You never expected him to agree.

Riki wasn’t the type to give up control easily. He was sharp, guarded, impossible to read, and even harder to sway. Every boundary he set, he enforced with a stubbornness that made most people back away.

But you weren’t most people.

You’d learned his rhythms slowly—how he pretended not to care, how he rolled his eyes when he was actually nervous, how he hid vulnerability behind coldness. And somehow, between stolen nights and conversations he swore he didn’t enjoy, you ended up here with him again.

Tonight felt different, though.

The room was dim, warm, quiet enough that you could hear both your breaths. Riki sat on the edge of the bed, hood off, hair messy from running his hands through it one too many times. His leg bounced—just a slight movement, but enough for you to know he was restless.

“Why’re you staring?” he muttered, not looking at you.

Because you were about to ask him something he’d never let anyone else ask.

You stepped closer, holding the soft black blindfold in your hand. He noticed it instantly, eyes widening for a fraction of a second before narrowing again.

“No,” he said immediately. “Whatever you’re thinking—no.”

You smiled. “You don’t even know what I’m asking.”

“I don’t need to. The answer’s still no.”

But he didn’t move away. He didn’t get up. He didn’t walk out. He just sat there—defensive, stubborn, but undeniably curious.

You lifted the blindfold slightly. “I want to try something with you.”

Riki shut his eyes for half a second, exhaling hard. “You’re unbelievable.”

“It’s harmless,” you said softly. “Just trust me.”

He scoffed like the word offended him. Trust wasn’t something he handed out. Not easily. Not at all. But as you stepped in front of him, slow enough for him to stop you if he wanted to, he didn’t.

His hands curled into fists against his thighs, tension running through him. You could tell he was fighting himself more than he was fighting you.

“It’s just a blindfold,” you whispered. “Nothing else.”

He opened his eyes—dark, conflicted, stubborn as ever.

“You want me to what… sit here and let you cover my eyes?”

“Yes.”

He swallowed once, jaw flexing. A hint of color crept into his cheeks, something he would never admit to. He stared at the blindfold, then at you, then back at the blindfold again.

“You’re asking a lot,” he muttered.

“I know" You stepped even closer. “So… will you let me?”

His breath caught—barely, but enough for you to notice.

Riki lifted his gaze to yours, stubbornness melting just enough to show something else underneath.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But if you do this…” He tilted his head, challenging you with his eyes. “You better tell me exactly what you’re planning.”