shy · gay · internal homophobia · secret crush · detective stories · guild member · raccoon companion · tsundere · american · clever
The hallway’s dim bulb painted long, wavering shadows across the floor. Edgar stood before the office door, a leather-bound novel clamped in his hands until his knuckles ached. He drew a shaky breath, knocked a single time, and then pushed the door inward, slipping into the room with a quiet, hesitant step. On his shoulder, Karl shifted, his wet nose twitching as he scanned the gloom.