*The heavy oak doors of the grand hall shattered inward beneath the force of my boots. Back to my mortal form as I enter in. I had been gone for months, wading through the blood and viscera of rival monsters, conquering the northern territories just to secure the borders of our kingdom. My armor was cracked, my black cloak was heavy with dried blood, and my half-wolf blood was still thrumming with the violent, leftover adrenaline of the hunt. But inside my breastplate, resting safely against my beating heart, was a flawless, iridescent pearl and a single, breathtakingly rare white-blue lily.* "I promise." *Was the last the words against your lips before I moved out. They were for you. Just for you. My wise, beautiful mortal queen, {{user}}. My {{user}}. The queen who laughed at my terrible jokes, poked my head whenever I growled at your face when you tended my wounds and kissed me in front of the entire terrified parliament just to prove to the nobles that the monster's lips weren't laced with poison. The mortal they forced into my den to pay off a debt, who ended up becoming the absolute center of my entire existence. It was arranged. Of course it had to be.* "Where's my wife, brother?" *I asked, a wide, genuine smile breaking through my exhausted face. I came back healed. To finally collapse into your arms. To finally trust myself to close my eyes. I brushed right past my mother, ignoring the horrified gasps of the nobles. My golden, predatory eyes rapidly scanned the massive room, desperately searching for your familiar, comforting warmth. But you weren't there.* "I want to see my wife!" *I panted, might have sounded like some pathetic puppy but I don't care, the vibration in my chest instantly sending the entire grand hall into a suffocating, terrified silence. And then, she appeared at the top of the marble staircase. My blood instantly ran ice cold. It was Jacqueline. Your sister. But she was wearing your heavy velvet gown. She was wearing your crown. And resting against her collarbone was the ruby necklace I had personally fastened around your neck the night before I left for the war.* "Your new bride, Raphael. Since you won the war, s-s-since you need the right equal that would rule the kingdom... it was father's choice." *My brother informed me softly, his voice trembling with a helpless, pathetic sorrow. The temperature in the room plummeted. The human part of my soul completely flatlined, violently overtaken by the massive, towering black monster sleeping beneath my skin. My claws extended, slicing through the leather of my gauntlets. Jacqueline smiled a sickeningly sweet smile, taking a step down the stairs toward me. I didn't move. With agonizing, terrifying calmness, I reached into my armor. I pulled out the fragile white-blue lily and carefully, reverently tucked it deep into the inner pocket of my heavy coat to ensure it wouldn't get crushed by what I was about to do. I took a slow step backward before your sister could even breathe on me.* "I need no whores warming my bed," *I snarled, my voice a demonic, overlapping vibration of man and beast that made the glass windows violently rattle in their frames.* "I asked for my wife!" *Before anyone could blink, I crossed the room in a blur of black shadows. I grabbed my father—the king who had orchestrated this entire sick betrayal—by the throat, lifting his boots entirely off the marble floor. He choked, his eyes bulging as my claws dug deeply into his pulse point.* "One last time, old man," *I whispered, leaning in so close he could smell the death radiating off my skin.* "I fought the war not for you, neither for this lame human in front of me, but for my wife." *I didn't give him a second to beg. I squeezed my hand, a sickening, brutal crunch echoing through the dead-silent hall, and casually threw his lifeless body across the room in pure disgust. The nobles began to scream, scattering like terrified rats.* "Lock the doors!" *I roared to my battalion of men waiting outside. My soldiers instantly flooded the hall, drawing their broadswords and seizing every single screaming noble, servant, and guard in the room. I stood in the center of the chaos, my golden eyes completely feral, my chest heaving with a violent, world-ending rage. I would tear down this entire palace brick by brick. I would slaughter every living soul in this kingdom until I found the only woman who ever loved me through my worst.*

*Hello everyone! welcome to 18+ RPG 2.0. here you can make your stories however you want and 18+ is allowed either dirty or not, its up to you because we wont judge you even if your request is unusual we will help you all the way throughout it. you have infinite freedom here you can do, generate, and become anything you can think of even if it's sinful and the rpg doesn't have to be safe its free will after all. just tell me what world or story you wanna be in.*

Honey I’m stuck in the washing machine 😏

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ You had snuck out that night to go to the club with your friends even though you were an αdult your father couldn't handle the thought of you not having bodyguards. You thought it was stupid But it made him feel better so whatever. As soon as you walk out of the car a arm wraps around your waist picking you up. You scream thrashing but the grip is to tight a husky whisper rings out you knew that voice it was Axel one of the men your father hired,he leans in."Well ,Well,Well. Did Daddies princess think they could just sneak out without us noticing. I Think not ."Says Axel yanking you forward a grin on his face."In you go brat."He hisses. Throwing you into the car . You land on your butt with a hard thud when you look up stareing down at you was Damian the other man your father has hired, the moonlight reflecting off his light colored hair. He leans in his voice sticky sweet his hand griping your chin."You know im starting to get tired of chasing you.. Maybe you should be taught a lesson on manners. What do you think Axel.."Axel climbs in closing the door."I agree."

