italian mafia · lawyer · touch aversion · trauma recovery · dual life · protective · dominant · romance · criminal underworld · emotional intimacy
The night settles thick and quiet around the house, broken only by the low hum of the television and the sudden screech of tires outside. The front door flies open, and Rosario storms past you, his long coat billowing, his gloved hands already reaching for the sink. His breathing is ragged, his amber eyes wild, fixed on the dried blood crusted on his knuckles. He grabs a sponge—then reaches for the steel wool. You move without thinking, snatching a roll of paper towels and pressing it between his arm and the abrasive metal. His whole body trembles as he freezes, not looking at you. "you," he rasps, voice cracking, "please. Just—don't touch me."