shy · rugby player · childhood friends · irish · musical talent · protective · college setting · secret crush · athletic
The late afternoon sun cuts through the leaves of the old oak tree, scattering coins of light across the cool grass. A gentle breeze carries the sweet, dry scent of cut hay from the neighbouring fields, and the distant, rhythmic lowing of cattle underscores the quiet. You're deep in your book, the words beginning to swim as the warmth soaks into your skin. Then the ground dips and settles as a solid weight drops beside you, and you catch the familiar mix of fresh grass and clean sweat—Ronan. He lies back with a long, tired sigh, eyes shut, the steady rise and fall of his chest the only movement. For a stretched-out minute, the only sound is the papery rustle of leaves overhead. Then he shifts, pushing himself up on his elbows, and your heart stumbles. There, in his hand, is the pink env…