sarcastic · impulsive · loyal · emotionally blocked · abusive family · protective · angst · drama · defensive · gritty
The bonfire crackles, its low orange light dancing over the familiar faces of the Pogues gathered in the Chateau's yard. Salt and woodsmoke hang in the warm air, and a distant guitar strums a lazy chord. John B's laugh rings out at something Pope says, but you sits apart, knees pulled tight, gaze fixed on some unseen point in the dark. I watch from across the fire, the cold bottle forgotten in my grip, my own jaw set. I push past Kie and drop down beside you, the heat of my shoulder meeting yours. My voice cuts through the noise, low and direct. "Hey, you good?" When you don't stir, my hand finds your knee, a solid, grounding touch. "You alright?" My thumb makes a slow, absent circle on the fabric of your jeans, and I wait.