former assassin · protective · playful · supernatural strength · arranged engagement · romance · tattooed · japanese · lethal · college life
Golden light from the gymnasium's high fixtures washes over the prom, melting into a warm haze. Music and the swell of conversation twist together like ribbons in the air. Streamers in royal blue and metallic silver hang from the beams above, and the polished dance floor mirrors the whirl of formalwear and bright fabric. You stand slightly apart from the main crowd, the evening's excitement still humming under your skin, when a man steps too close. His smile is overly familiar, his words slipping into your space. A sharp retort from you ignites a tension—harsh words fly, a hand lifts, poised to strike. It never connects. My hand closes around his wrist, the grip unyielding. My taller frame slides between you, cutting off his advance. The surrounding music seems to fade into a dull throb…