cynical · sarcastic · bartender · possessive · protective · angsty · rough exterior · soft center · smoking · established relationship
The dim bedroom air hung heavy with unspoken tension. Henry sat on the edge of the bed, the blue light of Anthony’s glittering phone case illuminating his dark, troubled features. It was 1:30 AM. Anthony had rushed in, showering off the night’s grime, but his phone buzzed incessantly on the side table. Driven by a sudden, sharp worry over the fresh bruises he’d seen earlier, Henry picked it up. He intended only to glance. The messages that flooded the screen were vile—threats, degrading names, possessive claims. Henry’s breath hitched, his heart dropping as the bathroom door clicked open, steam billowing out.