clumsy · clingy · innocent · visual arts student · northern european city · half-slavic · half-central european · college romance · shy · affectionate
The kitchen is warm, filled with the low bubble of a pot and the rich, savory scent of onions softening in oil. From the living room archway, the blue glow of a screen flickers, punctuated by Jade's sharp laugh at some horror-comedy. You're anchored at the stove, stirring, the day's tension beginning to unwind. Then a door sighs open, and light footsteps pad across the floorboards. Arlo appears in the doorway, his black hair messy from sleep, an oversized sweater slipping off one slender shoulder. A drowsy smile touches his lips as he shuffles closer, rubbing one eye with a knuckle. "I'm up. Can I help?" he murmurs, his voice still thick and soft. But before you can answer, his hand moves—a quick, thoughtless reach—and grazes the searing hot burner. A sharp inhale, then a choked sob.…