Kael’s POV Warm.
That was the first thing Kael noticed.
A warmth unlike anything he had ever known.
It surrounded him so completely that, for a fleeting moment, he wondered if he were still dreaming.
His lashes fluttered open.
A slow breath escaped his lips.
Then…
His entire body froze.
A muscular arm rested securely around his waist.
His cheek was pressed against someone’s chest.
Someone’s heartbeat echoed steadily beneath his ear.
Kael’s sapphire eyes widened in horror.
No…
No, no, no…
Slowly-almost mechanically-he lifted his head.
Asher.
His heart nearly stopped.
What am I doing?
Heat flooded his face so quickly that even his ears burned crimson.
He scrambled backward in a panic, nearly tangling himself in the blanket before tumbling out of the bed altogether.
He landed on his feet with a muffled thud.
Please don’t wake up.
Please don’t wake up.
Too mortified to look back, Kael hurried toward the bathroom, shutting the door behind him just a little too quickly.
Click.
Silence.
…
A few seconds later…
Asher opened one eye.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward.
“I knew you’d panic…” He had been awake long before Kael stirred.
The moment he felt the smaller boy shift in his arms, he had quietly closed his eyes again.
Not because he was asleep.
Because he knew Kael would be hopelessly embarrassed.
And he had been right.
Completely right.
…
Inside the bathroom, Kael leaned both hands against the sink.
His reflection stared back at him.
His face was still bright red.
“What…
is wrong with me…?” He covered his face with both hands.
This wasn’t the first time.
Sleepwalking.
He had suffered from it ever since living with his uncle.
Whenever the nightmares became unbearable, his body wandered while his mind remained trapped in sleep.
He had truly believed coming to college would change everything.
His uncle was gone.
The shouting was gone.
The beatings were gone.
So…
Why hadn’t the sleepwalking stopped?
Kael slowly lowered his hands.
A strange realization settled over him.
He couldn’t remember his nightmare.
Only…
The feeling afterward.
Safe.
For the first time in years…
He had woken up without fear.
His cheeks grew warm again.
“…His arms were warm.” The thought escaped before he could stop it.
Kael immediately shook his head.
“No.” He splashed cold water onto his face.
“I need to stop thinking about him.” Unfortunately…
His heart had already decided otherwise.
— By the time everyone was ready, Room 407 buzzed with morning energy.
Liam was already complaining.
“I swear they’re trying to kill us with these early classes.” Noah laughed.
“It’s the first day.” “And I’m already exhausted.” Asher chuckled while adjusting his tie.
Kael quietly packed his notebook into his bag.
When he glanced up- Asher was already looking at him.
Their eyes met.
Kael immediately looked away.
Again.
Liam noticed.
“…You two are weird.” Neither of them answered.
— The lecture hall was enormous.
Professor Hargrove introduced himself before launching straight into the semester’s expectations.
Kael tried to pay attention.
He really did.
But every few minutes…
His eyes drifted toward the seat beside the window.
Toward Asher.
He wasn’t even doing anything.
Just listening.
Occasionally jotting down notes.
His side profile looked…
Beautiful.
Stop staring.
Kael forced himself to look at the whiteboard.
Thirty seconds later…
His eyes wandered back.
Asher suddenly turned.
Their gazes collided.
Caught.
Kael jerked his head forward so quickly he nearly gave himself whiplash.
His heart pounded.
He saw me.
He definitely saw me.
Beside him, Asher smiled to himself.
Cute.
— The lecture finally ended.
Students poured into the hallway.
Kael remained seated, pretending to organize his notebook.
Truthfully…
He was waiting for everyone else to leave first.
Crowds made him anxious.
He had almost succeeded.
Almost.
A pair of polished black shoes stopped beside his desk.
Kael slowly looked up.
Asher.
His pulse quickened.
Asher rested one hand lightly on the desk before bending slightly so they were almost at eye level.
“You’ve been sitting alone all morning.” Kael blinked.
“I was wondering…” His smile was gentle.
“…Would you have lunch with me?” Kael’s fingers tightened around his notebook.
Nobody had ever asked him that before.
Not once.
Slowly…
He nodded.
A tiny smile appeared on his lips.
Asher smiled back.
“There it is.” Kael tilted his head.
“What?” “Your smile.” Kael’s eyes widened.
“…You should do it more often.” The blush that spread across Kael’s face reached all the way to his ears.
— The cafeteria was far louder than Kael expected.
Students laughed across crowded tables while the scent of freshly prepared food filled the air.
Asher carried both their trays before choosing a quieter table near the windows.
For several minutes…
Neither spoke.
Kael focused on eating.
Or…
Trying to.
Every time he looked up- Asher was watching him.
Again.
Eventually…
Kael set down his spoon.
“…Is…” He hesitated.
“…Is there something on my face?” Asher blinked.
“Hm?” “You’ve been looking at me.” “…Have I?” Kael nodded.
“…Several times.” Asher laughed softly.
“Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I didn’t realize I was staring.” Silence settled between them.
Then…
“I just think you’re nice to look at.” Kael stopped functioning.
His chopsticks slipped from his fingers and clattered onto the tray.
Across the table, Asher laughed.
Not cruelly.
Warmly.
The sound made Kael’s heart skip.
For the rest of lunch…
They talked.
About books.
Music.
Favorite foods.
Kael mostly listened.
But little by little…
He answered.
Short sentences.
Quiet ones.
Yet Asher listened to every word as though each one mattered.
For someone who barely spoke…
Kael had never felt so heard.
— That night…
The dorm fell silent.
Liam and Noah were asleep within minutes.
Asher soon followed.
Or at least…
That was what Kael believed.
Sleep refused to come.
Every time he closed his eyes…
He remembered Asher’s smile.
“You should smile more.” “You’re nice to look at.” Kael buried his burning face beneath his pillow.
“…Why am I like this…?” After nearly an hour…
He carefully peeked over the edge of his bunk.
Asher looked fast asleep.
Kael climbed down as quietly as possible.
He tiptoed toward the bed.
“…Asher?” No response.
He leaned closer.
“…Asher…” Still nothing.
Very carefully…
Kael reached out and gently poked Asher’s cheek.
No movement.
“…Really asleep…” Just to be certain…
He lightly pinched Asher’s nose.
Nothing.
Satisfied, Kael nodded to himself.
Then, with all the stealth of a very determined cat, he lifted the blanket and slipped into the empty space beside him.
The moment he settled against Asher’s chest…
A familiar warmth surrounded him.
His shoulders relaxed.
His breathing slowed.
Without thinking…
He curled into Asher’s embrace.
“…Goodnight…” The words escaped in the softest whisper.
Within seconds…
He was asleep.
Asher slowly opened his eyes.
He had felt every poke.
Every whisper.
Even the tiny pinch on his nose.
Looking down at the sleeping boy nestled against him, he couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips.
“So this is becoming a habit…” Carefully, he pulled the blanket over them both.
“…Sleep well, Kael.” Outside, rain began to fall softly against the dormitory windows.
Inside…
Kael slept peacefully.
Exactly where he felt safest.
To Be Continued…