Afterglow Bloom

The city hums outside, a low thrum of loneliness I’ve grown familiar with.
But here, in the afterglow of his light, it fades. It always fades when he's near enough to feel the warmth radiating from him—not just skin-deep heat, but something deeper, settling into the spaces where cold lingered too long.
I wasn’t expecting this…this gentle easing of edges. I thought healing meant a sharp rebuilding, a triumphant return. Instead, it felt like drifting, held in place by his steady gaze.
He doesn' slow blinked and smiled softly at me as he took the cup of coffee from my hand, bringing the scent of vanilla and something subtly spice-like to fill the room. A simple gesture—but one that says he sees all the parts of me that I often keep shadowed, tucked away for protection.
I think maybe…maybe being held isn’t such a bad thing after all.

Editor: Shadow Lover