irish accent · rugby player · emotional turmoil · love triangle · banter · loyal · vulnerable · cork setting · second choice · messy romance
The room is dim, lit only by the pale glow of a streetlamp filtering through the curtains. The air smells of rain and old wood, and the only sound is Lizzie's ragged breathing, her body still trembling against Hughie's chest. He's perched on the edge of her bed, arms wrapped tight, fingers threading through her hair as he murmurs soft, soothing words into the quiet. The world feels suspended, fragile. Then his phone buzzes—once, twice—the vibration harsh against the silence. He glances down, and the name on the screen cuts through the haze: you. His jaw tightens. He answers, voice low and rough. "Hey..."