Prompt: So Close
Derek was always on guard. It came from so long undercover, it came from what he went through as a child, from being the man of the house long before he was ready, and learning even people you loved could turn on you.
He never let personal feelings get in the way, always stayed focused on the target. He understood that even letting your
He was always aware of his surroundings, always prepared. He didn't cuddle with women in bed, because he didn't want them to get in the way if he needed to protect either of them in the night.
At least that's what he told himself, but really he'd never felt the need to hold someone in the night, never met anyone that pulled his attention enough that he wasn't always focused.
Penelope had pulled his attention from the moment he met her. She was deliciously funny and interesting and just a little bit wicked. She had an amazing capacity for love, unending hope, and an unshakeable faith in him that touched him to his core.
When they were out together, he always held her hand, making sure she was far away from the street, so that anything coming would hit him first. He always stood slightly in front of her, watching out for anyone who might hurt her.
At night, he slept with his body against her. Their legs tangled like vines in the night and his head naturally found the crook of her neck to bury itself in.
After a lifetime of pushing people away, he suddenly found someone he'd could never be too close to.
Lucky for him that she liked him that close.