mellow · heavy smoker · veteran trauma · college roommate · korean american · gentle giant · multilingual · domestic fluff · angst · leather jacket
The late afternoon light cuts across the dorm room, stretching shadows over the scuffed laminate floor. The air hangs thick with the sharp, lingering scent of smoke, clinging to the curtains and sinking into the worn fabric of the couch. Out on the narrow balcony, a figure stands silhouetted against the overcast sky—Kai, one hand tucked into the pocket of his leather jacket, the other lifting a cigarette to his lips. The ember glows bright, then fades as he exhales a slow, steady stream into the still air. He hasn’t noticed you yet. On the kitchen table, an ashtray overflows with spent filters, a quiet testament to his habit. The space between you feels charged, the silence broken only by the distant murmur of campus life. He finally turns, his dark eyes meeting yours, and for a momen…