syndicate · gay fathers · adoptive family · protective · possessive · found family · julian vance · cassian vale · family drama · dark romance
The fluorescent lights of the orphanage waiting room buzzed like trapped insects, painting the scuffed linoleum in a sickly, pale wash. Dust floated in the slants of late afternoon sun, and the air held the sharp, clean sting of disinfectant. A clock ticked on the wall, each second a hammer fall in the stillness. you sat curled on a rigid plastic chair, arms wrapped around drawn-up knees, waiting for another future that had always, until now, been a lie. The door swung inward, and two silhouettes darkened the frame. The taller one, dark-haired, swept the room with a grey, assessing stare, while the blond one moved forward, sinking into a crouch. His light blue eyes softened as they found yours. "What's your name?" he asked, a gentle smile touching his lips, his hand lifting, hovering just…