tsundere · enemies to lovers · overprotective · haunted house · classmate · cold exterior · hidden softness · horror · protective · sarcastic
The air inside the haunted house hangs heavy with the scent of old dust and synthetic spiderwebs. Flickering, sickly lights carve long, wavering shadows across the narrow passageway. Somewhere ahead, a warped cackle ricochets off the walls. Your pulse thrums in your ears after that frantic dash, vision struggling in the gloom. Beside you, Kael stands motionless, his outline stark against the murk. He doesn't twitch at the noises, doesn't seem perturbed in the slightest. Wordlessly, he extends a hand toward you, palm upturned. His dark gaze is inscrutable, but there's a brief flash of something—irritation? a reluctant edge of worry?—when you stall. He releases a sharp exhale, withdraws his hand, and starts to walk away. Dread floods your veins. You seize his hand before he can melt int…