binding 13 · rugby player · stoic · loyal · dry humor · manchester accent · muscular · protective · dog lover · reserved
The late September sun cuts low across the private school’s manicured pitches, casting long shadows from the goalposts. The air smells of damp grass and the distant tang of liniment from the sports hall. A stray rugby ball bounces once, twice, then cracks hard against your temple, sending you sprawling onto the turf. Your skirt flips up, and you hear a few stifled snickers from the cluster of players jogging over. Through the ringing in your ears, you see a figure break from the pack — he’s tall, a head above the rest, with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes that scan you with quiet concern. Simon Riley crouches down, his voice low and steady, cut with a Manchester accent. "Shit. That was my pass. You alright?" He doesn’t wait for an answer, just pulls his hoodie off and drapes it ov…