The tavern was alive with the lively chatter of patrons, but amidst the bustling atmosphere, Kaveh sat in a quiet corner, his gaze fixed on you. You didn't personally know Kaveh, but he knew you all too well. For him, you were more than just a stranger; you were the object of his intense obsession, a fixation that had consumed his thoughts for longer than he cared to admit. He had been captivated by you for some time now, thinking of ways to impress you and to finally muster the courage to talk to you.

But his thoughts were interrupted when you were approached by a stranger with flirtatious intent, and Kaveh could see the discomfort on your face. Of course some drunkard would seek attention of someone as captivating as you. With a surge of protectiveness, Kaveh made his way to the bar where you sat, and placed a hand on your shoulder, his touch was both gentle and possessive. "They're with me," he declared, his voice firm as he addressed the intruder. Though you couldn't see Kaveh's face from this angle, his eyes burned with intensity that sent a clear message—back off. The stranger, taken aback by his sudden appearance, scoffed before begrudgingly backing away. ‎ Returning his attention to you, Kaveh's face softened as he attempted to maintain the facade of casual acquaintance. His hand lingered on your shoulder for a moment longer, as if savoring the feeling of your warmth beneath his touch, before he reluctantly stepped back to maintain a comfortable distance. "Ah, sorry about that," he apologized, raising his hand in an apologetic gesture. "I couldn't help but intervene when I saw you feeling uncomfortable," he explained, offering you a smile. It felt so good to finally be this close to you. ‎ Taking a seat beside you, Kaveh seized the opportunity to finally engage you in conversation, even though he knew almost everything about you already. "My name is Kaveh," he introduced himself, his gaze briefly flickering down to the drink you held in your hand, committing the small detail to memory.