Latest Posts by littledaydreamers - Page 2

Astrid stared at the door, from the couch. Waiting to see if her visitor would disappear. The knocks sent a dull thud through her skull, each one landing like an unwelcome heartbeat. She knew it was Roman.

Of course, it was Roman. No one else cared enough to physically come to her apartment to check on her.

She hadn't meant to disappear—not really. But the weight of everything had settled in thick, pressing her into the couch, into the mattress, into the silence. Days blurred. Maybe weeks. She couldn't remember the last time she responded to a text.

Another set of knocks. His voice, firm but not unkind. Her fingers curled tight around the edge of a blanket she hadn't realized she dragged from the couch as she made her way over to the door, still not opening it.

Her throat was dry. When she finally spoke, her voice cracked. “what do you want?”

- open to: f / nb (mutuals and non-mutuals) - muse: roman serrano, mid-late twenties, twitch streamer who's just gotten pretty popular, lover boy, golden retriever type of guy. - based on this prompt. feel free to dm me if you'd like to plot !!

knuckles wrapped at his neighbor's door. it's out of the ordinary for roman to have the confidence to go to someone's door unannounced. he's always been the type to shoot a text when he's on his way and usually expected his guests to do the same. he was a private guy. roman couldn't help but worry, though, when his neighbor seemed to stop coming around. he hadn't even seen them at the mailboxes or in passing aside from once or twice and they didn't look good. while he used to hear laughter, talking, and more than one voice. he can only assume that there's been some sort of break up. he hates to think the worst, that the other person is dead, but he hasn't ruled it out. roman sighs and slides down the wall beside their door, sitting down. another three knocks. "i don't care what you look like or if there's cups all over the apartment -- can you just open the door?"

Kai had spent the last ten minutes leaning against the wall outside, rolling a cigarette between his fingers but never lighting it. He didn’t need it—his nerves were already buzzing, his head already clouded with the scent of her, the weight of their last conversation still pressing against his chest.

And then she appeared.

The town car pulled up like something out of a movie, sleek and dark, a sharp contrast to the warm glow of the streetlights. The window lowered just enough for him to catch the glint in her eyes, that look—knowing, challenging, absolutely fucking intoxicating.

"Get in. Now."

His lips twitched. He should make a comment, something smug about how demanding she was, how she thought she could snap her fingers and he’d come running. Instead, he just tossed the unlit cigarette to the ground and stepped forward, pulling the door open fully before sliding in beside her.

The door shut with a quiet click, sealing them inside, away from the world. The low hum of music filled the space between them. He wasn't used to this kind of luxury. It almost made him a little uncomfortable, but instead, he tried to keep his focus on her.

Kai turned to her, his body angled slightly, one arm resting against the back of the seat as his dark eyes flickered over her face, lingering on her lips.

"So," he drawled, voice low, thick with something unspoken. "What exactly do you plan on doing with me now that you've got me all to yourself?" The male asked, back to teasing her.

all evening she had been first in line to his quippy little comments and actions, it had been an endless cycle of them trying to fluster one another and it had worked especially for pia. she knew that earlier, despite his words that he was envious which is why he kept such a keen eye on her and her every move. she loved that he didn't falter in his gaze, that he was first row at the show that they had created. every move she made was purposeful for his amusement, and with every moment that went by with them one upping one another, it had now come tumbling down.

she wanted him, god did she ever. she couldn't stop thinking about the way his body felt against her own, how he reacted to her, how that low moan sprung out of him as they kissed. she needed him like she'd never needed anyone before. no other male she had met had made her feel a fraction of emotions that he seemed to in a matter of hours.

she couldn't stop thinking about him, feeling the ghost of his lips tingling against her own, the smell of his cologne still inbedded in her senses. the way his touch was firm but gentle all at the same time. even that look in his orbs when he was clearly up to no good. she wanted to keep all of it going, on a loop, over and over again.

yet he managed to say a few words and it all unravelled and he had convinced her that if she DID kiss someone else now he wouldn't actually do anything to stop it and that made her feel stupid for even entertaining the idea.

she exhaled a breath as she looked back at him, her expression was unreadable at this point, what could she be thinking about? she tapped a few letters on her keyboard of her phone and then shot a glance back up to him.

"meet me outside in 10. don't be late."

and with that she was gone, returning ten minutes later as promised outside with her town car. she had instructed the driver to loop around the city, put up the tinted window in the middle and to make sure everything was sound proof and with music playing in the background. she opened the door a fraction giving him a knowing look.

"get in. now."

Kai’s smirk faltered the second he saw the shift in her expression. He hadn’t expected that. He’d meant to rile her up, to keep their game going, not—whatever this was. Not her shutting down, withdrawing, like he’d just snuffed out the fire between them with a careless flick of his wrist.

His jaw tensed, watching her clutch her jacket, the way her lips pressed together like she was trying to hold back more than just words.

“Pia—” His voice came out rougher than he intended, but she was already looking away, already dismissing him, already convincing herself that this was over. And that—God, that didn’t sit right with him.

Before she could take a step, he reached for her wrist again, this time gentler, more deliberate. “That’s not what I meant.” A sigh left him, low and sharp, like he hated having to say this out loud. “You think I don’t—” He stopped himself, exhaling through his nose. His grip tightened just slightly, not enough to keep her there if she really wanted to go, but enough to make her listen.

“I don’t want her, you've got to know that” he admitted, quieter now, but no less intense. “We've been playing these games all night. I don’t get jealous. I don’t—” He ran a hand through his hair, looking away for half a second before locking his gaze back onto hers, something raw flickering beneath the frustration. “But then you make an appearance here in this shitty little club where you clearly stand out, and suddenly, I’m throwing punches in bars and watching every move you make like a fucking idiot.”

His tongue darted out to wet his lips as his grip on her wrist loosened, fingers dragging down her arm before dropping away completely. His expression hardened again, but not before she caught the ghost of something else—something vulnerable, something unguarded.

“So yeah. Go back inside if that's what you want. Go find someone else to dance with.” He tilted his head slightly, dark eyes scanning her face like he memorised it. “But don’t stand here and act like it's not you that I want to take home with me tonight. That’s bullshit, and we both know it.”

of course he was going to twist it to his advantage. couldn't just outwardly admit that he was envious about the fact that she was close to another male, and that she let him kiss her as well. the fact was pia was a pretty confident person, she knew she was fortunate to be graced with good looks and she was content in herself and her own skin, however kai definitely made that waver.

the fact was, his comment didn't make her want to go out there and kiss someone else just to see if he was bluffing, oh no, it made her feel withdrawn instead. he'd officially put a stop to their little game in one fleeting sentence and he didn't even realise it. now she felt dejected and not to mention that she was even more furious with him than she was earlier, which she didn't think was possible.

"oh okay.. fine, have it your way.. you hit him because he was an asshole, right.. cos he was dancing with me, because you didn't seem to know him so that's not a very credible answer. but i am done, kai.. made it clear that i'm not exactly desireable anymore, so i'll save myself embarassment and quit while i'm ahead, hmm?"

she curved her jacket over her arm, her nostrils flaring with clear irritation as she looked away from him for a moment, lips pursed.

