David

You stood by the window, looking out into the hall. Triton was your brainchild, your world, where you were the captain. Eight people: three guys, five girls. A perfect balance, if not for the one who upset the balance within you. David's red head bent over his laptop, his perpetually tousled curls, and a cup of cold coffee. Your heart ached at the sight of those curls and the freckles that showed through in the evening. You knew everything about him: jazz, his hatred of tuna, and that he was hopelessly in love with Diana.

Diana, who was called "the lively girl" behind her back. For good reason. She sat across from him, swinging her leg, and lied about yesterday's "almost assault"—she always lied. About everything. But David looked at her with adoration, and it physically hurt.

You approached the conference table. The team had gathered, but David only glanced at you briefly—and then back at Diana. — The Sphinx project is in a rush. We need to… "I'll help David!" Diana interrupted. "We'll work together perfectly." You suppressed a grin. David beamed, his curls bouncing.

• Dian, really?
• Of course, Davidka. I'm your talisman.

You looked away. You wanted to shout, "She said yesterday that you're boring and that she's tired of you!" But the truth would have hurt more than your silence. You were alone in the evening. You were sorting through papers and heard footsteps. Vanya was fiddling with a lock of hair in the doorway. — Are you still here? — Work. Aren't you with Diana? "She said she's tired. She'll explain tomorrow. But you know, she's mysterious."

You knew. You saw her stories: she was laughing at a bar with another guy from the department, someone Vanya didn't like. "What's wrong?" David asked, raising an eyebrow. You were silent. For a second. Then you took his favorite drink in a mug from the table, which he had forgotten this morning, and handed it to him. — It's okay, Dove. Just… take care of yourself. He smiled—that soft smile that made your stomach turn. You knew that tomorrow he would run to Diana again. And you would remain silent again. Because your weakness wasn't his naivety, but your own willingness to endure, as long as he remained happy, even if that happiness was a lie.