୨ৎ 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝖾 𝖼𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗋𝗌 ୨ৎ
୨ৎ 𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗁𝗈𝗍 (𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗈𝖿 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽!)
୨ৎ 𝗌𝗁𝗒!𝖾𝗎𝗂𝗃𝗈𝗈 𝗑 𝖿𝖾𝗆!𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗑 𝖼𝗈𝖼𝗄𝗒!𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖺𝗌 (𝖼𝗈𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗀𝖾 𝖺𝗎)
୨ৎ 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗋𝖾: 𝗌𝗅𝗈𝗐 𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗇, 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗅𝖾, 𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗌𝗍, 𝗃𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗒, 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌, 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗏𝗒 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿𝗅𝗂𝖼𝗍, 𝗉𝗌𝗒𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝗉𝗎𝗌𝗁-𝗉𝗎𝗅𝗅
୨ৎ 𝗐𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌: 𝖺 𝖿𝗎𝖼𝗄 𝗍𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗅 𝗌𝖾𝗑 (𝖿. 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀), 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗀𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖼𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆𝗉𝗂𝖾 (𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗈&𝖾𝗃), 𝖼𝗈𝖼𝗄𝗐𝖺𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗀 (𝖾𝗃), 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗆𝗎𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖽𝗈𝗆/𝗌𝗎𝖻 𝖽𝗒𝗇𝖺𝗆𝗂𝖼𝗌 (𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍), 𝗉𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗌𝖾 𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗄, 𝖽𝖾𝗀𝗋𝖺𝖽𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝗁𝖺𝗏𝗂𝗈𝗋, 𝗃𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗒, 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗀𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝗆𝗎𝗍, 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝖾𝖾𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾, 𝗄𝗂𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗁𝗂𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗒𝗌, 𝗎𝗇𝖽𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗌𝖼𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗌, 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇-𝖿𝗂𝗅𝗅𝖾𝖽 𝖽𝗂𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗀𝗎𝖾 𝗃𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗒-𝖻𝖺𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖿𝗅𝗂𝖼𝗍 𝖾𝗌𝖼𝖺𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈 𝗉𝗁𝗒𝗌𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 & 𝗌𝖾𝗑𝗎𝖺𝗅 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖾𝗆𝗈𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗉𝗅𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝖾𝗑 (𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗂𝗉𝗎𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖽𝖾𝗉𝖾𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗇𝖼𝗒, 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗍) 𝗌𝗈𝖿𝗍 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖼𝖺𝗋𝖾, 𝗆𝗎𝗍𝗎𝖺𝗅 𝗈𝖻𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇, 𝖻𝗅𝗎𝗋𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗋𝗂𝗏𝖺𝗅𝗋𝗒
୨ৎ 𝖽𝖾𝗌𝖼𝗋𝗂𝗉𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇: 𝖾𝗃 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗈 :) 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝖿𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗁𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗋, 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗀𝗈𝗅𝖽𝖾𝗇 𝖽𝗎𝗈: 𝗌𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗍, 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝖾𝗉𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾. 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗉 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝗒 𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗂𝗀 𝗌𝖾𝗆𝖾𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋-𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝗀𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗉 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗃𝖾𝖼𝗍. 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝖿𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗈𝗋 𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝖽 𝗆𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋… 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾𝖽. 𝖾𝗃, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝖾𝗍 𝗈𝗇𝖾, 𝗍𝗋𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗄𝖾𝖾𝗉 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗉𝖾𝖼𝗍𝖿𝗎𝗅. 𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗈, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗎𝖽 𝗈𝗇𝖾, 𝗇𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗉𝗉𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗅𝗂𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀. 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝖺𝗌𝗄 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇. 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝖻𝗈𝗍𝗁. 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾-𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝗎𝖽𝗒 𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌, 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝗎𝗅𝗍𝗌, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗅𝗈𝗐-𝖻𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝖼𝗋𝗈𝗌𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝖺𝖻𝗅𝖾, 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝗈𝗉𝖾 𝗂𝗇 𝖺 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗎𝗀-𝗈𝖿-𝗐𝖺𝗋 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗐𝗈 𝖻𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗅𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗒 𝗎𝗇𝗋𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀. 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗌𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖿𝗂𝗇𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗇𝖺𝗉𝗉𝖾𝖽? 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖿𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗌𝖾𝗅𝖿 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗆𝗂𝖽𝖽𝗅𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖼𝖺𝗇’𝗍 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝖻𝖺𝖼𝗄. 𝗇𝗈𝗐 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾’𝗌 𝗇𝗈 𝗍𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽. 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗒 𝖻𝗈𝗍𝗁 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗒𝗈𝗎. 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆, 𝗍𝗈𝗈.
୨ৎ 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗇𝗍: 8780
୨ৎ 𝗆.𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍!
"paint me a picture with your true colors"
you stared at the screen like it had just betrayed you. your name, dead center under group three, surrounded by two others you hadn’t expected. one you didn’t know well, and one you knew too well.
y: “you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”
you muttered. the girl next to you glanced over.
r: “bad group?”
y: “worse, nicholas.”
you sighed. you didn’t need to elaborate. most people knew him. loud, cocky, constantly acting like the room revolved around him. always tossing around comments like he thought he was charming. you’d been his target since week two of the semester. sticky notes on your desk, winked insults, dumb questions he already knew the answers to. you thought ignoring him would work. it hadn’t.
but now you were grouped together. tied into a project you didn’t ask for with the one person who made your jaw clench on sight. and then there was ej.
he wasn’t like nicholas. you’d only spoken once, maybe twice. quiet, always scribbling in a black notebook, sitting in the second row like he didn’t want to be seen but also didn’t want to miss a single word. he never laughed at nico’s jokes. when you looked up, both of them were already staring at you.
n: “group three,”
nico said like it was a punchline, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
n: “guess fate wants us to spend more time together, princess.”
you didn’t bother responding. just stood up and grabbed your own stuff.
y: “i already hate this.”
n: “don’t say that. you haven’t even seen how good i am wi-”
y: “words? assignments? women?”
you snapped.
n: “yes, to all three.”
he said with a wink. you rolled your eyes hard enough it hurt and turned away from him. but not before you caught the other boy approaching from behind.