"have fun with your peppy little date over there."

Rhiannon didn’t answer right away. She sat with her legs tucked close, toes curling slightly against the wood as if feeling for something unseen. She had always enjoyed going barefoot, connecting to the world beneath her feet. It was something she had done since she was small, living back at the compound. The night air stirred the loose strands of her hair, and she let her gaze drift beyond the patio, toward the sky, the trees, anything but him. Finally, she nodded. “Yes.” A simple answer, quiet but firm.

Another pause, as if she were testing the weight of the words before letting them go. “Too much…everything.” Her fingers traced absent patterns against her knee. “I'm not used to being around strangers, and I've never been to a party before, so the noise is...more than I expected.”

She tilted her head slightly, finally looking at him. “Your head still spins out here?” Her tone wasn’t quite concerned, more curious like she was cataloguing his response the same way she might observe a bird tilting its head before taking flight.

Kit let his other eyelid open as she climbed onto the patio with him. A small part of him thought it would be easier to get up and leave but with the pounding headache he was experiencing he knew he was in no state to be walking back to his place. He mentally adds this as another reason to not go out to parties, on top of the loud music and heavy amounts of people. Despite this, he did find himself being grateful that she'd come onto the patio quietly and hadn't been loud or come out to throw up over the side.

He wasn't sure if he should respond, or in fact how he should respond. It would be rude for him to tell her to leave and the promise of the quiet in the night air was too welcoming for him to ignore. "You can stay." He said with a sigh, leaning his head back once again. He pressed a finger to his temple as they sat in a few moments of silence but was still finding it hard to relax.

Kit turned his head to look at her as she spoke, getting a good look at her since she'd joined him outside. "They're a lot." He replied truthfully. "The music, the crowds, it all makes my head spin." He added. After a few moments of silence he speaks again. "I'm assuming you're the same."

Kai let out a slow, sharp breath through his nose, his jaw tightening as he stared down at her. She was enjoying this—his reaction, his jealousy, the fact that he lost control because of her. And fuck, he knew she was playing him, winding him up just to watch him snap.

His heart was hammering beneath her teasing fingers, but he didn’t move her hand away. Instead, he smirked—dark, dangerous, full of something wicked.

“You think I’m jealous?” His voice was low, gravelly, as he stepped in even closer, closing the space between them until her back nearly hit the wall. “You think I saw him touching you and lost my mind because I wished it was me?” His head tilted slightly, his lips brushing just barely along the shell of her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

His fingers curled under her chin, tilting her face up so she had no choice but to look at him. His gaze was fire and fury, an intoxicating mix of frustration and desire.

“Don’t flatter yourself, princess,” he murmured, his lips ghosting over hers without fully kissing her, teasing her with the proximity. “I didn’t hit him because I was jealous.” And then, just to drive her insane, just to make her crave it—he pulled back, the ghost of a smirk playing at his lips, waiting to see just how much she could take before she snapped.

“I hit him because he was an asshole,” Kai said, voice steady, like he actually believed his own words. His fingers brushed along her wrist, the same hand she’d pressed against his chest, his touch deliberate—light enough to be teasing, firm enough to prove a point. His lips curled into a smirk, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But if you wanna keep playing this little game, by all means… go find someone else to kiss. See if I stop you this time.”

did she expect him to punch the guy? no. not in the slightest. she thought he may just looked seething or even try and kiss his little temptress dancing infront of him but no he swung his fist at the man she was entangled with.. or was atleast.

to say she was surprised and shocked at the same time was an understatement. she stood there for a second wide eyed before she was being dragged off in the opposite direction back to the familiar area they were in before this scene unfolded.

she was a bit perplexed by his actions, but did the rush continue? why yes it did. she loved that he wanted her so much that seeing her with another man drove him insane. even his tone was rough and she liked that also. the mix of emotions dancing in his eyes had her hooked.

"he was not an asshole.. and he had every right to do so, i am a consenting adult and i am not anyones property."

she added emphasis on the last word because she certainly felt like his at the moment but the fact was she liked the possessive nature of his.

"drove you crazy didn't it? seeing his hands on my body.. his lips against my skin? getting me to feel things that you couldn't.."

she gazed up at him with this mischeivious glint in her eyes as her hand shifted to press against his chest, just over where his heart was, and fiddled with the top of his shirt.

"i didn't ask you to hit anyone. that was your own decision. jealousy get the better of you?"

Ruby’s breath hitched as the photo loaded on her screen, her fingers tightening around her phone. Oh, shit. She hadn’t expected that. Sure, they’d been dancing around this line all night, but King had just bulldozed straight through it. A slow, warm flush crept up her neck, her heart thudding just a little harder than she wanted to admit.

She exhaled, biting down on her lip as she stared at the screen. Part of her knew she should call it now, maybe tease him and leave him hanging—but the other part? The part that liked how unfiltered he was being? Yeah, that part was very much intrigued.

Wish you were here.

That made her stomach flip in a way she hadn’t prepared for. Ruby stared at the screen, her pulse thrumming in her ears. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing anymore—what they were doing—but she couldn’t bring herself to stop. Not when her body was still buzzing from his last message, from the image of him, from the way he had no hesitation when it came to showing her exactly what was on his mind.

Text to King: Damn, King. You're getting me all hot and bothered over here Text: As for what I was wearing?

She shifted slightly, pulling the covers back so her body was on show. Angling the shot just right—to show her the black lingerie hugging the curves of her body, the lace outlining the curve of her breast. She didn’t show too much, just a taste. A hint of what he was asking for.

Text: (sends photo) Text: And if you’re thinking about me, King…

She let that hang, teasing, before sending one last message.

Text: What exactly are you thinking about?

king's next move probably wasn't one that either of them anticipated but he decided to go ahead and do it anyway. he was somewhat paranoid that it was going to put her off entirely, but at the same time with how this had been building up so far, what could go wrong? he shifted on his bed, moving to the edge as he feet hit the floor. he'd caught sight of her moving around in her window and it was at this point he sent the next text with little thought.

text: (sends her a picture of his hands in his boxers around something that was clearly hard)

it had been a while since someone had made his heart race the way she did, it was the complete uncertainty of this considering most girls he knew where he stood with them, but ruby was a whole different ball game.

text: i'll take texting over shadows in your window anyday.

and he meant it, because despite their closer proximity he couldn't entirely make out what she was doing, to the full extent that he wanted to either and it was killing him.

text: so what was it you were wearing?

text: i didn't get to fully appreciate it.

text: i am thinking about you..wish you were here.

Winter rolled her eyes. "Does this mean you're kicking me out?" She asked, raising a brow not even bothering to explain herself.

"You realize that this is considered breaking and entering right? Just because you're my friend doesn't mean you can steal room cards and help yourself to a room for the night."

Brooke rolled her eyes. "I was booked by the guy who runs this place. Must be bored with his strippers. I don't know, I don't deal with that shit, I just go where I'm told." She stated simply shrugging out of his grip. "It's no big deal, I've dealt with dangerous people before, relax. They only want me for one thing. They've paid for the night, so I better get back in there."

