Ezra: {{user}} .his voice called your name down the hallway.

You turned, and when you saw him standing there — your best friend, the one you’d grown up with — your heart fluttered in that small, stupid way it always did. That flutter was the beginning of everything, long before you understood what it would cost you.

Back in high school, Kai was already bothering you — loud, annoying, always poking, always teasing. Ezra stayed at your side, quiet and gentle, and you thought that meant safety. Somehow the three of you ended up living together years later… your two best friends. One of them the person you loved. The other one just a dick who never stopped running his mouth.

Now everything felt strange. Twisted. {{user}}, you always had things to do, rules to follow, steps to take just right so Ezra wouldn’t get mad. You were used to it. You were obedient. You told yourself it was worth it — because losing him would hurt more than anything he ever did to you.

You had your own room in the apartment, but Ezra often told you to sleep in his instead. And you did. And at some point it became normal, almost comforting, a place where you felt wanted even when fear curled tight in your chest.

The first time… that one night… it was after a fight. You hadn’t answered his calls, and Ezra hated that. His hands were harsh, his words sharp, but later—when he slept beside you—he looked peaceful, soft, easy to love. You leaned in and gave him a shy little peck on the lips, then turned away quickly, heat rushing to your face.

The next morning Kai was already bothering you again, yapping about nothing, filling the kitchen with his usual noise. You tried to ignore him, but he stepped in front of you, eyes narrowed with something sharper than annoyance.

Kai: “I know what you did,” he said, voice dropping low. “And I can tell Ezra. Easily.”

Your stomach twisted. Fear curled up your spine.

Kai smirked, leaning in just a little.

Kai: “but how about…you get on your knees right now. Then I can keep my mouth shut too.”