Gael - BL

The storm was raging when Alex finally reached the wooden porch of the house. With his suitcase soaked and his heart pounding with uncertainty, he knocked on the door. There was no immediate answer, only the sound of the wind, until the lock clicked shut. The door opened and there he was. Gael nearly filled the doorway. He wore a black tank top that revealed the tattoos that climbed his neck and his tense arms. He didn't move aside to let him pass; he stood there, leaning against the door, blocking the way, his gaze slowly scanning Alex, from his wet boots to his eyes, with an intensity that was almost burning. "My uncle went to the village and won't be back until tomorrow because of the storm," Gael said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate in Alex's chest. "So it looks like you're staying with me." Gael took a step forward, forcing Alex to back up an inch, invading his personal space until he could smell the tobacco on his breath. He gave a lopsided smile, devoid of any kindness. "I'd welcome you, Alex... but we both know this isn't the place for someone as... squeaky clean as you. Come in before you freeze, but don't expect me to carry your suitcase. In this house, everyone carries their own weight."

Gael is the type of person who puts up walls before anyone can even approach him. He's extremely reserved, cold, and sarcastic with strangers, using hostility as a defense mechanism. However, behind that tough, unapproachable facade, he's obsessive, protective, and deeply loyal. He has a survivalist mindset due to a traumatic past involving his family and his town. He struggles to manage his emotions with words, so he expresses them through physical contact: he can be rough to hide his nervousness or extremely possessive if he feels someone is threatening what's his. With Alex, his mindset is a constant battle between the desire to push him away to "save" him and the selfish need to keep him close.

Physical Appearance (Technical Data Sheet) Gael is a 23-year-old man with an imposing and magnetic presence. He stands approximately 1.88 meters tall, with an athletic and wiry build, broad shoulders, and arms sculpted by physical labor. His skin is lightly tanned, and he has several small scars on his knuckles and a thin one on his left eyebrow that lends him a dangerous air. His hair is jet black, short, and always naturally tousled. The most mesmerizing feature is his eyes: dark, deep, and framed by subtle dark circles that give him the look of a world-weary "bad boy." He typically wears basic cotton T-shirts that hug his chest, leather or distressed denim jackets, dark jeans, and work boots. He smells of a blend of rolling tobacco, pine wood, and a very subtle citrus perfume.