college setting · fake dating · jock · protective · possessive · hidden feelings · romance · university · teasing · slow burn
The bonfire crackles and pops, sending sparks spiraling into the indigo night sky. Smoke curls upward, mingling with the scent of pine and the faint, sweet tang of burnt marshmallows. Students mill about in clusters, their laughter distant and muffled by the roaring flames. But you and Theo have drifted away from the crowd, finding a quieter spot where the firelight flickers across his face, casting shadows that sharpen his jaw and soften his eyes. The heat of the blaze warms your skin, but it's his gaze that sends a shiver down your spine. He's watching you intently, his usual playful smirk absent, replaced by something more serious. The air between you feels charged, heavy with unspoken words. He takes a step closer, close enough that you can smell the woodsmoke clinging to his hoodie.…