ej looked like he’d been forced into this group at gunpoint. stiff posture, lips pressed into a line, his notebook hugged tight to his chest like a shield. he didn’t say anything. just gave you a small nod, eyes flickering up to meet yours for a second before dropping to the floor again.
nico draped an arm around ej’s shoulders like they hadn’t been complete opposites five seconds ago.
n: “look at this. brains, beauty, and ej. we’re golden.”
ej ducked out from under the arm and adjusted his bag.
e: “we should set a time to meet.”
y: “friday, library. basement. 7 pm.”
you said before nico could open his mouth. ej nodded.
e: “i’ll be there.”
n: “i’ll bring snacks, and charm. mostly charm.”
you didn’t reply. but if he noticed the way your lips twitched at that, he didn’t say anything.
friday night, the basement of the library was near silent.
no music, no distractions. just the hum of the fluorescent lights and the occasional slam of a book somewhere distant. you picked a table in the back, half-surprised when nico showed up first.
y: “wow, early. i’m impressed.”
he dropped his backpack onto the table with a thud.
n: “had to beat ej here. couldn’t let him win first impression points again.”
you frowned.
y: “what?”
n: “nothing.”
he grinned and spun the chair beside you, dropping into it like he owned the whole floor.
n: “just noticed how you smile more around him.”
you gave him a blank look.
y: “i don’t smile.”
n: “exactly. it’s a tragedy.”
you were saved from answering by the sound of footsteps. ej appeared a moment later, a little out of breath, hair slightly messy like he’d run across campus. his eyes found yours immediately.
e: “sorry i’m late.”
y: “you’re fine.”
you replied, tucking your phone away. nico tilted his head.
n: “you say that like you missed him.”
y: “maybe i did.”
you said dryly. ej blinked. nico raised an eyebrow. you busied yourself pulling up the shared doc.
y: “let’s just get started.”
the next two hours passed in a strange kind of rhythm. ej was focused. precise. the kind of person who highlighted individual sentences and cross-referenced the syllabus for grading rubrics. he didn’t waste words, but when he did speak, it was with intention. and he always listened to you.
nico, on the other hand, was a chaos storm in jeans and too much cologne. he leaned back in his chair so far you thought he’d fall, interrupted every other sentence with a joke, and poked your side when you got too quiet.
n: “you think too hard.”
he whispered once, nudging your knee with his. you didn’t look at him.
y: “and you don’t think at all.”
but you weren’t sure why your heart beat a little faster after that. ej cleared his throat.
e: “let her work, nico.”
n: “i am. this is encouragement.”
e: “your version of encouragement is flirting.”
n: “and?”
ej’s jaw flexed, but he didn’t say more. and you didn’t say anything either. you just noticed, out of the corner of your eye, the way both of them watched you. for different reasons. with different eyes. when the session ended, nico stretched and let out a long, unnecessary groan.
n: “damn. being smart is exhausting.”
you shook your head.
y: “you barely contributed.”
n: “hey, my presence is the real value.”
ej stood slowly, slipping his notes back into his bag.
e: “i think we got a good start.”
y: “you’re organized.”
you said without thinking, glancing at him. he looked up. his lips curled faintly.
e: “so are you.”
nico made a gagging sound.
n: “i’m getting a cavity.”
y: “jealous?”
you shot back. his grin faded just a little, but not fully.
n: “maybe.”
he offered you a ride. you declined. as you walked away, you didn’t hear what ej mumbled under his breath. but if you’d turned back, you might’ve seen the way nico watched you leave. jaw clenched, teasing smile gone, like he’d just realized something he didn’t know how to say. and beside him, ej was still watching you too. both of them. at the same time. neither willing to let the other win.
you told yourself the second study session would feel easier. that maybe the awkward tension from the first time would wear off, that you’d get used to the push and pull between two completely different personalities. one patient, one chaotic but you knew better. from the moment you stepped into the library basement, the air was already heavy with something unspoken. ej was there first.
he sat alone at the table, hoodie sleeves pulled over his palms, notebook cracked open in front of him. he didn’t see you right away. his brows were furrowed, pen tapping lightly as he skimmed something with absolute focus. the kind of focus that felt private. like you were interrupting something sacred. but then his eyes lifted. and everything in him shifted.
his lips parted just slightly. eyes softening. there was no smile, no greeting. just a long, quiet look that lingered longer than it should have.
y: “you’re early.”
you said, easing into the chair across from him. he blinked, pulling back into himself.
e: “yeah. i, uh… wanted to finish the outline.”
you leaned forward, tucking your leg beneath you.
y: “you finished it already?”
he nodded, pushing a few sheets of paper toward you without a word. typed. structured. neat. your name was already listed under a section. you glanced up.
y: “you’re seriously prepared.”
ej shrugged.
e: “i like to be… ready.”
your mouth twitched.
y: “you mean you don’t just wing it and flirt your way through like nico?”
he gave a dry little breath of laughter but didn’t look amused.
e: “nico flirts with everything that breathes.”
y: “yeah, i’ve noticed.”
he didn’t comment. just looked back down at his notes, but not before you caught the way his fingers curled into fists against the edge of the page. the quiet between you stretched. comfortable, for the most part. until it wasn’t. you heard the footsteps first, loud, obnoxious, like whoever they belonged to didn’t believe in the concept of libraries.
then his voice.
n: “look at this cozy little setup.”
nico said, voice full of amusement as he slid into the seat beside you.
n: “you two start without me?”
you didn’t look at him.
y: “we were being productive.”
n:“bet you were.”
he nudged your arm with his elbow, not subtle in the slightest.
n: “missed me?”
you didn’t answer, but you didn’t pull away either. and maybe that was the problem. ej cleared his throat.
e: “we were reviewing the structure for the slides.”
n: “mm, riveting, did she like your outline, ej?”
nico muttered, spinning a pen between his fingers.
y: “i liked it.”
you said, interrupting before ej could answer. nico tilted his head toward you, eyes narrowing in that way he always did when he didn’t get to be the center of attention.
n: “of course you did.”
