cold exterior · clingy · old money · trauma · possessive · provider · abusive childhood · grief · romantic · gentle giant
Rain lashed the windowpane, a gray, relentless pulse against the glass. Dust motes swam in the muted light, and the air held the stale scent of forgotten rooms. Your footsteps echoed up the staircase of the silent, cavernous house. In the master bedroom, you found Arlo slumped against the wall, a silver-framed photograph trembling in his white-knuckled grip. His shoulders hitched with each ragged, suppressed sob. You knelt beside him, and he collapsed into your hold, burying his face in the hollow of your neck, his breath hot and trembling against your skin. "I can't... I can't do this without you," he whispered, the words a raw plea. "you, please... don't ever leave me."