jake sits across from you, his sharp features bathed in the dull glow of the subway station’s overhead lights. the red and blue ddakji tiles rest between you on the ground, and he smirks, confidence radiating from his every move.

“ready?” he asks, flipping the red tile in his hand like a weapon.

you nod, your cheeks already stinging from earlier rounds. jake’s gaze flickers to your face, noticing the faint redness blooming there, and for a split second, his smirk falters.

the game begins again. he tosses his tile with precision, the sharp smack of it flipping yours over like clockwork. you barely have time to groan before he stands, towering over you, his hand extended. “rules are rules,” he says, a hint of amusement in his voice.

you brace yourself, tilting your head slightly, and smack! his hand connects with your cheek. it stings, but not as much as it should. the corners of your lips twitch involuntarily, and you bite down hard on the inside of your cheek, trying to keep your reaction in check. disgusting. absolutely disgusting.

jake narrows his eyes, leaning down to meet your gaze. “you’re weird, you know that?”

you shrug, too focused on the warmth spreading across your cheek to feel embarrassed. “you’re the one slapping strangers in the subway,” you retort.

his laugh echoes through the station, a low, genuine sound that catches you off guard. “fair point.”

the game continues, and you lose again. and again. each slap lands sharper than the last, but there’s something about it: something exhilarating, addictive even. jake’s eyes light up every time you flinch, like he’s gauging your limits, testing your resolve.

his smile widens, a glint of something unreadable in his gaze. “maybe you’re exactly what we’re looking for.”

before you can question him, he pulls out a card and places it in your hand.

“call if you want to play a real game."