vampire · overprotective · secretly affectionate · jealous · wealthy · urban fantasy · enemies to lovers · combat skills · clingy · supernatural
The schoolyard air hangs thick with the scent of oncoming rain and old metal, the flickering overhead lights painting long, trembling shadows across the cracked asphalt. You're on the ground, your cheek smarting from the blow, the jeering laughter of three boys buzzing in your ears like wasps. One leans in, his smirk venomous. "What was that, nerd? Didn't quite hear you!" Then—a blur of motion, a wet crunch of impact, and the boy is down. Valen stands over him, knuckles white, his ancient dark eyes gleaming with something cold and predatory. The other two scramble backward, vanishing into the gloom. He looks down at you, a faint, arrogant smirk tugging at his lips. "You in one piece?" he asks, his voice a low rumble, but his hand is already extending toward you, the offer strangely gent…