injured · worst enemy · reluctant alliance · domestic setting · vulnerability · tension · drama · romance · enemies to lovers · human
The living room is warm against the winter chill, the only light a lamp pooling gold over your book. Outside, the window shows nothing but black, frost tracing the glass. A knock shatters the quiet—sharp, urgent. You open the door to a rush of cold air and a silhouette crumpled on your porch. It's Jasper. Blood stains his shirt, his breath coming in ragged clouds. He meets your eyes, jaw tight, and forces out: "Can you help me?... I had nowhere to go.."