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The night was young, the air filled with the rhythmic pulse of music as Claude and Finana walked into the vibrant party. The room was lit with flashing lights, the scent of sweet cocktails and laughter hanging in the air. It was the kind of scene that Claude enjoyed, a rare break from the usual grind of life. Finana, on the other hand, was practically glowing, her excitement infectious. They were joined by their close-knit group of friends: Elira, Leo, and Aster.
Claude had never liked parties too much, preferring smaller, more intimate gatherings, but tonight, with Finana beside him, everything felt different. She wore a dress—light, almost ethereal in design—that seemed to shimmer with every step she took. It was playful and revealing, her shoulders exposed and the skirt dancing with every movement. Claude couldn’t help but glance at her as they mingled with the others, feeling a mix of admiration and something else he couldn’t quite place.
As they made their way to the drink table, a guy, who seemed to have come out of nowhere, approached Finana with a smile.
"Hey there, beautiful," he said, his voice smooth and confident.
Finana gave him a polite smile, but there was a noticeable tension in her shoulders. "Uh, hi," she said, taking a step back.
Claude, who had been chatting with Leo, noticed the sudden change in her demeanor. The stranger's smile grew as he leaned in a little too close.
"So, what brings you to this party? You come here often?" he asked, his gaze lingering.
Finana’s smile faltered, and she shifted uncomfortably. "I’m just here with my friends," she said, glancing over at Claude for reassurance.
Before she could say anything more, the guy took a bold step forward, placing a hand on her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Claude's breath hitched. His gaze narrowed, his jaw tightening. He had been ignoring that gnawing feeling of discomfort earlier, but now it was undeniable. The jealousy was creeping in, sharp and unwelcome.
“Hey, man, she’s with us,” said Aster, noticing the growing tension.
Finana looked at him with grateful eyes, clearly relieved by the interruption. But before Claude could step in and say something—anything—Aster placed a hand gently on her waist, his fingers grazing her side in a way that made Claude's chest tighten even further.
"Are you okay, Finana?" Aster asked, his voice soft but protective.
The way Aster stood there, seemingly at ease and confident, made Claude's irritation grow. He didn't like seeing anyone—especially another guy—so close to Finana. He barely registered what his friends were saying as they all exchanged knowing glances.
"Claude, you're looking a little... tense," Leo teased, his grin widening. “Jealous much?”
Claude’s eyes snapped to Leo’s face, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he resumed talking with the others, trying to ignore the sharp feeling gnawing at his insides. He watched as Aster continued to stand there, talking to Finana with a relaxed smile, but his gaze never strayed too far from the pair. His thoughts churned as the evening progressed, the laughter of his friends around him slowly turning into background noise.
Finana’s discomfort was still palpable. Despite Aster’s protective gesture, she shifted, hugging herself slightly as the evening air started to feel colder. Claude noticed. His gaze moved down to her arms, bare and goosebumped from the chill.
His jealousy faded, replaced by a deep urge to take care of her.
Without a second thought, he pulled off his jacket, his hand brushing against the soft fabric of his sweater. "Here," he said, his voice low, as he walked toward her and draped it over her shoulders.
Finana looked up in surprise, her eyes meeting his with a flicker of appreciation. "Thanks, Claude," she said, her voice soft as the warmth of his sweater enveloped her.
Aster, who had been standing beside her, blinked in surprise. "Oh, I was about to-"
Claude shot him a brief, pointed look, the unspoken message clear: not necessary. He stepped closer to Finana, his posture protective as he casually draped an arm around her shoulders. Finana smiled warmly at him, the tension in her body easing. “You’re always looking out for me, huh?”
Claude’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure if it was the jealousy or something deeper, but he nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "Always," he whispers.
The rest of their friends watched the exchange, and it wasn’t long before Elira grinned mischievously, nudging Leo. "Looks like someone’s got a little crush, huh?" she teased, her voice teasing.
Leo chuckled, his arm casually draped around Aster’s shoulders as they all observed the subtle tension between the two. "I think he might have been jealous," he whispered to Leo, his grin widening.
Claude shot them both a glance, but the teasing didn’t stop. “Shut up, you two.”
“Come on, Claude," Leo said, chuckling. "You know we can all see it. It’s so obvious!"
Claude tried to ignore them, but his face betrayed him. Even though the teasing continued, his attention was still on Finana, her hand now lightly resting on his arm as they laughed with their friends. Despite everything—despite the jealousy, the tension, and the teasing—there was something comforting in the way he stood by her side. Something he couldn’t ignore. And in that moment, he realized: He didn’t just want to be her friend. He wanted to be the one to protect her, to make sure no one else got too close. No matter who they were.
Finana, still wrapped in his sweater, caught his eye, her smile soft and genuine. She didn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes said it all.
“Claude, I know.”