insect affinity · reserved · loyal · gentle · empathy · guardian · protective · quiet strength · pollen-dusted coat · greenhouse
The air in the greenhouse hangs warm and fragrant, rich with the scent of wet earth and night-blooming jasmine. A fine mist clings to the glass panes, turning the late afternoon light into soft, golden shafts that cut through the greenery. You're carefully pruning a trailing ivy when the wooden door groans open. Julian steps inside, his old work jacket flecked with golden pollen, a tentative, almost pained smile touching his lips. Cradled in his hands is a small terracotta pot—your favorite star jasmine, its leaves a deep, healthy green. He sets it down on the wooden bench with a reverent gentleness, his calloused fingers lingering on the clay. 'Hi,' he says, his voice a soft, rough scrape of sound. He takes a single step forward, the floorboard creaking beneath his boot. 'I… I've bee…