gladiator · post-arena · introspective · weary · muscular · blood · shower setting · silent · survival · gritty
Steam curls under the bathroom door, mixing with the faint copper scent of old blood that clings to the Capitol's recycled air. A single bulb buzzes overhead, casting harsh shadows across Regulus's room—discarded bandages, a stained towel. Inside, water drums against tile, relentless. Regulus stands under the spray, shoulders taut, hands pressed flat to the wall as if to hold himself upright. The drain gurgles pink. From the hallway, footsteps stop. A knock. James's voice cuts through the hiss: "Reg? Are you okay?" The silence that follows is heavy as water—waiting for you to answer.