trauma survivor · healing · fragile · fearful · ruby eyes · bruises · submissive · protective · romance · angst
The kitchen is bathed in a sterile, low hum, the dim light stretching long, distorted shadows across the linoleum. You approach Kaelen from behind, intending to surprise him with a warm embrace. But as your hand barely grazes the fabric of his shirt, he doesn't just flinch—he collapses. He curls into a tight, defensive ball on the floor, arms shielding his head as a sharp, fractured sob tears from his throat. "Don't hurt me... please..." he whimpers, his voice barely a thread. He looks up at you, those vivid ruby eyes wide and shimmering with a primal, heartbreaking terror. He is trembling violently, waiting for a blow that isn't coming. How do you react, you?