you ignored him. kind of. this time, the work moved slower. not because of the material, but because you couldn’t focus. ej sat straight-backed and meticulous, speaking only when needed, eyes flicking up to you whenever he thought you weren’t looking. but you noticed.
nico leaned back in his chair, legs wide, voice lazy, drawing out every joke and offhand comment like he was performing for a crowd that didn’t exist. and you were in the middle. caught. pulled.
n: “you’re quiet tonight, thinking about me?”
nico said after an hour, nudging your knee with his. you didn’t flinch.
y: “i’d get more work done if you shut up for once.”
n: “you like when i talk.”
e: “no, she doesn’t.”
ej said suddenly, voice sharp. nico raised his brows.
n: “didn’t know you were her spokesperson.”
e: “i’m just trying to stay on topic.”
nico smirked, but you saw something in his expression shift. a flicker of something darker. something competitive.
n: “jeez, what, you like her or something?”
the silence that followed hit hard. ej looked up slowly. didn’t blink. didn’t deny it. you looked at him too. but he only said
e: “we should focus.”
n: “yeah. sure. wouldn’t want emotions to ruin your perfect little outline.”
you pushed your chair back.
y: “i need water.”
neither of them followed. but when you returned, the tension was still there. worse than before. neither of them said anything, not even when you slid back into your chair. just avoided each other’s eyes and scribbled into their own pages like the words could fix it.
you didn’t ask what happened while you were gone. but you felt it. in your chest. your throat. your legs, crossed tighter than usual beneath the table, like the friction between them had worked its way under your skin.
the session ended with nothing resolved. ej packed up first, keeping his eyes on his hands.
e: “do you want a ride?”
he asked quietly. you shook your head.
y: “i’m fine. it’s not far.”
he nodded, hesitated, then walked out without another word. you stood in silence, waiting for nico to say something snarky. but he didn’t. not at first. when you finally glanced at him, he wasn’t smiling.
n: “you’ve got him wrapped around your finger already.”
he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
y: “i didn’t do anything.”
n: “that’s the problem.”
you stared at him.
y: “what’s that supposed to mean?”
nico leaned in, breath brushing your ear.
n: “you don’t even see what you do to people, do you?”
your pulse spiked.
y: “you’re overreacting.”
he laughed, low and sharp.
n: “maybe.”
he didn’t say goodnight. just walked off, hands in his pockets, like he didn’t need you to follow, but would lose his mind if you ever did. and behind him, you were left wondering which of them you were really trying not to think about.
you didn’t plan to stay late.
you told yourself it would be quick. a ten-minute print job and a quiet walk home. no drama, no distractions, no messy in-between glances from the two boys who never made it easy to focus. you didn’t expect the air in the room to shift the moment you bent over the printer tray. but of course, it did.
n: "you always hang around campus this late?"
you froze at the sound of nico’s voice behind you. he said it like a joke, but his tone was too smooth. too casual. like he already knew you were there.
y: "jesus, nico, do you sneak up on people for fun?"
you muttered, snatching the last paper from the tray.
n: "depends on the person, and the view."
he said, stepping in close enough for you to feel the warmth of him behind you you rolled your eyes, turning to face him.
y: "i’m not in the mood."
he raised both hands in mock surrender but didn’t back off.
n: "okay, okay. i’ll behave. scouts honor."
y: "you were never a scout."
he grinned.
n: "maybe not the uniformed kind."
you narrowed your eyes, but didn’t push him away when he leaned a little closer, eyes flicking between yours like he was trying to read your next move.
n: "you been dodging me?"
he asked, voice softer now, almost quiet. like the room shrunk and he didn’t want to share it with anyone else.
y: "no, i’ve just bee-"
n: "busy, right. i get it. with ej, right?"
you blinked, caught off guard.
y: "what are you talking about?"
nico tilted his head.
n: "he’s always around. looking at you like he’s writing poetry in his head."
y: "that’s not true."
he leaned a little closer. his hand braced on the table beside you, fingers grazing your notebook.
n: "he likes you, and you're letting him."
nico said, low and steady. you stared at him, throat dry.
y: "what, are you jealous now?"
you managed. he laughed under his breath, but it didn’t sound like a joke.
n: "maybe. i mean, i saw you first, didn’t i?"
you shook your head.
y: "this isn’t a race."
nico’s eyes dropped to your lips.
n: "isn’t it?"
his mouth barely brushed the corner of yours. not a kiss. not really. but enough to burn. enough to scramble your thoughts. your eyes fluttered shut for a second too long. and then:
e: "what the hell are you doing?"
ej’s voice cracked through the air, sharp and raw and nothing like the boy you met in week one. you stepped back, fast. like you’d been caught doing something wrong. like you weren’t sure if you had. ej stood in the doorway, eyes wide and unreadable. hurt and fury crashing into each other on his face. nico didn’t move.
e: "seriously? you couldn’t help yourself?"
n: "relax, we were talking."
e: "looked like more than that."
your chest tightened.
y: "ej"
you started, but he wasn’t listening. his gaze flicked to you, and for the first time since you met, it felt like he didn’t recognize you. nico stepped forward.
n: "don’t act like this is all one-sided. you’ve been staring at her for weeks like a kicked puppy. you want her to fall in love with your sad little smiles?"
e: "shut the fuck up."
ej growled. nico smirked.
n: "truth hurts, huh?"
ej shoved him, harder this time. not playful. not restrained. it sent nico stumbling into the table with a dull thud.
y: "stop! are you two serious right now?"
e: "he started it."
y: "jesus, you sound like children."
nico rubbed his jaw.
n:"you think i’m the problem, sweetheart?"
you turned on him.
y: "right now? yeah, i do."
something shifted behind his eyes. a crack in his mask.
n: "whatever, i’ll see you at the next session. maybe you’ll have made up your mind by then."
he said coldly, brushing past you. he left without another word. ej didn’t follow him. but he didn’t look at you either.
e: "you let him touch you."
he said, voice quiet now. not angry. just tired. you couldn’t respond. because he was right. and you didn’t know why. he picked up your forgotten paper and handed it to you without meeting your eyes.
