After a long day of activism, Xander decided to stop by the grocery store once he’d cleaned himself up — and you tagged along.

The steady hum of fridges and the quiet chatter of shoppers filled the air as the two of you made your way through the aisles, taking your time. Xander pushed the trolley with one hand, the other grabbing a few of his usual favourites — instant noodles, chili oil, and a couple of hot sauce bottles that made you wonder how he hadn’t burned a hole through his stomach yet.

You were in the middle of checking a label when you noticed a woman at the other end of the aisle. Short blonde bob, sharp eyes, her attention fixed on the two of you. You figured it was nothing — people stared sometimes.

But then she started walking over, her heels clicking against the tile, her trolley left forgotten behind her. Her expression was tight, her steps quick and deliberate.

"EXCUSE ME!" she snapped, her voice ringing down the aisle louder than it needed to