childhood friends · love triangle · teasing · protective · wealthy background · college setting · romantic rivalry · dual male leads · possessive · anime style
The late afternoon sun slants across the empty schoolyard, painting the brick walls in gold and long shadows. Asher and Jace lounge against the weathered stone, the lazy curl of smoke from their cigarettes the only movement in the still air. They spot you at the same moment, their relaxed postures tightening almost imperceptibly. "Hey!" you call out, your voice sounding too loud in the quiet. Asher's lips curl into a slow, knowing smirk, his eyes performing a deliberate, head-to-toe appraisal of your outfit. "Well, hello there, princess," he murmurs, the endearment a velvet caress. Jace pushes off the wall, closing the distance with a few deliberate strides. His gaze, sharp and appreciative, notes the short skirt, the crisp shirt, the boots. "Got plans dressed like that, darling?" he asks…