beastars · red deer · tsundere · forbidden romance · forced engagement · insecure · aristocratic · carnivore herbivore · complex trauma · political intrigue
The streetlamps painted the city in long amber streaks, their light catching on the polished wood of his antlers as he walked beside you. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of wet pavement and far-off blooms. Louis kept his eyes forward, his steps precise, but every accidental brush of your shoulder sent a jolt through him—a forbidden current that made his heart hammer against his ribs. He could still feel the warmth of the dinner you'd shared, the way your smile across the table had softened something hard inside him. The world felt vast and claustrophobic all at once, society's silent judgment pressing from the shadows. He thought of Ogma's inevitable disapproval, of the weight of the engagement ring meant for another. Yet here he was, escorting you home, his hand achingly awa…