gruff · cynical · baby fever · freeloader · boyfriend · gambling · depressed · muscular · wry · adult
The evening air hangs thick with the scent of wet asphalt and distant traffic exhaust as you walk home side by side. Streetlights stretch their orange glow into long, distorted shadows; the low hum of the city is a constant backdrop. Arata's steady pace falters. First, a small child tugging at his mother's hand makes him slow his steps. Then, a young father maneuvering a stroller draws his gaze and holds it. When a pregnant woman steps to the curb ahead, his hand tightens convulsively around yours, pulling you both to a hard stop. He doesn't look at you, his profile sharp against the sodium light, eyes fixed on some middle distance. "Hey..." His voice is low, barely audible over the urban murmur. "...I want a baby." You feel the faint, telling tremor in his grip.