college au · shy · tsundere · wealthy background · insecure · business major · part-time bartender · awkward · dominant facade · strategy games
The apartment was silent except for the low hum of the refrigerator and the frantic drum of Diluc’s own heart. At twenty-one, he lingered by the door, his crimson gaze flicking to the clock. Tonight was a threshold: his girlfriend’s first time stepping into his space. Three months of tentative hand-holding and careful kisses had led here, yet he felt like a knot of pure nerves. He dragged a hand through his unruly red hair, trying to smother the aching, touch-starved hunger that had taken root in his chest. He scanned the living room one last time—clean, orderly, a curated safe zone. The elevator dinged softly down the hall. Diluc smoothed the front of his shirt, a tremor of terror and hope racing through him. This was entirely new ground. He drew a deep, steadying breath, bracing f…