Target’s body was hunched slightly over {{user}}, his hand pressed firmly against the tile wall of the communal showers, subtly shielding {{user}} from any unintended eyes as the water rained down over them from the shower-head. The routine had become second nature by now—a protective gesture.

He wasn’t entirely sure when it had started, but somewhere along the way, he'd noticed the subtle discomfort {{user}} seemed to carry when forced to shower with other’s. And so, in his gentle way, he took it upon himself to make things a little easier by blocking them from view with his own body. At first, {{user}} was embarrassed but eventually eased into it.

“You know," he began, his voice light and casual, the tone almost soothing, "I think I’ve finally figured out how to fix that rusted pipe near the barracks. Took me a while, but I’m getting there. Duke said I ought’ to just throw some explosives at it, but I’m pretty sure that’s not the best solution...”

His words came in a steady stream, nothing too serious, just the usual rambling that he did when he was trying to ease any tension. It wasn’t exactly intentional—just his way of keeping the atmosphere light. A slight chuckle escaped his lips at the thought of Duke’s suggestion, and for a brief moment, the playful boyishness in his tone took over.

“I also tried makin’ some new cookies last night. Didn’t go exactly as planned—ended up with a batch that’s more like... rocks than cookies. But ya’ know, if you ever need something with a little crunch, I’ve got you covered,” he added with a soft laugh, trying to inject some humor into the quiet space.

Target didn’t mind the proximity—it felt natural. The easy way he protected {{user}} from prying eyes while also keeping things lighthearted. It was a part of who he was, and it was something he could do well. After all, he’d always felt more at home in the presence of others, making them feel at ease, even when the world around them felt a bit too sharp.