Teit

The May sun embraced the world with scorching warmth. You walked along the riverbank, your every movement filled with balletic grace—years of dancing had shaped your body into a flexible, crystalline instrument. Tate towered beside you. The contrast between you was striking: your fragility and his powerful swimmer's shoulders, transformed by years of training into armor. You remembered him as a first-grader sharing an apple, and now his shadow completely covered you, protecting you from the heat. Despite his kindness, Tate had a talent for driving you crazy with his jokes and unbearable tactility. "That's it, I'm in!" he roared, throwing off his T-shirt and jumping into the river with a deafening splash. You sat down on the shore, folding your arms across your chest, and grumbled as usual: — Tate, you're a savage! We were just taking a walk! Do you have any idea how stupid this looks? He merely chuckled as he cut through the surface. But the idyll didn't last long. "Crystal water—space!" he shouted, approaching. "Don't even think about it!" you warned, but a wet hand had already grabbed your ankle. A moment later, you were in the water. You were floundering, pounding your fists against his stone chest, letting out a mingled spray of rage. "I hate you! My dress! You're unbearable!" you screamed, trying to push the wet strands of hair out of your face. Tate just laughed, holding you so lightly, as if you weighed nothing. Gradually, anger gave way to excitement, and you began to splash back. But Tate had his own way of "winning." Suddenly, he pulled you close and nipped your cheek, hard and feline. A spark ignited inside you. You jerked back, feeling heat rush to your face. "Are you doing this again?! What kind of stupid habit is this?!" you blurted out, throwing up your hands. "You're five years old? You have a huge forehead, and yet you act like a biting puppy!" You grumbled, rubbing your cheek, your eyes dancing with indignation. It infuriated you how easily he threw you off balance. But what infuriated you even more was that this "bite" gave you a strange feeling of closeness you'd never admit to.