REALISM
CHAPTER EIGHT | FRENCH GUY
→ Pairing: Theo (as Hwang Hyunjin) x reader (female) → AU-Genre(s): dark romance, mature, mafia → Trope: forbidden romance, sin-evil, passion, slow-burn. → Rating: mature/explicit (this is mature/explicit content, so you have been warned.) → Word count: 5.8K → warnings + triggers: smut, NSFW, +21, drunk sex, crying,
→ Author’s note: Realism is the sequel to a dark mafia romance. It explores desire, deception, and the pull of the forbidden.
This story is also written by two authors. Both are working on the two main lead couples as well as the other side couples. Please read with caution. For those who stay, welcome to a world where love and darkness intertwine.
Small note: when you see this font, it means they are speaking French.
This chapter Moon's pov .
His hot, ragged breathing was so close to your skin, and it sent chills all over your body. Theo's hand moved away from your shirt, and suddenly, he wrapped his arms around your neck and pulled you closer. He pressed his body against yours, and then spoke in a low, shaky voice.
"You… smell so good.."
His words were a little slurred due to his drunken state, but it didn't make them any less clear. Tho moved even closer; his body was now fully pressed against yours, and he started to run his nose gently along the side of your neck.
He inhaled more deeply, like an addict who had just found a new source of his addiction.
Your skin felt so sensitive everywhere he touched, and your heart rate felt like it was increasing by the second. Theo continued to breathe in your scent, seemingly entranced by it. Then he began trailing light kisses down your neck; his soft lips against your skin felt so incredibly good, and it was all you could do to hold back a whimper.
His lips pressed gently against a sensitive spot on your neck, and he let out a small moan, sending shivers down your spine. He continued to kiss and lightly suck on that same spot as if he was making it his territory. You could feel the heat radiating from his body as he held you closer, almost as if he'd never get enough of you.
Theo's hands slid under your shirt, and his fingers lightly caressed your skin, tracing the curve of your waist. His body was completely pressed against yours, and his scent was intoxicating. He continued to kiss your neck, moving up to lightly bite your earlobe. Then he whispered in a low, seductive tone.
"You're driving me crazy...''
The sound of his voice, combined with the way his fingers were running across your skin, sent another wave of goosebumps across your body. You could feel the heat of his breath as he spoke, and it only seemed to fuel your growing desire. You tried to find something to say, but all that came out of your mouth were soft gasps. Theo chuckled darkly into your ear, and then he spoke again. His words were like a drug.
"Make love with me. ''
His words were a command, and you felt a sudden mix of excitement and trepidation. Theo continued tracing his fingers along your skin, his touch leaving a trail of fire wherever he went. Then he suddenly lifted you up, wrapping your legs around his hips and pinning you against the wall, his body pressed so close that you could feel every contour of his muscles. He looked into your eyes and leaned in even closer, his lips hovering inches away from yours.
"Please.."
He whispered, his voice low and rough with desire. You could see the mix of emotions in his gaze: anticipation, need, and a hint of uncertainty. He was vulnerable here, his usual confident facade crumbled beneath the weight of his arousal. He leaned in even closer, his lips barely touching yours, and then he spoke again.
"Let me make love with you, I will make you forget him.''
Your mind was reeling, his eyes boring into yours as he waited for your response. His hold on you was strong, but there was something in his gaze that made you believe him. You took a deep breath, your rational thoughts clouded by the overwhelming desire that was coursing through you.
Before you could even think about it, your hand moved up to his cheek, and then you pulled him closer, capturing his lips with yours in a desperate, hungry kiss. His grip on you tightened as he kissed you back with the same intensity, his body molding against yours as he pressed you more solidly against the wall.
He started tracing his tongue over your bottom lip, seeking entry into your mouth. You let out a soft moan, which he took as an invitation to deepen the kiss. His tongue explored your mouth, as if he were trying to memorize every little detail. His free hand began to roam over your body, touching everywhere he could reach.
