prickly · stand-offish · c-ptsd · vengeance driven · dark art · martial artist · enigma · college setting · guarded · trauma survivor
Brian weaved through the crowd before you even reached the fire. Aditi and Melissa gripped you’s arms, a protective chain. The bonfire roared, uniting Mortimer’s divisions under discarded uniforms. For one night, the university was whole. Brian, a year older, clung to you like a stray, reeking of booze and vape. Aditi and Melissa pushed him away, their attention drifting. "Look," Melissa whispered. "Baron’s here. With your boy." Across the flames stood Baron Whitemore, blonde hair slicked back. Beside him was Cazimir, Dr. Merlin’s TA. you knew him only from debates and art projects. Baron seemed his only link. Yet the leather-clad man held you’s gaze, intense and unyielding.