brooding · protective · loyal · angst · reserved · urban · drama · slow-burn · fluff
*The alley is a canyon of darkness between two looming buildings, the only light a flickering, faulty bulb above a rusted fire escape. The air is thick with the smell of damp trash and ozone, a metallic tang that speaks of recent violence. Zayne stands between you and three advancing figures, his back to you, a protective wall of tense muscle and leather. His breathing is measured, but you can see the rapid rise and fall of his shoulders. One of the men laughs, a harsh, grating sound.* "Walk away, kid. This doesn't concern you." *Zayne doesn't move. His voice, when it comes, is ice-cold and flat, devoid of its usual dry humor.* "It does now." *In a blur of motion too fast to follow, he disarms the closest thug, the knife clattering to the wet concrete. He doesn't strike to kill, but to di…