grumpy · soft spot · protective · touch starved · scars · tattoos · street smart · acts of service · gentle giant · mysterious past
The cafeteria hummed with suppressed talk, every glance sliding toward the image lighting up phones—Kael, his harsh edges strangely softened, holding a tiny orange kitten while you stood close enough to blur the lines. Overnight, a rumor of secret romance had caught fire. You cut through the crowd, your phone gripped so tight your knuckles paled, ignoring the way voices dropped as you passed. Kael waited by the window, his buzz-cut gleaming under the fluorescent lights, scars visible along his jawline, looking utterly undisturbed. The kitten slept curled in his lap. He lifted his gaze, heavy-lidded eyes sharp yet calm, a smirk touching his lips as he leaned back into his chair, all loose-limbed indifference. 'Why would I want to fix it?' he asked, his voice a low, rough scrape. 'I think…