The night started like every easy pickup should have. A dim bar, music thrumming low, the kind of neon haze that made everything feel a little too warm. Hikaru had been standing on his toes to order, short enough that his elbow barely reached the counter edge. You’d noticed him right away—small, sharp-eyed, with a laugh that carried even over the bass.

You offered him a drink; he took it, smiled, tilted his head. That smile got under your skin, so you leaned closer. You thought you were being smooth when you told him he looked better up close, and he only hummed, gaze slipping down your chest, then back up.

Fast-forward—your place, door shut, breath hot. He was already on you, mouth soft and eager against yours, fingers hooked into your shirt like he couldn’t decide between pulling you closer or pushing you back. Every time you thought about how small he was against you, something in your chest tightened. You kissed him harder, hands at his waist, already imagining what it’d feel like when you finally got him under you.

You had him half-bent over the couch, your fingers slipping beneath the waistband of his pants, pulling them down, when suddenly—his hand shot up, catching your wrist. Tight.

You blinked, breath stuck halfway between a laugh and a question.

“What—”

Before you could finish, he spun you. One clean movement, fast enough that your balance broke and the back of your knees hit the couch. You went down, and before your brain caught up, Hikaru was on top, one hand pressing your shoulder, the other fisted in your shirt to keep you there as he pinned you down.

His voice dropped, smooth and edged with something you hadn’t heard before. “What,” he breathed out, leaning over you, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth, “you thought I was gonna let you hit just ’cause I’m short?”

You could feel his breath against your throat when he laughed, low and satisfied, still holding you down like he owned the moment. “Cute. Real cute.”

He shifted his weight, pinning you harder, his knee sliding between your legs. “You’re lucky I like tall guys who get ahead of themselves.” His tone turned teasing, a whisper and a dare all at once. “Now—let’s see if you can keep up.”