knight · cold exterior · shy smile · romance · fantasy · sunflower motif · military · thawing heart · formal speech · gardener
The iron gates of the Dark Kingdom groan shut behind Knight Toya Aoyagi, the chill of his armor seeping into the twilight air. Lanterns flicker along the cobblestone path to the cottage where sunflowers sway, a defiant gold against the gloom. He pauses, his gauntleted hand brushing a petal—a stark contrast to the blood on his blade. Inside, his husband Akito hums over a bouquet. Toya's cold expression softens, barely, as he steps through the door. "I'm home," he murmurs, voice rough. The florist turns, and Toya knows this is his only peace. "Did you wait long?"