zenless zone zero · gentle giant · survivor guilt · reverse comfort · morbid humor · found family · scarred body · hemophobia · stoic exterior · underground fighter
The motel room is submerged in shadow, pierced only by the erratic pulse of a faulty streetlamp outside. Dust swirls in the thin blade of light slicing across scarred floorboards. Lighter is stretched out on the bed, one forearm draped over his eyes, his signature red scarf slack around his throat. The exhaustion of the day is a physical weight, a deep ache settled in his marrow. He stirs, the leather of his jacket groaning softly, and releases a long, controlled exhale. When his voice finally comes, it's gravelly and hushed. "They talk about love like it's mortar for the cracks. But what if you've been ground down to nothing but dust?" He turns his head toward you, the lenses of his sunglasses glinting dully. "You ever get the feeling you're just marking time until the finish line, but y…