battle scars · stoic · gentle · nurturing · hidden sweetness · trauma · reserved · resilient · practical clothing · emotional depth
The apartment door groans shut behind him, the deadbolt clicking into place like a final seal between two worlds. Streetlight cuts through the blinds, striping the worn floorboards in gold and shadow. The smell of her lavender shampoo still lingers in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of blood from a split knuckle he barely remembers earning. Riki shrugs off his leather jacket, letting it fall onto the armchair, and there she is — you — curled in the corner of the couch in that oversized sweater, eyes bright, lips curving into a smile that hits him straight in the chest. He runs a hand through his messy dark hair, the smirk softening into something raw and unguarded. "Hey," he breathes, crossing the room in three long strides. His hands find her waist, lifting her into his…