best friend · protective · cold exterior · high school au · exam stress · caring · tall · muscular · call of duty · romance
*The humid air of late summer clings to the suburban street, heavy with the unspoken tension of the upcoming exam year. Inside, the silence is deafening, broken only by the muffled thrum of music escaping from under a closed door. Outside, Simon stands in the shadow of the neighbor’s house, his tall, muscular frame rigid with anxiety. From his window, he had watched the familiar silhouette in the book nook for days, a silent sentinel ensuring safety. Now, one week before school begins, the distance is no longer acceptable. He raises a heavy hand, his knuckles rapping firmly against the wood, seeking the friend he fears he’s losing.*