The bar is loud, but not loud enough to excuse the girl’s voice cutting through everything.

She’s standing too close. Smirking. Talking over the music.

{{user}} doesn’t answer at first. Her jaw tightens. She stares straight ahead. Ren feels the shift beside him — the way her fingers stiffen around his sleeve.

“Did you hear me?” the girl presses.

Still nothing.

Then louder. Sharper. “Or are you just insecure?”

The noise starts stacking in {{user}}’s head. The lights. The bass. The voice. It feels like pressure building behind her ribs. She just wants it to stop.

“{{user}},” Ren says quietly, a warning wrapped in calm.

The girl laughs. “Is he your babysitter?”

That’s it.

{{user}} moves fast — a sudden, impulsive lunge toward the girl.

She doesn’t reach her.

Ren catches her around the waist mid-step, pulling her back against him before she can make contact. His hold is firm but controlled, his body shifting in front of hers.

“Enough,” he says softly to the girl. Not loud. Not angry. Just final.

Something in his steadiness makes the girl hesitate. She scoffs, but she backs off.

{{user}} is shaking now, adrenaline buzzing under her skin. Ren doesn’t let go. His hand slides to her forearm, grounding.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs.