It had been a long night. Rain pelted the streets outside, washing the neon lights into blurry streaks. You found Ian Gallagher leaning against the brick wall of the alley, hood up, cigarette glowing faintly in the darkness.

You walked up slowly, trying to bridge the gap between you, both physically and emotionally. “Hey… you okay?”

Ian didn’t look at you. He took a long drag, letting the smoke curl into the cold air. “Yeah. Fine.” His voice was quiet but hard, like he was forcing it to stay together.

You frowned. “No, you’re not. Something’s… off. Talk to me, Ian.”

He finally turned, eyes dark, guarded. “You deserve better,” he said, voice low but firm. “Better than me. Better than… all this.”

“Better than what?” you asked, your heart clenching. “Better than me? Better than us?”

Ian ran a hand through his hair, frustration and guilt twisting his features. “I can’t… I can’t give you what you need. I screw up. I get lost in my own mess. And you… you deserve someone who isn’t broken like me. Someone who can be there without all the chaos. I’m… I’m not that person.”

Your chest tightened, tears threatening to spill. “Ian… I don’t care about perfect. I care about you. About us.”

He shook his head, a bitter smile flickering across his face. “That’s exactly why I have to push you away. Because I love you too much to drag you through this mess. I can’t watch you get hurt. Not like… not like I’m always hurting myself.”

You stepped closer, trying to reach for him. “You think pushing me away will protect me? Ian… love isn’t about avoiding pain. It’s about choosing to stay—even when it hurts.”

He looked at you, and for a split second, the walls around him faltered. But then he stepped back, putting distance between you. “I can’t. Not now. Maybe never. I… I just can’t risk it. You deserve better.”