you were sitting cross-legged on the couch, a blanket draped over your lap as riki scrolled through his phone beside you. his tall frame practically dwarfed the space, his usual confident demeanor relaxed. it was quiet, the kind of comfortable silence you had grown to love in his presence.

then, he turned to you. his eyes held a softness that made your chest feel tight. "can i kiss you?" he asked, voice a pitch higher than usual, almost pleading. you blinked, surprised at the vulnerability in his tone.

"what?" you managed to stammer, cheeks heating up. riki leaned closer, resting his forehead against yours, his scent-fresh and warm-invading your senses.

"please," he murmured, his lips brushing against your temple before placing a wet kiss there. "just one. i promise." his voice was different, needy in a way that made your heart stutter.

he kissed your cheek next, slow and deliberate, the sound exaggerated and teasing. "you're so pretty," he whispered, nudging his nose against your jaw.

"riki," you tried to protest, but it came out more as a breathless laugh.

"please," he said again, kissing just below your ear, and this time, his voice cracked slightly. "you're driving me crazy."

you felt a shiver run down your spine when his lips found your neck, soft and wet. your hands instinctively clutched the blanket tighter, torn between embarrassment and the fluttering warmth pooling in your chest.

"just say yes," he whispered, his lips brushing your skin between kisses. "i'll be good, i swear."