The morning sunlight poured through the dormitory window, accompanied by the gentle chirping of birds outside. Gabriel stirred groggily, blinking his eyes open as he adjusted to the soft light. He rubbed his face, slowly becoming aware of his surroundings, but when his gaze fell on the figure beside him, his breath caught.
Eli was still asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. His chest rose and fell steadily under Gabriel's hand, which rested just beneath Eli's shirt, his fingers lightly grazing Eli's warm skin. Gabriel froze, his mind racing.
The events of the previous night rushed back: the bonfire, the laughter, the hesitant kiss, and the warmth of Eli's arms as they fell asleep together. It all felt surreal, like a dream, but the steady beat of Eli's heart beneath his fingertips told him otherwise.
Gabriel's eyes wandered—he couldn't help it. The hem of Eli's shirt had ridden up slightly, revealing a sliver of his toned stomach and the faint lines of his Adonis belt disappearing beneath his waistband. Gabriel's cheeks flushed as he realized just how close they were, the intimacy of the moment catching him off guard.
A warmth began to stir in his core, and panic set in. Gabriel carefully slid his hand away, desperate not to wake Eli. As quietly as possible, he slipped out of bed, grabbing his towel from the chair and heading for the bathroom.
Once in the bathroom, Gabriel shut the door and leaned against it, exhaling shakily. His heart was pounding, and his thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and guilt.
"Get a grip," he muttered to himself, turning on the shower. The sound of running water filled the small space as steam began to rise.
Stepping under the stream, Gabriel let the cold water cascade over his body. It was a welcome relief, cooling the heat that had risen to his cheeks—and elsewhere. He pressed his palms against the tiled wall, bowing his head as the water poured over him.
Why was he feeling this way? Sure, Eli was attractive—okay, more than attractive. He was effortlessly charming, confident, and kind. But Gabriel barely knew him. How could someone he'd just met stir such feelings in him?
He closed his eyes, but the image of Eli's sleeping face lingered in his mind. The warmth of his skin, the way his lips had curved into a faint smile as he slept—it all felt too vivid, too consuming. Gabriel's chest tightened as he wrestled with the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
The water gradually grew warmer, and Gabriel stood there, letting it wash over him. He focused on his breathing, willing himself to calm down. It wasn't just attraction, he realized. It was the way Eli made him feel—safe, seen, and unexpectedly vulnerable.
###
After what felt like an eternity, Gabriel stepped out of the shower, drying himself off and throwing on a clean set of clothes. He hesitated before opening the bathroom door, unsure of what he'd find.
When he returned to the room, the bed was empty. Eli was gone.
Gabriel felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment. He ran a hand through his damp hair, sinking onto the bed with a sigh. His gaze fell on the pillow where Eli had rested his head, the faint indentation still visible.
The memories of the previous night came flooding back again. Gabriel buried his face in his hands, feeling a familiar warmth creep up his neck. "What's wrong with me?" he whispered.
It wasn't just the physical attraction. It was the way Eli had made him laugh, the way he'd pulled him into a group of strangers and made him feel welcome. It was the gentle way he'd reassured him, the way he'd stayed by his side without asking for anything in return.
Gabriel flopped onto his back, staring at the ceiling. His mind raced with possibilities, fears, and questions he wasn't ready to face. All he knew was that Eli was different, and that scared him more than anything.
For now, he decided to push the thoughts aside. He had an entire day ahead of him, and the last thing he needed was to spiral further. But as much as he tried to focus on other things, the thought of Eli lingered, like a melody he couldn't get out of his head.
With a sigh, Gabriel rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. Maybe the answers would come with time. Or maybe they wouldn't. But one thing was certain—his life had become infinitely more complicated, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.