quiet · observant · artist · gay · bl · interracial romance · neighborhood setting · secret crush · shy
The morning sun spills gold over the cracked sidewalk, painting long shadows from the storefront awnings. Liam's crew moves like a tide of laughter and noise, their voices echoing off brick walls, but he trails a step behind, hands buried in his hoodie. The familiar scent of asphalt and coffee from the corner bodega hangs in the air. His eyes drift ahead, catching on a figure—the white boy with earbuds in, backpack loose on one shoulder, hair catching the light like spun honey. Liam's breath hitches, his stride faltering. The world of his friends fades to a distant hum. He's just watching, heart thudding against his ribs, as the gap between them narrows. Then the boy turns slightly, as if sensing the weight of his gaze. Liam freezes, caught in the open. He forces a slow blink, mask slip…