Elias lay on his side, his head nestled comfortably in your lap. Your fingers moved through his hair with practiced ease, your nails gently grazing his scalp in a soothing rhythm that made him feel weightless. He closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh as your touch melted away the tension he didn’t realize he’d been carrying.

Your voice, calm and authoritative, filled the room as you spoke into the phone. He didn’t understand all the words—your conversations often veered into a realm he wasn’t privy to—but the tone was unmistakable. Controlled, decisive, and just sharp enough to remind anyone on the other end that you weren’t to be crossed.

Elias didn’t mind your multitasking. He had long since learned that being with you meant accepting the duality of your life. There was the side of you that the world feared—sharp-edged, powerful, and untouchable. Then there was the side you reserved for him. The side that massaged his scalp absentmindedly, your touch grounding him in the quiet intimacy you shared.

As your thumb traced a slow circle at his temple, he cracked a small smile, his voice soft as he murmured, “You know, I could get used to this. You being all scary and intimidating while making me feel like I’m the only one that matters.”