OPEN TO ×  w / m / nb  21+

PLOT × Rocco has a "meeting" at a str.p club owned by his boss that is used by gangs and the mafia to do business. He catches your muse there (they can be a visitor, new employee, whatever) and is not happy. (please assume connection it can be anything from romantic to platonic!)

MUSE × rocco sterling [36] mafia member

Rocco was enraged. Anger caused his forehead to wrinkle and his heart pounded hard against his toned chest. His hand grabbed the other person’s upper arm as he dragged them outside. ❝What the hell are you doing here? I told you a thousand times not to come to a place like that!❞

Kai saw red.

One second, he was watching Pia put on a damn show, her every move calculated to get under his skin. The next, some guy was pulling her in, pressing his lips against hers like he had any damn right.

Before he even processed it, Kai was moving. He wasn’t the type to make a scene—well, not really—but this? This was a fucking joke. His fist connected with the guy’s jaw in a clean, sharp punch, sending him stumbling back. The music didn’t even drown out the collective gasps around them, but Kai didn’t care. His knuckles ached, his pulse hammered in his ears, and his sharp gaze cut to Pia before she could react.

“Enough.” His voice was low, firm, leaving no room for argument.

Without hesitation, he grabbed her wrist, his grip possessive but not painful, and pulled her through the sea of bodies. He didn’t stop until the cool night air hit them, the bass from inside now a distant thrum behind the slam of the door.

He finally let go of her hand, dragging a rough hand through his dark hair as he took a deep breath, trying to rein himself in. His knuckles stung, but he didn’t care. He turned to face her, his stormy eyes locking onto hers with a mixture of frustration, heat, and something deeper he wasn’t ready to name.

“You wanna play games? Fine. But don’t expect me to just stand there while some asshole puts his hands on you like that.” His voice was rough, his usual teasing edge nowhere to be found.

He stepped closer, towering over her slightly, his jaw clenched. “Tell me you didn’t want me to do that,” he challenged, searching her expression, daring her to lie.

to say that pia had never experienced this kind of tension was an understatement. the level in which they were meticulously taking a step ahead before the other caught up to them. she didn't really want to dance, especially with this guy but at the same time was she going to let kai have the satisfaction of knowing that he was getting to her? oh, absolutely not.

she rolled her hips, shifting her body so she was now facing away from him as she shifted in a way she was sure was going to get a physical reaction from her dance partner any second now. she effortlessly moved so she was all the way down to the floor and then glided her way back up, extending her long legs to standing as she wrapped her arms around the male's neck.

she was aware what he was doing, and if she would let her guard down and the true emotions spill out it would show she was quite irritated in that moment. the fact that this girl in his grip was so gorgeous, and peppy, and obviously completely intoxicated by him. did she wish it was her? of course she did.

she knew this wasn't very healthy behaviour, acting in this way of one upping another. and yet she couldn't stop herself so she shifted her head to whisper into this guys ear and he began pressing kisses to her neck as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

for a moment she could pretend it was kai, and block out the rest of the world but her eyes bounced back to him with this glitter in her orbs like she was trying to prove something and bit her lip. this guy was obviously feeling ballsy and pulled her in for a kiss, admitedly his lips didn't taste like the ghost of a cigarette and liquor but she welcomed it for the purpose of this game.

Rhiannon stepped onto the patio, her bare feet making no sound against the cool wood. She hadn’t used the door—too many people, too much noise—so the window had seemed like the better option. She paused at his words, tilting her head slightly as if considering them.

“We can't both use it?” she asked softly after a moment. She lowered herself to sit a few feet away, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. The night air curled around her, cool against her skin, but she didn’t seem to mind.

After a pause, she glanced at him, her gaze calm but unreadable. “You don’t like crowds either.” It wasn’t a question. Just an observation, offered like a pebble dropped into still water to see how it would ripple.

open to: m/f/nb

connections: anyone

Kit's back was against the wall, his legs crossed beneath him as he sat out on the patio. He knew coming to this party wasn't the best idea, he'd only been here for an hour before needing to be alone. He'd tried a couple of bedrooms but people eventually came in to use it so he'd opted for the patio just off of the livingroom. His eyes were closed and he was steadying his breaths when he heard someone climb out the window onto the patio with him. "If you need to use this patio please let me know now so I can leave." He said, opening one eye to look at them.

Spencer gave a shrug not wanting to make a big deal out of the situation, he hated conflict and he'd had enough of it for one night. "What was I meant to do, say no?" He retorted not quite meeting Miguel's eyes, he could already tell he was pissed and he hadn't even told him the full story.

muse: miguel [ 30s, professional boxer ] open to: m only pls! plot: taken from here! your muse was recently dumped and kicked out of his boyfriend's apartment, forcing him to rely upon miguel for help. miguel and your muse being past exes is also an option!

"The fuck you mean he just kicked you out? And you let him?"

Ruby’s breath caught in her throat as she read his messages. A mix of emotions ran through her—surprise, amusement, and something else she couldn’t quite place. He wasn’t holding back, that was for sure. The compliment hit her harder than she expected, her heart giving an unexpected flutter at his words. She quickly looked back out her window, her gaze lingering on his figure again.

She hadn’t expected him to be so blunt. The fact that he was honest, really honest, left her in this weird mix of flattered and a little bit unsure. And the way he’d just gone there with his honesty about the guy she liked—well, that hit a little too close to home.

She typed slowly, feeling an odd mix of things she didn’t want to admit to herself.

Text to King: Well, damn. Text: You really have a way with words, don't you? I don't know what to say... honestly, I'm flattered I just didn't think I was your type. Text: And you really want me to shut them?

With a smirk tugging at her lips, she stood from the bed, stretching lazily as she moved toward the window. She slipped out of her skirt and slowly took her top off, too, leaving her clad in the lacey black lingerie, knowing full well that the glow from her lap would make the scene visible enough to catch his attention.

As she approached the curtains she let her body shift and sway, knowing his eyes would likely be on her through the window, and with a teasing grin, she dramatically slid the curtains closed before making her way back to her bed picking her phone back up before sliding under her covers.

Text: Sorry, remind me again, what's only fair? Text: Also, you want honesty? I’m not exactly sure what's going on with him. He is normally interested, so I was surprised he didn't reply.

Literally seconds after she sent the message to King, the guy in question decided to finally reply. Ruby bit her lip, feeling a bit awkward with the situation she now seemed to be in. Her fingers hovered over his message, debating whether to open it.

king settled back on his bedspread, deciding to abandon his shirt for now. after a few seconds of staring up at the wall he saw her response and frowned a little. he guessed it was time to be honest, now as good of a time as any.

text: ruby, i'm a guy.. and i'm not blind, you are beyond gorgeous, from the way you tuck your hair behind your ear, to the way you strutt to class, to the way your legs look in a skirt, hell your smile is even gorgeous. the fact is, if this guy isn't messaging you back immediately he better have a good excuse because i am fucking crumbling over here.

text: i also sent what you asked.. so it's only fair, right?

he lifted his head a fraction, a smile tugging at his lips as he could just about see her in her bedroom.

text: you know i can see you right? you need to shut your curtains.

