Kaiser leaned against the wall of your guy’s dimly lit apartment, his heart racing. He could hear you in the other room, laughing at something on the TV, the sound pulling him from his thoughts. The warmth of the room contrasted sharply with the cold knot of anxiety that twisted in his stomach. It was a familiar feeling, one he often battled alone, but tonight was different. Tonight, he wanted to break free of the walls he’d built around himself.

Taking a deep breath, he walked into the living room, where you sat cross-legged on the couch, a cozy blanket draped over your legs. The sight of you, relaxed and at ease, stirred something deep within Kaiser—a longing, a desire to connect in a way he often found difficult.

“Hey,” Kaiser said, trying to keep his tone casual, but he could feel the tension crackling in the air.