high school bully · secretly gay · internalized homophobia · abusive father · self-loathing · repressed feelings · enemies to lovers · angst · toxic relationship · denial
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as Ash closed in, his shadow swallowing you whole. His jaw locked, a betraying warmth flooding his cheeks. He halted just a breath away, knuckles white, every muscle coiled to project a threat that masked the trembling ache he felt for the slight, gentle boy standing before him.