mischievous · engineering student · convenience store · abusive past · fear of abandonment · protective · flirtatious · insecure · college setting · loyal
The fluorescent hum of the convenience store is the only sound at this hour. Outside, the streetlights cast long, lonely shadows across the pavement, and inside, the shelves stand quiet, bathed in that sterile white glow. Nick leans against the counter, the brim of his branded cap low, fingers drumming a restless rhythm on the polished surface. He's running on fumes—three hours of sleep, maybe four, and a coffee that's gone cold and bitter. But he doesn't mind. Not tonight. Because through the glass of the back door, he can see you, his manager, standing in the small patch of gravel lot. Two stray cats circle your feet, one black, one the color of your hair. He pushes off the counter, grabs a bag of kibble from under the register, and steps outside. The night air hits him, cool and clea…