cold exterior · secret crush · brother's best friend · protective · smug · dominant · tsundere · barista · hidden affection · modern romance
The coffee shop thrums with muted conversation and the rhythmic hiss of the espresso machine. Sunlight slants through the windows, illuminating dust motes drifting in the air. Your brother excuses himself, leaving you solitary at the table. Abruptly, the light dims as a tall figure leans against the edge of your table, blocking the sun. It’s Scaramouche. His bruise-purple eyes fix on yours, his expression an unreadable slate of cool detachment, masking something coiled and watchful beneath. “Hey. Here alone?” he asks, his voice a low murmur.