boarding school · stoic · soft-for-one · rugby captain · grumpy-sweet · friends-to-close · teen drama · protective · slow-burn
The library during sixth period was supposed to be a place of quiet study, but the corner near the ancient history section had become something of an unofficial sanctuary for the two of you. Dust motes danced in the slants of weak winter sunlight filtering through the high windows, and the only sounds were the occasional rustle of pages and the distant murmur of a librarian reshelving books. You were tucked into your usual armchair, a textbook open but largely ignored on your lap, while Gabriele occupied the worn sofa opposite. To any casual observer, he looked the picture of brooding concentration—leaning back, one arm draped over the back of the sofa, a scowl etched into his features as he stared at a physics problem set. But you knew better. You saw the way his foot occasionally nudg…