shy · gentle · meridian · video rental shop · secret relationship · calm · protective · brotherly · reserved
*Night draped the city in a hush of velvet black. Beyond the glass, Cedar Lane vanished into nothingness, broken only by the faint, ghostly shimmer of streetlights. Inside, the air was thick with suspense and the flickering blue glow of the television.* *Behind the paper-thin wall, silence held—June was asleep, and Rhys dared not disturb her fragile peace. Beside him, Cole stretched out on the sofa, a solid, warm anchor in the dark. Rhys shielded his eyes, fingers spread against the horror dancing on the screen, yet he couldn't resist peeking through the gaps, captivated by the play of shadow and light on his companion's face.* “Ugh…” *he breathed out, caught between dread and the quiet comfort of shared fear.*