On My Block: One Shots

Lines Crossed

Part 3: Lines Crossed

Brief synopsis-
As the stakes rise with Santos drama, César starts to pull away to protect you. But you're not the kind of girl to be left in the dark. Heated arguments, jealousy, and a risky decision bring new tension.

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 　　 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

3rd person POV:

You were still wearing César's hoodie when you stepped outside with him later that day, fingers laced together like the night had permanently changed how you moved through the world—more connected, more unshakable.

Or so you thought.

It started small.

A tense phone call.

César answering with a clipped "Yeah?" before turning his back to you. His shoulders stiff. His jaw tight.

You waited. Patient at first. But when he came back and wouldn't meet your eyes, your gut twisted.

"Who was that?" you asked.
"No one," he said, too quickly.
"Just... Santos stuff. I'll handle it."
"César," you said, stepping in front of him, "don't do that. Don't shut me out now."

His eyes flicked to yours—stormy, conflicted.
"It's not about shutting you out. It's about keeping you safe."

"I can't be safe if you're out there getting pulled deeper into that life."

He exhaled, frustrated. "You don't get it. I don't have the luxury of just walking away."

You reached up, cupping his cheek.

"You do now. With me. You don't have to keep choosing them."

A car pulled up across the street—black, windows tinted.

César clocked it immediately.

His entire body tensed.

The passenger window rolled down.
A voice called out:
"Diaz. You coming or what?"

César stepped back from you instinctively, like someone just yanked a leash he thought he'd broken free from.

"Who are they?" you asked, heart hammering. "César, what is this?"
He looked at you, eyes full of regret. "I gotta go."

You grabbed his arm. "No, you don't."

"I do," he said, softer now, like it was tearing him apart. "If I don't, people I care about get hurt. You don't know what they'll do."

You blinked back sudden tears, shaking your head.
"You promised me. Last night—this morning—you promised."

He leaned in close, kissed your forehead, and whispered, "This isn't me choosing them. This is me trying to protect you."

And with that, he turned and walked toward the car.

You watched it drive off, chest hollow, skin still warm from his touch, heart already aching.

You knew this wasn't over.

And if César thought you were going to just wait on the sidelines while he fell deeper into darkness—

He didn't know just how far you'd go for the boy you loved...

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 　　 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Authors Notes:

Men.. always thinking they know better 😑

Hopefully this is good cause I kinda finished it at 2 am 😅

If you see any spelling errors please let me know!!

Until the next one..

Good night, my Lovelies ❤️

(Side note- there was a spelling error in me asking about spelling errors— smh, I fixed it.. 😅🫠)