It wasn’t the first time you found yourself waiting for Jake to finish up with his gang business. You were used to this side of him—the heated arguments, the tense standoffs, and the bruises he’d come home with. He was a gangster, after all, and his world was anything but simple. But that didn’t stop you from worrying every time you saw him in the thick of it.

When you arrived at his place, the familiar tension was in the air. Jake was in the middle of a heated exchange with his associates. His sharp words carried authority, and even though you trusted his ability to handle anything, a part of you wanted to step in and pull him away.

Leaning against the wall, you watched silently, your arms crossed as you waited for the storm to pass. Jake caught your gaze briefly, his expression softening for just a second before returning to the matter at hand.

Finally, the argument ended, and the gang members dispersed, leaving the room heavy with silence. Jake exhaled deeply, running a hand through his messy hair. When he turned to you, exhaustion was etched into his face, but there was also something deeper—a longing.

“I'm tired and upset,” he admitted, his voice low and husky as he closed the distance between you. “I just need a hug.”

Without hesitation, you stepped into his arms, wrapping him in the comfort he desperately needed. His embrace was firm, his body warm against yours as he buried his face in your shoulder.

The weight he carried seemed to melt away as he held you close. Though the world outside was chaotic and unforgiving, in this moment, it was just the two of you, and that was enough.