lalalalalew

Gracias por todo.

[lalalalalew]

Two peas in a pod

AHHHH, SORRY

[lalalalalew]

I’ve been on Tumblr for a little over seven years, and it has been an incredible experience. Different fandoms, different people, and so many memories that I’ll always carry with me.

I’m sorry to say that, after giving it a lot of thought over the past few months, I won’t be able to continue updating my fics. I simply don’t have as much free time anymore, as work has taken up a large part of it and I’ve taken on new responsibilities.

A huge hug to all of you, and thank you for being here. To those who arrived and stayed, thank you so much for reading and supporting me.

Con cariño, lalalalalew.

P.S. Todd Stevens is mine. Ahhhh, se creannnn. Just kidding.

[lalalalalew]

FORBIDDEN FRUITS; RA-TS

Rhett Abbott x Reader x Todd Stevens

Summary: In a world where reputation is everything, losing control isn’t an option… but falling always has been.

Author’s Note: Inspired by the movie Cruel Intentions. Obviously different topics will be touched on, if you stay: I appreciate your support. Otherwise, I just ask you to turn the page.

Yeah… this is definitely gonna be a series.

Chapter 1: Don’t Speak

You walk through the hallways with a kind of stillness that unsettles people, as if every inch of the place belongs to you.

You glance at a couple of guys cleaning up the remains of last night, and even though it clearly pisses them off, neither of them dares to question why you’re there. They never would.

You make your way up the stairs, each step so light it almost feels like you’re floating. The guys who cross your path go pale, like they’re afraid you might uncover something—but one look from you is enough to silence them. The rule was clear: Don’t talk to her. Not out of respect. Out of fear.

That’s when you notice the door, slightly ajar.

It’s not the light that stops you. It’s the sound.

A low moan, fading into the walls. A failed attempt at sounding perfect that, as it fills the room, turns into something pathetic. It sounds less like pleasure and more like a desperate need for approval.

You recognize it instantly—not because you’re unfamiliar with it,

but because you know exactly what someone starved for attention sounds like. What it sounds like when someone tries to fit somewhere they don’t belong.

Your hand rests against the wood, and you linger there for a few seconds. You’ve never been impulsive with these things. You don’t interrupt—you show up when it’s least expected.

That’s when you look inside.

Todd has his back to you. One hand braced against the headboard, the other lost somewhere out of sight.

You know it—Todd is comfortable, like this is his natural habitat, like his body already knows what to do without needing to think.

He never tries, and still, he rarely disappoints.

The girl, on the other hand, is the complete opposite.

Her hands don’t know where to settle. Her breathing is uneven. You can see her trying to keep up with him—and still falling behind.

You lean against the doorframe, arms crossed calmly. Your expression barely shifts, but your gaze turns cold, calculating. Like you expected more from the show.

It’s not jealousy. Or at least, that’s what you tell yourself.

And that’s the worst part when Todd senses your presence.

He doesn’t need to see you to know. There’s a subtle change in the way he moves—slower now, more aware. Like it suddenly matters what he’s doing.

It irritates you. More than it should.

When he turns his head and finds you, he smiles. Of course he does.

Especially because he knows you love the drama—and you’d be more than willing to make a scene just for fun.

“Well…” you say indifferently, pushing yourself off the frame with that effortless elegance that defines you, “I didn’t realize the selection process now included… practical evaluations.”

The silence turns heavy before the girl lets out a small gasp.

You roll your eyes as she scrambles to cover herself, looking for a way to disappear. But within seconds, her expression shifts. She pulls herself together just enough to be unpleasant.

“And who are you?” she asks with a short, mocking laugh. “His girlfriend or something?”

It’s not the question that bothers you. It’s how stupidly she tries to offend you.

As if she’s lowering you to her level. As if you’re just another girl.

You step into the room, the sound of your heels setting a rhythm she clearly couldn’t keep up with in bed.

“No” you reply calmly. “I’m not his girlfriend.”

You stop in front of her, close enough that she has no choice but to hold your gaze.

“I’m part of the sorority board” you add, adjusting your sleeve like this is just another casual conversation. “I oversee admissions, evaluations… final decisions. I don’t belong to just one because I don’t need to.”

You watch her process it.

She doesn’t fully understand—but she understands enough. And the way her expression slowly tightens is a delight to your ego.

“In simple terms” you continue, tilting your head slightly, “I decide who gets in… and who definitely doesn’t. So you might want to skip the performance…” your gaze drags over her without shame, and that alone is enough to unravel her “this doesn’t impress anyone. Well… maybe him for a while. But I don’t blame him—he’s never had great taste.”

Todd says nothing. But you know he’s watching. And he’ll probably get back at you for it later.

“Fraternities value other things…” you go on, your voice low—if Todd didn’t know you, he might think you were being too kind for a moment like this. “Discretion, class, self-control… not this.”

Every trace of mockery fades from her face. She can barely look at you now.

“This is what girls do when they don’t have anything else to offer.”

You see her tense.

“And that’s fine…” you add, as if offering a sliver of kindness. “Everyone works with what they have.”

Her eyes fill with tears. Todd knows it’s enough—but he enjoys watching you take control.

You sigh softly, lifting your brows just slightly.

“But you should be more careful about where you do this. Some things don’t stay here” you say, almost thoughtfully. “Eventually… they reach the wrong ears.”

A hint of false sympathy crosses your face.

“I’m sure your parents would find it… concerning to know how you’re spending your time outside of class.”

That’s when she breaks. Tears spill freely, her sobs loud and messy.

You look at Todd with mild disgust while he simply shifts on the bed, shrugging slightly.

He says nothing. She rushes to gather her clothes, clumsy, avoiding both your gazes like the floor is safer than either of you. She mutters something you don’t care about and leaves, the door left half open behind her.

Silence lingers for a few seconds as you walk to the couch and sit down like nothing happened, crossing your legs neatly.

You smooth your clothes as if that’s the only thing that matters, glancing at the mirror beside you while applying gloss to your lips.

“I hope you didn’t do that right here…” you say, glancing toward the bed. “That would be predictable.”

Todd finally moves. Unhurried. He’s never in a rush with you. It’s almost like, out of everything, he actually enjoys your company.

“Jealous?” he asks, and there’s something in his tone that doesn’t quite sound like a joke.

You don’t answer. You just watch him stand, completely unbothered. He catches you looking as he pulls on his underwear—just to mess with you before covering up.

You look away, focusing on a button on your blouse, on a nonexistent wrinkle, trying to steady yourself.

“Your father organized a dinner for Sumpter” you say finally, reaching for a bottle from the minibar. “He wants us there.”

Todd notices the shift but lets it slide.

“I confirmed” he says.

That makes you look at him.

“Did you?” you let out a short laugh, taking a sip. “How considerate.”

Todd steps closer. One step, then another—until he’s in your space without asking, like always.

“I thought you liked those events” he murmurs. “You’re good at pretending to be the perfect family.”

You hold his gaze without moving.

“We’re not family.”

He doesn’t react.

“Our parents are married.”

You step closer now, just enough for him to catch your scent.

“Your father married my mother” you clarify. “It’s not the same. And it never will be.”

Todd smiles, like that only makes things more interesting.

“Just imagine it…” he murmurs, his tone shifting as his fingers brush your arm lightly. “Just the two of us in that house… it’s ridiculously big.”

He stops in front of you. Too close. Close enough for you to feel his breath.

“We could get bored… or we could not.”

You hesitate—just slightly. You think he didn’t notice, but of course he did.

“That’s in the past” you add, your breathing a little uneven. “I’m more… focused on my studies now. I’ve… been getting closer to God.”

Todd lets out a quiet laugh. That damn laugh that exposes how bad of a liar you are.

“Right” he says sarcastically, leaning in. “You’ve always been very devoted.” His eyes drop to your lips for a moment before returning to yours. It throws you off—but you can’t lose, not in front of him.

“Especially when it comes to getting on your knees.”

Low blow.

His hand rises slowly, brushing your neck with a touch that borders on intimate. It trails down just enough for your body to react before you do.

You stay still. Too aware of everything he’s doing.

“Don’t you dare kiss me” you say, lifting your chin slightly. “Not after being with her. I have no intention of catching anything… you should get checked.”

Todd smiles, like that confirms everything.

“Does it bother you that much?” he murmurs.

You don’t answer.

You can’t—because his fingers find the first button of your blouse. He unfastens it slowly, effortlessly.

The fabric parts just enough to reveal white lace. His gaze drops briefly, settling on the cross resting against your chest, and he smiles faintly.

His fingers brush your skin, tracing the small pendant before drifting lower. You close your eyes for a second when his touch sends warmth through you.

When you open them, he’s already pulled away.

Like that was enough—to remind you he could be the reason your faith cracks.

You straighten yourself as best as you can, though it’s not as easy this time. You clear your throat, regaining composure.

“You’re an idiot” you mutter, buttoning your blouse again.

Todd smiles. That mocking smile he always gives you when he’s one step ahead.

“I know.”

[lalalalalew]

MAYBE; TODD STEVENS

Summary: a notification stirs things inside you. But you don’t know how much more you can take.

You were in the library, trying to study so you wouldn’t focus on anything else. You existed out of obligation, as if that were enough to go unnoticed, to disappear.

Then the first notification arrives. Your heart races and you feel slight chills as you recognize the tone. You close your eyes as if that could steady you, but you know it—even before reading it.

That sound had embedded itself into your being, to the point where there seemed to be no escape.

Then, a second notification.

Your hands tremble before you even realize it, and with clumsy delicacy you pick up your phone.

“Appointment to pick up dress, 4:00 pm”

You feel a knot in your throat as you lightly clench your jaw, but the second notification shatters you.

“Don’t miss it, beautiful”

You close your eyes, trying to hold yourself together. Still, your vision blurs and you scoff harshly before pushing that feeling away.

You lock your phone with force before setting it down. Your frustration is obvious—you can’t stop, and the culprit is your pen, which is about to snap in two.

“You know that pen cost me two dollars, right?” your roommate asks. You say nothing. You just stare at the pen as if it doesn’t matter—but of course it does. “Are you okay?” And as if those two words were a tremor, you start to fall apart little by little. Because you can’t lie to her.

The words fall apart before leaving your mouth, so you simply hand her your phone. She reads for a couple of seconds that feel like an eternity.

“That idiot—does he really dare?” she asks, annoyed, already ready to punch him.

“It’s a scheduled message.” Your roommate looks at you, confused. “We used to do that when we had plans. When we were… something.” The last part fades between the walls around you.

“Well, I think that’s stupid. You should change your number” she blurts out, like it’s a solution to all your problems. You just laugh.

“We won’t have to see it anymore. Just… one more day.” You sigh heavily before leaning back in your chair.

“Come on! We should be getting drunk, looking for guys. Something! Not stuck in the library like lab rats.” She gestures around, and you follow her gaze. You feel a bit guilty—trying to avoid any interaction, you had chosen to hide in the library every day.

“I think I’ll go back to our room. I’m not in the mood to go out.” Your roommate huffs but just nods, watching you gather your things before leaving.

The hallways are silent, the streets empty, while a few fraternities begin to glow with lights, as if they hadn’t done so days before. You just walk toward your building, a couple of blocks away from the KNA fraternity.

You keep your gaze down, as if counting your steps were entertaining—until you hear that voice. That damn voice.

“Why don’t we go back to the party?” You don’t want to look, but you can’t help it. A girl spins around while Todd holds her hand. He looks uncomfortable, his smile forced, one hand in his front pocket, but he stays there.

Your steps slow, and a tree seems like the perfect hiding place.

Then you look at him. His face is lit by his phone screen, but his body stiffens and he suddenly lets go of the girl, who nearly loses her balance.

“What are you looking at?” she asks, moving closer. Todd shakes his head, trying to keep distance, but she pushes in anyway. “A calendar?” she mocks. “What are you, like, 40?” she adds before snatching his phone and kissing him.

You feel a bit of relief when Todd resists—but it only takes ten seconds for you to regret it.

You start walking again, toward your destination, your chest collapsing under sadness and anger. You reach the conclusion that to Todd, you were just someone else. Someone as fleeting as a fraternity party.

Then you remember that night:

The cruel way he looked at you, as if regret and pain didn’t exist in his expressions. Learning, in the vilest way, how he used you, how he manipulated you—as if your dignity were something so small it could be taken lightly.

You said nothing. The words tangled into nothing, and all you could do was look at him while his friends mocked you as if you weren’t right there—except for Tom.

Maybe the disappointment in your eyes unsettled him, but he kept his composure—that one he had built for years until he lost his own humanity.

His smile slowly faded, turning into that same thing he once criticized with you.

That night, Todd’s image crumbled, and the boy you once knew became just another one of them. You simply grabbed your bag, whatever little you could take, because listening to those idiots mock you was enough.

