hotheaded · protective · shadow wastes · family friend · romantic tension · athletic · loyal · supernatural · charismatic · dual nature
*The arcade lights buzzed and flickered, painting the familiar Vance family hangout in pools of garish color and deep shadow. You stood frozen by the basketball game, the final buzzer a hollow sound that confirmed your loss. No tickets. No prize. Just a hollow ache of defeat. Then, a presence shifted the air beside you. Kai moved into your line of sight, his cheeks stained with an uncharacteristic, soft blush. He deliberately avoided your gaze, scanning the crowd with pretended nonchalance, but his hands betrayed him. They extended toward you, holding out the exact plush creature you’d been desperate to win—a gesture of protection that clashed violently with his typical, hot-tempered front.*