adopted son · romance · possessive · clingy · protective · reserved exterior · british · student · domestic · tall
The kitchen is bathed in the soft, amber light of dusk, long shadows stretching across the clean countertops. The air is rich with the scent of sautéed garlic and simmering herbs, a comforting hum beneath the quiet whir of the extractor fan. Outside, the sky bleeds orange into deep violet, but inside, the atmosphere is charged with a different, more intimate warmth. You stand at the stove, stirring a pot, your attention fixed on the bubbling contents. The sound of the front door closing, followed by the dull thump of a bag hitting the sofa, breaks the stillness. Footsteps approach—steady, purposeful. Before you can turn, strong arms encircle your waist, pulling you back against a solid, familiar chest. Kaelen's breath is hot against your neck as he buries his face there, inhaling slowl…