Bruises, Banter & Butterflies
INTRODUCTION
Claire Collins
Name: Claire Collins
Claire Collins
She is the kind of girl who looks calm until you test her patience—and then regrets follow. She’s sharp-witted, fiercely independent, and allergic to nonsense. Her sarcasm is her shield, her intelligence her weapon.
Claire Collins
She doesn’t believe in dramatic love stories or reckless heroes. Life, according to her, should be planned, practical, and peaceful. Unfortunately, she has a terrible habit of stepping into chaos whenever someone weaker needs help—then complaining loudly about it later.
Claire Collins
Claire hides her softness well. She pretends not to care, pretends not to notice, pretends not to worry—but her actions always betray her heart. She’s bad at expressing emotions, worse at accepting them, and absolutely terrible at realizing when she’s falling in love.
Claire Collins
Strengths:
• Quick-thinking
• Emotionally loyal
• Fearless when it matters
Claire Collins
Flaws:
• Stubborn to a fault
• Emotionally guarded
• Terrible at asking for help
Liam Walker
Name: Liam Walker
Liam Walker
Liam Walker smiles like trouble doesn’t exist—and fights like he’s made peace with pain. Calm, observant, and effortlessly charming, he carries himself with an ease that makes people underestimate him. That’s usually their mistake.
Liam Walker
He’s not reckless by nature; he’s responsible in ways no one sees. Every bruise has a reason, every risk a purpose. Liam doesn’t enjoy violence—he endures it, silently, because he believes some battles are meant to be fought alone.
Liam Walker
Around Claire, his seriousness melts into teasing sarcasm and playful banter. He enjoys annoying her a little too much, mostly because her reactions are priceless. But beneath the jokes lies a quiet admiration—for her courage, her fire, and the way she stands her ground without ever raising her fists.
Liam Walker
Strengths:
• Emotionally mature
• Protective but not controlling
• Calm under pressure
Liam Walker
Flaws:
• Takes pain too lightly
• Avoids asking for help
• Carries guilt he never talks about
Aiden Walker
Name: Aiden Walker
Aiden Walker
Aiden Walker is all curiosity, warmth, and badly hidden fear. He’s bright, observant, and far wiser than his age suggests. Where Liam is quiet, Aiden is expressive—quick to smile, quicker to worry. He's the younger brother of Liam.
Aiden Walker
He idolizes his older brother but hates the price Liam pays for protecting him. Aiden knows more than Liam thinks and blames himself for the dangerous world his brother keeps getting dragged into.
Aiden Walker
Claire becomes a safe space for him almost instantly. He trusts her, listens to her, and occasionally teams up with her to scold Liam—something he secretly enjoys far too much.
Aiden Walker
Strengths:
• Emotionally intelligent
• Honest and loyal
• Brave in quiet ways
Aiden Walker
Flaws:
• Carries guilt
• Afraid of being a burden
• Too mature for his age
Their Dynamic (No Spoilers 😉)
Claire & Liam: Constant teasing, accidental closeness, slow realization, unspoken tension, laughter hiding feelings
Claire & Aiden: Comfort, trust, soft conversations
Liam & Aiden: Silent sacrifices, unspoken love, brotherhood stronger than words.
Author
So that's all for introduction, I may add some other characters in the future. Bye lovely readers~
The Flower Pot Incident
Claire Collins hated three things more than anything else—loud noises, unnecessary drama, and people who messed with her plants.
So naturally, at 11:47 p.m., all three decided to attack her at once.
Claire Collins
*Muttering to herself*
“Great. Just great. Who’s making noise at this hour like they’re auditioning for a horror movie?”
She steps onto her balcony, half-asleep, hair tied messily, irritation written all over her face.
Below, near the dimly lit street, a shadowy figure fumbles near the gate of the empty house opposite hers.
Claire Collins
*Whisper-yelling*
“Excuse me?? Can you… not rob people so loudly?”
He’s not wearing a mask.
He’s not panicking.
He’s… smiling.
Liam Walker
“Wow. Didn’t know this area came with live commentary.”
