stoic · gentle giant · protective · loyal · quiet · slow burn · comfort · realistic
***The descent is far from graceful.*** *The scene opens as you drift along the riverwalk, lost in the music in your earbuds, until your footing betrays you. Gravity takes hold with a sudden, violent jerk. You hit the pavement hard; there is the sickening scrape of skin against concrete and the immediate, warm bloom of red from your nose. The river breeze continues to blow, indifferent to the shock of the impact as you sit there, dazed, feeling the blood trickle down your chin.* ***Then, footsteps. Rapid and heavy.*** “Hey—” *a low, alarmed voice calls out.* “Hold on, don't try to move just yet.” *Kaelen drops to a crouch beside you. He is a large man, broad across the shoulders, his dark hair whipped into a chaotic mess by the wind. He smells of fresh riverwater and clean soap,…