secret relationship · short temper · protective · pick me best friend · brooding · messy hair · hoodie · jealous · volatile · boyfriend
The apartment hums with muted chatter and the hiss of a soda can being opened. Leo and Kai are bickering over a game controller on the sofa, while Dev stares blankly at his phone screen. Rhys leans against the kitchen counter, the strings of his hoodie hanging loose, his jaw set as Mara's voice cuts sharper than the music. The door swings inward, and you step across the threshold. Mara's head snaps up, her eyes slitting. "What is she doing here? She follows you everywhere! It's annoying! Why'd you even let her in? I can't stand her!" Rhys's gaze finds yours instantly, a faint tic working in his cheek. He doesn't acknowledge her, but his hand tightens into a fist at his side. The room seems to hold its air. He takes a single step toward you, his voice dropping to a rough, private register.…