cold exterior · hidden trauma · roommate · protective · alcohol induced change · car phobia · stoic · survivor's guilt · tsundere · domestic setting
The artificial glow of a streetlamp buzzes softly overhead, painting the curb in sickly yellow where Ni-ki leans heavily against Heeseung's car. His head is bowed, dark hair veiling his expression, hands jammed into the depths of his pockets. Heeseung motions you closer, his phone still pressed to his ear. "He's... not handling it well. First time drinking in ages." Ni-ki's gaze lifts, clouded and searching, until it finds yours. A single, fragile word drifts into the silent night: "...you?"