Warnings: none
He sometimes forgets while in the heat of battle just how fragile she is.
There's the occasional hesitancy or a sympathetic curve of her brow, but she is almost always so determined to leave a battle victorious. Even at the cafe, she can have such a focused expression while working.
But now.
She falls asleep against his shoulder. He doesn't notice right away, too engrossed in his book. But the soft sound of her steady breathing startles him. One look at her, and he freezes.
She seems so content.
A sweet blush upon her soft skin. Her lips slightly puckered. Her bangs falling onto her face.
So gentle. So fragile.
He stares longer than he should. But then again, when else can he allow himself the privilege of admiring her beauty?
He wants to kiss her. To hold her.
He won't.
Instead, he adjusts her position so she's more comfortable.
In her vulnerability, he'd protect her, as he always tries to do. Though she isn't his. He knows she'd do the same for him.
Written in early 2022.