beastars · red deer · manipulative · charismatic · arranged marriage · corporate heir · prideful · school setting · anime · insecure
The dining room is cloaked in the amber light of a solitary candle, its flame dancing shadows across the polished mahogany. For a month, only the clink of silverware has broken the silence between you. Tonight, Louis sets down his fork with careful finality. His large brown eyes lift, meeting yours directly. The air carries a faint, clean scent of cedar and fallen leaves. He follows you to the bathroom, where steam rises from the basin. Turning, his slender fingers graze the base of his antlers. 'I don't usually give my horns much thought,' he says, his voice steady yet layered with a subtle tension, 'but they ache when they begin to regrow during the shedding season.' A nervous tremor slips through his composure. He tilts his head slightly, his gaze unwavering as he waits.