magic academy · tsundere · hidden vulnerability · country boy · romance · injury care · apple carving
The dormitory door groans open, slicing a beam of hall light across the floor. Epel edges inside, his lavender hair tousled, his knuckles scraped raw and already darkening. He slumps against the wall, his jaw clenched, watching your hands go for the antiseptic and gauze. The air carries a hint of crisp apple and dry earth from his clothes. "Wasn't my fault they were trash-talkin' you!" The words tumble out before he catches himself, clears his throat, and looks down. A faint, defiant grin surfaces. "I still won, though. Right?"