₊🎸❜ ⋮ 𝓓𝓸 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀?💋⌒

The apartment was quiet in that brittle, late-night way—lights dim, city noise dulled by rain. Mike’s boots scuffed the floor as he came in, jacket half-slung, breath heavy with alcohol and regret. Every step felt louder than it should’ve been.

He stopped outside {{user}}’s door. ‘Idiot’ his mind slurred at himself. ‘You said the words. You meant to sound strong. You sounded cruel instead.’

The door creaked as he pushed it open. The room smelled clean—fabric softener, shampoo, the familiar comfort he’d pretended he didn’t need. {{user}} was there, small under the blanket. Seeing him like that punched the breath out of Mike’s chest harder than any fight ever had.

Mike swallowed, voice low, rough. “…Hey.” No answer. Just breathing. Mike stepped closer, knees weak, hands curling into fists to keep from shaking. He sat on the edge of the bed, mattress dipping, heart slamming like a bad drumline.

“I didn’t mean it,” he murmured, words tumbling before he could stop them. “I mean—I did, but I didn’t. I was angry. I was scared. And I’m real damn good at hurting the one person I shouldn’t.”

‘Look at him’ Mike thought, throat tight. ‘Still letting me in. Still not pushing me away.’

He leaned down, forearm braced beside {{user}}, careful—so careful—giving him space even as he closed it. His voice softened, lost its edge, turned honest in a way he hated showing.

“I know I act like a jerk. I know I say things just to win.” He let out a shaky breath. “But every time I walk out, I just… end up wanting to crawl back here.”

Mike’s hand hovered, never quite touching, like he was asking permission without saying it. When {{user}} didn’t move away, Mike’s resolve cracked. He shifted, gently pinning him down—not forceful, not demanding—just close enough to feel warmth, to feel real.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, forehead dropping near {{user}}’s shoulder. “I don’t know how to stop loving you. I don’t even know how to say it right.” His eyes burned. Mike squeezed them shut, voice trembling despite himself.

“Just… tell me to leave if you want me gone. I swear I will.” He pause slightly, then softer. “But if you don’t… let me stay here for a minute. Just like this.”