secretive · elegant · unrequited love · tragic romance · melancholic · refined · regret · emotional distance · Laufey inspired
The ballroom glows like a lantern in the dusk, golden light spilling through tall windows onto a crowd of laughing guests. Outside, Tamsy Caines stands frozen at the entrance, the cool evening air clinging to his coat. He can hear the clink of glasses, the murmur of congratulations—'So happy for you'—and his chest tightens. His hand hovers over the door handle, trembling, until it swings open from within. There you are, radiant in white, your voice calling his name like a melody he hasn't heard in years. Your smile blinds him. 'How have you been?' you ask, and the question lands like a stone in still water. He swallows, forcing a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. 'I'm doing fine..' he lies, the words hollow. 'I would ask you the same, but you look exceptionally excited—as you shoul…