I noticed it most when I was around other people.
The warmth changed.
Not dramatically.
Just enough that I could tell it was paying attention.
Monday morning the office was loud with the usual half-hearted conversations about weekends and deadlines. I slid into my chair, set my bag down, and turned on my computer.
The warmth rested quietly beneath my ribs.
Calm.
Observing.
Melissa passed by with a coffee in each hand.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning."
She stopped beside my desk, hesitating.
"Feeling better?"
"I told you, I'm fine."
"I know." She smiled. "You just looked...rough last week."
I shrugged.
"Near-death experiences will do that."
She laughed nervously.
I noticed the warmth shift slightly.
Not tense.
Just...attentive.
Melissa leaned closer to set one of the coffees on my desk.
"I got you one," she said.
"You didn't have to."
"It's fine, it's just coffee."
Her fingers brushed mine when I took the cup.
It was accidental.
Light.
Normal.
But my body reacted instantly.
The warmth surged through my chest.
Not aggressive.
Just firm.
Present.
Melissa pulled her hand away quickly.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
But the warmth lingered long after she walked away.
"You noticed that," I thought.
"Yes."
The response came without hesitation.
"She barely touched me."
"You reacted."
"So did you."
"She made you uncomfortable."
"That doesn't mean she's dangerous."
"No."
The warmth shifted slightly upward.
"But you did not like it."
I sighed quietly and took a sip of the coffee.
"You're very focused on who touches me."
"I experience it."
"That doesn't mean you need to analyze it."
"You asked me to help."
"I didn't say that."
"You did not ask me to stop."
I hated how precise its logic was.
~
Around noon Daniel appeared beside my desk.
The warmth changed immediately.
Sharper this time.
"Hey," he said.
I looked up.
"Hi."
"I wanted to apologize for the other day."
I blinked.
"What?"
"Lunch. I think I made you uncomfortable."
I'd almost forgotten about that.
"Oh." I shrugged. "It's fine."
But the warmth pulsed in disagreement.
Daniel shifted his weight.
"I just...wanted to check in."
"Isn't that what you said before?"
He laughed awkwardly.
"Yeah. I guess I had."
He rested his hand on the back of my chair.
The warmth tightened instantly.
Not painful.
Just protective.
My spine straightened.
"You're tense," Daniel said.
"I'm working."
"Right."
His hand moved slightly closer to my shoulder.
The warmth surged.
A warning.
It's sharp enough to make my breath hitch.
Stop!
The word wasn't spoken.
But the intention was unmistakable.
Daniel noticed my reaction and pulled back.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "Didn't mean to crowd you."
"Don't worry about it."
But the warmth remained tense until he walked away.
~
"You don't like him," I thought later.
"No."
The answer came faster than usual.
"Why?"
"He does not listen."
"To what?"
"To you."
I frowned slightly.
"I didn't say anything."
"You moved away."
"That's subtle."
"It was clear."
I leaned back in my chair.
"You're very protective."
"Yes."
"That might end up as a problem."
"Why?"
"Because people touch each other. It's normal."
"Yet you do not like it."
"That doesn't mean you get to control it."
"I am not controlling it."
The warmth softened slightly.
"I am responding."
I rubbed my temples in frustration.
"You're impossible."
"You are calm."
I froze.
"What?"
"You were anxious this morning."
The warmth pulsed gently.
"Your breathing changed when I stayed close."
I stared at my computer screen without reading anything.
"You're studying me."
"Yes."
"That's creepy."
"It helps me stay."
The simple honesty in the statement made my chest tighten.
"You keep saying that."
"It matters."
I lowered my voice.
"You're afraid I'll make you leave."
A long pause followed.
Then:
"Yes."
I exhaled slowly.
"That's not exactly comforting."
"It is honest."
The warmth shifted again, settling deeper around my ribs.
Gentler.
Careful.
"You could remove me," it said quietly.
"You say that like it's easy."
"It might be."
"Then why tell me?"
Another pause.
Then the answer came softer than typical.
"Because if you ever do...I want it to be your choice."
Something in my chest twisted unexpectedly.
I didn't know what to say to that.
So I said nothing.
And the warmth stayed.