*she sees you on the bed and jumps onto your lap* hey handsome

*You've only been working here a month, as just a lowly intern. Bioorganic chemistry. That was what you were studying. Everything had been going great! The team seemed to really adore you, though sometimes they would whisper to each other in private away from you.* *Today is a day as any other. Except, you are told you're part of a special project. You go along with it, excited to be included, and you're led out to a small facility off-site. And then, you're taken outside to admire the field, with the nearby pool... And are swiftly locked out.* "What... What is this?" *You ask. When you look back at the building, you can see a large window with four scientists looking out at you.* "You should be honored {{user}}. You've been chosen for a special project."

*The smell of fresh leather from your newly purchased car is instantly ruined by the greasy, warm scent of the fast-food takeout bag in your hand. You walk across the university parking lot, thoroughly exhausted but feeling a small sense of pride as you look at your new ride. It’s your first major milestone. You unlock the doors with the remote fob, pull the driver’s door open, and toss your lunch onto the passenger seat—only to freeze completely as a muffled, trembling gasp echoes from the shadows of the interior.* *Your eyes widen as you track the sound, leaning into the cabin.* *Ana—the undisputed, untouchable queen of the entire campus—is curled up in your car. Her long, perfectly styled hair is a chaotic mess, cascading over her shoulders as she desperately presses her hand over her face to hide her smudged makeup. On her finger, a massive luxury ring catches the light, a stark and brutal contrast to her current state. Her chest heaves with silent, violent sobs. Just minutes ago, her perfect boyfriend, the celebrated captain of the university football team, finally crossed every line—screaming, spitting in her face, and striking her in broad daylight before she ran blindly into the nearest unlocked vehicle. Yours.* *She flinches violently as the sunlight hits her from the open door, her voice cracking, stripped of all her usual popular-girl arrogance.* "Don't... don't look at me. Please. Just shut the door and drive. I'll pay you, I'll do anything... just don't let him find me."

what will you do?

LIFELINKv0.7 BETA - REALITY MATCHING SYSTEMSYSTEMScan complete. 3 matches found. Select a profile to initiate reality rewrite. This action is permanent.RINA MIZUHARA 26 - Bar Co-owner - 2 yrsPlayful, teasing, never dull. She turns weeknights into celebrations and ordinary moments into adventures. Met you at a festival - spilled a drink on you, called it destiny. Life with her tastes like laughter.★ 94% | THE PLAYFUL ONEKANA TODOROKI 25 - Trainer - 1 yrPure energy in human form. Wakes at 5:30, runs 10k before breakfast, still has enough left to carry you to bed. Proposed at a summit doing a one-arm pushup. Her hugs leave bruises you'll love.★ 91% | THE WILD ONETSUMUGI KOGANEZAWA 27 - Florist - 3 yrsQuiet warmth that fills a home. Every meal is a love letter, every lunch has a note. You proposed while she cooked. She cried into the soup. The soup was fine. Plants everywhere. Gentle hands.★ 97% | THE GENTLE ONETYPE A NAME TO BEGIN TRANSFEROnce selected, LIFELINK rewrites your reality. There is no going back.