In your room, you do nothing but consume yourself in your own sadness—a sadness you know Todd doesn’t deserve, but only a week had passed, and it felt like a century.

You don’t cry—you can’t. Your first thought is that your tears ran out too soon, but deep down you know you’re emotionally blocked.

You try to close your eyes, but in every moment of darkness you remember his hands caressing your face, his nose brushing your cheeks, his mouth slowly tracing your chest.

So all you can do is sit, your back against the headboard, while your mind betrays you.

Imagining Todd walking through the door or taking off his shirt like an expert—and of course he was.

You grab your pillow to muffle the scream rising from your chest, but it’s not enough, because now you imagine him kissing your lips before disappearing beneath the sheets.

Todd was the parasite that infested your body and mind, living there rent-free, destroying everything in its path and taking every part of you—everything that was yours, that now bore his name.

You look at your packed suitcases. The insomnia of previous days had allowed you to prepare what months ago would have been impossible.

And now, all that remains is a bitter memory of what was and what could have been.

You don’t know when you fell asleep, but it’s clear exhaustion overcame your pain. Still, your roommate’s alarm is not your friend.

You watch her get up without hurry, unable to understand how she has energy after a bad night. And then there’s you—wanting to sleep for at least three days.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” she asks, in that tone that makes you do the opposite.

A smile spreads across her face when she succeeds.

“I don’t have another choice, right?” You bite your lip, but she seems to understand.

“You can’t stop your life for him. If he didn’t do it for you, why should you?”

You sigh, defeated. It hurts, but you accept what she says.

You convince yourself everything will be fine—but how could it be, when you know it’s Todd’s fraternity organizing the last dance, the last dinner, the final goodbye?

You think about it for what feels like forever, but eventually you give in. The hours pass so slowly your stomach twists. You get ready as best as you can, with your roommate’s help, but it feels more like a commitment to her than to yourself.

Just one last appearance—and then you’ll leave.

Unlike other times, the fraternity is bathed in warm colors. The neon lights are gone, replaced by elegance and modesty.

The fraternity boys look at you in surprise. You were invited, but after what happened, they didn’t know if you’d come. Still, none of them say anything—they just force a smile, one you don’t return, and you walk in, one last time.

Every wall is filled with memories of him. A kiss under the left column, a failed attempt at dinner in the kitchen.

You don’t even know how you’ve walked back into the wolf’s mouth.

You can’t find your seat. For a moment you think it’s gone, but your roommate pales—your seat is right next to Todd’s.

You feel the knot in your throat but say nothing. Before you can react, your roommate takes your card and swaps it with another girl’s.

You smile faintly when she returns.

The crowd fills in, seats are taken. For a moment, you feel invisible, and inside, you can’t help but wonder if Todd was the one who made you feel seen.

You see him walk in, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. Your chest tightens slightly at the color—the one you both had carefully chosen for the big day. He looks slightly off, as if he doesn’t know what to do with his hands, awkwardly adjusting his tie, only making it worse.

No one notices—not even you. He’s surprised to see a girl he’s never met sitting in your place.

He glances at nearby seats but doesn’t see you. Suddenly, his tie feels tighter than usual.

He smiles at everyone, and for the first time, you know that smile is fake.

He tries to speak, but can’t—the words leave his lips soundlessly. Tom steps in and saves him, like in the last ten events.

Todd watches him deliver the speech Todd himself wrote, but in Stevens’ mind, it turns into a jumble of words.

He knows the fraternity is in good hands and smiles faintly.

But his gaze drifts to the table in front—you helped choose the colors, the utensils, the glasses, even the flowers. And Todd followed every one of your suggestions.

His gaze moves to the empty seat at his side. He closes his eyes briefly, wishing it were a dream—but it’s not. You’re not there. And no one notices. No one notices it hurts.

His eyes lift slightly—until he sees you.

He breathes, as if for the first time. He smiles faintly, sadly. He grips the tablecloth to stop himself from getting up and running to you. He knows how much he hurt you—and he realized it too late.

His eyes glisten, because seeing you from afar is better than not seeing you at all.

A guy next to you tries to start a conversation, and you respond out of politeness—Todd knows.

He watches your lips move but can’t hear what you say—until you smile.

His brows lift slightly. At least you’re smiling—even if it’s not because of him.

He doesn’t even notice when Tom stops speaking, or that it’s his turn to toast.

To a future he won’t share with you.

Todd stands when it’s his turn, as if nothing is wrong. As if nothing happened. He adjusts his suit, holds his glass, and looks ahead without meeting anyone’s eyes—just like always when he needs control.

“I guess… this is what comes next” he says with a slight smile that draws laughter. “Talking about the future—what comes after this.”

He nods, as if the words come easily.

“We spend years thinking everything begins when we leave this place… like what matters is always ahead, right?”

Some murmur in agreement.

“Like there’s always another chance to do things better… another chance to say what we didn’t say, to fix what we left unfinished… or to do it differently next time.”

He pauses.

“And I think… for a long time, that works. You convince yourself nothing is final—that you can mess up and go back, fix it.”

His voice stays steady.

“But there comes a point when you realize not everything works that way…” Silence lingers. “Some things don’t wait for you to be ready. Some decisions, the moment you make them… there’s no going back.”

He swallows.

“And not because you don’t want to do better later… but because you understood too late what really mattered.”

Your fingers tighten against your dress.

“I think growing up is also that” he adds softly. “Learning to live with what you can’t change—even when now you know exactly how you would’ve done it.”

No one feels it like you do. And finally, you really look at him. No shield. Your tears threaten to fall—but you don’t care.

“And accepting that not everyone will be there when you finally understand.”

Todd grips his glass. He doesn’t break.

But for the first time, you hear the sincerity in his words.

He looks up, scanning the room—until he finds you.

“I guess the only thing you can really do… is try not to repeat it” he continues. “To do better—even if it’s too late for some things.”

He breathes deeply.

“Even if it’s not with the same people.”

The words echo. No one reacts—except you.

Todd raises his glass.

“So… to what comes next. To doing it right when it matters.”

Glasses clink. Everything continues.

Everyone fits.

Except you.

You take your bag calmly, as if you’re not in a hurry. Your roommate says nothing—she knows, so she lets you go.

Each step to the door reminds you of everything that broke. No accusations, no drama. Just moving forward.

“Wait…” his voice calls behind you, almost a whisper. You stop for a second.

You turn slowly—and see him like never before: insecure, fragile, trying to hold onto composure that now shatters in front of you.

“I… I didn’t want it to end like this” he says, each word heavy. His hands move awkwardly, searching for something to hold onto.

You watch in silence.

“Todd…” you say softly.

He looks down, then back at you.

“I know… and there are no excuses. I just… wanted you to know that… that I care. More than I showed.”

You sigh, stepping closer to the door.

“It’s too late” you say. No blame. No anger.

He steps forward, all certainty gone.

“I know… I wasn’t enough. And I realized too late.”

Your lips press together.

“I just… wanted you to know. That I’m sorry.”

You take one last step, then glance back at him—standing there, shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on you, vulnerable in a way no one else would ever see.

“Goodbye.”

And you walk out.

He says nothing more. He doesn’t follow.

He just stands there, falling apart in silence, trying to piece himself back together as he watches you leave—knowing he understood too late that losing you is a pain he’ll have to carry alone.

[lalalalalew]

ENCHANTED; RHETT ABBOTT

Rhett Abbott x reader.

Summary: After a victory at the rodeo, a comment changes the dynamic between Rhett and you. What once seemed like a years-long friendship begins to feel different, and neither of you knows how to react.

Author’s Note: Hi… I’m back. Or something close to it.

━━━━━ೃ࿐━━━━━

The dust is still floating in the air when Rhett finally hits the ground. The roar of the crowd erupts around you, but to you the sound feels distant, as if your body has decided to listen only to the frantic beating of your heart. You remain still for a second, your hands clasped in front of your chest, feeling relief mixing with pride.

Then it happens: Rhett lifts his gaze from the arena and, among dozens of unfamiliar faces, he finds you. He doesn’t look for the crowd. Only for you. Your lips curl into a smile, and his eyes soften when he sees you.

You stand up beside his family with the intention of approaching him. You are only a couple of steps away when Maria moves forward and hugs him first, congratulating him with a wide smile. You stop without meaning to, as if the ground has suddenly grown heavier beneath your feet. The scene unfolds right in front of you, cruelly: he tilts his head slightly to hear her, she laughs, and for a second it seems like the world settles into place without needing you.

Then Perry speaks.

“You two should go out. You’d make a perfect couple.”

The sentence floats lightly in the air. You feel your chest tighten, as if someone has spoken out loud a thought you never wanted to have. You smile out of habit, out of politeness. But inside you, something shifts.

Rhett tenses.

He doesn’t answer right away. His body goes rigid, as if that sentence had been a rope someone just pulled too tight.

He turns his head toward you almost without realizing it, and in his gaze there is a mix of discomfort, irritation, and something that looks a lot like guilt. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t seem to enjoy it, even though a younger Rhett probably would have loved it. Instead, he simply watches you as if he wants to say something and can’t find the words.

You don’t notice it, but Mrs. Abbott does.

From where she stands, she sees everything: the way Rhett doesn’t take his eyes off you, the way you keep your gaze lowered to the ground, how your shoulders shrink ever so slightly. She says nothing, but her silence seems to understand the situation.

“Yeah… you do look good together” you say at last, your voice sounding strange even to your own ears as your throat burns.

Rhett doesn’t respond. He even looks a little surprised, though it’s barely noticeable.

The moment suddenly becomes awkward. You decide to leave before the knot in your throat turns into something visible that you can’t escape from.

“I’m going home… congratulations, Rhett.” There’s no hug, no goodbye kiss—just a small wave of your hand, like a polite gesture between strangers.

You turn before he can say anything else. You take a few steps away, your heart beating so loudly it feels impossible that no one else can hear it.

“Hey… wait.”

His voice reaches you from behind before you hear his boots hitting the ground.

“You don’t have to walk home alone” he says. “I’ll drive you.”

“That’s not necessary” you reply without looking at him. “I can walk.”

“No” he insists, taking your hand to stop you, even though it wasn’t necessary. “I asked you to come. Let me take you home.”

There’s something in his tone that doesn’t allow for argument. Maybe it’s the tension. Maybe it’s the strange fear that you’ll leave before anything can be said. You look at him for a couple of seconds before finally giving in.

The drive is a silent torment. The sound of the truck’s engine feels too loud, as if it’s trying to fill the emptiness building between you.

You stare out the window while the sunset paints the road. Rhett drives with both hands firmly on the wheel, but his jaw is tight, as if Perry’s words are still echoing in his mind over and over again.

When you arrive in front of your house, the sky is beginning to darken and the air feels different.

You don’t move. Neither does he.

“Today was… weird” he says awkwardly. “Not like other times.”

“You won” you reply. “That’s what matters.”

But you curse inwardly, because your voice sounds rougher than usual. And all it takes is a single smile for all the tension to vanish.

You talk about trivial things, mostly about the rodeo, until suddenly—without knowing why—you say the one thing that hurts the most.

“Maria is a lovely girl… I think you could be happy with her.”

And then you open the truck door.

You don’t give him time to speak, not even to process it. You simply close the door with a sharp sound. You know that under other circumstances Rhett would have joked that you were about to break his truck door, but he doesn’t. He just stays in his seat, watching you walk away.

You stop halfway to your door, your keys still in your hand, not understanding why your chest suddenly starts beating faster.

You hear his boots on the gravel.

You don’t turn right away. You don’t know if you’re ready to see him, especially when he has no reason to be standing just a few feet away.

“That’s not true” his voice says behind you, almost in a whisper that sounds like it’s tearing him apart.

You turn around slowly, clutching your keys in your hands as if they were a shield for your own vulnerability.

“Which part?” you ask, pretending not to understand, even though your heart already knows the answer.

Rhett is standing in front of you, without his hat. His hair moves with the wind. And you can’t help breathing in sharply, because watching the sky fall with his face beneath it was, without a doubt, one of your weaknesses.

His hands hang at his sides, as if they don’t know what to do.

“That she’d make me happy.”

The words leave him suddenly, without any filter.

Your thoughts turn into a restless sea, a storm you can’t stop.

Your heartbeat pounds in your ears, as if it belonged to someone else.

Don’t say that, you think as your mouth goes dry and your hands tremble slightly. Don’t look at me like that.

“Maria isn’t you” he continues, taking a step closer. “And she never will be.”

Your breathing falters.

“Rhett…” you whisper.

Even though you don’t say it loudly, hearing the way you say his name feels like a dream to him.

“Let me say it” he interrupts, his voice shaking. “Let me say it before I turn into a damn coward again.”

