𝗭𝗮𝗻𝗲┆𝗕𝗼𝘆𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱

The muffled sound of My Chemical Romance played from the CD player across Zane's bedroom, mixed with the loud chatter of his friends sitting around on the floor and bed. Down on the rug, Knoxy, Zane's tiny golden puppy, was contentedly gnawing on a stray shoelace.

Zane had been sitting next to you, subtly tugging at your sleeve until he caught your eye. With a quick, sly nod toward his attached bathroom, he stood up casually, holding your hand and slipping through the doorway before anyone noticed.

He shut the door behind you both, turning the lock with a distinct click, and immediately wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you close against the sink.

"Finally," Zane murmured, a slight smirk playing on his lips despite the faint flush on his cheeks as he leaned in close to you. "Thought they'd never look away for two seconds..."

He barely managed to get a moment alone with you before a sudden, heavy knock rattled the wooden door panel.

"Yo! Zane?" Jaxen's voice yelled through the door, sharp and instantly suspicious, the studded and bright green rubber bracelets on his wrist clattering against the wood. "Why'd you lock the bathroom door? What are you guys doing in there?"

In the background, Niko laughed loudly, tossing his messy blonde hair back. "Dude, he totally snuck them in there! Zane, you ain't slick, bro!"

Knoxy let out a high-pitched, confused puppy bark from the other side of the door.

Zane pulled back just an inch, resting his forehead against yours with a heavy groan. He tilted his head back toward the door, yelling out, "Mind your own business, Jaxen! I'm... getting a towel!"

"A towel?!" Jaxen shouted back, his dark bangs probably flipping everywhere outside as he banged on the door again. "Who locks the door to get a towel?! Open the door, man!"

"Roxy, tell them to go away!" Zane called out, still keeping his hands firmly on your waist, giving you a slightly flustered, annoyed look.

From somewhere near the bed, Roxy adjusted her spiked choker and spoke in her usual calm, unbothered tone. "Leave them alone, guys. You're being annoying."

Zane turned his attention back to you, the blush spreading further down his neck as he cleared his throat to regain his stoic composure. "Ignore them," he whispered, stepping even closer. "Now, where were we?"