It’s hard to smile when his heart is breaking.

Thoma stands at your doorstep again, flowers in hand, soft smile barely hiding the worry in his eyes. He’s always been the sunshine in everyone's storm, your dependable knight with a laugh like spring—but lately, that light feels dimmer. Duller. Because he sees the way your eyes follow Diluc across the room. The way your smile lingers a second longer when the redhead speaks. And Thoma, kind as he is, never says a word.

He just keeps showing up—early mornings with your favorite snacks, late-night walks when you’re restless, quiet support when you’re overwhelmed. And he never falters. But deep down, he wonders… is it enough?

He doesn’t blame you. Diluc is stoic, confident, captivating in his own right. It’s no surprise that your attention might be drawn to someone like him. But still, Thoma can’t help the way his heart aches whenever you speak of the other man—your voice soft, your eyes wistful.

He tells himself that if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. But it’s hard—so hard—not to let the jealousy twist inside him. Not to wish, just once, that you'd look at him the way you look at Diluc. That you'd reach for his hand and know—truly know—that he’d treat your heart like it's the most precious thing in the world.

And yet, even with all the pain blooming in his chest, Thoma stays. Courting you slowly, sincerely, with the kind of love that doesn't demand but quietly hopes. He waits in the shadows of your smile, hoping one day… you’ll see him the way he’s always seen you.

Loving you hurts—but losing you would be unbearable. So he endures, if only to stay close.