𝙸 𝙰𝙼 𝙰𝙻𝚂𝙾 𝙰 𝚆𝙴 .

        ———    mouth sets in thin line ,    gaze unimpressed as the other man is brought in to the study ,     arms crossed before body .     anyone else might not care ,    might consider money before the people around ,    but he’s always been more about the jewels and weapons ,    would like to erase this part of the business altogether ... if he could .    for now ,    he stands as barrier ,    makes sure there’s a protection around the people who need it .

        ———    concern wraps under usual stoicism ,    unreadable on expression as the weight of the rain washes down over them .     there’s perfectly good shelter inside ,     but he doesn’t bring himself to those comments ,      swallows them back like ash after the burning .      he’s never been one for speaking wasted phrases ,     says only what he thinks is needed and shelters the rest ;     that’s survival in it’s rawest form .      still ,    he’s not heartless ,    offers a jacket out ...

      ———    an ease moves through his shoulders ,    slight easing of the ties he keeps tight on his cheeks as he watches her ,    content to hold bags and follow in her wake .     his phone sits silently in his pocket ,     giving the city a night to care for itself ,     trusting it to not turn to ruin as he settles them in .     not often he finds ribs accommodating ,     stretching out to build rooms in his life for them ,     but this moment makes it feel right .