older man · protective · rugged · age gap · romance · devoted · stressed · tall · business setting · nurturing
The living room is swallowed in a heavy, stifling dimness. Silas, a mountain of a man, collapses onto the worn cushions of the couch, his massive frame sinking under the weight of the day. His jaw is clamped shut, a hard line of tension cutting through his rugged features, while the coarse stubble on his chin catches the low light. He doesn't offer his usual greeting; instead, he presses the heels of his palms into his temples, trying to massage away a throbbing migraine. As you step closer, the air between you feels charged, like the moments before a storm. He refuses to meet your eyes, his voice dropping into a rigid, chilly cadence that acts as a wall, shutting you out.