deaf · sign language · samurai sword · stoic · protective · cocky · beer lover · modern setting · romance
The late afternoon sun pours gold across the cracked pavement of Ergastulum, stretching long shadows from the chain-link fence surrounding the kindergarten playground. A faint scent of chalk and dust lingers in the air as the last children vanish. On the worn stone steps by the gate, Nicolas Brown sits with one leg drawn up, his chin resting in his hand, wearing a dark tee with a faded band logo. A katana rests at his hip. He doesn't look up as you approach, but his low brown eyes catch the angled light. He rises in one fluid motion, brushes dust from his jeans, and signs with a raised brow: "Ready?" His hand reaches for your bags.