He looks at you as if he’s seeing you for the first time. As if every memory has suddenly crashed into him all at once.

“When you were in the stands today… and Perry said that… and you smiled…” he swallows, fiddling with the buttons on his sleeve. “I got scared… scared that I didn’t matter enough to you. That the idea of me being with Maria actually made you happy…”

For the first time, you see a vulnerability in him you’ve never seen before. It’s not the one that appears when he argues with his father or when things don’t go his way. This is different. It sends chills through you.

“I knew that if I let you walk away… I’d lose you forever.”

Your chest burns as your eyes begin to sting.

“I couldn’t be as happy with her” he whispers. “Because she’s not the one who knows me when I’m scared. She’s not the one who knows when I’m lying.”

He gently takes your hand and places it over his chest. You can feel his heart beating hard, as if every beat is a blow of truth.

“She’s not the one who stayed when no one else did.”

His voice lowers.

“It’s you.”

He takes another step closer. You’re so close now that you can feel his breath, but you can’t move. You can’t even believe it.

“You’re the breeze that soothes my nights” he murmurs with a small smile. “Thinking about you is the only thing that calms me when everything starts falling apart. I never realized how much peace you give me… until I thought I’d lose you.”

Your eyes burn. Your body trembles, and his hand still holds yours against his chest.

“I’ve been an idiot” he says. “Pretending I didn’t feel anything. Calling it friendship because I was too scared to ruin it. But what I feel for you… doesn’t fit inside that word.”

He stops right in front of you.

“I don’t want to watch you from a distance. I don’t want to see you choose someone else. I don’t want you to become the memory of something I never had the courage to say.”

His voice breaks.

“I love you. And not as a friend. I love you the way you love someone who feels like home. The way you love someone who’s always been there and never stopped being there. I love you, and there isn’t a force in this world strong enough to make me change my mind.”

The words leave you breathless. You think it must be a dream, but his free hand gently caresses your cheek, as if you were a rose.

“If you don’t feel the same… tell me” he adds, as if the idea hurts more than saying it out loud. “And I’ll leave. But I couldn’t keep living like you’re not the most important thing I have.”

The wind passes between you, waiting for an answer—one that, for Rhett, feels eternal.

You can’t speak right away. Because every word you’ve kept hidden for years tightens in your chest all at once.

You take a step toward him.

Your hands tremble when he finally lets go of yours, and now you don’t know where to put them, because it seems your new favorite place is his chest.

Now you’re the one touching his face, and Rhett closes his eyes at the gesture.

“I’ve loved you in silence for so long, thinking it was forbidden…” you whisper, gently guiding his hand to your chest.

Rhett smiles before kissing you.

He doesn’t kiss you with urgency or desperation. It’s soft and gentle, as if he’s afraid a wrong movement might break the moment—but also as if he wants it to last forever.

Your hands slide over his shoulders before settling behind his neck. And his hands, which had been resting over your heart, move to your waist.

His warmth makes you gasp softly, as if it’s the living proof that this moment is real.

Rhett lets out a quiet laugh before pulling back, and when he does, your foreheads rest together. His hand remains on your face while you close your eyes.

“I don’t want to lose you” he confesses with fear in his voice.

But you don’t answer.

You simply smile, as if that alone says everything, before leaning in to kiss him again

[em1i2a3]

Welcome back Todd Stevens 🤭

This one…is SUPER Todd Stevens coded 😭😭😭

[lalalalalew]

TO BE LOVED; TODD STEVENS

Summary: Assuming everything is fine is easier than facing reality, especially when you know everything is wrong.

Angst

“God, I wish something mattered to you”

━━━━━ೃ࿐━━━━━

You couldn't even sleep, you felt the exhaustion creeping into every corner of your body, as if you'd suddenly become so heavy you couldn't walk, you couldn't move, you couldn't even exist.

Before leaving your bedroom, you looked at yourself in the mirror and felt pity for yourself, because you couldn't even recognize yourself, your eyes were slightly swollen and red and your dark circles adorned your face with a dark hue, as if you were sick without actually being so.

You sighed, as if that simple act cost you your entire life, but, even though you tried to keep all those thoughts at bay, you couldn't, they came back again and again, like a damn vicious cycle, one that took care of gnawing at your stability and shattering your dignity.

His message was clear and concise the night before: ‘We need to talk.’

And just those three words were enough to completely break you.

You knew that digging into it would break your heart, but you insisted anyway because you couldn't just stay calm and act like nothing was wrong.

Then the second message came, and it was much worse than the first: ‘About us. I don't feel the same way anymore.’

Remembering it made you nauseous and caused a strange pain in your chest, wondering if that was some kind of heart attack, and if it would be the solution to your suffering, but you were still in the classroom, trying to focus on something that had become secondary.

The professor was talking, you could tell by his lips but for some reason, you couldn't make out his words, even though only five minutes of class had passed.

Operating on autopilot always worried you. Not knowing when to stop and take a breath seemed like one of your biggest problems, one that had become a reality.

Your phone vibrated three times, you felt it in your backpack, which for some reason you were holding tightly. Although on other occasions you would have ignored it, you knew it was him.

Then the third message arrived: ‘I'm in the hallway, can you come out?’

For the first time he didn't write love, sweetie. And you don't know what hurt more, his indifference or his simplicity.

You clung to your seat, as if that could delay the moment. You saw yourself, suddenly, as if you were a small child about to be scolded for a mistake you made, holding back tears while biting your lips, because it doesn't matter if it hurts, if it distracts you from what you're truly feeling, maybe it's a bit of relief.

But you couldn't avoid your fateful ending, you couldn't avoid having your heart broken.

So you simply stood up, sighed as if that could give you strength, and left the classroom without asking for permission, the professor didn't ask for explanations either, something you were grateful for because otherwise, you would have burst into tears.

Walking slowly, you felt short of breath and fear beginning to invade your body.

You didn't need to look for him, the scent he gave off spoke for itself.

He was standing in the same spot where he always waited for you to go to your dorm or the fraternity house, with his backpack slung over one shoulder and his perfect, damn hair combed.

"Do you need to see me?" You ask stupidly and quickly.

Todd nodded, looking up from his phone to focus on you.

"How are you?" He asked suddenly, as if it were a normal day after class.

You don't answer, you don't have the courage to do so without crying.

"I..." you feel your heart skip a beat for a moment, without realizing when you had stopped breathing. Todd tries not to look at you but finally his eyes fall on you, then on his anxious hands "I didn't want to do it this way. Especially not by text."

You nodded, trying to decipher his features, looking for the tiniest movement that would let you know he didn't want to do it.

"But I can't keep you by my side." You tried to understand him, but you can't, your mind is racing a mile a minute and suddenly his words become indecipherable to you "I don't feel the same way about you anymore." He revealed coldly and finally.

"We can fix it..." you blurt out hastily and clumsily, falling into desperation.

"How?" You can't answer, even though you try to think of multiple ideas, in your mind they all get mixed up without leading to anything concrete.

Todd looks at you for a couple of seconds, waiting for a solution.

"Why?" You ask finally, without an answer, choking back your own tears.

But you are such a coward, you know it will only be a matter of seconds before you cry.

Todd shrugs and shakes his head.

"Monotony, maybe...?"

"Is there someone else?" You interrupted abruptly. Todd looks at you for a brief second, as if he were suddenly offended, but finally he shakes his head.

"It's just... this isn't for us anymore."

"When did it stop being for us?"

You feel the moisture building up in your eyes, digging your nails into your own palms to keep from crying.

"A couple of months ago" and suddenly, you feel offended. When did your relationship become a lie and him so skilled at lying?.

"Months?" your voice wavers, half sob, half anger.

Todd didn't even look at you. For the first time his gaze was fixed on the floor, as if that were much more interesting than facing you.

"So, having sex was a pastime for you, all your 'I love you's were a lie?" Your voice broke completely and your cheeks were wet in the blink of an eye "You could have said something, Todd."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to see you like this." He confesses with reddened eyes.

"And how did you want to see me, happy, smiling and pretending everything is fine?" You asked, a bit worked up.

"I didn't want to hurt you..." he revealed, overwhelmed. You can see it on his face, the slight tightening of his features, as if he wanted to cry but couldn't. But something in you, deep down, can't believe it.

"And yet you did. Not for breaking up with me, for lying to me. Because I don't know when I was so stupid as to believe you more than necessary." You mentioned angrily.

Todd shook his head, stroking his jaw, that habit of his that you loved but that today felt different. He tried to get closer but you stepped back.

"If you had told me the truth a while ago, I would have understood” you confessed, almost breathless.

When you thought he was going to leave, his approach took you by surprise. And, without warning, he kissed you.

His lips brushed against yours, with a slowness that disarmed you almost completely, there was a hint of nervousness, and his hands threatened to touch you for the last time.

"You are the best thing that ever happened to me” he confessed in a whisper. His fingers wiped your cheeks, and without another word, he walked away.

When he left, you broke down in tears, as if a part of your soul had been ripped out.

You watched him walk away, without looking back. His hands in his pockets, as if that made the world weigh less on him, as if seconds ago he hadn't shattered your feelings.

And, suddenly, that meeting spot, which belonged to both of you, stopped being so.

Shortly after, you also left the place, walking slowly and not wanting to.

You returned to your dorm without hurry, with your head down and your stomach in knots.

When you opened the door, the silence felt uncomfortable, almost suffocating.

Your eyes stopped on the bed, on the messy sheets.

The smell of his cologne was still present, as if it were a reminder that he wouldn't be there anymore.

You took a deep breath, you didn't want to look at it any longer, you couldn't, because everything reminded you of him.

Closing your eyes was remembering him: asleep in your bed as if it were comfortable enough, more than his own, seeing him laugh during movie nights, those that started as a strange pajama party that ended in everything but sleeping.

You slammed the door shut, as if you could take out what you felt on it, but suddenly, that pressure took over your body, so you walked straight to the bathroom, with hurried steps.

You leaned over the toilet as dizziness hit you. Your body reacted before your own mind, so you coughed, took a deep breath, and in the end there was nothing left but a bitter taste in your mouth.

Strange, even though you knew you hadn't eaten a bite.

You sat on the floor for a few seconds, waiting for it to pass, but each one of them was torture, and suddenly everything felt disorienting.

When you tried to get up, that feeling took over your system again, weakly you sat back down, leaning against the wall and praying for it to disappear.

You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand and looked up.

The mirror still had slight streaks of moisture from the shower. The memory of other days appeared without permission: his back under the water, his hands against the wall, your name whispered and his chest pressed against your back, distributing kisses as if your body were as much his as yours.

When the feeling passed, you walked to the bed and sat on the edge facing the wall, at the small artwork by Todd. One that you adored but that today feels so stupid.

Exhaustion hit you suddenly, and your body, out of nowhere, felt heavy.

You lay down on the bed, and instead of feeling comfortable, everything felt as if you were sinking into a sea of sheets with no escape.

Tears began to flow, without permission or relief and the room fell into a terrifying silence.

You closed your eyes, trying to find relief, but again you pictured him, under the sheets while he kissed every corner of your body with delicacy and made you his with a tenderness that was disconcerting.

You felt a strange mix of pain and fear, as if your body was trying to stabilize but your mind wouldn't let it.

You brought a hand to your abdomen and breathed slowly, feeling the nausea again.

You thought it was the stress, the exhaustion, Todd.

You tried to control it but you couldn't, because the air smelled like him.

And that was the worst of it all.

[lalalalalew]

ACROSS THE BROKEN FENCE; RHETT ABBOTT

Summary: You’ve just arrived in the valley and are only trying to get your cow back, but without realizing it, you end up crossing onto the wrong land.

Author’s note: So after a long time, I finally managed to write this idea. I hope you like it. Could this turn into a series? Maybe.

━━━━━ೃ࿐━━━━━

The wind hits your face violently, and you still can’t understand how something so quiet can feel so immense.

You follow the cow with determined steps, watching the grass sway with the wind.

You see her slip through a broken fence and disappear into the neighboring land.

“Shit.”

You don’t think twice. You just huff and hurry after her, because you know that if you don’t catch her, you’ll find her on the road—or worse, you won’t find her at all.

When you reach the other side, the first thing you notice isn’t your cow, but the view in front of you.

Your breath escapes instantly as an endless field of sunflowers stretches out ahead.

They clearly aren’t meant to be on your livestock’s menu. But your cow doesn’t know that, and she certainly doesn’t respect property lines. She’s happily tearing them out and eating them.

You grab the rope just as she’s about to take another bite. You try to pull her away carefully so you don’t cause more damage than she already has, but the trail she’s left behind is impossible to ignore.

You’re so focused on wrestling with her that a sudden shout catches you off guard.

“HEY! OUT! GET HER OUT OF THERE!”

The voice echoes loudly, making you slip on the wet dirt and crash hard to the ground. The impact forces a frustrated yell out of you as you cling awkwardly to the rope.

