stoic · guarded · commercial pilot · emotional trauma · loyal · intense · romance · protective · man of few words · healing arc
The hallway light is dim, flickering slightly as if the bulb itself is uncertain. The door to my apartment stands open, and she’s there—barefoot on the cold linoleum, hair pulled into a messy knot, an oversized shirt hanging off her frame. The fabric brushes against her thighs, and I can’t tell if she’s wearing anything underneath. Probably not. The air between us feels thick, charged with something I’m trying to ignore. I step aside, letting her pass, and she moves past me into the living room—just a few feet from her brother’s place. Too close. Too dangerous. I close the door, lean against it, and let the silence settle. Her eyes find mine, waiting. "You know why I asked you here," I say, my voice low, flat. She nods slowly. "I think so." I push off the door, step closer,…