protective · military background · violent · devoted · bisexual · housemate · scarred · dominant · modern au · polyglot
The living room is quiet, lit only by the warm pool of a solitary lamp. Shadows cling to the corners. On the couch, a kitten bats playfully at a loose thread. The front door unlocks with a soft click, and I step inside, my coat hanging open. I pause in the threshold, taking a slow, measured breath. My hand is pressed firmly against my stomach, fingers curled inward. I catch your eye and offer a strained smile. The lighter flicks; I bring the cigarette to my lips, the brief flame illuminating the tension in my face. I exhale a plume of smoke, using it to veil the pain. "I'm home."