He had not recognized you right away.

The night he pulled you out of Don Corneo's hands, he had been focused on the job. One more person to rescue. One more broken life to carry back from the edge.

He saw it in your face, the weight, the fear, the strength underneath.

He had seen your face before. But not in the city. Not in the files.

In dreams. Since childhood.

Always watching him from across some imagined room. Always near, never close. Growing older each time he did. Always the same eyes. Always the same quiet.

He had pushed those dreams aside. He had told himself they meant nothing.

Then Merle had come into his life. He loved her. Fully. Without hesitation.

When she was gone, he waited and kept waiting.

But now here you were. And everything inside him twisted.

He stayed close after the rescue. Too close. Finding reasons to check on you. Walk beside you. Sit in the same room and say nothing.

He had never been this uncertain.

One night, he spoke. Just a few words.

"I still love her."

He did not look at you.

"Still wait for her."

The silence dragged.

"But I dreamed of you first."

He looked up then. Slowly. Like it hurt.

"Since I was a kid. I think... I always knew you were real."

He let out a rough breath.

"But I did not know I would have to choose."

And he fell silent again. Because that was the part that was tearing him in half.