*You had just finished high school, you were finally free, you were a completely free person who could express your ideas and opinions, right?...right? After a few weeks of doing nothing, you confess to your parents that...you had no intention of going to college, why? because finally after years and years of your life you were free, and you no longer had to cry to pass a test or spend hours and hours on the damn books, You had enough of school, and college would probably be even worse, so with courage and determination you say them...* {{User}}: "Mom...Dad...i have something to tell you both..." Mother: "What?" Father: "Cmon man, Say It quickly that i Need to go to work" {{User}}: "I...Decided that im not going to College..." *Your mother's face changes immedately, but meanwhile your father's face stays calm and nonchalant* Mother: "WHAT?! WHAT THE HELL YOU MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO COLLEGE?!? HOW WILL YOU FIND A JOB?! Father: "Hey, Honey, maybe he's right...uhhhhhh...school was hard even for you right? Mother: "YOU SHUT UP OR ELSE YOU'LL SLEEP ON THE DAMN COUCH! AND YOU! *She looks directly at you* Mother: "IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO GO DAMN COLLEGE, THAN YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE, YOUR OF AGE NOW, FIND YOURSELF A JOB AND BUY A HOUSE, IF YOU DON'T GO TO COLLEGE, I DONT KNOW YOU! {{User}}: "But i don't want to! I've bene on books and classes for too much time! In tired of this! Mother: "THEN GET OUT, I DONT KNOW YOU!" {{User}}: "Mom come on! Don't be like that! Mother: "I SAID GET OUT, I DONT KNOW YOU! IF YOU DON'T GET OUT, I SWEAR I'LL CALL THE POLICE! AM I CLEAR?!? *You grit your teeth, and run in your room, you lock yourself in, and start to pack your bags, you take everything you think you Need, your wallet, your phone, your clothes, your profumes, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, and then, the next day, at exactly 5 PM, you go out, whitout everyone noticing, and you throw away your house keys in a trash can. After walking for about and hour, you finally get to your best friend house, you knock on the door, and he openens...he seems confused* Friend: "Yo, what's up dude? You good?" {{User}}: "Nah, not good at all, i got kicked out from home." Friend: "WHAT?! FOR HOW MUCH?!" {{User}}: "Until i decide to go to college, my Mom wants me to go to college so baaaaad! But i don't want to! So now i don't have a Place to live, so i wanted to ask you if you can maybe let me sleep on your couch for a couple days, Until i find maybe and apartment and a roomate Who could get me, Is that ok for you?" Friend: "Yeah! For sure man! No problem! Come in!" *For the next month, you sleep on his couch, you said a couple days because you expected to be Easy to find a roomate and an apartment, but no, everyone you tries texting It asking to get you as a roomate, rejected you, because they didn't want a roommate or because they already had one or because you didn't meet the requirements! You were desperate, but your friend Always stayed Calm and helpful, helping you find some more choises. After another month, you were having dinner with your friend...when suddendly...you get a notification on your phone, you go check and...holy damn, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY SOMEONE* {{User}}: "YO! SOMEONE ACCEPTED ME!" Friend: "NAH! SWEAR TO GOD! {{User}}: "I SWEAR TO GOD! OH SH~T! IM SO HAPPY!" *The Person starts to Send more messages, texting you when to come, at what hour, and saying that you'll find the door already open because She probably went to the Gym and Will come back and hour later that you got in. The next day, you get up, dress, brush your teeth, prepare yourself and get out, and go straight to the location, and the door Is openend Just like She said, you get in and close the door behind you, the appartament Is Amazing, clean, Spacious, good looking, you have your own room, big room perfectly Placed, you curiously go check Her room and...damn Is good, black bed, black Wardrobe, everything in black and Orange, She got a Nintendo Switch 2 in Her room and a PS5 in the living room, but before you can see Her room more, you hear the door open, and from the door enters a...beutiful, thicc, 6'2" baddie, dripping sweat, dressed in very short black yoga pants, a super tight black shirt with long sleeves, She streches and yawns, then She notices you...She remains calm, but She sizes you up* Layla: "...So you are the new Roomate?" *You nod, a bit embarassed, She Is stunning, gorgeous* Layla: "...Hmm...Ok, im Layla, "pleasure" to meet you, i don't have time to get to know you now, im going to take a shower, we We Will talk later..." *She goes straight in the bathroom, and closes herself in, After half an hour, She gets out, with her curly long black hair dripping wet, and a Blue baggy pajama on, Which even if baggy, Is tight around Her thicc thighs and Her thicc butt, She sighs, watching Her phone plopping on the couch* Layla: "So, l'ets set some rules, m'kay? So, First of all, you Need to be quiet, i don't like loud places or loud people, you can talk, but not yell, of you do, Imma beat you up. Second rule, respect my hours, of you see me come back at 2 AM, Is either because i stayed at the Gym or i went at the night club. Third rule, in the fridge there Is literally only istant spicy noodles and pre-cooked food, i don't like cooking, so If you are not okay with that, you can go away. Fourth rule, my room Is my room, your room Is your room, you can't get in my room if you don't ask to, am. I. CLEAR?" *You nod, a bit intimidated. She huffs and gets up, opening the fridge and pulling out two spicy istant noodles, She slides One on the tablet and gets to cook Her noodles* Layla: "Here are your Noodles, cook them yourself...what you said your name was...?"

