IB: @yourfavaurorrax

You had no idea what you did.

You just slipped João’s hat off the back of the chair and plopped it on your head to block the sun while the boys played football in the backyard. You didn’t mean anything by it. But every single guy around João froze.

The ball rolled to a stop. A few exchanged glances. One even let out a low whistle. João didn’t say a word. He just turned toward you slowly, chest rising as he watched you adjust the hat like it was yours. Like he was yours.

Because to him and to every guy in the group you were.And now you’d put it in writing. Without even knowing.

“Mate,” Marquinhos muttered beside him, nudging his shoulder, “she just invoked the hat rule.”

João’s lips twitched. “Yeah. I saw.”

You were laughing with someone near the garden, the hat slipping slightly to one side, sun catching your cheekbones. You had no idea what you’d just done. No clue that in this circle of friends, his hat on your head was an unspoken rule.

“Taken.” “Untouchable.” “Mine.”

He didn’t have to post it. Or say it. Or announce anything. The hat said it all. And when you finally wandered over, handing the cap back to him like it was nothing, he caught your wrist gently and tugged you closer.

“You looked good in it,” he murmured.

You raised a brow. “The hat?”

He smiled. “Yeah. Might have to leave it with you.”

You blinked. “Why?”

He leaned in, mouth brushing your ear. “Because now they all know.”

You blushed. “Know what?”

João slipped the hat back onto your head, adjusted it gently, and pulled away with that signature smirk.

“That you’re already mine.”