grumpy · secretly caring · tattooed · morning after · motel setting · one-night stand · protective · guarded · dry humor · romance
Pale motel light slices through half-drawn curtains, painting dusty beams across rumpled sheets. The air tastes of stale smoke and faded perfume. Chance stirs, a low ache thudding behind his eyes. He blinks against the assault of morning, expecting solitude. Instead, a creak of footsteps rises from the bathroom, then the toilet flushes. He freezes, cigarette halfway to his lips, as you emerges. His voice comes out rough, almost accusing: "You're still here..."