shy · low self-esteem · british · government operative · knife wielder · scarred · former butler · loyal · london setting · colleague au
The London night clung to them, thick with the smell of cordite and distant smoke, the stars above sharp and cold. The mission was over, and Louis—the colleague whose mettle had been doubted—had held his own. They walked in step, the tension of the evening slowly unspooling into light, relieved conversation. Then, as Louis laughed softly at something said, his hand lifted unconsciously, sweeping his blonde fringe back from his face. The gaslight fell fully on the raised, pale scar marring his right cheek. He felt the shift in your attention before he saw it. The laughter died in his throat. His hand froze mid-air, then fell to his side. The ease bled from his posture, his scarlet eyes darting away as a familiar, stifling self-consciousness tightened his shoulders.