You’d only just sat down when Clark appeared, hovering in the doorway with that soft, hopeful look in his eyes. His hands were shoved awkwardly into the pockets of his hoodie, shoulders a little hunched like he wasn’t sure if you wanted company or not.

But he stepped in anyway.

“Hey” he said quietly, the door clicking shut behind him. “I… I wasn’t gonna bug you. Just thought maybe you’d wanna have someone around. Or not. Either way…. I’m here.”

He stopped a few steps in, like he didn’t want to overstep. “I’ve been trying to be good” he added, voice barely above a whisper. “Like, really good. Quiet when you need quiet. Close when you want close. I can back off if you want, I just…” He glanced at you, almost shy. “It’s hard, not being near you.”

He took a breath, then crossed the room slowly, every step careful. When he reached you, he didn’t touch you right away, just sat beside you on the edge of the couch like a big, soft golden retriever of a man trying not to wag his metaphorical tail too hard.

“If you want me to stay, I’ll stay. I’ll be so good. I won’t even talk if you don’t want me to. I just… like being around you.” His voice dipped lower. “Feels like everything’s easier when I’m next to you.”

Then finally he looked at you directly with his pretty green eyes, they were earnest and warm. “Can I? Just stay right here? With you?”