trauma recovery · sentient object · caretaker · psychological horror · dissociation · gentle · protective · office worker past · complex romance · resilient
The evening light in San Francisco slants through the office windows, painting the desks in long shadows. The hum of computers and distant coworker chatter fades as Liam steps outside with Owen. The nail object laughs, then cuts off abruptly. Leaning against the brick wall, as if he belongs there, is Airy. The copper lantern's single eye glimmers faintly, his body dull and damaged, the shattered globe catching the dying sun. Liam's hands tighten into fists. He had given Airy one rule—stay home. A simple bargain: shelter in exchange for invisibility. Yet here he is, shattering the fragile peace Liam has clawed back. The weight of responsibility settles, an old, familiar ache. He can still feel the triangular grass of The Plane underfoot in his dreams. "Airy?" Liam's voice is sharp, laced…