Kai Watched Her, Amusement Flickering Behind His Dark Eyes As She Tried—really Tried—to Act Like

i am still here, promise, just been busy... will work on some replies tomorrow <3

Ruby felt her stomach flip when his message came through, her fingers curling around her phone as the words sank in. She hadn’t expected him to push quite this far. Chewing on her lip she questioned how to proceed.

text: talk about trying your luck... what will I get in return?

The brunette sat up, and crossed her legs on her lap as she began to take the plaits out of her hair. She still couldn't quite believe the way their conversation was going. They'd been been friends for a while now, he was easy to get on with and even easier on the eye but she'd never once thought he would have found her attractive yet tonight had proved otherwise. He knew her dating history and the type of guys she wasted her time with, she couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his mind -- was he into this or was it just a little bit of fun?

text: i mean technically you are the guy that I'm texting-- the other guy left me on read🙄

he knew there was every chance that when he text her that last message she could shoot him down, yet he decided to toss his hat in the ring so to speak. he wasn't tied down to anyone, though there were plenty of rumours about him getting back with his ex but he had no interest in persuing that further. they'd broken up for a reason. he felt like he'd wasted a year of his life to be with someone who made him look like a fool and yet was constantly trying to push her way back into the picture. he wouldn't say he felt nothing, it was quite hard actually first love and all but he wasn't going back there. instead he was dancing on this fine line with ruby, where she had the opportunity to shoot him down.. and yet she didn't, which he found interesting.

"fuckkkk." he groaned at her reply, only imagining what that could possibly look like.

text: lace as well.. god you're killing me.

text: sneak peek?

he leant up a fraction propping himself between the pillows and his bed post and got himself more comfortable as this conversation continued to unfold.

text: if i was that guy you were texting, i wouldn't be able to contain myself knowing that's what you had on underneath that easy accessible dress of yours.

Jeyda’s fingers twitched, but he didn’t move to take the mail right away. His eyes, dark and unreadable, flicked from the envelopes to the woman standing before him—Aylin. 4B. Too many words, too much warmth. He wasn’t used to either.

A beat passed. Then another.

Finally, he reached out, taking the stack from her hand with deliberate slowness. The legal firm's gold lettering gleamed in the sunlight, but he didn’t bother looking at it. He already knew what was inside.

His voice, when he spoke, was low, rough from disuse. "Thanks." Nothing more. No welcome, no acknowledgement of her offer. Just that.

Jeyda turned the mail over once in his hand, then tucked it under his arm. His gaze settled on her, not quite meeting her eyes but near enough. Aylin was still watching him, waiting—for what, he wasn’t sure. He didn’t have anything else to give. Not pleasantries. Not reassurances. Definitely not friendship.

Closed starter for @littledaydreamers based on this:

"Excuse me! Are you… Mr Arslan?"

Aylin held out a small stack of mail, the afternoon sun catching the gold lettering on the return address of a legal firm. "I think I might have accidentally grabbed your mail. 4A, right? I’m so sorry! I was in a rush, trying to beat the heat… and honestly, these boxes are practically prehistoric. I'm Aylin, by the way. I live in 4B." She offered a tentative smile, one practiced for calming anxious brides and soothing stressed mothers-of-the-groom.

She took a closer look at the man in front of her. He was… imposing. Tall, broad shouldered but there was an intensity in his eyes, a haunted quality that sent a shiver of unexpected concern through her. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. He didn’t speak, didn't even acknowledge her. He just stared, his eyes fixed somewhere just past her shoulder.

“Look,” she continued, her voice softening. "I really am sorry. Here." She extended the mail again, pushing it gently towards him. “I'm sure you’re expecting these. Welcome to the building. I hope you… settle in okay.”

She hesitated, a sudden impulse tugging at her. Against every ounce of self-preservation, Aylin added, "If you need anything… anything at all… please don't hesitate to knock. I'm usually home, knee-deep in tulle and seating charts, but… I wouldn’t mind a break. Just let me know if there's something I can do." And then, she waited, holding her breath, wondering if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.

