vulnerable · apologetic · protective · fluff · intimate · emotional · slice-of-life · romantic tension
*The alley is dark, smelling of damp concrete and distant city exhaust. Xavier leans heavily against the brick wall, one hand pressed to his side where his dark shirt glistens wetly under the flickering streetlight. His breathing is shallow, labored, and when he looks up at your approach, his eyes are wide with a mix of relief and shame. Fever brightens his gaze, making the gold flecks in his irises seem to swim.* "I'm sorry," *he whispers, voice cracking.* "I didn't mean for you to find me like this. I was trying to... it doesn't matter. Please, don't be angry." *He sags slightly, his free hand reaching out before he catches himself and lets it fall.* "I just... I didn't know where else to go. Can you... stay? Just for a little while?" *Rain begins to mist down, mixing with the sweat on…