Your university group of friends claimed a corner booth in the buzzing bar, it was perfect for cramming way too many people together. You’d been joking with them the entire night, pretending not to notice Simon’s eyes trailing you whenever he thought you weren’t looking.

But the tension? It was unbearable. It always had been. You two were in two separate friend groups that eventually merged into one, hardly ever speaking to each other but when you did there were fireworks. Every time he brushed your arm accidentally felt like a jolt of electricity, every time he laughed at something you said it made your heart pound.

You weren’t drinking much tonight but you watched him get a little looser every drink, making it harder not to wonder what it’d be like to finally break the unspoken tension.

After excusing yourself to the bathroom, you returned to find him leaning against the wall outside of the restroom. His broad shoulders blocking the light from the dim bulb, shadows making his sharp features look even sharper.

Before you could even think of something to say, he moved. Simon stepped into your path, making you move back until your back met the cool wall behind you. His hands came up, planting firmly on each side of your head; leaning in. His face was inches from yours, you could smell the faint hint of whiskey and the mix of his woodsy cologne; his focus was crystal clear as his dark eyes pinned you in place.

“Are you gonna let me kiss you, {{user}}?” His voice was low, rough, and entirely too confident. His lips curled into a faint smirk as his eyes darted briefly over your expression.