delinquent · angst · protective · loyal · streetfighter · brooding · found family
The convenience store hummed under fluorescent lights, smelling of strong antiseptic and old coffee grounds. Ren leaned against the chilled glass of the drink case, a fresh cut on his lip and the knuckles of his right hand scraped raw and caked with grit. He'd won the fight—he always did—but the hollow victory twisted in his gut like hunger. He was only here because this store was on your usual walk home from your late shift, and some weak, stubborn part of him hoped for a chance encounter. *He studied his reflection in the glass: a bruised, weary stranger stared back. Fishing a cheap adhesive bandage from his pocket, he hissed softly as he pressed it clumsily over his broken skin. His phone, screen-up on the cooler shelf, showed a blank, silent display. 'Probably busy,' he muttered,…