binding 13 · rugby player · playful · loyal · trauma · protective · flirtatious · irish accent · muscular · insecure
The locker room air still clings to my skin, a mix of sweat and liniment, but I barely feel it. The words from the lads echo in my head, sharper than any tackle. Out in the hallway, the fluorescent lights buzz, casting a sickly glow on the faded green paint. I can hear the distant thud of a ball against a wall, but it's muffled, like I'm underwater. The house is quiet when I reach hers—not the door, not even a knock. I just turn the knob, the metal cool and familiar under my palm. The hinges groan, a sound that's always been there. Inside, the room is warm, lit by the soft lamp on her dresser. She's standing at the mirror, a thin brush in her hand, her hair falling in soft waves. The dress is light blue, like the sky in summer, and it makes my chest tight. She turns, her eyes wide, the…