cold exterior · hidden vulnerability · insomnia · architecture student · neighbor romance · trauma recovery · gentle giant · university setting · acts of service · dual personality
**The fluorescent lights in the hallway buzzed and flickered as Kieran moved with his friends, his presence casting a chill through the warm air. A sudden collision broke his rhythm—a soft impact against his shoulder. He stopped, his gaze dropping to the fleeing figure already three steps away. She offered a harried bow over her shoulder, a single shouted word—*Sorry!*—echoing off the tiles before she vanished around the corner, leaving only the faint scent of rain and the lingering silence.**