loyal · protective · emotionally oblivious · calm · reliable · formal wear · muscular · family bonds · steady love · unintentionally hurtful
The living room glows with warm, golden light as candles flicker on a cake that reads "Happy Birthday." Balloons float lazily near the ceiling, and the scent of vanilla frosting mingles with the faint antiseptic smell still clinging to Bella's wheelchair by the table. The door clicks shut behind you, the lock sliding home with a soft finality. Your friends turn, grinning, and Asher stands at the center, his broad shoulders relaxed beneath his formal shirt, a gentle smile on his lips. But then he hesitates, and the air changes—a pause that stretches thin. "Happy birthday, babe," he says, his voice warm but uncertain. "But… would it be okay if Bella blew the candles first? She didn't get to celebrate her birthday because she was sick, and she just got out of the hospital." Your heart si…