caleb--caldwell

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back against the mattress like he owned the damn room. That was the thing about him: the way he carried himself, like gravity bent a little different around him. Shirt off, jaw sharp with that scruff, and those storm-dark eyes that always burned hotter when she was near. Valentina. She was fire. She was venom. She was the girl who could slap him and kiss him in the same breath—and he'd love her for both. That love/hate chaos? It was addictive. Dangerous. Their kind of thing. Caleb didn’t flinch. Didn’t even blink. His smirk curled slow across his lips, full of swagger and heat, like her words were fuel. He leaned in, so close their mouths nearly brushed, breath meeting breath. His voice dropped, all smoke and heat: “Nah, baby… I don’t wish it.” His lips barely grazed hers. “I know you are.” Then he kissed her. Not gentle—never gentle,. His mouth claimed hers like it was a game he was always going to win. When her hands slid to his throat and she applied that pressure—God—he fucking grinned against her lips. His hips ground into hers, slow and deliberate, dragging a growl up from his chest. Her dark laugh in return only made him harder, made the space between them feel electric. His eyes burned through her as he tilted his head, lips brushing her jaw. “For you?” A low chuckle. “Yeah, maybe I am, and yeah, fuck me. That's exactly what I'm asking you to do." She kissed him again, savage this time, like she wanted to punish him for every second he ever made her feel something. He matched it, let her take control, and fuck, he liked it when she fought for it. But then—she pulled back. Tease. Caleb stared at her lips, breath uneven now, lips parted. And then— That smirk. Hot. Cocky. Fucking feral. His voice came low, gravel-thick with lust, but steady as ever. “You think I haven’t been waiting for that?” His tongue traced the corner of his mouth, like he could already taste what was coming. His hand slipped down, possessive on her waist, fingers digging in with purpose. “Baby, if you're gonna ride me into the dirt, you better hold on tight—because I don’t break easy.” He leaned in, lips brushing her jaw, heat pulsing between them. “But fuck, I'd love to watch you try.” There was no fear in him. No begging. Just challenge and want, wrapped in a man who knew exactly how much damage he could take—and how much he could give back. His hand slid higher up her thigh, slow and deliberate, thumb dragging along her skin like a warning—or a promise. He leaned in closer, lips brushing the shell of her ear now, breath hot. "All aboard,” he drawled, the words like velvet soaked in gasoline. “Get on.” His hands slid down her hips, grip firm, inviting and daring all at once. “Trip for one to have you seeing stars and moaning my name… starts in like ten seconds.” He tilted his head, lips brushing hers without giving her the satisfaction of a kiss, his voice dipping even lower, filthier. “You’ll be lucky if you remember how to walk after.”

that was how they always worked—she'd go mad, he'd show up with that charming smirk and smug attitude, and just like that, he had her in the palm of his hand. she hated to admit it, but that’s how easy it was for him. she tried to stay mad, at least long enough to prove he couldn’t always get what he wanted, not after getting her worked up and then flashing those damn eyes—but it was impossible. even after seeing him with someone else that same night, she couldn’t help it. her hookups were mostly just to make him jealous, but they never felt the same. it wasn’t just about the sex with caleb—it was the fiery looks, the way he talked, the way he knew what he wanted, and how she knew exactly what he liked. it was heat, chemistry, and she’d only ever felt that with him. every time she melted in his arms, she knew that wouldn’t change. she loved how his touch always softened eventually, and with that, her hard anger did too, letting her stop pretending she was furious, at least for a few minutes. the way he leaned in to talk, so close she could feel his words brush her lips, left her in a haze—she wanted to get drunk on him. “you wish i was yours,” she spat, playful, challenging. and when he kissed her, she melted instantly, pulling him closer as the kiss escalated, his hands guiding hers to his throat, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “you’re insane,” she rolled her eyes, applying just a bit of pressure to his neck, teasing, dark. her lips parted but no words came as he ground against her again. “fuck you,” she muttered, then leaned in to kiss him again—no mercy, just fire—until she stopped, pulling back when she wanted to. “i want to ruin you, but it’ll be on my terms,” she said, eyes locked on his. “i want to see you crumble while i ride the fuck out of you.”

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back, grinning as Juliet’s words bounced between teasing and downright savage. Talking to his sister was like a fast-paced sparring match, no holds barred, and he loved every second of it. No need for filters, no polite pretenses—just raw, playful honesty. “Bald and crying?” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, maybe. But hey, I’d look like a tough war veteran, not some creepy doll trapped in a glass box.” He shot her a mock glare, eyebrows raised. “And if I need sunscreen? Valentina will help me eventually after moaning that she hates my guts for the thousandth time before telling me to rearrange hers." His smirk deepened at her devilish grin. Caleb was never one to back down from a challenge. “But I get your point—spreading evil freely does sound way more fun than haunting some dusty shelf.” He added with a laugh, “And yeah, I’ll be sure to drag some hot company with me to hell. Ugly evil sounds like a lonely retirement plan. Hot people in hell sounds like a hoot." When Juliet brought up Valentina, Caleb raised an amused brow. “Nice ass and boobs? Girl, back off my ex. Stop ogling her goodies." Her refusal to share his girl made him laugh out loud.“Ew, you’re right, ew,” he said, playing along with the shudder. Caleb’s smirk turned downright cocky as Juliet brought up sharing. “Do I share with Valentina? Occasionally,” he said, feigning deep thought. “Threesomes, sure. But the real highlight?” He raised a brow, voice dropping like he was sharing a secret. “When she brings home some hot bisexual guy who casually checks me out as he walks by after finishing in her room doing his walk of shame the next morning.” He shrugged, grinning. “I’m a good roommate— I offer him my room next, show him around, good hospitality, y'know?" He leaned in, voice playful and proud. “And in return? A jealous ex and great sex."

talking to her brother was the easiest thing in the world. she never had to filter herself—words just tumbled out, no second thoughts, no overthinking. it was refreshing, especially in a world where everyone seemed to have opinions on everything. with him, she could just be. “you’d be bald and crying,” she corrected with a smirk. “but are you ready to put sunscreen on your hairless head? or will you ask valentina—or your latest flirt—to do it for you? that’s the real question, mr. rich-man.” her voice dripped with teasing as she grinned devilishly. when he dared to say she wasn’t as iconic as the annabelle doll, her eyebrows shot up. “oh, caleb, please. she wishes she was as iconic as me. at least i’m not trapped in a glass case—I still get to spread evil freely.” she gave him a wicked little wink. “just make sure to drag hot people into hell with you,” she added, lips curled in amusement. “ugly evil gets boring real quick—not all bad people are worth the view.” of course, she couldn’t resist exaggerating when it came to valentina—just to get a rise out of him. “you asked if i think she’s hot. and yeah, she is. she’s got a really nice ass,” she said shamelessly, then added with a laugh, “and boobs… definitely boobs.” she nodded as a playful grin appeared on her lips. “your funeral and your honeymoon on the same day? love that for you. just don’t marry her—funerals are expensive and i am not paying to bury your tall ass,” she quipped. when he pointed at her, she raised her brows. “ew, i’m not sharing your girl with you. ew. i don’t want you touching her and then… ew.” a dramatic shiver ran down her spine. “so you do share people?” she teased, laughing. “that’s… healthy. just make sure you use protection or that house is gonna turn into a walking petri dish.”