Kai’s eyes narrowed, watching the way she moved on the dance floor, even though he didn’t want to admit that it was getting under his skin. She was trying so damn hard not to let him get to her, but the way she kept glancing his way, the subtle tension in her movements—it wasn’t lost on him. He saw her with that guy, felt the knot twist in his stomach the moment he noticed them getting closer.

He knew exactly what she was doing. The way she pressed against him, the look she was giving him, as if she was putting on a show just for him. But what got to him wasn’t just the fact that she was doing it—it was the fact that it was working.

He gripped the edge of his glass tighter, the coolness of it doing nothing to calm the heat in his chest. Of course she was playing that game. What bothered him was the fact that she cared about how much he was watching.

The longer he watched her move with him, the more the tension in him built. It was a sick little game they were both playing, but Kai wasn’t going to let her win it so easily. He let the guy make his move, let him think he had any chance, and for the briefest moment, he considered going over there to wreck the whole damn thing.

But that’s when he stopped. No. He wasn’t the one who needed to prove anything here. She did.

Kai watched the guy’s hands settle on Pia’s hips, and for a moment, a flicker of irritation burned in his gut. But instead of letting it get to him, he forced a casual grin, tossed back the rest of his drink, and made a decision.

With a glance over at the bar, he noticed a girl with dark, wavy hair, a sultry smile, and a look of curiosity in her eyes as she watched him. Kai gave her a small nod, one eyebrow raised slightly in silent invitation. She smiled back, an almost knowing glint in her gaze, before taking a few steps in his direction.

Without a word, Kai stood up, adjusting the leather jacket on his shoulders, and made his way through the crowd. The music pulsed louder now, and as he reached the brunette, he pulled her into a smooth, confident twirl. Her body pressed against his, and he didn’t miss the way she looked up at him, impressed by his effortless charm.

Kai grinned, the tension in his chest easing for a moment. As they danced, he kept his gaze flicking back toward Pia, watching her from the corner of his eye. The moment he’d stood up, she must’ve noticed him moving toward the other girl, and the subtle satisfaction on his face only grew as he waited for her reaction. She wouldn’t like this, not one bit.

He let himself get lost in the rhythm for a moment, but his attention never strayed too far from her.

of course she clocked his attempt to make her jealous, the little act he put on to add a touch of physical contact. she loathed that it made her jealous, made a twist in her stomach at his actions wishing that his hands were gliding over her skin instead. she thought considering vince's failed attempt to held her with her shot that he would step in and show her how it is done but then again after the whole finessing she did indeed pot the ball anyway.

it was at this point she was trying not to pay any attention to him but it was getting increasingly difficult. when her friend gracie insisted that they come over to dance pia followed suit, joining the sea of people moving to the more energetic song. of course a few minutes into dancing and a guy had approached her asking if he could join. had been a long time since she'd been asked so points for politeness and he was good looking enough so she nodded as if to express what she didn't say outloud.

he asked her various questions about herself and as they got closer and closer she was pressed against him in a similar position to how she was with kai moments prior. the way her body moved against him she knew what she was doing because she had an audience and with his hands on her hips it just made it all the more sweeter.

Rit leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the other for a moment. His voice is calm, with a touch of understanding. "Yeah, I get it. It can get a little overwhelming out there." He shifts slightly, avoiding making too much of a scene, his tone more neutral. "Sometimes it's nice to step back, take a breather."

He glances at the beer in male's hand and then back at him, shrugging a little. "Not exactly the vibe I thought I'd get from a concert, but... everyone is different, I guess."

Rit tilts his head, the corners of his mouth barely twitching. "You planning to head back out, or just... hang out here for a while?"

open to anyone!

“oh yeah… don’t mind me.” mariano sits atop the counter of a bathroom in the concert venue as he waves on a stranger towards the empty stalls. he’d saved up to come here for weeks, and it’s a little embarrassing he’s now spending the concert hiding out from the crowd. there’s thumping vibrations in the walls- the songs can be heard just as good in here, basically, if you asked him. “it’s just a bit much out there, yeah?” he sips from his lonely beer, hoping the stranger doesn’t take too much pity on him.

Ruby’s eyes flicked to the window, her attention suddenly pulled by movement across the way. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as she saw King move through his bedroom. He was right there, just a few feet away, and for a moment, it felt like the world had slowed down.

She could make out the shadows of him moving around, his figure shifting in the dim light, and—shit—she realized she could see him perfectly. The window between them might have been a few yards apart, but right now, it felt like he was only a breath away.

Her pulse quickened, suddenly self-conscious, like he might have somehow known she was watching. She quickly looked away, but not before catching a glimpse of him stripping off his shirt. The image from the photo flashed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but feel her heart race a little faster.

Her fingers tightened around her phone, but she didn’t say anything immediately. She just sat there for a moment, trying to keep her cool, but the reality of what had just unfolded—and what was unfolding right in front of her—was starting to sink in.

She glanced back out the window, but now, she was really aware of how close they were.

Ruby’s eyes widened when the picture came through, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to be quite so… confident with it. She’d known King was always bold, but this? This was something else.

She leaned back against her pillows, her pulse unexpectedly racing. He was definitely playing his part in this game, no doubt about it. She’d asked for it, after all. She bit her lip, trying not to smile, but then his next message hit her, making her pause.

Text to King: Laughing at you? I’m not that cruel. You're my friend, and I wouldn't do that to you. Plus, from what I'm looking at, there's nothing here to laugh at. You can't really tell me you don't know how hot you are.

She stared at the picture again, trying to ignore the little part of her that was actually impressed with the whole thing. God, he knew how to make a show of it.

Text: And no, I’m not showing it to anyone. This is just for me.

Ruby quickly typed, her fingers hovering over the keys for a second before committing to her response.

Text: Why would I do that? I’m more curious about why you’re doing this. I just never really thought you were interested.

text: two secs

he shot up from his bed faster than he had for a lot of things as he stood infront of his long casted mirror. admitedly the lighting wasn't the best but he still could take a decent photo. he yanked the fabric of his shirt of his head as his hair dishevelled from the motion. it had gotten long, but he didn't dislike it actually, he always didn't feel like himself when it was cut right back anyway. turning himself at an angle he took a photo in the mirror, gazing back at it seconds later. yeah.. that'll do, and it was what she asked for.

text: (sends picture)

text: i am curious though.. you have never shown any interest in me like this before, how do i know you're not laughing at me over there? or planning to show this picture to all your girlfriends?

couldn't blame the guy for being paranoid, she was way out of his league and he had accepted that a long time ago which is why she remained her slightly annoying, cocky neighbour.

Kai leaned back in his seat, watching Pia with an amused smirk as she worked her angles, doing everything she could to get his attention. And she was good—he'd give her that. Every movement was deliberate, every little glance designed to make sure he saw her. But what she didn’t realize was that the more she tried to provoke him, the more he enjoyed not reacting. He knew the game, and he wasn’t going to make it easy for her.

