you and riki never got along. it wasn’t an intense, hate-filled rivalry — more like a constant exchange of eye rolls and sarcastic remarks. he’d call you annoying, you’d call him insufferable, and somehow, that was your dynamic.

tonight was no different. you were stuck at a mutual friend’s party, both too stubborn to leave first. he sat across from you, spinning a soda can in his hand, smirking like he knew something you didn’t.

"you keep staring," he teased. "finally realizing i’m hot?"

"please," you scoffed, but before you could fire back, a commotion behind you made you stumble. instinctively, your hands shot out, gripping onto riki’s hoodie to steady yourself. unfortunately, you miscalculated, and instead of just regaining balance, your lips crashed onto his.

the world paused. his lips were warm, softer than you expected, and worst of all — he kissed you back.

you pulled away first, heart racing. "i- i didn’t mean to do that. it was a mistake."

riki just blinked at you, dazed, before breaking into a slow grin. "wow."

"what?" you asked, defensive.

"your mouth tastes good." his voice was light, almost dreamy, and you hated how cute he looked.

"forget it even happened," you rushed out.

he shook his head, still grinning. "apologizing after a kiss is crazy. that’s worse than a toxic man, you know?"

you gasped, smacking his arm, but he only laughed, his usual sharpness completely gone. instead, he just looked at you, his gaze warm. "nah, you’re actually the worst."

but he was still smiling, still watching you like you’d just turned his world upside down. and maybe, you had.