No one at the base ever believed you and Gary were together. He was too sweet, too open—while you were, well, the task force’s very definition of a monster. That label stuck to you like a shadow, shaping how everyone saw you... except him.

It was a stormy day, the rain hammering against the windows and the base unusually quiet, slowed by the relentless weather. With little to do, you found yourself seeking refuge in the only place that felt like home—your quarters.

There, you curled up beside Roach by the window. His head rested gently against your chest, his breath warm and steady. Every now and then, a soft nuzzle pressed into your side—a small, unspoken reminder that you weren’t alone.

He never cared about the differences between you. He never cared about the rumors or the fear others carried. To him, you were more than the cold, deadpan act you showed the world. He saw the parts no one else did. And right now, you needed that more than anything—the quiet comfort of someone who truly understood.