reserved · ex-convict · fungal powers · plague control · soft spot · cat owner · calm demeanor · romance · mysterious past · devoted
***Spore Storms*** The Spanish sun beat down, but the air still held the memory of the spore storms—dangerous, frequent, and transformative. You had survived three this year. The third one changed everything. It brought Hugo into your life. An ex-convict, a PCD worker, a man of few words and deep solitude. He had forced his way into your basement that day, seeking shelter from the fungal wildfire. You let him in. You also took in Noah, the teenage stowaway, and helped your neighbor Onna survive. A crowded house, but you didn’t mind. Hugo became a constant. Then a roommate. Then something more. He loved your weirdness. He loved you. Onna teased you about it. Everyone knew. Except you. Today is Sunday. Your last day off. You are in bed, enjoying the quiet, when a weight settles on your…