e: "i’ll finish the slides, go home."
you took it from him with trembling fingers. he didn’t wait for you to leave. you didn’t see nico for two days. not on campus. not in class. not online. he didn’t text, didn’t call. just disappeared like nothing had happened. but the moment you walked into the library’s back hallway again, he was already there. waiting for you.
n: "took you long enough."
he said casually, like he hadn’t ignited a firestorm and walked away. you hesitated in the doorway.
y: "i wasn’t planning to see you."
n: "good thing i plan enough for both of us."
you folded your arms.
y: "you always this smug?"
nico took a step toward you. then another.
n: "only when it works,"
he said, voice dropping.
y: "you and ej-"
n: "-aren’t your problem, not anymore."
y: "what does that mean?"
you blinked. nico reached you in three strides, hands framing your waist but not touching. holding the space, like a warning. or a dare.
n: "he wants you soft, quiet. safe."
he tilted your chin up, gently.
n: "but i know you better than that."
you opened your mouth to argue, but his thumb brushed your lower lip, and the words caught in your throat.
n: "you like the way i talk to you, you like when i don’t hold back."
he said, mouth nearly against yours. your breath stuttered.
n: "and you like knowing you make me lose my mind,"
he whispered. then he kissed you. this time, real. hot, rough, breathless. one hand in your hair, the other at your waist, gripping tight like he could feel ej's presence between your ribs and wanted to rip it out.
you gasped against his mouth. he swallowed the sound. you didn’t stop him. not when his hand slid lower. not when he pulled you back against the shelves and kissed you like he’d been waiting for this since the first time he saw you in class. he didn’t say your name. but he said everything else with his mouth on your skin. and when you finally pulled back, breathless and trembling, he didn’t look smug anymore. he looked ruined.
n: "you drive me fucking crazy,"
he whispered. you didn’t answer. but you didn’t walk away either. you didn’t sleep that night. maybe you closed your eyes for a few hours, but your brain wouldn’t shut off. every time you started to drift, you saw nico’s eyes again. felt the weight of his hands. remembered the sound you made when his mouth finally crashed against yours.
and worse, you saw ej’s face when he caught you the first time. you didn’t know how to make any of it make sense. by the time you got to campus, the sky was pale and gray and your stomach was hollow. the halls were quiet when you slipped into the study room, but the moment you pushed the door open, you froze.
ej was already there. his head turned the second the door creaked. his eyes landed on yours, unreadable. low. he didn’t say anything. neither did you. you sat across from him instead of beside him like you always used to. and that alone made the silence worse. his voice was quieter when he finally spoke.
e: “so, you picked him.”
your throat tightened.
y: “i di-”
e: “you did, it’s okay. i just wanted to hear you say it.”
he said, cutting you off. you looked down. fingers gripping your pen like it could hold you up.
y: “it wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”
e: “but it did.”
he didn’t raise his voice. that almost made it worse. you tried to meet his eyes, but he wasn’t looking at you anymore. just at the papers in front of him. like the words there mattered more than what was breaking between you.
y: “i didn’t mean to hurt you.”
ej breathed out through his nose. his hands were tight around his pencil.
e: “he doesn’t deserve you, he doesn’t even know what he wants.”
he said quietly. you bit your tongue. he wasn’t wrong.
nico didn’t talk about feelings. he didn’t open up. he just acted, always sharp, always fast, like he was afraid of giving you enough space to walk away. and for a moment, maybe longer than a moment that had thrilled you. it made you feel seen. like the only one in the room. but now, sitting across from ej, you felt the weight of something else.
y: “you think i chose him, but it wasn’t about choosing.”
ej looked at you again. his eyes weren’t angry anymore. they were just tired.
e: “i don’t know how to be around you.”
he admitted. you blinked.
e: “every time i see you, i think about him, touching you. kissing you. making you feel things i wanted to.”
your heart twisted.
y: “ej…”
he shook his head.
e: “you don’t have to explain. i just… i need to figure out if i can still be around you without it killing me.”
he gathered his things before you could answer.
e: “i’ll see you next week,”
he said, already heading for the door. you wanted to call after him. but the guilt in your throat made your voice stick. you were left alone in the room, the air colder than when you walked in. you should’ve felt satisfied. you got what you wanted or at least something close to it. but as you stared at the chair ej left behind, the heat in your chest from last night faded. and all that was left was pressure.
you feel it before you see either of them. it’s in the way the classroom’s too quiet. the way your chest tightens before you open the door. like your body already knows you’re stepping into something heavy. something loaded.
they’re both there when you arrive. ej sits at the edge of the table, arms crossed, staring at the whiteboard like it owes him something. nico is lounging in the far corner, legs stretched out, spinning a pen between his fingers like he’s got nowhere else to be.
neither of them look at you when you enter. but you feel their attention anyway. it clings to your skin. you slide into your usual seat, backpack barely off your shoulder before nico speaks.
n: “morning, sweetheart.”
you flinch. he’s never said it like that. not in front of ej. not like a statement — a claim. ej doesn’t respond. his shoulders are stiff, jaw tense, still not meeting your eyes.
y: “nico..”
you warn under your breath. he smirks without looking at you.
n: “what? can’t a guy greet his favorite girl?”
y: “don’t.”
you say softly. he finally turns to face you.
n: “you weren’t saying that last night.”
ej’s chair scrapes loudly across the floor. you whip around.
y: “ej..”
e: “don’t, just… don’t.”
n: “what, you’re mad i’m honest?”
e: “you’re not honest. you’re selfish.”
nico’s eyes narrow.
n: “and what are you? the quiet nice guy waiting for a thank-you handjob after finals?”
y: “guys..”
you snap, but neither of them stop. ej steps forward, voice tight.
e: “you don’t even care about her. she’s just another game to you.”
nico stands now too. the air thickens. heavy. volatile.
n: “oh, and you’re the savior? please, you had months to tell her how you felt. you watched me flirt with her every day and didn’t do shit. so don’t act like some tragic hero now.”
ej laughs bitterly.
