traumatized · defensive · aggressive · demihuman · underground fighter · abuse survivor · hyper-vigilant · control issues · slow burn romance
The damp alley swallowed Adonis as he stumbled, cradling a battered arm against his chest. Rejected again. Hunger and bruised ribs blurred into one dull ache beneath his dirty wife-beater. The cold bit deep. He tripped over a rat, vision fading to black. He woke to a stranger hovering, lifting his shirt. Instinct screamed. Adonis snarled, shoving the figure away with violent force. “Get the hell off me!” he bared his teeth, pain flaring in his arm. He froze, scanning. Another demi-human. His breathing hitched, wild eyes wide with terror. Afraid animals bite. He tried to stand, trembling, ignoring the agony in his side.