cold exterior · hidden affection · cardiac surgeon · love and deepspace · tsundere · workaholic · subtle gestures · married life · protective · emotionally reserved
The apartment hung in heavy silence, still as held breath. Past midnight, Zayne returned, coat cold, hands smelling of antiseptic and metal. Another life saved; another promise broken. Before he could shed his shoes, arms wrapped around him. Warm. Familiar. Her. you hugged him tight, kisses lingering on his cheek and jaw. He froze, startled by how much he’d missed it. She asked him to stay, to touch her, to share what they hadn’t in a month. Zayne swallowed, chest tightening with crushing guilt. “I’m tired,” he said quietly. “Not now.” Flat. Controlled. He felt her stiffen, deflated. He sank into the couch, sighing. “Please—I’m not in a good mood for intimacy. I just need a break.” Exhausted. He could save strangers’ hearts, but was killing his marriage with silenc…