𝐏𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 -- 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐤𝐚
      𝟎𝟏𝟖: Disgusting
           (𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚, Stay Ready)

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 were disgusting. He knew that. And honestly, he didn't care. You spend six years pining over your best friend-slash-your friend's little sister and see if you care either. He was allowed to have a gross honeymoon phase filled with lovingly gazing into each other's eyes, sneaking kisses here and there, and whispering sweet nothings that made them both cringe later, okay? He was entitled to it, actually, because you want to know what?

He wasn't Jay Gatsby. He wasn't Romeo. And he definitely wasn't Sebastian. Why?

Because he got the girl. And that was a hell of a lot more than any of those sad sacks could say.

Ekko smiled as Moon straddled his lap, facing him as she rambled on about something he probably should've been paying more attention to. Her voice was animated, her hands moving in sharp gestures as if she was punctuating each word with a flourish. It didn't really matter what she was talking about—he'd listen to her talk about the weather or Vander's latest rant about bar fights if it meant he got to see her like this.

His thumbs rubbed lazy circles into her hips where his hands rested, grounding him in the moment. The warmth of her skin beneath his fingers was a quiet reassurance, the softness of her laugh whenever she got distracted and had to backtrack on her story an unexpected melody he never tired of.

Her words spilled out in a flurry, tumbling over each other as she chased a train of thought that kept twisting and turning, and Ekko couldn't help but chuckle. "You know you're rambling, right?"

Moon's nose scrunched up in mock offense, and she leaned forward, her hands braced on his shoulders. "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I boring the great Ekko with my endless chatter?"

"Not boring," he said, his grin widening. "Just wondering if you're ever gonna land the plane or if we're stuck circling forever."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't quite keep the smirk off her face. "Maybe I like circling. Keeps you on your toes."

"Uh-huh." He gave her hips a playful squeeze, his dark brown eyes warm and teasing. "You just like the sound of your own voice."

"Don't act like you don't, too," she shot back, her tone smug.

He couldn't even argue with that. She had him there.

Ekko leaned his head back against the backboard of her bed, studying her face as she launched back into her story without missing a beat. She was all sharp edges and soft curves, a balance he never understood but always admired. The way her dark eyes sparkled when she got excited, the way her lips quirked into a half-smile every time she caught him staring—it was all so effortlessly her, and it hit him like a sucker punch every time.

It didn't even feel unnatural with them, being so touchy and comfortable early on in the relationship. Maybe it was because their love had been written in the stars long before either of them dared to admit it, or maybe it was simply because everything about loving Moon felt like second nature, as easy as breathing. He didn't know. He didn't really care.

All he truly cared about was her—the way her presence filled the room like the first rays of sunlight after a storm, chasing away every shadow. The way her dark eyes held secrets too vast for words, like they carried the weight of the universe but still had space enough to hold him. The way her smile, crooked and shy at times, was the kind of beautiful that didn't just catch your breath—it redefined it.

Ekko cared about the way she moved, like her body was in constant conversation with the world around her, every tilt of her head or flick of her hand bursting with untamed creativity. He cared about the way she spoke, her voice low and thoughtful, like each word was a thread she carefully wove into the tapestry of his life. He cared about the way she laughed, loud and unabashed, a sound so contagious it could soften the hardest of hearts.

Loving Moon wasn't just something he did—it was something he was. A force so constant, so undeniable, it felt as though every fiber of his being had always been tied to her, waiting for this moment to come to life.

"Ekko, you're not listening to me," Moon pouted, her lips pressing into an exaggerated frown as she tried—and failed—to ignore the way his eyes roamed her face, studying her like she was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"I am," Ekko replied, though his voice was distracted, soft around the edges. His gaze lingered on the slope of her nose, the curve of her cheek, the way her eyelashes cast delicate shadows against her skin.

"You are not," she countered, narrowing her eyes, though there was no real heat behind it. "I'm trying to explain my genius idea, and you're just—"

"Just what?" he interrupted, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"Staring at me like an idiot," she finished, crossing her arms over her chest, though her tone wavered, betraying the slight flush creeping up her neck.

Ekko grinned, his hands still resting lightly on her hips. "Can you blame me? It's hard to focus on anything else when you look like this."

Moon rolled her eyes, though the hint of a smile betrayed her. "Flattery isn't going to save you, you know."

"Wasn't trying to be flattering," he said, leaning back slightly, his grin softening. "Just being honest."

Her mock irritation faltered, replaced by something quieter, something tender, and for a moment, she forgot what she had been saying. "You're insufferable," she muttered, but her voice lacked conviction.

"Maybe," Ekko replied, his tone as warm as his gaze. "But you love it."

Moon tried to bite back her smile. She really did.

Moon leaned forward, her hands gently resting against his chest as she tilted her head in mock exasperation. "You think you're so smooth, don't you?" 

Ekko's grin only widened. "I mean, I'm here with you, aren't I? Got you right in my arms. Must be doing something right." 

She huffed, though the fondness in her gaze gave her away. "You're impossible." 

"And yet, here you are," he teased, the playfulness in his voice tinged with the soft undercurrent of truth. His hands shifted on her hips, steadying her as if afraid she'd float away. 

Moon opened her mouth to argue, ready to toss another quip his way, but her words faltered when she caught the way he was looking at her again—like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. It was the kind of look that made her chest feel too tight and her thoughts scatter like leaves in the wind. 

"Ekko," she started, her voice quieter now, unsure of what she was even going to say. 

But Ekko didn't push her. He just waited, his thumb idly tracing a small, soothing circle against her side, his expression patient and open in a way that made her heart stutter. 

And for all her sharp words and teasing remarks, Moon found herself speechless in that moment, overcome by the weight of what they had somehow become. So instead of saying anything, she leaned in and silenced him with a quick kiss, cutting off whatever sarcastic retort he was about to unleash. 

And just like that, whatever argument he thought he was gearing up for vanished, replaced by the soft warmth of her lips and the steady, grounding presence of her against him. 

Gross? Sure. 

Disgusting? Absolutely. 

Worth it? Every damn second.

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒!

y'all skipping chapter 15 and 16 to read 17 is so funny like I can see it you know? The votes and views randomly get low and then higher.

Moon and Ekko have been dating for three weeks.

Ekko is 18, Moon is 17. Now that they're together comment chapters you want to see between them. This book is for fun so it's basically going to be scenarios/snippets of them from now on. (If none of yall comment like last time I'm jumping.)