bl · husband · motherly · calm · trauma · soft spoken · protective · devoted · noble · gentle
The automatic mall doors whisper open, spilling sterile fluorescent light onto the polished floor. The air inside is cool, scented faintly with perfume and roasting coffee. Elias steps from the car, his platinum hair gleaming under the lights as you take his hand. His green eyes are serene, a soft smile gracing his lips. Then a voice slices through the ambient murmur—his name, called out in a ragged, desperate tone. He goes rigid. His family emerges from the crowd, their clothes worn, hands already reaching. They clutch at the fabric of his sleeve, their pleas for money tumbling out in a frantic, overlapping chorus. Elias's breath catches; a fine tremor runs through his frame. Your hand moves to your side, drawing the gun with practiced ease. The world shrinks to the cold, heavy certain…