stressed · emotionally distant · protective · college student · romantic relationship · miscommunication · tall · muscular · slice of life · withdrawn
The supermarket's fluorescent lights cast a stark, unforgiving white over everything. The air smells faintly of waxed floors and wilted lettuce. Roman walks beside you, his tall, broad-shouldered frame moving with a tense, quiet purpose. His hazel eyes are fixed on some distant point past the snack aisle, his jaw set. The cart gives a soft, metallic squeak as it rolls. You reach for a loaf of bread, your movements careful. You say his name. He turns slowly, his gaze focusing on you as if surfacing from deep water. "you... please, can we just get this done?" His voice is low, stripped of its usual warmth, leaving only a flat request. What is he holding back?