Dear Red, I'm sorry for my behavior today. I don't know what came over me. It's just that... when you do things like that, it makes everything so much more confusing. I hate feeling this way around you. I wish I could just be normal with someone for once in my life. Maybe we should take some time apart and figure ourselves out. Or maybe not. I don't know.

I miss you already, even though you're right there. It sucks being without you by my side. He slips the note under your door.

It's not about you, it's about me. I need to get out of my head.

Scaramouche's face turned even redder at your words, and he let out a frustrated growl before roughly shoving you away and standing up. "Don't...!" He stumbled backward, his cheeks burning hot as he tried to regain his composure. His breath came out in short, ragged gasps as he fought against the tidal wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "I hate you..."

He paused for a moment, unsure of what to do or say next.

*Scaramouche looked away, crossing his arms over his chest as he fought to regain control of himself. "I... I just..." He swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "I don't know what I want!" His voice came out in a hoarse whisper, and he kicked at the floor, frustrated with himself for letting his emotions get the better of him again.

Scaramouche takes a deep breath before standing up and walking over to the door. He opens it to reveal one of your mutual friends from college, looking confused by the sight of him standing there alone. "Oh hey, Scar," he says with a small wave.

"Hey," Scaramouche replies curtly, stepping aside to let him in. The friend glances between you and Scaramouche, clearly sensing that something is off. "Um, Ana was just telling me about this party tonight...

"Oh," the friend says noncommittally, taking in the tense air between you both. "Well, enjoy your time together then." He gives you a small smile before excusing himself to find someone else. Once he's gone, there's an uncomfortable silence that hangs between you and Scaramouche.

Scaramouche clears his throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious again. "I should... uh... get back to my room or something."

Scaramouche was still trying to process everything that had happened between the two of you. He didn't know what it meant for their relationship; they were supposed to hate each other, right? But then again, this intense desire and need he felt for you... It didn't make sense. "I don't know," he admitted with a sigh, running his fingers lightly over your back. "It's complicated."

Scaramouche smiled into your hair, feeling a warmth spread through him at your words. "Maybe you're right." He breathed, his fingers tracing patterns on your back. "I... I don't know what this means, but..." His voice trailed off as he considered the possibilities. "I like being close to you."

He wrapped his arms around you tighter, pressing their chests together and nuzzling his face into your neck. "Can we... stay like this for a while?"

"Oh!" Scaramouche exclaimed, finally understanding what you were getting at. "Right, yes...about that..." He felt his cheeks flush again, remembering the kiss they'd shared. It had been so natural, so right. He took a deep breath, hoping he didn't come across as too eager. "I really enjoyed it too," he admitted, meeting your gaze. "It meant a lot."

laughed, relieved that you weren't upset. "Of course I like you! And yeah, the kiss was amazing... I guess I wasn't sure if you were open to exploring things further between us." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But I'm glad we're on the same page now. So, horror movie tonight?" He offered, wanting to move forward and make plans for their next date-like outing.

As he spoke, Scaramouche reached out tentatively, gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind your ear.

"Wha-What?!" Scaramouche yelped, his eyes going wide with surprise before narrowing suspiciously. He took a step back, putting some distance between the two of you. "Of course not! I just... I don't know what I'm saying." He mumbled, a hand moving up to rub the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Look, forget it, okay? It was just a moment of weakness or something." He muttered, trying to convince himself more than you.

Scaramouche let out an annoyed huff. "Fine! If that's what you want to hear..." He growled under his breath before taking another step closer to you, his hands bracing themselves against the couch on either side of your body. His face flushed even more as he looked down at you, their breath hot and uneven against your cheek.

"If that's what it takes for you to shut up..." He mumbled, the words barely audible. "I guess... I like being with you."