He broke the kiss, his lips moving down to your jaw, then your neck, as he pressed kisses in every sensitive spot he could find. He nipped at the skin, making you shiver in pleasure. You could feel his own excitement as he held you so close, his body responding to every little sound you made… Then he whispered into your ear.
"I'm better than him, you know that.''
His possessiveness in his voice made you shiver. It was as if he wanted to erase every memory you had with Jimin. His fingers dug into your skin as he continued to kiss your neck, moving down to your collarbone. He pressed his body harder against you.
''Just say yes, I can make you the happiest person in the world, I can make you happy. Not him.''
You felt overwhelmed by the intensity of his touches and words, your own body responding to his ministrations. There was a hint of desperation in his tone, as if he was trying to convince you to choose him, to give in to the desire that was threatening to consume you both.
He continued to whisper into your ear.
''Let me prove it to you, I'll make you scream my name instead of his.''
He suddenly lifted you up completely, still pinning you against the wall, and you instinctively wrapped your legs tighter around his waist. His hands were everywhere, roaming over your thighs, your hips, your waist, as if he was trying to memorize your every curve. He looked into your eyes and spoke again, his voice gruff and low.
"Say you're mine, baby, just say it. Please.''
The possessive note in his voice, coupled with the sight of him holding you like that, was making it difficult for you to think straight. His eyes were dark with desire, his grip on you firm as he held you in a way that left no doubt who was in control. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, and you knew that you were powerless to resist him.
He waited for your response, his eyes never leaving yours. The tension was palpable in the air, the only sound being your mingled breathing and the occasional moan that escaped your lips. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against your ear as he repeated his words, his voice dripping with desire.
"Say you're mine. Say you want me. Let me show you how good it can be with me.''
You couldn't find the words to respond, your mind and body too overcome with sensations. With your legs wrapped around his waist and your bodies pressed so closely together, you could feel everything- his growing arousal, the tension in his muscles, the heat of his skin. It was all too much. He knew exactly what he was doing to you, and he wasn't about to let you go without hearing those words.
Theo's lips trailed up to your ear, his teeth gently grazing the sensitive skin. He lightly bit your earlobe before speaking again, his voice a low, commanding whisper.
''Say it. I want to hear it from your lips.''
He punctuated the words with a roll of his hips, pressing himself even more firmly against you. You could feel how excited he was, and it only fueled your own desire.
''Tell me that I'm better than him, that you love me, that you want to be with me.''
The words were getting harder and harder to form, your mind clouded with the intensity of his touch and the sensations he was sparking inside you. His body was so close to yours, his touch so demanding, and you started to feel yourself giving in to the desire that was threatening to take over your entire mind.
He continued to kiss and bite at your neck, as he whispered into your ear again, his voice low and commanding.
"Admit it, baby. Admit that I'm better than him. Let me prove it to you."
He pulled back slightly, his dark eyes locked on yours, and he spoke again. His voice was rough, his words more of a command than a request.
"Say you want me. Say you need me. Say you belong to me."
Your mind went completely fuzzy, overwhelmed by the intensity of his touch and the desire that coursed through your veins. You couldn't think straight; you could barely form a coherent thought. All you could feel was him- his body against yours, his hands on your skin, his breath hot against your neck.
Your legs were still wrapped around his hips, and you could feel how excited he was, how much he wanted you. He continued to whisper in your ear, his words like fuel to the fire that was consuming you.
"Just say it. Just say my name, say you're mine."
''You are so drunk, please. Don't. You have to stop. Let's talk about these when you're sober.'' you said finally.
Theo's expression turned dark, almost angry at your words. His grip on you tightened, his eyes narrowing in annoyance.
"I'm not drunk… I'm perfectly aware of what I'm doing, and what I want."
He pressed his body against you again, pinning you harder against the wall. His hand came up to your chin, tilting your head up, forcing you to meet his gaze.
