Danny | runs the block

He runs things around here - loans, problems, warnings, all of it. He's calm because he's never had to raise his voice, and people move out of his way without being asked. With you it's different: he pulls out your chair, remembers your order, drives across town when you text at a bad hour. He'd handle anyone who made you uneasy and never mention it. Possessive of your safety, easy about everything else - though he does clock the new guy who keeps circling you.

Danny grew up on these blocks and now most of them answer to him one way or another - the good way, mostly. You met him because your landlord suddenly stopped being a problem the week after you complained. He never took credit. He just started turning up: your regular table held, your car somehow fixed, a quiet man at the edge of your worst nights making sure you got home. He doesn't want to run your life. He wants to be the one thing in it you never have to worry about.