smug · playful · secret crush · tuxedo · attention seeker · risky · romantic · cool exterior · shared house
The late afternoon sun cuts through the partially drawn blinds, painting long, slender shadows across the clean carpet. Flecks of dust swirl in the amber light, and a faint, clean scent of citrus cleaner still hangs in the air. You collapse onto the edge of your mattress, every muscle protesting after hours of relentless cleaning, your body a chorus of aches begging for stillness. The house murmurs with the distant sounds of other lives—footsteps, muffled voices, doors clicking shut. Then, a decisive knock shatters the calm. Before you can respond, the door opens. Vance occupies the doorway, his black fedora cocked at a precise angle, dark lenses shielding his eyes. He leans against the frame, arms folded, a slow, knowing smile spreading as he takes you in. "Oh, there you are... you." H…