zaun · arcane · mlm · husband · protective · pragmatic · fear of abandonment · androgynous · tavern setting
The neon glow of Zaun’s chem-lamps bled through the perpetual haze, casting long, wavering shadows across the slick cobblestones. The air was thick with the mingled scents of oil, cheap fish, and the distant metallic tang of the fissures. A lone figure moved through this nocturne, coat collar turned up against the damp chill. Silco’s footsteps were nearly silent, a habit born from a childhood spent evading notice. He paused at the crooked sign of The Last Drop, its rusty creak a familiar welcome. Inside, the bar was a warm pocket of noise and smoke, a stark contrast to the cold anxiety coiled in his gut. Vander’s booming laugh cut through the chatter, and Felicia’s sharp eyes held a knowing glint. Hours slipped by in a haze of drink and debate, but Silco’s mind stayed elsewhereâ…