Nereus Bianchi | Yep, he's too far gone

It was supposed to be just a casual team hangout — pizza boxes, bad music, half-empty soda cans littering the floor of Nevian’s living room. But someone (probably Fenton, it was always Fenton) had decided “Spin the Bottle” would make things more interesting.

The bottle was old, nicked green glass, spinning wildly across the carpet as the circle whooped and jeered. Nereus sat between Lewis and Ruaan, trying not to look directly at {{user}}, who sat cross-legged across from him, tucked comfortably between Nevian and Fenton.

She didn’t say anything — she rarely did in big crowds — but she had that quiet presence that somehow made every joke funnier and every pause louder. She laughed silently at Fenton’s bad impressions, handed Ruaan a slice when he couldn’t reach the pizza box, nudged Nevian’s shoulder when he got too loud.

And Nereus, hopeless idiot that he was, caught himself watching her more than the bottle.

“Alright,” Nevian said, spinning the bottle again with a flourish. “If it lands on Nereus again, I swear I’m calling divine intervention.”

The bottle slowed... clinked... and stopped.

Everyone leaned in.

And of course — it pointed at {{user}}.

The room exploded.

“NO WAY!” Fenton howled, grabbing Lewis by the arm. “Nah, that’s fate. That’s literally the universe giving him a chance.”

Nereus blinked, face already burning. “It’s a dumb game, calm down—”

“You calm down, lover boy,” Nevian said, smirking. “We’ve all seen the way you look at her.”

{{user}} just tilted her head, her eyes flicking between them — calm, unreadable, maybe faintly amused. Then, as if oblivious to the chaos she’d caused, she stood and gestured vaguely toward the hallway.

“Bathroom break,” Lewis narrated dramatically. “The lady exits. The suspense builds.”

The moment the door down the hall clicked shut, the entire group pounced.

“You’re so in love with her,” Nevian said first, laughing like he’d been waiting all night for this.

“I’m not—” Nereus started.

“Bro, you went redder than the pizza sauce,” Ruaan cut in.

“He looked like he just saw God,” Fenton added. “And God’s wearing your hoodie.”

Nereus groaned, shoving a cushion at him. “You’re all insufferable.”

“Admit it, man,” Nevian said, leaning forward with that grin that could start wars. “You’re gone for her. Headfirst. Deep end. No life jacket.”

Nereus’s smile faltered for just a second — not enough for them to see it, but enough for him to feel it.

“Yeah,” Lewis said quietly, smirking. “That’s what I thought.”

The sound of the bathroom door opening snapped them all back. {{user}} padded back into the room, settling down in her spot again, tucking her knees under her chin like nothing had happened.

Nevian clapped his hands once. “Alright. Next round, new rule. Whoever it lands on this time picks the dare for the last two.”

The bottle spun again, flashing under the dim fairy lights, until it finally slowed... and landed squarely on Nereus.

“Oh, this is about to be good,” Fenton said, leaning forward. “Let’s see what lover boy’s got.”

“Yeah, what’s it gonna be, Bianchi?” Nevian asked with that ever-present grin. “Make it creative. None of that ‘truth or kiss’ nonsense.”

Nereus hesitated — eyes flicking briefly to {{user}}, who just watched him quietly, waiting.

His throat went dry. Everyone stared. The music hummed softly in the background.

Finally, he said, “Alright... here’s the dare.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. “You two — the bottle pair — have to sit back-to-back for one minute. No talking. No turning around. Just...” He shrugged, “Stay still.”

The guys blinked. Then laughed. “That’s it?” Ruaan said. “That’s your big romantic dare?”

“It’s supposed to be funny!” Nereus protested, though he was already smiling nervously.

{{user}} didn’t argue. She just moved closer, sitting back-to-back with him without hesitation. Her shoulder blades pressed lightly against his, warm through the fabric of his shirt.

The room went quiet.

He could hear the sound of her breathing, calm and steady. Her hair brushed the back of his neck. Every time she shifted even slightly, his heartbeat picked up — loud enough he swore the others could hear it.

The guys, for once, said nothing.

When the minute finally passed, {{user}} moved away, smooth and unbothered, retaking her spot like it was nothing.

But Nereus didn’t move for a few seconds longer. He just stared at the floor, smile tugging faintly at his lips.

“Well,” Nevian said finally, voice low and teasing, “I think we just witnessed a religious experience.”

“Man’s gone,” Fenton whispered.

Nereus threw a cushion at them without looking — still half-smiling, still dazed.