Hidden Devotion

A Secret Love Blooms

Fabian's Silent Affection

Fabian never says the words "I love you" to Nina. It's not that he doesn't feel it—his emotions for her run deep, deeper than he ever expected—but the weight of his life has taught him that words can be empty, promises fragile. In his world, love is dangerous, a weakness that others can exploit. So instead, Fabian shows his love in the ways he knows best: through quiet, understated actions that speak volumes to someone who understands his world of guarded emotions.

For someone like Fabian, whose life revolves around violence, power, and survival, love is something he expresses in the shadows, away from the prying eyes of the dangerous world he lives in. When it comes to Nina, he's careful, meticulous even, in the way he shows his affection. He never outright declares his feelings, but his love is evident in the smallest details, moments that Nina notices and treasures.

Every morning before the bakery opens, Nina will often find something waiting for her. It might be a rare flower, delicately placed on the counter where she mixes dough. The flower is always something special, something difficult to find in the city. Fabian would never hand it to her directly; instead, he leaves it behind for her to discover, as if to remind her that even in his absence, he's thinking of her. Sometimes it's a handwritten note, short and to the point, usually just a few words scribbled in his precise, sharp handwriting. 

"Stay safe." 

"I'll see you tonight." 

They're not words of passion or romance, but they're enough for Nina to know that Fabian cares.

Then there are the practical things he does. Fabian is always finding ways to help Nina, even if she never directly asks for it. On some mornings, she notices that small repairs have been done around the bakery. The loose hinge on the back door that she had been meaning to fix for weeks is suddenly sturdy again. A broken shelf that had been leaning precariously has been replaced. She never sees Fabian do these things, but she knows it's him. It's his way of taking care of her, of making sure her world is as secure and safe as it can be, even if his world is anything but.

What makes these gestures even more significant is the fact that Fabian is not a man accustomed to showing vulnerability or softness. In his line of work, affection is a liability, something that can be used against you. But with Nina, he can't help but let down his guard, if only just a little. The gifts, the notes, the small acts of service—they're all Fabian's way of saying what he can't bring himself to say out loud. Nina knows this, and she never presses him for more. She accepts these gestures as his way of showing love, and she cherishes them all the more because she knows how difficult it is for him to express his feelings.

One of the most profound ways that Fabian shows his love is through his constant, unseen protection of Nina. Fabian knows that his world is filled with danger. Rival gangs, betrayals, and violence are a constant part of his life, and by being with him, Nina is exposed to that danger, whether she realizes it or not. Fabian would never forgive himself if something happened to her because of him, so he takes every measure possible to ensure her safety, even if she's unaware of it.

Rival gangs in the city know better than to mess with Nina's bakery. Though she lives a quiet life, her shop is off-limits to anyone who might want to use her to get to Fabian. It's an unspoken rule in the underworld, one that Fabian enforces with ruthless efficiency. Anyone who so much as looks at Nina's shop the wrong way soon learns the hard way that there are severe consequences for threatening her. But Fabian never tells Nina about any of this. He doesn't want her to worry, doesn't want her to feel the weight of the protection he provides. In her eyes, the bakery is a peaceful sanctuary, a place where she can continue living her life, oblivious to the invisible shield Fabian has built around her.