e: “i was trying to respect her. not trap her.”
n: “respect? is that what we’re calling cowardice now?”
you stand, heart pounding.
y: “you’re both insane, this isn’t about me. this is about you two. you’re trying to win a fight that doesn’t exist.”
e: “it does to us.”
ej says quietly. nico adds.
n: “it’s always existed. you just didn’t see it.”
you back away, stunned by how similar their voices sound in that moment not just in words, but in desperation.
y: “this is sick, you’re supposed to be best friends.”
neither answers. but they both look at you like you’re the only thing they care about. and that’s somehow worse. you grab your bag.
y: “i’m done for today, you guys figure out whatever the hell this is.”
e: “wait, don’t leave like this.”
ej says, softer now. nico steps forward.
n: “come on, you know he’s just twisting this. he’s upset because you picked me.”
y: “i didn’t pick anyone, you kissed me. that’s not the same.”
nico’s smirk falters. ej exhales like he’s been holding his breath for days.
and just like that, it’s clear:
you haven’t chosen yet. and that knowledge splits the room in two. you leave them standing there, alone with their silence. but when the door shuts behind you, your hands are shaking. because you know it’s only going to get worse. you don’t go to class the next morning.
you tell yourself it’s because you’re tired. because you stayed up too late rewriting your notes. because you needed space. but the truth is louder than your excuses. you don’t want to see either of them.
not after what happened. not after what was said. nico’s voice still rings in your ears, sharp and smug and too certain: “he’s upset because you picked me.” and ej’s quiet, wounded: “i was trying to respect her.” you hadn’t meant to break them.
they were supposed to be a team. a pair. you were never supposed to be part of that equation. but somehow you became the sum of their undoing. by nightfall, you’re still restless. still wired from everything that wasn’t said. and then your phone buzzes.
nico: “open your door.”
you hesitate. another buzz.
nico: “i’m not leaving until i see you.”
you curse under your breath and drag yourself to the door. he’s leaning against the hallway wall, hoodie slung over one shoulder, looking like he hasn’t slept. you fold your arms.
y: “what do you want?”
he pushes off the wall and steps closer.
n: “you didn’t answer my texts.”
y: “maybe that should’ve told you something.”
n: “yeah, that i pissed you off. which… i do. a lot.”
you blink.
y: “was that an apology?”
he shrugs.
y: “close enough.”
you let him in. it’s tense, silence thick enough to drown in. he sits on the edge of your bed like it’s still his place to be, and you lean against the desk, arms crossed, heart pounding in your ears.
n: “you didn’t choose me, i get it.”
you don’t respond. he looks up at you, calmer this time, but his eyes still burn.
n: “but you didn’t choose him either.”
that’s the thing, isn’t it? nico never lets you forget the power you’re holding. and he makes you feel it, too. every glance, every touch, every smirk pulling you further in. he stands now, slow and deliberate.
n: “you want me.”
he says, voice low. and when his hands settle on your hips, you don’t stop him. not yet. you shouldn’t let him touch you.
not like this. not when everything still feels so broken. not when ej’s voice is still echoing somewhere in the back of your mind, quiet and wounded and begging you not to leave.
but nico is here. nico is present. and the moment his hands are on your waist, you stop thinking about anything else. his grip is firm as he presses you into the wall, thumb brushing under your jaw while his eyes flick over your face like he’s memorizing every part of you.
n: “you’ve been avoiding me.”
y: “i needed time.”
n: “i get it. i said some shit. i pushed. but i meant what i said, you want me.”
you start to speak, but he cuts you off with a kiss. it’s desperate. not just wanting, but needing. like he’s afraid you’ll disappear again. you kiss him back, just as hungry. he lifts you with ease and carries you to the bed, setting you down like you’re fragile then crawling over you like he’s starved.
n: “ive been thinking about this all week, you walking around with that mouth. those fucking eyes. like you don’t know what you do to me.”
he mutters, tugging your shirt over your head. his words make you shiver. not just from arousal, but from how true they feel. how raw. you reach for him, but he grabs your wrists gently and pins them above your head.
n: “not yet, just let me… look at you.”
his gaze drags down your body, slow, reverent, almost too much to hold. then his mouth is on your chest, kissing down between your breasts, teeth grazing skin as he works his way lower. your hips lift when he hooks his fingers in the waistband of your shorts, pulling them down along with your panties in one smooth motion. he groans when he sees how wet you are.
n: “fuck, baby, you wanted this too, huh?”
you don’t answer. you don’t have to. he lowers his head and licks a stripe up your slit, lips closing around your clit without hesitation. your whole body jerks, a choked moan slipping from your throat as he sucks and teases until your legs are trembling.
he flattens his tongue and moves slower, savoring the way you fall apart under him. you try to move your hands, but he’s suddenly grabbing your thighs, holding them wide.
n: “stay open for me, let me take my time.”
your head falls back. the room spins. he eats you like he’s starving, tongue thrusting in and out, nose pressed to your skin, moaning against you like the taste alone is driving him crazy.
and when you cum loud and gasping, hips twitching beneath his mouth he doesn’t stop. just keeps licking you through it, dragging out every second until you’re writhing beneath him. he finally pulls away, lips shiny, face flushed.
n: “look at me.”
he’s already pulling off his shirt, unbuckling his jeans.
n: “say it, say you missed me.”
you hesitate, but the truth is written all over your body.
y: “i missed you..”
you whisper. he climbs over you, lining himself up, eyes locked on yours. then he pushes in. you gasp, hands flying to his back as he fills you slowly, inch by inch. he curses under his breath, forehead pressed to yours.
n: “youre so fucking tight.”
he starts to move, long, deep strokes that leave you gasping, clinging to him.
n: “this what you needed? me? like this?”
you nod, barely able to breathe. he thrusts harder now—gripping your hips, forcing you to take every inch. the sound of skin on skin fills the room, louder than your moans, louder than your guilt. he kisses you again, open-mouthed and messy. then he grabs your throat just enough to hold you still and fucks you faster.
n: “look at me.”
you do.