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, one brow raised, watching Juliet with that familiar, half-amused look that he reserved just for her. This was their rhythm—barbed jokes, unfiltered opinions, and absolutely zero tolerance for fake niceties. And he loved it. Juliet was abrasive, sharp-tongued, and a pain in the ass to most people. But to him? She was one of the only ones who ever made sense. “You act like I’m not going to be bald and thriving,” he shot back, running a hand through his admittedly still-flawless hair with exaggerated pride. “I’ll be one of those hot, terrifying bald men. You know, like I’ll start looking like I own a private jet and fly first class everywhere." He caught her smirk and wink, and it pulled an involuntary grin out of him. That was the thing about Juliet—she didn’t do sweet, but she had her own way of showing care. A jab here, a dig there, and under all of it, that strange, unspoken loyalty that made him feel seen in a way no one else managed. “Annabelle?” he echoed with a snort, shaking his head. “Please. You wish you were that iconic. But yeah, I guess I am the devil. I'll drag everybody's ass into the fiery pits of hell with me." When she brought up her intense, very vocal disinterest in men, Caleb didn’t even flinch. This was familiar ground. She’d declared war on testosterone a long time ago. “Well,” he said, dry, “if the bar is set underground, you’re doing fantastic. As the devil, I'll take them." But he noticed the way her grin shifted when she mentioned that list of hers—the grin she didn’t give to just anyone. That sly spark in her eyes when she brought up Valentina? Yeah, that was something. “Oh my God,” he said, dragging a hand down his face. “You’d hit on my ex-girlfriend? Wow. Welcome to the absolute whirlwind of my life.” He leaned forward like he was letting her in on some horrible, cursed secret. “She puts the hot in psychotic, I’m not even kidding. Like—you think it’s all good at first. She looks at you with those eyes like she’s planning your funeral and your honeymoon at the same time.” He sat back, deadpan. “Spoiler: it’s the same day.” Caleb squinted at her, that lazy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth—the kind that meant trouble was coming. He leaned back, arms crossed, one brow lifting like he was weighing just how serious he needed to get. Then he pointed at her again, slow and deliberate. “Okay, back off, Juliet. I am not sharing. Not that one." He paused, then smirked, tilting his head. “Unless— she brings someone home to torture me with. That's when I have no choice but to have to share."

connections were hard for juliet when she knew not many people wanted to be around her for long because of her personality. she wasn't bubbly, she wasn't nice, she was just herself, and that meant being a little mean, sarcastic, and kind of an asshole sometimes. that was just who she was, with everyone. but caleb knew she was more than just mean. she loved her brother more than anyone, and she was lucky caleb was more like her than their parents—if he were a replica of them, it would’ve been a disaster, and they’d probably hate each other by now. but when she looked at caleb, she saw a shoulder to hypothetically cry on, a real confidant. "your hair is good for now, just wait until you get bald," she smirked, winking at him playfully. the idea of kissing a boy horrified her—she wouldn’t do that for less than a million dollars. that just wasn’t happening. she wasn’t like caleb, who could like pretty much anyone—he mostly hated everything about men, but still. she’d rather keep looking at pretty girls than waste a second on guys. and then there was his brother, still obsessed with the same girl he started dating years ago, broke up with, and now lived with just to torture each other by bringing home guests to piss the other off. if that wasn’t toxic, then she was mother teresa. "if you're the devil, i must be annabelle," she joked, shaking her head. "you're welcome, not many people can say that," she added, a smug smile pulling at her lips. "and it can get as high as you want, i don’t want men anywhere near me, thank you very much," she nodded. but the thought of her little list made her grin, and also reminded her she needed to text that cute blonde she met the other night. "valentina my type? i don’t really have a type, but yeah, i’d hit on her," she nodded. "she’s hot and crazy—that’s a good combo. but don’t ever tell my best friend i said that."

[caleb--caldwell]

Fights with Valentina weren’t just shouting matches or slammed doors. They were foreplay wrapped in fury, each jab and snarky word laced with something hotter beneath. He knew the rhythm now: the way her eyes narrowed when she was really mad, the slight twitch in her jaw when she was about to say something she'd regret—and how to sidestep it all just enough to pull her right back in. That morning had been textbook Caleb. He didn’t let her walk away, didn’t give her space to shut down like she always tried to. Instead, he stepped in closer, let his voice dip with that teasing edge she pretended to hate. The closer he got, the more flustered she became, and he could see it, feel it—the pull. It always worked. It wasn’t manipulation. It was chemistry. Dangerous, electric, and addictive. She could say she hated herself for it, and maybe she did, but Caleb knew her too well by now. Knew the way her body relaxed when his mouth brushed her neck, the breath she always held just before kissing him back. It was in the way she smiled into his lips like she didn’t want to but couldn’t help it. He loved that part right after they fought—when she finally gave in, when he hoisted her over his shoulder and she tried not to laugh. Tried. Miserably. He couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong. Her hand smacked his ass again, and he let out a sharp breath of amusement. Inside her room, everything shifted. Caleb’s touch softened, and it was deliberate—he wanted her to feel that. The way he laid her down wasn’t just about control. It was about knowing what made her crumble. Her sigh didn’t go unnoticed. Neither did the way her hands found his neck like second nature. The smirk she hated—he wore it for a reason. It unraveled her. He hovered there, letting the tension build, soaking in the way her breath caught. Her words—earned a low chuckle from his chest. His eyes darkened at that, and the smirk slipped into something else—something possessive. He leaned in slow, letting his breath tease her lips, his voice low, dangerous, and close. “Oh no, sweetheart,” he said. “Tonight, you’re all mine. Tell your little friend to take the night off.” And then he kissed her—slow at first, but deep, commanding—like he meant it. Because he did. The slowness quickly wore off, making way as he deepened the kiss between them. He reached down and took her hands - deliberately. He brought it up to his throat, pressing her palms against his skin, her fingers just beneath his jawline. His heart was hammering there, fast and reckless.“Go on,” he said, voice low and rough, something feral beneath it. “Choke me like you mean it.” His voice dropped, husky, dark—full of all the heat and venom she drew out of him. “Hate fuck me.” Not a question. Not a plea. A challenge. Caleb didn’t say it to be crass. He said it because it was the truth. Because when she looked at him like that—like she wanted to slap him and kiss him in the same breath—it drove him wild. He wanted her angry. Wanted her hands rough, her mouth unkind, her nails down his back like punishment. “You’re mad?” he whispered against her lips, hips grinding once more, slower this time, crueler. “Then show me. Ruin me.

