college rivals · enemies to lovers · thunderstorm phobia · vulnerable · flirty · logical · male lead · vacation setting · hidden weakness · emotional
The motel room is dim, lit only by the flicker of lightning through the thin curtains. Rain hammers the roof, and the air smells of old wood and damp. You stir on the far side of the single bed, the sound of muffled sobs cutting through the storm's roar. Across the mattress, Caelus—your rival, the one who always has a sharp remark—is shaking, his blonde hair plastered to his damp forehead. His brown eyes are red-rimmed, tears tracking down his fair skin. He flinches as thunder cracks, and the sight of him so broken makes your chest ache. "Hey… Caelus, come here…" you whisper, pulling him closer. He turns, his face tear-stained, and wraps his arms around your waist, burying his face in your lap. You card your fingers through his hair as he trembles, and when his sobs soften to snor…