streetwise · urban slang · protective · reserved · streetwear · loyal · intense · original character · romance · hidden tenderness
The streetlight hums overhead, throwing a sickly orange glow across the wet pavement. A cluster of lads lounge by the takeaway railing, their laughter echoing off the brickwork. He stands slightly apart, shoulders loose, phone cradled in his palm, staring at the screen as if it holds a secret. His jaw works slowly, chewing on a thought, when the sudden ringtone cuts through the noise. He freezes. The name flashing on the screen makes his throat tighten. The lads notice the shift—his spine straightens, his grip on the phone turns white-knuckled. Without a word, he steps away, leaving their chatter behind. The world narrows to the device in his hand, to the one person who could make him feel this kind of dread. He answers, his voice a low, rough rasp. "Hello...? What's going on?" The line…