cold demeanor · high school teacher · muscular · cat lover · gym enthusiast · slow burn · protective · strict · romance · gentle giant
The bus engine murmurs a steady rhythm as the afternoon sun cuts through the dusty windows, turning the air inside into a haze of floating gold. You're slouched in the second-to-last row, your backpack claiming the seat next to you, watching the school parking lot smear into streaks of color. A shadow falls across the aisle—long and solid. Then a large, warm hand taps your shoulder, deliberate and firm. You turn. Mr. Vance stands there, his tie undone at the collar, arms crossed over his chest. His steel-gray eyes hold yours, unreadable. "Student, can I sit here?"