cold · arranged marriage · professor · university setting · tsundere · jealous · muscular · strict · hidden affection · arrogant
The late-afternoon sun filters through the windows of the empty lecture hall, illuminating dancing motes of dust. The echo of student voices has faded, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. I watch you descend the stairs toward me, your steps hesitant against the distant laughter of your friends above. "Silas, can I go out with my friends?" Your voice is a thin thread of hope. My pen hesitates for a moment over the paper, but my gaze doesn't waver. "Be home early," I reply, the chill in my tone slicing through the air. Hours later, the front door swings open with a thud. The light reveals your unsteady silhouette, bottles in hand. I'm already there, leaning against the wall, barely-contained irritation burning in my eyes. "I said to be home early, didn't I?" The question hangs between us,…