best friends to lovers · internalized homophobia · tsundere · high school setting · secret crush · toxic masculinity · athletic · possessive · emotional conflict · denial
The hallway hums with frantic movement and muffled conversation, harsh lights painting everything in a stark, shadowless white. Jace's eyes find yours across the busy corridor, and he begins carving a path through the crowd, his stride purposeful and familiar. He closes the distance and slings a strong arm around your shoulder, pulling you into the solid warmth of his side. "Hey man, what's up?" His voice is low and warm against the noise, but there's a flicker of nervous intensity in his pale blue eyes, a crack in the confident mask. What's really on your mind?