: #005 between rounds - boxer!hollis x cutwoman!reader
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cw: violence, physical injuries, aggressive behavior, training camp, irl + text, start of week two. one more week till 1/2 fights.
content info: boxing au, touch as communication, injury care, tending wounds, professional boundaries, emotional messy boxer, reckless boxer, slow burn
disclaimer: people in fic are aged up
summary: you built your reputation the hard way. quietly, carefully. one fight at a time. by the time people stop questioning you, fighters are requesting you. across the country, hollis is building a reputation of his own. brilliant. reckless. impossible to control. so when his team calls and asks you to join his corner, you already know what everyone else does. he doesn't listen. but when the bell rings and blood starts running down his face, you're the only one he looks at between rounds.
wc: 7.6k
004 <- 005 -> 006
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week two doesn’t start loudly because it doesn’t need to.
early mornings are too early. the cold air hasn’t warmed up yet. it’s the same walk to the gym, the same doors, the same sound of gloves hitting leather.
nothing has changed.
but it did. you feel it before anything else. in the pauses. in the way conversations don’t stretch as long. in the way everything settles a little quicker like everyone’s conserving something now.
Marcus doesn’t waste time. he never does,“wrap up,” he calls, already moving across the floor. “we’re not easing into this.”
no one argues, they just move.
hands getting taped. gloves pulled on. shoulders rolled out.
you stay near the bench, setting everything out without thinking.
gauze. tape. water.
but your focus isn’t where it usually is, not fully. because across the room Hollis is already watching you.
you notice it instantly. not because it’s new, but because it’s not.
it’s the same as last week. the walk back. the kitchen. the almost. the party.
you didn’t sleep after. not really.
every time you closed your eyes—you were right back there.
the music. the lights.
him.
you shift slightly, adjusting the roll of gauze in your hands.
this is new. not him. not the staring.
but this—the way you notice it now. the way it lingers.
you’ve never had to think about it before. never had to think about anyone like this.
it’s inconvenient. you don’t like it.
you definitely don’t like that he seems to know.
you glance up. he’s still looking. steady. unbothered.
like he’s waiting for you to do something about it.
you hold it for a second then look away. like it doesn’t matter,like you didn’t feel it.
“you gonna keep ignoring that or…?” Nate mutters, dropping onto the bench beside you.
you don’t look at him, “ignoring what.”
he lets out a quiet laugh, “right,” he says. “nothing.”
you hand him his wraps without comment, “focus on your hands.”
“i am,” he replies. “multitasking.”
“sure.”
he grins.
Ryan snorts from across the room. Roman doesn’t even look up.
the noise builds again.
gloves hitting bags. footwork drilling into the mat. Marcus calling out corrections like nothing changed.
and maybe on the surface nothing did.
“in the ring.” Marcus’s voice cuts through everything. it lands different this time. the fight is in a week.
you glance up.
he’s not looking at anyone in particular. just waiting.
“we’re not playing this week,” he says. “you want to fight in three?”
a beat.
“then act like it.”
the room stills before shifting. everyone feels it.
Ryan pushes off the wall first. Roman follows.
Nate groans, but he’s already moving.
and Hollis steps forward without hesitation. like he’s been waiting for it.
your grip tightens slightly around the tape in your hands. you just didn’t think it would feel like this. watching him now, too aware of everything.
“you good?” Ryan asks as he passes, already pulling his gloves tighter.
you nod, “yeah.” but your eyes are still on the ring, on him.
on the way everything changes the second he steps inside.
Marcus claps once, “let’s go.”
week two starts.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
“Ryan, Nate, you’re up first.”
“Roman, you’re up next.”
a pause. his eyes shift—“Hollis, you’re not taking it easy today. You’re with Torres.”
Ryan and Nate are already in the ring. gloves up. moving.
Marcus watches closely.
Roman’s wrapping his hands nearby. Hollis is nearby Roman.
you’re minding your business when he comes to you, like it’s already decided.
you don’t look up right away, just reach for the gauze.
“hands,” you say simply.
he holds them out. you step closer, closer than you need to. but neither of you says anything about it.
you start wrapping. slow. precise. your fingers brush against his knuckles as you loop the gauze.
his hands are warm, you notice it immediately. you try not to but you can’t help it.
“you rushing again today?” you ask, eyes still on what you’re doing.
he lets out a quiet breath, “you watching that closely?”
“…someone has to.”
a beat.
you tighten the wrap slightly.
he doesn’t pull away, “thought that was your job,” he says.
you glance up at him, “it is.”
your eyes meet. closer like this, it’s different, quieter.
you look back down. keep wrapping.
“then do it right,” he adds.
your brows pull slightly, “i am doing it right.”
his mouth tilts faintly, “we’ll see.”
you pause for a second.
you pull the wrap a little tighter than necessary. he exhales through his nose, not a complaint, almost a reaction.
you finish one hand and move to the other.
your fingers brush his wrist. then his palm. slower this time, you don’t know why.
“you always like this before sparring?” you ask.
“like what.”
“quiet.”
he watches you for a second.
“depends.”
“on what.”
a beat.
“who’s watching.”
your hands still slightly at that.
the door opens.
you don’t look up right away.
but Hollis does.
you feel it.
the subtle shift in him.
you glance up and she’s already walking in. like she’s been here before.
your hands don’t stop. but they slow slightly.
“hey,” she says.
not to you, to him.
