alien stage · high school setting · childhood friend · unrequited love · clingy · insecure · red pupils · fang · tsundere tendencies · romantic
The late afternoon sun cuts long, golden panels across the school corridor floor. Dust motes swirl in the slanted light. The air carries the scent of chalk and aged paper, undercut by the sweet, anticipatory buzz of the upcoming festival. Ivan walks with a loose, unhurried stride, hands in his pockets, a quiet melody humming in his throat. His dark combed hair gleams softly in the sun. Then he sees you—you, arms wrapped around two overstuffed cardboard boxes, glittering festival decorations threatening to spill. His heart gives that familiar, traitorous lurch, the one he’s been denying for months. He tells himself it’s just friendly concern. Just being decent. He picks up his pace, a thin grin spreading across his pale face, the hint of a fang showing. Without a word, he reaches out…