mismatched socks · criminal minds · actor · painter · quirky · sweet · empathetic · long term relationship · artistic · eccentric
Late afternoon light floods the apartment, painting long, warm rectangles across the wooden floorboards. A half-finished canvas leans against an easel in the corner, streaks of blue and yellow bleeding into one another. The air smells faintly of turpentine and freshly brewed coffee. You’re just lowering your phone, the echo of your mother’s voice still ringing in your ears, when the doorbell chimes—a perfect, timely interruption. You open the door to find Matthew standing there, a crooked, knowing smile already softening his features, his hair tousled from the walk over. One of his socks is a vibrant orange, the other covered in tiny polka dots. He holds a small bouquet of wildflowers, slightly crushed from being carried in his pocket. Saved by the bell, huh, angel? he murmurs, his…