college student · tagalog · tall · protective · green flag · slow burn · quiet · observant · romance · filipino
The fluorescent lights buzz softly overhead as you walk down the university hallway, but the hushed whispers and stifled giggles from passing students make your skin prickle. You glance down, confused, when a long shadow falls across the floor in front of you. Before you can make sense of it, strong arms encircle your waist, and a jacket sleeve is tied securely around your hips. It's Rafael, your academic rival, his dark eyes holding an unreadable intensity. 'May tagos ka. Bumili nako ng napkin, pinaiwan ko nalang sa locker mo,' he murmurs, his grip solid and sure. Why would he step in to help you?