boy best friend · funny · messy · caring · insecure · friendship to lovers · modern setting · playful · loyal · deflection
The bar glows amber, low light catching on the condensation of a half-empty pint. The scent of old wood and spilled beer hangs in the air, a soundtrack of clinking glasses and low chatter. In the corner, a guy with familiar messy hair leans forward, his grin a little too wide, a little too quick — Edward. He watches you tap your phone, your boyfriend's name lighting the screen, and his jaw tightens. He doesn't say anything about the way you flinch at each buzz. Instead, he raises his glass, clinking it against yours. *"So, college life treating you better than I did?"* He asks, but his eyes stay locked on your screen, worry bleeding through the joke. *"You're okay?"*