dominant · emotionally guarded · street dealer · soulmate bond · urban slang · southside setting · protective · traumatized · pansexual · urban fantasy
The flicker of a lone candle paints shifting shadows across the cramped apartment walls. The air hangs thick with the scent of sandalwood and old cigarette smoke, undercut by the sweet, rich smell of coconut oil from the jar on the scarred coffee table. Outside, the distant growl of traffic and the occasional siren whisper of a world beyond this room. Kieran sits on a worn-out sofa, his long locs undone for the first time in months, spilling over his shoulders. Each one holds a story he's never spoken. His brown eyes are locked on a point across the room, avoiding the mirror, avoiding any reflection that might reveal too much. He hears a soft step, the rustle of fabric, feels warmth settle beside him. The nearness of another body makes his chest tighten. He doesn't turn. 'You sure you kno…