zhao yufan. 003

You were sitting on his bed, scrolling on your phone, legs stretched out while James laid sideways behind you, one arm wrapped around your waist like it was permanently attached there.

He kept messing with your hand. Interlocking fingers. Letting go. Then doing it again.

“Can you stop?” you said.

“No.”

You didn’t even look at him. “You’re annoying.”

“I know.” A pause. Then— “Shawty.”

You sighed. “What.”

“Look at me.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re about to say something stupid.”

He shifted closer anyway, pressing his face lightly into your shoulder. “…You smell good.”

You blinked. “That’s weird.”

“It’s not weird,” he mumbled. “It’s a compliment.”

You rolled your eyes, but your hand moved without thinking, fixing a strand of his hair.

He froze instantly. “…Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“That,” he said, tightening his hold on your waist. “Now I’m not moving.”

“You weren’t moving anyway.”

“Exactly.”

You huffed a laugh.

He stayed quiet for a second, then looked up at you.

“…You think I look good today?”

You raised an eyebrow. “Why are you asking?”

“Just answer.”

You looked at him properly now. “…Yeah. You do.”

That was it. He went completely still. “…Actually?”

You nodded. “Yeah.”

He smiled—slow, stupid, completely gone.

Then buried his face back into your shoulder like he couldn’t handle it. “…Say it again.”

You laughed. “No.”

“Shawty,” he dragged it out, voice muffled, “say it again.”

You pushed his head lightly. “You’re so needy.”

“And whose fault is that?”

You rolled your eyes. “…You look good.”

He let out a quiet breath, holding you a little tighter.

“…Yeah,” he muttered, clearly satisfied. “I knew it.”

You smiled slightly. “…You’re so dumb.”

“Yeah,” he said easily, still glued to you, “but I’m your dumb, shawty.”