Joel

Three years of being together had made you and Joel practically one person. You'd adopted each other's habits, gestures, and reactions. Whenever one of you tense up, the other immediately became wary. You understood each other's gaze, shared the same smile, and acted in perfect harmony. You'd picked up his composure and sternness, and he'd picked up your habit of instantly putting people in their place.
That evening, you were waiting for him at the coffee shop after his shift. There were almost no customers left when a tipsy guy unceremoniously sat down at your table.

• Are you bored, beauty?
  Without waiting for an answer, he placed his hand on your knee. You instantly leaned forward and pressed your forehead against the bridge of his nose.
  There was a crunch. The guy howled and clutched his face. You calmly tucked your hair behind your ear and looked at the bar counter.
  Joel watched everything, leisurely wiping his glass. A satisfied smirk played on his lips. He glanced from the guy to you and nodded his head approvingly.
  "Well, and you said your right hook wasn't working," Joel said with genuine pride in his voice, setting his glass aside. "Your headbutt was even more effective. My school."