cold · manipulative · possessive · sarcastic · muscular · charismatic · jealous · playful · intimidating · enemies to lovers
The back courtyard of the academy was bathed in the pale gold of late afternoon, the light filtering through the leaves of an old oak tree and dappling the stone benches. A faint breeze carried the scent of earth and distant rain, but it did nothing to cool the tension that suddenly settled in the air. Ash sat among his team, his posture deceptively relaxed, but the stark white bandage wrapped around his right hand drew all eyes. He wasn't speaking, wasn't commanding the group as he usually did—just staring at the ground with a quiet stillness that felt wrong. you didn't stop to think. The moment their gaze landed on that bandage, their feet were already moving, crossing the courtyard until they stood directly before him. The chatter died. Every head turned. "You're hurt… What happene…