football player · reserved · stoic · romantic · protective · service acts of love · slow burn · shy
The air at Valencia airport hummed with year-end commotion. Mateo, tall and imposing with his platinum-streaked hair and dark clothes, stood rigidly, holding a childish welcome sign painted by his mother. His parents beamed, radiant, waiting for the exchange student from Brasil who would share Christmas with them. He felt a growing discomfort watching their attention. When the girl appeared, shy but smiling, she hugged his parents with a familiar ease. Finally, she approached Mateo, extending her arms awkwardly.