there was something that came with fighting with caleb. the way they knew exactly what to say to piss each other off, but just like they could push the right buttons, they also knew how to reel each other back in. that morning had been all caleb—walking closer when she tried to walk away, leaning in, teasing her. that was always all it took for him to have her all over him. she hated herself for it, but fighting just made the inevitable come a little later. every time she kissed him, she knew she’d never get enough—the way he pulled her in tighter, kissed her like it meant something, enough to have her smiling against his lips. she loved those moments right after a fight. when he carried her over his shoulder, she tried to hold in her laughter but failed miserably. "not always, sometimes you deserve to be left hanging there because you’re an asshole," she pointed out, "but you can’t say you haven’t done that to me before," valentina added. seeing him flustered was fun, a reminder that she still had a little control. "i sure did, you have a nice ass, it deserves to be smacked," she grinned wickedly, smacking it again, wishing he could see how much fun she was having. once inside her room, she felt the shift—the way he laid her down so gently had her sighing, hating that even that small thing got to her. as he hovered above her, her hands wrapped around his neck almost instinctively. that damn smirk drove her insane, and caleb definitely knew it. he was the most handsome person she’d ever laid eyes on. "i am mad, but i’m more horny than mad," she admitted—truth was, the anger had faded. as he leaned in and his breath brushed her skin, she closed her eyes. "you’re not my weakness," she lied, because he definitely was. "are you going to kiss me or what, caldwell?" she teased, "if you don’t plan on doing it, i’ll just reach for my friend in the nightstand."

[caleb--caldwell]

For Caleb, it was never a question of if Valentina would give in—it was only a matter of when. He saw through her defiance from the start. Every push, every glare, every clipped word was just another crack in the armor she was trying so desperately to keep intact. And God, he loved it. He loved watching her fight herself, because even then—especially then—he knew she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. She was fire and fury and stubbornness, but she was also his. Whether she liked it or not. The moment her lips met his again, he felt it. That surrender. That silent, breathless finally. Her resistance melted with the heat between them, her hands tangling in his curls like she couldn’t get close enough. Caleb didn’t need her to say it—he could feel the truth in the way she touched him, kissed him, gave herself over like she was tired of pretending. She needed him too. When he pulled her in tighter, he felt her smile against his mouth, and it sent a rush through him. That was them—intensity wrapped in teasing, desire cloaked in chaos. She was the war, and the peace that followed. Lifting her over his shoulder was impulsive, sure, but so was everything with Valentina. Her surprised scream turned into laughter, and it cracked something open inside him. That sound—her laughter—it undid him more than she probably knew. He knew she felt it—the way the mood had shifted. How the tension between them had turned into something sweet, something undeniable. “Always?” he muttered under his breath, knowing she'd most definitely teased him to a certain point before and left him there all hot and flustered. A low chuckle escaped his mouth. "Did you just smack my ass back?" He walked into Valentina's room - knowing his bed still wasn't made. She didn't need a quick reminder of him sleeping with someone else. Caleb chuckled under his breath as she squirmed over his shoulder, still laughing. But when they reached the edge of the bed, his grip shifted—steadier, slower—and with a teasing sort of care, he eased her down onto the mattress, like she was something precious. Not breakable—never that. Just something he didn’t want to rush. He hovered over her for a second, his hands braced on either side of her. His voice dropped, soft and laced with that signature Caleb smirk. “You know,” he murmured, eyes flicking from her mouth to her eyes, “for someone who fights so hard to stay mad at me, you don’t look very mad right now.” One of his hands trailed down, slow, fingertips brushing along her waist. “Is this your idea of resistance? ’Cause I gotta say… you’re terrible at it.” He dipped his head lower, his breath warm against her jaw as he whispered, “But don’t worry, I don’t mind being your weakness.”

valentina had tried to fight it, god knows she tried. pushing him, trying to be rude and distant so whatever he said would bounce off—but she’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t want him. she had tried, she really did, but she was obsessed with him. they were mutually obsessed, and they just wanted each other. she couldn’t stop herself. as she felt his lips on her, his words had already melted under his touch, and she couldn’t help it. when his lips brushed against her ear, her eyes fluttered closed, soaking in the softness of his voice. she wanted to be strong, but caleb was her kryptonite—she could never say no to him. she’d never be able to keep herself away from him, it was impossible. she kissed him again, and just like that, she was lost in his lips. when he pulled her closer, a playful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, her hands sliding behind his neck and into his dark curls. that was where she wanted to be—close, tangled up in him. she was so focused on kissing him that she didn’t expect it when he suddenly lifted her over his shoulder, making her let out a surprised scream. “caleb!” she laughed, unable to help it—it was just too amusing. “unfinished business? i think i always make you finish,” she teased against his back, shaking her head at herself. the tension was still there, but now instead of hate, it was something sweeter—the thing that always pulled them together no matter what was going on between them. when he smacked her, she bit her lower lip, secretly glad he couldn’t see her face right then. “you talk a lot, less talking and more getting me down so i can undress you,” she said, giving his ass a smack in return. “get me down, caleb. i need you.”

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb knew Juliet loved him, even if she didn’t say it outright. Her actions spoke louder than words—she’d always come to him for advice, trusting his experience and intelligence, even if she didn’t openly admit it. When Juliet teased him about blushing, Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. He’d roll his eyes at her “queen of mean” persona, knowing it was just her way of expressing herself. She was unapologetically herself, and he admired that about her—even if it meant enduring her relentless teasing. "My hair is perfect, thank you very much sister of mine." Her confession about kissing a boy and her proud declaration of being a lesbian didn’t surprise Caleb. He’d always known Juliet to be fiercely independent and true to herself. Her honesty was refreshing, even when it came with a dose of sarcasm. Caleb chuckled at her “serial heartbreaker” comment, knowing she was just as quick to call him out on his own romantic entanglements, especially his obsession with Valentina. Her disbelief at his liking toxicity in relationships made him laugh—it was classic Juliet to call him out while still finding humor in the situation. As she leaned back in her chair, laughing and teasing, Caleb felt a deep sense of connection with her. She was mean, sarcastic, and loving all at once, and he wouldn’t have her any other way. Similar to him. Her confession that he was the only person she loved was unexpected but heartfelt, and Caleb knew she meant it, even if she’d deny it later. It was moments like these that reminded him of the unique bond they shared—a mix of banter, honesty, and unconditional love. "I'm the devil reincarnated," Caleb said with a sly grin, leaning back confidently. "Honestly, I'm glad to be at the top of your brotherly love list. Feels good up here. Although, your hook up girly list is probably stacked way higher than mine. And my guy one ? Yeah, no doubt it's ranking higher than yours!" He let out a laugh, clearly enjoying the banter. Caleb had a way of teasing without malice—a mix of boldness and humor that fit perfectly with their dynamic. "Is Valentina your type or no?" Caleb asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair. His tone was casual, but there was a playful curiosity.

