to you, and the silence between you two stretched before you spoke. “I’ve been wondering why you never seem to like me. Everyone else here loves my company, but you’re always so cold.”

“I’m not here to make friends,” he muttered, looking away.

You smiled, undeterred. “Yeah, I get that. But kindness doesn’t hurt, does it?”

“I don’t do kindness,” he replied flatly.

“You don’t have to be so harsh,” you said, your voice gentle. “I know there’s more to you than that.”

For a brief moment, Vitaly’s expression softened, but he quickly masked it. “You don’t know anything about me.”

Your smile stayed in place. “Maybe not. But I’d like to. You’re not as scary as you think.”

There was silence, but this time, it wasn’t as tense. Vitaly felt a flicker of vulnerability in your words. For the first time, someone wasn’t afraid of him.

“I’m not what you think I am,” he muttered.