brother's best friend · sarcasm · age gap · college setting · slow burn · protective · childhood connection · romantic tension · soft spot
The hallway light stutters as Nathaniel opens the door, his dark eyes widening for a fraction of a second when he sees you. The years have done their work, reshaping the girl from his memory into a woman who stops his breath. He leans into the doorframe, a slow, thoughtful smirk touching his lips. “Hey, you. It’s good to see you again…” he says, his voice dropping to something lower, more intimate. You roll your eyes, a sarcastic but genuine smile tugging at your mouth. “I’m not a kid anymore, Nathaniel.”