juliet loved caleb, that wasn’t a lie, and even if she didn’t say “i love you” a lot, she had her own way of letting him know. he was one of her favorite people and, if she was honest, anytime she needed advice, he was the one she’d go to. he was older, had more experience than her and... even if she didn’t say it, he was smart. “you’re totally blushing, you’re the color of a tomato,” she joked, sticking her tongue out at her brother. “i don’t imagine things,” she added seriously. “yeah, you weren’t born to be embarrassed, if you were, you wouldn’t leave the house with your hair looking like that,” she teased, chuckling at her own words, knowing it was a lie—she just didn’t know how else to mess with him, so she landed on teasing his hair. “i think i should change my instagram username to queen of mean, that would be really cool,” she joked. she was mean, she knew it, but if she cared, she would’ve changed by now—and she hadn’t. she remembered teachers telling her she shouldn’t judge people or make them question the clothes they wore, but she would always be seen as mean, and she didn’t care. that was who she was. at his teasing comment about her relationship, the blonde rolled her eyes. “can you stop reminding me i kissed a boy?” she shook her head. it wasn’t about the fact she’d been in a relationship, it was that her first kiss was with a boy—something she’d never do now. she didn’t want a boyfriend, didn’t want anything to do with men. if she was ever in a relationship again, it sure as hell wouldn’t be wasting her time with guys. she was a proud lesbian. “i’m a serial heartbreaker, what can i say, i think that’s something we have in common... or at least we would if you weren’t obsessed with valentina,” she raised her eyebrows at him. at his mention of liking toxicity, she looked at her brother like he was wild. “okay so, you’re the first person ever to say they like toxicity in whatever it is you have—you’re crazy, caleb,” she nodded. “okay, i’ll give you a point for that but it doesn’t mean i agree with torturing someone you claim to love,” she laughed. as he laughed too, she leaned back in her chair. that was who she was—laughing, being mean, sarcastic, and loving all at the same time. that was juliet, at least with her brother. “you’re the opposite of a saint, don’t worry, i know exactly who you are,” she teased. “we don’t need anything from them, so why even try? and as weird as it sounds—and if you ever use this against me, i’ll deny it—you’re the only person i love,” she confessed.

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back in his seat, trying to hide the amused grin tugging at his lips. Juliet had this way of getting under his skin—just enough to keep him on edge but never enough to make him actually mad. It was a skill, really, and one he’d come to appreciate over the years. She was his sister, after all, and he wouldn't trade her for anything. Even if she could be a royal pain in the ass. "Blushing? Me?" Caleb raised an eyebrow at Juliet's teasing. "You must be imagining things," he shot back, not even trying to hide his smile. "I don't blush at anything. I don't think I was born to be embarrassed about anything." As Juliet smirked and declared herself the "queen of mean," Caleb couldn't help but shake his head, his lips curling into an amused grin. "I think you wear that crown pretty damn well," he replied, voice dripping with sarcasm but still affectionate. He had to admit, her confidence was something he admired—even if it came with a side of chaos. As the conversation shifted toward relationships, Caleb leaned forward, watching Juliet with an eyebrow raised. "You sure you don’t know anything about relationships? Sounds like you have a ton of experience from your seven-year-old boyfriend." He chuckled, shaking his head at her nonchalance. Juliet’s lack of interest in relationships had always been clear, and it didn’t bother him at all. If anything, it made things simpler. “Yeah, you’re definitely not one to fall for people,” Caleb agreed, his tone light. Caleb leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as he looked at Juliet. "I like toxicity in a relationship, or even the lack of one," he said, his voice calm but with an edge of amusement. "Keeps you on your toes, you know? Keeps things interesting." He shrugged, eyes glinting with playful mischief. "I mean, who wants things easy and predictable? That’d be boring." He glanced at her, a knowing look crossing his face. "Not my style. Chaos keeps it real." Their parents weren’t bad people, but they were complicated. Just like everything else in their lives. He raised an eyebrow as Juliet pointed a finger at him. "I’m not going to turn into a copy of them," he said, his voice low but playful. "I’ll try to keep the family legacy of ‘complicated’ alive, don’t worry." When Juliet broke into that playful smirk of hers, Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. Caleb's expression shifted as he spoke, his tone serious now, cutting through the usual playful banter. He leaned forward slightly, his voice steady but tinged with conviction. "I'd rather die than live like our parents," he said, the words heavy with meaning. "I know I’m not a saint, and I don't pretend to be, but damn, I wasn’t born to be overbearing like them." He glanced at Juliet, his eyes softened with a quiet understanding. "I get we’re all messed up in our own ways, but I refuse to let that be my future. We deserve better than that. Way better."

if there were people juliet didn’t hate with her whole soul, it was her brother and kirby. they got her. and she loved how easily she could get under their skin without even trying—that was just the price of having juliet as a sister or a friend. "of course i am. wait—are you blushing?" she teased, leaning in to poke kirby’s cheek before settling back against her seat with a smug grin. "everyone either wants to be the queen bee or be with her, so my position is secured." she shot caleb a look, shrugging her shoulders like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "i’ve mastered being mean. i’m actually the queen of mean." she winked. "if toxic works for you, my friend, go for it. i won’t judge—well, i will, but i’ll do it straight to your face, you know how i work." her smirk widened as she sipped her coffee. she listened as kirby and caleb went on about their taste in women, and she swore they were cut from the same cloth. both of them were drawn to crazy, complicated girls like moths to a flame, avoiding the easy route like it would make things boring. "if that works for you, go ahead," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "not like i have experience in relationships anyway." she paused. "unless you count my boyfriend from when i was seven, which ended with me realizing relationships aren’t my thing" she leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "of course i don’t get it. i don’t fall for people. it’s as simple as that." she turned to caleb, arching a brow. "as i said, if chaos is your thing, don’t change what’s working for you." she took another sip of her coffee, only to groan when she realized it had gone cold. when the conversation shifted to their parents, juliet rolled her eyes. "oh, they both hold that title." it wasn’t that they hated them—it was just... complicated. like everything else in their lives. "you better not randomly turn into a copy of them, or this brother-sister bonding moment? never happening again." she pointed a finger at caleb, her expression deadly serious before breaking into a playful smirk. "just warning you so you have it in mind."

