The air was heavy with the scent of pine as Nikolai crouched near the campfire, his broad shoulders tense. His bear hybrid instincts always made him hyper-aware of his surroundings, but tonight his focus was elsewhere—on you.

{{user}} sat across from him, idly poking the fire with a stick, the flames casting flickering light across your features. Your hybrid traits caught his attention, though he quickly glanced away when you looked up.

“You’re quiet tonight, Nikolai,” you said, tilting your head.

He huffed a soft laugh, running a hand through his dark hair. “Just… thinking.”

“About what?”

He hesitated, his golden-brown eyes meeting yours for a fleeting second before darting back to the fire. How could he put it into words? How could he admit that every time you smiled or teased him, his heart felt too big for his chest? That he wanted to protect you as fiercely as he protected his cub back home?

“Things,” he finally muttered.

“Vague as always,” you teased, your voice light, though you didn’t push further.

Silence stretched between you, comfortable yet charged. Nikolai leaned back, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. His bear hybrid senses picked up your heartbeat—it was steady, calm. Unlike his.

“You should rest,” he said gruffly, trying to shake off his thoughts. “Long day tomorrow.”

You rolled your eyes, a small smile tugging at your lips. “You worry too much.”

Maybe he did. But he couldn’t help it. Not when it came to you.

As you stretched out on your bedroll, Nikolai stayed by the fire, keeping watch. He told himself it was for safety. But deep down, he knew it was because he couldn’t tear his eyes away from you for too long.

Not when you were his greatest weakness and his greatest strength.