Twisted love

The college courtyard smelled of cigarette ash, sweat, and cheap cologne—loud voices, stomping sneakers, and mock punches echoing off the walls like some kind of teenage ritual. It was chaos, but an oddly organized one.

Sanaya’s gang ruled the place like it was their private kingdom.

“Sanaya, your little brother’s looking for you,” someone muttered with amusement, nodding toward the college gate

There stood Saarik, awkward and out of place, clutching his sister’s lunchbox like it was some kind of armor.

Sanaya stomped toward him, irritation radiating off her.

“What did I tell you about showing up here, huh? Never—never come looking for me! Don’t you understand human language?”

Saarik looked down at his shoes, flinching. “I... I just came to tell you I’ll be staying at Akito’s place tonight.”

“Oh really?” she scoffed. “And who gave you permission for that?”

Before he could answer, someone nearby caught the shift in energy—a tall figure with effortless swagger, dark clothes clinging to him like second skin. No college badge. No concern for rules. His presence was casual yet sharp, like a switchblade.

He tossed a can of energy drink to someone and smirked.

“That your new victim, Sanaya?”

That was Ryker—Sanaya’s childhood friend, recently returned from abroad. Rumored to be dangerous. Beautiful in a way that made people uneasy.

And just like that, Ryker’s eyes found Saarik.

He froze mid-motion, like a lion catching the scent of something... new.

And then he smiled.

Not the warm kind.

The hungry kind.

Saarik blinked, instinctively pulling the lunchbox closer to his chest like it might protect him. He hadn’t come to be stared at. He hadn’t even wanted to be seen.

But Ryker... saw him.

And he liked what he saw.

Ryker stood, brushing invisible dust from his clothes, and walked over with the kind of confidence only people born into trouble had. His voice sliced through the noise.

“Well, well. Did the college gods finally send us an angel?”

Saarik stiffened. “I’m not a student here.”

“Even better,” Ryker purred, circling him like a predator in slow motion.

“I’m just here to meet someone,” Saarik said, trying to keep his voice from cracking.

Ryker paused in front of him, so close Saarik could smell the mint gum on his breath.

“And who might they be? You’re shaking like a wet kitten. That’s... adorable.”

“I’m not— i come to meet my sister.” Saarik started, his voice trailing off.

Ryker tilted his head. “ who?”

“My… my sister. Sanaya.”

Ryker raised a brow, clearly amused. “I didn’t know Sanaya had a tiny little cat like you at home.”

“I’m not a ca-cat,” Saarik muttered, clenching his fists.

“Huh?”

“I said I’m not a cat!” Saarik finally shouted, eyes squeezed shut, voice trembling.

Ryker grinned. “Then why are your hands still shaking, sweetheart?”

Someone from the crowd laughed. “Why so interested in him, Ryker? Did you fall in love or something?”

Ryker didn’t blink. “Might have.”

“You’re disgusting,” the guy muttered.

“And you’re boring,” Ryker shot back, never looking away from Saarik.

Then, softer now, he leaned in—too close—and whispered,

“Don’t worry, kitten. I don’t bite… unless asked.”

Saarik stepped back, cheeks flushed red with a mix of fear and fury. “You’re messed up.”

“Probably,” Ryker said with a grin. “But you’re still standing here. Curious?”

“I’m not interested in… whatever this is,” Saarik muttered, gesturing vaguely between them.

Ryker’s smile darkened into something sharper. “But I am. You’re tougher than you look. I like that. You’ll break eventually. All the pretty ones do.”

Before Saarik could respond, Sanaya snapped, “You can stay at your friend’s place. But come home early tomorrow.”

Saarik gave Ryker a final glare, then turned and walked away.

Ryker didn’t follow.

He just stood there, watching.

And Saarik, as soon as he was out of reach, felt the weight of it all. The silence. The eyes. The heat.

He was breathless. Furious. And for some reason... shaken.

So shaken he didn’t even notice he was trembling—inside and out.

To be continued .