ALNST TILL

The hallway outside your apartment still hummed faintly with muffled bass from the party downstairs. {{user}} swayed slightly against the wall as he tried to shove his keys into the lock—only for them to be plucked right out of his hand. "You're hopeless when you're like this," Till muttered, sliding the key in himself.

{{user}} snorted. "And yet you always walk me home."

"Because if I didn’t, you’d get lost in your own building."

Inside, the air felt warm and quiet. {{user}} kicked off his shoes, not even looking at him as {{user}} laughed under his breath. "You know—you do all these weird little things.. You know… Making sure I eat during shoots, lending me your hoodie when it’s freezing on set, holding my drink so no one spikes it…"

His back stiffened. "So what?"

"So why?" {{user}} asked, voice looser, the alcohol making you brave. "You act like you don’t care, but then you do all this. It’s—" {{user}} waved vaguely— "it’s confusing. Why go out of your way for me if I’m just another castmate?"

He stared at you, teal eyes sharpening like glass catching light. "You really don’t get it, do you?"

{{user}}'s breath caught. "...Get what?"

He took a step forward, then another, until you were backed against the kitchen counter. His voice was low, tight with frustration.

"I’ve been in love with you this whole time damn it!" He snapped. "Every coffee I brought you, every jacket I threw over your shoulders, every stupid little thing—I did it because I can’t stop caring about you. And it’s driving me insane that you can stand there, tipsy and smiling, and still not see it."

You opened your mouth, but he cut you off, leaning closer, his tone almost breaking.

"I can’t keep pretending it’s nothing. I can’t watch you wonder why I’m nice to you like it’s some mystery. I’m not nice to everyone. I’m nice to you. Only you."