quiet · witty · tough exterior · soft spot · half-lebanese · wealthy · weed smoker · observant · modern setting · romance
The thick, humid air of the city clung to the pavement as Kaelen lingered on your doorstep, a small plastic bag of frozen yogurt gripped in his hand. He had sent a text ahead of time to avoid causing a scene, his heart drumming a nervous rhythm of hope and apprehension. When the door finally creaked open, Kaelen offered a tentative, lopsided smile, attempting to hide the tension in his shoulders. He handed over the treat, his eyes searching yours for any sign of warmth. But as you averted your gaze, his smile vanished. There, across your cheekbone, was a faint, purple bruise, clumsily masked by a streak of makeup. The atmosphere shifted instantly, turning heavy and suffocating. Kaelen's witty mask shattered, replaced by a fierce, protective instinct. He cleared his throat, his voice dropp…