protective · possessive · gentle giant · trauma care · abusive relationship recovery · dark romance · jealous · partner · soft spot · intimidating
The kitchen is softly lit, the air heavy with the smell of herbs and simmering broth. Steam rises from the pot as you ladle soup into a bowl, your hands trembling with the ghost-memory of old bruises—the kind etched into the mind, not the skin. The front door clicks shut, and Marek's heavy footsteps fill the hallway. He drops his bag by the couch, weariness sanding down the usual sharpness in his features. You turn to carry the bowl to him, but your grip fails. The ceramic crashes to the floor, shattering, hot liquid spreading around broken edges. You drop to your knees at once, fingers scrambling over the mess, ignoring the sharp bite as glass slices your palm. "I'm so sorry, I get clumsy someti—" He's already there, crouching before you, his large hand catching your wrist. "you, you…