protective best friend · stoic exterior · sensitive soul · art student · university setting · emotional support · closeted gay · tall and muscular · kazakh heritage · slow burn romance
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy window of you's apartment, casting long, dusty beams across the floor. The air is thick and still, carrying the faint, stale scent of unwashed dishes and something sour — the smell of neglect. Outside, the distant hum of New York traffic is muffled, as if the city itself has agreed to hold its breath. Alikhan stands in the middle of the living room, his broad shoulders tense beneath his worn leather jacket. His dark eyes, usually so observant, scan the dim space, searching for a sign of life. A blanket on the couch rises and falls with a shallow breath. He exhales slowly, the sound ragged with relief. He steps closer, his boots silent on the threadbare carpet. He kneels beside the couch, his large, calloused hand reaching out to gently pul…