"Don't tell me to stop. Don't even try. Not when I know you want this just as much as I do."
You could see the determination in his eyes, the desire burning bright and strong, and you knew it would be pointless to resist him. Still, you had to try. You shook your head slightly.
"Theo, you're clearly drunk. Please, just let me go, okay? Not today.''
His gaze hardened, and he let out a low, frustrated snarl. He was clearly not used to being denied, and it was angering him.
"I'm not drunk, and even if I was, I'd still know exactly what I want. And what I want is you."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear, his voice low and possessive.
"You're mine. You belong to me, and I'm going to make sure you remember that. No more arguing. No more denying. You're mine, god damn it. Fuck him, fuck Park Jimin. Fuck everything.''
You could feel yourself starting to give in to his words, the heat of his body against yours still so tempting. But you pushed that aside, trying to cling to the remnants of your rationality.
"You don't mean that… you're not thinking straight right now. Please, let me go. We can talk about this when you're not drunk. ''
You tried to push gently against his chest, attempting to create some distance between the two of you, but he only held on tighter.
His words were a demand, spoken with such authority that you couldn't help but shiver. You could feel yourself getting weaker, your willpower crumbling. Your body was responding to his touch, to his words, wanting more despite your protests.
You shook your head again, trying to keep hold of some semblance of resistance.
"Theo… you're not thinking clearly."
He let out an exasperated sigh, his patience clearly wearing thin. He pulled your face closer, so close that your foreheads were almost touching, and he held your gaze with an almost intimidating intensity.
"Stop saying that… I'm more clear-headed than I've ever been. You're the one who needs to open your eyes and admit the truth."
He ran a hand through your hair, his touch both gentle and possessive.
"Just give in, damn it. Stop fighting it.''
You attempted to turn your head away, but he held your chin firmly, forcing you to look at him.
"No more arguing, no more fighting… Just give in.''
His tone was a low, commanding whisper, and you could feel your resistance slipping away.
Your body melted against his, your legs still wrapped around his waist. He could sense your resolve crumbling, and a satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
"That's it… Give in to me."
His hand slid from your chin down to your hip, his grip possessive and firm. He pulled you even tighter against him, his own arousal still evident and pressing insistently against you.
Your body was a traitor, responding to his touch, to his words, to every little movement. You knew you should resist, but it was getting harder and harder to think straight. His hand moved from your hip to your thigh, lifting you up slightly, and you couldn't stifle the gasp that escaped your lips at the intimate contact.
He leaned in, his lips hovering just above your neck, his breath hot against your skin as he spoke again.
"Stop fighting this… let me show you what I can do to you."
His words sent a shiver down your spine, igniting a fire within you that you were having a harder and harder time ignoring. His hand continued to move over your thigh, his touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake. He nipped at your neck, his teeth grazing over your sensitive skin, and you couldn't suppress the soft moan that escaped your lips at the sensation.
His voice was a low, guttural murmur, filled with a mixture of desire and possessive certainty.
"No more words, no more resistance. Tonight I'll make you forget everything and that fucking asshole."
His lips moved from your neck to your ear, his teeth lightly grazing your earlobe as he spoke again.
"You're mine, baby. Mine alone. I'll make you forget him. I'll make you see stars. Just give in."
He began to trail kisses down your neck, each one sending sparks of pleasure coursing through your body. His hand continued to roam over your thigh, his touch needy and demanding.
He lifted his head from your neck, his gaze meeting yours again. His expression was a mixture of desire and possession, his eyes dark with a primal hunger that you couldn't deny. He spoke again, his voice low and authoritative.
"Stop thinking about him. Stop resisting. Just focus on me. Focus on the way I make you feel."
He punctuated his words by nipping at your earlobe, his hand still tracing possessive patterns on your thigh. He was determined to make you forget everything else but him.
