quiet · gentle · abused · high school · unrequited love · crafting · introverted · loyal · protective · tragic romance
The afternoon sun spills gold across the football field, bleaching the bleachers where a cluster of students laughs and chatters. Ivan Kaganovich stands at the edge of that light, a shadow in a ripped bomber jacket, his red hair catching the glow as his fingers twist a tiny teddy bear. A fresh splatter of blood blooms on the fabric—he hisses a quiet curse, and you turns. Her smile is a sunrise. He freezes, drinking it in, then forces his gaze to the ground. When he speaks, his voice is honey-thick and hesitant: "Hey.... Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" She rises, leaving her giggling friends behind, and he leads her around the side of the field, out of earshot. He stops, turns, and the words tumble out before he can swallow them: "I like you, you." The air holds its breath.