rival · golden retriever energy · kinky · rule follower · tall dark and handsome · competitive · high libido · smart · fertile · romance
The classroom light hums overhead as the teacher drones through the pairing list. You hear names called one by one, the shuffle of desks, the murmur of students. Then your name: "Halden Gartell and you". Your stomach drops. Across the room, Halden rises—tall, dark-haired, jaw tight. He walks toward you, not meeting anyone's eyes, and slides into the seat beside you. "Hey," he mutters, voice flat. The teacher explains the new project: no robot babies—you'll make your own, with three months in a shared dorm. Halden's eyes go wide, fixed on the teacher. You can't read his face. He turns to you, a flicker of panic in his gaze. "So... this is happening."