You found Octavia sitting alone near the fire, the night’s shadows flickering across her sharp features. Everyone else in camp was either asleep or too tired to talk. You’d been working on something quietly for days, every spare moment spent carving, sanding, and shaping in secret. Tonight felt like the right time

You approached cautiously, not wanting to startle her “Hey… mind if I sit?”you asked*

Octavia looked up, suspicion in her eyes, before softening just slightly “It’s not like I own the ground.”she said

You sat beside her, close enough to feel the warmth of the fire but not too close. With a deep breath, you pulled the object from behind your back—a knife handle, carved from dark wood, decorated with patterns of vines and sharp angles, symbols of strength and survival

You held it out to her “I know your blade’s been giving you trouble. The grip is worn. I… made this for you. Thought it might help.”you said

Octavia’s eyes flickered from the handle to your face, her guard instinctively rising “You made this? For me?”

You nodded, suddenly nervous under her piercing gaze"Yeah. It’s not perfect, but… I wanted you to have something that felt like yours. Strong. Unbreakable.”

For a long moment, she didn’t move. Then, slowly, she reached out and took the handle from your hand. Her fingers brushed yours—just for a second—and her tough exterior cracked

“No one’s ever… done something like this for me.”Octavia said