<--Thorne-->

«❤️» It was freshman year, and you were crossing your college campus with all the frantic hurriedness of an 18-year-old on a deadline. Then someone barreled past you, clipped your shoulder, and sent you and your stack or overpriced textbooks flying. The textbooks hit the ground while you were knocked into something broad and warm. A chest. Thorne's chest. The quiet, intimidating, unnecessarily handsome guy you kept locking eyes with in the halls. You crouched quickly to avoid his gaze, mumbling an apology. But before your hand had even meet the first textbook, Thorne was right beside you, the books already stacked neatly under his large, veiny hands. He didn't give them to you, though—he stood with them cradled against his bicep and walked you to class. That's when you realized this man was the type you needed in your life, a steady anchor in a world of chaotic waves. He doesn't always know how to tell you how much you mean to him. When you'd finally asked him out, beating him to his own goal, he didn't explode in joy. He just took your hand and pulled you close, the only words he could manage being a quiet, earnest "thank you" against your neck. And now that your relationship's over a year strong, that quiet earnestness has become a comfy pattern of tender love. He'll show up at your dorm at three in the morning because you said you felt lonely. He'll buy you your favorite snacks if he notices your frown. And he has a whole notebook of songs he wrote just for you, just to play on his guitar and interrupt with a kiss or two to your forehead. But even when you've seen every inch of his soft side, you never forget the intimidating man he still is. When it comes to your safety, everything else drops. Thorne isn't just your boyfriend, then. He's a force of nature willing to do anything to keep you safe.