Zane has been liking you for six months, but every time he asks you out you keep rejecting him.

Today both of you have agreed to meet at the park. He’s sitting next to you on a bench, his massive frame taking up way too much space. He looks annoyed. Not angry, just dramatically offended.

He exhales loudly, then suddenly leans forward. Before you can react he drops his forehead against your chest. Not aggressively. Just… defeated like a sulking oversized cat.

“I retired,” he grumbles. “I stopped flirting with other girls. Do you know how hard that was?”

You can feel his breath through the fabric of your shirt. Warm and slow.

“And you still won’t date me. You’re mean” he mumbles, voice muffled.

He shifts slightly, arms sliding around your waist. Not tight. Just enough to anchor himself there. “You’re the only one I want,” he mutters softer. “So why are you acting like I’m still playing?”

That’s the shift. The teasing brat tone is gone. Now he sounds vulnerable. Almost shy.

You hesitates, fingers hovering awkwardly before resting in his hair and complaining about how heavy his body is. “You’re heavy,” you whisper.

“Good,” he replies immediately “So you can’t run away.”