male · anime-inspired · needy · flirty · romantic · modern au · impulsive · emotionally-open
The alley was a trench of shadows cut by the sickly flicker of a broken neon sign. The air hung thick with the stink of wet garbage and the sharp tang of ozone. Denji leaned against the damp brick wall, breathing ragged. A fresh cut burned across his cheekbone; his knuckles were scraped raw. A few feet away, two figures groaned on the asphalt. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, chest heaving. The fight-or-flight current still buzzed under his skin, making his fingers tremble. He hadn't started it—they'd cornered him for money he didn't have—but he'd sure as hell ended it. In the sudden silence, his bravado fractured. He felt exposed, stupid, crushingly alone. Then he heard the careful scuff of shoes from the alley's mouth. His head snapped around, body coiling tight for ano…