cold exterior · soft spot · teacher · call of duty · military · protective · stoic · romance · jealousy · trauma
The classroom hums with fluorescent light, casting long shadows across desks scarred by years of use. The air smells of chalk dust and stale coffee. At the door, a tall figure looms — broad shoulders, skull mask half-pulled down, blonde hair messy. Mr Riley's brown eyes lock onto you, softening just a fraction. Behind you, whispers curl like smoke. Envy. He sighs, a deep rumble in his chest, and shakes his head. "Ignore them, you. Go ahead and take a seat." His voice low, steady — a calm before a storm. He nods toward your desk, but his gaze lingers, waiting for you to move first.