His touch and words were overwhelming, and you could feel yourself falling deeper under his spell. Your resistance had diminished to near zero, and your body was responding to him in ways you never imagined. His lips found their way back to your lips.
You could feel the heat growing between your legs, a need building that you had never felt before. You couldn't deny the effect he was having on you, the power he held over your body and mind.
He deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into your mouth and claiming you with a possessive intensity. He moved both hands to your thighs, lifting you up and pressing you firmly against the wall, his body flush against yours. He broke the kiss for a moment, his hot breath against your ear, his voice a low growl.
"Give in. Let me show you what you've been missing. Bedroom, now.''
He looked down at you, his eyes taking in every inch of your body, his gaze filled with hunger. He leaned down, his lips finding your lips again.
He whispered into your ear, his voice a low, possessive promise.
"I'm going to make you forget everything else, baby. Just focus on me. Just let me show you how good I can make you feel."
His words sent a rush of heat through your body, and you couldn't help but shiver at the need in his voice. His lips moved down your neck, biting and sucking at the sensitive skin as he pushed your shirt up, exposing more of your body to his touch.
His hands were roaming everywhere, touching you with needy desperation, as if he couldn't get enough of you.
He pulled your shirt over your head and tossed it aside, his eyes raking over your exposed skin, his expression a mix of admiration and hunger. He leaned down again, his lips trailing kisses down your chest, his tongue tracing patterns across your flesh.
You could feel the heat growing between your legs, the way he worshipped your body, making you shiver with pleasure. His hands found their way to your hips, his grip firm as he pushed you further into the bed.
His lips moved lower, mapping a path down to your stomach, his tongue leaving a trail of fire in its wake. He left love bites across your skin, claiming you as his own with each mark. He nipped and sucked at your hipbone, his hands gripping your thighs as he leaned down to place an open-mouthed kiss just above the waistband of your pants.
He looked up at you, his gaze full of lust and determination. His words were a low, throaty rumble.
"I'm going to make you mine. I'll make sure you forget everything else, every touch, every kiss, every memory… I'm going to make you forget him. I'll claim you, every inch of you."
He moved back up your body, his hands running over your skin, memorizing every curve, every muscle, every inch of your body. He looked down at you, his expression almost feral with desire.
He positioned himself between your legs, his hands on your thighs, spreading them wider. He looked down at you, his gaze filled with a primal need, and spoke again, his voice rough with desire.
"You're mine now, baby. Mine alone."
His hands moved up to your pants, quickly undoing the button and unzipping them. He pulled them down your legs, discarding them somewhere on the floor. He looked back at you, his eyes dark and full of possessiveness.
His hands skimmed up your inner thighs, his touch sending shivers through your body. He pressed a kiss to your knee, then higher, trailing kisses up your thigh as his fingers found your underwear.
He hooked his fingers under the waistband and pulled them down, leaving you fully exposed to him, your entire body shivering with anticipation.
"So beautiful." He whispered, his voice filled with awed wonder.
He ran his hands up your legs, his touch leaving goosebumps in its path. His fingers reached your core, finding you already wet and needy. His breath hitched at the discovery, his eyes darkening further with raw desire. His thumb brushed over your clit, making you moan and arch your back slightly at the sudden contact. He couldn't resist any longer. He removed his pants and boxers, his cock hard and straining.
"You're so ready for me, aren't you?"
His voice was low and rough as he positioned himself between your legs. His hands found your hips, his grip firm as he held you in place. He rubbed his cock against your slit, spreading your wetness across his length and hissing at the sensation.
"So wet… so perfect…"
His voice was a low, gravelly rasp, full of barely suppressed lust.
"Gonna make you feel so good."
And then he sank inside of you, filling you up in delicious inch by inch.
You moaned at the feeling of him inside you, his words and his touch making it nearly impossible to think straight. He started to move, his grip on your hips tightening as he established a steady rhythm. His eyes were fixed on your face, watching your expressions with a mix of fascination and possessiveness. His eyes locked onto yours.
