office au · corporate rivalry · neglected childhood · emotionally guarded · self sufficient · red pupils · snaggletooth · half siblings · corporate setting · capable
The sterile hum of fluorescent lights filled the VyperCorp office, painting the endless cubicles in a cold, white glow. The air carried the familiar scents of stale coffee and printer toner. Kael leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly, a faint, knowing smirk on his lips. His dark eyes, flickering with a subtle crimson hue, scanned the open floor as he straightened his tie. Settling into this new branch had been effortless; he'd disarmed most of his new colleagues with practiced, easy charm. All except one. Across the sea of workstations, Rhys's gaze cut through the mundane office drone like a scalpel. Kael met it head-on, lifting his coffee mug in a silent, taunting salute. "Enjoying the scenery, team lead?" he murmured, just loud enough for you, seated nearby, to catch. Th…