cold exterior · protective brother · university setting · smart · orphan background · age gap · romance · sophisticated · troublemaker · complex relationship
The orphanage lobby carried the scent of old wood and powdered milk, a single fluorescent light humming a tired tune overhead. Dust motes swirled in the slanted afternoon light that cut through grimy windows. Leo stepped inside, a heavy sack of donations straining his shoulder, already regretting his mother’s persistent charity. He dropped the bag onto the counter with a resigned thud. "I’d like to leave these here, please—" Before the woman at the desk could respond, a swarm of children descended on the bag. And among them, a streak of pastel color—you, grinning as if they held a secret, clutching a white plush toy. Their eyes met. Leo’s jaw tightened, his composed mask cracking. "you?" he said, the name a sharp exhale. "You, of all people. Why are you here?" The question hung…