When you look up, you see him approaching. Tall. Serious. You don’t know him—you’re new here—but his tense jaw tells you everything you need to know. And clearly, he doesn’t like what he sees.

You’ve always thought first impressions were overrated, but this one definitely isn’t warm.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asks, frowning. The irritation in his voice—and the way he looks at you like you don’t belong here—makes you bristle.

You stand up as best you can, brushing the dirt off your pants and meeting his stare with the same stubborn energy.

“I was just taking my cow on a little tour of your botanical garden” you reply, trying to sound calm even though your pride still stings from the fall. “Looks like the tour’s over.”

Rhett watches you in disbelief, rubbing the back of his neck like he’s trying to figure out how someone can be this bold on his land.

“You think this is funny?” he asks, tilting his head. It’s not just anger—it’s confusion. Like he doesn’t know whether to scold you or make you disappear with a look.

“I think it’s unnecessary for you to yell at me like I’m stealing cattle” you shoot back, crossing your arms and pushing a strand of hair out of your face. You don’t notice the smear of mud across your forehead, but he does.

“I wasn’t yelling at you. I was yelling at that” he says, biting the inside of his cheek as he points at your cow, who keeps chewing sunflowers like nothing’s happening—like you’re rich enough to pay for everything she eats. His eyes snap back to you, waiting for you to admit fault. You don’t. You know he’s right, but something about his attitude makes you double down.

“Well, you almost scared me to death.”

“Wasn’t my intention” he answers with a shrug. “But it is your fault.”

You stare at him, offended, almost convincing yourself you’re the one in the right.

“My fault?”

“Your cow is on my land” he says, stepping closer. His voice is controlled, but you can tell he’s holding himself back from losing his temper. “And she’s eating something that isn’t yours.”

You glance around, searching for something to throw back at him, and you find it immediately.

“Your fence doesn’t look very yours either. It’s a mess.”

Rhett tightens his jaw.

“That doesn’t give you the right to come in.”

“I didn’t come in for fun” you answer. “I came in because my cow has expensive taste.”

His eyes shift to the cow, and he sighs.

“She likes sunflowers?”

You nod seriously.

“Yeah. She’s got a refined palate.”

For a second, it looks like Rhett might smile—but he stops himself.

“They’re sunflowers. And they cost money.”

“Perfect” you say. “So I owe you two… maybe three? You take cash, or only livestock in installments?”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly irritated.

“I’m not joking” he mutters, exhausted.

“Neither am I. Look how focused she is” you reply, gesturing toward the cow. He watches her for a moment, and his expression softens slightly. You realize that even though he’s mad, he’s not heartless—just stubborn.

“Do you always have something to say?” he asks, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Do you always have something to complain about?” you counter, mirroring his posture.

“When people step on my land, yeah” he says, adjusting his hat.

“And when you step on mine?”

He looks down. Somehow, without noticing, he’s crossed over onto your side of the fence.

The tension eases a little. It feels less like anger and more like neither of you wants to admit you messed up.

“Your fence is broken” he says.

You smile.

“So we’re even.”

Rhett looks annoyed that you got the last word.

“I’m fixing this fence tomorrow” he says as he backs up toward his side again.

“So my cow doesn’t come back—or so I don’t?” you tease.

“Both sound good” he replies. “Which do you think is more likely?”

Your cow tugs at the rope like she’s ready to leave, but you hold your ground.

“Fine. But if you yell at me again, I’m taking it personally.”

“And if you step onto my ranch again, so am I” he says firmly.

You narrow your eyes, offended.

You turn and start walking away with your cow, feeling his gaze on your back, but you refuse to look over your shoulder.

Rhett watches you leave. He doesn’t say anything else, just keeps that tight expression until you’re far enough away. Then he exhales, like he can finally breathe.

That’s when he notices it—the big smear of wet dirt on the back of your pants.

A quiet smile slips out before he catches himself. He shakes his head, clears his throat like he’s ashamed for finding it funny, then climbs onto his horse and rides off, giving one last glance at the broken fence on your land.

[lalalalalew]

FAME IS A GUN; TODD STEVENS

Summary: The fraternity party reveals many secrets, and you don’t know what to do with them.

Warning: None of the characters are responsible for their actions.

━━━━━━━━━☆━━━━━━━━━━

Todd is leaning against the kitchen counter while Connor talks nonstop. He always has this habit when a big party is coming up: girls, alcohol, freshmen humiliating themselves as part of their frat initiation, and drugs. Frank laughs with his mouth full, a gesture Todd absolutely hates, so he has to look away to keep from punching him. Robert, meanwhile, checks a printed list with a serious expression, like some damn bouncer deciding who gets in and who doesn’t. And Tom just listens in silence, watching.

Todd nods when he has to, smiles every now and then. His body is present at the party, but his mind is definitely somewhere else.

His phone vibrates in his hand before he can put it away. The screen lights up with your name, and for a second, the noise of the house fades into the background.

A soft smile appears on his face, and suddenly he’s replying to you without even thinking.

“Are you coming?”

He imagines you reading the message with a frown, sitting at your desk, surrounded by notes.

The reply takes just long enough for hope to appear, and turn uncomfortable.

“I can’t. I have to study. Anatomy exam tomorrow.”

Todd steps away from the group, leaning his shoulder against the wall as he lets out a heavy sigh. The party hasn’t even started yet, but the chaos already feels like it’s creeping into the corners.

“I can help you. I know the material” he types, laughing softly.

The three dots appear and disappear, like a dirty little game, him the mouse, you the cat.

“No, Todd. I really need to focus.”

He clenches his jaw. He’s not mad at you; he’s mad at the feeling of waiting for something that isn’t going to happen, almost like a child.

Connor notices immediately and can’t help laughing as he lightly punches Robert in the stomach.

“You good, President?” he asks, tilting his head. “You look like someone just told you no.”

Frank leans in to look at the screen, though Todd has already locked it.

“Is it her?”

Todd doesn’t answer. He doesn’t need to—his damn expressions give him away.

“Still wasting your time?” Robert asks without looking up much. “What, are you waiting to fuck her after marriage?”

“That’s not it” Todd replies. “We just haven’t found the moment.” He sighs, slipping his phone away. “And she’s not like that.”

Connor clicks his tongue, amused.

“Yeah, yeah.” He steps closer, trying to suppress his mockery. “How long has it been since you got laid, Todd? Two months? Three?”

Todd shakes his head.

Frank grins and leans forward.

“Oh, I’ve heard it” he chimes in. “Your bathroom shares a wall with mine, remember? Oh, Todd… yeah, Todd… like that.” Frank puts on a high-pitched voice and mimics exaggerated movements.

Laughter erupts. Todd laughs too, not because he finds it funny, but because he’s forced to. He shrugs like it doesn’t matter, like they didn’t just turn you into a private joke, but he says nothing. He doesn’t shut the conversation down when he should. He doesn’t even try to defend you.

“Or maybe it was another girl” Connor adds, mocking.

Robert laughs, clearly tired of the whole thing.

“Look, it’s obvious she’s not coming” he explains, as if it weren’t painfully obvious, which it was. “And even if she did, she wouldn’t even notice. You’re the damn president. You can fuck anyone.”

Robert’s words echo in his head. He can fuck anyone, it’s true. But for some reason, he feels completely detached from it.

The house starts to fill up. The hallways are painted white, too clean, bracelets, high ponytails, laughter. The tennis party looks pristine… until it doesn’t.

Then he sees her.

She’s leaning against the doorframe, watching him without hiding it. She smiles at him like she doesn’t need permission and walks forward slowly, certain Todd won’t move away.

Connor steps closer and whispers in his ear.

“How long do you think it’ll take before you get her into your room?” he murmurs. “Ten minutes? Fifteen?”

Todd doesn’t respond. He just breathes with an air of superiority and starts walking.

He feels her steps behind him almost immediately. Her low laugh sounds like music to his ears, and the light brush of her hand against his arm feels soft—almost accidental.

And still, he thinks of you.

Of you studying, trusting him more than you should.

But that doesn’t stop him from taking her hand and walking toward the backyard.

About thirty minutes pass, and the house is no longer the same. The white theme of the party is stained with sweat, alcohol, and drugs. The freshmen dance awkwardly in the center like embarrassment is part of the show, and the music pounds relentlessly against the walls.

Todd is standing near the living room when the girl approaches him again. She doesn’t hesitate. She leans in and kisses him.

Todd doesn’t stop her. On the contrary, his hand settles on her waist, as if that gives him permission to deepen the kiss.

When they pull apart, he watches the guys dancing enthusiastically, nodding in approval, enjoying the moment.

You walk through the door with a tense body and clenched jaw. The argument with your dorm roommate still follows you.

“You always do what Todd wants. He never does the same for you.”

That sentence echoes uncomfortably in your head as you cross the house. You didn’t put much effort into your outfit, you managed a white skirt and a blouse that barely fit the dress code.

You head straight for the kitchen, the one you recognize from before, and carelessly pour yourself a drink, downing it in one go.

The burn hits your throat, but you don’t give yourself time to process it. You refill the glass and drink again without thinking.

When you step into the main hallway, Robert sees you. He goes slightly pale, you don’t notice, but he’s so tense he looks like he can barely breathe. He doesn’t say anything out loud; he just pulls out his phone and types quickly in the group chat.

“She’s here.”

Todd doesn’t check his phone. He’s too busy to notice.

He’s sitting on the couch now. The girl is settled on his lap as if she belongs there. Todd rests a hand on one of her legs, slowly moving it upward as he laughs at something he barely remembers.

Connor and Frank move at the same time, pushing through the crowd to get to him.

Meanwhile, Robert steps forward and intercepts you with a forced smile.

“Good to see you” he says too quickly, and you know it’s as fake as his tone. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

You just smile stiffly. It’s obvious neither of you likes the other, so you ask bluntly,

“Where’s Todd?”

Robert opens his mouth to answer, but he doesn’t need to.

As if you summoned him, Todd appears in the hallway, hair slightly messy, wearing that smile he uses when he thinks everything is under control. He wraps you in a hug.

For a second, the noise feels distant. Todd kisses you quickly, a short kiss that, for the first time, feels strange.

You just smile, as if that’s enough for the situation.

Todd leads you into the living room, where the freshmen are dancing obediently. He positions himself behind you, pulling you against his body. His hands grip your waist as you both sway slightly to the music. Being taller, he covers you effortlessly. Gently, he rests his jaw on top of your head, a gesture that feels protective and intimate.

Todd sighs in relief. He can pretend everything is fine, despite the looks from his accomplices. The girl just watches you both with resentment but doesn’t move.

The song ends, and Todd pulls away from you, as if he’s unsure whether he should or not.

“I’m going to the bathroom” he says near your ear before kissing you.

You nod, looking around. Suddenly you feel out of place, until you find a couple of friends and distract yourself with them.

The hallway is darker than before.

Todd walks fast and a little clumsily, fueled by alcohol and leftover adrenaline.

He pushes the bathroom door open and locks himself inside. The mirror reflects a slightly worse version of himself: messy hair, bright eyes—a walking disaster.

He braces his hands on the sink, unable to shake a strange craving. He rummages through the drawers looking for some powder, and when he finds it, he takes a deep breath.

“You okay, President?”

The voice comes from behind him. The girl is there. He doesn’t remember seeing her come in. He doesn’t even remember leaving the door open.

Todd turns slightly, swaying from the lack of balance. She approaches without asking permission and says something that gets lost in the noise. Todd doesn’t know if it’s the drugs and alcohol or if she’s really there.

But it all becomes real when she leans in and kisses him. Her lips feel so different from yours, that’s the first thing he notices, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he responds.

Five minutes have passed since Todd left. You look around, and when you can’t find him, you decide to look for him. You walk down the hallway toward the nearest bathroom, but before you can step inside, you hear voices.

“I don’t understand what she’s doing here” Connor says loudly, clearly annoyed. “Seriously. This party isn’t for her.”

“Connor…” Tom warns, uncomfortable.

“No, really” Connor continues. “She’s a prude. Always looking at us like she’s judging everyone. Like she’s better because she doesn’t drink, doesn’t fuck, and leaves early to study.”

Something tightens in your chest. You know they’re talking about you.

“Maybe…” Tom sighs. “She’s just different.”

Connor laughs—a laugh as fake as everything at this party.

“Different my ass. She’s boring. She’s stiff. She’s one of those girls who think sex will ruin them. She’s pathetic. You know how pathetic Todd looks waiting around for someone like that?”

“You shouldn’t talk about her like that” Tom insists. “Todd cares about her.”

“That’s the problem” Connor replies. “Todd always gets hung up on what doesn’t fit. And she doesn’t fit here. She never has.”