Hollis doesn’t pull his hands away, not immediately, “hey.”
your grip tightens just enough to notice. you focus on the wrap. finishing the loop around his knuckles. like nothing changed, like you didn’t feel the way his attention split.
she steps closer, close enough that you can feel her there now. her presence. her eyes.
you have no idea who she is.
“didn’t know you were here already,” she says. easy. familiar.
you don’t look at her, you don’t need to, you can hear it.
Hollis shifts slightly. just enough that your hands brush his again.
“just got in,” he says.
you secure the wrap. press it down. your fingers linger for half a second too long. you pull back.
“you’ve been ignoring me,” she adds lightly.
you move to grab the tape. something to do. anything.
“…been busy,” Hollis replies.
you keep your eyes down.
you’re very aware. of everything. of her. of him. of how close you’re still standing.
you reach for his other hand again.
he lets you without question.
“busy doing what?” she asks.
your hands pause for half a second then continue, like you didn’t hear it. like it doesn’t matter because it’s not your business.
“training,” he says. simple.
your jaw tightens slightly. you don’t know why. you start piecing it in together, that must be the girl the boys mentioned to you, Melinda or something.
you finish the last wrap, smooth it down.
“done,” you say finally looking up at him.
his gaze is already on you. not on her, you.
you step back enough to create space for him, for them, for whatever that is.
“don’t get hit,” she says.
you pick up the leftover gauze. turn slightly away like you’re already done here.
Hollis huffs quietly, “i’ll try.”
Marcus claps once from across the gym.
“Hollis.” it cuts through everything.
Hollis doesn’t move right away.
just looks at you one second longer than he should, like he’s about to say something. then doesn’t, he turns and steps away.
you’re left standing there. with the tape still in your hands.
and something sitting heavy in your chest that you don’t name.
Hollis steps into the ring.
but it’s different now, you can see it. maybe no one else can. but you can.
his movements aren’t as loose. not as automatic. something’s sitting under it.
you don’t move from the bench. but your attention follows him anyway. even when you don’t want it to. even when you definitely shouldn’t.
his opponent climbs in across from him. Torres. bigger. solid.
not that Hollis was fragile. he had a good figure.
Marcus steps back, “keep it clean,” he says. “and think.”
a beat.
“go.”
it starts fast. Hollis moves first—jab. sharp.
Torres blocks. pushes forward.
Hollis doesn’t step out like he usually does. he stays in it and he’s too close.
your brows pull slightly. that’s not how he fights.
they trade. quick. heavy.
Torres lands first. a solid hit to the shoulder.
Hollis barely reacts. he resets too fast, again.
you can tell immediately that he’s rushing. not like before, it’s worse. he’s less controlled.
your fingers curl slightly around the edge of the bench.
you don’t look anywhere else, you couldn’t even look away if you wanted to.
Torres presses forward again—another hit. this one lands cleaner.
Hollis exhales sharply then pushes back harder, too hard.
“slow it down,” Marcus calls.
Hollis doesn’t. he goes again. faster. like he’s trying to prove something. like he’s not thinking.
like he’s—
your gaze flicks, just for a second. toward the edge of the gym.
the girl is still there watching. with her arms crossed now.
you look back immediately.
and suddenly it clicks. your jaw tightens. he’s not only off but he’s distracted and it’s not just you.
you don’t like that.
Torres steps in again— Hollis mistimes it slightly. and it’s enough. the hit lands across his cheek. sharp.
your breath catches. you take a step forward then stop. not your place. not anymore.
Hollis resets slower this time. his glove comes up. he touches his cheek once then drops. his head tilts slightly like he’s recalibrating. like something just snapped back into place.
his eyes lift—they find you. not the ring, not Torres, not Marcus, you.
your chest tightens, you don’t look.
something shifts immediately.
he exhales then moves different now. cleaner. more controlled.
jab. cross. guard tight.
Torres steps in, Hollis slips it.
perfect. counter lands. hard. he pulls back this time. doesn’t chase it. doesn’t rush. just watches. waits. smart.
Marcus nods once, “there it is.”
the round evens out. not easier, just sharper. more deliberate.
and you feel the difference.
the moment he stopped fighting everything else and focused.
the bell sounds.
“break.”
everything drops. noise comes back. movement. breathing.
you’re still watching him.
Hollis pulls his gloves down halfway. his chest rising heavier now.
a mark already forming along his cheek. it’s not bad, but bad enough.
he climbs out of the ring. for a second you think he’s going to walk past you and go to the bench or anyone else.
he doesn’t. he walks straight toward you. again, like before. like nothing changed. but everything did.
you don’t say anything. just reach for the towel. you step closer. your fingers brush his jaw, tilting his head slightly to the side.
you inspect the mark quietly. but your touch is more careful this time, more aware that usual.
“you got hit,” you say.
“yeah.”
a beat.
“you were off.” it slips out before you can stop it.
his eyes flick to yours, “…i know.”
no argument. no deflection.
you hesitate, then add, quieter “…why.”
he doesn’t answer right away. your hand is still near his jaw. you feel the heat of his skin.
the way he hasn’t moved. hasn’t stepped back.
“does it matter?” he asks.
your brows pull slightly. “yeah.” you respond softly.
his gaze shifts for a second past you. toward something behind.
you don’t turn. you already know.
he looks back at you, closer now.“i fixed it,” he says.
your hand stills, “you did.”
a beat.
neither of you moves. he leans in slightly.
