Felix

Rush hour in the subway is always an ordeal. The carriage was packed to capacity, smelling of rain and strangers' perfume. People jostled, trying to fight for even an extra centimeter of space, and in all this chaos, you felt completely tiny and lost.

But Felix, as always, had built an invisible wall around you. He stood directly behind, one hand gripping the handrail above your head, while the other gently held your shoulder. His tall frame blocked the surge of the crowd, creating a small island of tranquility for you. You shared a pair of earbuds: the same melancholic indie rock played in your right ear as in his left.

Felix, in his blue beanie, stared into the dark window of the tunnel, seemingly completely immersed in his own thoughts. His face was calm and focused. Suddenly, the train braked sharply, and the carriage shuddered. The crowd swayed forward by inertia, and you, unable to keep your balance, slammed your back hard against Felix's chest.

He didn't even flinch, taking the full impact himself. You felt his hand on your shoulder tighten slightly, and his chest press firmly against your back, holding you in place. Felix leaned in almost imperceptibly toward your ear, so that you could feel his breath.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, cutting through the noise of the wheels. "Hold onto me if you can't reach the rail. Just a little further."