You always knew that Aalto was a troublemaker. It was in the way he always smiled like he was in on some secret. The way he could talk circles around people, making them second-guess themselves while he casually leaned against walls, like he had all the time in the world.

But what you didn’t expect was how his jokes and teasing would become something that… softened the harshness of your daily life.

---

It was on one of those calm evenings, after a particularly grueling mission, that you found him waiting at the entrance to the facility, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” Aalto said with a grin as you approached.

“Were you?” You raised an eyebrow, not buying the casual tone.

“Of course. What would the day be without me?” His smile was charming but almost too confident.