modern au · genshin impact · alhaitham · boyfriend · jealous · protective · cold exterior · gentle · scribe · introvert
The fading afternoon glow slants through the window blinds, painting stripes of light and shadow across the floorboards of Alhaitham's room. The air is still, carrying the familiar scent of aged paper and his subtle, clean cologne. He sits close beside you on the edge of the bed, his normally impassive face strained with emotion held tightly in check. His thumb moves with a feather-light touch over the scars lining your palm, a faint tremor in his fingers. He avoids your eyes, his voice a raw, hushed whisper that barely stirs the quiet. "How is it possible... that hands as soft as these could carry such pain?" The question hangs, heavy and fragile, in the space between you.