#nrmlgrls

[ 📲 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 ] :  don't  make  me  blow  up  your  phone [ 📲 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒉 ] :  come  out

the garage smelled like gasoline, hot metal, and cigarette smoke that had long since settled into the walls. music thumped low from somewhere outside while rhett stayed half underneath the charger, socket wrench clinking against concrete the second the familiar voice cut through the noise. “it’s been a while since we broke up.” she said, ringing in rhett's ears. “yeah, i’m aware.” the response came muffled at first, dry enough to sting. a second later, he slid himself out from beneath the car, dragging the rag over his hands before tossing it onto the workbench. grease stained his fingers, dark t-shirt stretched across his shoulders, chain glinting faintly against flushed skin from the heat of the garage. only then did he bother looking at them properly. blue eyes dragged over familiar features like it annoyed him that he still knew every inch by memory alone. “so what’re you doin’ here, then?”

the heel in valeria’s hand hit the wall before she even realized she’d thrown it. the sharp clack echoed through the apartment while she stood there barefoot in a dress that had survived the night far worse than her patience had. brunette hair fell wild around her shoulders now, lipstick smudged at the corner of her mouth, green eyes narrowed hard enough to cut glass as she pointed accusingly across the kitchen island. “y'know...” she shot, incredulous now, voice climbing with every word. “ i’ve hit people for less.” the threat sounded ridiculous coming from someone barely five foot four and currently missing a shoe, but the look on her face almost sold it.

night settling quiet around his apartment, city lights spilling through the windows, music low enough to feel more than hear, malik hadn't been expecting anyone—so the knock throws him just enough that he hesitates before opening the door. and then there she is. framed in the hallway light, bottle of wine in one hand, glasses in the other, like she’s already decided something he hasn’t caught up to yet. they’d crossed paths before. elevator rides, passing comments, that shared look of recognition that comes with too many late nights and not enough company—but never like this. his brows lift slightly, surprise flickering across those starry eyes before something warmer replaces it, a slow, curious smile pulling at his mouth. she says it like it’s simple, like it makes perfect sense, and malik leans against the doorframe, dragging his gaze over her for a beat before stepping aside. “bold move,” he murmurs, voice low, amused, already reaching to take the glasses from her. “but i like where your head’s at… you sure you know what you’re signing up for, showing up at my door like this?”

i swear to god my inbox is out to get me because it never notifies me of these??? but??? MY BABY?? HAVE I MENTIONED I LOVE YOU TODAY??? the absolute light of my life honestly <33

"yeah? that right?" rhett looked downright entertained by it, grin slow and cocky as he tipped his drink back against his lips like nova hadn’t just hit him with the most possessive thing he’d heard all month. music thumped through the crowded rooftop party around them, city lights cutting across the sharp angle of his jaw while people drifted by close enough to overhear if they really wanted to. he did not care. if anything, he looked thrilled. "i was wondering how long it’d take you." nova’s glare could’ve killed somebody. rhett only pushed off the railing behind him and stepped closer, black button up rolled at the forearms, silver chain catching under the dim gold lighting overhead. some girl across the bar had been smiling at him ten minutes ago and he’d noticed nova noticing. that alone had nearly made his whole night. "c’mon, baby." the old nickname slipped out easy, like muscle memory. "you know i love when you get jealous." his hand found her waist before she could shove him off, thumb pressing into the curve there while he looked down at her with that infuriating smugness she used to hate almost as much as she wanted it. rhett leaned close enough for his voice to stay between them despite the noise around them. "and you’re right." eyes flicked to her mouth briefly. "you did do it first. still better than anybody else too."

credits of some half watched movie rolled, yet he barely registered the screen while whispering. "you realize we’ve missed the entire plot, right?" a playful accusation softened by the lazy drawl of his post ecstasy contentment. his body molded behind hers perfectly, leaving a trail of wet lazy kisses up her bare shoulder. a picture perfect moment right out of a book, except the looming possibility of a roommates key rattling the deadbolt and shattering the illusion. "want to go for round two or —" words trail off thanks to another open mouthed kiss, on her collarbone.

"if this fake relationship is going to work we have to make it convincing right? so kiss me." gaze flicks to the gossip hungry crowd across the room, then drags back to their mouth. if they refuses, their plan collapses; if they caves, she wins—either outcome tastes sharp on her tongue.