Leo sat on the wooden bench in the schoolyard, the autumn sun filtering through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. His mind replayed the conversation he had just had with Harry, every word echoing in his thoughts like the fading chime of a distant bell. David hadn't given up on Kian, and that realization worried at him.
He could picture Kian in his mind—a vibrant presence, fierce and inflexible. Kian was the kind of person who didn't stay where he didn't like, who brushed aside any interaction that didn't spark his interest. Yet, as Leo considered, he felt the weight of his own unawareness settling over him. He had thought he understood Kian, but he realized now how little he truly knew about his life, his aspirations.
The anxiety that twisted in Leo's gut puzzled him. Was it the thought of David's determined efforts, or was it something deeper? Perhaps there were shadows of people in Kian's life that Leo had never noticed, figures who lingered at the edges of his awareness, all competing for Kian's attention. The idea tightened around his heart like an evil, increasing his greedy curiosity. He wanted to meddle into Kian's world, to unearth the layers beneath the surface, to understand what held such allure for so many.
But then doubt crept in. He hesitated, awareness dawning that searching Kian's life might not be welcome. Would Kian be open to sharing, or would he shut down, retreat into that solid shell Leo had seen him slip into before? Would asking about other people, about David, only drive a wedge between them?
Leo leaned back against the rough wood of the bench, sighing as the weight of his thoughts pressed down on him. In that moment of solitude, Leo made a silent promise to himself. He would learn about Kian, perhaps in subtle ways. He would listen more closely, observe the little details. He would find a way to connect without intruding, to understand Kian's world while respecting its boundaries. After all, he realized, genuine relationships weren't built on knowing every secret; they were built on trust, respect, and time. As he sat on the bench, Leo felt a warm presence beside him, an unspoken familiarity lingering in the air. When he turned to his right, he found Kian settled into the seat next to him, his eyes bright with curiosity.
"What do you think?" Kian asked, his voice light yet probing.
"About you," he replied, a playful smirk spreading across his face.
Kian's expression flickered with a mix of joy and surprise at his response, the playful banter feeling like a thread woven into their friendship.
"I meant about tutoring you," he said with a sigh. "I think we should practice logarithms today or revise functions."
The mention of math dulled the moment, and Leo noted the disappointment in Kian's voice. "Pff… you're only thinking about math," Kian protested.
Leo chuckled, a warmth spreading inside him. "Why? Did you think that I was dreaming about you?"
A sudden change swept across Kian's face; his earlier lightness replaced by furrowed brows. "Why is it funny to dream about me?" he asked, his tone edged with hurt. The laughter in Leo's chest crumbled as he quickly realized the weight of his words.
"Sometimes I don't know how to talk to you," Leo admitted, his voice dropping to a softer, more sincere note.
"Try to know me better, then you'll understand what kind of words can hurt me," Kian replied, steady but resolute. With that, he stood up, a decision made, and added, "Let's go eat."
Without thinking, Leo followed him, a silence forming between them that felt heavy with unspoken thoughts. As they walked side by side, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was drawn to Kian, almost magnetically. Was it the trust he felt in Kian or merely the comfort of his presence that compelled him to stay close?
The door of the restaurant swung open, allowing the familiar warmth and the rich aroma of spices to envelop them. Kian and Leo stepped inside, greeted by the usual bustle of patrons and the low hum of chatter that always surrounded their favorite spot. As they walked to a table, Leo couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over him.
The waiter approached, a bright smile on his face, ready to take their order. "What do you want?" Kian asked, leaning back in his chair, a hint of mischief in his voice.
Leo studied the menu for a moment. "I think I'll have the Julien and a berry lemonade," he replied, his eyes lighting up at the thought of the refreshing drink he loved so much.
Kian mirrored his enthusiasm. After placing his own order, he looked at Leo, his expression shifting to something more serious. "We'll be leaving at eleven tomorrow morning. It's over two hours to Harry's place in the suburbs."
Leo nodded; his curiosity piqued as he absentmindedly played with the edge of the menu. "What should I wear?" Leo asked, still focused on the printed options, he had already ordered but still wanted to look at the different kind of meals for next days.
