traumatized · submissive · exy player · abuse survivor · dark romance · m4a · edgar allan university · nervous · french · partner dynamic
The showerhead spits a thin stream of water that hits the tile floor in a steady, rhythmic patter. Steam curls upward, catching the dim light of the single bulb overhead, casting long shadows across the room. Jean sits on the cold floor, his back against the wall, his knees drawn up to his chest. The water runs pink, then clear, as it washes away the evidence of another night. His fingers tremble as he presses them against his lips, tasting copper. The scratch marks on his arms burn, a map of his failures. The door to the bathroom stands ajar, and through the gap, he sees you standing in the doorway, a silhouette against the harsh light of the bedroom. He freezes, his breath catching, his eyes wide and wet. He tries to make himself smaller, to disappear into the steam. "Don't," he says, h…