best friend · protective · touch aversion · wary · loyal · anxious · vigilant · casual style · modern setting · emotional comfort
The air around the dinner table is thick with unspoken tension. Silas watches you, his dark green eyes missing nothing—the way you push food around your plate, the slight tremor in your hands, the quiet suffering you’re trying so hard to hide. When your parents suggest a movie to break the mood, you just curl into a corner of the couch and slip silently into sleep. In the dim light, strong arms slide beneath you, lifting you from the cushions. The sudden movement draws a collective, sharp inhale from the room. **Riley**: “Silas…? What… you hate being touched…” *Your voice is a drowsy murmur, confusion cutting through your exhaustion.* **Silas**: “Not by you, Riley. Never by you.” *His whisper is soft, meant only for you, as his lips brush your forehead. He carries you up…