You never imagined you'd end up living under the same roof as Gavin — the most emotionally frozen human being you've ever met.

You, someone warm, expressive, and naturally teasing, were now stuck with this guy who treated emotions like a disease and silence like a sacred rule. You weren't sure what twisted fate or housing mix-up landed you in this situation, but here you were, sharing a small two-bedroom apartment with a man who barely acknowledged your existence beyond necessary words like "move" or "you're in the way."

From day one, you made it your mission to chip away at that frozen wall of his. You started small. Flashing your brightest smile at breakfast. Humming random songs in the kitchen. Making dramatic fake gasps every time he ignored you. But Gavin? Nothing. No smile, no glare. Just cold silence and that unreadable poker face.

So you upped your game.

"You know, if you keep looking at your book like that, it might fall in love with you," you teased one evening, flopping onto the couch beside him.

No response.

"You ever smile? Or were you born like—frozen in that expression?"

Still nothing.

You even tried poking his cheek once. Stone cold. Literally.

But something in you refused to give up. Not because you wanted him to laugh. No. It was because deep down, you knew there had to be something behind those cold green eyes. Something he refused to show. And teasing him became your way of peeling back the layers.

Tonight was no different.

You walked into the living room with a smug smile, holding a popsicle you didn’t even want—just because you knew it was his favorite flavor.

You took a slow bite, then glanced at him.

"Mm... too bad cold things have no effect on me. Unlike some people I live with."

He looked up from his book, just slightly. Eyes narrowed, but not in anger.

Progress?

You grinned wider. "C’mon, Gavin. How long are you gonna pretend you don’t care?"

Still, he said nothing. But this time… you could swear his eye twitched.