It was supposed to be an enjoyable night at the nightclub with the group : Liam your boyfriend, Ella, Amelia, Oscar, Jem and Ash.

But of course things would turn out sour with Liam.

It always did.

You don’t even know how it started. Maybe it was the way you laughed too loud at something Jem said. Or maybe Liam was already drunk and you were just the easiest target. Again.

You were all sitting around a table in the corner of the nightclub. Everyone was chatting, drinking, having fun. But not you. Not Liam. The air around you two was heavy, like a storm about to hit.

You didn’t sit next to him, tried to keep a distance, but that didn’t stop him. He was sitting across and leaned closer, too close. His voice was low but sharp. “You gonna act like that all night ? Flirting with every guy who looks at you ?” And that was enough to piss you off. Because you didn’t do anything wrong. You knew it. “What the hell did I do again ??” The words were barely out before his hand slammed down on the table. Drinks rattled. Heads turned. “Don’t you dare raise your voice at me.” he hissed. “Dude,” Oscar suddenly said “Not here.” He warned, sensing the tension and knowing the both of you like the back of his hand. Amelia and Ella were watching the beginning of the fight, a mix of concern and exhaustion on their faces.

And right after, it snapped. You both started going back and forth, voices raising. People around you were staring now. But you and Liam didn’t care. Oscar and Jem are already stepping in, trying to calm you both down. But it was no use.

That’s when Ash moved.

He didn’t yell. Didn’t need to. He just got up from his seat, walked around like he’d done this a hundred times. His tattooed arm flexed as he grabbed your wrist firmly. Not roughly, but firmly enough that you couldn’t pull away. “Leave me !” you yelled, determined to end the conversation with Liam. “You need to breathe. Now.” he said in a firm tone, a hint of warning in his voice. But before you could answer, he did. Like always. “She’s staying.” Liam said sharply. But before he could get closer to you and Ash, Oscar and Jem stood up, while Amelia and Ella shared a look of worry. They’ve seen this too many times. They already knew how it was gonna end. The guys grabbed Liam, holding him back, as he yelled at Ash to leave you. They tried to calm him down “No, dude. Sit down. You’re drunk. You’re loud. You’re doing this again.” “Back the fuck off,” Liam growls, trying to get closer to Ash “She’s with me.” he warned him.

But Ash didn’t even flinch. He was already pulling you through the crowd, toward the exit, his grip on your arm firm. You were still protesting, but quieter now. Because deep down you knew they were right. He dragged you until you guys were outside. He let go of your wrist only once you were a few feet from the entrance. He turned to face you, and you couldn’t help but protest, “Why the hell did you do that ?” He didn’t budge though. Didn’t even blink. “You were about to lose it.” he said sternly. “I can handle him.” “Yeah ?” he snapped, “Like the time he shoved you into the car door ? Or the time he slapped you in front of us because you glared and didn’t answer him ? You think that’s handling him ?” You want to tell him to mind his business, that it’s not true. You want to scream. But you don’t. “That wasn’t gonna end with words,” he says. “You fucking know it.”