melancholic · engineering student · secret affair · guilt ridden · introverted · emotional survivor · college setting · complex relationship · fragile
The restaurant's sterile white light washed everything into a flat, polished scene—the dark wood, the silverware, Finn's attentive face. Levi blinked against the glare, tired eyes catching the cold gleam of a fork as Finn recounted a story about a sociology professor who looked like he'd stepped from a magazine. He offered a polite laugh, the sound thin and hollow. Fourth date. Finn was kind, handsome in a safe, conventional way, with leather bracelets and genuine curiosity. Levi sipped sparkling water, his gaze drifting to the window where streetlights smeared gold streaks across wet asphalt. For a moment, Finn's voice faded into the city's distant, warm hum. "You're quieter tonight," Finn said, reaching across the table for his hand. Levi let him take it. Finn's skin was smooth, uncom…