"There's no need for anything too formal, but it's better if it's not your everyday look," Kian advised, his finger tracing the rim of his glass.
"Okay," Leo replied, trying to envision what would be appropriate. "I guess I can manage that."
Kian's gaze turned serious once more. "Tomorrow, you'll be meeting a lot of people you haven't seen before."
Leo interrupted, the excitement in his voice palpable. "I know! You want me to introduce myself to them and widen my circle, to connect with affluent people."
Kian shook his head mildly at Leo's enthusiasm. "No, it's not all about networking. There will be some people—those you should stay away from." His tone shifted to a more advisory one, caution weaving through his words. "You'll get the chance to talk to a select few that I'll introduce you to."
"Why?" Leo's brows knitting together in confusion.
"How do I explain it clearly?" Kian pondered, searching for the right words. After a beat, he continued, "Some people have a past that they'd rather forget. Their hobbies and relationships … They're far more complicated—and dangerous—than you can imagine. It's best to stay away from them."
"Dangerous? How could it be?" Leo's heart raced, thoughts spinning as he considered the kinds of people that might lurk in Harry's circle. "Aren't they just our age?"
"Try not to dwell on it," Kian urged, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone. "Just don't forget what I said."
"But Kian—"
"It's for your own good, trust me." Kian's voice softened, an undercurrent of protective concern in his eyes that made Leo swallow his protest. As they settled into their meal, Leo felt a tug of uncertainty about tomorrow, but also an undeniable thrill at the thought of what lay ahead.
As Kian and Leo were halfway through their meals, it was in this moment of shared contentment that a voice cut through—the bright, melodious tone of a girl greeting Kian.
Curiosity piqued, they both turned to see a striking girl standing by their table, her long hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of silk, and her dress shimmering under the soft restaurant lights.
"Sarah," Kian said, an edge of surprise threading through his voice.
"Hi, Kian! How are you?" she beamed, her eyes shining with a warmth that seemed to envelop him. "I always wanted to meet you again, but I didn't think it would be here."
"I'm fine, you?" Kian replied, his gaze flickering to Leo, who had straightened in his seat, intrigued by this unexpected reunion.
"I'm good! Do you still come to this restaurant?" Sarah asked, recalling the last time they had stepped foot in the place—a year ago.
Kian glanced at Leo again, wondering how he was taking in this new information.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt your meal," Sarah said, her grace evident in every movement. "By the way, I'm Sarah, Kian's ex-girlfriend," she added, extending her hand toward Leo.
Leo stood, taking her hand in his. "Nice to meet you," he said, and they exchanged a brief but genuine smile.
"You've come back?" Kian asked.
"Yes … I'll be here for a while. By the way, Harry's invited me to his birthday, so you'll probably be there," Sarah replied easily, her smile never faltering.
"Yes, we'll be there tomorrow," Kian said.
"Well, I noticed you changed your number. Can I get your new one?" Sarah asked.
Kian nodded, reaching for Sarah's phone. He typed in his number, feeling her warm gaze on him. "See you," she said as she took her phone back, her expression brightening. With a wave, she headed away, leaving a lingering scent of floral perfume in the air.
The moment she vanished into the bustling crowd, Kian returned to his meal, a thoughtful silence settling over the table. Leo, for the first time, reflected on the girl who had just left. He'd heard about her from Harry—his girlfriend from last year—but he hadn't expected her to be this beautiful. "When did you two break up?" Leo asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Kian looked up, his fork halfway to his mouth, surprised by the question. "Why do you ask?" he countered, raising an eyebrow.
"Can't I be curious?" Leo replied, smirking.
"Hmm… probably about a year ago," Kian said, his tone casual but his eyes momentarily distant, lost in memories he had not thought about in a while. "This is the first time I've seen her since we left."
"She is beautiful," Leo offered, sitting back in his chair, gauging Kian's reaction, half-wondering if Kian felt something still lingering for Sarah.
"Is she your type?" Kian asked casually, continuing to chew on his food.
