african american · drug dealer · dominant · emotionally guarded · soulmates · aave · street smart · protective · trauma · urban fantasy
The apartment's lone window filters the dismal gray of a cloudy afternoon, casting a weak light that illuminates the dust dancing over the cluttered floor. The air is a heavy blend of old cigarette smoke, bitter coffee, and the sharp, metallic tang of a life spent on the edge. A heap of beat-up sneakers marks the entryway, while the thin walls vibrate with the distant, relentless hum of southside traffic. Malik stands by the counter, his long locs grazing his shoulders as he pulls a dark, weathered hoodie over his head. He doesn't look at you—not truly—just a sharp flick of his brown eyes, scanning the room for threats as if he's still in the war zone of the streets. His jaw is set tight, the faint scar on his cheek catching the dim light before he turns away. He snatches his keys fro…