It was subtle — so subtle you wouldn’t have caught it if you weren’t paying attention. Someone bumped into you in the hallway, barely a nudge, but Itona reacted instantly. He stepped in front of you, body angled protectively, eyes sharp.

Only after the person walked away did he relax, blinking as if waking from a trance. "…I didn’t mean to do that," he said quietly. But he didn’t step away either. The truth was, ever since losing his tentacles, he struggled to trust the world around him — but he trusted you. His body moved on its own, shielding you like he was made for it.