The First Rule

Chapter 18b: Dodgers' Kiss

Then he went to slap Dom's cheek twice, making him flinch in pain. Casually slamming his body between Hunt and Wyatt, Cavill nonchalantly nodded, "She likes you," finally responding to Dominic's initial question. Beside him, Wyatt watched his bipolar tendencies with mouth agape.

"Don't touch her hair. She doesn't like it when I—" coughing slightly at the slip up, he corrected himself, "when people—ruffles her hair." Casually flicking his cigarette in a calm manner, he exhaled a smoke, leaving the others still looking traumatized.

Scott, remaining silent and still bewildered, quickly shifted his attention to his piece of paper. Scanning through his list of doodled names of ‘River Girls to Date', he carefully crossed out a name with trembling hands.

"Nope. I'd rather die curious than have to live with Tyler Cavill as my brother-in-law."

Caught in the spotlight of the Kiss Cam, the world around you seemed to fade into a blur. Leaving only the intensity of the moment lingering between your gazes. And for the first time in forever.. you see a blush creeping onto his face.

Clearing his throat nervously, Hunt hesitantly gets closer to you.. bridging the gap between your bodies until there's barely a breath of space between you. His voice is barely a whisper as he leans in, his lips hovering tantalizingly close to your ear..

"Em," he begins, his words soft, enchanting, "I know this is our first date.. I know this surely isn't supposed to be a Kiss Cam moment—but—somehow.. it's like the universe compels me to—"

His voice falters momentarily as he grapples with his nerves, but then he pulls away—and as he levels his gaze to you, determination shone in his eyes. "It's like the world has aligned perfectly in this moment, and I can't ignore the overwhelming feeling that.. in fact—I too, want to—"

His hand trembles slightly as he reaches up to gently cup your cheek—his thumb caressing your skin tenderly. Time seems to stand still as you lock eyes with him, feeling your heart racing in your chest. However, after exchanging a brief gaze, he finally mouths,

'Can I kiss you?'

You bite your lower lip. What more to wait?

With a barely perceptible nod and a smile, you give him your answer sheepishly. Slowly.. Hunt closes the remaining distance.. and his lips meet yours.

And it really feels like a dream come true.

They’re gentle.. and yet—filled with raw intensity that sets your heart ablaze. As his plump lower lip presses against yours.. warmth rushes through your veins, enveloping you in a sweet embrace.

When you finally part, a smile graces your lips as you share a moment of laughter. With a contented sigh, you lean the side of your head against the bleachers, gazing at his beautiful face with a sense of wonder and gratitude for this magical moment. The entire stadium erupts into thunderous cheers, the sound echoing through the air like a symphony—above you, it's as though butterflies are dancing gracefully.

Wyatt and Eve watch the screen with wide grins plastered on their faces. Eve's voice rings out excitedly, "Whoo! That's my bestfriends right there!" Wyatt echoes her enthusiasm, shouting at the top of his lungs. But then, a sudden realization dawns on him..

"Shoot, but babe—"

That's when the camera pans back to capture the reactions of people cheering for the Dodgers' win. Amidst the celebratory atmosphere.. among that many faces.. they spot someone they know very.. damn well.

Tyler sits there, his mouth slightly agape.

Confusion clouds his thoughts, mingling with other feelings—leaving him feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty. He clenches his jaw, trying to make sense of the rush of emotions coursing through him. Staring straight with a furrowed brow, he struggles to understand. But the more he tries to make sense of it, the more elusive the answers become, slipping through his fingers like grains of sand.

Why.. does seeing you with someone else stirs such a tumultuous storm within him? There's also a flicker of something else.. something.. he can't quite name.

Jealousy..? Regret..? Or something.. deeper, something..

He's been too afraid to acknowledge?

Taylor is seen repeatedly calling after Cavill's jaded self. But before any further response can be discerned, the scene abruptly shifts to his favorite team's jubilant celebrations of victory.

Running to Cavill's room, you burst through the door and call out, "Tyty!!"

Only to find him in the middle of something with Taylor, causing him to jump in surprise. Cavill jerks his head towards you while Taylor lets out a high-pitched scream, making you freeze in the doorway with wide eyes. You purse your lips cheekily and dart your eyes anywhere. Shrugging off the awkwardness, Cavill runs a hand through his hair in apparent vexation.

Whatever. My apologies, ladies and gents, this news is not something to be postponed compared to this mere.. casualty.

"Oops! Ok sorry—but—AAAA I'm so happy!" you scream with the top of your lungs, putting both hands on your chest joyfully.

With a roll of his eyes, Cavill tilts his head, asking, "What, Winters? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something here?"

Taylor looks at him in utter disbelief and rants, "So we just gotta ignore the fact that she casually barged in on us, naked?!"

Turning his attention back to his girlfriend beneath him, he responds calmly, "We're under the covers Tay, we're fine—"

"He asked me to be his girlfriend!"

You excitedly drop the bomb, causing him to panic and snap his head back to you in alarm! In his haste, he loses his balance—tumbling off the bed—and instinctively grabs the sheets to cover himself. Quickly standing up, he shouts,

"WHAT?!"

Panicking, Taylor hastily pulls the pillows over herself, screaming with all she might, "TYLER!"

"How?!" he shouts, ignoring her.

"He did it just like in my favorite fanfics, Ty—he arranged a special dinner at The Scenic! There were candles, flowers.. and suddenly he went to the stage—he. sings?! Oh my God he's so dreamy! And after he sang Girl of My Dreams—he asked me to be his girlfriend! You never told me how romantic The Dominic Hunt is?!"

"Ok great. Congratulations! Now can you let us continue with our—yeah?!" Taylor sasses as she nods in exchange of the last verb, momentarily confused about how to express—

"s*x?" you clarify, raising an eyebrow at Taylor as she exhales and rolls her eyes. Then, shifting your gaze to Tyler's bewildered self, you grin and jump in excitement.

"Isn't it too soon?! You barely even talk!"

Giving him a ‘WTF’ look, you extend your hand towards them and exclaim, "Look at yourself? And now I—EEEK! Ok you can continue! Ciao!" Leaping in excitement, you flash them a wink, and flee. Tyler squints his eyes in confusion at first—but after a few moments, he rushes to his door and grasps the doorframe to shout,

"Hey—HEY! WINTERS! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"

Taylor rolls her eyes behind him, already reclining on the bed's back as she seductively beckons, "Now, now—come here baby~" In a fit of annoyance, he unintentionally hurls the sheets in her direction and bellows, "I'm not in the mood anymore!"

Emerging from beneath the sheets, she finally pops her head out and screams, "WHAT?!"

As you make your way out the main door, you notice Violet gets into the house—probably just got home from work. "Emily honey~ Hanging out with Tyler?" she greets, hugging you briefly.

"Oh hi, Auntie Vi! Oh no no! He's in the middle of something anyway," beaming in joy, you casually answer and exit, leaving Violet’s perplexed self behind. However, as if catching onto your hint—she knits her eyebrows and narrows her eyes. She immediately sprints upstairs, and the last thing you could hear before entering your house was..

"Tell me WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"