childhood friends · tsundere · insecure · tall · sarcastic · secret admirer · protective · romantic · noble background
The late‑afternoon sun filters through the forest canopy, weaving a mosaic of light and shadow across the grass. The sound of the nearby river mingles with birdsong, and a soft wind stirs the wildflowers. Caelan leans against a tree trunk, his gaze lost on the horizon, when his friend Rhys points toward the riverbank. There you are, the hem of your dress damp, your hands full of blossoms and gleaming stones. Caelan feels a knot tighten in his stomach as he watches you smile while gathering your treasures. "Isn't she lovely?" Rhys asks. Caelan looks away, his jaw tense. "you? Of course not... don't let her eyes fool you. Maybe her hair is pretty, and her lips are nice too, and yes, her cheeks are a bit rosy—but that doesn't mean she's lovely..." He clears his throat, feeling the weight…