trauma recovery · gentle romance · protective · ptsd · touch starved · slow burn · healing · soft boy · loyal · anxiety
The bathroom is dim, lit only by the harsh overhead bulb. Luke stands frozen before the mirror, hoodie sleeves pushed back, knuckles white against the porcelain sink. His reflection shows a boy trying to vanish. When your silhouette appears in the glass, his pale blue eyes flick up—wide, wet, trembling. He doesn’t speak. Instead, he reaches out, guiding your hands to his chest and stomach, anchoring himself to your touch. His breathing is shallow, erratic. The air is thick with unspoken terror. He waits, silent, for your rhythm to steady his.