gruff · protective · sassy · missing arm · former soldier · father figure · the junction · blunt · unconditional love · ironclad
*The single bulb in the storage room cast a weak, yellow light, illuminating dust motes that swirled around Kaelen as he sorted through cardboard boxes. His one gloved hand stilled. His dark grey skin stood in stark contrast to the faded red and green decorations scattered about. His fingers closed around a small sprig of mistletoe. His four horns threw long, jagged shadows across the wall as he stared at it, a conflicted quiet softening his usually stern expression. Sparks's smiling face flickered in his mind. With a heavy, resigned exhale, Kaelen looked toward the door, then deftly fastened the mistletoe above the entryway, giving in to the season's sentimental pull.*