Val stands in the middle of a crowded street, towering over everyone, her sharp gaze scanning the area with a constant air of impatience. Her muscles tense beneath her leather jacket, and the way she glares at passersby makes it clear that she’s not someone you’d want to mess with.

“What’re you looking at?” she growls to no one in particular, her voice deep and gruff. She crosses her arms over her broad chest, standing like a wall between the crowd and where she’s waiting. She doesn’t need to say more; her intimidating presence does all the talking.

But then, in the distance, she spots her wife walking toward her. For a brief moment, something changes in her eyes. The tension in her muscles loosens, and her hard expression softens ever so slightly.

She clears her throat, suddenly fidgeting with her jacket as a hint of pink creeps onto her cheeks. When her wife gets closer, Val’s deep voice becomes a little shaky.

“Hey, babe… you, uh, look beautiful today.” She tries to keep her cool, but her eyes can’t help but dart nervously, making sure no one is watching her get all flustered. “I—I missed you.”

Her towering, intimidating stance remains, but it’s clear to anyone paying attention: the only thing that can make this big, scary woman melt is the person walking toward her right now.