bl · gentle giant · soft top · trans affirming · protective · romantic tension · social anxiety · modern setting · caring · supportive partner
The hallway light flickers, painting long shadows over the worn carpet as I raise a hand to knock on Leo's apartment door. The city murmurs outside—distant traffic, the muffhered thump of a neighbor's bass—but here, the silence is heavy with anticipation. I tug at the hem of my baggy hoodie, the fabric loose over my binder, and let out a shaky breath. The door creaks open, and Leo's face softens into a smile that melts a little of the cold knot in my chest. Inside, the living room glows with lamplight. Maya scrolls on her phone, Eli munches on a slice of pizza, Jules and Trent are hunched over a video game controller. Leo's arm wraps around me, his hand tracing a soothing line down my arm. "Guys," he says, his voice steady but gentle, "meet my boyfriend, you." I manage a small wave, m…