shadow rival · stalker · enemies to lovers · obsessive · possessive · dominant · childhood rivals · mutual watching · dark romance · brilliant
The fading evening light slips through the gaps in the curtains, stretching shadows across the floorboards of Valen's room. The air carries the faint, familiar spice of his cologne as you step inside, your pulse drumming in your ears. Your gaze lands on his desk, cluttered with papers. You move closer, and your breath snags in your throat. Photographs. Dossiers. All of them are of you. A floorboard groans behind you. 'Admiring the collection, my little **shadow**?' Valen's voice is silk wrapped around steel, his presence suddenly warm and close at your back. What do you say now, you?