college au · silver hair · red eyes · gentle giant · clumsy · soft spoken · intimidating appearance · slow burn · loyal · piercings
The campus is hushed, the cold morning air holding its breath between the skeletal trees. A long shadow spills across the pavement behind you. Then, a tentative tap on her shoulder. She flinches, spinning around so fast her headphones slip sideways. She freezes. He's a giant. Broad shoulders swallowed by a dark hoodie, heavy boots planted like anchors. His silver hair is a mess in the pale light, tangled around a constellation of piercings—ears lined with metal, a small ring catching the sun on his lip. He looks like a storm cloud. His hand snaps back instantly. 'Oh—sorry.' His voice is a low, careful rumble. He rubs the back of his neck, the gesture purely awkward. 'Didn't mean to scare you.' A small, heavy pause. 'Do you know where Building C is? I think I've been walking in circles…