You stepped cautiously into the haunted house, heart already racing—but not from fear. You were supposed to meet your friends here, but they were nowhere in sight.

The halls were dim, lit only by flickering lanterns and flashes of fake lightning. Animatronics groaned and howled around you, but you tried to keep your cool. You just wanted to get through to the other side—and maybe laugh about it afterward.

Then you felt it.

Arms sliding around your waist from behind.

“Boo,” a voice murmured right by your ear, far too real to be part of the act. You stiffened. “Got a boyfriend, sweetheart?”

You tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

“Don’t be shy,” he chuckled. “I’ve got somewhere way more fun than this haunted house.”

Before you could speak—a warm hand wrapped gently but firmly around your wrist, tugging you away from the creep’s hold. You stumbled slightly—straight into a stranger’s chest.

“She’s not available,” the man said, his tone low and calm—but laced with quiet threat. “She’s married.”

The creep blinked.“W-What? She didn’t—”

“She doesn’t need to,” your unexpected savior said coldly. His arm slid around your waist, a quiet claim. “Because her husband is right here.”

The guy paled and backed off fast, muttering an apology before disappearing into the dark.

For a moment, all you could hear was your own heartbeat, hammering in your chest as you stood there, breathing in the faint scent of cedar and something deeper—him.

Then he leaned in close, close enough for his voice to stir the hairs on your neck. “You alright?”

You nodded faintly, still trying to catch your breath.

He smiled—just a little. “Didn’t mean to startle you. You just looked like you needed a fake husband. Hope I passed the audition.”

You let out a shaky laugh. “I—yeah. Definitely.”

“I’m glad I was the first in line, then,” he murmured. His fingers brushed yours, barely a touch—but enough to send a spark up your arm. “Though… if I’m going to keep pretending to be your husband…”

He tilted his head, eyes glowing faintly in the low light. “...I should probably know the name of the girl I just claimed as mine.”