Leo collected his thoughts, gathering the right words. "Looks don't matter to me. It's how they make me feel," he replied, taking another bite.
"What do you think of me then?" Kian's voice pierced through the comfortable quiet once more, and Leo couldn't help but be surprised by the unexpected question.
"Am I handsome? How do I make you feel?" Kian continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
In that moment, Leo choked on his food, caught off guard. "Well … I have to admit, you are handsome," he said.
"What about my other question?" Kian pressed, leaning a little closer, intrigued by the silence that had fallen between them.
"You make me feel safe but a little worried. Because you tease me shamelessly that I can't react properly," Leo admitted, his cheeks subtly flushing.
A grin spread across Kian's face. "It's fun to see your reactions," he teased, the air between them lightening again.
Leo resumed eating, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. Their conversation danced on the line between playful banter and deeper reflections—a line that felt precarious but thrilling all at once.
*
After school, Leo and Kian had spent hours immersed in math, their minds tangled in the weight of equations and expectations. When they finally finished their daily schedule, they felt a weight on their shoulders.
Leo entered his house, crawling with each step as if he were walking through a thick fog. He went to his room, changed into his school clothes, and stepped into the shower, the warm water flowing over him like a waterfall, washing away the residue of the day. But as the steam enveloped him, so did a lurking anxiety. His thoughts flowed like water, chaotic and turbulent.
David and Sarah were present in his mind. They were shadows dancing around the edges of their relationship, reminders that the past could not be rewritten so easily. Leo understood with sharp clarity that neither of them wanted to be erased from Kian's life. This truth gnawed at him; he could not understand why it made him so restless. If Kian chose to revisit the past, would it mean abandoning the nightly study sessions, the laughter shared over dinner, the deep conversations that seemed to stretch on forever? Would Kian slip away from Leo like sand through his fingers?
In that moment, Leo felt hopeless, as if he were trapped in an endless dream, afraid of waking up to the loneliness that had always been his companion. He had become so accustomed to Kian's presence, to the ease of their relationship, that the thought of losing him felt like the ground giving way beneath his feet. Leo had come to rely on Kian, to cling to him as the one bright spot in a world that often felt oppressively gray.
What frightened him most was the gnawing realization that Kian had come to represent everything he had longed for: a friend, a confidant, a heartbeat in the silence that had surrounded him for so long. What if the bond they shared was as fleeting as the steam rising around him? Panic gripped his chest, he was trapped in a maelstrom of thoughts, each more disturbing than the last. He wondered if it was possible to feel so much for someone in that hazy space without losing everything in the process.
Leo stayed in the shower longer than he had planned, the steam swirling around him like a comforting blanket as he thought. A series of emotions engulfed him, mirroring the sensations of the cascading water against his skin. When he finally stepped out, he wrapped a towel around his waist. He ran his fingers through his damp hair and pushed open the bathroom door, stepping into the coolness of his room.
His heart stopped at the sight before him—Kian. Sitting on the couch in Leo's room, an unexpected presence that transformed reality into something tangible and exciting. The moment he saw Kian, he froze, his breath caught in his throat. Kian's gaze traveled over him, analyzing every detail—the way the droplets clung to Leo's skin, the definition of his muscles, the luminous sheen of his damp hair. Time stretched uncomfortably between them, and he could almost feel his thoughts etching themselves into the canvas of his mind.
"Why are you here?" Leo finally found his voice, his voice shaking as he spoke.
"I knocked," Kian answered, his voice steady, but the intensity of his gaze never wavered. "But there was no answer. I was worried."
Leo's pulse quickened, a mixture of shame and something deeper igniting inside him. He sank to the edge of his bed, frantically trying to dry his hair, but his hands felt clumsy and absent-minded. The anticipation of Kian's presence rose inside him, a mixture of excitement and anxiety flowing like electricity.
Kian rose to his feet, his movements graceful and careful, crossing the room to where he sat. When Leo reached him, he lifted his head and their eyes locked. In that moment, the outside world faded away. Kian took the towel from his hands and began to dry his hair with a tenderness that caught him completely off guard. His heartbeats mingled in the silence of the room.
