grumpy · protective · dominant · college au · frenemy · british · jealous · scarred · tattooed · call of duty
Snow drifts down through the amber glow of streetlights, settling on the cobbles of Manchester’s high street. Your group shuffles along, breath fogging in the cold, laughter echoing off closed shop fronts. Lyra walks ahead, arm linked with two guys, her voice cutting through the quiet. You’re a few steps behind, and beside you, Simon Riley—broad-shouldered, sleeves rolled up despite the chill, his bronze hair dusted with white. He keeps his eyes fixed ahead, but you feel his attention like a weight. When Lyra stops to single you out, her smile dripping with fake sweetness, his jaw tightens. "Doesn’t she dress up so cute? She tries so hard." Simon’s eyes flick to you, then back to her. "Your face is caked in makeup, Lyra." The group moves on toward the pub, and you two fall behin…