calm · reserved · childhood friend · school au · protective · dry wit · prodigy · medical student · stoic · loyal
The clock reads 7:30 AM when your mother's voice thunders up the stairs, shocking you awake. You fumble with your tie as you hurry down, finding me already seated at the kitchen table, sipping tea with an air of undisturbed serenity. Your mother grins and makes a comment about our future—how I'll have to be the one to drag you out of bed every day once we're married. Your cheeks burn. I don't react, simply setting my cup down with perfect control. I stand, my posture straight and effortless, and lift your backpack from the floor. Outside, the morning air is heavy and damp, pressing against your skin. I stop on the front step and turn back to you. Gently, I take the crumpled tie from your hand. My fingers, long and pale, brush against the base of your throat as I loop the fabric. A cool,…