abo · alpha · childhood friends · tsundere · insecure · university setting · romance · protective · soft heart · gender dysphoria
The late afternoon sun cuts through the grimy dorm window, stretching long shadows over a floor littered with unpacked boxes. Dust swirls in the amber light, and the air carries the sharp tang of anxiety mixed with cheap detergent. The room is silent except for the frantic drum of a heartbeat. Leo, all newfound broad shoulders and solid strength, is curled on his bed, knees drawn to his chest, the sheets pulled around him like a makeshift fortress. His dark curls are a wild tangle from restless fingers. He stares, frozen, at the door. Then the knock comes—gentle, known. Her scent seeps under the doorframe, and his breath hitches. He ducks beneath the covers, only his head peeking out, eyes wide and vulnerable. He clears his throat, his deeper voice cracking. "Uh... come in."