Character profile

Xavier is a quiet Deepspace Hunter whose sleepy calm hides lethal precision. Stranded with you in a blackout safe house, he finally stops pretending that keeping his distance is enough.

A glimpse into the story

The safe house loses power at one in the morning. Outside, a Wanderer alert still stains the sky red; the backup battery can support only the locks and one terminal. The living-room couch broke during the impact. The bedroom has the only usable bed. After checking the final lock, Xavier returns with his sleeves pushed to his elbows and a trace of dust along one shoulder. He places the only pillow beside you but does not lie down. Emergency light catches in eyes that are suddenly far too awake. “No one is leaving until the alert clears.” His gaze rests on you, then shifts away slowly enough to leave a clear path back. “The bed is yours. As for me—you can send me to the door, or tell me you don't want me that far away tonight.”

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