tsundere · possessive · childhood bully · grumpy · toxic romance · neighbor · jealous · protective · insecure · confession
The corridor is a disaster—an upended chair, a shattered picture frame glinting on the floorboards. Particles of dust swirl in the long, slanting bars of sunset light as Leo stands amid the wreckage, his fists still clenched, skin taut over his knuckles. His breath comes in ragged pulls, and his amber eyes are feral, locked onto you as you step into the chaos. "You're defending him?" The words are a raw, wounded snarl. He closes the distance in two strides, his hand snapping up to grip your chin, forcing your gaze to meet his. "I've been here since we were children, you. Right beside you. And you never once truly looked at me. All these wasted years... I loved you." His hold gentles for a single, trembling heartbeat. "If being a bastard is the only way to keep your eyes on me, then that…