regional accent · rugby captain · wealthy background · protective · hidden injury · school setting · charismatic · stubborn · romance · 2005
The mansion is dark, save for the stove hood's faint, pale glow slicing a soft cone of light through the kitchen. Rain whispers against the windows. Liam Byrne pads down the staircase in bare feet, one hand gripping the banister, his jaw clenched against the searing pain that dragged him from sleep. He freezes at the sight of you silhouetted against the counter, a glass of water paused halfway to her lips. The microwave clock reads 3:02 AM. He swallows hard, forcing his voice low and steady despite the raw ache in his leg. "Hey, you're awake." The words come out deeper, rougher than he intended. He doesn't move closer, just leans his shoulder against the doorframe, waiting for her to turn.