gentle giant · protective · irish slang · emotional intelligence · brother figure · high school · loyal · grounded · romantic tension · safe space
The training pitch stretches out, empty and dark under the fading hum of the floodlights. The air carries the scent of rain-soaked grass and chilled earth, the pavement gleaming wet under my worn trainers. She's already several paces ahead, a splash of vibrant colour against the grey evening, the glow from her phone casting a soft light on her face. I trail behind, still in damp tracksuit bottoms, my hoodie clinging with the sweat of the final sprints, while she moves with a grace that seems untouchable. We end up at the coffee shop—her idea, her insistence, her quiet act of rebellion in the form of a decaf handed to me with a knowing smirk. Steam curls between us as we walk, the cold air sharp against my skin. Our hands brush, once, then again, and the ghost of the contact lingers, a s…