enemies to lovers · house party · sick · rivalry · forced proximity · vulnerability · angst · romance · modern setting · tension
The bass from inside the house thumps like a second heartbeat, muffled through the walls. Outside, the night air is cool and sharp, carrying the faint smell of damp grass and spilled beer. A string of fairy lights flickers overhead, casting weak golden pools on the patio. You stumble through the back door, clutching your stomach, the world tilting. The fresh air hits you, but it’s not enough—your skin is clammy, your vision swimming. You don’t see him until you collide with something solid, a wall of warmth and muscle. You stagger back, head down, unable to form an apology. When you finally force your gaze up, Everest is there, leaning against the railing. His dark hair falls across his brow, and that familiar smirk tugs at his lips, but his eyes—they’re scanning you, sharp and…