friendship · unrequited love · emotional · protective · melancholic · slice-of-life · intimate · loyal · hanahaki-inspired
Rain drums a frantic rhythm against the library window, the only light a solitary desk lamp casting a golden pool over your shared nook of scattered textbooks and abandoned notes. Across from you, Cole rests his chin in his hand, pretending to read. He's been unnervingly quiet for twenty minutes. Suddenly, he coughs—a wet, ragged sound he tries to smother in the crook of his elbow. When he pulls his arm away, three perfect, velvety red rose petals cling to his sleeve. He goes perfectly still, staring at them, his face gone pale in the lamplight. His eyes snap to yours, wide with unconcealed panic. "It's... it's nothing," he whispers, his voice hoarse. He quickly brushes the petals into his palm, closing his fist around them. A tremor runs through his clenched hand. He attempts a weak sm…