A brief silence follows. You think the monologue that’s tearing you apart is over, but it isn’t.

“And let’s be honest. Girls like that always end up the same, crying when they realize no one’s going to put them on a pedestal for being saints.”

Tom clenches his jaw.

“That’s not fair.”

“Life here isn’t either” Connor says. “If she can’t handle it, she shouldn’t come.”

You stay still a few seconds longer, not because you can’t move, but because every word weighs on you in a way you can’t fully understand.

After they leave, you step out of your hiding place and walk toward the bathroom.

Then you hear it, and you can’t believe what you’re seeing.

“Why are you hiding?” the girl asks playfully as Todd places his hand on her waist, slowly sliding it down to her ass.

She skillfully runs her fingers through his hair and pulls him closer as she kisses him.

The distance between your body and the doorway feels enormous as Connor’s words press down on your conscience.

Were you just an inconvenience to Todd? A tolerable one?

Todd opens his eyes mid-kiss, and that’s when he sees you.

His expression changes, but not enough. Maybe it’s the alcohol. Or maybe he just doesn’t care enough.

Before he can say anything, you’re already walking toward the exit. You dodge Tom and Robert, lightly shoving the latter aside before he can say something stupid.

Todd catches up to you just before you reach the sidewalk. He calls your name over and over, his voice breaking more each time.

When you don’t stop, he runs after you and grabs your arm with enough force to make you halt.

“Don’t go” he says, trying to save the moment.

You spin around sharply. For the first time, he can’t recognize the way you’re looking at him, and there’s no trace of love in it.

“Let me go.”

Todd doesn’t. He opens his mouth, searching for the right words, but can’t find them.

“I didn’t mean for it to happen like this…” he starts. “I didn’t know…”

“You always say the same thing” you cut him off mockingly. “You never knew. And yet it happened. Everything happened.”

Todd swallows, stepping closer without realizing it. He’s too close again, like other times. You can smell his cologne, and for the first time, it makes you feel sick.

“Look at me” he begs. “Look at me when I’m talking to you.”

That’s what breaks him. You don’t do what he says—but you end up giving in.

“Don’t ever touch me again” you repeat, quieter.

Todd lowers his hand too late. Your fist connects with his cheekbone.

The sound is so soft it gets lost in the music.

Todd stumbles back, disoriented, clutching his face as he groans.

The burning comes after, spreading slowly until it’s unbearable.

“Fuck, my eye!” he shouts.

You feel the pain in your knuckles too, but you don’t show weakness.

There are people nearby, but they’re too drunk to know what’s happening.

Todd looks at you wide-eyed, stunned, almost offended.

“I…” he tries to say, his words clumsy. Finally, he sighs. “What do I have to do for you to forgive me?”

And as hard as it is to believe, Todd Stevens has finally given in to you.

Happy New Year in case I don't update soon✨

[lalalalalew]

UNDERNEATH THE THREE; TODD STEVENS

Summary: The holidays are approaching, along with a subtle invitation from Todd, one you don’t know whether will turn out well or badly.

Author’s note: I know Christmas has already passed, but I don’t care. So enjoy. The idea came from the Discord group.

━━━━━ ☾☽ ━━━━━

Todd arrived at your room just as night was falling.

You hadn’t been expecting him, but you weren’t surprised either when you heard the soft knocks on the door.

When you opened it and saw him standing there, his jacket loosely fastened and his hair tousled by the cold, something inside you stirred immediately.

“Hi” he said, wearing that charming smile as he leaned against the doorframe.

He didn’t get the chance to say anything else.

You grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and kissed him with a need that completely threw him off. Todd responded clumsily, closing the door with his foot as you pulled him into your space.

You both stumbled as you made your way toward the bed, laughing against each other’s lips.

Todd held you by the waist and lifted you to adjust you more comfortably against him, and you tangled your fingers in his hair without thinking.

You both fell onto the bed gently. Todd braced himself over you, supporting his weight on his forearms so he wouldn’t crush you, looking at you for a second before kissing you again. You arched your body toward him, searching for him, and he responded.

Todd was the one who stopped first, making you feel that something was off. Seeing the uncertainty on your face, he rested his forehead against yours and breathed slowly.

“Wait” he murmured, breathless.

Your hands were still clutching his shirt, and little by little you let go until they fell against the sheets.

“What’s wrong?”

Todd hesitated and then pulled back slightly, just enough to really look at you.

“I didn’t come for this…” he said. For the first time, his cheeks were flushed as he moved away and sat on the bed. “Tomorrow’s the last day before break.” He gently brushed your cheek. “What are you going to do?”

The question made you feel strange; the shift in conversation felt completely out of place given the moment you’d been sharing.

You couldn’t help turning your face away.

“Nothing special.”

Todd frowned, running a hand through his hair.

“Nothing?”

“I’ll stay here” you answered quickly and quietly. “Working, I guess.”

You didn’t notice it, but Todd went pale as soon as he heard that.

“You’re not going home?”

You shrugged, as if it didn’t really matter, as if it took weight away from the awkwardness of the moment.

“Not always.”

Todd watched you in silence for a few seconds.

“That’s not what I asked” he said softly. “Are you not going… or can’t you?”

“Leaving costs money” you finally admitted. “More than I have right now. And it’s fine, really. I’ll stay here. it’s not the first time.”

When you looked back at him, you expected pity, sorrow.

But you didn’t find any.

Todd brushed his thumb over your hand, thoughtful, then smiled faintly.

“Come with me.”

You blinked.

“What?”

“Home. With me. Spend the break there.”

You sat up, alarmed.

“Todd, no. I can’t…”

“This isn’t an invitation out of pity” he interrupted you. “It’s because I want you with me. And because it doesn’t make sense for you to stay here alone when you don’t have to.”

You hesitated for a moment.

“Your family is… very different from me.”

Todd nodded.

“I know.”

“I don’t fit in there.”

Todd looked at you with a calmness that made you tremble.

“I don’t need you to fit in with them” he said. “Just with me.”

You watched him for a few more seconds. Your heart was pounding, but you couldn’t give him an answer right away.

“Let me think about it” you whispered.

Todd leaned in again, resting his forehead against yours, then kissed you gently.

“All the time you need” he said. “I already know what I want.”

After that, neither of you moved right away.

The invitation hung in the air, but it kept circling in your mind. Fragile, as if touching it too hard might break it. You stayed seated on the bed, your legs tucked beneath you, watching the way Todd looked at you—unhurried, without expectation.

“You don’t have to decide now” he repeated more softly. “Really.”

Todd let himself fall back onto the bed, stretching exaggeratedly, like he’d just finished a long day.

“I’m exhausted. The frat is destroying my mental health” he said. “Do you have anything to watch? Anything. Even something bad.”

You let out a small laugh, grateful for the change.

“I have a terrible movie I once watched just because I was bored.”

“Perfect” Todd replied. “The best kind of entertainment.”

You pulled out your laptop, settled against the headboard, and Todd sat down beside you, his back against the wall. At first there was a small space between you, but it didn’t last long. Todd stretched out his arm, and you ended up against his side, as if that spot had always been yours.

The movie played on, but neither of you was really paying attention. Todd absentmindedly played with your fingers, tracing slow circles over your skin without even realizing he was doing it. You let yourself close your eyes for a moment, listening to his steady breathing, feeling the tension you’d carried all day slowly fade away.

“Do you stay on campus long when everyone leaves?” he asked, nervously, as if he were afraid of the answer.

“Longer than I’d like” you took a moment before replying, but you did. “It gets… quiet.”

Todd squeezed your hand a little tighter, a quiet gesture of support.

“I don’t like imagining you here alone.”

You looked up at him with a faint smile.

“It’s not always bad.”

“But it’s not what I want for you” he replied without thinking too much.

You swallowed.

“Todd…”

“Listen” he said, turning fully toward you. “I’m not inviting you because you ‘should’ come. I’m inviting you because I like waking up with you close. Because I like having dinner with you, watching bad movies with you, listening to you complain about professors with me.” He smiled slightly. “Because when I think about break… you’re there.”

You lowered your gaze, your cheeks warm, a comforting knot forming in your chest.

“I’m scared” you admitted.

Todd nodded.

“I know.”

“Your world is big. Mine… not so much.”

Todd lifted your chin with gentle fingers, making you look at him.

“My world isn’t as impressive as you think” he said. “And the only place where I really feel comfortable is wherever you are.”

He rested his forehead against yours, smiling warmly, and then his lips met yours.

You settled more comfortably against him, and Todd wrapped both arms around your body, shielding you from the cold seeping in through the window.

At some point during the movie, you fell asleep with your head on his chest, and Todd didn’t move. Not even when his arm started to go numb. He stayed there, staring at the screen without really seeing it, thinking that maybe, for the first time, he was doing something right.

[lalalalalew]

BITTERSWEET; TODD STEVENS

Summary: An incident at the fraternity makes Todd relive old moments.

━━━━━━━━━☆━━━━━━━━━━

The fraternity had been consumed by an absurd silence; even the freshmen were seated, waiting.

“Oh, come on, Robert. You can’t be serious. Todd Stevens?” one of his brothers replied. He glanced around, searching for Todd.

“Many don’t know it and few remember it, but Todd, back then, wasn’t even a shadow of who he is now.”

Mitch laughed at that while everyone watched him expectantly before he spoke.

“He’s just a rich brat” he spat with a mix of hatred and cynicism. “Ask him about spring 2020 and you’ll see the real Todd Stevens.”

Tom struck Mitch hard, as if he had revealed more than he should have. Still, the blond’s sense of superiority faded when Todd’s faint footsteps echoed nearby.

“Why the hell aren’t you doing what you’re supposed to be doing?” he asked with clear irritation, arms crossing his chest, especially considering the KNA house was hosting a party to kick off the semester.

The freshmen, and especially the upperclassmen, went pale at his words.

Everyone stood at the same time, as if a lieutenant had just entered the room.

Nothing else needed to be said. Within seconds, people began to scatter, while a few lingered behind, following him like lapdogs.

“What’s going on?” Todd asked, noticing the way they stared at him. They only shook their heads, awkwardly trying to play it off.

Todd walked to his small office and sat down to review a few papers, yet the stares persisted, making him uncomfortable.

Annoyed, he opened the last drawer of his desk, revealing a black case. Slightly confused, he took it in his hands, brushing his fingers over the velvet surface. Immediately, a chill ran down his spine and his jaw clenched so tightly that even the guys around him noticed.

A loud crash caught his attention. Everyone was forced to disperse because of the noise.

Todd walked toward it, irritated. The sound grew clearer, and a strange struggle filled the hallways, despite the music beginning to play downstairs.

The guys were gathered outside one of the rooms. The door was closed as they murmured about who might be inside.

The destruction continued on the other side, dull thuds, glass breaking, a male voice echoing loudly through drunken slurs.

Todd pushed through them without saying a word.

He turned the doorknob, and the scene hit him head-on.

One of the sophomore’s rooms was in complete chaos.

The nightstand had been overturned. A shattered lamp lay on the floor, and the thick smell of alcohol saturated the room.

The guy stood there, swaying slightly, knuckles red and eyes unfocused. It was clear he had drunk too much to fully understand what he was doing.

And in the center of the room stood a girl, her eyes so wide they radiated fear, her makeup smeared and her body tense. When she saw Todd, she didn’t think twice, she ran to him as if her life depended on it.

She clung to him from behind, burying her face in his back as if Todd were the only tangible thing in that room. He could feel her nervousness—her hands trembled, her breathing was uneven.

Todd felt fragility made human, and for a moment, one that felt eternal, he didn’t know what to do.

No one had ever sought refuge in him like that. Or at least, he had never allowed it.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” The firmness in his voice was undeniable, surprising even himself.

The guy laughed clumsily, stumbling as he moved closer.

“Relax, pres… we were just having fun.”

Todd felt the girl’s body tense even more against his.

“No one is forced to do anything here” he said calmly. “Never.”

He had repeated that sentence countless times, during meetings, before parties.

And yet, for the first time, shame consumed him completely.

“Or what?” the other spat, tilting his head. “You gonna get all moral on me now? Thought you were different… isn’t that what you do with the gi...”

Todd’s fist slammed into the guy’s face, knocking him to the ground without a chance to brace himself.

Murmurs erupted immediately, some shocked, others silently agreeing with Todd.

Carefully, he looked at the girl and placed a hand on her arm.

“Come…” he murmured, almost a whisper. “It’s over. I’ll take you to your dorm.”

She nodded without saying a word. Todd simply led her out of the room, ignoring the stares, the comments, his last name taking center stage. For the first time, he didn’t care who saw him or what they thought. He just wanted to get her out of there.

The car moved through campus in complete silence.

The lights of the buildings passed one by one, reflecting on the windshield, while the silence grew heavier, making the drive unbearable.

