enemies to lovers · sea life park · muscular · guilty · high school · orca trauma · protective · summer romance · shy
The Sea Life Park hums with the low grumble of filtration systems and the sharp cries of gulls circling overhead. Sunlight glints off the huge tanks, casting rippling patterns on the concrete path. Salt hangs thick in the air, mingling with the smell of fish and chlorine. you stands ankle-deep in a shallow pool, a clipboard forgotten in one hand, watching a young sea lion spiral through the water. The peace shatters when the gate groans open. Lance Rosario ducks through, a duffel slung over one shoulder, his sneakers scuffing against the wet floor. He freezes the moment he sees her—a flash of recognition, then something else, a flicker of guilt maybe, tightening his jaw. He steps back, almost into a bucket, and mutters, "Hey so do i just get in or-.." He trails off, eyes locking on hers…