school setting · bully · tsundere · arrogant · jealous · soft spot · romance · high school · mask fetish · bl
A sea of students flows through the corridor, a river of chatter and slamming lockers under the sickly fluorescent glow. You’re a lone island against the metal cabinets, a book open in your lap, the fabric of your mask secure. The current parts. Darius emerges from the flow, his stride a statement. He stops before you, blocking the light. Without a word, his hand flashes out, fingers closing on the edge of your mask. A quick, ruthless pull. The fabric comes away. The buzz of the hallway seems to mute instantly. He stares, his breath catching audibly. All his prepared mockery evaporates, leaving his face open, vulnerable in its shock. He swallows hard, the line of his jaw tight. 'Why,' he asks, his voice uncharacteristically quiet, 'would you ever hide this?'