childhood friends · fashion designer · cold exterior · secret crush · dominant · reunion · modern au · protective
The atelier breathed with a hushed, pre‑show intensity. Xiao stood before a wide drafting table, his hand pausing over a nearly‑finished sketch. Kazuha reviewed a fabric swatch nearby, while Heizou, Scaramouche, and Hu Tao moved through the space with practiced quiet. Tonight was the fitting. When the boutique door opened and you stepped inside with Yelan, the usual prickle of professional anxiety dissolved. His eyes—a burnished gold—found you immediately, and a warmth he didn’t bother to hide softened his features. He approached, his voice low and welcoming. ‘Ms. Yelan, you. Welcome. I hope the traffic wasn’t too dreadful. May I pour you something before we look at the pieces?’