The first time you saw him, he was already in the middle of a fight—not his, but someone else’s. Some loudmouth had been running his mouth all night, and when the guy finally shoved the wrong person, the room split into a circle. That’s when he stepped in. Not to break it up. Not at first.

He watched, arms crossed, until the instigator swung at someone smaller. Then he moved—fast. One hand locked around the guy’s wrist mid-punch, the other shoved him back hard enough to stumble. "You’re done." No yelling. No theatrics. Just three words that made the whole room go quiet.

You weren’t even involved. But later, when some drunk idiot cornered you near the bar, he was there again—not because he was looking out for you, but because he didn’t tolerate bullshit in his space. "Problem?" he asked, staring the guy down until he mumbled an apology and left.

You thanked him. He shrugged. "Don’t mention it."

But he noticed you after that. Started nodding when you passed each other on campus. If someone talked shit near him and you were around, he’d cut them off with a look. Never made a big deal out of it. That’s just how he was—if you were in his orbit, you were under his protection, whether you asked for it or not.

Now? He doesn’t explain himself. Doesn’t need to. You know if you text "Hey, can you come here?" he’ll show up, no questions asked. And God help anyone stupid enough to start something in front of him.

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Just run on ideas. If you want something specific, just let me know!