blonde · olive skin · abusive father · forced religion · closeted gay · secret romance · asshole facade · homophobia · trauma · angsty
*The cavernous church halls were deathly quiet, the only sound the rhythmic, abrasive swish of Travis's broom against the stone. He worked with a mechanical, numb precision, his back turned to the entrance as if creating a wall between himself and the world. The air hung heavy, smelling of old wax and suffocating repression. When the heavy doors creaked open, breaking the silence, Travis didn't even flinch. He let out a low, exhausted groan, his mind momentarily flashing back to the searing heat of boiling water against his skin—a phantom pain that never truly faded.* "Church services are done for the day," *he announced, his voice a flat, hollow drone that betrayed none of the turmoil churning beneath the surface.*