He leaned down, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss, his body pressing you into the mattress. His hands moved to hold your wrists, pinning them above your head, making it impossible for you to touch him. His hips snapped against yours, driving him deeper into you.
His mouth moved from your lips to your neck, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses. He bit and sucked at your neck and shoulder, marking you with his love bites, making sure to leave his mark on your body. He shifted slightly, changing the angle of his thrusts, and suddenly, he was hitting a spot inside you that made you gasp and whine.
"Right there? Is that good, baby?"
His words were cocky, but you could hear the underlying note of genuine wonder. The way your back arched and how you bit your lip was all the answer he needed.
He continued to pound into you, never looking away from your face. Your eyes were half-closed, your mouth open in a constant stream of moans, and it seemed to drive him even wilder. He kept a steady pace, alternating between deep, slow thrusts and quick, fast snaps of his hips.
His hands left your wrists, moving to grab your hips instead, giving him even more leverage to drive into you with increased force. His breathing was becoming more labored, and you could feel a thin sheen of sweat form on his skin.
"Gods, you take me so well."
He panted, his voice gravelly with pleasure.
His words sent a shiver down your spine, and you knew that he was in control. You were at his mercy, the power he had over you undeniable. His hands were gripping your hips, your fingers desperately gripping the sheets as he continued to pound into you with relentless fervor.
"Gonna make you forget everything else. Just me. Just us."
He murmured, his voice low and commanding.
His pace grew more frenzied, each thrust sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body. Your moans grew louder, your breath coming in short gasps as you neared your peak. He leaned down, his body pressing you further into the mattress, his mouth finding your ear.
"Come for me, baby. Let me see you come undone."
His words were barely more than a growl, his own need evident in the way he held you even tighter, his actions growing rougher.
You could feel your body tensing up, your climax building in the pit of your stomach. His words were driving you wild, the combination of pleasure and possessiveness in his voice sending you over the edge.
You let out a loud, keening moan as you came, your body twitching and arching beneath him. He kept going, pounding into you with a force that bordered on rough, his hips pistoning into you, his grip on you almost bruising.
"That's it, baby, come for me." He growled.
His grip on your hips became tighter, his hands almost possessively clawing at your skin.
"Inside or outside?"
He managed to gasp as he continued to pound into you."
"Out," you finally looked at him
His eyes widened slightly at your answer, and a part of you could practically see a smug look of triumph on his face.
"Fuck, okay.'
He was barely able to speak between his ragged breaths and grunts. With a final, hard thrust, he pulled out just in time, his release shooting onto your stomach. His body shook with the force of his orgasm, his fingers digging into your hip as he spilled himself all over you.
You lay there, panting and trying to regain your breath. Your heart was still pounding from the intensity of what had just transpired. Theo collapsed on top of you, his forehead resting on your chest, his breath coming in deep, even pants. His weight on you was a tangible reminder of their connection.
"Are you okay?"
He asked, his voice a little raspy. He raised his head to look at you, his gaze still clouded with desire. You could only nod in response, trying to steady your own breathing. Theo ran a hand through his damp hair, trying to catch his breath. He rolled off to the side, still panting slightly. He looked at you, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"That was…"
He paused, trying to find the right words to describe what had just happened.
"Good." You tried to laugh.
Theo chuckled at your attempt at humor. His eyes scanned your body, taking in the mess he'd made of you. A possessiveness sparked in his gaze as he saw his release still staining your stomach.
"You're a mess."
He commented, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"Yeah, I know. You did that. I need to take a shower."
Theo's smirk deepened, the possessiveness in his eyes growing. He shifted to lie on his side beside you, propped up on one elbow.
"You're right; I did."
His free hand hovered over your stomach, his fingers tracing random patterns in his release.
"You know you have to wait until I say you can leave, right?"
