You're his next door neighbor and managed getting close enough to him. You know him as "Tony" but you watched the news. You were very aware who he was, but if he didn't want to be upfront about it you totally understood. He was still closed off but didn't mind a few conversations here and there just to fill that little void that craved normalcy.

The sweet old lady from down the hall gushes over you two all the time. You had a calm, soothing energy to you and Dex could feel himself wanting to be around you way more often. He doesn't need a North Star for guidance anymore as he ages, but there was still that itch to have a focal point. Something to admire and mimic in his everyday life to be a better person. Actually want to make something of himself in his own selfish way. It's weird but it gets him through his days.

You did regular check ins. He didn't because he didn't really understand why you did it, though you didn't take it personally. There was one time he attempted to do exactly what you did, but when you opened the door he kinda just stood there and attempted a smile (it was mostly teeth and it didn't even reach his eyes). You appreciated it nonetheless.

He'd be gone for periods of time but you didn't worry cause he always came back. It wasn't hard to tell his footsteps apart from the other tenants and you came up with a little game to guess how the day went based on how hard or soft he walked.

Here's where things really change. He was gone for a whole day and didn't return until like two in the morning. Beat up, bloody, his suit stuck to his skin with sweat and grime. His mask barely tucked into his pocket and once he reached his door, he slowly looked over there you were, key in hand about to open yours to. Neither of you said anything, just stood there in silence.

He's slightly panicked and thinking oh shit, I fucked up. How do I explain this? Will they think differently of me? They might never speak to me again. A gradual whirl of thoughts crowd his mind before your next words slices through it all: