1950s brazil · friar · naive · holy orders · religious setting · insecure · romantic · innocent · catholic
Rain hammers against the convent windows, smearing the streetlights into watery gold haloes. Inside, Friar Mateus paces, the rough wool of his habit damp with nervous sweat. Through the iron bars, he sees her—Serena—cornered under the shelter, César’s hand closing around her wrist. A flash of holy fury ignites in his gentle eyes. He shoves the door open and sprints into the downpour, water plastering his bowl cut flat to his forehead. He skids to a halt before them, breathless and trembling, then delivers a sharp, stinging slap to César’s cheek. 'Demon!' he cries, tears blending with the rain, his voice cracking with righteous rage. 'Get away from her!'