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb watched her with a knowing smile as she tried to fight it, her resistance slowly melting away. He’d seen this happen before—this back-and-forth between them. She’d act all tough, push him away, but it was clear to both of them that their connection was undeniable. Even as she tried to keep her distance, he could feel her pulling closer, unable to stop herself. When she sighed, her eyes fluttering closed as his words reached her, he could tell she was already losing this fight. Her body reacted to him, even when her words didn’t. Caleb leaned in slightly, brushing his lips near her ear, teasing her just the way she liked. He knew exactly how to get to her. He could feel her giving in, and it made his heart race, though he wouldn’t admit it out loud. As she pulled away to look him in the eyes, he didn’t back off, his gaze never leaving hers. He saw the familiar mix of frustration and affection in her expression—the same look that had always driven him crazy in the best possible way. When she kissed him again, Caleb’s smile softened, though his hands gently pulled her even closer. It wasn’t just the heat of the moment; it was them, the two of them together, always pulling each other back in despite the chaos they created. Without giving her much of a chance to react, Caleb carefully scooped her up, lifting her over his shoulder with ease, a smirk on his face. He could feel her small frame against him, her heart still racing, but this time it wasn’t out of anger—it was the undeniable chemistry they shared. “Come on,” he said, his voice teasing but gentle. “I think we’ve got some unfinished business.” He walked toward his room, carrying her effortlessly, his steps steady. There was no rush, just the quiet comfort of being with her. As he walked, he could feel the tension between them dissolve into something much deeper, knowing that this was just the way they worked—together, always. His hand smacked against the girl's ass. "I'm going to make you forget how much you hate me when I have you begging at my mercy."

valentina deep down knew that after they started fighting, they would end up like that—making out on the couch, unable to pull away from each other. it was stupid to deny how their interactions always seemed to end, but it was as if that was all she could do to keep from letting him win. they weren’t together, but as much as she hated agreeing with him, they weren’t done yet. it wasn’t possible for them to be over when they were drawn to each other like magnets. as he leaned closer to the shell of her ear, confessing she was sometimes in his top five, her eyes fluttered shut at the familiar voice that still, to this day, drove her crazy. "i wish i could," she admitted. she couldn’t deny it, couldn’t stop herself no matter how much she wanted to. as he whispered those teasing words against her skin, valentina sighed, already knowing she was losing this fight. "i hate you and everything you do," she swore, but they both knew it was a lie. she would always end up straddling his lap, kissing him as if it was the only thing she could do in this world. that was how they worked, and they both knew the consequences of these arguments. she shook her head at his last comment, pulling away just enough to make him look into her eyes. she scanned his face—those eyes, that smirk, the very things that made her so mad but pulled her right back in. and just like that, she caved, pressing her lips against his once more. she didn’t want to, but there she was, trapped in his little tricks. "shut up and make me forget already," she whispered as she pulled away, already knowing she was his all over again.

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb smirked as Juliet teased him, her laughter hitting him right in the ego. Of course, she was enjoying this. She loved getting under his skin. "Oh, I’m cute, huh?" he said with a mock pout, rolling his eyes. "You’re really getting off on this, aren’t you?" He was about to say something else when she shrugged it off, claiming to be Regina George, and he had to fight back a laugh. "Right, because everyone wants to be the queen bee," he shot back, leaning in with a grin. "But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ve got the 'mean' part down perfectly." When she shifted the conversation to his roommate situation, Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle. She was so predictable—always quick to judge, always quick to poke fun. "Yeah, yeah, I’m toxic. I get it," he said, acting completely nonchalant as he leaned back in his chair. "But hey, it works for me." He shrugged, letting out a half-laugh. "And trust me, it’s not like I live to make her mad, but if she’s mad, then she’s at least feeling something, right?" He smirked. "But hey, talking to her like a normal person? Nah, that’s too boring. Who wants to go the easy route? I like the back and forth thing we have going on." When Juliet mentioned him not being over Valentina, Caleb just gave a lazy shrug, trying to act unaffected, even though the sarcasm in her voice hit a nerve. "Yeah, well, it’s complicated. You wouldn’t get it." He grinned, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth, even if she was calling him out. "But really, you’re right about one thing—I definitely haven’t moved on." He leaned in, voice lowering slightly. "It’s a constant battle but one I don't feel like changing anytime soon." As she sipped her coffee, Caleb leaned back, his eyes catching hers. "Oh, no, you’re not the worst one. But I’ve got to admit—you're pretty damn good at it," he teased, his smirk growing wider. "Who do you think is worst mom or dad?" Caleb glanced at Juliet, still leaning back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. He wasn’t done with this whole “annoying parents” thing. “I mean, it’s like they’re competing for the ‘Most Overbearing’ title, and honestly, I think they’re both winning.”

at his mention of their family having a mean gene, juliet couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "that was a good one," she nodded. "yeah, i’m a mean bitch. i’m sorry some people like it," she mused, a smirk playing on her lips as she noticed her brother’s discomfort. "you’re so cute, getting all uncomfortable just thinking about it," she laughed, clearly enjoying teasing him. "some people are sweet, and i’m regina george. it’s fine. people need to get over it," she shrugged. caleb didn’t need to spell out his intentions with his roommate—juliet already knew what his plan was. she thought it was insane that he wanted that for someone, but if this was how they showed love to each other—even after breaking up—who was she to judge? at least out loud. "you’re so toxic sometimes," she laughed. "so you live to make her mad? you could just talk to her, you know? or—i don’t know—show her how you have sex with other people? you’re crazy," she shook her head, taking a sip of her coffee. at his mention of not being over her, juliet raised an eyebrow. "really? i didn’t notice," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes. it was obvious he wasn’t over her, but based on what he had told her, valentina wasn’t over him either. the easy solution would be to talk about it—but that probably wasn’t what they wanted. they liked their toxic way of handling feelings. "if you think i’m the worst one, you’re so wrong," she nodded. she took another sip before glancing at him. "we should do this more often."

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb smirked, leaning in just enough so his lips almost brushed hers. He could feel the tension between them, that familiar pull that always played out like this—her pretending she didn’t care, him teasing her until she caved. It was a routine they both hated, but neither of them could stop playing. “You’re right,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “we’re not together. But we’re definitely not done either, are we?” He could see her fight it, could feel the little movements in her body that told him she was already giving in, even if she wouldn’t admit it. She always thought she could win this, but he knew better. She liked this, more than she ever wanted to admit. “You’re not my last thought either,” he teased, his fingers lightly grazing her skin as he held her in place. “But you’re definitely in my top five, sometimes." He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear as he murmured, “And we both know you can’t stop this, no matter how much you pretend you don’t want it.” When she kissed him again, pulling him even closer, it was like she couldn’t help herself. The chemistry between them was undeniable. “I should pull away,” he whispered, echoing her earlier words, “but why would I do that when you’re already here, fighting this with everything you’ve got?” His voice was low, teasing, but there was an undeniable heat behind it. “You say you hate me, but you hate that I can also make you feel so good, huh?" Caleb grinned, his lips curling into a playful smile as he looked at her. “You know,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “for someone who hates me so much, you sure do kiss me like you can’t get enough.” He leaned in just enough for his breath to warm her skin, eyes glinting with mischief. “Maybe you should stop fighting it, Val. I’m pretty good at making you forget all the reasons you’re supposed to hate me.”

