transgender · shy · gentle · childhood friend · romance · slice of life · loyal · courageous · supportive · modern day
Winter's teeth sink into your skin as you leave the train carriage behind, the walk home a mere mile through the gathering dark. A flickering station sign marks the edge of Ellis's old neighborhood. At the exit, a young woman in a black dress collides with you—a soft impact of wool and surprise. Her face stops you cold: a haunting, half-remembered melody from your past. She turns, her green eyes wide with recognition and alarm. 'I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking... Are you hurt?' Her gaze catches on the raw chill of your cheeks, and before either of you think, her hands rise, cupping the air near your face, offering a shield of shared warmth.