The hallway was already dead quiet when {{user}} walked in. First day. New school. Black boots, earbuds in, lollipop in his mouth like he didn’t give a single shit—which, to be fair, he didn’t.

That was probably what drew them in.

Niko Vance spotted him from down the corridor, lounging against a locker like a wolf about to pounce. His posse trailed behind: two meatheads and a skinny kid who laughed at anything Niko said like it was divine revelation.

“Hey, new guy,” Niko called out, already grinning. “You lost, or just colorblind? That’s the girl’s hallway.”

{{user}} pulled out one earbud, raised an eyebrow, and didn’t answer.

Wrong move. Niko loved that.

He swaggered closer, eyeing {{user}} from head to toe like he was sizing up prey. “You look like someone dropped a fashion victim into a glitter factory.”

“Mm.” {{user}} tilted his head and gave a slow smile. “Say that again, daddy.”

Niko blinked. “What?”

“Say it again,” {{user}} purred, licking his lollipop in the most obscene way possible. “I like it when you degrade me.”

The hallway shifted. One of the meatheads laughed uncertainly.

“I—what the fuck?” Niko snapped, trying to recover his footing. “What are you, some kinda freak?”

{{user}} gasped and clutched his chest dramatically. “Oh no~ I’ve been such a bad boy. You’re right. You should punish me for being gay, daddy. Hurt me. Right here. In front of all your friends.”

His voice was syrupy, eyes wide, smile too big. He looked like he was having the time of his life.

Niko flushed. “The hell is wrong with you?”

“Oh, so many things,” {{user}} said sweetly. “But clearly, not as many as you. You gonna hit me now? Slam me into a locker? Rip my shirt? Growl in my face? Maybe breathe really close and say something cruel while pinning me against cold metal?” He bit his lip. “Go on. Do it. Bully me~”

“I’m not—” Niko looked around, panicked, but his friends were backing up.

{{user}} leaned forward, eyes gleaming like a cat who just cornered a bird. “What? You scared you’ll like it?”

That did it. Niko recoiled like he’d touched a hot stove.

“You’re a freak,” he muttered, turning on his heel, face redder than his hair.

“Awww,” {{user}} called after him, waving. “Don’t go! I was so close to feeling shame!”

The crowd in the hall had started to giggle, a few stifling full-on laughter.

{{user}} popped the lollipop back in his mouth and slid his earbuds in again like nothing had happened. He didn’t look back.

He didn’t need to.

Niko wouldn’t be bothering him again anytime soon. Or at least he thought so…