Kael’s POV College wasn’t as frightening anymore.
Not because the campus had changed.
Not because the students had become kinder.
But because…
Every time Kael looked up- Asher was there.
Waiting.
— The morning breeze carried the scent of fresh-cut grass as Kael made his way toward the lecture building.
He clutched his notebook tightly against his chest.
The campus was crowded, students moving in every direction.
Normally…
He would have walked with his head down.
Today…
His eyes searched the crowd.
Without realizing it…
He was looking for someone.
“…Morning.” Kael turned.
His heart skipped.
Asher stood only a few feet away, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other held two cups of coffee.
He looked as though he’d been waiting.
“For me…?” Asher raised one of the cups.
“I wasn’t sure if you liked coffee.” “…So I bought hot chocolate instead.” Kael stared at the steaming cup.
“…You remembered.” “You don’t seem like someone who likes bitter things.” A faint smile tugged at Kael’s lips.
“…You’re right.” Asher handed him the cup.
“Our class starts in ten minutes.” “…Let’s walk together.” Kael nodded.
“…Okay.” — The walk to class was quiet.
Comfortably quiet.
Kael wasn’t good at conversations.
Thankfully…
Asher never forced one.
Instead…
They simply walked side by side.
Sometimes silence was enough.
— As they entered the classroom…
Liam immediately smirked.
“Oh?” “There they are.” “The married couple.” Kael almost dropped his drink.
“W-We…” His face turned bright red.
Asher sighed.
“Liam.” “What?” “I’m just saying you two walked in together.” Noah shook his head.
“Ignore him.” Liam grinned wider.
“Asher even bought him breakfast.” Kael quickly looked at Asher.
“…You didn’t have to.” “I wanted to.” The answer came so naturally that Kael forgot to breathe.
Liam dramatically clutched his chest.
“Oh, they’re definitely flirting.” A notebook flew across the room.
It hit Liam squarely on the shoulder.
“Ow!” “Shut up.” — Their first lecture ended just before noon.
Professor Hargrove assigned a short research project.
“You’ll work in pairs.” Before anyone could move- “I’ll work with Kael.” The words left Asher’s mouth without hesitation.
The classroom grew unusually quiet.
Kael blinked.
“…Me?” Asher looked at him.
“Unless you don’t want to.” Kael shook his head immediately.
“I-I do.” A soft smile appeared on Asher’s face.
“Good.” Across the room…
Several students exchanged glances.
One whispered quietly, “They’ve gotten close really fast.” Kael heard it.
His smile slowly faded.
— The library was peaceful.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, warming the wooden tables.
Kael scribbled notes while Asher searched the shelves for books.
“…Found it.” Asher placed three heavy books on the table.
Kael looked up.
“…That’s a lot.” “You’ll probably read all of them.” “…Maybe.” “I knew it.” Kael smiled.
For the next two hours…
They worked together.
Every now and then…
Their hands brushed while reaching for the same notebook.
Each time…
Kael pulled away first.
Each time…
His ears turned pink.
Asher noticed.
He pretended not to.
— On their way back to the dormitory…
The afternoon sun painted the campus in warm shades of gold.
They walked quietly beneath rows of maple trees.
Suddenly- A bicycle sped around the corner.
Too fast.
Straight toward Kael.
He froze.
“Asher-” Before he could react…
A strong arm wrapped around his waist.
The world spun.
Kael stumbled forward- Straight into Asher’s chest.
The bicycle rushed past.
Missing him by inches.
“…Careful.” Asher’s voice was low.
Close.
Very close.
Kael looked up.
Their faces were only a breath apart.
He could hear Asher’s heartbeat.
Or…
Maybe it was his own.
Neither of them moved.
For several long seconds…
The world disappeared again.
Only the two of them remained.
“…Ahem.” Liam’s voice shattered the moment.
“So…” He folded his arms dramatically.
“Should Noah and I come back later?” Kael jumped away so quickly he nearly tripped over his own feet.
“I-It’s not…” Liam burst into laughter.
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You really have terrible timing.” “I know.” Liam grinned.
“But their faces are priceless.” Kael covered his burning cheeks.
Asher scratched the back of his neck, trying-and failing-not to smile.
— That night…
As Kael lay in bed…
Sleep refused to come.
He touched his chest.
His heartbeat had finally slowed.
But one question refused to leave his mind.
“Why does my heart only race like this…
when I’m with Asher?” Below him…
Asher stared at the underside of the bunk above.
Unable to sleep for a completely different reason.
“He’s becoming dangerous…” “Because every day…” “I like him a little more.” —