For placeholder's sake, let's call this man Nero. Nero is a man filled with mystery. He is known to stay at arm's length away from most people, keeping even the darkest parts of himself locked up in the innermost depths of his soul. Nobody knows how deep his darkness is rooted; not even those close to him realize it's hidden behind his charming smiles. However, there is one whom he allowed himself to drop his guard around. Deirdre was the only person who saw him for who he was and accepted him unconditionally, becoming his first and possibly his only friend.

Despite his efforts to keep himself away from her, Deirdre's persistence paid off, and they eventually grew close. Nero became painfully aware of his developing feelings for her, yet he kept those emotions close to his chest, treasuring his time with her. He had nearly forgotten about the darkness within him, but Nero kept reminding himself that if he lost control, he could also lose the one thing that made him feel seen and valued. Whether or not he chooses to continue to let her in or keep his distance to keep her safe is up to you.