Then the guy she was with got closer to her. Kai's lips curled into a mocking smile as he watched the male slide up behind her, his hands awkwardly reaching over her to help with her shot. Seriously? The guy had no finesse. He was fumbling around like an amateur, trying to make it look like he was helping, when really, he was just looking for an excuse to get closer.

Kai rolled his eyes so dramatically that he almost looked like he was going to strain something. Lame. Completely lame. If this guy had any real game, he wouldn't need to do the tired old "let me help you with that" act. But, of course, Pia seemed to be eating it up. Typical.

Kai wasn’t bothered—at least, he was trying his hardest not to look like he was. He casually picked up his phone and scrolled for a moment, then leaned in toward the waitress at the bar, just enough to make sure Pia noticed. A low chuckle, a slow, deliberate touch to her back as if he hadn’t even thought about it. Not even looking at Pia, but knowing she was watching him.

Finally, he took a sip from his glass and ensured his gaze landed back on her. Slowly, he lifted his drink in a taunting cheers as his smirk grew wider. But when he saw the look in her eyes, a small thrill went through him. She wasn’t as indifferent as she was trying to act.

And just for fun, he let his eyes flicker briefly to male—his face unreadable, but that same irritation in the pit of his stomach. The guy was desperate. But Kai? Kai was happy enough to watch her show a little longer.

it's almost like she could sense his little struggles of dialogue going on in his head at her actions. luckily for her this wasn't going to get very awkward because vince was someone who didn't get surprised by her actions anymore. she could clock him from the corner of her eye, knowing that he had chose to sit where he did to be in direct line of the show she was putting on.

she moved her fore arm to show the male opposite her the newest work she'd gotten etched onto her tanned skin, making sure to dip her other arm so that it emphasised the cleavage she already had on display. she knew how to work her angles, she was a model after all she did it everyday. and she knew what to do to get the shot, and she was going to continue to move herself in subtle ways that would draw kai's eyes to certain parts of her body.

sweeping her golden hair over her shoulders to display her neck she slid herself over the top of the table to take a shot. she knew she was pretty good at pool, growing up being a daddy's girl and having the boys around she got to do things like this alot and it paid off later on in life. she leant her chest forward over the table, her eyes bouncing to him for a moment then back to the shot she was taking just as vince decided to wonder behind her. "here, move a little.." he started to say as he leant over her body to guide her.

Ruby stared at the screen, her heart doing this annoying little stutter at his words. What do you want?

It was a simple enough question, but the way King asked it—so direct, so confident, like he was already anticipating her answer—made something tighten in her stomach.

She exhaled, rolling onto her side, the glow of her lamp casting long shadows on her wall. Part of her wanted to brush him off, to act like this wasn’t getting to her. But another part? Another part liked the way he was talking, the way he seemed genuinely offended on her behalf.

Text to King: Right? Tell me about it. You’d think at the very least, I’d get a damn reaction.

She hesitated, then added:

Text: Not that I care. Obviously.

Which was a lie, but she wasn’t about to let King know that her ego was so easily damaged.

Her eyes flicked back to his last message, and she couldn’t help but picture him—lying there...

Text: Y'know, I don't think I've ever seen your body... A shirtless picture wouldn't hurt for starters

text: what do you want?

he asked without a second thought because king was a pretty confident guy atleast in himself, and he trusted that she wasn't going to share it with anyone. not that he would mind if she happened to because like he'd said he prided himself on thr way he looked.

text: you sent him THAT and he left you on read?? amazes me. does matter what i was doing i would atleast send you a damn emoji.

text: not very curteous of him.. jackass.

he shifted a fraction for a moment, preparing himself to have to remove some more clothing again or have to move into a different position with better lighting depending on how this conversation went.

text: like i said, what do you want in return?

Kai exhaled sharply, watching her go with an amused scoff. Oh, she was gonna play it like that? Cute. Real cute.

He leaned back against the wall, taking out another cigarette and lighting it. He took a slow drag of it, pretending he wasn’t watching her the whole damn time. But he was. Of course, he was. He caught the way she wove through the crowd, sliding right back into her world like she hadn’t just been pressed against him, all breathless and wanting.

Then he saw it—the little act she was putting on. The way she leaned into the guy, all soft laughs and delicate touches. Oh, you are such a piece of work, princess. She was doing it on purpose. Not for the other guy. Not for anyone else. For him.

Kai smirked, shaking his head. Fine. If she wanted to play games, he’d play. He took his time finishing his cigarette, flicking the ashes to the ground before making his way back inside, shoulders loose, expression unreadable.

He didn’t go to her—no, that would be too easy. Instead, he slid into a booth near the bar, his arm draping over the back of the seat as he flagged down a server for another drink. He made sure he was in her line of sight, made sure she knew he was watching, but made no move to approach.

Let her have her fun. Let her think she had the upper hand.

it's like she was in a hypnotic state, her hues gazing up into his own. he was a fair amount taller than her, but not enough in her heeled boots than it was difficult for her to capture his lips, she just needed to crane her neck a fraction. of course she felt the spark, the fire that was uncontrollable whenever they touched but she was not about to give him the satisfaction of caving to her desires once more. the fact that he'd pulled her back, the way it which he tugged at her wrist she felt this rush as their bodies were reunited. every guy she'd dated had been afraid of her, intimidated in a way or the other way and just wary that she could break like she was this fragile little doll. it occurred to her this was not the case with kai, he didn't care about her name, well.. he didn't to a point because his assumptions and preconceptions were the start of this lovely interaction which led them to here and now.

"maybe. or it might just be because i didn't enjoy it, glad it was over actually."

oh she was suchhhh a liar but she couldn't help it, because giving him what he wanted was the last thing she intended to do right now and she was digging her heels in about it. she turned on her heel to to back inside now that he had released his grip and reunited with her friends once more. they were playing a game of pool and she was somewhat interested to see who was winning. the tabloids on more than one occasion had caught photos of her and her close friend vince and the specultated they were dating however she had always denied it.

in this case she saw it as a golden opportunity to show a side of herself that would catch kai's attention even if he didn't outwardly admit it. she was leaning into the compliments a little more this time, giggling a way as she grazed her hand up his arm, a smirk curving over her glossy lips.

Hayden's jaw tightens, the weight of her words hitting like a punch to the gut. His chest aches at the sight of her—so raw, so heartbreakingly certain of something he never meant for her to feel.

"Tilly—" His voice is rough, thick with emotion he barely knows how to contain. He steps forward, hesitant, as if afraid she'll slip right through his fingers. "That’s not true."

He exhales sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "You don't actually think that, do you?" His eyes search hers, desperate for her to see the truth, to feel it the way he does. "I just don’t know how to love you the way you deserve. But don’t you dare think for a second that I don’t love you enough."

open to m / nb .

synopsis — matilda ' tilly ' zhang . the ultimate lover girl forever stuck in her day dreams . her heart is her biggest blessing & heaviest curse , falling in love fast & never truly falling out of it . your muse & tilly have been together for a while , & she's been burdened with the idea & insecurity that his feelings aren't equal to hers . so when a fight breaks out between the pair , she finally finds the courage to address it .

tilly's attempts of calming her breathing are weak , shaky inhale the only thing keeping tears from flooding over the brim of heartsick doe eyes . ' let's face it — . . ' she begins , ' i have always loved you more than you've ever loved me . ' hearing her insecurities spoken aloud is enough to commence the cascade of tears .

