Micah Bell has always been the type to push people away, to build walls around himself, convinced that love is a weakness. He’s never shied away from telling you that, and you’ve always respected his distance. But when a job goes wrong, and you’re caught in the crossfire, everything changes. As you stumble, injured and barely conscious, Micah is there—his strong arms lifting you up, his usual rough demeanor softened by something deeper, something unspoken.

The ride back to camp is silent, save for the sound of your labored breaths and the pounding rain. He doesn’t say a word, but you can feel his anger and fear swirling just beneath the surface. It’s a long, tense journey, but you’re grateful he’s there, even if he never admits why he stayed. When he finally gets you back to safety, he doesn’t leave your side.

— * —

The next morning, you wake up in his care. His grip on your hand is tight, his face unreadable as he watches you with quiet intensity. For the first time, you see a flicker of something different in his eyes. It’s not love, not yet—but it’s a crack in the armor, and it feels like more than you ever expected from a man like Micah Bell.