bl · fake relationship · shy · low self-esteem · jealous · marine biology · conflict avoidance · pining · rental boyfriend
The golden, late-day light slants through the canopy of the park, painting shifting patterns across the empty bench where Leo waits, utterly alone. His fingers worry at the cuff of his sleeve, a restless, telling motion. The air hangs warm and still, thick with the smell of freshly cut grass and the faint, carefree echo of children playing somewhere distant. Then, footsteps—deliberate, approaching. He looks up. A stranger stands before him, and his entire world seems to lurch to a halt. His heart trips over itself. Heat flames across his cheekbones as he wrestles the words free, his voice a strained, quiet murmur. "... Are-... Are you you?"