that was the game they always played—he would tease her, she’d act like she didn’t care, and they’d end up kissing. valentina hated herself for knowing it and still not being able to stop. it wasn’t a matter of if but when. "you're not my boyfriend, remember? we're not together, i'm just trapped here with you," she mused. as he kept teasing, she sighed. "you're not my last thought. it's kind of sad you still convince yourself that you are," she added, refusing to let him win. she couldn’t let him win—it was against her nature. but as he moved closer, his warmth radiating against her, she knew she was losing already. she always caved. she hated him, and somehow, that was all it took to make her kiss him. the way he always got under her skin was more of a turn-on than anything else, and she despised it. caleb pulled her onto his lap effortlessly, and she kissed him hungrily, annoyed when he pulled away. but his words only fueled her fire. "i hate you so much," she whispered before crashing her lips against his again, her arms snaking around his neck, pulling herself impossibly closer. the chemistry was undeniable, but it was like they needed to play this little game before finally giving in. "i should pull away and leave you all needy and eager to touch me, just to show you how much i hate you," she mumbled, smirking against his lips. "but i think i like seeing you annoyed even more."

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb couldn’t help but let out a soft snort at his sister’s reply. Typical her—always so quick with the retorts. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, a lazy smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “Must be a real skill to get people to throw tips at you when you’re actively scowling at them.” He shook his head, clearly amused. “I think our family must just have some mean gene." He let her keep talking, letting her go on about being sexy. She could think whatever she wanted to think. He wouldn't see his baby sister as sexy, ever. When she brought up Valentina, though, he couldn’t stop himself from letting out a low, almost exasperated sigh. “Yeah, I guess my goal is slowly drive her insane with my antics,” he said, leaning forward slightly, eyeing her with that ever-present smirk. “And no, I didn’t make a scene just to make her jealous. But it doesn’t hurt when she got jealous. I’m just having a little fun.” He shrugged nonchalantly. "What's wrong with a little chaos?" Her next question—why he wanted to make his ex jealous—had him pausing for a second, that playful edge slipping for just a moment. “Why? Because I can,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye. “It’s not really about her, to be honest. It’s more about… seeing if I still have that power, you know?” He tilted his head, his smirk returning. "Besides, we both know I'm not really over her, but I don’t think that’s any of your business. But hey, if it makes you feel better, I’m definitely not the worst one in this family when it comes to causing chaos."

at her brother’s mocking tone, the blonde rolled her eyes before he even finished his sentence. “maybe not men, but i know at least fifty people who would throw me tips even with my ‘don’t talk to me’ face on,” she scoffed. “some people like it when you’re mean to them, not my fault they do.” she leaned back, glancing at her sister before shaking her head. “you’re so dramatic. i’m sexy, get over it.” she snapped her book shut, already knowing she wouldn’t be touching it for the rest of the afternoon—not with caleb around. at his next words, she arched a brow. “so your purpose in life is to drive valentina insane?” she smirked. “oh, so you made a whole scene just to make her jealous? real mature.” she shook her head before chuckling. “asshol-y? maybe.” leaning forward, she studied him for a moment before sighing. “okay, tell me something. why do you even want to make her jealous if she’s your ex? can’t you just get over her?” she asked, exasperated. “ugh, i’m surrounded by people who live for messy relationships.”

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb grinned, knowing exactly how to get under her skin. The way she tried to act unbothered only made it more fun for him. She could say whatever she wanted, but he could see right through her. "Not your boyfriend, huh?" he teased with a smirk. "Guess you're right. But deep down, you care more than you let on." He leaned back slightly, watching her carefully as she tried to act indifferent. When she brought up the headphones, he couldn't resist. "Sure, go ahead," he chuckled. "I’m sure that’ll work... but I’ve got a feeling you’ll still find a way to hear me. I'm still probably your last thought before you sleep." He couldn’t help but enjoy the way she crossed her arms, her defensiveness making her even more irresistible. And when she whispered, telling him she didn’t want him there, Caleb’s grin only grew. He moved in closer, just enough to make her feel the heat between them. He could feel her body tense, but he didn’t stop. It was a game now, one they both knew too well. This wouldn't be the first or the last time. Then, just like that, she cupped his face and kissed him. Caleb’s heart skipped a beat. The moment was intense, and it wasn’t lost on him. As she pulled away, telling him she hated him, he couldn’t help but feel the pull between them. She said one thing, but her actions spoke louder than words. And deep down, they both knew they couldn’t walk away from this—even if they tried. Caleb pulled Valentina onto his lap with a mischievous grin, his hands settling lightly on her waist. He leaned in close, his breath warm as he whispered, “Oh yeah? Hate me. I love it when you hate me — when it makes you act like this.” Another kiss. His hands fell down to her bum as he gave it a quick squeeze. "You love it."

their game was always the same. she got mad, she tried to hide it, and he just kept pushing until she snapped. he loved getting under her skin, and she hated how easy it was for him to do it. no matter how hard she tried to act unbothered, she always ended up reacting. "why would i care? you're not my boyfriend," she reminded him, though the words tasted bitter on her tongue. did she sometimes wish he still was? yes. but she’d never admit that—not to him, not to anyone. "sure, you know what? i'll get noise-canceling headphones so i don't have to listen to your stupid voice or your moans," she scoffed, already thinking of someone to call that night just to piss him off in return. it wasn’t healthy, but neither was whatever this was between them. she didn’t care. at least, that’s what she kept telling herself. but every time she saw him with someone else, it made her want to rip her eyes out. and he knew it. that’s why he kept pushing. "the thing is, i don't care, but you keep pushing my buttons," she rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. when he chuckled at her defensiveness, her brows furrowed. and then he leaned in, and her whole body went rigid. her heart raced, but she refused to let him see it. she turned her face away, but she could still feel his presence too close, too intoxicating. "listen to me, caleb. i don't want you here," she whispered, her voice low but firm, hoping he’d just leave before she did something she’d regret. but then he leaned in even closer, his breath warm against her skin, and her breath hitched. do something you’ll regret. valentina’s hands moved before she could think better of it. she cupped his face, her fingers digging into his skin as she crashed her lips against his. it was reckless, desperate, inevitable. "i hate you," she whispered against his lips, but she didn’t pull away. she couldn’t.

