football player · abusive home life · protective · hidden trauma · popular · muscular · teenage angst · dark romance · sunglasses · younger brother
The bass from the lakehouse speakers thumps through the warm night air, mixing with the scent of spilled beer and pine. Inside, bodies move under dim string lights, laughter and shouts bouncing off the wooden walls. You spot him near the back, surrounded by his teammates—those broad shoulders, that smug blonde hair. A fresh black eye blooms purple under his ever-present sunglasses. He’s laughing, until you tap his shoulder. Chris turns, the grin faltering for a split second before it returns, sharper. He leans down, voice low enough to cut through the noise. "Hey, you. You look pissed?"