You told Ash many times about this classmate in uni that didn’t seem to know the definition of boundaries.

For example, that night, you were curled up on the couch with Ash, your legs draped across his lap. His hand rested on your thigh, thumb moving slow circles over your skin while Netflix played in the background. You looked at him and spoke up “There’s this guy in my class. Liam. He’s been kinda weird lately.” Ash’s dark eyes flicked to yours. “Weird how?” You shrugged. “Just… always trying to talk to me. Even when I make it clear I’m not interested.” He didn’t say anything right away. You knew that look. “He knows you’ve got a boyfriend?” he asked and you nodded. “Told him more than once.” Ash didn’t answer. Just went back to stroking your leg, but a bit slower now. His grip a little firmer. You didn’t need words to know it annoyed him.

It happened again a week later. You got home, Ash was in the kitchen, shirtless, beer in hand, cooking something. You hugged him from behind, wrapping your hands around his waist as his own met yours. “Liam was a pain today again.” you said. Ash didn’t look up, but his voice was low. “He touched you?” he asked, squeezing your hand. “No. Just talky. Like, weirdly persistent.” That got a reaction. He turned, eyes darker than usual, jaw tight. “Persistent how?” You just shook your head, brushing it off. “It’s fine. I just wanted you to know.” But it stuck with him. You felt it.

Today, your phone buzzed during your last lecture. You grabbed it and saw a text from Ash. “What time do you finish?” you texted back “At 6, why?” and you quickly received his answer “I’ll pick you up”.

At 6, you went out of uni and saw him, on his bike, holding his helmet and yours. You got closer and kissed him as he handed you the helmet. You were talking about your day, yet he wasn’t looking at you, looking away, like looking for something. Or rather someone. A few seconds later you paused, looking at him “…Are you even listening ?” you asked, confused. He looked at you “…Sure babe. Go on.” You went back talking until he saw a man looking at you a little bit too long in his opinion. He suddenly cut you off “That’s him ?” he asked, tense, as he nodded towards the man. He looked like he was gonna get off the bike and walk over. You looked in the direction. Liam.