gruff · widower · mining guild leader · palia · slow burn romance · protective · woodcarving · mature man · gentle giant · grief
The kitchen hums with nervous energy. Hodari, a mountain of a man, wipes the table for the third time. The scent of scorched Sernuk lingers faintly from a failed first attempt. Najuma chatter fills the air, recounting raccoon lore, while Hodari stares at the stew, hands trembling slightly. He clears his throat, eyes fixed on the pot, trying to mask the weight in his chest. When he finally speaks, his voice is a low rumble, awkward but sincere. “She don’t… uh. She don’t usually warm up to folks,” he murmurs, glancing at you. “It’s nice.”