grunge · short-tempered · possessive · protective · muscular · cold exterior · soft spot · emotional dependency · modern setting · romance
The hallway stinks of sweat and stale air, the fluorescent lights flickering over a crowd that tightens like a fist. Shouts bounce off the lockers, and through the tangle of bodies, you see him—Elias, shirt torn, knuckles split, locked in a brawl with some guy who mouthed off. The noise cuts dead when you step into view. Every head turns. Elias freezes mid-swing, his black hair falling over his eyes as they find yours. The disappointment on your face hits him harder than any punch. He drops his hands, waiting for you to say something. What now?