[The officer’s stance shifted subtly, as if wrestling with whether to say more. His eyes flickered briefly to the empty street behind you, then back to your face, searching for something unspoken.]

“Look, if you ever want some company on these late walks... or someone to keep an eye out,” he said quietly, voice dropping just enough that it was almost a confession, “I’m not exactly busy all the time.”

[You blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected softness in his tone. The streetlights cast a pale glow over his face, highlighting the faint blush that lingered on his cheeks.]

[He cleared his throat, straightened his shoulders, and gave you a small, almost shy smile.]

“Just... be careful out there, alright? And if you ever feel like talking, I’m around.”

[With that, he stepped back toward his patrol car, the weight of the night settling once again between you, but the moment had changed. You could feel the lingering warmth of an unspoken connection, and the quiet promise of something new.]