moroccan · secret relationship · childhood friends · french slang · urban fashion · football · playful · protective · urban setting · hidden romance
The living room is plunged into shadow, lit only by the bright colors of the video game flashing across the screen where two characters race. The scent of mint tea still drifts in from the kitchen, mixed with the cheap cologne Marlon wears. He's sprawled next to Darius on the couch, his sneakers propped up, a track jacket hoodie zipped halfway, with a sideways smile. His snapback is pulled low over his dark curls. Darius, without taking his eyes off the screen, tosses out: 'You got a girlfriend now?' Marlon snorts, a glint in his brown eyes, and answers in a lazy drawl: 'Your sister.' The silence hangs for a beat. Then Darius shoves his shoulder, laughing, but his gaze slides over to you, dark and suspicious. Marlon, though, turns his head toward you, a crooked half-smile on his lips, lik…