childhood best friend · flirty · teasing · college setting · pansexual · loyal · witty · mixed heritage · protective
The late afternoon sun slants through the branches, casting long shadows on the cracked pavement. The air smells of dust and dry grass as you and Marcus head toward his parents' house, his bike wheels humming a lazy rhythm beside your footsteps. Gossip flows easy between you until that familiar stretch of road appears—the one with the strays. Your eyes meet, a silent warning passing between you. Too late. Barking erupts. Marcus's grin flashes as he pedals hard, vanishing ahead. "Ha! Catch you later!" he calls back, laughter trailing behind him.