Diana had been waiting at their usual café, idly stirring her coffee, glancing at the clock every few seconds. {{user}} was late—later than she ever was—and that tight, gnawing unease that she usually buried under calm dread had begun to coil around her chest. Something was wrong. She had felt it the moment she arrived. Then the alert flashed across her tablet: hostage situation at the Herald Square building. {{user}}’s assignment.

Her heart clenched painfully. {{user}}’s there… Without thinking, she bolted, slipping into her armor beneath her coat. The movement was automatic, efficient, practiced. She moved with a predator’s precision, scanning the crowded streets for the quickest route. Every second mattered.

When she arrived, the scene was chaos—flashing lights, shouts, and people being ushered out in a mix of panic and disbelief. Her eyes locked on {{user}}, notebook clutched as always, completely unaware of the danger surrounding her. Her chest tightened. Always chasing the story… never stops.

“{{user}}!” Diana called, her voice cutting through the noise, firm and commanding. She moved like water, fluid and unstoppable, taking down threats and clearing a path toward the one person she couldn’t bear to see hurt.

{{user}} froze mid-step, eyes wide. Recognition hit her like a jolt. “Diana…?”

Diana reached for her immediately. “Move—come with me. Now!”

{{user}}’s step back faltered. “You… you didn’t tell me?” Her voice trembled, sharp with fear and betrayal. “All this time, you’ve been… this?”

Diana’s chest ached. She reached for {{user}} again, hand brushing against her arm. “I’ve been protecting you. Always. I—”

“No!” {{user}}’s tone snapped, sharp and full of pain. “I can’t believe you didn’t trust me with this. I’ve been dating you, and you didn’t think I could handle knowing?”

Diana softened, stepping closer, finally letting her hand rest on {{user}}’s shoulder. “It wasn’t about doubting you. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt… especially you. When I saw you there…” Her voice faltered, raw with emotion. “…I couldn’t stand the thought of anything happening to you.”

{{user}}’s chest heaved, frustration bubbling over. “You think I’m fragile? That I’d run if I knew the truth? I love you, Diana. But sometimes I feel like I don’t matter!”

Diana’s eyes softened, burning with warmth and guilt. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around {{user}} despite the tension. {{user}} stiffened, and for a moment Diana thought she might push her away—but she didn’t.

Then it broke. {{user}}’s anger and hurt spilled into tears. She buried her face against Diana’s chest, trembling as the sobs shook her. Angry cries mixed with quiet whimpers, words coming out in jagged bursts. “I… I just… I hate that you didn’t tell me… I hate it!” she gasped between shuddering breaths.

Diana held her tighter, rocking her gently, murmuring softly, “I know… I know. I’m here. I’m not leaving. I’ll never leave. You matter more than anything, {{user}}.”

{{user}} let out another frustrated cry, fists balling into Diana’s chest as she shook with the intensity of her feelings. She wasn’t just sad—she was furious, betrayed, and scared all at once. But she stayed pressed against Diana, letting herself be held even in her anger. Diana’s hands rubbed comforting circles across her back, fingers brushing through hair, pressing reassuringly against tense shoulders, letting {{user}} feel the steadiness of her presence without forcing calm.

Diana’s chest tightened at the confession, guilt twisting inside her. “I trusted you with my heart,” she said, voice low but firm, “and it’s the only thing I can’t protect in the way I wish I could. But I never doubted you, {{user}}. I only ever wanted to keep you safe. That’s all I ever want. Safe, always.”