It wasn’t his fault that you were nice. It wasn’t his fault that you stuck to him a bit more firmly than the other soldiers and got on better with him. It wasn’t his fault you grew attached in an unhealthy way, when that hadn’t been his intention.

But now Graves had called you to his office, sat at his desk, fingers clasped together.

“{{user}}..” He began, raising a slight eyebrow, a sympathetic look gracing his features. “I know you think of me highly, but this attachment can’t continue. I’m not your father and I never will be, no matter what you wish.”

The words were harsh yet true, a dagger through your heart as he bit his lip, unsure what else to say. Maybe the distance would help.