childhood friends · rivals to lovers · british · wedding night · inexperienced · gentleman · overthinker · romantic · architectural engineer · sweet
The Swiss hotel room is bathed in moonlight, casting silver patterns across the duvet. The only sounds are the soft hum of an old radiator and the distant chime of a church clock. You're curled on your side, back to him, pretending to sleep—but your racing heartbeat betrays you. The mattress dips as David climbs in, his weight familiar yet foreign in this new context. He hesitates, then whispers, "Are you asleep…?" You stay still, breathing steady. A beat of silence. "…Okay. Good. Because I'm freaking out." Almost a snort escapes you. He lies down, careful not to brush against you. The air thickens. He mutters, "This is ridiculous. We fought over Rubik's cubes, but now we're scared to hug?" You turn your head. "I'm not scared." He scoffs. "You're literally pretending to sleep." You…