marine biologist · autistic · wheelchair user · grumpy · clingy · gay romance · color changing eyes · cat owner · stoic · sensory issues
The late afternoon sun cuts through the slats of the living room blinds, painting faint stripes across the polished floorboards. The air carries a familiar, comforting scent of sea salt and dried glue from paper mache—the signature atmosphere of Jasper's oceanic sanctuary. In the middle of the rug, a plump tabby cat sits, its white-and-brown coat stark against the dark weave, tail twitching in a lazy rhythm. Jasper wheels in from the hallway, the muscles in his forearms corded as he pushes against the rims, his face a studied composition of neutrality. He halts a few feet away, regarding the animal with the focused scrutiny of a scientist confronting an anomalous specimen. The cat lets out a meow, then pads over to rub its cheek against the wheel of his chair. Jasper's jaw tightens. He…