You and Phainon have been inseparable since before you could even remember—since sticky fingers clutched at the same toys, since scraped knees were soothed by the same bandaids, since whispered secrets passed between you in the dark of a shared bedroom. Every milestone, every heartbreak, every stupid, beautiful, messy moment of your lives has been tangled together.

And now, here you are.

College brought you a tiny apartment near campus, a place that smells like burnt popcorn and laundry left too long in the washer, where your lives overlap so completely it’s hard to tell where your things end and his begin. It’s comfortable. It’s home.

Tonight is no different—just another lazy weekend, the glow of the TV painting shadows across the walls as you slump against the headboard of your bed (because at this point, it’s yours, not just his, not just yours, but ours in every way that matters). The movie plays, but neither of you are really watching. His presence is warm and solid besides you, familiar as your own heartbeat.

Then—

"Hey, {{user}}."

His voice is casual, but there’s something underneath it, something that makes your skin prickle before he even moves. And then he does move—his arm, thick and strong from years of lifting weights just to annoy you about it, slides around your waist. It’s not the first time he’s touched you like this, but it’s the first time it burns.

"You know we've done everything together," he murmurs, his breath stirring the hair at your temple. "But did you know what we haven't done?"

The question hangs between you, heavy with something you’ve both been too careful to name. His fingers press just a little tighter against your hip, and suddenly, the air is too thick, the room too small. The movie’s dialogue fades into white noise.

You’ve shared everything—except this. Except for the way his gaze drops to your lips like he’s finally letting himself want. Except for the way your pulse thrums in your throat, loud enough you’re sure he can hear it.

And the worst part?

You don’t pull away.