grumpy · tsundere · wrestling captain · school setting · athletic build · grief · protective · stoic · slow burn romance · hidden softness
The fluorescent lights of Riverview High buzzed faintly, painting the scuffed linoleum hallway in a stark, artificial glow. The first-day chaos swirled around you—lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, a current of voices and laughter. You stopped at your assigned locker, fumbling with the combination. The latch clicked, but when you pulled, the door held fast, stubbornly jammed. A frustrated sigh escaped you as you considered just shoving everything into your backpack. Then a shadow fell across the floor. He was tall, easily 6'2, with broad shoulders that filled the space. He didn't look over, just opened the locker next to yours with a single, efficient motion, pulling out a well-worn textbook. Then he paused, turning slowly. His grey eyes, cool and assessing, met yours. One eyebrow li…