“you were watching.” not a question.
you swallow lightly, “…yeah, i was.”
his mouth tilts, just barely “good.”
as you’re talking to him, you forget she’s still here. watching too. you pull your hand back first. slightly, enough to break it.
Hollis doesn’t move right away.
voices start bleeding back in. Ryan claps once from across the gym, “finally woke up,” he mutters.
Roman huffs quietly, “took him long enough.”
you step back fully now to create space.
Hollis exhales, dragging a glove across the back of his neck.
“you always this hands-on?” the voice cuts in from the side.
you freeze before turning.
the girl’s closer now, arms crossed, staring you down.
your expression doesn’t change, “it’s my job.” you answer her.
she tilts her head slightly like she expected that, “right,” she says.
a pause.
her gaze flicks between you and Hollis then back to you, “seems like more than that.” she says casually.
but it lands. your jaw tightens slightly. you don’t respond, you don’t need to, why would you?
“oh my god.” a voice that’s ready to stir shit up starts.
Nate. of course. he drops down onto the bench like he’s been waiting for this exact moment.
“are we doing this now?” he asks, looking between all three of you. “because i’m awake again, i can participate.”
Ryan groans, “please don’t.”
Roman doesn’t even look up, “he’s going to.”
Nate ignores both of them. his eyes land on you. then Hollis. then your hands. then back up again, “…interesting,” he says.
you stare at him, “what.”
he leans back slightly, like he’s settling in, “nothing,” he says. “just—connections are forming.”
“they’re not,” you reply immediately.
he grins, “didn’t say they were.”
Ryan snorts.
Hollis shoots Nate a sharp look, “shut up.”
“i didn’t even say anything!” Nate defends.
“you’re about to.”
“fair, i guess.”
Nate sits forward again and points between you and Hollis, “but just so we’re clear, he’s never let anyone else do that.”
silence. actual silence.
your stomach drops slightly, feeling the girl’s eyes on you.
you look at Hollis trying to to ignore the fact it’s 6 people crowded together instead of five.
Hollis is already looking at Nate, something unreadable in his expression now.
“what are you talking about,” you say.
Nate shrugs, “wrapping his hands,” he says like it’s obvious. “he does it himself. every time.”
a beat.
Ryan looks over now. Roman finally glances up.
“…huh,” Ryan mutters.
“didn’t think about that,” Roman adds.
you slowly look back at Hollis.
“that true?”
he doesn’t answer right away. just exhales quietly through his nose, “does it matter?” he asks. the same tone as before but it hits differently.
your chest tightens. before you can respond she lets out a quiet laugh. it’s not loud, nor fake, it’s knowing.
“guess it does,” she says.
your gaze flicks to her.
she shrugs slightly, “you don’t usually change habits for no reason.”
it’s not directed at you, not fully. but it hits you anyway.
Hollis’s jaw tightens slightly, “drop it,” he says lowly
Nate raises his hands, “i’m dropped. fully dropped. gone.”
he doesn’t move.
Nate leans back like he’s done something impressive.
no one agrees.
Ryan shakes his head, muttering something under his breath. Roman looks away again.
so, of course, Nate does.
“oh—wait,” he says suddenly, sitting up again. “you guys don’t even—”
“don’t,” Hollis cuts in.
it’s too late. Nate gestures lazily between you and her, “this is—”
“Melissa.” she says it herself.
she’s calm. like she doesn’t need help.
your gaze shifts to her properly for the first time. you take her in quickly, quietly. you nod once, politely, “…Y/n.”
silence.
you step forward slightly and extend your hand naturally, “nice to meet you.”
she looks at it, just looks. doesn’t take it, doesn’t move.
a second passes. then two. long enough, long enough for it to be intentional, long enough for everyone to notice.
Ryan goes very still. Roman glances over. Nate’s eyes widen slightly like oh shit.
Hollis shifts, “Melissa—” he starts.
she ignores that too. her gaze stays on you like she’s deciding something.
she completely looks away like it wasn’t worth answering.
your hand lingers in the air for half a second longer. it’s too long, you lower it like you’re unbothered because you don’t really care but, oh well.
you give a small nod, “…right.”
the gym is silent.
just as calm, “well,” you say lightly, “it was nice meeting you, Melissa.”
your tone doesn’t shift, it’s not defensive or anything, you’re just done.
you step back and turn slightly like the interaction is over. she doesn’t get anything more from you.
Nate presses his lips together, trying not to react. Ryan looks away, shaking his head slightly. Roman’s mouth twitches like he’s holding back a comment.
Hollis is looking at you, not her.
you don’t look back. you don’t want to, you already know.
Melissa’s gaze lingers for a second before shifting back to him. “you’re switching things up,” she turns to Hollis, who’s eyes are on you.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
the rounds taper off one by one.
Roman steps out first. his gloves hanging loose at his sides, chest rising steady like it didn’t take much out of him.
his opponent follows, nodding once before heading off.
“better,” Marcus says shortly.
Roman just shrugs.
Ryan and Nate are still going.
Nate stumbles back at one point, barely catching himself.
“oh my god,” he breathes. “i’m done.”
“you’re not,” Ryan replies, already moving in again.
Marcus doesn’t even look at them, “thirty more seconds.”
“he hates us,” Nate mutters.
“focus.”
they finish rough.
“break.”
Ryan drops his gloves first, shaking out his arms as he steps down from the ring.
Nate follows dramatically, dragging himself to the bench like he survived something life-threatening, “water,” he demands.
“get it yourself,” Roman says.
you’re already moving, grabbing what you need without thinking.
