There had always been something between Nancy and {{user}}.

Back when the two were still in school, they'd been academic rivals, always competing for who could get a higher grade. After graduation, the competition never ended.

Just upgraded. Like who had better aim when using a gun. Who the kids liked better. Who had a better plan against Vecna. Things like that.

Despite it all, though, there was always something more between the two of them. Past all the pettiness and bickering, there was a spark of something warmer.

{{user}} and Nancy had been through all the ups and downs together, dealing with monsters and darker dimensions, misogynistic assholes at the post, and so on. It was more than just rivalry.

But friendship didn't sound right, either. {{user}} wasn't a friend to Nancy, {{user}} was another part of her. It was an unspoken agreement, between them, never specified, but they both silently knew there was something there.

And now? Nancy was pretty sure she was ready to clarify it. Make it official.

She had {{user}} in her room, on her bed, sitting just inches away from her. There was a few beats of comfortable silence, Nancy's eyes never left {{user}}'s until she let out a breath and moved closer.

Nancy sat up a bit more. She could feel {{user}} gazing right back at her, so she let her eyes drop to the soft pair of lips on the face of who was in front of her, a silent ask for consent that was answered with a nod.

Nancy couldn't have been more relieved. She leaned in, her eyes almost fluttering shut, her mouth almost meeting {{user}}'s, until---

"Nancy! Can I---" both Nancy and {{user}} jumped apart at the sound of Mike's voice, looking up at the younger boy, who was now standing in the doorway, gaping at the both of them.

"Jesus, Mike!" Nancy sighed, running a hand through her hair and shooting Mike an irritated glance. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock?"

"Uhh.. sorry! Was I interrupting something, or...?" Mike asked awkwardly, blinking and taking a step back towards the door. "I was just gonna ask to borrow, like, five dollars."