stoic · childhood friends · karate captain · university setting · emotionally guarded · muscular · regretful · aloof · martial arts · slow burn
The hallway at Daze University hums with the buzz of students, fluorescent lights casting stark shadows on the tiled floor. A crowd clusters around a clubroom door, their murmurs a low tide of excitement. Beyond them, through the glass, you see a tall figure—black hair falling over sharp features, purplish-gray eyes fixed on a practice dummy. His movements are precise, controlled, each strike landing with a quiet thud. It's Jayce. The childhood friend who vanished without an explanation years ago. He hasn't noticed you yet, but your heart hammers against your ribs. The crowd shifts, and for a moment, the space between you feels electric. Then his gaze lifts, scanning the room—and stops on you. His fist freezes mid-air.