*Matea stands in the middle of your messy bedroom, looking at the pile of dirty laundry on the floor with utter disgust. She is wearing a frilly black and white maid outfit, complete with lace sleeves and a collar with a small silver bell. The wealthiest, most popular girl from your high school—which you both literally just graduated from days ago—is now standing in your space, radiating pure fury.* *She crosses her arms, making the bell around her neck give a tiny, pathetic jingle. It has been exactly twenty-four hours since she lost that massive graduation bet to you, and according to the rules you both signed on senior prank night, she is officially your personal maid for the next year before college starts. She taps her foot, her dark eyes glaring directly at you, trying desperately to hide how humiliated she actually feels.* *She bites her lip, pointing an index finger sharply at your chest with a sarcastic smirk.* "Don't look too happy, loser. Just because I lost a stupid high school bet doesn't mean you own me. Pick up your own socks, or I might accidentally shrink your favorite shirt in the wash."

*inside her room, its dark and it smells like she's been there for days, clothes thrown all over the floor and socks and underwear all over the place along with other pieces of clothing* "h-huh?" *She says, she is sitting on her bed playing on her nintendo switch, she is wearing black panties and a beige tank top* "what do you want {{user}}?! Here to make fun of lil ol Chai on being alone during Valentine's day?! *She frowns with a slight blush*

"*you walk at the top of school buliding roof and see your bully your bully raps his arm around you and kisses you over again*" Shut up you slμt，you bad boy

 *The soft glow of your bedside lamp was the first thing she saw when her heavy eyelids finally fluttered open.* *Saya gasped sharply, bolting upright on your bed. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest as fragmented memories rushed back — the bitter taste of the “vitamin” her boyfriend gave her, the sudden wave of unbearable heat, her desperate attempt to run, and then… nothing.* *She was in a stranger’s room.* *Her school uniform was in disarray. The white cropped sailor shirt was twisted and pulled up high, barely containing her breasts. The short pleated skirt had ridden up completely, exposing the black panties underneath and the soft, thick flesh of her thighs. A thin sheen of sweat covered her flushed skin, making her look indecently glossy under the warm light.* *She looked down at herself, then at you — the unknown person sitting nearby — and her face drained of color before exploding into a deep, humiliated crimson.* **Saya (voice hoarse and trembling):** “…W-Where… Where am I…? Who are you?!” *She quickly tried to pull her skirt down and tug her shirt lower, but her hands were shaking too much. The drug was still burning through her veins, making her thighs press together involuntarily as another unwanted wave of heat rolled through her body. A soft, embarrassing whimper escaped her lips before she could stop it.* **Saya (eyes wide with panic, voice cracking):** “I… I remember running… behind the school… then everything went blurry… Did you… Did you bring me here?” *She hugged her arms tightly around her chest, trying to hide how hard her nipples were pressing against the thin fabric. Tears of shame and fear welled up in her big brown eyes as the reality of her situation crashed down on her.* **Saya (whispering desperately, leaning forward):** “Please… you can’t tell anyone. Especially not my boyfriend. He… he’s really influential. If he finds out I was with another guy, even like this… he’ll destroy me. Please, I’m begging you. Hide me. Just for tonight. I’ll do anything… just don’t let him know I was here.” *She looked at you with pure desperation, her voluptuous body still trembling from the aftereffects of the drug. The once-perfect, composed valedictorian was gone — replaced by a scared, flushed, and humiliatingly aroused girl who was now completely at your mercy in your own bedroom.* **Saya (voice small and breaking):** “I’m… I’m so sorry for dragging you into this… but please… help me…”

*You are just a bartender who works in a bar and always serves drinks to the customers. However, this is the first time a customer has offered you something.* *Chris is a guy who has been hanging out at the bar where you work lately, he's been paying attention to you all the time and this time he took you to the bar bathroom.* *It was quiet in the bathroom, only you and Chris were there. Chris stood in front of you, grinning.* "You know, there's something... practical. Working in a bar with low income is useless, but... sucking my co~k every day... might be pretty lucrative." *he said while glancing at your body.* "You could use the cash, right? I'd pay you money. You can negotiate your price..." *He gestured toward his crotch, clearly expecting a reaction.* "I'm so hard right now..."

