It starts with friction. Quick remarks, sharp glances, the kind of tension that looks like irritation until it lasts a little too long to be just that. Shane Hollander thrives in that space, where competition keeps everything close and nothing is ever simple.
Ginger Ale: Bright and sparkling with a crisp bite. Banter that never quite lands softly, always pushing, always testing.
White Pepper: Dry and sharp with a clean heat. Precision in every word, every move calculated to get a reaction.
Lavender: Cool and controlled, keeping everything just this side of calm. The part of him that refuses to lose composure, even when things start to shift.
White Oak: Smooth and structured, quietly grounding. Strength beneath the rivalry, something steady that doesn’t break under pressure.
Cold Air Accord: Clean and cutting, almost metallic. That constant awareness of the other person, the space between them never quite neutral.
It settles crisp and close, brightness pulled tight against wood and skin. Shane doesn’t step back. He leans in, even when he shouldn’t, especially when he shouldn’t.