Asher’s POV The rumors started with a photograph.
By lunchtime…
Half the campus had seen it.
A blurry picture.
Kael and I walking through the courtyard.
His little finger hooked around mine.
The caption was simple.
“Looks like Room 407 already has a campus couple.” — I didn’t care.
Rumors came and went.
People always needed something to talk about.
But…
Kael was different.
He cared.
Even if he pretended he didn’t.
— When I arrived at our afternoon lecture…
I found him already sitting at his desk.
His notebook was open.
His pencil moved.
But he hadn’t turned the page in almost ten minutes.
“…Rabbit.” He looked up.
His eyes softened the moment they met mine.
“…Hi.” I slid into the seat beside him.
“You’ve been writing on the same line.” He quickly closed the notebook.
“…Have I?” “You’ve also been holding your pencil upside down.” Kael blinked.
Then slowly looked at the pencil.
“…Oh.” His ears turned pink.
A tiny smile escaped me.
He was adorable without even trying.
— Professor Hargrove entered with a stack of papers.
“Today we’ll be discussing communication.” Liam leaned over from behind us.
“Perfect.” “Kael can finally learn to tell Asher he likes him.” The entire row laughed.
Kael nearly disappeared behind his notebook.
I sighed.
“Liam.” “What?” “You blush every time Noah compliments your hair.” Liam froze.
Noah looked up from his notes.
“…You do?” Liam’s face turned bright red.
“I…” The classroom erupted into laughter.
Kael couldn’t hold it in anymore.
A small laugh escaped him.
Not loud.
Not forced.
Real.
I looked at him.
Mission accomplished.
— After class…
The campus felt quieter.
Clouds drifted lazily across the afternoon sky.
Kael walked beside me with his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.
Neither of us spoke.
We didn’t need to.
Then…
“…Asher?” “Hm?” “…Does it bother you?” “What does?” “…The rumors.” I thought for a moment.
“…No.” He lowered his gaze.
“…People are saying strange things because of me.” “They’re saying strange things because they have too much free time.” “…Still…” I stopped walking.
“So what if they talk?” Kael looked up.
“If walking beside you starts a rumor…” I shrugged.
“…Then I’ll keep walking beside you.” His eyes widened.
“…Really?” “Really.” For a second…
He simply stared.
Then…
The smallest smile appeared.
One of those smiles that reached his eyes.
It made my chest feel lighter.
— That evening…
I headed to my part-time job.
The convenience store was busy.
Customers came and went in endless waves.
By the time my shift ended…
It was nearly midnight.
My shoulders ached.
My feet felt heavy.
The walk back to campus seemed longer than usual.
When I finally reached Room 407…
The lights were off.
Everyone was asleep.
Or so I thought.
A soft glow came from one corner.
Kael’s desk lamp.
He was asleep.
His head rested on an open textbook.
One hand still held a pen.
He had been waiting while studying.
For me.
I walked over quietly.
“…Rabbit.” No response.
His breathing remained slow and even.
He’d fallen asleep where he sat.
A smile found its way onto my face.
I carefully lifted him into my arms.
He was so light it almost worried me.
As I laid him gently on his bed…
His fingers instinctively caught the sleeve of my hoodie.
“…Mmm…” His sleepy voice was barely a whisper.
“…You’re home…” My heart stopped.
“…Yeah.” I brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead.
“I’m home.” Even asleep…
He smiled.
— Across the room…
Liam cracked one eye open.
He watched the entire scene in silence.
Then he rolled over, pulled the blanket over his head, and muttered to himself, “…They’re doomed.” Noah, still half-asleep, answered without opening his eyes.
“…Why?” “…Because neither of them realizes they’re already acting like they’re in love.” Silence returned.
Outside…
The campus slept peacefully.
Inside Room 407…
Two lonely boys continued building something neither of them could yet name.