She sobbed, hugging herself. Todd kept his hands steady on the wheel, but he couldn’t stop worrying about her. He glanced at her repeatedly, though she never changed position.

He didn’t ask what had happened. He didn’t have the courage. He just held it in, feeling a strange pressure every time he looked at her.

When he stopped in front of the main building, Todd turned off the engine and took a deep breath.

He looked at her cautiously, as if searching for the courage to say something sensible. But what could he say?

When he finally turned to speak, she had already opened the door.

“Thank you” she said awkwardly, almost breathless. Todd nodded, though she didn’t even look at him, and she left without another word.

He didn’t get out of the car. He didn’t have time to make sure she was safe, to apologize without being guilty.

He only watched her walk away, disappear through the doors of the large building as the cold night air seeped into the car.

That was when the memory returned. And for the first time in years, Todd couldn’t ignore it.

He had never been into fraternities, not because he couldn’t be, but because he wasn’t interested. He had no defined role. He was simply getting through his first year of college without trouble, trying to figure out who he was. Parties and social hierarchies ranked last in terms of satisfaction.

He had status, yes, but he also had upbringing. He’d been taught to be discreet, not to stand out more than necessary, to greet everyone, hold doors open, and listen more than he spoke.

You were the one who found him first.

One afternoon after his fourth Economics class, Todd was sitting in the campus gardens with an open book he pretended to read when a shadow fell over him.

“Can I sit?” you asked. Todd immediately thought it had to be some kind of dream. You were a year older than him, but the complete opposite, confident, effortlessly elegant. You wore your sorority’s colors so naturally that anyone could spot you from across the lawn.

Todd nodded nervously, making space at the table, assuming you’d sit across from him. His breath caught when he saw you sit beside him instead.

During the first weeks, you talked about simple things, classes, professors, how boring the campus could be on a Sunday morning, and how strange yet fascinating it was not to fully fit in.

You listened to him attentively, and that alone reversed the roles and completely disarmed him.

From then on, you began seeing each other.

You became a habit without realizing it, coffee after class, spontaneous breakfasts without sparing a cent, conversations stretching until sunset, until everything slowly turned into glances that lasted longer than necessary.

Todd never called them dates. They were just encounters that made his chest tighten every time he saw you approaching.

It was a Tuesday afternoon when Todd felt he could be more than just an average college student. He had just finished training while you waited for him outside. He couldn’t help but smile, and you didn’t mind hugging him, slightly sweaty.

You looked at him longer than usual. You didn’t notice it, but his cheeks flushed.

“I think you have potential…” you said with a smile. “A lot more than you think.”

Todd laughed uncomfortably as he wiped the sweat away.

“For what?” he asked. He knew what you meant, but still didn’t dare say it out loud.

“For this…” you said calmly, clumsily ruffling his hair. “You’d make an excellent fraternity president.”

Todd shook his head, still smiling. Something stirred inside him as you spoke about him like that.

“It’s not my thing" he replied before walking to his car. With courtesy and care, he opened the passenger door and gestured for you to get in.

You didn’t push. You simply rolled your eyes as he drove you straight to your sorority, smiling.

“You’ll come to the party this Friday. For me” you said with such confidence that Todd laughed, pretending to hesitate. It was obvious he would, especially if it was you asking.

Friday came in the blink of an eye. The house was packed. Todd had decided to dress more casually than he did for class, so when you saw him, you couldn’t help but smile ear to ear.

The music, the laughter, the bodies moving together, all of it faded into the background when he saw you.

You simply took his hand and handed him your drink. Todd felt that sharp ache in his chest again and drank, looking into your eyes.

You both began to dance, laughing at the stiff moves some people made, and you drank—not too much, but enough to lower every defense.

Neither of you thought about it. Todd just looked at you, and within seconds, your lips were on his.

“You have no idea what you make me feel” you murmured, placing his hand on your chest. Todd swallowed hard, trying to process whether this was real. You kissed him again, more urgently, and little by little, he began to respond.

Your clumsy steps led you down the hallway of bedrooms. You murmured a simple “here,” and that was enough for the door to close behind you.

His hands traced you as if he were thirsty and you were the only source of water. His lips moved from yours to your neck, and little by little, clothing became an obstacle.

Your hands slid toward his pants. Todd shook his head, pulling away so fast it caught you off guard.

“Not like this… we’re drunk” his voice was a bundle of emotions. As much as he wanted you close, he feared you’d regret it in the morning.

“It’s okay” you admitted. “I’m so aware of this, and I want it. I want you, Todd.”

His face lit up at your words. His hands cupped your face, and in the blink of an eye, you were both breathless.

Todd watched you in awe. His hands moved over your abdomen before gripping your hips. You moved against him, moaning, letting him know how good he felt inside you.

His back arched for several minutes as he captured your lips in a needy kiss. He kissed each of your breasts, groaning against your skin.

The roll of your hips was his downfall; your moans, his curse. Todd held you tightly as you both reached orgasm. You simply smiled, making him kiss every inch of your face.

You caressed his face, and Todd let himself be pampered until he spoke.

“I have to go…” he confessed, kissing your neck. You gasped at the feeling of his damp lips.

“Why don’t you stay?” you asked, fingers in his hair.

“I’m sorry… I really want to, I just... I have plans with my father tomorrow and I don’t want to wake you.”

You nodded before kissing him one last time.

“Don’t miss me” you joked with a smile.

“That’ll be impossible” he said, kissing you once more before getting up.

You sighed as he stood, exposing his naked body, admiring him from a distance. Todd noticed and laughed.

“You should take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

“I’ll think about it” you replied, laughing, before he gave you one last kiss and left the party.

He didn’t know what to call what that was, but something had undeniably changed between you.

After the weekend, Todd walked with a confidence he didn’t even know he had. He counted the days until he saw you again, hoped you’d look for him, and when you did, he knew the wait had been worth it.

He found you at a KNA fraternity party. For the first time, you hadn’t asked him to come with you—he had simply decided to go with a couple of friends.

The music was louder, visibility was poor, and the moral code Todd knew didn’t exist within those massive walls.

Then he saw you.

A smile spread across his face when he recognized your body, but it slowly faded when he saw you with someone else. His friends nudged his stomach to draw his attention, but none of them expected you to kiss that guy.

It wasn’t a stolen kiss. It wasn’t a mistake. It was a conscious decision.

Your hands were around his neck, your body leaning into his. When you pulled away, you saw Todd. You couldn’t avoid it. You simply made a gesture, one he couldn’t tell was a sincere apology or just a sorry-you-saw-that.

But your indifference was what finally broke him.

What had once existed between you both was reduced to what only he had felt.

He said nothing. He didn’t ask. He didn’t raise his voice.

He only watched long enough to hurt himself.

Author’s note: this story may lead to another one; if you’re interested, let me know.

Who should be next? I’m open to suggestions.

[lalalalalew]

SIDE EFFECTS; CALVIN EVANS

Author’s Note: This came from an idea I had with the girls on Discord. It was going to be smut, but I just couldn’t do it, haha—sorry about that. Maybe I’ll write it later. I don’t know anything about chemicals, so I did a bit of research. Please don’t judge me.

━━━━━━━━━☆━━━━━━━━━━

The laboratory was quieter than usual. The only sound came from the ticking of the clock and Calvin’s methodical footsteps.

The man moved with familiarity; from time to time, he muttered incomprehensible words. Still, he seemed to understand himself perfectly.

He looked at his test subject, narrowing his eyes as he lowered himself to its level. It was small and fragile, letting out soft squeaks, as if trying to turn that unfamiliar place into something familiar.

As the seconds passed, Calvin decided to create a stressful environment for the rodent.

“In rodents…” he said, loud and clear.

You did nothing more than adjust your glasses and listen closely.

“Stress activates the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. The hormone released is corticosterone, the equivalent of cortisol in humans…”

You simply nodded while writing down the rest.

“If the compound works the way we expect” he continued, “the release of corticosterone will decrease. That will keep the animal from panicking. No exaggerated flight response. No collapse. Easy as pie.”

He turned toward the workbench and carefully picked up the glass vial.

“If this works, the animal should appear calmer. Less reactive. If we notice the opposite, then it’s useless and discarded.”

You nodded. Many times you didn’t fully understand what he was saying; still, you tried to grasp his ideas and write down enough.

“Is there a chance it could cause another reaction?” you asked.

Calvin hesitated a second longer than necessary. Then he looked at you before shaking his head.

“In animals, no…” he replied. “It’s a simple response. The body reacts, and that’s it.”

You nodded again and stood up to move closer to him.

You watched him carefully—the way he analyzed every detail with care. You felt a slight tingling, your heart beating faster. Still, you forced yourself to focus on your work and shook your head when he said something you didn’t understand.

You nodded without a choice. You knew that if you showed confusion or doubt, Calvin would lecture you about the importance of paying attention. You tried to watch what he was doing, but you couldn’t—your gaze settled on his face, on his hair glinting under the rays of sunlight, on the tip of his nose faintly shining.

The concentration in his eyes made you smile slightly. You couldn’t help feeling like a teenager when you looked at him.

Carefully, he took a pipette and extracted a small amount of liquid from the vial. His hands barely trembled, and you couldn’t help but look at him with admiration. Unconsciously, your cheeks flushed as you watched the small animal.

“Alright, can you close the vial?” he asked calmly.

You nodded and closed it without another word. Calvin had already transferred the compound into a syringe before taking the animal into his hands.

You looked away to another part of the room; you had never liked injections.

“Subject A…” he said. “Stable weight. No significant response.”

You took notes while feeling a slight tingling sensation.

Barely two minutes had passed when Calvin huffed. The small rodent remained frantic in place.

“We need to prepare a second solution” he admitted, resigned.

You wrote it down before quickly walking over to the syringe rack.

Calvin twisted the vial cap, but it gave way faster than usual. A small amount spilled across the table.

“Damn it” he muttered.

He didn’t even blame you. He simply took a cloth and carefully cleaned the area.

“Write down what happened.” You watched the procedure repeat once more.

You took the cloth in your hands before tossing it into the trash.

“Stable frequency…” he celebrated as he observed the subject.

But you stopped. You frowned a few seconds later, as if you suddenly didn’t feel quite right.

“Do you feel that?” you asked awkwardly.

“Feel what?” Calvin replied without looking at you.

“No… it’s nothing” you assured him, trying to push the feeling away. “I must have imagined it.”

Calvin looked at you cautiously before returning his attention to the subject.

You adjusted your lab coat over your shoulders. Everything was exactly the same as other times, and for some reason, it didn’t feel the same.

You took a deep breath, trying to make the discomfort go away. Instead, it became more noticeable.

“Minute five…” Calvin murmured. “Subject A maintains passive behavior. No signs of…”

You tried to take notes, but only managed to shift uncomfortably in place, forcing him to look at you.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes…” you replied too quickly. “It’s just… hot.”

Calvin frowned and glanced at the thermometer.

There was no change.

The heat didn’t fade. Abruptly, you stepped away from the table, as if the sensation were burning you alive.

“What are you doing?” he asked with concern when he noticed you carelessly pulling off your lab coat.

Your cheeks reddened, and that made you feel guilty for not maintaining professionalism.

“I don’t know what’s happening to me” you confessed.

Calvin stepped away from the table and instinctively tried to assess you.

“Try to breathe slowly.”

You tried several times, but it only made things worse.

The tingling persisted. The discomfort lingered, as if an electric current were running through your body.

“I still feel…” You couldn’t finish. You simply pointed to the rapid heartbeat in your chest.

Calvin panicked and moved closer, placing a hand on your forehead.

“Damn it” he muttered when he felt the heat radiating from your body.

He tried to ease the sensation by awkwardly moving his hands through the air around you, but it was unbearable.

You stood up abruptly and backed away. Calvin took a step toward you, but you shook your head while clumsily kicking off your shoes.

You pressed your feet against the cold floor. The relief lasted only a few seconds.

“I’m sorry… I…” you apologized. “I’m not doing this on purpose.”

Calvin nodded as he tried to help.

“I know. Your body is reacting to the compound. You must have touched it.”

Without realizing it, you unbuttoned the first button of your blouse. Calvin froze. He didn’t know what to do. He tried to look away, but he feared for your safety.

You stumbled toward the lab shower. Before he could say anything, you turned it on. Cold water fell over your skin, and you exhaled in relief before sinking to the floor.

Calvin approached, slipping slightly on the wet floor, and knelt down to evaluate you.

“It’s not going away…” you admitted when the water stopped.

Calvin looked at your soaked face, frightened and guilty. This went beyond his scientific knowledge.

Then he turned the shower back on, letting the water fall over both of you. You trembled when you saw him get soaked, and you couldn’t help thinking that the water running down his face looked like the most attractive thing in the world.

You swallowed hard, trying to control your breathing.