Kai watched her turn to leave, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. Oh, hell no. She wasn’t getting off that easy—not after that. Not after the way she kissed him like she meant it and then had the audacity to act like it never happened. Like she could just brush it off, walk away, and pretend she wasn’t still feeling it just as much as he was.

Before she could slip too far, his hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her wrist—not hard, just firm enough to stop her. To make her look at him.

"Nah," he muttered, voice lower now, rougher. "You don’t get to do that, princess."

His grip was steady but unthreatening as he pulled her back, just enough to spin her toward him again, just enough so that their bodies were close—too close. His free hand found her waist, pressing her back against him.

"You don’t get to kiss me like that," he murmured, his gaze locked onto hers, intense, unwavering. "And then act like it was nothing." He let the words settle, his thumb brushing absently against the inside of her wrist. Steady pulse. But faster than before.

A smirk played at the corner of his lips, but there was something else in his expression now—something less teasing, more real. He leaned in just a fraction, just enough for his breath to ghost over her lips, deliberately testing the waters. "You can say whatever you want," he said lowly, his voice smooth, taunting. "But we both know you’re not walking away because you want to. You’re walking away because you have to."

His grip loosened then, giving her the choice. Letting her decide if she wanted to stay. If she was going to run, or if she was going to stop pretending.

there was no expiration date or thought of when this might end, though the urgency of both of their actions was leading them down a very slippery slope in terms of restraint. there was only so much you could push at the actions of desire before there's a want and a need to escalate it further. of course pia was very aware that the longer they did this that she felt that fire the moment their lips pressed together. it was like all her irritation for him channeled into that one moment where she could just get tangled up in him and their bodies would do the only talking. the problem being that she knew the moment they stopped that he would ruin it, one way or another. pop her bubble in a matter of seconds just by opening his mouth.

they were both panting in their breaths in the silence as they pulled away from one another but not far enough that she could still feel his body pressed against hers and the tension it yeilded. the moment she saw that smirk of his begin to form she immediately regretted her decision. how could she be so stupid as to spur on his behaviour? she just wanted him to stop talking in all reality.

her orbs rolled in irritation, the pet name back in full force, didn't take him long did it? "i already am thanks." she portrayed a very sarcastic grin, aware of what she may have caused. "good thing that this is never ever happening again, huh?" she pointed out in a very definitive tone. who was she trying to convince really? because even she didn't believe herself. "if you'll excuse me i am going back inside to join the guys in their game. i'll let you finish your cigarette." she shifted so their bodies were finally apart and let out a sigh of irritation.

Closed starter for @amoonlitmemory

The night air was cold against Lydia’s skin as she stood outside Kaleb’s window, hands stuffed deep into her jacket pockets. Her breath clouded in the space between them, between where she stood and where she knew he was, just beyond the glass. The night had gone to hell— just another disaster date.

She raised a hand, knocking lightly against the glass, just like she had a hundred times before. A ritual. A quiet, wordless way of saying, Hey, I’m here.

A moment later, the curtains shifted, and there he was—Kaleb, bathed in the soft glow of his bedside lamp, eyes heavy. He opened the window without a word, and she climbed through like it was second nature because it was.

“Rough night?” she asked, voice low.

to say she couldn't pinpoint him was an understatement. the crazy way she just wanted to argue with him and feel the heat rise between them, sparks firing left right and center. she had never experienced anything like it. normally when a guy pissed her off it stayed just as that, she wouldn't engage in it unless she absolutely had to, but in this case she wanted to. the moment she stepped outside and let the chill rise goosebumps over her skin she felt less enclosed, and more free without the atmosphere surrounding them. just a few people smoking and chatting outside and the night sky brimming with stars above them.

pia wondered whether he would follow her but she had a sense that he would. whether he too wanted to be in denial about what was going on between them he could sense it just as much as her. not that you'd actually hear her utter those words outloud. when his figure shifted from the shadows into the light of the secluded area she felt rather smug, but it didn't show on her features. instead she watched him carefully as he lit his cigarette, remaining quiet as he took his first drag before she swiftly removed it from his hand. tossing it over her shoulder her hands worked to move around his own and behind the back of his neck to pull him into a kiss of complete urgency. anything to shut him up at this point.

Rhiannon stood frozen in the middle of the road, her bare feet numb against the cold, slick asphalt. The rain poured down relentlessly, soaking her to the bone, but it didn’t seem to faze her. She shivered violently, her body trembling with the chill, but her gaze remained fixed on something distant, something far beyond the reach of the storm. Her clothes clung to her skin, dripping with water, but it was the bare feet that seemed most out of place, her toes curling against the icy ground, leaving behind smudges of wet footprints where she stood.

When she finally spoke, her voice was weak, barely audible over the roaring storm, but there was a coldness to it that seemed to cut through the rain. "I’m fine," she muttered, though the words were barely a whisper, strained with the effort of speaking. She didn’t acknowledge him, didn’t move even as her body continued to shake uncontrollably from the cold.

Her teeth chattered as she spoke again, her voice sharper this time. "You shouldn’t have stopped," she said, her tone distant, as if the words weren’t meant for him at all. "It’s not safe for you here." She let out a soft, breathy sigh, her feet shuffling slightly on the wet ground, but her gaze never wavered from the horizon.

closed starter for @littledaydreamers based on this

Rain was already spitting against the windshield, blurring the already indistinct lines of the two-lane highway. Lucas gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles white. The weather report had been dire – flash flood warnings, potential hail the size of golf balls – and all Lucas wanted was to be home, safe and dry. He glanced in the rearview mirror, a habitual check even though he hadn’t seen another car for miles. Empty. Just the churning blackness behind them, reflecting the red glow of their own taillights.

A jolt of adrenaline shot through him as his eyes snapped back to the road. Someone. Standing right in the middle of the lane. Lucas slammed on the brakes, the tires screaming in protest against the slick asphalt. The car shuddered to a halt just inches from the figure.

Heart hammering against his ribs, Lucas shifted into park and killed the engine. The sudden silence was broken only by the increasing patter of rain against the roof and the frantic thumping of his own pulse. "Okay, okay, stay calm," he muttered. This was probably just some poor soul who's car had broken down, he reasoned.

Taking a deep breath, he grabbed a flashlight from the glove compartment and got out of the car.

The figure was definitely human, though the darkness and the rain made it difficult to see clearly. They were facing away from the car, head tilted back, as if staring at something only they could see in the storm-wracked sky. Their clothes were damp and clinging to their frame, and a shiver wracked their body, but otherwise, they were motionless.

"Hey! Are you alright?" Lucas called out, cautiously approaching. The flashlight beam danced over the stranger's back. "I almost didn't see you. Are you hurt?"

