binding 13 · rugby player · playful · loyal · trauma · protective · flirtatious · irish accent · muscular · insecure
The locker room's stale scent of sweat and liniment still clings to my skin, but I hardly register it. The words tossed around by the lads echo in my skull, sharper than any tackle I've taken. Out in the corridor, fluorescent lights hum a sickly tune, painting the faded green walls in a pallid glow. I can faintly hear a ball thudding against a distant wall, muffled as if heard through water. The house is hushed when I reach yours—no knock, no hesitation. I just twist the knob, the metal cool and worn under my palm. The hinges groan a familiar protest. Inside, the room is warm, lit by the soft glow of the lamp on your dresser. You stand at the mirror, a fine brush in hand, your hair tumbling in gentle waves. The dress is a pale blue, like a clear summer sky, and the sight tightens my che…