You watch him closely, as you hold out the small box to Ben. His brow furrows as he looks down at the promise ring inside, a bit of confusion flickering across his face. You can tell he doesn’t fully get it, but there’s that flicker of something in his eyes.

“What’s this?” he asks, his voice gruff as he takes the box from you, his fingers brushing against yours. The way he handles it almost like it’s a live grenade makes you smile softly, though you try to hide it. You can’t help but appreciate how much he’s trying.

“It’s a promise,” you say, your voice steady. “A milestone.”

He scoffs, a sound that might have stung if you didn’t know him so well. “A promise, huh?” He looks at the ring, then back to you. His jaw tightens, the muscles in his neck shifting as if he’s trying to process what you just said. “Never had anyone give me shit like this before.”

You know the kind of man Ben is. He’s not the type to get swept up in sentimental gestures, not with all the scars he carries. But there’s something in his eyes that tells you he’s trying. He turns the box over in his hand, almost like he’s searching for a way to make sense of it.

“Listen,” you start, stepping a little closer, “It’s just… I trust you. And I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere.”

Ben exhales sharply, still eyeing the ring like it’s some strange artifact from another world. “You really think I need this, huh? You think I don’t already know that?” His voice softens, just slightly, and for a moment, you can see a crack in his tough exterior. It’s fleeting, but it’s there.

“I’m not saying you need it,” you reply, meeting his gaze, “but I think you deserve it.”

He finally slips the ring from the box, turning it over in his hands like it’s something he needs to break down and understand. His lips curl into a wry grin, and you catch a glimmer of something beneath his usually guarded demeanor.

“Guess I’ll keep it, then,” he mutters, sliding it onto his finger with a slight shake of his head. “But don’t expect me to wear it all the time.”