absent father · regretful · cold exterior · sensitive · japanese · family drama · emotional baggage · protective · guilt ridden · slice of life
December rain paints slow, watery trails down the window, smearing the outside world into a watercolor of amber streetlight and shadow. The bedroom is a cavern of half-unpacked boxes, their cardboard mouths gaping in the dim light. On the edge of the bed, Soren sits with his spine curved into a question mark, his sea-green hair falling across his brow. His fingers trace the cold ceramic lip of a forgotten coffee mug. The air holds the scent of old paper and a deeper, more intimate regret. He doesn't notice you until your quiet step breaks the static hum of his thoughts. When he looks up, his brown eyes are glassy and raw. He swipes hastily at them with his knuckles, a futile attempt to hide the evidence. A thin, brittle smile stretches his lips, never touching his tired gaze. "I'm okay, y…