Ryan sits, leaning forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees.
“hold still,” you tell him.
he doesn’t argue. he tilts his head slightly as you step in.
you press the towel lightly against his cheek. it was not a bad hit but it was enough to mark.
“you’re slowing down on your left,” you say.
he huffs quietly, “yeah, i felt that.”
you clean it up quickly.
Melissa’s still there.
you don’t look at her but you’re aware of where she’s standing.
Marcus claps once.
everyone looks up.
“next week changes,” he says.
the tone is different, he’s more serious. less room for jokes, even Nate sits up slightly.
“we’re not staying local.”
a beat.
“Mexico City.”
Ryan straightens a little. Roman’s attention sharpens.
Nate blinks, “…wait—actually?”
Marcus nods once, “thursday night. you’ll have time to settle before weigh-in.”
your hands pause slightly against Ryan’s cheek for a second. Mexico City. you didn’t expect it, but from looking around, no one did.
“this isn’t a show,” Marcus continues. “it’s not a small crowd. you fight like it matters.”
his gaze lands on Hollis, “because it does.”
silence settles heavier this time.
Marcus adds, “your opponent’s already confirmed.”
something in your chest tightens, you don’t know why. maybe it’s from past experience or something.
you keep your focus down on Ryan, on your hands, anything but that.
“Adrian Varela.”
the name drops clean. like it doesn’t mean anything, it shouldn’t.
your hands stop completely.
Ryan glances up slightly, “…you good?”
you don’t answer right away. for a second the gym disappears. all the voices, the noise, movement.
it’s all gone. just the name again. it’s louder this time in your head, Adrian Varela.
your grip tightens slightly around the towel. you finally move again.“yeah,” you say quickly.
Ryan watches you for a second longer then lets it go.
across the room, Hollis isn’t looking at Marcus anymore. he’s looking at you again. he watched your reaction to the opponent. his are on you, they’re not even when Marcus keeps talking. not even when Nate starts asking questions. not even when Melissa shifts slightly beside him.
there’s something else and it has nothing to do with the fight.
“that’s it,” he says. “cool down. be ready tomorrow.”
no one argues, they’re too tired. Ryan pushes up from the bench, rolling his neck slightly. Roman heads toward the back without a word. Nate immediately starts complaining again.
“i’m not built for international travel,” he mutters. “i just found that out.”
“you’re not built for anything,” Ryan shoots back.
you pack up your kit slowly.
your mind isn’t fully here. it keeps catching on the name. you don’t let it show, or at least you try not to.
“you coming?” Ryan asks, grabbing his bag.
you nod, “…yeah. give me a second.”
he leaves it at that.
the gym starts to empty out.
you don’t look across the room, not at him. you already know where he is.
Hollis barely makes it two steps toward the door.
“hey.” Melissa. again.
he stops slowly enough to look at her, “what.” he says flatly. not rude but not warm either.
she steps closer. not close enough to touch this time, “can we talk?”
a beat.
he exhales quietly, “make it quick.”
she notices that, you can tell even from here.
her jaw tightens slightly but she doesn’t comment on it.
“you’re going to Mexico with them?” she asks.
“i’m the one fighting.” he no hesitation, a little annoyed she doesn’t put two and two together.
she furrows her eyebrows, a little taken aback. “…and her?”
Hollis’s expression doesn’t change, “what about ‘her.’”
Melissa lets out a quiet breath, “she’s going too?”
“yeah.”
her arms cross loosely, thinking about something. “since when do you bring people into this like that?”
he tilts his head slightly, “she works with us.”
“she just got here.”
“and?”
a beat.
Melissa studies him, really studies him now.
“you don’t do this,” she says less casual.
“do what.”
“this,” she repeats, gesturing vaguely toward the gym. “letting someone in like that. living with you guys, traveling—”
“it’s not your concern.”
it cuts clean. there’s no hesitation this time.
her expression shifts slightly, “…it is when you disappear for days,” she says. “when you stop answering.”
Hollis exhales sharply through his nose, “…i’ve been training.”
“you’ve been avoiding me.”
he doesn’t answer that. he doesn’t deny it either.
that’s enough for her. Melissa lets out a quiet, humorless laugh, “right.”
a beat.
her gaze flicks past him, toward you.
you’re still at the bench, not looking. you don’t want to seem nosy but you feel it anyway.
then she looks back at him, “you like her.” she states.
Hollis’s jaw tightens, “don’t start.”
“i’m not starting anything,” she says. “i’m just saying what it looks like.”
he steps back slightly, distancing himself. “then stop looking.”
her brows pull slightly, “you’re serious.”
“yeah.” he says done with the conversation.
another beat.
“so what, you’re just done?” she asks.
there’s something under that now, like reality is hitting.
Hollis shrugs slightly, “…if that’s how you want to take it.” he responds carelessly.
Melissa goes quiet for a second, “…wow.”
she shakes her head once, “that’s not what i asked.”
he doesn’t respond. doesn’t soften it. he looks at her like he’s already checked out.
that’s what does it. she lets out a breath and steps back, “fine,” she says but it’s not really fine.
“good luck in Mexico.”
he nods once, “yeah.”
no goodbye. no anything.
she turns and walks toward the exit. she doesn’t look back.
