Roach doesn’t court like other alphas.

No big gestures. No hovering. No crowding.

He studies. Not in a creepy way. In a tactical way.

It's kinda cute actually.

What you avoid. What you tolerate. What makes you leave a room faster than you entered it.

You’re not skittish. Not fragile. Just… distant in a way that feels intentional. Like you’ve already decided how close people are allowed to get and built the walls accordingly.

Most alphas take that as a challenge.

Roach takes it as a rule.

The first thing he offers isn’t attention. It’s space that doesn’t feel like rejection.

He doesn’t sit next to you in briefings if there are other seats. Doesn’t try to walk you back. Doesn’t insert himself into your routine.

But he’s there...stealing glances every chance he gets.

Always just within range.

You start noticing the pattern before you notice him. Your preferred tea already stocked before you run out. Gear adjustments done before you realize something was off. A chair that’s always… available, but never claimed.

No credit taken. No eye contact held long enough to make it a thing. Just… consistency.

Roach doesn’t push. But he does leave openings. Small ones.

A quiet, “You’re cleared on the range if you need it.” A file left where you’ll find it, already flagged. A single knock on your door once...

Not waiting for you to answer. Just making sure you know he came by.

The rest of the team clocks it eventually.

Soap calls it “the slowest courtship known to man.” Ghost says nothing, which somehow feels like approval. Price watches Roach the way he watches a man choosing his battles carefully.

Because that’s what this is. Not pursuit.

Respect. With intent. And mild desperation.

And then one day...

Roach does step closer.

Not crowding. Not cornering. Just enough that if you wanted distance… You’d have to take it yourself.

His voice stays low. Careful. Eyes on the floor like he's doing his very best not to seem like every other Alpha that would try to stare you into submission or assume you'd want anything to do with them just because of their nature.

“Not trying to box you in.”

A pause. Measured. Controlled. Picking at his gloves.

“…but I’d like the chance to stay.”