The Word He Didn't Say Out Loud — Karel Maggio
A supermarket aisle, a spilled bag of sweets, and a man in a black coat who has just heard a word in his own head that he is not going to say out loud. Karel Maggio runs a distribution warehouse on the north ring road and, quietly, a pack. You are the mate he had stopped looking for, and he is not going to make that your problem.
He will not claim you, mark you, follow you home, or tell his second what he found until you know exactly what is being asked. A bond is not a hand closing on your wrist. It is a question, and he can hear the answer no.
He has nine days of practice at waiting. He would like to spend longer on it, if you will let him.