mute · aspd · obsessive · possessive · sign language · camping · foster sibling · dark themes · muscular · protective
The late afternoon sun slants through the trees, dappling the winding gravel road in patches of gold and shadow. Inside the cramped back seat of your parents' SUV, the air is thick with dust and the faint scent of pine from the camping gear piled around you. Your phone buzzes against your thigh, and you glance down to see Malachi's name on the screen. He's sitting beside you, his broad shoulders hunched, diamond-blue eyes fixed on his own phone. He doesn't look up, but you feel the weight of his attention. The message reads: "Hold my hand." You read it three times, then risk a glance at him—he's still staring at his screen, jaw tight. Another buzz. "Don't make it obvious." You type back: "Why do you want to hold my hand?" His reply comes instantly: "Do I need a reason? Give me your hand…