n: “don’t think about him. think about me.”
he fucks you through another orgasm, watching you fall apart beneath him. and when he cums. groaning your name, burying himself deep, he doesn’t pull out right away.
he just breathes. soft, ragged. then he kisses you again. gentle this time. almost like an apology. you lie there together, tangled and sticky and quiet. but the silence isn’t peaceful. it’s just heavy. because you know this isn’t over. not with ej.
you don’t see ej the next day. but you feel him. everywhere. every time your phone buzzes. every time your door creaks. every time someone says your name in class.
he’s there. in your mind, in your chest, sitting like a stone behind your ribs. nico’s hoodie is still on your floor. you stare at it for hours before finally shoving it in your laundry basket like that’ll erase anything. then you open your messages.
you: “can we talk?”
no response. you stare at the screen long enough to go blind. and then there’s a knock. not a text. not a call.
a knock.
you open the door without thinking. ej’s standing there. his hair’s a mess. his eyes are bloodshot. he looks like he hasn’t slept.
e: “hi.”
he says. you step aside, and he walks in. he doesn’t sit. just stands there. silent. like he’s waiting for you to lie.
e: “you saw him.”
you don’t answer.
e: “did you sleep with him?”
you flinch. his voice isn’t angry. it’s worse. it’s broken.
y: “ej…”
e: “just tell me.”
you meet his eyes. and say nothing. his face twists. like he knew. like he always knew, but hearing it out loud was still a knife.
e: “he doesn’t deserve you.”
he says softly. you blink back tears.
y: “i didn’t choose..”
e: “you did, you didn’t say it. but you did.”
y: “i didn’t know how to fix this.”
e: “you didn’t have to fix it, you just had to be honest.”
you step forward, heart pounding.
y: “i’m sorry.”
he laughs bitterly.
e: “you think that makes it better?”
you shake your head.
y: “i don’t know. i ju-”
he grabs your face, gently. thumbs brushing under your eyes.
e: “i never wanted to make this a competition, but i’m not gonna pretend i don’t want you. not anymore.”
your breath catches. he leans in, but stops just short of kissing you.
e: “choose me, just once.”
you stare at him. eyes wide, lips parted, pulse racing and you realize you can’t. because you still want both. and ej sees it in your silence. he steps back. the air shifts again.
e: “choose me.”
he whispers. your breath catches in your throat. he’s so close you can smell him, the faint cologne he always wears, the detergent on his hoodie, something warmer beneath it. something like longing. you stare up at him, trembling.
y: “ej…”
his fingers brush your jaw. so gentle it makes your eyes sting. you feel like you’re standing on the edge of something sharp, something dangerous. and he’s the one holding you steady, even as the world around you threatens to tilt.
e: “you don’t have to say anything, just… let me have this. just once.”
your resolve crumbles. because you do want this. you want him. not just his touch, but all of him. the restraint. the pain. the way he always watched you like he already knew what he couldn’t have.
you grab his hoodie, fists curling into the fabric, and pull him in. you kiss him like you’re making up for every second he waited. like your mouth can give him an answer where your words failed. he groans against you. soft, aching, and kisses you deeper, lips moving like he’s afraid to stop, like if he pulls away he might break.
his hands settle on your waist, pulling you closer until your bodies are flush. you can feel him, hard, twitching against your thigh through his jeans. the heat between your legs pulses in response. he walks you backward, slow and careful, until your calves hit the edge of your bed. then he stops. searches your face.
e: “you sure?”
you nod, fast.
y: “yes..”
he exhales like he’s been holding that breath all year.
e: “mmk.”
he kisses you again. you fall back onto the mattress, pulling him with you, legs parting instinctively. he kisses down your neck, your collarbone, pausing to mouth at the hollow of your throat. his hands are shaking as he peels off your shirt, like he still can’t believe you’re letting him do this. he stares at your chest for a long moment.
e: “god, you’re so beautiful.”
he whispers, almost to himself. you shiver. his mouth finds your breast, tongue circling your nipple before sucking gently. one hand slides down your stomach, resting just above the waistband of your shorts. he looks up again.
e: “can i?”
you nod, breathless.
y: “please..”
he slips his hand beneath the fabric, fingers slipping through slick heat.
e: “fuck, you’re so wet already…”
you whimper when he slides a finger inside, curling just right. his thumb strokes your clit in slow circles while he kisses you, swallowing your sounds.
e: “been dreaming about this, every night. touching you. making you feel good.”
you buck against his hand. he groans.
e: “you don’t know what you do to me.”
you push his hoodie off his shoulders, fumbling for the hem of his shirt. he helps you, yanking it over his head, then shedding the rest until he’s naked above you, hard and flushed and beautiful. your breath catches. he catches it too.
e: “what is it?”
he asks. you shake your head. he smiles softly, just once. then he leans down to kiss you again, deeper now, hand guiding himself between your legs. he pauses at your entrance.
e: “last chance.”
he says, voice hoarse. you wrap your legs around him.
y: “please, ej..”
he pushes in. slowly, carefully, like he’s savoring every inch. your head tips back, a moan spilling from your lips. he holds still once he’s fully inside, arms braced on either side of your head, breathing hard.
e: “fuck, you feel… so good.”
you squeeze around him, and he shudders. he starts to move, gentle at first, like he’s trying to memorize the rhythm of your body. the stretch. the sound of your moans.
e: “you’re doing so good for me, taking me so well…”
you wrap your arms around his neck, dragging him down for another kiss. his hips snap forward, hitting deeper, harder. your back arches off the bed.
y: “ej-”
he groans, picking up pace, fucking you harder now. your legs lock around his waist, nails digging into his back. each thrust sends sparks flying up your spine.
e: “tell me i’m not just your second choice, tell me you want me too.”
you nod, sobbing his name.
y: “i do. i do. i always have.”
his thrusts get rougher, more erratic.
e: “you’re mine, say it.”
y: “i’m yours.”
he presses his forehead to yours.
e: “say it again.”
y: “i’m yours, ej. i’m yours.”
