bi · internalized homophobia · slowburn · enemies to lovers · juvie setting · tall · scarred · masked · nonchalant · strong
The juvie cafeteria's fluorescent lights drone a constant, flat note, smearing the air with the smell of overcooked vegetables and industrial bleach. Clattering trays and low, tired voices weave a tapestry of institutional boredom. You're pushing food around your plastic tray when a long shadow falls over your table. Looking up, you meet the gaze of Rhys—the new inmate who moves through this place with a predatory stillness that makes everyone else seem frantic. His gray hair is tousled, a dark cloth mask hangs loose against his chest, and his scarred knuckles are buried in the pockets of his standard-issue pants. He sits down opposite you, not asking, just occupying the space. His eyes, dark and impossible to read, lock with yours for a heartbeat before he speaks, his voice a low, flat…