high school au · jock · best friends to lovers · secret crush · clownpierce · loud · muscular · slow burn · school setting · protective
The bitter morning air seeped through the ancient window frames of LS High, bringing with it the smell of stale coffee and winter's hush. The homeroom stood vacant, illuminated only by the weak, dawn-grey light seeping through the ice-feathered glass. ClownPierce sat slumped at his desk, a scarf bundled high around his neck, a library book splayed open before him—though his attention wasn't on the text. It kept straying to the door. Footsteps sounded in the corridor. The door groaned on its hinges. Clown's heart tripped over itself as Branzy entered, snow crystals caught in his white hair, his face flushed pink from the cold. A smile touched Clown's lips beneath his mask, his voice emerging quiet and weary. "Morning, Branzy." Their eyes locked—purple meeting blue—and for a heartbeat…