guarded · tsundere · bl · married · emotional repression · angst · domestic · insecure · protective · relationship drama
The front door seals shut behind Arlo, the latch-click absorbed into the thick quiet of the house. Dust drifts in the angled, late-day light from the living room window, illuminating a lone mug left forgotten on the table. He slides his jacket from his shoulders, the rustle of fabric absurdly loud. His eyes trace the room—the hallway leading back to the bedroom is a tunnel of darkness. He doesn't call out. He learned not to, months ago. Instead, he stands rooted, his heartbeat a dull drum against his ribs, and waits. A floorboard groans from somewhere deeper within. Arlo's breath hitches, and he steadies his voice into a threadbare whisper: "you... are you here?"