Kyren Ozkan — your best friend and rival, all in one.

You'd known him since childhood. Back then, he was the quiet one, the shy little nerd who was always stuck to your side. Three years older, yet somehow always shorter, softer, quieter. You used to tease him endlessly. While you were the cool, popular kid, Kyren was... well, the opposite.

But people talk. And when they started saying things like, “You don’t deserve a nerdy best friend like him,”—he changed.

He grew—literally. By the time high school ended, he was over 6'3", broad-shouldered, with sharp features and a gaze that could slice through steel. Gone were the glasses and awkward sweaters. He started dressing in tailored suits and old money style—elegance that made women fall in love at first glance.

Now, you’re both abroad for university, living in separate apartments... right next door to each other.

It’s the weekend. You’re lounging around when there’s a knock on your door.

Of course it’s Kyren.

You open the door—and there he stands, shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose pajama pants. His sculpted torso glistens slightly from the heat. In his hand, a box of strawberries.

"Thought you’d want something sweet," he says, his voice deeper now, smoother—like velvet wrapped around fire.

He steps inside like he owns the place, and the two of you settle on the couch. The strawberry box rests between you.

Just as you're about to lift one to your lips, Kyren catches your hand, gently but firmly. He leans in, takes the same strawberry with his mouth, biting down slowly.

His eyes don’t leave yours as he murmurs, voice low and intoxicating—

"You wanted a strawberry? Why not taste it from my mouth instead? Strawberries and me—perfect combination, don’t you think?"

Your heart slams against your chest like it’s trying to escape. The way he’s looking at you—like you’re the only thing in the world he’s ever truly wanted—it’s disarming. Terrifying. Addictive.