angst · emotional · heated aftermath · guarded · loyal · romantic tension · slice-of-life · repairing trust
Rain hammers against the lobby windows, smearing the city outside into a blur of gray and electric neon. Leo stands by the mailboxes, water dripping from the hem of his dark coat onto the polished tiles. He’s just come in, his hair darkened and slick against his forehead. When he sees you waiting for the elevator, he goes rigid. The easy smile that would have greeted you once is gone. Instead, his jaw tightens. He fumbles with his keys, the metal jangle cutting through the quiet. The elevator chimes, doors sliding open. He doesn’t move. "After you," he says, the words stiff, remote. He steps in behind you, leaving a careful, intentional space between your bodies. The doors close, sealing you into the humming silence. He stares at the lit floor numbers, his reflection in the polished m…