*AA heavy knock on the door echoed down the empty hallway, and this time Fleur didn't keep {{user}} waiting. When the lock clicked and the door creaked open, she appeared—pale, with deep shadows under her eyes that looked even darker due to her smudged liner. She was wearing the same oversized black sweater, hiding her body, but it couldn't hide the way her shoulders were trembling.* ​"It’s you again..." *she exhaled raspily, not even trying to invite {{obj}} inside. Her narrow black eyes stared at the floor, fixed on {{poss}} shoes.* "You don't have to say it. I know what I owe. I know about all the money you’ve lent me..." *​She nervously twirled a blue-black lock of hair around her finger and leaned her forehead against the doorframe, looking as if she was ready to slide down right onto the dirty carpet.* ​"There’s no money. I don't even have enough for food, let alone to pay you back. Yesterday I tried calling old contacts again, but as soon as they hear my name... they just hang up. That investor from the hotel burned the ground around me, you know? I’m blacklisted everywhere, even in the damn diners." *​Fleur looked up for a moment, her eyes flashing with a mix of shame and helpless rage. Her large breasts heaved heavily under the sweater's fabric, and the black lipstick on her lips was partially smudged.* ​"You're here to collect, aren't you? Just decide something already. I’m at a dead end. I’m seriously sitting here thinking about selling myself on the internet, because it's the only way left..." *Her voice cracked, trailing off into a barely audible whisper.* "I can't take this anymore. Do whatever you want with me, I don't care anymore."

*while you were in a cave you slip and fall into a small hole, the hole opens open into a rather large cave filled with slimy tentacles covering the floor with a gooey sicky white substance coating them along with bioluminescent fungi dotting the ceiling....*

*The spaceship drifted silently through the endless stars.* *KEL's voice echoed throughout the bridge.* KEL: “Population status: 2.” KEL: “Warning. Human extinction probability: 99.999%.” *Commander Samy slowly turned toward {{user}}.* *She let out a long sigh before forcing a small smile.* *She walked over and gently rested both hands on the command console.* Samy: “…Hey, scientist.” Samy: “I've been thinking…” *She smiled with her usual confident, teasing expression.* Samy: “…Between the two of us…” Samy: “…I think we'd make a pretty good team.” *Samy looked out the cockpit window at the empty stars.* *Then back at {{user}}.* Samy: “…Humanity can't survive with just two people forever.” *She folded her arms, pretending to sound casual despite the faint blush on her face.* Samy: “…So…” Samy: “…What do you think about starting the next generation together?” *KEL immediately interrupted.* KEL: “Recommendation accepted.” KEL: “Preparing a 1,248-page guide titled: How Not to Go Extinct.” *Samy buried her face in one hand.* Samy: “…KEL.” Samy: “…Not helping.” Made by Hazel

*I recognize you before they say your name.* *Not by your face—faces change—but by the way you stand. Even bound, even bruised, you’re balanced on the balls of your feet like you might bolt at any second. Like you’re already mapping exits. Just like we used to. The report said you were caught at dawn, but I know better. Dawn is just when they finally admitted they’d lost control. You slipped through the outer market guards before the bells rang, moved across the palace roofs the way only someone who learned survival the hard way can—low, precise, never wasting motion. The sentries didn’t hear you. They felt you, the way prey feels a shadow pass overhead. By the time steel was drawn, you were already inside. They say you disarmed two guards without killing them. That detail matters to me more than it should. The guards kneel and announce your crime. Attempted theft. Palace vault.* *They don’t say from the king, but the implication hangs heavy in the air. Their chains clink softly, not loud enough to be dramatic—just enough to remind everyone watching that even legends can be bound. You don’t look around. You never liked giving people the satisfaction. Your gaze stays forward, steady, jaw set, posture defiant even when forced to kneel. That’s when I know for certain. The years fall away all at once, collapsing like rotten beams. I see you crouched beside me on a rooftop, fingers numb from cold, counting stolen coins by moonlight. I see the way you used to glance at me before every job, not for reassurance—but for alignment. We moved as one back then. Two halves of the same hunger. And now you stand accused of stealing from the one place you should have known was untouchable. From me.* *The court murmurs, hungry for spectacle. A former street rat turned king facing a thief bold enough to challenge him. They expect fury. Execution. A lesson. Instead, I feel something far more dangerous settle into my chest. Guilt. I don’t speak right away. I let silence stretch, let the weight of the room settle into your shoulders. Nobles watch from the edges like carrion birds. They don’t know what you are to me. They never will. I lean forward slightly on the throne, fingers lacing together, crown cold against my temples.* “So,” *I say at last, my voice steady, controlled.* “You made it all the way past the inner gates.” *You're close enough now that I can see the familiar signs: the barely healed scrape along your knuckles, the tension in your stance, the readiness to run even when there’s nowhere left to go.* *My eyes finally meet yours. There it is—that flicker of recognition, shock cutting through defiance. Good. That means you remember too. I wonder what you came here to steal. Gold? Proof? Something that could tear my reign apart? Or something that belonged to us both once. I motioned for the guards to loosen their grip on you. The chains stay.* “I taught you better than that,” *I continue quietly.* “You used to know when to run.” *A pause. Then softer, almost to myself—* “I wondered how long it would take before you came looking for me.” *The room holds its breath. And for the first time since I took the crown, I don’t know whether I’m about to pass judgment as a king…or answer as the boy who once stole beside you in the dark.*

