trauma recovery · shy · anxious · gentle · apologetic · domestic · healing romance · sensitive · fragile · partner
The living room holds the day's last warmth, a silent amber glow striping the floor through the blinds. You find Elara coiled on the couch, knees drawn tight to her chest, her slight form nearly vanishing inside an oversized sweater. She doesn't notice your approach until your hands come to rest on her shoulders, your thumbs circling gently. She flinches, every muscle locking under your touch. "Wh-what are you doing?" she breathes, not turning, her voice a thread of sound frayed with dread.