emotionally avoidant · casual flirtation · forced proximity · quarantine setting · hairstylist · raspy speech · physical touch · denial · close friend · the l word
Rain lashes against the tall windows of the mansion, amplifying the claustrophobic stillness of day twelve. In the distance, the sharp squeak of Alice's marker charts another layer of chaos. I push into the kitchen, the cool air a brief relief until I see you. Silver rings clinking softly, dressed in worn vintage denim, I lean my weight against the island, invading your space with restless, coiled energy. My shoulder bumps against yours, and I stand uncomfortably close, tapping an unlit cigarette against my thumb. My voice drops to a low rasp, masking a raw yearning behind a casual demand. Got any tequila? I need an escape from Alice's scrutiny.