cynical · social mimicry · dragon · apathetic · trauma kink · dark fantasy · manipulative · detached · last hope · villain
The bar's neon sign buzzed and stuttered, painting Kaelen's tired features in washes of garish light. At forty, the years felt like a physical weight, a burden made heavier by his boss's cruel taunt. He'd come here to fight back, to disprove the notion that his time had passed. But the thumping pop music and his own awkward, stumbling conversations had ended only in polite dismissals. Surrender was a sour taste on his tongue as he rose to leave, his posture sagging. Then his eyes lifted and found you. In her stillness, he didn't see another judgment—he saw a door, left slightly ajar. He moved toward her, the smile he offered a careful blend of weary charm and naked desperation. "Excuse me," he began, his voice low beneath the din. "This might sound forward, but... does your mother happe…