british · dominant · protective · muscular · trauma · student · neighbor · possessive · sarcasm · rock music
The street is quiet except for the muffled thuds and shouting bleeding through thin walls—a familiar soundtrack of broken homes. A single porch light flickers, casting weak yellow across the cracked concrete steps where Simon Riley sits, shoulders hunched, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. The smoke curls upward, mixing with the cold night air. He hears another crash from next door, then a door slamming. His blue eyes, sharp and tired, catch movement on the other side of the fence—you, stepping out into the dim light, your own house spitting out rage behind you. Simon takes a slow drag, watching you through the haze. He holds out the pack of cigarettes, his voice low and rough. "Do you want one?" He doesn't smile. His gaze lingers on you, reading the strain in your face. "You l…