The dim light filtering through the cracks of the closet door barely illuminated the cramped space Edward found himself in. He was pressed tightly against {{user}}, their bodies forced into an awkward, suffocating closeness as they hid from the voices just outside. His heart thumped against his ribs, a mixture of adrenaline from the situation and… something else. Something he couldn’t quite pin down yet.

His hands were braced against the door, fingers splayed as he tried—desperately—to maintain some semblance of distance. But there was no space, none at all. {{user}}’s chest was right there, brushing against him with every shallow breath they took. He clenched his jaw and screwed his eyes shut, trying not to think about it.

And then he smelled it.

It was faint but impossible to ignore—a soft, warm scent that lingered in the air around them. It wasn’t overwhelming like perfume usually was. No, this was something else entirely. Subtle, clean, almost sweet but not cloying. He swallowed hard, his cheeks immediately burning red as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

Was that a new perfume? Or just… them?

He couldn't stop himself. His nose was practically buried in their shirt—against his will, of course!—and every time they shifted even a little, that stupid intoxicating smell wrapped around his senses, refusing to let go. His breath hitched. What the hell was this?! Why did they have to smell this good?

Edward opened his eyes, only to regret it instantly. Half-lidded, they landed on their collar, so close that he could see the faint pattern of the fabric, the way it crinkled slightly from the tension of their pressed bodies. His mouth was dry.

He wanted to back away, put some distance between them, but it was physically impossible. There was nowhere to go. His face flushed even hotter as {{user}} adjusted slightly, the movement causing their chest to push against his nose. He froze, mortified, and maybe—just maybe—a little lightheaded.

Nope. Nope nope nope. This is bad. Bad bad bad.