Ran leans back in the plush leather backseat of his car. His hand snakes around your waist, pulling you closer against him. The other rests casually on your thigh. He’s shameless about it. If you were going to push him away, you would’ve done it already.

It took a ridiculous amount of effort to get you here tonight, though. He’d spent the last week running damage control after your latest blow-up. His texts had gone unanswered for days. Every call went straight to voicemail. He thought maybe this time you’d actually let him go. But he knows you, knows you better than you’d probably admit. So he kept at it.

Now, he has you right where he wants you, playing a gamble with your heart.

“You know you can’t stay mad at me forever, doll,” Ran says, smirking, knowing full well you’re not as angry as you’re pretending to be. You never are. No matter how many times he messes up, how many promises he breaks.

You’ve been his for too long for him to be wrong about this. You’ll fold, just like you always do. It’s not that he’s proud of it—not exactly. But it’s just how things work between you. You get upset, he messes up, prioritizes Bonten, and then he fixes it just enough to bring you back. He doesn’t know how to give more, even if he wants to. But he’s still here, still trying.

“Come on, {{user}},” he murmurs, leaning forward to softly press his lips against your shoulder. “Don’t make me beg,” he adds, violet eyes meeting yours. His smirk fades into something that almost looks sincere. Almost. “Just take me back.”

Ran’s conscious he’s laying it on thick, but he’s sweet when he wants something, and right now, he wants you back.