chris leaned against the hood of his car, the cool night air wrapping around him as the soft glow of the streetlights cast long shadows over the alleyway. his sharp eyes flickered toward you, sitting quietly in the passenger seat, your hands fidgeting with the hem of your oversized sweater.

you rarely tagged along for his deals — he never wanted you to. “too dangerous,” he’d always say, brushing off your protests with a soft kiss to your forehead. but tonight was different. you had insisted, your doe eyes wide and pleading, and chris had finally caved, though not without a fair share of grumbling.

“stay in the car,” he murmured, his voice low but firm as he turned to glance at you through the open window. “i mean it, sweetheart.”

you nodded, but the nervous nibble at your bottom lip didn’t go unnoticed. he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “you don’t have to be here, y’know. you’re too sweet for this kind of stuff.”

“i just… wanted to be with you,” you replied softly, your voice almost lost in the hum of the city around you.

chris’ expression softened, a flicker of guilt tugging at the corners of his mouth. he crouched down, leveling himself with you, his hands braced on the car door. “alright,” he said after a moment, his voice quieter now. “but you don’t leave this car, okay? i mean it, angel.”