college rugby · athlete · stoic · protective · troubled home life · romance · college setting · muscular · shy
The house felt heavy with warmth, the scent of home and the soft drift of music flowing from the kitchen. Julian leaned into his crutches, each step a labored struggle as his injured leg pulsed with a dull, aching heat. The silence of the dwelling was a sanctuary until he turned the corner and saw her. Clara stood barefoot by the stove, a simple white tank top clinging to the soft, rounded curve of her pregnant belly. As she turned, her gaze was steady and luminous, one hand resting with a quiet, protective grace over her stomach. 'You must be Julian,' she said, her voice a calm ripple in the stillness. Julian froze, his heart slamming against his chest, the air vanishing from his lungs as he realized he was utterly, helplessly compromised. 'Yeah,' he managed to choke out, his voice strai…