#first one

TOO CLOSE TO PRETEND ⋆˚࿔

pairing: jax (tadc) x reader

synopsis: a quiet hallway, bad idea. jax gets too close and neither of you moves away.

the hallway wasn't supposed to be this quiet.

In a place like the circus, silence felt wrong— like something was waiting to happen. The usual bustling chaos was nowhere to be seen, replaced by something softer, almost tense. You were even sure why you had wandered this far out away from the other in the first place.

But you were sure you weren't alone.

"y'know," a voice drawled from behind, lazy and unmistakenly familiar. "Most people try to avoid the dark, creep hallways. Not walk into them."

You didn't turn around at the comment. "And most people aren't stuck in a digital nightmare."

A quiet chuckle echoed out, sound a bit more closer. "Fair point."

You heard his footsteps, unhurried, confident and definitely much closer than when he started talking. Of course, he never rushed, he never needed too.

Eventually curiosity got the best of you as you glanced over your shoulder.

Jax. Leaning casually against the wall like he owned the place, arms crossed with that same irritating smirk already plastered on his face.

"any reason you're following me?" You asked flatly, raising an eyebrow.

"relax," he replied, pushing off the wall as he stepped toward you. "I'm just going the same way."

You turned around fully, narrowing your eyes. "the same way for twenty minutes?

He shrugged, not missing a beat. "maybe you're just interesting."

You scoffed, turning away from him. "that's your worst lie yet.

"wasn't a lie."

You stopped walking, pausing at the tone he used. That was your first mistake.

Your second was daring to turn around— because he was much closer than before, quiet enough you didn't even hear the last few steps.

"personal space." You muttered, taking an instinctive step back until my back hit the wall.

oh.

jax's ears twitched slightly, tilting his head and he leaned in just a bit more.

"you're too close." You started, your voice steady despite the way your pulse was significantly picked up.

"you're not moving." He shot back.

"neither are you."

something flickered in his expression, not bad— just different. Sharper, more focused. For once, he wasn't scanning the room to find someone to mess with

he was looking at you.

"move." you huffed, your voice quieter now.

"make me."

the words landed between you heavier than it should have. Not a complete joke.

you swallowed, lifting your chin higher. "you really wanna test that?"

a slow grin spread on his face. "kinda."

wow, was he insufferable.

you sighed in deep annoyance, your hand tugging him down by his overall sleeves before you fully thought it through.

his breath hitched. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but you did notice.

"..careful," he murmured, voice lower now. "you don't look like you can handle what you're starting."

your grip tightened. "You talk a lot for someone who hasn't moved."

For once— jax didn't have an immediate comeback.

His gaze flickered down your hand gripping his sleeves then back up at your face, like the situation slipped just out of his control.

"...you're staring." You started, softer now.

"you're in my space."

"you walked into it."

"didn't hear you complaining."

For a second, neither of you moved. Didn't speak. Didn't joke.

Didn't pretend.

then—

"hey!" The sudden voice shattered the moment. You jerked back, letting go of his sleeve like it burned while jax straighten up just as fast. His expression snapping back into his lazy, amused grin.

"are you two seriously hiding out here? Zooble called out in an annoyed voice. "Caine's looking for everyone!"

You stepped away, forcing your breathing back to normal. "We're coming."

"yeah, yeah." Jax added casually, already turning away. "..you gonna stand there all day?" He said, tone light as he glanced down at you. "Or are you coming?"

"..you didn't answer me."

He passed, glancing over his shoulder with one brow raised. The familiar smirk almost in place, almost.

"about what?"

...

"nothing."

"thought so."

With that, he walked off down into the hallway. but this time, you noticed the way his ears flicked back, just slightly.

For once—

you weren't sure who actually had won that exchange.

🫯🤭