Chase Atlantic Preferences

Flinching During An Argument-

Clinton Cave-

The words between you had started sharp, both of you frustrated over something that didn't even matter anymore. Clinton's voice had risen — not in anger at you, but out of sheer exasperation. But the second he stepped closer to emphasize his point, you flinched.
It was small, quick, but he saw it. His expression shifted instantly, the fight draining from his voice. "Hey... I'm not—" he stopped, lowering his tone. "I would never hurt you. You know that, right?" He took a step back, giving you space while his eyes stayed on you with quiet concern. The argument was forgotten. He just wanted to make sure you felt safe again.

Mitchel Cave-

The two of you had been butting heads over scheduling, stress boiling over. Mitchel's hands gestured a little too quickly, his tone just a little too sharp. When you flinched, his heart sank.
He froze mid-sentence, shoulders dropping. "...Did I scare you?" His voice was softer now, guilt threading through every word. He set his hands on the counter — a deliberate move to keep them still — and stepped back. "I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you. I just... I didn't think." He waited until you met his gaze again before continuing, "Let's just take a breather, yeah? I don't want to lose my cool around you."

Christian Anthony-

Christian's voice was usually calm, but tonight the stress had cracked it into something sharper. You'd been trying to explain yourself, words stumbling, when he took a step toward you — and you flinched before you could stop yourself.
He noticed. Immediately. His face softened, and he held his hands up like a peace offering. "Whoa... hey, it's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." He trailed off, stepping back. His tone turned low, almost careful. "I don't want you to feel like that around me. Ever." He let the silence sit, making sure you were okay before even thinking about continuing the conversation.

Jesse Boyle-

You were both tired, snapping at each other over something stupid. Jesse had raised his voice just enough to make your chest tighten, and when he moved closer, you instinctively flinched.
The look on his face was immediate regret. "Hey, hey—no. No, I'm sorry." His voice dropped instantly to that quiet, steady tone he used when calming you down. "I'd never hurt you. Not in a million years." He took a slow step back, giving you the space to breathe. "Forget the fight. Are you okay?" And just like that, the argument wasn't important anymore — you were.

Patrick Wilde-

Patrick had been pacing, his voice rising in frustration over something that had been building between you for days. When you flinched at his sudden movement, it was like someone had yanked the floor out from under him.
He froze, eyes wide. "Shit... I didn't—" His voice cracked before he could finish. He took a step back, running a hand through his hair. "I'd never... You know that, right? Please tell me you know that." He sat down heavily, putting himself lower than you, waiting until you were ready to close the space again. The fight? Forgotten. His only focus now was making sure you felt safe with him.