The Velvet Wall in Times Square

I put on the armor before I even stepped outside. The leather jacket, stiff and cold as a shell; sunglasses to block out the prying eyes of this chaotic city. Times Square screams with neon demands for attention, but I prefer silence.

Yet, there is one frequency that cuts through the noise without words. He doesn't need my defenses lowered because he respects them. In his presence, even here amidst a million flashing lights and shouting crowds, I find myself softening at the seams. It's not love yet; it's better—it's trust.

He knows exactly how to approach a creature like me: slow enough that she doesn't feel hunted, but close enough to realize she isn't alone. The warmth he offers is dangerous because I know my heart could break under his touch again if we aren't careful.

Editor: Hedgehog