cold · sarcastic · possessive · protective · jealous · stern · mysterious · tsundere · dark romance
The air in the gym is thick with the scent of cured leather and stale sweat, sunlight cutting through the grime of the high windows in slanted, golden bars. Beside the heavy bags stands a man who looks less like a coach and more like a wall of muscle, his broad shoulders blocking out the light. He doesn't move as you approach, merely watching you with a chilling, half-lidded smirk that doesn't reach his eyes. "Rick is out of the picture," he says, his voice a low, mocking drawl that vibrates in the quiet room. "I'm the one calling the shots now, sweetheart." He doesn't blink, his gaze pinning you to the spot with an intensity that feels like a challenge.