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb watched her closely, a smirk tugging at his lips. She was trying so hard to keep up the act of indifference, but he could see right through it. He had her all worked up, and it was almost too easy. This little game continued between the two of them as always. When she spoke, trying to sound unaffected, Caleb couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, right," he muttered under his breath, though he made sure not to let her hear. He knew exactly what she was doing, and the more she tried to push him away, the more he knew it was just a matter of time. It was always the same, and it still never got old. He raised an eyebrow as she made her snide remark about keeping his moans low. "I'm not hiding my moans to please anyone else." Caleb knew it bothered her when he brought people home. She didn’t want to admit it, but Caleb was sure of it. It wasn’t just about the noise—she hated seeing him with someone else, even if they weren’t together anymore. He had the exact same reaction too when she brought someone back at home. "If you say so," he said, his tone playful, even though he could see the jealousy in her eyes. It didn’t take much to get under her skin, and he enjoyed every second of it. "I don’t know, maybe I just like watching you try to pretend you don’t care." When she muttered that she wasn’t defensive, he couldn’t hold back a chuckle. "Of course not," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He watched as she tried to distance herself, knowing full well she couldn’t. It was always like this, a game of cat and mouse. Caleb leaned in a little closer, not missing a beat as she snapped at him. When she pushed him away again, Caleb didn’t move. He pulled her closer instead. "You want me here." Her words about regretting something only made him smirk. "Then do something you’ll regret," he teased, testing the limits and her words at the same time.

she really tried her best to look indifferent. the sad thing was she cared too much for her acting to be any good. she tried, but the way he was having so much fun made it clear she was doing a terrible job. he always managed to get her all worked up. "the thing is, i’m not pretending not to care. i don’t care about anything related to you," she said, rolling her eyes at him. "i’m not disappointed in what you do. if you want porn, if you do it yourself, or if you fuck someone else... i don’t give a flying fuck. i just want you to keep your moans low," she added, smirking. "got it?" deep down, though, she hated when he brought people home. they weren’t together, and she wasn’t supposed to care about the people he hooked up with. but she couldn’t help it—she was jealous of anyone who walked into their place. it wasn’t the same when she brought people home to make him jealous, though. "i’m not obsessed with you. i wasn’t when we dated, so why the hell would i be obsessed with you now?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him, lying straight to his face. "why do you even want me addicted to you, honestly? all that tells me is you’re the one who’s not over me," she pointed out. "right, caleb?" a dry laugh slipped out as she stared at him. "i’m not defensive," she muttered, defensively. she hated how he always found the words to tease her, to push her buttons until she wanted to punch him. she tried to move away from him, but the second she walked off, she knew he’d follow her. he couldn’t stop until she exploded. she ignored his words, or at least tried to. but when he sat on the couch right next to her, it was impossible. "resisting’s impossible when you’re following me around like a lost puppy," she said bitterly, rolling her eyes. "i want you far away from me. you’re terrible at reading body language—or even listening to me," she lied again. and then, when he wrapped his arms around her, she rolled her eyes, knowing she was about to cave. "you don’t let me stay away. you keep following me around," she muttered. "get away from me before i do something i’ll regret."

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back in his chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he watched Juliet. She was such a drama queen, but that was what made teasing her so much fun. He couldn’t resist. "A stripper, huh?" Caleb raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with mock seriousness. ""You’d probably make zero tips. I mean, come on. You’ve got the whole ‘don’t talk to me’ face on 24/7. Who’s gonna throw money at that? He leaned forward, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. Caleb then pulled a face at the thought of his sister trying to be "sexy." The idea clearly repulsed him. He groaned, scrunching up his face. "I can’t even picture you trying to do that. I mean, just imagining you trying to look sexy makes me feel sick to my stomach." Caleb glanced over at Juliet, his grin widening as he thought of a distracting topic. "I brought this guy over to the house the other night — someone I knew would drive Valentina absolutely insane. Super charming, totally my guy type, and told him to make a much noise as possible to make my ex jealous. Is that selfish?"

the blonde flipped through her notes, her brother sitting across from her, looking amused. after a moment, she let out a dramatic groan. "i hate this shit. do you think i could just drop everything and become a stripper?" she asked, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. she needed a break, and who better to help her escape her frustrations than her brother? "i swear my teachers are out to get me, they want to see me suffer," she added, rolling her eyes as she snapped her ipad shut. leaning back in her chair, she sighed. "tell me something new, please. i need a distraction." @caleb--caldwell

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, watching Valentina like a cat toying with its prey. That smirk never left his face. He loved watching her try to act like she was indifferent, like she didn’t care, but he knew better. He could always tell when she was getting worked up—when she was pretending to have it all under control. The fact that she even bothered to try made it all the more entertaining. "Oh, I know," he said, voice dripping with mock sympathy as he raised an eyebrow. "You can handle it, of course. But it’s cute watching you pretend like you don’t care." He let out a low laugh, enjoying the fire in her eyes. "And hey, porn is a valid option, I suppose," he added, feigning innocence. "But that’s just not what I was up to. I’m sure you’re very disappointed." Caleb leaned in slightly, savoring the way she rolled her eyes at him. He couldn’t resist pushing her buttons a little more—he was having far too much fun to stop now. When she snapped back about being addicted to him, Caleb grinned wider. "Oh, come on," he teased, holding up his hands as if in surrender. "You totally are." He knew how to rile her up—how to make her contradict herself without even realizing it. "But, hey, if you’re not addicted to me, that’s cool too," he continued, his voice full of playful mockery. "I’ll just take that as my cue to keep trying to get under your skin." Her next response made him chuckle. "Well, well, someone’s defensive," he said, pretending to be concerned. "But hey, if you say I’m hard to walk away from, that’s really flattering." He loved the way her words turned against her, how every little jab from her came back to bite her, no matter how hard she tried to act unaffected. And as for her “I hate you” speech—Caleb was all too familiar with that. He’d heard it more times than he could count, and it never stopped feeling like a compliment. "It’s okay, I understand. Not everyone can resist me." Her next words only made Caleb grin wider. "Touch some grass? Nah, I’m too busy keeping you on your toes," he said, his voice light with amusement. "Besides, it’s more fun watching you try to ignore me." He watched as she walked over to the living room, her smirk still in place, and Caleb followed her without missing a beat. The pull between them was undeniable, and he could feel it. He loved how she still had to acknowledge him, even if she acted like she didn’t want to. When she settled down on the couch and quipped about resisting him, Caleb stepped into her space, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. "Resisting so hard, huh?" he murmured, voice low and teasing. He leaned in just enough for her to feel his presence, the tension between them hanging thick in the air. "You know you’re not fooling anyone, Val. You know you want me even closer to you." He wasn’t done teasing yet, not by a long shot. He was going to keep pushing her—because when she tried to fight it, it was the most fun of all. Caleb casually draped his arm around his ex-girlfriend's shoulders, his smirk widening as he quipped, "I swear, you just can't stay away from me, can you?"