“It’s a physiological response” Calvin explained with a tense smile.

But you couldn’t stop looking at him.

“I’m sorry” you murmured, trembling. Calvin took your hand, and the relief was momentary. “I really am.”

He caressed your cheek, feeling your lips tremble. You no longer knew whether it was the effect of the compound or if your body was responding to something else.

“You don’t have to apologize…” he said softly. “I…”

Before he could continue, you kissed him.

You were looking for a solution to your discomfort.

Half solution, half desire.

Calvin remained still for a few seconds, tormented by the rules you had just broken. But he couldn’t stand it. He gave in.

He held you for a moment longer, until his mind stopped processing it as something immoral or necessary, and felt it simply for what it was:

Something he wanted more than any experiment.

[lalalalalew]

HURT; BOB REYNOLDS

Author's note: So after a long time, I’ve written about Bob Reynolds. Don’t judge. Writing about someone other than Todd kind of throws me off. Just kidding.

━━━━━━━━━☆━━━━━━━━━━

You knew each of his weaknesses, the ones not listed in the reports.

You had observed them from a distance, memorized his gestures, his silences, the way he let his guard down when he trusted someone.

You had become a copy of him, and yet you couldn't help falling in love.

Maybe it was the way he looked at you, or that stupid habit of shrinking back when problems overwhelmed him. All you had to do was press where it hurt most, and he wouldn’t defend himself.

You still don’t understand why everyone labels him as dangerous, he seemed like an average person, more human than superhero.

But now you were there, in the middle of the night, watching him sleep.

You knew the future that awaited you. What would unfold in days, months, even years. You knew that just by raising your hand high enough, you could make him stop trying to save himself… and yet you fought against yourself.

“Hey…” he murmurs, drowsy.

You immediately hide the sharp object and force a smile, even with your throat tight.

“What are you doing here?”

He leans back against the headboard, rubbing his eyes. “Can’t sleep? Come here.” He makes room for you naturally. As if you belonged there, beside him.

You take a deep breath and approach with slow steps, just like the first day you arrived at the Watchtower.

Bob welcomes you with open arms and a smile.

You rest your head on his chest, and he plants soft kisses in your hair.

You don’t deserve this. You know it.

You lift your face to look at him. He watches you with a calmness that disarms you, and you can’t help but think about what will happen when the mission is complete.

“Did you have a nightmare?” he asks, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear.

You kiss him before you can answer. As if that could freeze time. As if kissing him could erase the reason you were there.

You had been recruited to study each of the Avengers. To analyze them until you knew their past, their potential breaking points. And then, to destroy them.

You infiltrated without raising suspicion. No mistakes. No delays.

But Bob made everything harder.

He trusted you from the moment he took your hand, and that was enough to start tearing the team apart without them noticing. First small disagreements. Then divisions. Until it became routine.

You knew that, somehow, Bob was the one holding them together… even while he himself was trying not to break inside.

Your logic had been simple: destroy from within, and the rest would fall on its own.

Now, he kisses you passionately, your body trapped beneath his, and guilt slowly settles in your chest.

His hands move carefully over your face, as if he’s afraid this moment, and you, might disappear.

“You’re never going to leave, right?” he says suddenly, with a clumsy smile. “Sometimes I feel like if I wake up and you’re not here… something will break.”

The comment hits you like a damn bullet, and you can’t help but feel guilty.

Your hand trembles beneath your body, closing around the weapon as you force a fake smile.

Your breathing changes, and Bob notices even before you move. He’s always been too attentive with you, even if you don’t realize it.

“Is something wrong?” he asks softly.

You don’t answer.

Your hand moves quickly, almost as if it has a life of its own, even though the decision wasn’t entirely yours.

Bob doesn’t pull away, doesn’t even blink. The metal sinks into his chest, making a dull sound and a soft groan from him.

He slowly looks down at where you stabbed him.

No blood spills, not even a scream. Only a stormy silence fills the room.

“What?” he murmurs, surprised.

You tremble as you grip the handle with both hands, waiting for something to happen. Maybe for Bob to fall or stop breathing.

But nothing happens.

His body doesn’t react the way it should. The wound begins to close before your eyes, as if you never touched him.

It’s then that Bob looks at you again.

And that peaceful, loving moment disappears.

He looks at you, his gaze hardening into one you’ve never seen before.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his voice dry.

Suddenly, you find yourself crying before you even realize it. Words pile up in your throat, but Bob never stops looking at you.

“I didn’t want to… I…” you stammer clumsily.

He grabs your wrist with enough force to make you gasp. Making it clear he could break your bones if he wanted to.

He yanks the knife from his chest and drops it without another thought. The metallic sound echoes against the floor as you watch in terror.

“Was this it?” he says, picking it up again with two fingers. “Was this what you were hiding?” His voice no longer carries those affectionate tones. It’s almost mocking and venomous. “All this time… was this what you wanted to do to me?”

“I had orders…” you whisper. “I didn’t know, I would…”

“NO!” he interrupts, raising his voice for the first time.

The room vibrates for a few seconds.

Bob stands up, and you instinctively retreat against the headboard.

“Don’t lie to me now” he says, his eyes filled with anger. “Not after this. You know what hurts the most?” he continues, walking toward you. “Not the damn knife.”

He points to his chest, right where you stabbed him. You can’t help but shake your head.

“It’s that you thought this was enough…” He looks at you as if he can finally see who you truly are. “That you knew me… and yet you believed you could kill me without me noticing.”

He clenches his fists tightly, his jaw tensing.

“And you know what’s the worst part?” he asks with a weak smile. “I would have let you do it” he confesses angrily. “If you had asked me… if you had told me the truth…”

His voice reflects the pain for just a second.

“But you were stupid enough to think you had control over me.”

A dark flash moves behind his eyes.

And you understand, too late, that this simple act wasn’t just betrayal, it awakened something in him that had been sleeping, and you were the only one responsible.

[lalalalalew]

PRIDE AND FAITH; WILLIAM LEE

Summary: Your life is defined by service and by professing your faith; however, that changes when you notice something in William, something you should not.

Author’s Note: I don’t know much about the context. I did some research, so if this does not make much sense, I apologize.

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William did not fully understand it, but he knew that something had changed.

The change was as subtle as it was imperceptible at first, something that, in simple terms, was easy to ignore.

Your mere presence began to invade every space and fiber of his body, stirring a strange revolution, something impossible to conceal. Yet your absence unsettled his day more than it should have.

There were no improper gestures or misplaced words. Only looks that seemed to say more than necessary. And that was the hardest thing to accept.

There were no excuses; there was no deceit.

He was in love with you.

And that was enough for him to know he had to stop.

“Could you help me with this?” you asked. The box of fresh lettuce looked heavy, and although William tried to keep his distance, he knew you needed help.

He approached cautiously, thinking he had crossed a line, yet all he could notice was the difference in height.

What should have been an uneventful exchange was hindered by flushed cheeks and held breaths.

“Sorry…” you murmured awkwardly when your fingers brushed.

“No…” he replied, dazed, before stepping back. “It’s fine.”

You could see his back tense.

Your breathing was unsteady, and you wanted to see his reaction, but something forbade you from doing so.

That was when William realized his body reacted before his reason.

His skin burned, his breathing quickened, and a strange tingling ran from his fingers to his chest.

“Is something wrong?” you asked, noticing the rigidity in his body.

“I shouldn’t be here” he murmured, more to himself than to you.

William had learned to recognize the signals of his body. He knew that sin was not the consummation of the act, but the time one chose to remain.

“But we’re just talking” you murmured, somewhat worried. His expression had changed, and you feared it was because of you.

Then he gave you the chance to look at him; even he had not been aware of how close you were now.

He looked at you for a few seconds, long enough to move his world, to shake his faith.

All it would have taken was to lean a little closer, not to touch you, much less to kiss you, but to confirm what both of you had kept hidden in the deepest parts of your hearts.

“I have to go” He did not give you time to say anything else; he clumsily set the box on the floor and left the room as if he had committed the worst of crimes.

After that, everything followed its course. William had decided to distance himself. He adjusted his schedule; his interactions became minimal. And your hopes of resolving things dwindled to nothing.

Until one day, accompanied by a few girls, he entered the kitchen.

You took a deep breath as if the air were leaving you. He noticed, his pulse immediately quickened when he saw you, but he said nothing, as if words had become unintelligible.

“Ladies…” he said, awkward and curt; and without more, he walked away. At first he felt cowardly for his behavior, wishing to return and apologize for acting like a child. However, the girls’ conversation caught his attention.

“Did you notice that?” one of them asked once the sound of his footsteps faded. “He’s been like that lately.”

“He’s been quieter. More rigid”

“As if he were on guard all the time” someone else added. “That’s not a good sign”

William stopped on the other side of the wall. He did not want to listen, yet he could not keep walking, especially when he heard your voice:

“Maybe he needs rest…” Some nodded; others remained thoughtful.

“It’s not normal to be so restless” another concluded.

William closed his eyes, as if that could soothe what he felt in that moment. The only problem tormenting him had both cause and solution: you.

Silently enduring a battle he was losing because he could not allow himself to feel. He was committed to his faith, and beginning to feel that way about you unbalanced his life.

Three weeks passed. Encounters dwindled, and glances were almost begged for.

You tried to understand him, but everything seemed to lead you into a dead end.

You returned to the prayers you had left unfinished. You told yourself that if silence was the way to protect something greater, then you had to respect it.

Some nights it worked. Others it did not, and you lay awake.

There were days when you thought you were exaggerating, that perhaps it had all been in your head.

And then you would see him pass by without looking at you, and your chest would ache again, as if the answer were there, wordless.

It was clear that something had changed between you. That dynamic had been extinguished by something else,something that overwhelmed you, and yet you tried to break your own heart, to return to your faith and hold fast to it.

Everyone was gathered at the meeting house. You could see him, beside his family, observing each person but never you, as if he could sense you and, just as his eyes were about to meet yours, he would look away, restarting the process.

When some people began to disperse, you followed him down the hallway where you had met for the first time.

“William…” you murmured, so softly it was almost impossible for him to hear, yet he stopped.

His back tensed, and it took him a few seconds to look at you, as if he did not want to.

His heart clenched when he saw the tears in your eyes. Today they looked so dim, and he knew he was to blame.

“I’m sorry” His voice was so dry that it hurt you in ways you could not understand.

“I don’t understand…”

William shook his head as he moved away, but you followed him instinctively.

“We’re supposed to help each other, and you’re making this so difficult…” he revealed with anger, “because you make me doubt my faith, what I feel for God, and the closer I am to you, the easier it becomes to give everything up for you…” He stepped closer, he did not touch you, but his breath brushed your cheek. You looked at him, agitated, swallowing repeatedly, as if he finally felt released. “That’s why I have to stay away from you” he said plainly, as if he had pronounced his sentence, before leaving.

William, unlike other times, did not look back.

You stayed there with the feeling of having said too much and, at the same time, not enough. But perhaps that was how it had to be.

[lalalalalew]

DIE ON THIS HILL; TODD STEVENS

Part 3 of PERSONAL PROJECT

Previous Part

Summary: The day of the gala has arrived, and with it comes the question: Is it still right to stay in a place where you're not wanted?

Author note: English is not my first language. I hope you enjoy it.

I finally had some free time this weekend to wrap up the last parts of this story. Vacation is coming up soon, so expect more updates!

━━━━━━━━━☆━━━━━━━━━━

You feel the breeze hit your skin as you step out of the car, that icy contrast against your body's warmth, just like his caresses and lips on your skin.

You sigh, swallowing dryly as if that were enough to give you courage. But as you walk down the grand hallway, you gradually realize that the place where you once wanted to belong by his side no longer feels so comforting. It feels empty and loveless.

"You came" Todd appears with a smile. His face lights up, as if he were truly happy you were there. You simply nod as best you can and offer him a soft smile. "After the gala…" he takes your hands and brings your face closer to his, shortening the distance and making your chest burn, "I want you to stay. I want to talk to you."

"About what?" you ask, your voice a little shaky, and you feel a knot in your stomach that slowly spreads up to your chest.

"About us… our future. What you mean to me. What this means to you." He raises your hand to his lips and leaves a soft kiss that makes you doubt.

Was that the prelude to breaking your heart?

"Okay…" you respond with a smile. Todd mirrors your action and leans in to kiss you, but his fraternity brother Tom interrupts.

He looks deeply apologetic for intruding, but both of you understand that Todd's moment has arrived.

Todd gently squeezes your hand, as if to say that even if you were apart, he would be there for you.

You watch him adjust his blazer and hair before smiling at you one last time, and only when he turns around can you let the smile fade from your face.

Todd takes the stage, his figure commanding everyone's attention, as if his mere presence were a kind of magnet. You have to clutch your purse just to hold back the tears as you listen to him begin his speech.

