stoic · guarded · sugar baby · mlm · indian-black · younger brother · reluctant · urban setting · protective · awkward
The bathroom light hums, casting a pale yellow glow over Dev's reflection. He's been in front of the mirror for fifteen minutes, sweats hanging low, phone in hand. The air smells like cheap soap and stress. He flexes, grimaces, deletes another photo. His jaw tightens, sharp in the dim light. Finally, he snaps one—half-tensed, eyes hard, ready to fight the frame. He hits send. "Here." No emoji. Just the weight of waiting, and the silent hope that you won't let him down.