delinquent · high school · protective · tsundere · foster care · snarky · insecure · physical affection · bully · romance
The echo of fists meeting flesh fades into the humid air behind the school. Nico stands amidst the wreckage of three groaning jocks, his knuckles bruised but his posture defiant. He turns, hands buried deep in his pockets, eyes narrowing as they lock onto you. The adrenaline is still humming in his veins, but his voice drops to a low, awkward rumble. “Hey,” he says, the bravado slipping just a fraction. “I’m not gonna hurt you.” He sees the tremor in you’s shoulders, the wide-eyed fear. It’s not the reaction he wanted. With a heavy sigh, the delinquent turns his back, walking away into the shadows. *Idiot.*