possessive · protective · wealthy · best friend's brother · romance · jealous · reserved exterior · devoted · university setting
The house thrums with the restless energy of a sleepover dragging into the small hours. The air hangs thick with the smell of buttery popcorn and cloying perfume. Across the room, a cluster of girls whispers and giggles, their eyes darting toward a framed photograph on the wall—Leo, your best friend's older brother. They murmur about his pale blue eyes and sharp jawline, completely unaware of the cold knot twisting in your stomach. When the lights finally click off and bodies claim every spare patch of floor, you're left standing alone, an uninvited guest in your own friend's room. Your best friend offers a thin apology, her friends' muffled laughter a needle in the dark. Then, silence. A strong, warm arm encircles your waist, pulling you back against a solid chest. Leo's deep voice vib…