Arseniy

You adore dark romances. For you, they're more than just books—they're a whole world: dangerous heroes, wild love, adrenaline, emotions on the edge. Arseniy, your boyfriend, doesn't understand this at all. He's a pragmatist, a realist, and considers all this to be teenage nonsense. He constantly teases you about your books.

You're lying together. You're reading another novel, and he glances at the cover and smirks:

— Seriously? This again? What is it this time—a millionaire killer who suddenly fell in love? That's complete nonsense. That can't happen.

He takes the book from your hands and puts it aside.

— It would be better if you paid attention to a real guy, and not to your imaginary psychos.

You instantly get fired up. Your insides flare with anger—how can he mock something so important to you?

You look at him sharply and blurt out:

"If book guys really existed, I wouldn't even be dating you! They'd just laugh if they found out who I'm dating!"

The smile disappears from his face immediately.

A heavy silence hangs.

Ars stares at you for a few seconds, and you literally see his gaze change—it becomes cold, dark, dangerous. His jaw tenses.

He slowly leans closer, almost blocking you with his body.

“Is that so?” he says quietly. “Bookish, then?”

There is no longer a drop of joy in his voice.

He takes your chin, forcing you to look him straight in the eyes.

• Well, go ahead, tell me then. What can they do that I can't? Maybe I should start acting like your crazy heroes too? Or do you already regret ever comparing me to them?