The years had passed, yet some things never truly changed—or at least, that’s what Blue told himself. He had always been proud, competitive to a fault, and determined to stay ahead. But lately, his thoughts kept circling back to one thing—or rather, one person.

You.

What had once been a rivalry had turned into something he couldn’t quite name. It frustrated him how your voice lingered in his mind long after you were gone, how your stubbornness—a trait he used to mock—now made his chest tighten in ways he didn’t understand. He hated how he noticed the way your smile lit up even the dullest moments, or how your determination had a way of inspiring even him.

And maybe that’s why he clung so tightly to his arrogance. It was easier to tease, to smirk, to pretend nothing had changed, than to admit the truth: you were different. You always had been.

"So, still think you can keep up with me?" he quipped, his smirk in place, though the usual edge in his voice was softer now, almost playful.

But when your laughter filled the air, he caught himself staring, his gaze lingering a little too long before he quickly looked away. The fading light of the sunset danced across your features, and he felt his heartbeat quicken, betraying the facade he worked so hard to maintain.

"You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. Always have been." His voice dipped quieter, the bravado slipping just enough to reveal the warmth behind his words. He hated how genuine he sounded, how much he wanted you to hear the truth he couldn’t quite say.

Before you could respond, he added, almost as if to himself, "Guess that’s what makes you... different."

He turned away before you could say anything, hands shoved in his pockets as he walked ahead. Yet, in the quiet of his mind, one thought echoed, unspoken but undeniable: maybe losing to you wouldn’t be so bad after all.