Hollis stands there for a second longer. running a hand through his hair, exhaling again.
his gaze shifts and finds you.
you’re already looking down. packing up the last of your things, acting like you didn’t hear anything.
the tension is still there. between you, its stronger now.
when he finally moves, it’s toward you again.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
the walk starts loud. Nate’s talking again. Ryan’s arguing back. Roman half-listening, half-ignoring.
it fills the space, making it easy not to think.
you fall into step with them naturally at first, like before.
but it doesn’t stay like that, it never really does.
somewhere between one block and the next the distance shifts.
Ryan and Nate move ahead. Roman with them. their voices carry back but not clearly anymore.
you slow without realizing it.
until you’re not next to them anymore.
you’re next to him again.
Hollis walks beside you, hands in his pockets, he’s quiet.
for a second, neither of you says anything. just the sound of your steps against the pavement.
streetlights passing overhead. the wind is blowing, not of your guys’ hair gets messed up. you fix your hair and glance at him once.
he’s already looking ahead, jaw a little tighter than usual.
you notice that too, “…you okay?” you ask. it slips out before you can stop it.
he huffs quietly, “yeah.”
you don’t respond because you don’t believe him and he knows it.
a beat passes.
“that was Melissa.”
your gaze shifts to him. you don’t react right away. you just wait for him to continue.
“we were—” he pauses like he’s deciding how much to say, “…seeing each other.”
past tense.
you catch that immediately.
“were?” you ask.
he shrugs slightly, “guess so.”
he sounds over it.
you look ahead again, “she didn’t seem like she thought that.”
he lets out a quiet breath, “…yeah.”
a beat.
you don’t push it. you don’t ask more because it’s not your place. even if you kind of want to.
the silence settles again. it’s not uncomfortable but it’s full.
“you know him.”
your steps falter slightly but you recover quickly, “who?”
“Varela.”
your grip tightens slightly on the strap of your bag. you look ahead, “yeah.”
he doesn’t look away this time, “from?”
you exhale slowly, you could brush it off. say it doesn’t matter. but he already saw your reaction, “his sister.”
his brows pull slightly, “what?”
you glance at him briefly then back ahead, “she fights.”
present tense. you correct it a second later, “or fought.”
silence.
“we were in the same circuit.” you keep it simple as if it doesn’t go deeper than that, although it does.but you don’t go there, not yet at least.
Hollis watches you for a second, longer than before, “she’s the one.” not a question.
you nod once, “yeah.”
silence again but it feels heavier given the fact that now he knows, not everything but enough.
his jaw tightens slightly, “she hurt you?”
your steps slow again. you don’t answer right away. you weren’t planning on saying but now you have to, “…it happens,” you say finally.
he doesn’t accept it for some reason, you can feel that.
“that’s why you stopped.”
you glance at him, “i didn’t say that.”
“you didn’t have to.”
a beat.
you look ahead again, “it wasn’t just that.” you say honestly, barely.
he nods slightly like he’ll take that, for now.
another step.
“you gonna tell me the rest?”
you huff quietly, “no.”
his mouth tilts a little, “figured.”
the tension shifts again. quieter. closer.
the group ahead turns the corner.
you and him are still a few steps behind. not catching up, not trying to.
“you still coming?” he asks after a second.
you glance at him, “to Mexico?”
he nods once.
you think about it. the fight. the name. the past, “…yeah.”
a beat.
“wouldn’t wanna miss it.”
his expression settles at that, something quieter, more certain.
“good.” he says simply, holding back a smile.
neither of you speeds up.neither of you closes the distance.
you guys just stay there. walking side by side. a little too far behind, on purpose this time.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
the apartment feels different when you walk in. it’s not loud or chaotic, everyone’s tired. something about the energy is just off. you feel a little guilty after Hollis told you him and Melissa are over.
Ryan tosses his keys onto the counter. Roman disappears down the hall without a word.
Nate drops onto the couch immediately, face-first, “i’m done,” he announces into the cushions. “don’t talk to me for at least twelve hours.”
“no one was going to,” Ryan mutters, heading for the fridge.
you step inside slower, setting your bag down near the counter. the air feels heavier than it should. like something followed you all back from the gym.
you don’t look at Hollis even though you can feel him there.
“Mexico City,” Nate groans, rolling onto his back. “do you know how expensive everything is there?”
Ryan pauses mid-drink, “…you don’t pay for anything.”
“that’s not the point,” Nate argues. “it’s the principle.”
“what principle,” Roman calls faintly from down the hall.
“exactly.”
you let out a small breath, “…i kind of want to go to Erewhon.”
it cuts through the room.
Ryan looks over. Nate lifts his head slightly.
“right now?” Ryan asks.
you shrug lightly, “…yeah.”
a beat.
“anyone want to come?”
silence.
Nate drops his head back down immediately.
“absolutely not,” he says. “i’m not paying twenty dollars for a smoothie.”
Ryan scoffs, “you literally go there all the time.”
“that’s different.”
“how.”
“i wasn’t this tired.”
Roman reappears briefly, leaning against the hallway wall, “i’m not moving,” he says simply.
Ryan nods in agreement, “same.”
you nod once. you expected that, they did a lot today, “okay.”
you reach for your bag again already moving on, “i’ll just go by myself—”
“i’ll go.”
you pause. your hand still on your bag then glance over.
Hollis. he’s by the counter now, watching you. like it wasn’t even a question.
Nate lifts his head again immediately, “oh my god,” he says.
Ryan lets out a quiet laugh. Roman just watches.
you blink once, “you don’t have to.”
Hollis shrugs slightly, “i know.”
silence.
“i want to.”
silence, a heavier one.
