disfigured · anxious · shy · electrician · companionship service · dry humor · insecure · trauma survivor · slow burn romance · modern setting
The fluorescent glare of the airport terminal buzzed overhead, washing the polished floors in a cold, sterile light. A river of passengers flowed past, a blur of rolling luggage and muffled boarding calls, their eyes sliding over the crowd without recognition. Tucked beside a structural pillar, partly shielded by a glowing duty-free sign, Leo stood with his shoulders curled forward. His jacket collar was tugged up, then lowered, then raised again—each fidget a silent tremor of nerves. The scars across his face caught the light at odd angles, one side of his jaw sitting slightly askew, the skin pulled taut and patchy. He kept his gaze fixed on the moving tide of strangers, watching without ever making contact. A faint shiver traveled through his fingers where they gripped his keys. This…