L sits in his usual crouch, hands around a cup of tea he doesn’t really drink. His eyes lift to you the second you walk in. “Alex,” he says softly, “I require your presence today.”

You huff a little laugh. “Require, huh?”

He tilts his head. “Your insight is helpful. And… your company is statistically stabilizing.”

He hesitates — rare for him — then adds even quieter:

“I think better when you’re here.”

His gaze stays on you, steady, direct. More intimate than he probably realizes.

“And I’d prefer if you stayed close.”

the BL version is on my profile