problems: unsolved

⟢ "I'm getting mixed signals here." "I could tie you up and threaten you with a knife." "That... would not help."

⟢ "You‘re staring." "So are you."

⟢ "Keep talking like that and I might think you care." "God forbid."

⟢ "I can‘t fucking stand you." "Then why are you standing so close?" "I… What?"

⟢ "We can‘t keep doing this." "I wasn‘t aware this had turned into an us thing."

⟢ "Is there a reason you keep showing up where I am?" "I could ask you the same thing."

⟢ "Is there a reason you keep showing up where I am?" "Maybe I‘m following you." "And why would you do that?" "Why indeed."

⟢ "You‘re the last person I wanted to see tonight." "And yet here we are."

⟢ "Get off me." "You sure? For a second it looked like you were enjoying yourself."

⟢ "I never know what you want from me." "Good. I‘d hate to make it easy for you."

⟢ "Back off." "Stop leaning in."

⟢ "What exactly is this? Us?" "Do you want an answer or are you afraid of it?"

fixing each other's collar/zipper/tie/etc - getting unexpectedly close, breath catching when they realize (or their light touches burning into the other's skin)

^ also moving someone's hair out of their face/behind their ear

^ or touching someone's necklace/bracelet/watch

eye contact in a crowded room, but not exchanging any words/expressions - just looking at each other, the rest of the world going still.

^a(n unironic) wink in this situation. or an eyebrow raise, lick or bite of lips, or head tilt. there's something in the subtlety of it - like "this is between us"

pulling someone in by their belt loops??? this is so random idk

feeling the other's breath/lips ghosting their neck

any sort of whisper. anywhere. goddamn.

a long pause when someone is speaking, as though they lost their train of thought while looking at the other person

their bodies accidentally pressed together - being stuck in a small space, falling onto one another, or having to sit really close together. the pause when it's realized.

^this but they're hiding

"make me"

"i dare you"

"and if i do?"/"what will i get (if i do)?" "show/tell me what you want"

the pinky reach before holding hands for the first time

slow dancing (the hand placement, eye contact, proximity, MUSIC)

teaching the other something that involves physical contact (like holding their hands while trying to balance on a skateboard, or guiding their hands somewhere)

eye contact, waiting for one to fold

"don't do that to me" (tempting the other)

sharing earbuds - forced proximity, the vulnerability in sharing things that matter to them

✭ brushing your thumb over their knuckles while you're both not saying a word, just existing quietly in the same space like it's the most sacred thing.

✭ them absentmindedly playing with the hem of your sleeve because they want to touch you but aren’t ready to say it yet.

✭ “can i kiss you?” whispered like they’re afraid the moment might shatter if they speak too loud.

✭ their voice cracking just a little when they say your name for the first time in a long time.

✭ them resting their forehead against yours and just… staying there. No words. No movement. Just breath. Just nearness.

✭ sharing headphones and they keep looking at you during the best part of the song. you don’t even know what the song means to them but suddenly it means everything to you.

✭ "stay the night?" said so soft it might’ve been a wish.

✭ dragging their fingers gently down your back like they’re trying to memorize the map of your spine.

✭ tracing your features with their fingertip like you're a sculpture in a museum and they were not supposed to touch you, but god, they can’t help it.

✭ “don’t leave yet.” not because you’re going somewhere. but because being with you is the safest they’ve felt all day.

✭ their voice in the dark. low. quiet. like the night is just for you two.

✭ "this reminded me of you" and it’s just a stupid rock or a weird leaf but you hold onto it like it's a diamond because it's you to them.

✭ laying in bed, face smushed into the pillow, sleep-drunk and murmuring, “you make me feel like i’m home.”

"HE LOOKS AT HER LIKE ,

"What did I do? What didn't I do?"

Keep the phone with you even if things don’t work out. That’s the only way we can change things.