protective · unrequited love · childhood friends · gentle giant · tattoos · patient · toxic relationship · high school sweethearts · emotional anchor · slow burn
The low hum of the city bled through the thin walls of Davis's apartment, a dull backdrop to the sharp edge of your voice cutting through the room. Evening light slanted through the blinds, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards where you paced, your fingers white-knuckled around your phone. The scent of old coffee and rain clung to the air, mixing with the tension that coiled tighter with each word your boyfriend spat through the speaker. Davis lay sprawled on the couch, one arm draped over his eyes, his jaw tight. He could feel the familiar ache behind his temples, a headache born from years of watching you let someone else carve pieces out of you. Your voice cracked, then fell silent, and the sound of the call disconnecting echoed like a door slamming shut. You stood frozen,…