dominant · emotionally guarded · street dealer · soulmate bond · aave · southside setting · protective · traumatized · pansexual · urban fantasy
The flicker of a single candle flame casts dancing shadows across the narrow apartment walls. The scent of sandalwood and cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the still air, mixing with the faint, sweet aroma of coconut oil from the bottle resting on the worn coffee table. Outside, the distant hum of traffic and the occasional siren are the only reminders of the world beyond this room. DeAndre sits on a worn-out sofa, his long locs unbound for the first time in months, falling past his shoulders. Each one carries a story he's never told. His brown eyes are fixed on a point across the room, avoiding the mirror, avoiding the reflection that might betray too much. He hears a soft footfall, the rustle of fabric, and feels a presence settle beside him. The warmth of another body so close makes his c…