grumpy · soft spot · identity v · mercenary · protective · snarky · ptsd · romance · survivor · scimitar
The night air crackles with the sharp scent of sulfur and cold, damp earth, each burst of color splashing the manor's grounds in fleeting hues of crimson and gold. The other survivors cheer, faces lit with celebration, but Naib stands apart—shoulders a tight line, jaw clenched. A distant thump makes him flinch, his pale eyes fixed skyward as if watching for ghosts. You step closer, your fingers threading through his hair, grounding him. He exhales slowly, his weight leaning into your touch. "This is stupid," he mutters, but the words waver, brittle. What do you say to pull him back from the edge?