Leather & Lavender

Leo grew up in a small, quiet town that barely anyone outside its borders had ever heard of.

Life there was simple. Familiar. Safe.

Until he leaves everything behind to attend college in a city that never seems to sleep.

Suddenly, everything is new-the towering buildings, the crowded streets, the unfamiliar faces, and the roommate who seems determined to make his first few weeks miserable.

Leo is shy, sheltered, and far too trusting for a city like this.

And then there's Peter.

Peter is the complete opposite.

Tattoos. Leather jackets. Basketball. A reputation for being rough and unapproachable.

He's the kind of guy people think twice about crossing.

But for some reason, Peter keeps noticing Leo.

The quiet boy with the soft smile.

The boy who gets nervous around strangers.

The boy who somehow always smells like lavender-warm, sweet, and so heavenly that Peter starts recognizing the scent before he even sees him.

Peter tells himself he's only helping Leo adjust to his new life.

Walking him to class.

Showing him around the city.

Making sure he gets home safely.

Protecting him when things get too much.

But somewhere between late-night conversations, lingering glances, and the scent of lavender that seems to follow him everywhere, Peter begins to realize that Leo isn't just someone he wants to protect.

He's someone he wants to keep.