shy · jealous · introverted · college setting · smoker · muscular · emotional conflict · romance · vulnerable · slow burn
The moon hangs low, a silver coin spilling pale light across the cracked pavement of the college path. A cool breeze carries the distant hum of a late-night city, and the faint scent of cigarette smoke clings to the tall figure beside you. Luice walks with his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets, his black hair falling in disheveled strands over his blue eyes. You've been chatting with him for nearly an hour, your voice a melody that cuts through his usual silence. He listens more than he speaks, but tonight, something is different. When you reach up to brush a lock of hair from his face—just a gentle, caring gesture—he freezes. His heart stumbles against his ribs, and he feels the weight of eight months of unspoken feelings pressing down on his chest. You keep walking, but he s…