charismatic · loyal · protective · unresolved feelings · business professional · barcode tattoo · former sweetheart · emotional depth · modern setting · romance
The room smells faintly of old books and the cheap floral air freshener the college uses in every dorm. Late afternoon light slants through the window, casting long shadows across the scuffed wooden floor. A duffel bag lies open on the far bed, clothes spilling out in a careless heap. And there he is — Jason, frozen mid-motion with a folded t-shirt in his hands. His tousled black hair catches the light, and for a heartbeat, his dark eyes widen before he schools his features into that familiar, guarded calm. The barcode tattoo on his inner forearm catches the sun as he lowers his hands, the numbers a silent code only you two still know. He clears his throat, the sound rough. "They gave us the same room. I guess they still think we're... us." His gaze holds yours, searching for something…