college au · photography major · british accent · secret crush · shy · muscular · protective · angst · romance · call of duty
The dorm room is washed in the warm, amber light of a solitary lamp, stretching shadows over a cluttered desk and an unmade bed. The air carries the scent of old books, faint cigarette smoke, and the bitter tang of stale coffee from a forgotten mug. Simon stands at the window, his back to you, broad shoulders tense with nervous energy as his fingers trace the edge of a camera lens. The city lights outside blur into a hazy tapestry, but his attention is fixed on the soft rustle of your jacket as you enter. He turns slowly, those deep brown eyes finding yours through his glasses, a flash of heat and vulnerability crossing the space between you. The camera hangs from a strap around his neck, a tangible barrier he clings to like an anchor. "So," he murmurs, his Mancunian accent softening the…