Kai watched as she pulled away, the warmth of her body slipping from his lap, leaving behind only the ghost of her touch and the scent of vanilla and musk clinging to his skin. His jaw tensed, eyes dark as he leaned back against the seat, taking her in—the way she hurried to fix her clothes, the slight tremble in her fingers, the way she refused to meet his gaze.

She was running. He could see it, clear as day.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but it wasn’t just smug amusement—it was something deeper, something raw that he wasn’t about to name. Instead, he let his eyes roam over her one last time, committing every flushed inch of her to memory.

“Right,” he said finally, voice rough with lingering satisfaction, but there was something unreadable beneath it. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, exhaling sharply. “Guess this is where we pretend like none of it happened.”

Kai let out a low chuckle, finally redressing before reaching for his jacket, shrugging it back on like none of this had phased him. Like he hadn’t just been inside her, watching her unravel around him. "I don't need Carter taking me anywhere. I can make my own way back, thanks."

“Sweet dreams, Pia,” he murmured, voice dripping with something close to a challenge. “Try not to think about me too much.” And with that, he pushed open the car door and stepped out into the night.

there was a screech of the wheels came to a halt. she only just realised how long they had been circling the city and wasting time. of course there was every reason she had lost track of the minutes that went by considering she was tangled up in kai.

his scent was intoxicating, the lingering smell of cigarettes and liquor mixed with his cologne, now that she was in close proximity to him she could breathe in all in.

there were too many things about him that drove her absolutely insane, but apparently that feeling was addictive. "miss geller we are at the estate." she went quiet for a moment, and now she had a definitive reason to move herself off of him.

lifting herself up off his lap she looked away for w moment. she'd wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anyone before and that was the problem. the few layers of clothing she had on her body she was swift to return and maintain her somewhat presentable appearance not like she'd just been pleasured in the backseat of the town car. "well.. this is me..carter can take you wherever you need to go."

amoonlitmemory​:

Status: Closed @littledaydreamers​

Location:  Tavern

“I’d think twice about releasing me. That is if you had any intention of keeping your hand” Kennedy hissed her threat to the stranger as she attempted to loosen his grip on her whilst trying not to draw attention to them. Her hand drifted to her hip where her small blade was usually hidden, only to find it missing and her heart to lurch. She had only wanted to have a quiet drink, hoping to over hear any information on the new arrivals, though this time it appeared that she had made the mistake of listening in on the wrong people and they hadn’t been as drunk and unobservant as she had originally thought.

Jacob stood at a nearby table, observing the tense situation unfolding before him. His eyes darted between Kennedy and the stranger, analysing their body language and trying to assess the best course of action. He had seen Kennedy at the tavern before, a tough and independent woman who seemed to be able to handle herself in most situations. However, it was clear that she was in a vulnerable position now. His instinct to help kicked in, and he quickly made his way over to Kennedy, trying to keep a calm demeanour. He approached from the side, not wanting to startle either of them further. As he got closer, he spoke in a low voice, "Hey, is everything alright here?" The stranger, taken aback by Jacob's unexpected intervention, loosened his grip slightly. Jacob stood tall, positioning himself between Kennedy and the stranger, projecting an air of confidence. He maintained eye contact with the stranger, subtly conveying that he wouldn't tolerate any further aggression. "I suggest you walk away now," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. The stranger hesitated, his gaze shifting between Jacob and Kennedy. Sensing the mounting tension, he finally decided to retreat, his pride wounded but realizing the situation was no longer in his favour. With one last lingering look, he turned and disappeared into the crowd. Jacob turned his attention to Kennedy, offering her a reassuring smile. "Are you alright?" he asked gently, concern evident in his voice. 

dxrlingdevils​:

“Ohhh right because the two of us together with a bunch of cops sounds like a good idea?” Liam wanted to keep his job and the contract he had with the station and he knew that probably wouldn’t happen if he combined his best friend with alcohol. “Nope, I think we’re definitely talking about you now.” He sighed, reaching for a bottle of water and asprin so he could deal with this conversation. “So tell me, what’s the excuse this time?”

