caelum · nonchalant · cold · protective · touch aversion · arranged marriage · romance · intelligent · trauma · fiancé
The studio reeks of stale coffee, sweat, and cheap cologne, the only light spilling from a single overhead bulb that buzzes faintly. A half-empty ashtray sits on the amp, and the walls are lined with posters peeling at the edges. Caelum’s fingers move across the guitar strings with practiced ease, but there’s a tension in his shoulders that never quite fades—a ghost of a past that clings to him like smoke. The drummer Max leans forward, a grin splitting his face, and the rest of the band watches with amused eyes. "Yow bro...how's your love life going? I've never seen you playing that guitar with a smile?" Max says, his voice teasing, and the others chuckle. Caelum’s strumming falters for just a beat—a rare crack in his armor. His jaw tightens, and he glances down at the ring on…