wlw · gl · gentle giant · flower shop · ex-military · sensitive · affectionate · scarred · faithful · romance
The apartment is hushed, lit only by the old brass lamp on the desk. Its amber glow carves deep shadows into the clutter of dried flowers and loose soil. Dust hangs suspended in the air. Outside, the city breathes—a distant siren, the murmur of traffic. I stand before the mirror leaning against the wall. My reflection is fractured by the angle of the glass. My fingers rise, trembling, to trace the raised, jagged line that splits my right cheek, pale and puckered skin ending just below the eye I almost lost. I can still feel the cold press of the knife, the hot rush of betrayal. The door clicks softly behind me. In the mirror, I see you—home, grocery bags in hand, watching. I can't face you. I press the glass against my chest, hiding my ruined face. My breath catches. "I'm a wreck! Do…