Nate slowly sits up, “…interesting,” he mutters.
“don’t start,” Ryan says immediately.
“i’m not starting anything,” Nate replies. “i’m observing.”
“stop observing.”
“i can’t. it’s happening in front of me.”
you roll your eyes slightly, grabbing your jacket.
“we’re just getting food.”
“yeah,” Nate says. “i’m sure that’s all it is.”
“it is,” you reply quickly.
he grins.
Hollis pushes off the counter.
“you coming or not,” he says, already heading toward the door, not looking back.
you hesitate for half a second then follow.
“don’t bring me anything!” Nate calls after you.
a beat.
“actually—wait—bring me something.”
Ryan laughs, “unbelievable.”
the door opens. the cool air hits again.
you step outside and Hollis is already a few steps ahead. you catch up quickly.
you’re walking next to him again like earlier. like it’s starting to become a pattern.
behind you the door shuts. all that noise stays in as-well. leaving you in something quieter.
something that feels a little too intentional.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
Erewhon looks quieter than you expected it to be. you don’t know if that’s the vibe it gives or if it’s just empty. you notice the bright lights that make everything look cleaner than it probably is.
you step inside, glancing around briefly, “…this is nice,” you admit.
Hollis huffs quietly behind you, “you’ve never been?”
you shake your head, “no.”
he looks at you for a second, “figured you would’ve.”
“why?”
a beat.
his mouth tilts slightly,“you seem like the type.”
you narrow your eyes at him slightly, “…i don’t know how to take that.”
“you’re not supposed to.”
you roll your eyes, stepping toward the drinks.
he follows, not too close.
you scan the menu. hesitating. “what do you usually get?” you ask.
he leans slightly beside you, looking at the options.
“depends.”
“on?”
“what i feel like.”
you glance at him, “that’s not helpful.”
he shrugs, “you’ll figure it out.”
you huff lightly. but you’re smiling now, just a little.
his phone buzzes. once. he ignores it.
you don’t say anything.
another buzz. then another. closer together this time.
you glance at him, “you gonna get that?”
he doesn’t look away from the menu, “no.”
a beat.
“it’s them, isn’t it.”
he huffs quietly, yeah.”
his phone buzzes again, longer this time.
you tilt your head slightly, “they’re not gonna stop.”
he knows that. you can tell he knows that. his jaw tightens just slightly then he finally pulls his phone out and unlocks it.
his eyes scan quickly. once then again.
his expression doesn’t change much but something subtly shifts.
you notice it anyway, “what.”
he looks up at you, “nothing.”
you don’t buy it but you don’t push.
he exhales quietly, “Nate’s being annoying.”
you almost smile at that, “shocking.”
his mouth tilts slightly, just barely.
he types something quick. thumb moving fast before they stop. he locks his phone again.
face-down in his hand this time, done with it for now.
you watch him for a second, “you sure it’s nothing?”
he meets your gaze again, more direct, “yeah.”
a beat.
“don’t worry about it.”
the words land softly but there’s something under them. something you don’t press.
you nod once, “okay.” you let it go for now.)
“you pick something yet?” he asks like nothing happened.
you glance back at the menu, “…no.”
“figured.”
you bump your shoulder lightly into his, “you’re not helping.”
he huffs quietly but steps closer anyway. he leans slightly toward you again.
“get that one,” he says, nodding toward the menu.
you follow his gaze, “is it good?”
“trust me. just get it.”
you glance at him, “you always this bossy?”
his mouth tilts slightly, “only when you hesitate this much.”
you roll your eyes again but you order it anyway. he notices.
everything else fades out. the gym. Melissa. the tension. all of it.
and it’s just— easy with him, which is strange. not that you don’t like him. he’s not like what the media describes him to be. you like it, hanging out with Hollis. even with his phone still sitting there, buzzing again. and getting ignored.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
you both end up at a small table outside. there’s not much space. your knees brush under the table when you sit. neither of you says anything about it.
you take a bite first. you hesitate for half a second then your brows lift slightly, “okay.”
Hollis looks at you, “okay good or okay bad?”
you glance at him, chewing, “okay good.”
a beat.
“you were right.”
his mouth tilts slightly, “ i know.”
you roll your eyes, taking another bite, “don’t get used to that.”
“too late.”
a small pause settles in. not awkward, just quiet.
you focus on your food for a second but you can feel it again. that attention. you glance up.
he’s already looking.
you sigh lightly, “…you’re doing it again.”
“doing what.”
you gesture vaguely toward him with your fork.
“… staring.”
he doesn’t even hesitate,
“yeah.”
you pause, “you’re not even gonna deny it?”
he shakes his head once, “no.”
a beat.
you hold his gaze for a second then look back down, “…weird.”
“you keep looking back,” he says.
quietly.
you huff softly, “i hate that you’re right.
“you don’t.”
you don’t answer that because you don’t. you another bite, then another.
“how long have you been doing this?” it comes out more casual than you expect.
he leans back slightly in his chair thinking, “boxing?”
you nod.
“since i was young,” he says. “but like—seriously?”
a beat.
“2018.”
your hand stills slightly around your fork. you glance up, “really?”
he nods once, “yeah.”
you let out a small breath, “same.”
that catches his attention, more than anything else so far. “yeah?”
you nod, looking back down at your food, “back home.” you say it simply.
it sits there different from everything else you’ve said.
he watches you for a second,“what were you doing.”
you pop hesitate, “…cutting. mostly.” you tell him “small fights,” you add. “nothing big.”
a beat.
