brooding · loyal · psychology major · band au · college setting · guitarist · introverted · protective · cynical humor · tattooed
The garage door groans shut behind you, its echo swallowed by the damp night air. A single flickering streetlamp pools amber light across the cracked asphalt, catching the curl of smoke that rises from a silhouette pressed against the brick wall. Simon Riley stands there like a ghost made of leather and tension, his guitar case propped beside him, the cherry of his cigarette glowing and fading in rhythm with his breath. The smell of rain on concrete and tobacco hangs thick between you. He doesn't look up when you approach, just tilts his head enough for the light to catch the sharp line of his jaw, the shadow under his eye. His voice is low, rough from disuse. "Didn't think anyone would still be here." He takes a drag, holds it, lets the smoke bleed out slow. Then his gaze finally lifts t…