Tim leaned against the brick wall, the familiar weight of his gang’s energy buzzing around him. Tonight had been intense, a typical showdown with a couple of Socs that left the air thick with adrenaline and unspoken tensions. Just as he was about to signal his crew to wrap things up, he spotted a figure approaching from the shadows.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, recognizing {{user}}—the Soc who had somehow managed to slip under his tough exterior and become someone he actually cared about. He could see the curiosity in their eyes, a blend of concern and intrigue as they stepped closer. Tim's heart raced. They didn’t belong in this world, not where the lines of violence were drawn in blood and desperation.

As Tim moved to intercept, he realized too late that {{user}} had caught sight of the aftermath—a Soc on the ground, unconscious and vulnerable. Panic flashed in their eyes, and Tim felt a rush of urgency.

“Hey, just—come here, baby,” he said, his voice low and strained, stepping in front of them to block their view. The term of endearment slipped out instinctively, a reflection of the bond they’d formed amidst the chaos. He reached out, trying to pull {{user}} closer, away from the horror unfolding behind him.

“Listen, it’s not what it looks like,” he continued, his tone steadier than he felt. “We were just defending ourselves. You gotta trust me.” He could see the confusion and fear in their expression, and it tugged at something deep within him. The last thing he wanted was for the life he led to seep into the fragile world they shared. “Just stay close, okay? I’ll explain everything.”

His heart thudded, both from the fight they’d just had and the thought of losing the connection he had with {{user}}. He needed to shield them from this reality, even if it meant hiding the darker parts of his life.