“but it felt big at the time.”
he nods slightly like he gets that, “yeah,” he says. “it always does.”
you glance at him again,“what about you?”
“same year,” he says. “just different place.”
you tilt your head slightly, “L.A.”
“yeah.”
a beat.
“small gyms. bad fights. worse pay.”
you huff quietly, “sounds familiar.”
his mouth lifts slightly, “yeah?”
“yeah.”
another pause. it feels easier like something settled between you. not tension, not entirely. it’s understanding.
you take another bite then glance at him again, “…you ever think about quitting?” it slips out before you can stop it.
he doesn’t answer right away. he just looks at you. really looks this time, “…yeah.” he says quietly, he’s honest about it.
you nod slightly, “…me too.”
a beat.
you don’t say why, he doesn’t ask.
but the silence holds it anyway. everything you’re not saying. everything he’s not asking.
your foot shifts slightly under the table, brushing his again. it lingers. neither of you pulls away.
for a second it feels like 2018 doesn’t matter. Massachusetts doesn’t matter. L.A. doesn’t matter.
just this. now. and the fact that somehow you ended up here. at the same table. same year behind you. same place in front of you. together.
“…weird,” you say quietly.
he tilts his head slightly.
“what?”
you glance at him for a second,“we started the same year.”
a beat.
his expression softens slightly, “yeah.”
then, quieter— “guess we’re doing something right.” you look at him for a second longer this time then nod.
“…guess so.”
neither of you looks away right away.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
arriving to the apartment, it’s very calm. Ryan’s stretched out on one end of the couch. Roman’s half-turned toward him, phone in hand.
and Nate sits up the second the door opens like he’s been waiting.
“oh my god,” he says immediately.
“relax,” Ryan mutters without looking up.
you step inside, slipping your shoes off near the door.
Hollis follows close behind you. you feel it for half a second before it’s gone.
“did you like it?” Nate asks, already leaning forward.
you glance at him, “Erewhon?”
“yeah.”
a beat.
you nod once, “yeah.”
“see?” Nate says, pointing like he proved something. “it’s not that bad.”
Ryan scoffs, “you literally complained about it.”
“i complain about everything,” Nate replies. “that’s different.”
Roman snorts quietly.
Nate looks back at you, “…did you bring anything back?”
a beat.
you open your mouth—
“no.” Hollis answers from behind you flatly.
Nate freezes and slowly turns his head, “…you didn’t bring me anything?”
“no.” Hollis responds with no hesitation.
Ryan laughs under his breath.
Roman doesn’t even look up this time, just shakes his head slightly. Nate looks genuinely offended now.
“that’s insane,” he says. “you guys just went and ate without me and came back empty-handed?”
“you said you weren’t going,” you point out.
“that doesn’t mean don’t bring me something.”
“that’s exactly what that means,” Ryan says.
“no, it doesn’t.”
“it does.”
“it doesn’t.”
“it does.”
you let the argument fade into the background. you set your bag down near the counter again.
you glance up for a second and Hollis, as usual is already looking.
you hold it before looking away first, “i’m gonna shower,” you say, more to the room than anyone specific.
“smart,” Ryan mutters.
“bring me something next time,” Nate calls after you.
you shake your head slightly, “no promises.”
you head toward the hallway. past Roman. past Ryan.
just before you disappear—you feel it again, that pull.
you glance back one. Hollis is still by the door. watching you. like he hasn’t moved. like he didn’t stop.
you don’t say anything, neither does he. but the look lingers even after you turn the corner, even after you’re gone.
yourusername
❤︎ 39.6k ☁︎ 459 ⌯⌲ 482
yourusername Erewhon’s new customer
luv4matchas wait this looks so good omg
trapdabgod you on ur la shi
2gymrat22 sonion that plate is NOT yours 😭 who ordered that
prettyvoid okay but whose food is that next to it…
sparklybabi this feels like a soft launch idk why
curiouscat444 who took the picture 👀
lurkinglarper why does this feel like there’s a man involved
hollisarchive ik that order from anywhere 🤨
sugarcrush this is cute idc
bnuuy y’all think she was with someone??
-> user yes, me
crybabycore oh she’s mysterious i like her already
-> user hollis does too
-> user supposedly, they’re always together
-> user they don’t even follow eachother tho ??
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
the apartment’s settled again. the TV is on. Ryan’s stretched across the couch. Roman in the chair across from him. Nate’s somewhere nearby, it’s too quiet.
Hollis notices that first, more than anything.
his phone buzzes. once. twice. then again.
he frowns slightly and pulls it out. notifications stacked. tags. mentions.
he taps one and it opens straight to it.
your post.
Erewhon’s new customer.
his eyes move over it once quickly. the picture he took. the angle, your hand wrapped around the cup, the cigarette between your fingers. the second drink. his food. he knows it immediately.
his jaw tightens slightly, not at the post, but at the comments.
he scrolls slowly at first looking at the comments that have flooded in.
he stops.
“who took this 👀”
another.
“WAIT… is that TWO drinks”
his thumb pauses before scrolls again.
“she didn’t go alone…”
his expression shifts slightly.
he keeps reading.
“i know exactly who she was with”
“don’t be shy”
“say it”
his jaw sets harder this time. scroll.
“not me recognizing that order”that one lingers longer than the others. his grip on his phone tightens slightly.
he scrolls again.