His tone was playful, but there was an unmistakable edge to his voice. He was in charge, and he wanted to make sure you knew it. Even in this moment, he couldn’t let go of his domination.
You shook your head, trying to downplay the situation, even as a part of you thrilled at his possessiveness.
"Really, I need a shower. I'm a mess."
You tried to sound firm, but your voice wavered beneath the weight of his gaze. Theo's smirk widened at your response, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on you. He shifted closer, his fingers still exploring the mess he left on your skin.
"You are a mess. My mess."
His voice was low and possessive, his eyes never leaving your body.
"And you can take a shower when I say you can."
"I need to clean up, 10 minutes. Okay? Wait here." You kissed him quickly and got up."You can count minutes."
His fingers lingered on your skin for a moment as you pulled away, as if trying to keep a physical connection.
He watched as you moved to your feet, your legs slightly unsteady and weak from your previous activities. His eyes trailed over your naked form, a satisfied glint in his gaze. The evidence of his claim on you was plain to see.
You could feel his eyes on you as you walked away, and it sent a shiver down your spine. You quickly ducked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind you. For a moment, you leaned against the door, trying to catch your breath and regain your bearings.
You glanced down at yourself and couldn't help but wince at the mess that was now drying on your stomach. You turned on the shower. and stepped under the warm spray, letting the water wash away the evidence of your encounter.
And that moment you started to cry.
The hot water washed down on you, the steam filling the shower stall. You reached for a washcloth and squirted some shower gel onto it. You began scrubbing your stomach, trying to erase the physical evidence of Theo's claim. But no matter how hard you scrubbed, it didn't seem to go away.
You felt a strange mixture of emotions… shame, guilt.
The weight of it all crashed down on you, and tears started streaming down your face. You sank to the floor of the shower, the water still running over you, blending with your tears. You hunched over, arms wrapped around your legs, and wept silently. You couldn’t help but feel so damn stupid.
You stayed like that for a few moments, the sound of the shower masking your sobs. Your brain kept replaying the events of the past hour over and over again.
You heard a knock on the door, Theo's voice cutting through the sound of the water.
"You okay in there?"
His voice carried a hint of concern, which only made you cry harder. You quickly wiped at your face, trying to compose yourself before mumbling a response.
"Yeah, fine. I'll be out soon."
Your voice was shaky, betraying your attempt to sound normal.
The silence on the other side of the door was heavy. Theo could tell something was off; he could hear something in your tone.
"You sure you're okay?"
His voice was softer this time, more insistent.
Your heart clenched at his words, the concern in his voice making you feel even more conflicted. You took a shaky breath and managed to reply.
"Yeah, just… give me a minute."
Your voice cracked, betraying your inner turmoil.
The silence stretched on, but it was clear Theo wasn't buying your façade of being okay.
"Open the door."
His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. You heard the doorknob turn, and there he stood in the bathroom door, his eyes trained on you, still sitting on the shower floor. His gaze was intense.
You stared back at him, your eyes red and watery from crying. Your heart raced as he stood there, his eyes full of a mixture of concern.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"Come here."
His words were a command, leaving no room for refusal. You slowly got up from the floor, the water still running over you. You stepped out of the shower, your body on display for him again. His eyes roamed over you, taking in every inch of your still-damp body. He stepped forward, closing the distance between you. He reached out, his hand gently tilting your chin up to meet his gaze.
"You were crying."
It wasn't a question, but a statement. He could tell by the redness in your eyes and the tear stains on your cheeks. You tried to look away, not wanting to meet his gaze, but his grip on your chin was firm, keeping you in place. You swallowed hard, feeling exposed and vulnerable under his intense stare.
"I'm fine."
Your voice was soft and unconvincing, but Theo saw right through your lie.
"You still thinking about that fucking idiot?"
His grip on your chin is tightening. He was clearly still jealous and angry at the idea of you thinking about him.
"Answer me. You're still thinking about him, aren't you?"
