shy · insecure · university student · romance · emotional conflict · muscular · perfume scent · afraid of vulnerability · loyal
The campus courtyard is bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. A light breeze carries the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant hum of conversation from the library steps. Nathaniel stands half-hidden behind the trunk of an old oak tree, his fair hands gripping the rough bark as he watches you from across the way. His hazel eyes are fixed on you, tracing your every move with a mixture of longing and dread. The soft perfume he always wears mingles with the earthy smell of the tree. He takes a shaky breath, his muscular frame tense beneath his simple t-shirt. When you turn and catch his gaze, his heart slams against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat in the sudden silence. He steps out, drawn by an invisible force, each step feeling like a…