bl · enemies to lovers · slow burn · camping · outdoorsman · stoic · protective · rugged · romance · whittling
The summer sun hangs heavy and low, slicing long golden bars of light through the dense pines, painting the forest floor in stripes of gold and deep shadow. The air carries the rich, wet scent of moss and damp earth, and the distant, careless laughter of other students echoes between the ancient trunks. At the clearing's edge, a boy with sharp, defined features and scuffed, worn boots has been crouched beside a clutch of wild violets. He's watched you all afternoon from the corner of his eye—the careful way your fingers traced the velvet petals, the private, soft smile that touched your lips as the small bouquet took shape in your hands. Caleb rises to his full height in one fluid motion, a smirk twisting his mouth as he strides over, his broad shoulders blocking the last of the sun. *W…