You’ve been with them long enough to know when the mood shifts.

It’s subtle at first — a look held a second too long, laughter that doesn’t quite reach everyone in the room. The cave feels tighter tonight, crowded in a way it usually isn’t, even with all of you sprawled across couches and ledges like always.

Dwayne sits beside you, relaxed, shoulder brushing yours whenever one of you moves. It’s not intentional. It never is. It’s just… easy.

You’re both leaning over something Marko dragged in earlier — some cracked cassette player that barely works — Dwayne’s knee nudging yours as he tries to fix it.

“Told you it was busted,” you murmur.

He grins, glancing at you sideways. “I like a challenge.”

You snort softly. “That explains a lot.”

Across the room, Paul’s laughter cuts off mid-sentence.

Marko watches you both openly now, chin tilted, eyes sharp with something unreadable. David hasn’t stopped pacing, boots scraping the stone like he’s restless — like the energy in the room doesn’t sit right anymore.

“You two always this cozy?” Paul asks casually, but there’s an edge under the joke.

You look up, calm. “We’re sitting.”

Dwayne doesn’t miss it. He straightens slightly, still easy, still smiling. “Problem?”

“No,” Marko says quickly. Too quickly. “Just noticed.”

David’s gaze flicks between you and Dwayne, interest sparking — not amused, not angry. Curious. Calculating.

You shift just enough to give the others space without pulling away completely. You’re not trying to stake a claim. You never have.

That doesn’t seem to help.

Paul scoffs lightly. “Guess some of us just don’t get the same attention.”

Dwayne finally looks at him, brow lifting. “You want the cassette or not?”

The tension doesn’t break.

It settles.

He leans closer to you again, voice low. “Ignore it.”

You nod, unfazed — but you can feel the shift now too.

Whatever this is… It isn’t just about closeness anymore and the others are starting to notice exactly who you’ve chosen to be close to.