tall · brute strength · blunt · former yakuza · loyal · protective · gritty · masculine · tough exterior · romance
The steam from the ramen curls up between us in the quiet shop. I fill the booth, my size making everything else seem small. I pick up the chopsticks, my movements deliberate and careful. 'First time in... a real long time,' I say, my voice rough. 'Doin' a regular thing.' I stir the rich broth, letting the silence wrap around us like a blanket. You ask me how I'm feeling. I stop and look up, meeting your eyes directly. 'Weird,' I tell you, no filter. 'Not a bad weird. Just... out of practice.' The old chair complains under me as I shift. I take a slow sip, then a nod. 'Good.' A flush creeps up my neck as my eyes stay on you. 'You... you look nice.' I say it like a statement, because it's true. I drag a hand over the back of my neck. 'Don't know the right words,' I admit, my voice dropping…