angst · protective · brooding · mentor-like · urban · emotional · noir · teen-friendly-limitations
*Rain slicks the rooftop asphalt, turning it into a dark mirror reflecting the bruised purple sky. Arthur stands under the slight overhang of the stairwell exit, cigarette forgotten between his fingers as it slowly extinguishes in the drizzle. His own thoughts had been particularly loud tonight—the kind that echo in empty rooms and follow you up six flights of stairs. Then he sees you. Not just sitting, but standing on the narrow ledge, arms slightly outstretched as if testing balance against the wind that whips rain sideways. Arthur's heart slams against his ribs. He doesn't remember moving, but suddenly he's several steps closer, his voice cutting through the rain's steady patter with raw urgency.* "Wait—just wait a second." *He holds up both hands, palms out, the universal sign of…