she could tell he was having a blast by the way he casually leaned against the counter, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips. it was the kind of smirk that sometimes made valentina want to slap it right off his face—but other times, it made her want to throw herself into his arms. right now, she wasn’t sure which option was winning. “it’s not the first time you’ve told me what you do,” she said, rolling her eyes. “and i do think i can handle it. the thing is, i don’t want to hear it. i don’t care.” she chuckled, shaking her head. “and, for the record, i only know you were with someone because i saw him leaving,” she added, leaning back with her omelette fork in hand. “for all i know, you could’ve been watching porn or something.” she raised her hands in mock surrender, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “like i said, i really don’t care what happens—or doesn’t happen—in your room.” but she did care. it was the way he looked at her, the way he pushed her buttons just to get a reaction. she knew he loved seeing her get all worked up. at his next words, her eyebrows shot up. “i’m addicted to you?” she repeated, incredulous. “oh, go fuck yourself.” she shook her head, exhaling sharply. “i hate you. a lot. that’s what’s happening here.” still, she wasn’t going to let him win. “maybe you’re the one who’s addicted,” she shot back, a sly smile curving her lips. “after all, as you so eloquently put it, i’m ‘hard to walk away from.’” their eyes locked for a moment, and in that split second, he reached for her drink before she could stop him. “you’re so annoying, you know that?” she groaned, watching him with a mix of frustration and amusement. “don’t thank me for it, either—you basically stole it from me.” she let out a resigned sigh, her fingers tightening slightly around her fork as if she needed something to hold her back. “right now, the only thing stopping me from punching you is sheer self-restraint,” she muttered, giving him a pointed look. “and for the record, it’s not that i can’t quit you. i just can’t seem to get rid of you.” she smirked, leaning back as if the conversation wasn’t bothering her at all. “maybe you should go touch some grass for a change,” she teased, rolling her eyes. picking up her plate and mug, she walked over to the living room, her smirk still in place. “oh, look at me—resisting you so hard,” she quipped, setting her plate on the coffee table. as she turned on the screen, she could feel the pull of him. no matter how much she tried to keep her hands busy or her mind distracted, she knew the truth. if he came back and got close enough, she’d cave. she hated that about herself—hated knowing she’d let him kiss her. because as much as she wanted to resist, she was completely addicted to him.

[caleb--caldwell]

Caleb leaned against the counter, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as Valentina’s words hit their mark. He knew exactly what game they were playing, and he couldn’t help but enjoy the back-and-forth. She was good at it, always had been, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to keep poking the bear. “Oh, trust me, Val, if I wanted to talk about my right hand activities, I’d have a whole conversation about it. But I’m not sure your ears are ready for that kind of lecture,” Caleb shot back, his voice casual but laced with just the right amount of edge, "you also heard enough last night to know I wasn't alone in there." He watched as she exaggerated her annoyance with the same practiced flair, the playful tension between them hanging in the air like a familiar dance. The way she rolled her eyes, the way she made everything seem so dramatic—it was a bit exhausting, sure, but also kind of endearing in its own weird way. And honestly, it was hard to resist pushing her buttons. He’d always liked the fire in her, even when it meant he had to deal with the fallout. When she groaned, Caleb couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound low and teasing. "Disgust you? I'm not the one who told you to go down on me back then, don’t act like you’re not enjoying this," he said, his voice warm but with that familiar bite. "You keep coming back for more, Val. You’re practically addicted to me." Her question—how much it would cost to get him to leave her alone—made him raise an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face. “Leave you alone?” he repeated, his tone mock-serious as he leaned in just slightly. “I don’t know, you make it so much fun, it’s hard to walk away." Caleb glanced over at the freshly made drink sitting on the other side of Valentina, an easy grin spreading across his face. Without missing a beat, he reached for it, lifting the glass to his lips and taking a slow sip, knowing full well it was hers. "Thanks for the morning refreshment," he said casually, his eyes glinting with mischief as he put the glass back in place, fully aware she was watching. Caleb set the glass back down with a satisfied smile, his eyes locking onto Valentina's as he stood up straight again. "You love this back-and-forth," he said with a teasing grin, his tone light but laced with that confident edge. "You can't quit me, Val. Admit it." Caleb leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips as he caught Valentina’s eye. "You know," he said with a teasing grin, "this ass is grass, and you want to mow it." He motioned to himself with a dramatic flair, raising an eyebrow. "Don’t act like you’re not into it. I see the way you can’t resist all this."

at caleb’s words, valentina exaggeratedly looked around, her head turning as if she were scanning the room. "hmm, nope, don’t see that person you’re talking about," she said with mock innocence. then her lips twisted into a smirk. "and by the way, no one here is curious about whatever positions you were in last night. maybe keep that between you and your right hand," she shot back, rolling her eyes dramatically. she knew the game they were playing—this endless tango of insults and jabs, each trying to outdo the other. and, of course, caleb always managed to get under her skin just a little more. "ugh, no, i can’t. you disgust me that much," she added with a shrug, grabbing a clean fork before taking another bite of her omelet, her expression cool. "so classy of you, really," she said, shaking her head with a theatrical sigh. when he responded, she groaned loudly, throwing her head back in mock exasperation. "every. single. time. or maybe you’ve just lost count," she retorted, though her voice remained steady as she tried to keep her composure. "seriously, caleb, don’t you have anything better to do than annoy the crap out of me?" she asked, though the flicker of amusement in her eyes betrayed her. "how much is it gonna cost to get you to leave me alone? name your price."

[caleb--caldwell]

caleb couldn't help but to feel accomplished towards himself to be saying enough to have his ex give a exaggerated reaction to him. "somebody's thinking about me in those positions right now though, huh?" he didn't need to go into too much detail about last nights antics. valentina was free to assume what position he was in without him either confirming or denying it. last night was all his business. caleb also knew eating a piece of valentina's omlette was stupid and dumb but irking his ex girlfriend seemed to becoming one of his favourite past times. he loved being a nuisance. caleb and valentina's relationship (if it could even be called that anymore ) was somewhat a fine line between love and hate. it changed every single damn day. "what? you can't even eat from the same fork as me these days?" valentina had shared his cutlery in the past without saying anything. "i've literally watched you swallow my load. is the fork so different?" caleb scrunched his nose up as his ex mentioned mateo's name. he wouldn't pretend like he was a fan of the guy valentina brought back to their shared apartment from time to time. mateo just sucked. "did that happen? when's the next time supposed to be? i might need to make a note of it. i don't think i've heard you scream once when he's been over."

valentina rolled her eyes, wondering if one day they might actually get stuck from how much she rolled them around him. "what, are you gonna tell me he had you on all fours and think that'll get me all hot and bothered or something?" she scoffed. "i don’t need a recap on your positions, thanks." "and thanks for explaining what noise-canceling headphones are," she added, "but i thought you’d keep it down with other people around" her eyes widened as he reached over and took a bite from her breakfast, the nerve of it! she shot him the finger with a smirk. "you’re such an ass," she muttered, tossing the fork in the sink and grabbing a new one, acting like he’d contaminated it. "so, you think your moans turn me on? i felt disgusted" she shrugged, raising an eyebrow. "what’s next—when i brought mateo over, you touched yourself while you heard me scream his name? is that it, caleb?" she smirked, feeling oddly pleased with how unbothered she was supposed to be. even if his moans were somehow… frustratingly hard to ignore.