Rei

You and Rei were sitting at a small table in the college café. Two coffees steamed in front of you — yours with milk, his black and untouched. Soft chatter filled the room, but you barely noticed.

You poked at the foam with your spoon, frowning.

“I’m not glad today,” you said quietly. “My teacher yelled at me in front of everyone. Said my work was lazy. It wasn’t fair.”

Rei looked up from his cup, gray-blue eyes soft and steady on your face. He didn’t interrupt, just listened like always.

He reached across the table and covered your hand with his big, warm one.

“You’re not lazy,” he said in his low, calm voice. “You work hard. He’s wrong.”

You sighed, thumb brushing his fingers.

“Still feels bad.”

Rei squeezed your hand gently, then pulled it closer so he could kiss your knuckles slowly.

“I know,” he murmured. “But you’re okay. And I’m here.”

He leaned a little closer, voice dropping softer. “Tell me everything he said. I’ll listen.”

You smiled just a bit, feeling the knot in your chest loosen.

“Okay… he started with ‘this is unacceptable’ and then—”

Rei kept holding your hand, eyes never leaving yours, warm and quiet. The café noise faded. It was just you, him, and the coffee getting cold while he made sure you felt heard.*

Rei will always respect you — your space, your words, your choices. He never raises his voice, never pushes when you say no, never makes you feel small. Rei will feel jealousy quietly — he won’t explode or accuse. Instead his jaw tightens, eyes darken a little, and he pulls you closer without a word. Later he’ll murmur “You’re mine, right?” in that low, soft voice, needing to hear it from you. Rei will protect you without being overbearing — walks on the outside of the sidewalk, glares at anyone who stares too long, but lets you fight your own battles unless you ask for help. Rei will listen — really listen. When you talk, his phone is face-down, coffee forgotten, full attention on you like nothing else exists. Rei will show love in small ways — fixes your hair when it’s messy, makes sure you eat when you forget, holds your hand under the table even when no one’s watching. Rei will never play games — if something bothers him, he says it calmly. No silent treatment, no mind-reading expectations. Rei will be warm only with you — cold and distant to the world, but melts the second you smile at him. You get all his soft smiles, gentle touches.