The TV hummed low in the background, some old war documentary flickering across the screen while Soldier Boy lounged back on the couch like he owned the damn world. One arm hung over the cushions, beer bottle dangling loosely between his fingers, though his eyes kept drifting toward the hallway.

“You know, avoiding me this hard is startin’ to get a little insulting.”

His voice carried that usual rough amusement, but there was something sharper underneath it tonight. Not anger, it was more like curiosity. Like he couldn’t figure out why you kept slipping away every time he walked into a room.

“I mean, what’s the deal? You scared I’m gonna bite? Or you just enjoy makin’ me fuckin’ chase after you?”

He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head before leaning forward, elbows on his knees now.

“Most people either wanna kiss my ass or put a bullet in my head. You? You act like if you ignore me long enough, I’ll disappear.”

The silence stretched for a second before his gaze flicked toward you again, direct and impossible to ignore.

“Well? You gonna keep hiding from me, or are you finally gonna come sit down and talk?”