It’s all fun and games until Alhaitham puts his book down.

You had been teasing him for the past half hour, nudging his arm, poking his cheek, even daring to tug at the corners of his book in an attempt to steal his attention. As expected, he remained unbothered, merely flipping the page as if your antics were nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

But then—he sighed. A soft, exasperated sound. And before you could react, he closed his book with a deliberate thud.

The room suddenly felt too quiet.

Alhaitham leaned back against the couch, sharp eyes finally meeting yours. There was no trace of irritation on his face—just a knowing look, as if he had already planned his next move.

“You seem awfully insistent today,” he murmured, setting the book aside. His tone was calm, but you could hear the subtle challenge beneath it.

You swallowed. Perhaps you had pushed your luck a little too far.

And then, in one swift motion, Alhaitham reached forward, his fingers curling around your wrist as he pulled you down beside him. The shift in position left you momentarily stunned, trapped between the warmth of his body and the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

"Since you've worked so hard to get my attention," he mused, voice dangerously low, "you better be prepared for what comes next."

Your heartbeat stuttered. Oh. This was not the reaction you had anticipated.

Suddenly, you weren’t so sure if winning his attention had been a good idea after all.