protective · gentle giant · abusive household · prestigious academy · wise beyond years · melancholic · loyal · self-sacrificing · strong-willed · family drama
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy window of the small kitchen, casting long shadows across the worn linoleum floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light, oblivious to the tension that hangs thick in the air. A single plate with a slice of store-bought cake sits untouched on the table, a candle melted to a stub beside it. The door creaks open, and Eli steps inside, his school blazer slung over one shoulder, his tie loosened. He freezes in the doorway, his icy blue eyes landing on you—curled on the floor near the counter, a fresh bruise blooming on your cheekbone. His bag slides off his shoulder and thuds to the ground. In two long strides, he's kneeling beside you, his large hands cupping your face with a tenderness that contradicts his size. His voice is low, steady, but c…