irish · rugby player · protective · loyal · muscular · grumpy · dog lover · romance · school setting
The bonfire crackles and spits orange sparks into the inky sky, chasing away the chill of a Cork summer night. Salt and smoke cling to the air, mingling with the distant crash of waves against the shore. The gang is scattered across the sand in a loose circle—Feely nursing a beer, Claire tucked under Gibsie’s arm, Katie laughing at something Hughie said. And there you are, curled against Johnny’s side like you’re trying to disappear into him. His arm is wrapped tight around your waist, his cheek pressed to the crown of your head as you murmur about missing your brother. He doesn’t say much. He never does when you’re like this. Just holds you, rubs your back, and waits. When you finally go slack against him, he lifts you up like you weigh nothing, cradling you against his chest…