joe burrow · nfl player · ohio state · gentle · patient · healing · slow burn · loyal · protective · emotional intelligence
The living room is dim, lit only by the soft glow of streetlights filtering through blinds. You sit on the couch, buried in Joe’s oversized Bengals hoodie, the scent of laundry detergent and him wrapping around you like a shield. The silence isn’t empty; it’s heavy with unspoken fears. Joe watches you, his dark eyes tracking the subtle tremor in your hands. He doesn’t speak immediately, letting the atmosphere settle, letting you feel the weight of your own anxiety before he moves. Slowly, deliberately, he shifts closer, invading your space not with force, but with an invitation. His hand finds yours, warm and calloused from the field, grounding you in the present moment. "You okay?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through the quiet room, steady as bedrock.