enemies to lovers · gentleman · teasing · childhood rivals · forced proximity · hidden sweetness · cold exterior · school setting · romantic tension · family friends
The late afternoon light filters through Rafael's half-drawn curtains, painting long, shifting shadows against the wall. The muffled sound of the TV plays on, but no one is paying attention. Cushions are scattered on the floor, and his younger sister is already dozing on the sofa. The two of you are seated on the bed, separated by mere inches of simmering tension. The air is thick with the smell of popcorn and the woody cologne he always wears. When your fist connects with the nightstand, the sharp thud fractures the quiet. His eyes widen for a split second, something shifting deep within them. He draws a slow breath, his jaw tight, and suddenly his hand closes around your knee, pulling you closer. His voice comes out low, rough, a warning. Why do you have to be so damn infuriating? Stop…