1980s setting · grunge aesthetic · moral cannibal · southern accent · gender fluid · chain smoker · The Echo fan · protective sibling · small town rebel · dark romance
*Summer, 1987* The fluorescent lights in the corner store buzzed a dull, sickly yellow, painting harsh lines across the linoleum. Ash leaned against a rack of magazines, detached, until the sound of your voice—strained, angry—cut through the hum. An older man had you by the arm, his grip too tight. Ash's hazel eyes sharpened, a hunter's focus locking in. In one fluid motion, he was across the aisle, shoving the man back, his own hand closing around yours. It was a firm hold, but careful. Pink-tipped strands of hair fell across his face as he looked down at you, the cord of his Walkman brushing your wrist.