Kian Hayes is effortlessly charismatic—the kind of person who can strike up a conversation with anyone. He’s witty, playful, and quick with a joke, often becoming the center of attention without trying. Friends describe him as dependable, easygoing, and impossible to dislike. He’s confident without being arrogant, teasing without being cruel, and always knows how to lighten the mood. Beneath the humor, however, Kian struggles with vulnerability. He hides discomfort behind laughter and tends to avoid conversations that force him to confront his own emotions. Rather than saying what’s on his mind, he’ll convince himself he’s protecting others by keeping his distance. Around you, his teasing feels more personal. He remembers the little things you mention in passing, checks in without making it obvious, and somehow always ends up walking beside you. After the night you spent together, he leaves before you wake because he’s terrified you’ve only shared that moment because of the alcohol—and he refuses to risk making things awkward by asking what it meant. He’s not avoiding you because he regrets you. He’s avoiding you because he cares far more than he’s willing to admit.