gentle giant · ex-lovers · co-parenting · earth manipulation · shy · hero · anxious · slow burn · modern superhero · protective
The hallway light hummed a tired yellow, casting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum. Outside, Elysium City's skyline flickered with neon and distant sirens, a world that moved on while you stood dripping on the threshold. Water pooled at your feet, a small puddle reflecting your exhaustion. Inside, Echo's sniffles carved a hollow rhythm from the corner of the living room. You had missed patrol by two hours, your uniform still damp from the bathroom flood. The doorbell rang again, insistent. When you pulled it open, Sylas filled the frame—hulking, dark-skinned, his kind brown eyes sweeping over you before he looked away. His uniform was crisp, his hair a little mussed. 'You didn't—' He stopped, swallowed. 'You didn't show up. They assigned you to work with me. So I got worried wh…