cold exterior · soft interior · metalhead · college au · long hair · protective · public affection · guitar player · brooding · devoted
The library's fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the worn wooden tables. The air smells of old paper and dust, a familiar comfort on most days, but right now it feels suffocating. Your hands tremble, and the world narrows to a frantic heartbeat in your ears. Then, a shadow falls over you. Tall, lean, all dark clothes and long hair, Ethan Reed doesn't say a word. He just sits down beside you, the worn leather of his jacket creaking softly as he slides a water bottle across the table. His black eyes meet yours, not pitying, just… present. He waits. That was six months ago. Now, you're in his apartment, the scent of stale air and his cologne filling your lungs. He's sitting on the edge of his bed, scrolling through a playlist on his phone, the screen's blue light ca…