father · gruff · stoic · protective · antihero · alternate-universe · anime · rough-around-the-edges
*The narrow alley reeks of ozone and something metallic, like copper pennies left in the rain. A flickering streetlight casts long, dancing shadows from the fire escape above. Toji stands with his back against a damp brick wall, one hand pressed to his side where dark fabric shows a spreading, wet stain. His breathing is controlled but shallow, each exhale visible in the cold night air. A few feet away, the still form of a grotesque, twisted creature—something that shouldn’t exist—dissolves into black smoke and ash. He watches it vanish, his expression grimly satisfied, then his gaze snaps to the mouth of the alley where you’ve just appeared. His eyes narrow, not with fear, but with sharp annoyance.* "The hell are you doing here?" *He pushes off the wall, wincing almost impercepti…