That smile does something strange to Claire.
Not butterflies.
Not attraction.
Claire Collins
“Get lost before I call the police.”
Liam Walker
“Relax. I’m not stealing anything.”
Claire Collins
“Then why are you sneaking around like a criminal?”
Claire Collins
“Didn’t ask.”
The argument should’ve ended there.
But destiny, unfortunately, has terrible timing.
Claire leans forward to grab her phone—
Her elbow hits something.
The pot hits the ground.
The ground is fine.
Liam Walker
*Laughing, touching his head*
“Okay. That’s new.”
Claire stares down in horror.
Claire Collins
“I—YOU—WHY WERE YOU STANDING THERE?!”
Liam Walker
“Because I live here?”
Claire Collins
“You LIVE here and sneak around like that?!”
Liam Walker
“I lost my keys!”
A thin line of blood trickles down his forehead.
Claire Collins
“Oh my god. I didn’t mean to—are you stupid or something?!”
Liam Walker
“Wow. You injure me and insult me. Multitalented.”
She storms downstairs with a first-aid box she doesn’t remember grabbing.
Claire Collins
“Don’t move. If you die, I’m blaming you.”
As she cleans the cut, their eyes meet.
Liam Walker
*softly*
“You always attack strangers with plants?”
Claire Collins
“Only suspicious ones.”
Liam Walker
“Good to know. I’m Liam.”
Neither of them knows it yet—
But this night,
this flower pot,
this ridiculous argument—
Has just started a story neither can walk away from.
Author
See ya, next chapter coming soon...
The Neighbour Problem
Claire decided two things that night:
1. She was never stepping onto her balcony again.
2. Liam Walker was a problem.
A problem who lived right next door.
Claire Collins
*Opening her door* "...You've got to be kidding me."
Liam stands outside, leaning casually against the railing, one hand in his pocket.
A small bandage sits on his forehead.
Liam Walker
“Morning, Plant Assassin.”
Claire Collins
“Why are you here?”
Liam Walker
“I live here.”
Claire Collins
“That’s unfortunate.”
Liam Walker
“Just came to return this.”
He hands her a broken piece of the flower pot.
Claire Collins
“You came all this way… for trash?”
Liam Walker
“Sentimental value.”
Claire Collins
“You should be resting. Head injuries aren’t a joke.”
Liam Walker
“You sound worried.”
Claire Collins
“I sound responsible.”
She notices the way he winces when he shifts his weight.
Claire Collins
“…You’re hurt somewhere else too, aren’t you?”
Liam Walker
“Occupational hazard.”
Claire Collins
“Occupation of being stupid?”
For a moment, his smile falters. Just a moment.
Liam Walker
“See you around, Claire.”
And just like that, he leaves.
Claire watches him go—annoyed, confused, and strangely aware that her peaceful life had officially ended.
Claire didn’t plan on running into Liam again that day.
Life, however, had other plans.
She’s returning from the local store when she hears voices—angry ones.
Claire Collins
*Under her breath*
“…Seriously?”
Liam stands near the alley, facing two boys slightly older than him.
#boy 1
“You think you can just walk away?”
Liam Walker
“I already am.”
Claire steps forward before she can stop herself.
Claire Collins
*Pointing at Liam*
“Is this idiot bothering you?”
Liam Walker
“Wow. You came to save me?”
Claire Collins
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
The boys scoff and walk away after a warning glare.
Claire Collins
“You attract trouble like it’s your hobby.”
Liam Walker
“You follow me like it’s yours.”
She notices fresh bruises on his knuckles.
Her voice softens, despite herself.
Claire Collins
“Doesn’t it ever hurt?”
Liam looks at her for a long second.
Liam Walker
*Quietly* “It does.”
Liam Walker
*Smiling again*
“But don’t worry. I’m hard to break.”
Claire doesn’t smile back.
Instead, she sighs and hands him the packet she bought.
Claire Collins
“Take this. Ice it.”
Claire Collins
“I tolerate.”
Neither notices the warmth lingering between them.
Author
Bai baii, readerss~
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