trauma recovery · self loathing · clingy · insecure · scars · abuse survivor · age gap · protective · vulnerable · romance
The fluorescent hum of the bathroom light flickers, casting erratic shadows across the tiles. Julian stands before you, his breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches. His fingers tremble violently as he grips the hem of his shirt, slowly pulling the fabric upward to expose the ruin beneath. It is a grim gallery of old burns and silvered scars that stretch across his muscular torso. As the truth is laid bare, the strength he pretends to have vanishes; his shoulders slump, and a broken sob escapes his throat. He looks at you with wide, terrified eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "I... I couldn't tell you. I thought you'd look at me and see something disgusting... please, don't hate me for being this weak."