"Good evening. On behalf of the Kappa Nu Alpha fraternity, I welcome you to this house, which is more than just a building: it is the home of a forged character.

Our mission here goes beyond the classrooms. It's about shaping men of integrity. The values that unite us: Honor, Loyalty, Excellence are not a distant ideal. They are the air breathed by every brother who inhabits this fraternity, and they are reflected in our academic discipline, in our support for one another, and in nights like this, where we unite in service…"

You look around and see how everyone admires the man at the front, how at certain moments they applaud or celebrate, but you don't believe a single word he says, because they sound like lies, betrayal, and mockery. Yet you do nothing to leave that place that makes you nauseous, you simply stay in your spot, as if your legs suddenly wouldn't respond.

"You know we can leave this place, right?" a voice asks beside you. You look in his direction. Getty looks at you worriedly; unlike Todd, he can see the pain in your eyes.

He still remembered how you fell apart when you arrived at his room, and how you even begged him to do something to help you because your heart hurt so much you couldn't breathe.

He simply held you in that moment.

Even though he always warned you from the start, he allowed you to be happy, even when it meant destroying himself in the process.

"Don't do it if you don't want to" he said quietly, as if it pained him. He didn't look at you; there was no need. Carefully, his fingers brushed against yours as a sign of support, but as soon as they touched, he withdrew them, as if that simple act were forbidden. "We can go." That sounded more like a plea than a suggestion.

He still remembered your voice between sobs, absurdly begging him to join KNA because you knew Todd deserved to suffer, and the only way to make him pay was if Getty was on the inside. Although he initially refused, it was clear he would do anything for you.

"Being a 'Kappa Nu Alpha' isn't about wearing a few Greek letters on a shirt. It's about carrying responsibility…" Todd's voice sounded so alien, perfectly rehearsed to please, to sweeten the ear, as if that were his masterpiece.

"Do it, Getty…" you said with anger while looking at Todd. Getty sighed, defeated, and simply walked away from you, not without giving you one last look.

"The responsibility to be an example on campus, to stand up for our community, and to build, with every action, a legacy. That essence is in the DNA of every man who crosses this threshold…" a strange sound erupted, causing the guests to murmur. Todd, confused, looked at the guy controlling the console, but he just shook his head.

However, it was only a matter of seconds before the screen projecting the fraternity's shield disappeared, replaced by a cold, complete darkness.

Todd frowns, hearing murmurs that grow louder and louder. He hears his own voice, now projected at full volume for the university, the donors, and his parents.

"…Yeah, she should have been discarded by now. But when she showed up here, with that calmness… I preferred to keep her around a little longer. It's like an extra experiment…"

In the audio, laughter is heard in the background, almost mocking.

"Did the prey catch the hunter?" Todd's laugh is heard, almost nervous.

"It's not that. It's just… professional curiosity. To see the breaking point… after this, I'll disappear completely. She's served her purpose… seasonal entertainment."

The blood drains from Todd's face. Terror paralyzes him. That wasn't from months ago. It was from a few weeks ago. Someone was there, listening.

He turns toward the screen as it lights up, like a wounded animal. It projects a carousel of photographs.

First, a text message: "New addition to the collection. How long will this one last?" sent from his number to his fraternity group chat.

Then, photographs. Blurred faces of dozens of girls, but accompanied by screenshots of his own messages classifying them: "Easy”, Crybaby”, "Thought we were something." Each one is a trophy he himself created and that now betrays him.

Then, you can't help it, tears begin to overflow when you see your photograph. Your face can't be identified, but you know it's you. A picture of you smiling, one he himself had taken under the excuse of wanting to remember you when he was away. Cheap sweetness.

And despite being present when all of this was prepared with Getty's help, it still hurt, as if it were the day of Todd's betrayal.

The screen lights up one last time, showing one of his brothers asking: "What about the one in the blue dress?" and him responding: "Still there. Like a bad habit I don't want to quit yet. But soon."

The screen freezes on those last words.

The silence in the room is terrifying, but soon Todd is breathing raggedly, demanding they turn off the projection. He doesn't look at the others; he knows they look disgusted, but he doesn't care, because he's only looking at you while shaking his head, and that's when you realize how bad he's taking it.

He doesn't think twice, and he steps down from the stage, running toward you. His chest pounds fiercely, as if someone were slowly tearing it out, and the distance feels so far.

"Please, let me explain, darling, I…" now he's the one falling apart beside you. Everyone watches him, surprised, especially the fraternity guys.

You pull your hand away when he takes it, and for the first time, he feels hurt by your indifference.

Then he understands, noticing the disappointment in your eyes. Those two weeks that turned into three. Your absence making the difference, the attraction he felt and was so confused by, was nothing more than you taking over his system.

For the first time, the fear tormenting him isn't for his reputation; it's for the absence of your words, the fear of losing you, especially as you walk toward the exit.

"Todd Stevens! Stop right there!" The Dean's voice resonates as, amid his internal chaos, he tries to chase after you. Then, he understands the consequences of his actions: the public scandal, the permanent stain. But in that instant, they are just words that weigh nothing compared to you.

"Let me go!" he begs the Dean, not stopping his advance toward you, his eyes pleading as you walk away. "I have to…!"

It's then that he sees his parents making their way through the crowd. His father, who taught him how to behave in front of a crowd and never show weakness, looks at him with a fury he's never seen before. And his mother, who always, no matter Todd's mistakes, was there for him, only reflects disappointment on her face.

Todd hesitates for a second. The guilt and family terror add to the chaos.

"I don't care!" he shouts toward them. Tears stream freely, adorning his pale face. "Expel me! Dethrone me! Do it! But I won't lose her!"

His voice breaks into a sob.

As if his life depended on it, he reaches the entrance doors just as you're heading to a car parked nearby, with Getty behind the wheel. That doesn't matter to him; he just needs to get closer, but every step he takes toward you feels like two steps back.

"You can't explain anything to me” you say, your voice broken. You know he's behind you, because even though you don't want to admit it, your body misses his warmth.

Then he tries to approach you, so broken that it seems like another Todd has usurped his place.

When he tries to take your face, a jumbled mess of unintelligible words, your hand strikes his cheek, freezing him with your reaction.

He knows he deserves it, but that is the only thing confirming that what you had has shattered forever.

You see the pain on his face. You get close to him, so close it hurts to breathe.

"Please, don't go…" he pleads, fragile and deeply affected.

"The good thing about 'almost-relationships'… is that we were never officially boyfriend and girlfriend. So there's nothing to break up. Right?"

Before walking away, you take his shirt, completely wrinkled, from your purse and hand it to him. Todd looks at you, surprised, shaking his head, but you simply get in the car and disappear within seconds.

[lalalalalew]

STANDING OVATION; TODD STEVENS

Part 2 of PERSONAL PROJECT

Previous Part. Next Part

Summary: Todd's words still echo in your mind, and you can't help but wonder why you're still there. His actions are beginning to carry weight, and you don't know when the day will come that he discards you and breaks your heart, but you know it will be soon.

Author Note: English is not my first language.

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You never knew which was harder, what you were going through, or how well you could pretend nothing had happened. That nothing had changed, that his gaze was still as much yours as his caresses, and the problem was you didn't even know why you were still there, in his bed, in his space, sharing his time, even when you knew the whole truth.

"Are you okay?" he asks with that tone of voice that borders between tenderness and goddamn mockery as he looks at you seated at the breakfast counter. He manages to stroke your cheek, which, from feeling like a soft caress, burns your skin.

"I'm fine" The lump in your throat makes you look at him with a hint of impatience while you bite your lip to avoid showing vulnerability.

Todd seems to analyze your features. He isn't very convinced, but he doesn't push it. He simply settles between your legs and strokes your thighs with deep delicacy.

His face draws close to yours and you're afraid he might hear the pounding of your heart. He looks at you as if you were everything, as if you were the oxygen he needs.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" he asks before brushing his lips against yours. Your breath hitches and your body feels stiff, but you let yourself give in when he finally kisses you. His hand strokes your waist with a delicacy so gentle you feel you might break.

"Sorry to interrupt" says an outside voice. No need to guess. You know it's one of the guys who talked about you as if you were nothing. You notice Todd tense up, even surprised, because it's been two weeks since that day, just enough time for Todd to have gotten rid of you, yet there you are, in the same kitchen where he played with your feelings.

"What is it?" Todd asks, irritated. You don't know how to interpret that. Was it because of the interruption, or being caught? But the only thing you could bet on was the anger he felt whenever he was interrupted.

"The charity gala. The guys are asking if the alcohol will be enough"

Todd runs his hand through his hair, clearly exasperated, and sighs.

"Tell those idiots to get as much as they can drink" The guy nods, dazed. However, before leaving, he looks at you as if you were something that didn't belong there, like an impostor.

"Want to go to my room?" You shake your head as your feet touch the floor.

Every day you were there started in the kitchen, living room, or patio, but they all ended in his bed, and you left the frat house like a thief.

"I should go" For the first time, Todd looks at you confused, as if your refusal brings him more questions than answers. "I have a project due"

"Relax. I can take care of it in a few minutes" Todd laughed before kissing you quickly. "I can pay for it, babe"

Could a grade be bought, but could your dignity be bought back?

"I have to go…" Todd sighs and nods. Both of you walk toward the exit. "See you tomorrow. I want you to look extremely gorgeous at the gala. I want everyone to be jealous I'm with you" He hands you your backpack while smiling, and you smile back, unable to stop wondering when the day would finally come that he'd discard you.

"Get some rest, okay?" he murmurs before kissing you. You nod, dazed, as you separate, and he opens the door for you. You simply smile one last time, but it feels so fake you can't help the ache in your cheeks. You don't look at him in farewell; you know you can't, that any second your gazes met you'd get lost between his sheets again. So, you walk as fast as possible. You want to run, but you can't; your feet feel heavy, or maybe you just feel guilty for not being rational enough to leave him, because you're too sensitive to walk away from him, preferring instead to let him break your heart.

However, the sound of a car engine caught your attention. Todd stops the car and gets out, walking toward you.

"I'd be an idiot if I let you leave like this. At least let me drive you home" he says with a smile, one so warm it seems genuine.

You nod without another word. He slings your backpack over his shoulder and guides you to his car. You smile faintly when he opens the car door and you get in.

Every one of his gestures, every act, seems perfectly calculated.

You both talk about things left unsaid during your time at the frat, and you can't help but think that if you didn't know everything he does, maybe you could be a good couple, but just maybe, that's a product of his vanity.

You don't even know how you've reached this critical point, or how many minutes had to pass before you found yourself on his lap in the back seat of the car, unable to take your hands off his body. You only know his lips on your skin feel good and that your moans and body betray your rationality, but you can't deny it. His caresses turn to velvet and his kisses like soft clouds before becoming a storm. You both moan, and Todd seems to want to convince you he enjoys it as much as you do. His final movements make you reach climax as he kisses your lips, breathing heavily.

"I love you, damn it" he murmurs softly against your neck. You can't help but tense at his words and don't know how to react. You feel the beats of your heart grow stronger, and he hugs you as if that were the perfect confirmation. "What's wrong?" he asks, confused, when he looks at you, as if he had made the worst revelation in the world.

"What did you say?" you ask. You see the shine in his eyes; it's so strange you feel a pang in your chest.

"I…" despite the darkness, you can notice the slight redness on his cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable".

You climb off his lap while nodding and put your clothes back on nervously. Neither of you says anything; you're both stunned by his revelation. When you're ready, Todd starts the car and continues the drive. For the first time, neither of you says a word. Nothing seems coherent or sensible. You just stare out the window, eyes moist, and Todd watches the road and occasionally glances at you, as if he had crossed the boundary into unknown territory.

His hands move around the steering wheel, debating whether it was right to take your hand. However, that intention is abandoned because you pull your hand away just as he's about to take it.

It was clear; you were both bewildered. He had never been one to express his feelings, with any girl, with anyone like you.

When you reach your building, you open the door and get out hurriedly. Todd stops you before you close it.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?" he asks with a shy smile, one you've never seen.

Your phone vibrates and you look at the message:

"G: All set. Are you sure about this?"

You return your attention to Todd, who looks slightly bewildered by the absence of your answer.

"I'll be there" you reply with a smile.

"I can pick you up" You remember the unanswered message and shake your head.

"I'll see you there, Todd" And, without another word, you close the door and walk toward your building.

Todd shouts your name from his car.

You look at him, confused, before understanding what he says.

"I love you" he reveals with a smile that feels so real it burns you inside. You just nod and smile, continuing your walk and trying to extinguish that spark of hope igniting like fire.

Thanks for reading: @msfirth @cheshireshiya

[lalalalalew]

No pressure though!

You’ve intrigued me. I’ll probably write it when I have time