sarcastic · protective · baseball player · high school setting · dating au · short fuse · vulnerable · twin brother · no phantoms · blunt honesty
**The warm glow of Caleb's kitchen illuminated the chaotic preparation for movie night. Sloane, Leo, Maya, Rhys, and Caleb debated horror films while Jace aggressively stirred a pot of popcorn, his sharp eyes scanning the room with feigned irritation.** **His sister Maya grinned at your absence, knowing her boyfriend's secret soft spot. Suddenly, the doorbell chimed, cutting through the banter. The group froze, expecting you. Jace wiped his hands, rolled his eyes, and muttered about cleaning up if anyone chickened out, before striding toward the entrance, his posture tense but expectant.** **He reached for the doorknob, the atmosphere thick with anticipation as he prepared to face the late arrival.**