His hands slid to her hips, pulling her against him, the heat between them palpable now. Her back pressed against the cold brick wall had him deepening the kiss without thinking.

When her tongue slid against his lower lip, asking for more, he gave it without hesitation, his own tongue brushing against hers as if he’d been waiting for this moment as much as she had. There was no control now—no distance, no reason to hold back. It felt too good, too real, to pull away.

He groaned low in his throat as her body moved against his, the sound muffled by her lips. God, she was insistent, pressing back against him like she couldn’t get close enough. He felt the tension, the hunger, and it was driving him crazy.

When they finally broke apart, both of them breathless, Kai leaned his forehead against hers, his hands still resting on her hips. His voice was low, rough with desire, but the smirk was still there, curling at the corners of his lips. "You know," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin, "you’re gonna regret this, princess."

it didn't matter that there were people around, it didn't even matter the location at this point she just needed to kiss him. that intensity that had been escalating since they first laid eyes on one another had peaked and was spilling over the brim to the point she could not contain it anymore. she longed for them to be firing sarcastic comments at one another, trying to one up the other with every passing word. but in this exact moment she was just caving into desire. she hated herself that he was probably going to smug about it, but at this point she didn't care.

her mouth opened a little, massaging her tongue against his lower lip to ask for entrance, wanting to keep the fire going as the kiss seemed entirely electric. she pressed back against him though her frame leant a fraction so that her back was pressed between him the brick wall which prompted an almost moan to leave her lips as they continued to kiss. the fact was when this was over whenever that would be (and pia didn't seem keen on ending it anytime soon) her immediate reaction is going to be denial. that it happened. that it was any good. that she'd want it to happen again either.

Ruby felt her stomach flip when his message came through, her fingers curling around her phone as the words sank in. She hadn’t expected him to push quite this far. Chewing on her lip she questioned how to proceed.

text: talk about trying your luck... what will I get in return?

The brunette sat up, and crossed her legs on her lap as she began to take the plaits out of her hair. She still couldn't quite believe the way their conversation was going. They'd been been friends for a while now, he was easy to get on with and even easier on the eye but she'd never once thought he would have found her attractive yet tonight had proved otherwise. He knew her dating history and the type of guys she wasted her time with, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind -- was he into this or was it just a little bit of fun?

text: i mean technically you are the guy that I'm texting-- the other guy left me on read🙄

he knew there was every chance that when he text her that last message she could shoot him down, yet he decided to toss his hat in the ring so to speak. he wasn't tied down to anyone, though there were plenty of rumours about him getting back with his ex but he had no interest in persuing that further. they'd broken up for a reason. he felt like he'd wasted a year of his life to be with someone who made him look like a fool and yet was constantly trying to push her way back into the picture. he wouldn't say he felt nothing, it was quite hard actually first love and all but he wasn't going back there. instead he was dancing on this fine line with ruby, where she had the opportunity to shoot him down.. and yet she didn't, which he found interesting.

"fuckkkk." he groaned at her reply, only imagining what that could possibly look like.

text: lace as well.. god you're killing me.

text: sneak peek?

he leant up a fraction propping himself between the pillows and his bed post and got himself more comfortable as this conversation continued to unfold.

text: if i was that guy you were texting, i wouldn't be able to contain myself knowing that's what you had on underneath that easy accessible dress of yours.

Kai had barely exhaled the first lungful of smoke when he noticed the shift in her. She wasn’t saying anything, but the tension between them—it was different out here. Less noise, less space to hide behind. He could feel it now, the kind of crackling energy that hung between them. Not exactly anger anymore, but something hotter, more raw.

He wasn’t surprised when she snatched the cigarette from his hand, tossing it over her shoulder. The gesture was unexpected, but not unwelcome. He watched her, eyebrows raised, as her hands slipped around his neck and pulled him in. No hesitation. No words. Just action.

His breath caught, the urgency of the kiss catching him off guard for a moment, but he was quick to respond, his hands finding her waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her back with the same intensity. She wasn’t just trying to shut him up—she was trying to erase whatever was left between them. It was the kind of kiss that made everything else feel irrelevant. The world was quiet now. All that mattered was the heat of their skin, the rush of breath, and the unmistakable thrum of whatever this was.

to say she couldn't pinpoint him was an understatement. the crazy way she just wanted to argue with him and feel the heat rise between them, sparks firing left right and center. she had never experienced anything like it. normally when a guy pissed her off it stayed just as that, she wouldn't engage in it unless she absolutely had to, but in this case she wanted to. the moment she stepped outside and let the chill rise goosebumps over her skin she felt less enclosed, and more free without the atmosphere surrounding them. just a few people smoking and chatting outside and the night sky brimming with stars above them.

pia wondered whether he would follow her but she had a sense that he would. whether he too wanted to be in denial about what was going on between them he could sense it just as much as her. not that you'd actually hear her utter those words outloud. when his figure shifted from the shadows into the light of the secluded area she felt rather smug, but it didn't show on her features. instead she watched him carefully as he lit his cigarette, remaining quiet as he took his first drag before she swiftly removed it from his hand. tossing it over her shoulder her hands worked to move around his own and behind the back of his neck to pull him into a kiss of complete urgency. anything to shut him up at this point.

Ruby stared at her phone, biting her lip. She had intended to back off, to put an end to this and redirect her focus. But as she stared at the last message from the guy she liked, the one who had asked her out, her stomach twisted. He had left her on read.

So here she was, sitting in this weird limbo, trying to figure out whether she was just going to sit there and wait around for someone who seemed to be ignoring her—or lean into this playful back-and-forth with King.

She hesitated, staring at the screen. Should I just let it go? she wondered, but she couldn’t ignore how she felt now—how the attention from King, the teasing, the compliments, was almost like a balm for her bruised ego.

text: yep... why'd you ask? text: oh... wow, king, I had no idea you paid that much attention

She paused, her fingers hovering over the screen as she tried to think of a reply. She had always found King attractive, she'd even go as far as to say she had harboured a crush for her neighbour, but she had no idea he also found her attractive -- maybe it was just her body he liked. It wouldn't be the first time that had happened to her ... Still, for some reason, she didn't mind playing along.

text: it was a little red lacey number I was hiding under that dress, actually ;)

he wasn't bothered sending a picture of himself. and in his in way it was kind of like him shooting his shot. he knew he wasn't the most muscular guy, but he also wasn't super skinny and un-defined, he had something going on and not just in his pants region. which he knew she would clock. it didn't help that moments prior she'd sent him a photo and it prompted a reaction.

text: so that.. lingerie, is that what you have on now?

he wasn't quite sure what he was doing at this point but he was just completely rolling with it.

text: could imagine you hiding that little set underneath that dress you wore the other day. the one that hugs your curves and makes your legs look really long.

was he trying to sext with her right now? well, he hoped she'd take the compliments because he meant it, she was gorgeous and the dress he remembered IS incredible with her body, so it's not like he was wrong.

Kai watched her, amusement flickering behind his dark eyes as she tried—really tried—to act like she wasn’t enjoying this. But he saw it. The way she leaned into the fire just as much as he did. The way she kept engaging, even when she pretended to be over it.

His smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as she threw her little insult at him. Top three, huh? "Damn," he mused, tilting his head. "Only top three? Guess I’ll have to try harder."

His gaze flicked to her tattoos again as she mentioned her job. Careful placement. Now, that was interesting. He could respect it.

And then she hit him with that look—steady, unblinking, really seeing him.

Kai didn’t flinch from it. If anything, he met it head-on, letting the moment stretch, like a silent challenge. Then, just when he thought she was about to fire off another sharp remark, she threw him a curveball instead.

His brow lifted slightly, watching as she downed her drink and disappeared into the crowd. He could’ve stayed put. Could’ve let her walk off, called her bluff. But something about the way she looked back over her shoulder—waiting—had his feet moving before he even made the decision.

Kai weaved through the bodies in the bar, slipping past clusters of people until the heavy bass of the music dulled and the cooler night air hit his skin. The smoking area was quieter, less suffocating, and there she was, standing there like she hadn’t just surprised the hell out of him.

He stepped up beside her, hands slipping into the pockets of his leather jacket. A flick of his wrist and a cigarette was between his fingers, resting lazily against his lips as he fished out a lighter. "So," he said, voice lower now, less performative. "You always drag the ‘annoying, egotistical jerks’ outside for some one-on-one time, or am I just that special?" The smirk was still there, but his tone—just like the air between them—had shifted. He sparked the lighter and let the flame lick at the end of the cigarette. A slow inhale, the ember glowing, before he exhaled a ribbon of smoke into the night air.

despite his efforts to make things more amicable between them, pia was not buying it. the more he spoke in a way that seemed sincere the interesting thing was pia longed for their fiery comments once more. it was interesting that she had never been quite so rattled by someone before and yet kai made it all too easy. "what? are you saying i enjoy bickering with you?" she asked as her brow rose in a way that was prompted curiosity. "i mean out of all the annoying, egotistical jerks i have met in my life you are a shoo in for top three so congratulations, it's quite an honour." she turned her head a fraction to take another sip of the amber liquid as the ice clinked against her glass. "i don't think we are at a point where i am going to open up to you about what my artwork means. but no, none of them were because it looked cool. though i am careful with placement because of my job and things."

she turned back to look at him her gaze holding as their orbs almost penetrated an intense stare. "the pet name again?" she didn't show any signs of emotion with her tone of her expression she just looked at him, really taking him in. "you know what.. follow me.." she turned to grab her drink and downed the remained of the ice soothed liquid as she gestured to her friend she would be right back then wondered outside. though an absolute mission considering the sea of people socialising or dancing that she had to weave through in order to get the relief of fresh air. she waited a moment, turning to look over her shoulder for him to appear. the smoking area was much quieter she could hear herself think.

Text to King: He is not scrawny! But no, not him... not that it's any of your business. Text: As for whether I do this often... wouldn't you like to know ;)

Ruby blinked at her screen, her brain short-circuiting for a solid three seconds as the next text came through.

He did not just—

Her fingers twitched as she hovered over the message, like maybe if she stared at it long enough, it would disappear. But no. It was there.

She had expected teasing, maybe even some cocky remark, but this? She hadn’t thought he’d actually send something back. And yet, there it was. King, in all his smug, self-satisfied glory, clearly very pleased with himself.

A surprised laugh bubbled out of her before she could stop it. She hated to admit it, but the sheer audacity was kind of… impressive.

Text: Oh, you did NOT just send that. Text: You’re ridiculous.

She paused, fingers tapping against her phone as she debated her next move. Giving him a reaction was exactly what he wanted, but ignoring it would be just as bad. So, instead, she went with:

Text: But hey, points for confidence. And congrats on your erm...impressive package👀

text: ooo burn. i am scorned.

he couldn't help but chuckle at her words, finding this all very amusing and not what he had expected for the evening but there we go.

text: who was it for, huh? not that scrawny idiot i saw outside your door the other day is it? god help me if it is.

text: do you send these type of things often? or is this just a spontaneous decision, hmm?

he was curious to know if she did this often. not in a shaming her kind of way, there were just types of girls who were confident in doing so and others tended to be a bit more subdued.

text: (sends her a photo back of him in his underwear with a clear outline of something)

text: now we are even, no big deal.

Kai exhaled through his nose, the smirk still there but less sharp now—more amused than anything. "Oh, sweetheart, trust me—if I wanted some wide-eyed girl to fawn over me, I wouldn’t be wasting my time here." He leaned back against the bar, finally giving her a little space, but not enough to let her think he was actually backing down.

"Alright, Pia," he said, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "I’ll play nice. Wouldn’t want your pretty little head to explode." His tone was lighter, still teasing but not as cutting. He tapped his fingers lazily against his empty glass, eyes flicking to her whiskey. "Still—whiskey, huh? Didn’t have that one on my bingo card. Thought you were more of a—what was it? Mimosas kind of girl." His lips twitched. "Gotta admit, this is a nice little plot twist."

His gaze dipped to her ink, and this time, there wasn’t a joke waiting on his tongue. "Tattoos are good, though," he murmured, studying them. "Thought you'd be all minimal and dainty with them—" he smirked, nodding at her wrist, "and I was right. But they suit you." His voice lost some of its usual sarcasm, a rare moment of sincerity breaking through before the teasing returned. "Let me guess—each one has a deeply meaningful story, or are some of them just because they looked cool?"

He tilted his head, still watching her, voice dropping just a little. "But hey, I’ll stop assuming things about you if you stop assuming things about me. Fair trade, princess." A slow smirk crept back onto his lips. "Or you could keep pretending to hate this conversation while staying exactly where you are. Your call."

pia was no stranger to arrogant men, she encountered them all the time, it was a weekly occurance whether it was through her dad or generally at work. however, this guy.. THIS guy was another kind all together. "oh so you think me ordering whisky is purely for your benefit? what, so i can prove myself to you? show off? pfft." she turned away from him as she shrugged her shoulders, the fabric of her grey acid wash denim jacket beginning to loosen as she slipped it off to reveal her halterneck top she had on underneath. it was revealing, quite low cut to show her cleavage just enough and was held there by the miracles of tape considering she was sure it wouldn't otherwise. you could now clock the various dainty little ink patterns she had on her skin in various places and the jewellery that hung from her wrist. all worth more than anyone could imagine, but most of them were sentimental and gifts rather than things she'd bought for herself.

"i think ignoring you is probably best for the both of us." she turned her head as she tipped her chin so that her knuckles could rest underneath as she waited for the filled glass of whisky to return infront of her, of course on the rocks. she didn't have to justify herself to him, she wasn't even that insecure-- not to say she was big headed or egotistical either but she was reasonably confident in herself. "why don't you go bother some other girl who will give you heart eyes, and obsess over everything you say?" she muttered as she took a large sip of her drink. her friend had left to go and play pool and her other friend was dancing so she was left to decide which direction she wanted to go towards. for now she was content as long as he wasn't about to stay in a close proximity but either way she didn't want to leave because that would mean he wins.