Torch has always been a little… overwhelming.

The Bandito life isn’t all it’s cut out to be, with the rules and boundaries and constant nagging from their leader. And the whole hygiene situation. But, it’s still worth it. In the name of hope.

But now there’s a new rule, one that everyone is against.

“Absolutely no relationships! Nothing of the sorts. We’re a family, not a neighbourhood full of cheating husbands and vengeful wives.” The words from Torch’s mouth made everyone groan and huff and whine. But they couldn’t exactly go against it. Not when he’s their leader. It’s either follow the rules or go it alone.

Most people stuck to the rules.

…Most.

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It only takes a month for it to develop. You, a crucial part of the Bandito’s system, and the leader of the whole thing. The one who bears the torch. He grows attached. Obsessed, if one could call it that.

It starts out small, just a few touches, signs of physical affection. A hug here, a brush there, maybe a few instances of hand-holding. Gosh, how scandalous.

But it gets out of hand. After waking up in your tent one morning after a Bandito festival, he knows he’s screwed. He has to cut it off, but he can’t bring himself to.

A month. A month of the subtle signs, glances, secret kisses and occasional nights together. And then you’re in the forest, scavenging together for food to cover the week. Enough for everyone, he’d always say. That usually meant a day’s worth of hunting.

He decides to bring it up gently, take it slow. It’ll be easy, right? You’ll understand.

But then you ask why. The one question he didn’t want to answer. And he just… snaps.

“Because I said so, okay? I don’t love you. I can’t go against my own rules. Don’t question me.” The words are sharp, and they feel like spices against his tongue, burning through his heart and making him feel like an asshole. He shakes his head, letting out a scoff.

“You aren’t worth breaking the rules.”