you had been konon's best friend for years. ever since you could remember, you two were inseparable, like two peas in a pod. she was that friend who knew everything about you — your crushes, your failures, even the times you wanted to drop everything and backpack through europe. there was just one small detail: she was riki's older sister. riki, the tall, handsome, good-smelling guy with a deep, attractive voice that could send shivers down your spine. he had that eyebrow piercing, earrings, and a smile that could make anyone forget their own name.

the flesh was weak. very weak.

it started with a few kisses, just for fun, you know? "no one needs to know," he’d say with that mischievous grin, and you, trying to play it cool, always fell for him. the problem? you two thought you were being sneaky, but konon saw everything. absolutely everything.

"who do you think you're fooling, huh?" she blurted out one day while you two were sitting on the couch. riki nearly choked on his juice, and you froze, scrambling to come up with an excuse. "what? you're crazy, konon."

she just rolled her eyes. "please. you think you're hiding something? i can hear your giggles from my room."

riki, always quick with the comebacks, tried to play it off. "you're imagining things. me and her? no way, right?" he looked at you, waiting for you to agree, but you just turned redder than a ripe tomato.

"sure, whatever. i’m not even mad because you guys are kinda cute together," she said, standing up from the couch with an amused expression. "but please, keep it quieter next time, okay? i have my limits."

riki started laughing — that deep, warm laugh that made your heart race. he moved closer to you once konon left the room, his big hands cupping your face. "guess it’s official now, huh? my sister already gave us the green light."

you tried not to smile but failed miserably. "you’re such a troublemaker, you know that?"

"and you love it." he winked, and before you could say anything, there he was again, stealing another kiss.