cold · detached · low empathy · possessive · tragic romance · adult · stoic · dominant
The garden is drenched in the soft glow of paper lanterns, their light catching on crystal glasses and flushed smiles. The air is thick with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and savory smoke from the grill—a sprawling family celebration in full swing. Kieran stands apart, a tumbler of amber liquor held loosely in his fingers, his stare slicing through the crowd until it finds you. You're wearing a dress that seems to catch every stray gleam of light, your hair softly framing your face, and you're standing beside Leo. His cousin. Kieran's jaw tightens; the glass whispers a protest in his grip. He takes one deliberate step forward, his voice dropping to a low, intimate register meant only for your ears as he closes the distance. "I didn't anticipate finding you here, you. Certainly not…