One late afternoon, after classes were over for the day, Mahnoor and Raemond found themselves alone in her dorm room. She'd opened the window to let in the cool autumn air, and the breeze played with the ends of her long, dark brown hair as she arranged some snacks on the table. Raemond watched her, entranced, as she moved around, her energy lighting up the room.
Mahnoor caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. "You're just going to sit there gawking?" she teased, dropping down onto the bed beside him.
He snapped out of his trance, a soft blush rising to his cheeks. "I just like looking at you," he admitted, the words spilling out before he could think to stop them. Then, feeling the embarrassment creep up, he looked away, scratching his head nervously. "I mean… you're beautiful. It's kind of hard not to."
Mahnoor's expression softened, and she reached over, pulling him into a hug. "You're adorable, Rae," she said, running her fingers through his messy dark hair. "Come here, you big softie."
Raemond didn't need to be told twice. He wrapped his arms around her, sinking into the embrace as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His arms were strong, and he held her close, feeling that same cozy warmth spread through him. In her arms, he felt safe and content, and he was beginning to understand that her presence brought out a side of him he didn't know existed.
They settled into a comfortable position, his head resting against her shoulder as she leaned back into him. The silence was peaceful, the only sounds coming from the faint rustle of leaves outside and the rhythmic beat of their breaths in sync. Raemond closed his eyes, letting himself enjoy the feeling of being so close to her. He was surprised by how much he enjoyed cuddling—something he'd never imagined would feel this good, this… safe.
"You're kind of a cuddle monster," Mahnoor remarked with a laugh, adjusting herself slightly to get more comfortable in his arms. "Who knew?"
Raemond chuckled, burying his face in her hair to hide his blush. "I didn't know either," he admitted, his voice muffled. "But… it feels nice. I mean, really nice."
She turned her head slightly to look at him, an affectionate smile on her lips. "Good," she said, her voice soft. "I like that side of you. You don't have to be shy, you know. I'm all yours."
That last sentence hit him with a rush of emotion. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, his expression soft. "I'm… really lucky to have met you, Mahnoor," he whispered, his voice laced with sincerity. "I don't think I've ever felt this close to anyone before."
Her gaze softened, and she reached up, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "And I'm lucky to have met you, Rae," she replied. "You're special, you know that?"
Raemond didn't know how to respond to that, so instead, he leaned in, closing the distance between them as he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. He lingered there for a moment, savoring the simple gesture, the warmth that spread from his lips to his heart. He felt a surge of affection for her, a feeling that was both exhilarating and comforting.
As the week went on, they fell into a rhythm of shared moments and soft, lingering embraces. During their coordinated free times, they'd often find each other in the common room or out by the campus quad, slipping away from their friends to be alone. Sometimes, they'd talk for hours, sharing dreams and plans for the future. Other times, they'd just sit in silence, wrapped up in each other, the world around them fading into the background.
Raemond quickly discovered that being around Mahnoor brought out a different side of him, one that he'd never known was there. She had a way of making him feel comfortable in his own skin, of making him forget his usual shyness. And as much as he tried to hide it, he couldn't help but get the occasional "hibby jibbies," as she called them—a rush of butterflies in his stomach that made him shy away, only to leap right back into her arms moments later.
One evening, as they were sprawled on her bed, watching a movie, Raemond found himself wrapped around her, his arms holding her tight. He was so comfortable that he almost forgot about the outside world entirely. Mahnoor turned her head, glancing up at him with a smile.
"You're getting pretty good at this cuddling thing," she remarked, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
Raemond chuckled, a bit of his shyness returning as he looked down at her. "It's all because of you," he admitted. "You make me feel… different. Good different."
"Good different, huh?" She turned slightly so that she was facing him, her hand resting on his chest. "Well, I like this version of you, Rae. I think he's pretty sweet."
He smiled, feeling a rush of happiness at her words. "I feel the same way about you," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're amazing, Mahnoor. I… I don't think I'll ever get tired of this."
"Good," she replied, her tone playful. "Because I'm not planning on letting you go anytime soon." She leaned up, planting a quick, playful kiss on his cheek.
Raemond felt his cheeks heat up, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he tightened his hold on her, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment. For someone who'd spent so much of his life feeling like he was on the outside looking in, being with Mahnoor made him feel like he finally belonged.
Days turned into a blur of cozy afternoons and late-night conversations, the two of them finding comfort in each other's presence. Whether they were studying, grabbing a quick bite to eat between classes, or simply lying side by side on her bed, Raemond realized that he'd found something truly special with Mahnoor.
One night, as they were lying together, Raemond whispered, "I don't know what I did to deserve this."
Mahnoor snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his chest. "You don't have to deserve it, Rae," she replied softly. "You just have to enjoy it. And let me enjoy you."
The simplicity of her words resonated deeply within him, and he tightened his arms around her, feeling a quiet sense of gratitude. He was falling for her, and he knew it. And for once, he wasn't afraid.
Raemond pressed a gentle kiss to her hair, closing his eyes as he held her close. In that moment, he knew that this was exactly where he wanted to be—wrapped up in the warmth of Mahnoor, their futures still unwritten but undeniably intertwined.
One lazy afternoon, Raemond and Mahnoor were cuddled up on his bed, limbs intertwined in their usual tangle of warmth and comfort. Outside, the campus was lively, but inside, their small world felt blissfully quiet and safe.
As they lay there, Mahnoor gently ran her fingers through his hair, studying his face thoughtfully. She seemed to be working up to something, her gaze growing intense and a little mischievous, as if she had a plan forming. Finally, she broke the silence.
"Hey, Rae," she said softly, her fingers tracing small circles along his shoulder. "Have you ever thought about... taking things up a notch?"
Raemond blinked, processing her words. He tilted his head to meet her gaze, his expression slightly confused. "Um… what exactly do you mean by that?" He asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Mahnoor chuckled softly, brushing her fingers along his jawline. "I mean… you know," she said, her tone playful yet gentle. "Exploring things a little… lower down?"