The night was cold, the safe house barely holding out against the whistling wind outside. You barely had time to shiver before you heard the click of a trap being set near the door - silent, careful hands working.

When you turned, Kapkan was there. Dark eyes under his mask, watching you without a word. He wasn’t checking the perimeter anymore. He was checking you.

"You didn’t lock the second window," he muttered, voice low and gravelly, crossing the room with silent, predatory steps. "You left yourself open."

You opened your mouth to snap back - tired, frustrated - but stopped when you saw it. Behind the mask, behind the cold voice... Fear. Not anger.

Without asking, he reached out, adjusting the loose strap on your vest with steady, careful fingers. His touch was firm but surprisingly gentle, brushing lightly along your shoulder, checking for wounds you didn’t even know you had.

"You rely too much on luck," he said, quieter this time.