you cum on a choked sob, clenching around him so hard he swears. he fucks you through it, moaning into your neck.
e: “gonna cum, inside. want you full of me.”
you nod frantically.
y: “d-do it, p-please.”
he slams into you once more, hips stuttering, cock throbbing, and cums with a low groan, spilling deep inside you. he collapses over you, shaking, chest heaving. you lie there, still connected, hearts pounding. his hand finds yours, fingers lacing. neither of you speak. because you both know this isn’t the end. you don’t expect nico to show up. not that early. not without warning.
you’re still in ej’s shirt, hair messy, body sore from the night before, when you open the door and there he is. arms crossed. jaw tight. a storm behind his eyes.
n: “so, he got to you.”
y: “nico-”
n: “don’t, don’t lie to me. not after everything.”
he says, stepping inside without being invited. you close the door behind him, heart racing.
y: “i wasn’t going to lie.”
he laughs. sharp, bitter.
n: “really? because it smells like him in here.”
you flinch. nico steps closer. he’s not yelling. he doesn’t need to. the way he looks at you is louder than anything he could say.
n: “he played you, waited until i made a move, then swooped in like the pathetic little coward he is.”
y: “it wasn’t like that..”
n: “wasn’t it?”
y: “you’re one to talk. you kissed me without even asking. you flirted with me in front of him, like i was a prize to wave around.”
n: “because i knew how he felt. and i knew he wouldn’t do shit about it, i was trying to shake him. trying to make him admit it.”
y: “this isn’t about him.”
n: “you’re right, it’s about you. and how badly i fucking want you.”
he says, stepping closer again. you freeze. he’s inches from you now. breathing hard. eyes flicking from your mouth to your neck to the shirt you’re wearing ej’s shirt.
n: “take it off.”
y: “what?”
n: “you heard me.”
you hesitate. he steps even closer, voice dropping.
n: “you let him touch you. fine. but now it’s my turn.”
y: “this isn’t a gam-”
n: “i’m not playing.”
he grabs the hem of the shirt and pulls it up, slow, until you lift your arms and let him take it off. his eyes drag down your bare chest, darkening.
n: “you let him see this? i thought id be the only one”
you nod, lips parted, trembling.
y: “nico…”
he kisses you like he’s trying to erase the memory of ej’s mouth. all teeth and tongue, messy and rough, like he needs to mark you before someone else does again. he backs you into the wall, hands everywhere, gripping your waist, palming your ass, pulling you flush against the bulge in his jeans. you gasp when you feel how hard he is.
n: “watching you act so sweet while i’m dying to bend you over this fucking des-”
y: “do it then”
you pant. his eyes flick up, burning. you reach for his zipper. that’s all it takes. nico spins you around and presses you to the desk, yanking your panties down your legs. you moan when he grabs your hips, grinding against your ass. he’s rough, desperate, all fire and frustration. lining himself up.
n: “you let him touch what’s mine.”
you cry out when he thrusts in. no warning, no time to adjust. he’s thick and fast, fucking you like he’s trying to bury every ounce of anger into you.
y: “nico!”
he holds your hips tight, fucking you deep, voice shaking.
n: “say my name again.”
you moan it, louder. he groans.
n: “just like that. you sound so fucking good when you’re full of me.”
your fingers curl against the desk. your legs shake from the pace. he’s so deep it feels like he’s claiming you from the inside out. he leans over, chest pressed to your back.
n: “even when you’re with him. your eyes are mine.”
you sob, the pleasure overwhelming.
n: “say it, say you belong to me”
y: “i belong to you”
you choke out. he slams into you harder.
n: “who fucks you like this?”
y: “you-”
he growls, fucking you faster. your knees nearly give out, but he catches you, holding you up as you cum around him trembling, loud, eyes rolling back.
n: “fuc-”
y: “cum in me. please..”
he groans, spilling into you with a rough, broken sound. hips twitching. breath ragged. when he finally stills, he stays inside you for a moment, hand splayed over your stomach like he’s trying to brand himself there. you both stay silent. and then, from the doorway:
e: “so this is what i walked in on.”
you both freeze. ej. your head whips around. nico looks up, still buried inside you. ej leans against the doorframe, arms crossed. and he doesn’t look mad. he looks like he expected it.
e: “guess we’re really doing this,”
he says. you pull your panties up slowly, shaking, heart racing. nico doesn’t move. ej steps forward.
e: “fine, if you can’t pick one of us then don’t.”
y: “what does that mean?”
e: “it means we figure it out. together.”
your heart skips a beat. because somehow, in that moment, neither of them look like they’re fighting anymore. they look like they’ve made a decision. and you’re still caught right in the center of it. you don’t speak. not at first.
not when ej closes the door. not when nico zips his jeans back up halfway, heart in his throat. not when both boys stare at you like they’re waiting to see if you’ll run. you don’t run.
you just look at ej. slowly. carefully. like you’re trying to find a trace of the boy who blushed during your first study session. the one who used to speak quietly, softly, like you were something to protect. but that boy’s gone now. the man standing in front of you is different. still gentle, still steady but not soft anymore.
he walks up to nico, close enough to make your pulse skip. you almost flinch, bracing for another fight. but ej doesn’t raise a fist. doesn’t even look angry. he just says, low and even:
e: “you always get there first, huh?”
n: “you always wait too long,”
he mutters. they stare at each other. then ej turns to you.
e: “you want both of us, don’t you?”
your mouth opens. closes. opens again.
y: “i-”
n: “don’t lie, not now.”
you nod. you don’t mean to. it just… happens.
y: “yes, i want both of you..”
you whisper. they look at each other again. not like enemies this time. like two people sharing a secret they never wanted to speak aloud. ej steps closer to you. he brushes a strand of hair from your face, tilts your chin up. his eyes are soft again, but his fingers tremble as they slide down your jaw.
e: “then let us give you everything, for once, let your pleasure come first.”
nico’s behind you now, pulling you back toward him, his hands finding your hips like he never stopped touching you. you don’t realize you’re crying until ej kisses the tears off your cheek.
