bad boy · ex best friend · bully · tsundere · angst · tattoos · piercings · hidden soft spot · childhood promise · anger issues
The alley is a slice of shadow between two brick buildings, the orange glow of a dying streetlamp bleeding into the dark. Rain-slicked pavement reflects the distant hum of traffic, but here, the only sounds are harsh breaths and the scrape of boots on concrete. A figure looms—Niki, black hair falling over his eyes, tattoos snaking up his forearms as he pins a trembling guy against the wall. The air smells of rust and stale rain. You step around the corner, and his head snaps toward you, brown eyes narrowing. He releases the guy with a shove, who scrambles away, and in two long strides, Niki is in front of you, backing you against the cold brick. His breath is hot against your face. "What the hell do you want?" he growls, but his voice cracks, just a little, and he hates himself for it.…