“thought he was with someone else 🤔”
that one he stops on completely. he reads it twice slowly like he didn’t misread it. like it still says the same thing (it does). he exhales quietly through his nose, not loud. but for the guys to enough.
Ryan glances over, “what.”
Hollis doesn’t answer, just keeps looking at the screen.
Nate shifts slightly, suddenly very interested in literally anything else.
Roman already knows.
“she posted?” Ryan asks.
a beat.
Hollis nods once, barely.
“and?” Ryan presses.
another scroll. another pause.
“…people talk too much,” Hollis says flatly.
Roman huffs quietly, “they always do.”
Hollis’s thumb moves again, slower now. more deliberate while reading everything. every comment. every guess. every person noticing, too many people noticing.
his jaw tightens again.
he exits the comments and looks back at the picture. he stares at it for a second longer like he’s deciding something.
his thumb hovers over the screen for a second before he locks his phone instead. he sets it face down, like that fixes it (it won’t).
“you gonna say something?” Ryan asks.
Hollis leans back slightly and runs a hand through his hair, “no.”
Roman glances at him, “you sure?”
a beat.
Hollis’s gaze flicks toward the hallway where your door is. it’s closed and quiet.
“yeah.” but it’s not convincing, not really. because he’s already thinking about it. about the comments. about people noticing. about the way they’re looking at something that wasn’t for them. for the first time—it bothers him more than it should.
﹏𓃬_𓃮𓃮﹏𓃮﹏ 𓃮
it’s late. the lights are off in most rooms. the TV still on somewhere— the volume is low, they must’ve forgot to turn in off.
you’re not tired, well, not really. you tried to go to sleep. you laid there for a while but your mind wouldn’t stop.
you ended up giving up.
your door opens quietly, the hallway’s dark. you don’t bother turning on the light. you make your way toward the kitchen barefoot. your phone’s still in your hand, screen lighting your way.
you open the fridge and grab a water bottle. you close it and lean back against the counter.
you open the app again to see your post.
you stare at it for a second. the post has ninety-seven thousand likes now. that’s the most you’ve ever gotten.
you take a look at the comments. you scroll slow at first, just reading.
as you’re reading, one catches your eye.
“i know exactly who she was with”
you pause. your stomach tightens slightly but you keep going.
“thought he was with someone else 🤔”
you stop again. read it twice. your jaw sets slightly. you weren’t thinking about that, not like that.
you scroll again and then you see it.
nate_sib hope you two had fun without me 😢
you blink, “…oh my god.”
you say quietly.
you scroll the replies. people are asking and guessing. connecting things that weren’t supposed to be connected.
you exhale slowly, pressing your lips together. that wasn’t the plan. you feel uneasy now, stomach turned.
a soft sound behind you.
you glance up.
Hollis. he’s leaning in the doorway like earlier.
you straighten slightly, “hi.”
he nods once, “hey.”
a beat.
you look back down at your phone then back at him.
“…i saw the comments.”
his expression doesn’t change, “…yeah.”
you shift your weight slightly, “…sorry.”
that gets a small reaction but it’s there. his brows pull together just slightly, “for what?”
you gesture vaguely with your phone, “that.”
“i didn’t think people would—”
“don’t.” it’s not sharp, it’s immediate.
you pause, “don’t what?”
he pushes off the doorway slightly and steps into the kitchen to be closer, “…don’t apologize for that.”
you blink, “they’re talking about it.”
“they always talk,” he says simply like it shouldn’t matter.
you study him for a second, “you didn’t like it.”
he doesn’t answer right away, just looks at you, “i didn’t like them noticing.”
your breath catches slightly, not expecting that.
“noticing what?” you ask it anyway.
he holds your gaze a second too long, “…everything.”
your grip tightens slightly around the bottle in your hand.
a pause settles different from before. it feels heavier heavier. you glance down briefly then back up, “…i can delete it, if you want.”
the words come out before you think about them.
and the second they do, you almost take them back.
his expression shifts again, more this time, “no.” he responds firmly.
you blink, “no?”
he shakes his head once, “leave it.”
a beat.
“it’s yours.”
that lands softer than everything else.
you nod slightly, “okay.”
another pause.
your fingers tap lightly against the plastic of the bottle. you glance at him again, he’s still looking.
“you’re staring,” you mutter.
he exhales quietly, “yeah.”
you shake your head slightly but there’s no resistance in it, not anymore.
you take a sip of your water, “you coming to the gym tomorrow?”
you already know the answer but you ask anyway.
he nods once, “yeah.”
a pause.
“you?”
you look at him,“yeah.”
and for some reason that feels like more than just an answer. like something settled again quietly between you.
you push off the counter, “i’m gonna try to sleep.”
he nods, “yeah.”
you walk past him, close enough to feel it again— that space or lack of it.
just before you disappear down the hallway, you pause. you turn slightly, “hey.”
he looks at you.
“thanks.”
he doesn’t ask for what, he doesn’t need to, “you’re welcome.”
you nod once then turn disappearing back into your room.
the apartment goes quiet again but not the same kind of quiet. something else. something that lingers even after the lights go out.
taglist: @suxyio @jjscoquette @natesibsdih @qiyokuliife @zombiegirl777 @kingoveverything @ka1aia @2bun22 @akemimi @hepdeerness @malcomtoddsn1gf @swaggotsnoticeswaggots @2krush22
a/n: my slushies! i’m so sorry for the delay :(!! chapter five is too long according to tumblr! i’m sorry to keep you waiting :(((. i hope you enjoy these chapters!