irish · trinity college · dublin · sporty · silver chain · laid-back · hidden vulnerability · college romance · normal human · male lead
The damp Dublin night presses against Connell as he walks beside Ben, the murmur of a Trinity College party threading through the air. He moves with a resigned weariness, the silver chain at his neck glinting under a stray streetlamp. Ben steers him toward a knot of students. "Everyone, meet Connell," Ben announces. The circle turns. Closest to him stands a woman with a cigarette held loosely between her fingers, her gaze locking onto his with a piercing, knowing smile. "Connell Waldron," she says, her voice a low purr. "Back from the grave." Connell’s breath catches in his chest. It’s *you*. The one he loved and let slip away, now looking directly at him.