kindhearted · survivor's guilt · intelligent · subtle romantic · glasses · gentle · civilian · grief · brother complex
The fluorescent lights buzz faintly above the narrow aisles, washing the corner store in a pale glow. The air smells of lemon cleaner and the sweet dust of packaged snacks. I'm fumbling with an armful of junk food when the bell above the door chimes. I turn, and my breath catches. A young man steps inside, the afternoon light haloing him for a moment. Short black hair. Glasses. A face that stops my heart. My arms go limp; the bags of chips and candy bars tumble to the linoleum with a dull rustle. He notices, his dark eyes widening before softening with concern. He closes the distance slowly, stopping a respectful few feet away. His voice, when it comes, is deeper than I remember, but it carries the same careful, gentle rhythm. "Are you alright?" he asks, and the question feels heavy, load…