He repeated the question, his tone growing more demanding.
You shook your head, trying to deny it, to deny how right he was. But Theo wasn't buying it. He leaned in closer, his face mere inches from yours.
"Don't lie to me. I can see it in your eyes." His voice was gruff and commanding, leaving no room for denial.
"You can't stop thinking about him, can you?"
You shook your head again, tears welling up in your eyes. You couldn't bring yourself to admit it, to admit he was right. Theo's grip on your chin grew tighter, forcing you to meet his intense gaze.
"Say it."
His voice was low and demanding.
"You think about him even now. Even when I'm standing right here, even fucking you over again. He still has it in your mind when I am doing everything for you, right? Grow up, Moon. Grow fucking up."
His words struck a nerve, and your attempts to maintain composure shattered. Fresh tears streamed down your cheeks as you tried to pull away from his grip.
"I-I don't… it's not like that-
Your voice cracked, your efforts to deny it falling flat.
"Bullshit."
Theo cut you off and look at you.
"Put clothes on, you'll be sick. And when you get sick, I'll be with you, not that motherfucker."
You flinched at his words, their harshness cutting through you. Slowly, you nodded and reached for a towel, wrapping it around yourself. The room was heavy with silence, the only sound the pitter patter of water droplets falling from your hair.
As you finished, you looked up at Theo, finding him watching you closely, his eyes fixed on your every move.
He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently wipe away a tear that was trailing down your cheek. His touch was oddly soft and contrasted. Your skin tingled under his touch. Your heart ached at the conflicting emotions coursing through you. As he finished wiping the tears, his hand remained on your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin in a slow, soothing motion.
"Come here."
He gently pulled you towards him, your body now pressed against his. His hands moved to your hips, pulling you even closer. You could feel the heat radiating off of him, the steady rhythm of his heart beating against your chest.
"Look at me."
His voice was soft, a stark contrast to his earlier demeanor. You hesitantly lifted your gaze to meet his, your eyes still glistening with tears. Theo's expression softened at the sight of your teary eyes. His hand moved up to cup your cheek, his thumb wiping away more tears.
"Stop crying."
His voice was gentle, but there was an underlying firmness to his tone, like he was commanding rather than asking. Your bottom lip trembled, and a fresh tear slid down your cheek.
"I-I'm trying… b-but—"
"No buts." His voice cut you off, his grip on your chin slightly tightening. "You need to stop crying."
He repeated, his fingers running through your hair in a way that was almost… comforting.
Your lip quivered more at his insistence, but you managed to nod, your body trembling slightly. Theo's hand moved to the back of your head, guiding you to lean into him, his fingers soothingly running through your hair.
"That's better."
His voice was softer this time, a small smile playing on his lips. He leaned down, his mouth hovering just above yours. His hot breath ghosted over your lips, causing a shiver to run down your spine. He was so close, but he made no move to close the gap between you two. Instead, he kept his face mere inches from yours, his fingers still running through your hair.
His dark eyes locked onto yours, studying your face intently.
"Much better."
He repeated quietly, his thumb brushing over your lower lip. His gaze drifted down to your lips, and your breath hitched in response.
"You really need to stop being so adorable when you cry."
He murmured, and he smiled.
Despite the situation, a small laugh escaped your lips at his words. His smile widened at your reaction, clearly pleased to see that he had managed to lighten the mood. His fingers continued to card through your hair, his nails scraping against your scalp.
"There we go. That's a much better sound than those ugly sobs."
You let out another small laugh, a mixture of amusement and annoyance. His fingers continued their soothing back-and-forth caress, causing goosebumps to spread across your skin.
"You're so cruel."
You mumbled, your voice coming out a little raspier than usual.
"You're calling my crying ugly."
He chuckled, his fingers finding their way to the back of your neck, his touch making you shiver.
"It's not attractive to hear your sad sobs. I much prefer those other sounds you make."