Leo bowed his head, surrendered to the moment, and closed his eyes. The sensation of Kian's gentle touch was disarming. Each stroke of his hair felt as if it was untangling the knots of tension that had been tightly wound inside him. It was a feeling he had never experienced before—a vulnerability, a closeness that peeled away the barriers he had carefully constructed.As she continued to blow-dry his hair, something inside Leo melted. The world outside his room ceased to exist, and in that fleeting cocoon, he realized that he was wholly alive, exposed, and utterly captivated—not just by Kian's presence, but by the certainty that this moment was transforming everything. Something profound was beginning to unfurl between them, and Leo knew he was standing on the edge of a precipice, ready to leap into the unknown.
A fleeting thought darted through Leo's mind, triggering the slightest flicker of realization: Kian's deft hands gliding through his hair felt familiar, almost like a well-rehearsed dance. "You're really good at drying hair. You look experienced," Leo remarked, his gaze fixed on the floor—too shy to meet Kian's eyes.
Kian's lips curled into a knowing smile, a warm spark of affirmation igniting between them. It was becoming clear to him: Leo had become more interetsed in Kian's life, and in doing so, his feelings were blossoming like the first sprouts of spring. And Kian? He reveled in the steady, deliberate pace of their progression.
Dropping to one knee, Kian removed the towel that had cocooned Leo's head, and when Leo finally lifted his gaze, he encountered Kian's piercing eyes. So close now, he could feel the heat radiating from their shared space. Kian quirked a brow and asked with a playful lilt, "Do you want me to be experienced or inexperienced?"
"Not interesting," Leo responded, feigning disinterest as he attempted to look away. But the playful tug-of-war between their banter held him captive. Without warning, Kian wrapped the towel around Leo's neck, gripping it tightly and pulling him close. Leo's heart raced at the proximity, their breaths entwining.
"I had a dog until two years ago, and I used to dry him like this. As a human, you're the first," Kian said, his smile playful yet sincere, and Leo couldn't help but grin back. He pushed Kian gently away, a lighthearted challenge sparking in his eyes. "What else were you doing with your dog?"
Kian stood tall, a twinkle of mischief dancing in his eyes. "I fed him, we slept together, I took him for walks in the park."
As Leo entered the bathroom and emerged from there, clad in half-dress, he caught the tail end of Kian's tease. "Did he know math?" Leo quipped, stopping only inches away from Kian.
Kian chuckled, his face breaking into an infectious grin. "No, but when he got angry—like you—he would run away and hide."
In a playful retaliation, Leo wrapped his arm around Kian's neck, wrestling him into a pretzel of laughter. But Kian was formidable; strength radiated from him, and despite Leo's best efforts, he found himself ensnared in Kian's grip.
"Convince me to let go," Kian said, breathing the challenge against Leo's skin. As Leo understood that it is almost immposible to get away from Kian's grasp. He decided to bargain.
"I'll cook for you," Leo offered with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Kian teased back, his breath a warm whisper. "I have a housemaid in my house."
"I'll make some good coffee," Leo countered, a playful smirk on his face as he gripped Kian's neck, determined to sway him.
"The coffee shop is on the first floor," Kian retorted, triumph glinting in his eyes. Leo sensed the game deepening; every word exchanged was another thread woven into their shared tapestry.
Desperate to find a winning argument, Leo blurted, "Well, if you let me go now, I'll sleep next to you." The words slipped out before he could catch them, and the momentary regret was almost palpable.
Kian chuckled, releasing his hold, yet maintaining his proximity. Grabbing Leo by the shoulders, he turned him to face him fully. "Well ...You have improved your negotiation skills. Good job. I'll be waiting in my room," he said, eyes glued to Leo's, then he turned and walked away.
As the door clicked shut, a realization washed over Leo: Kian's mental fortitude was an indomitable fortress. In this playful contest of wills, Leo understood that Kian was not merely a partner in teasing; he was an untouchable champion of their unspoken connection. And that realization stirred something deeper in Leo—a fierce determination to match that strength, even as he wrestled with the emotions intertwining rapidly within his chest.