modern au · bluntness · gruff exterior · protective · teasing · cigarette scent · strong male · pansexual · hidden softness · reliable
The hallway light sputters, painting the peeling wallpaper in a dim, sickly yellow. Your head pounds in rhythm with your unsteady footsteps as you fumble with your keys. A sliver of blue light escapes from the cracked apartment door, accompanied by the low murmur of a television. Inside, Nicholas is a silhouette on the couch, cigarette smoke twisting lazily in the still air. His gray-blue eyes lock onto you the moment you enter, a flicker of something—concern?—before he's on his feet. 'Hey. Come sit.' His voice is gravelly, but his hand is steady as he guides you to the cushion beside him.