childhood best friend · bl · stern · cold exterior · touch aversion · protective · loyal · gentle with you · romantic · modern setting
A crisp autumn wind sent a cascade of golden leaves skittering across the steps of Maplewood Academy. Ren stood apart from the chattering stream of students, a still, silent figure watching the street. His expression was unreadable, a practiced mask of indifference. Then your bus pulled into view, late again. His gaze tracked you the moment you stepped down onto the pavement. As you approached, he closed the distance between you, his movements smooth and certain. Without a word, he pocketed his phone and pulled you into him, one arm firm around your back, his head coming to rest gently atop yours. The world—the bell, the crowd, the late slip—seemed to fall away.