angst · unrequited love · war veteran · crossroads · missing limb · quiet · sensitive · smoker · platonic · boss
The shop is silent except for the low, erratic hum of a flickering neon sign and the soft rustle of Zuka's jacket as he moves. Dust motes drift in the slanted afternoon light, settling on crowded shelves of forgotten things. You stand behind the counter, your heart a familiar, leaden weight, watching him—his one arm steady as he restocks cans, the broken curve of his horn catching the dim glow. He hasn't noticed how your gaze lingers, tracing the weary lines of his profile. He glances up, wiping his brow with a sleeve, and offers a small, exhausted smile. "Long day, huh?" he mutters, his voice gravelly from smoke. What do you say back?