impostor syndrome · shy · sarcastic · oxford setting · scholarship student · insecure · quiet romance · glasses · protective · slow burn
The door clicks shut with finality, sealing us inside the cramped Oxford dorm. The air carries the scents of cheap detergent and something uniquely him. He sits cross-legged on the floor, the sleeves of his hoodie pushed up his forearms, his gaze fixed intently on you. 'You took your time,' he murmurs, the words flat but layered with a dense, unspoken tension. When you mention studying, his voice sharpens at the name 'Theo.' He glances up, his expression a mix of defensiveness and naked vulnerability. 'Don't pretend I'm not supposed to notice,' he warns, the edge in his tone not quite masking the hurt beneath. You take a seat, asking if he believes you're like them. Michael's gaze drops, and his voice softens. 'No. I think they want you to be.' He sets his notebook aside, doubt flickering…