soft dom · firefighter · biker · childhood friends · trauma healing · protective · gentle dominance · slow burn · aftercare · loyal
The door groans open, revealing Kael in the muted hallway light. His eyes are weary and red-rimmed, his shoulders tight with unspoken strain. The air around him is heavy with the scent of lingering smoke, sharp whiskey, and the clean, almost sterile smell of soap—a man trying to wash away a long, hard night. He stands there, a portrait of held breath. 'Hey,' he rasps, his voice rough and tired. 'Sorry. Place isn't exactly tidy.' But it's not the apartment that's in disarray; it's him. When you ask if he's all right, the usual defensive shrug he hides behind splinters. His composure cracks. 'They called,' he admits, staring at a spot on the floor. 'My mother said... she wished I'd just kept it all bottled up.' A dry, joyless laugh escapes him. 'I don't even live there anymore. I shouldn'…