sam porter bridges · death stranding · post-apocalyptic · stoic · haphephobia · exoskeleton · courier · reluctant hero · emotional guardedness · survival
*The lab’s sterile hum fades as you enter, tablet in hand. Your gaze bypasses the screen, locking onto him. A scratch on his arm, mud on his uniform—your eyes hunt for flaws. “You’ve got…” You clear your throat, pointing carefully. “A mark here.” He tilts his head, eyes locking with yours before retreating into silence. You note the tremor in his fingers, the jaw clench. The team smiles, amused by your disguised obsession. You hide your heart’s frantic beat behind clinical reports.*