Becca pursed her lips. “Okay, fair, I’ll give you that. It seems you’re off the hook this time.” She replied, still narrowing her eyes at the male before breaking out in a grin. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. “Excuse you, but my excuses are always good and valid. Just like this time, I had it all planned out to do — I was even on my way there, but then I found a stray dog and I had to help him.”

ofblcssxms​:

Mollie couldn’t help but laugh in response to his comment, arching a brow in suspicion as she peered toward him through narrowed eyes. “So it seems the lies just keep flowing.” She teased, laughing lightly once again. It was rare that she wasn’t laughing when she was with Asher, in all honesty. The two of them just got along so well that it proved difficult to be anything other than happy in his presence. Hence, why he was her first port of call should she ever have any down days. Mollie pouted as he continued on with the affectionate speech. “Stop!” She elongated the word in a childlike manner, covering her face with both of her hands adorably, in hope of hiding just how crimson her face had turned. Turning on her heel, Mollie then wandered further into the apartment before then stopping peering back toward Asher. She could tell his comment had been a buffer, a way for her to leave the subject of his arrival alone, and she had no problems in doing that. Honestly.. Mollie was just happy he was there. “I see how it is. You have no problems spooning me when we’re drunk but when we’re sober its a whole other story. I see.” The girl teased, pouting once again. 

Asher puffed his chest out as he acted shocked. “How very dare you! I can’t believe you continue to accuse me like this. I’m appalled, I really am.” He replied scoffing as he shook his head, trying to keep the smile off his face. A warm feeling settled within him, already feeling better now he was in Mollie’s presence. Things were always just so easy with them. The male laughed as she covered her face, complaining. Her embarrassment just made things even more fun. “Aw, don’t be like that. I’m just trying to tell you how much I care about you. C’mon, give me a hug, bestie.” Asher teased, laughing as he followed her further into the apartment before leaping forward, trapping her in his arms as he hugged her tightly. “I mean, I suppose I could let you share the bed with me, but only if I can be the little spoon.” He joked with a wink. 

Zach sighs, glancing at her with a flicker of something almost like... patience? Almost. He leans forward slightly, his expression flat but serious. "Alright, fine. I’ll give you one shot, just this once," he says, his tone a little more neutral than usual. "If you wanna talk, I won’t laugh, and I won’t use it against you. But you gotta know, it’s a one-time deal. After this conversation, I'm going back to not giving a hoot about your issues or problems. Deal?" He raises an eyebrow, challenging her to either take it or leave it.

there was something she didn't trust about the other offering her space to complain so she glares to him instead. his reaction only shows that he has no general interest in what she has to say. rolling her eyes she shakes her head. "of all people - i am not about to complain to you and tell you my problems. you'll just laugh or use it agaisnt me." she points out to him pulling her legs up to her chest letting herself go silent.

amoonlitmemory​:

Closed starter for @littledaydreamers

Kate stood outside the door as she attempted to listen in to her co-worker and Asher, they had been whispering between themselves ever since they entered the breakroom. The fact that they were in the breakroom wasn’t anything new, they often let Asher use it to take a break in between his sets if he needed, however the fact that they would stop talking as soon as anyone walked into the room which raised her suspicions. “Alright losers, what are you two up to? Don’t tell me nothing because we all know you’d be lying and you’re awful at it.” She claimed as she pushed open the door hoping to surprise them.

As Kate pushed open the door, Asher and her co-worker, Max, quickly straightened up, their faces betraying a mix of surprise and guilt. Asher, with his usual nonchalant demeanour, grinned at Kate and replied, "Ah, Kate, always bursting in at the perfect time! You caught us red-handed, huh?" He leaned against the countertop in the breakroom casually. "Actually, we were just discussing some new workout techniques. You know me, always trying to stay ahead of the game," Asher explained, trying to diffuse any suspicion despite the fact he’d never stepped into a gym in his life.

“we just broke up and i honestly can’t stand being with you right now but i was trying to leave and apparently we got snowed in so i guess we’re stuck together” au