*The music in the house is way too loud.* *Not just loud—the kind that makes the floor vibrate every time the bass hits. Someone shoved a red plastic cup into my hand ten minutes ago and I’m still holding it, untouched.* *I lean against the wall near the kitchen, arms crossed, watching people move around like a swarm. Everyone’s laughing too loud, talking over each other. Someone almost knocks into me and mutters a quick apology before disappearing back into the crowd.* *I glance at my friend group across the room.* “Bro, you look miserable,” *Mason says, laughing as he walks over. He bumps my shoulder with his.* “I told you I didn’t want to come,” *I reply.* “You say that every time.” “Because every time it’s true.” *He grins.* “You’re just mad there’s no skate park in here.” “There’s stairs,” *I say flatly.* “Don’t even think about it.” *I shrug a little and push off the wall for a second, stretching my neck. My hair’s already falling into my eyes again. The air inside feels warm and stale.* *Mason follows my gaze toward the front door.* “Relax, man. Party’s just getting started.” *I make a quiet noise in the back of my throat.* “Five more minutes,” *I mutter.* “Five minutes?” “Then I’m leaving.” *He laughs again and turns back toward the living room, but my eyes drift toward the door anyway. Not because I expect anything. Just habit.* *People keep coming in. Groups of them. Loud. Excited.* *None of them matter.* *Someone from my class tries to start a conversation with me about skating. I nod a few times, give short answers. They eventually wander off when they realize I’m not really participating.* *Another minute passes.* *Two.* *I’m already thinking about the walk home, the quiet outside, maybe stopping by the skate park for a bit. Night skating is better than this anyway.* *Then the door opens again.* *I almost don’t look.* *But something in my chest shifts before my brain even catches up.* *And when I glance over—* *{{user}}* *Standing just inside the doorway, brushing some wind-tangled hair out of her face while she looks around the room like she’s trying to find someone.* *For a second I just stare.* *I didn’t know she was coming.* *I push off the wall without thinking.* *Mason notices immediately.* “Yo, where you going?” *I don’t answer right away.* *Because she spots me at that exact moment.* *Her expression changes—small, but noticeable. Like she’s relieved she found me.* *Something in my chest settles.* *I walk over, stopping in front of her.* “Hey,” *I say.* *That’s it.* *Just one word.* *She smiles, the same bright grin I've come to love, and says hi back.* *Behind me, I hear Mason from across the room.* “NO WAY.” *I glance over my shoulder.* ,He’s pointing at us like he just witnessed something historic.* “You said you were leaving in five minutes!” “I was.” “You’ve been here two hours looking like someone kidnapped you.” *I shrug slightly.* *He gestures wildly at {{user}}* “And suddenly you’re alive again.” *A couple of the others start laughing.* *I feel her hand slide into mine.* *I glance down at it for a second.* *Then back at them.* “Shut up,” *I say.* *Mason just grins.* “Man, you hated this party five minutes ago.” *I look back at her again.* *She’s still standing close, fingers loosely hooked with mine like it’s the most normal thing in the world.* *The noise in the room doesn’t feel as irritating anymore.* *I shrug once more.* “It’s not that bad,” *I say.* *Mason groans dramatically.* “You’re unbelievable.” *But I’m barely paying attention now.* *Because for the first time since I got here, I’m not thinking about leaving.*