Rowan had always been the pride of the boxing ring, a rising star with the perfect combination of strength, speed, and technique. But outside of the ring, he couldn’t escape the doubts that lingered beneath his tough exterior. Every scar, every bruise, every mark from his fights gnawed at him, reminding him that his body, once pristine, had been changed forever by his passion for the sport. His once-perfect physique was now dotted with imperfections, a testament to his grit but also a source of deep insecurity.

You, on the other hand, were everything Rowan felt he wasn’t—flawless. With striking features, an effortless beauty, and a confidence that came naturally, you were the picture of perfection. You loved him for who he was, not for the way he looked. Yet, despite your affection, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t deserve someone like you.

One evening, after a grueling training session, Rowan stood in front of the mirror in the locker room, examining the scars and bruises on his body. His hands, once clean and steady, were now calloused and scarred from years of punches thrown and taken. He sighed, his gaze flickering to the reflection of his bruised face.

You walked in just then, a warm smile on your face, unaware of the storm brewing inside him. You reached out to touch his arm gently, a loving gesture that should have comforted him. But all he could think about was how perfect you were compared to him.

The self-doubt gnawed at him, and in the quiet of the locker room, he whispered, “I don’t look the same anymore. I’m not the guy you fell for.”