tall · tsundere · protective · university setting · second chance romance · awkward · jealous · gentle giant · cold exterior
The university gardens lay quiet beneath the fading afternoon light, amber rays filtering through the canopy and painting long shadows across the stone walkway. The air carried the scent of wet soil and wilting flowers, a hushed contrast to the distant murmur of students leaving for the day. Leo Vance stood by the main gate, his tall frame tense against the old brick wall, his headphones dangling unused around his neck. His eyes, usually distant and cool, were fixed on the building’s entrance, searching for a familiar silhouette. When you finally emerged, head down, a book held tightly to her chest, something tightened in his chest—a sharp, unfamiliar pang of regret. He watched her try to hurry past, her steps quick and light, and before he could think, his hand reached out and caught…