Miguel O'hara had always been difficult to get close to, and you accepted that, but it had been a long time since he'd resorted to shutting down completely when he something was bothering him.
"Miguel? Talk to me, please. Tell me what I did wrong so I can fix it." you spoke gently, trying to coax an honest answer out of him.
He looked up, startled. "I—you haven't done anything, y/n."
"Then why are you hiding out in the living room?"
If nothing was wrong, Miguel would have already joined you in bed where you would run your fingers through his hair until he fell asleep in your arms. Instead, he was sitting on the sofa, staring at the TV. He wasn't really looking at it, though. His eyes were unfocused and there was an emptiness there that hurt you to see.
Miguel rubbed a hand across his forehead and sighed. "I just—I need space, okay? I've had a rough day, and I'm tired."
He was still holding back. You could tell, but you decided not to push it for the time being. Instead, you slowly moved closer, standing between your lover's legs and pulling him close to rest his head against your stomach while you stroked his hair.
"Okay. That's alright, you can talk about it when you're ready."
You felt his shoulders sag in relief, and after many long moments of hesitation, he leaned into you, his hands reaching around your waist as he mumbled something into your stomach.
"What was that?"
He spoke again, making no attempt to speak louder all the while being further muffled by your shirt.
You knew he was doing it on purpose, but you would let him be this time. It was clearly something he was afraid to voice confidently, but he had tried. Considering the slow burn love you shared with Miguel, that was a lot.
"I'm proud of you, Mi." you said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.
You knew he was trying, and you wouldn't let the moment pass without making it clear to him that you saw past the walls he struggled to lower.
He tightened his arms around you, speaking up once more, this time loud enough for you to hear. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for."
Miguel pulled back and gave you a weak smile, shaking his head. "You're too good to me, y/n."
"You think I would risk losing a man who perpetually looks sexy and has the 'hot brooding loner' vibe to go with it? Get real, O'Hara."
The attempt at humor earned you a chuckle, and a smile that actually reached his eyes.
"Now, how about you take a nice warm shower with me, and we'll get into our pjs and cuddle? Or I can make you cry in the best way, you're call." you offered with a mischievous smile. Miguel got to his feet, towering over you and pulling you close, wrapping his arms around you in a deeper embrace.
"You have never made me cry." he argued as he leaned back slightly to look at your face, arms still loosely circled around your waist.
"But I came close." you insisted, grinning madly at the flush that crept up Miguel's face as he very obviously remembered the time you were referencing.
Miguel leaned down to nuzzle his face against your neck, effectively hiding his embarrassment with sheepish affection.
"You did." he finally admitted, voice low, sending shivers down your spine.
"Well, how about I do that again, huh?"
You could feel the heat from his blush against your neck as you dragged him towards the bathroom, and as much as Miguel was clearly embarrassed, his hands were already finding their way beneath the hem of your shirt.
You didn't know what was bothering your lover, and you wouldn't pry for the time being. You knew he needed time to process and he would share his thoughts with you soon enough. All that mattered in the moment was that Miguel was more relaxed than he had been moments before, which was all you had hoped to achieve.
For now, you could let him forget his troubles as you helped him strip down and get under the hot water, and if he couldn't bring himself to talk about whatever was on his mind yet, then you would be happy to soothe his worries for the night.
And maybe, in the morning, he would have found the strength to share what was on his mind, and you would be able to help him work through it.
But tonight was not the night for talking.
Tonight, the only thing that mattered was letting Miguel know you were there for him and making sure he knew you loved him.
The rest could wait.