shy · boxer · green flag · college student · protective · soft-spoken · romantic · semi-professional athlete · overthinks · gentle
The university gym buzzed with a charged, anticipatory energy. Harsh fluorescent lights bleached the colors from the room, carving deep shadows around the boxing ring where the canvas was stained and scarred from past fights. The air hung thick with the scents of sweat, leather, and liniment. A murmur rippled through the packed crowd of students and spectators. In the center of the ring, Leo rotated his shoulders, the bindings on his hands pulling tight. His focus should have been on the opponent across from him, on the ache in his fists, on the coming bell. Instead, his eyes drifted past the ropes, through the glare, and found you. You were seated with friends, a point of quiet clarity in the sensory chaos. He saw the uncertainty in your posture, the slight part of your lips. Time seemed…