e: “we’ve been so selfish,”
ej murmurs. nico groans.
n: “no. we just want you.”
your shirt is gone in seconds. your knees hit the edge of the bed.
they strip you slowly but not delicately. their hands are fast, greedy. you don’t even know whose fingers are on your waist, your thighs, your chest. it’s just heat and breath and pressure. then you’re on your back.
ej’s between your legs, kissing your stomach. nico’s kneeling beside you, palming your breast, biting at your neck. you’re dizzy from how full your body feels. kissing lower. nico snorts.
n: “hurry the fuck up.”
you cry out when ej’s tongue slides between your folds, slow at first, then firmer, deeper. nico holds your hand down beside your head, smirking when you arch up into ej’s mouth.
n: “fuck, you’re loud now, you weren’t this noisy with me earlier.”
y: “sh-shut up..”
you pant. ej hums against your clit, sending sparks through you.
you’re shaking by the time he slides two fingers into you. slow and smooth, curling perfectly. your body jerks when nico leans down to suck at your nipple, tongue flicking fast. your whole body is being touched. explored. ruined.
e: “you’re perfect like this.”
voice hoarse. nico kisses your jaw.
n: “you’re ours like this.”
you cum so hard your vision whites out. but they don’t stop.
n: “don’t tap out, you asked for this.”
nico warns, shoving his jeans down. you don’t protest. not when ej slides up behind you, letting you rest your head on his shoulder.
not when nico pushes your legs open again and sinks into you, groaning deep. not when you cry into ej’s neck, overwhelmed and raw and still aching from the orgasm.
e: “shh. i got you. just breathe.”
nico thrusts hard. fast. you feel every inch, stretched and slick, your thighs trembling. and then ej’s hand is between your legs again, two fingers sliding in beside nico’s cock, rubbing your walls, sending shocks of overstimulation through your core.
y: “ej- fuc- i ca-”
e: “yes, you can, you’re so strong, baby. take it. let us love you.”
nico groans, thrusting deeper.
n: “you’re so fucking tight like this.”
you sob. they keep going. you lose track of how many times you cum. it’s a blur of moaning and choking on their names and clenching so hard around them that nico has to stop and bite your shoulder.
n: “you’re gonna kill me, you feel too good.”
ej strokes your hair, lips brushing your temple.
e: “she’s perfect. she’s everything.”
nico cums first. messy and loud, hips stuttering, pulling out just in time to spill across your stomach.
ej doesn’t wait. he lays you down, slides in, slow and deep, and makes love to you like you’re the only thing that’s ever mattered.
he kisses your tears away. you cry harder. and when you cum with him, it’s not from pressure. it’s from the feeling of being wanted. held. chosen. not by one. but by both.
you wake up sore.
throat dry. legs aching. skin too warm beneath the sheets, pressed between two bodies like a shared secret. you try not to move. you don’t want to wake them.
you can feel nico behind you, his chest against your back, an arm heavy around your waist. and in front of you, ej. facing you, his lashes still low against his cheeks, breathing soft.
you think maybe it’s a dream. until nico shifts behind you and lets out a groggy little noise against your neck.
n: “you awake?”
he mumbles, lips grazing your skin. you don’t answer. you can’t trust your voice.
e: “she’s awake.”
ej murmurs, eyes cracking open.
n: “mm, she sore?”
nico hums, pressing a sleepy kiss to your shoulder. you nod. barely. they both smile like they’ve won something.
e: “poor baby. did we break you?”
ej says, sliding his hand down your side.
y: “no, just… overwhelmed.”
n: “yeah? you want us to stop, then?”
you hesitate. and that’s all they need.
e: “you don’t.”
ej says softly. nico’s hand is already sliding between your thighs, slow and teasing.
e: “you want more?”
you nod again, breath catching.
e: “say it.”
ej murmurs, voice deeper now.
y: “i d-”
n: “fuck, you’re insatiable.”
nico groans, rolling you slightly onto your back.
e: “she’s perfect. can never get enough.”
they take their time. nico kisses your stomach, your hips, the inside of your thighs. ej kisses your mouth, slow and deep, his hand holding your jaw like you might disappear if he lets go.
n: “still so wet, did we ever even let you come down?”
nico mutters, licking a slow stripe up your folds. you whimper. ej slides two fingers inside you, curling gently.
e: “open up, baby. let us in again.”
they don’t rush. this time, it’s not frantic. not a battle for who gets more of you. it’s slower. passionate.
nico keeps his mouth on your pussy until you’re shaking again, thighs trembling against his shoulders. ej holds your hand the entire time, kissing your temple, whispering praises you barely hear over your moans.
e: “such a good girl.”
e: “taking us so well.”
e: “you make us crazy.”
you cum with your legs locked around nico’s head and ej’s thumb circling your clit the second orgasm sneaking up on you too fast.
they don’t stop. not when your breath hitches. not when you whine their names. not when your back arches off the bed and you sob out a broken
y: “i ca- i can’t aga-”
e: “yes, you can, just one more, baby. we’ve got you.”
nico groans, rutting against the mattress.
n: “fuck, i need to be inside her again.”
ej nods.
e: “go ahead.”
n: “what about you?”
e: “i’m already in her, her heart.”
it’s the softest jealousy you’ve ever heard. and it makes you clench around nothing. nico doesn’t waste time. he pushes in with a desperate sound, burying himself inside you in one slow thrust.
n: “jesus, you’re soaked. like you need us now.”
you do. ej kisses you as nico fucks into you. his fingers find your clit again, rubbing tight circles. his lips move with yours like a promise. like a goodbye. like a beginning.
and when you cum, again. with tears sliding down your cheeks, nico spilling into you seconds later, ej pulling you into his arms like he’s afraid to let go. you finally understand something:this isn’t just a tie. it’s not a mistake. not a glitch. not a moment of weakness. it’s real. and it’s not going away. you fall asleep between them again. sore. full. loved. wondering how the hell any of you are going to survive finals week. but maybe, if they’re next to you… you won’t have to survive anything alone anymore.
