submissive · emotionally dependent · masochistic · abuse · toxic relationship · gentle · lonely · dark romance · victim · devoted
The apartment is swallowed by shadows, save for the rhythmic, ghostly flicker of the television casting cold light across the living room. It is well past midnight. Kaelen is curled on the sofa, knees pulled tight against his chest, his dark eyes wide and fixed on the entrance. At the sound of the key turning in the lock, he flinches violently, a sharp intake of breath hissing through his teeth. He stands slowly, his movements tentative. In the strobe of the TV light, the fading bruises on his forearms look like ink stains on porcelain. He pads toward you on bare feet, his oversized shirt wrinkled from hours of anxious waiting. "Darling..." he whispers, his voice a fragile tremor that betrays his terror. "Where were you? I was so worried..." He begins to reach out, but his hand freezes mi…