Asher’s POV There was a line I had crossed.
A line I never meant to cross.
It had happened so quickly…
One second, I was looking at him.
The next…
I’d kissed him.
Just one small peck.
Soft enough that most people would’ve called it meaningless.
But it wasn’t meaningless to me.
Because ever since that night…
I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Or him.
— The morning sun slipped through the curtains, bathing Room 407 in a soft golden glow.
For once…
Asher woke up before his alarm.
Not because he was well-rested.
But because someone was staring at him.
He slowly opened one eye.
Across the room…
Kael instantly looked down at the notebook in his lap.
“…” “…” Asher smiled.
“…Good morning, Rabbit.” Kael jumped slightly.
“…G-Good morning…” His voice was barely audible.
He immediately pretended to read.
Unfortunately…
His book was upside down.
Liam noticed first.
“…Kael.” “…Hm?” “…Your book.” Kael looked down.
“…” He slowly turned it around without saying a word.
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Noah couldn’t suppress a smile.
Kael hid his face behind the book again.
“I…” “…Let’s pretend that didn’t happen.” — Breakfast was quieter than usual.
Not awkward.
Just…
Gentle.
Kael kept stealing tiny glances at Asher whenever he thought no one was looking.
Every single time…
Asher caught him.
Every.
Single.
Time.
Kael’s ears grew redder with each failed attempt.
“He’s adorable…” Asher looked away before he smiled too obviously.
— Their classes ended early because of the Welcome Festival preparations.
The campus buzzed with excitement.
Music floated through the air as student clubs rehearsed performances.
Colorful ribbons fluttered from trees.
Food stalls lined the main courtyard.
The scent of grilled meat and sweet pastries drifted on the breeze.
Liam stretched dramatically.
“I am going to spend all my money today.” “You don’t have money.” “I’ll borrow some.” “No.” “You didn’t even let me finish.” “No.” — Professor Lewis gathered the class near the festival booth.
“I need volunteers to decorate the main stage.” Hands immediately shot into the air.
Before Asher could avoid eye contact…
Liam grabbed his wrist and lifted it high.
“Asher volunteers!” Asher sighed.
“…Traitor.” Liam grinned.
“I believe in you.” — The stage stood in the center of campus.
Strings of lights hung from tall wooden beams.
Large paper lanterns waited to be tied into place.
Asher climbed the ladder with practiced ease.
Below…
Kael quietly handed decorations to the students.
Every few minutes…
His eyes wandered upward.
Watching.
Always watching.
A sudden gust of wind swept across the stage.
The ladder shifted slightly.
A few students gasped.
“Asher!” Kael’s voice escaped before he could stop it.
Louder than he’d ever spoken.
The entire area turned to look at him.
Asher quickly regained his balance.
“I’m okay.” Kael’s breathing finally slowed.
Only then did he realize…
Everyone was staring.
He immediately lowered his head.
“…S-Sorry…” One of the girls nearby smiled knowingly.
“…He was worried.” Another whispered, “…They’re so obvious.” Kael wished the ground would swallow him.
— When the decorating finally ended…
The volunteers scattered across campus.
Asher climbed down from the ladder.
The first thing he saw…
Was Kael waiting.
Holding out a bottle of water.
“…Here.” “You’ve been working all afternoon.” Asher accepted it.
“…Thanks.” Their fingers brushed.
Just for a second.
Kael immediately pulled his hand back.
His face turned pink again.
Asher couldn’t help laughing softly.
“You blush too easily.” Kael covered his face.
“…I know…” — Later that afternoon…
The four roommates wandered through the festival together.
Liam somehow convinced everyone to play ring toss.
Three minutes later…
He had lost every single round.
“This game is rigged.” Noah looked at the scoreboard.
“You threw the rings backwards.” “I was testing a new strategy.” “You were testing everyone’s patience.” Kael laughed.
A bright, genuine laugh.
The kind that made strangers turn to look.
Asher didn’t look at the game anymore.
He looked at Kael.
“Keep smiling…” He found himself thinking.
“Please…” — As the sun slowly began to set…
The crowd gathered near the fountain where a small acoustic performance had begun.
Students sat on the grass.
Some leaned against each other.
Others shared snacks.
Kael quietly sat beside Asher.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough that their shoulders almost touched.
The music drifted softly through the evening air.
Neither of them spoke.
Words weren’t necessary.
For the first time in years…
Silence felt peaceful.
— “…Cold?” Asher asked quietly.
Kael looked up.
“…A little.” Without hesitation…
Asher removed his dark green bomber jacket.
He gently draped it over Kael’s shoulders.
It was ridiculously oversized.
The sleeves completely swallowed Kael’s hands.
Liam pointed dramatically.
“There it is again!” “The boyfriend jacket!” “We are witnessing history!” Noah pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I apologize on behalf of our roommate.” Kael buried half his face inside the jacket.
It smelled faintly of cedar soap…
And coffee.
Warm.
Comforting.
Without realizing it…
He smiled.
— That night…
Asher’s shift ended earlier than expected.
When he entered the dorm…
He expected everyone to be asleep.
Instead…
A small figure sat cross-legged on his own bed.
Kael.
He looked up the moment the door opened.
“…You’re home.” There it was again.
That tiny smile.
The one reserved only for Asher.
“…Yeah.” “I got off early.” Kael visibly relaxed.
His shoulders dropped.
The little pout he’d been wearing all evening disappeared.
Asher noticed.
“Was he worried again?” He set his bag down.
“…Rabbit.” “Hm?” “Were you waiting for me?” Kael hesitated.
“…Maybe.” “Maybe?” “…Okay…” A tiny nod.
“…Yes.” “I wanted to make sure…” “…You came back safely.” For a moment…
The room became very quiet.
Even Liam pretended to be asleep.
Asher walked over.
He stood in front of Kael.
Close enough that Kael had to tilt his head to look up.
“…Thank you.” His voice was softer than usual.
Then…
Without thinking…
Asher gently reached out.
His large hand rested on top of Kael’s head.
He slowly ruffled his soft brown hair.
Not playfully.
Affectionately.
Kael’s eyes widened.
“…A-Asher…” His voice came out tiny.
Almost like a squeak.
He didn’t pull away.
Instead…
Very slowly…
Almost unconsciously…
He leaned the slightest bit into the touch.
Asher felt his heart skip.
“He’s trusting me…” The realization warmed him more than he expected.
After a few quiet seconds…
Asher withdrew his hand.
“…Your hair’s a mess now.” Kael hurried to fix it, pouting adorably.
“…You made it messy.” “I know.” “…You’re smiling.” “…Am I?” “…You are.” Liam suddenly threw his blanket off dramatically.
“I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!” The two boys jumped.
Liam pointed at them.
“You two are making me feel single!” Noah looked up from his novel.
“…You are single.” “I know!” “It’s tragic!” The room filled with laughter.
Kael laughed so hard that he accidentally grabbed Asher’s sleeve to steady himself.
When he realized what he’d done…
He froze.
“…S-Sorry!” Asher looked down at the small fingers clutching his sleeve.
Instead of pulling away…
He gently covered Kael’s hand with his own.
“…You don’t have to apologize.” Kael’s heart nearly stopped.
Neither of them noticed…
Liam and Noah quietly exchanged a glance.
Neither said a word.
But both of them were beginning to realize…
Whatever existed between these two…
It was becoming something far deeper than friendship.