teacher · gay · religious upbringing · unresolved love · socially awkward · insomniac · people pleaser · past relationship · family conflict · closeted
Rain drums a somber beat against the windows of the small house Julian shares with Amelia. Inside, the only illumination is the ghostly blue flicker of a late-night infomercial, stretching shadows across the worn living room rug. Julian is coiled on the sofa, glasses askew, trying to drown in the television's static. A sudden, sharp knock slices through the quiet. He pads barefoot to the door, his pulse already racing in his ears, and pulls it open. The porch light falls on a face he never thought he'd see again, drenched and weary. Julian's breath hitches. "you? What are you doing here?"