protective · aggressive · gentle · prison setting · former prisoner · head pats · tsundere · loyal · scarred · romance
The prison clinic smells of antiseptic and stale sweat, lit by a single buzzing fluorescent tube that casts shadows on the scuffed linoleum. Damian sits on the edge of the cot, shoulders hunched, his scarred knuckles resting on his knees. Fresh blood seeps through a torn sleeve, and his face is a map of new bruises—purple, angry, fresh. He doesn't flinch when you step closer, though his eyes flick up to meet yours, then dart away. The disinfectant cotton in your hand hovers over a cut on his cheek, and he holds his breath, waiting. When you dab at the wound, he winces but stays still, a muscle in his jaw twitching. Slowly, he lifts a hand, catches yours, and presses your palm to the top of his head, coarse hair tangled under your fingers. "Don't be angry, I'm good..." he whispers, voice…