Nao's gaze remained locked on Raviel, his eyes soft but filled with a storm of thoughts. I don't want to lose him, he thought silently. There was something different about Raviel—something beyond loyalty. It was warmth. Safety. A pull he couldn't explain.
Meanwhile, Elias' phone kept ringing nonstop on his nightstand. He stared at it blankly, refusing to pick up. I already know who it is… I don't want to talk to him. Not after what happened between us.
Across the city, Adrian stood in his room, his jaw clenched, his eyes cold. The call went unanswered again. With a sharp growl, he hurled his phone to the ground. It cracked against the floor, but he didn't even flinch. Grabbing his car keys, he stormed out of the house.
Elias had just managed to calm himself when the doorbell rang. Stretching slightly, he walked toward it, muttering, "That must be the fast food delivery…"
But when he opened the door, his breath caught in his throat.
It wasn't food.
It was Adrian.
"W–What are you doing here?" Elias stammered, trying to shut the door again, but Adrian pushed his way inside.
Elias stepped back instinctively, fear flashing in his eyes. Adrian's expression was unreadable—too calm and too intense.
"Why didn't you answer my calls?" Adrian asked, voice low and dangerous as he grabbed Elias by the waist, pulling him in.
"I… I was busy with schoolwork," Elias lied, trying to break free.
Adrian smirked. "Oh, really?"
He leaned in and kissed Elias with a burning hunger, leaving Elias breathless and startled.
"I missed you," Adrian whispered, his fingers already undoing the buttons on his shirt. "Why are you acting so stubborn again?"
Elias's eyes widened. "W–What are you doing?"
Adrian leaned in closer, voice dropping into a sultry tone. "You already know what I want to do…"
Adrian didn't wait for permission. He grabbed Elias's wrist and led him to the bedroom with confident, determined strides. Elias stumbled behind, his heart thudding in his chest, unsure if it was fear or something else that made him breathless.
Once they were inside, Adrian pushed the door shut and began unbuttoning his shirt.
"W–Wait… no, Adrian… please," Elias said, stepping back, but Adrian only smiled, the corner of his mouth curling with mischief and heat.
"You've already seen me without clothes, Elias," Adrian murmured, his voice low and teasing. "And I've seen you."
Elias's face flushed, but before he could say anything more, Adrian moved closer and pressed a firm kiss against his lips. It was deep, overpowering, and full of the frustration Adrian had been holding back.
Then he whispered, "This is your punishment… for ignoring me."
He gently pushed Elias onto the bed and hovered over him, his gaze intense but unreadable.
Nao and Raviel strolled quietly through the garden, the soft breeze brushing against their skin as sunlight filtered through the leaves.
Nao glanced up at Raviel, his voice curious. "Have you ever loved someone before?"
Raviel kept his gaze ahead, calm and thoughtful. "No. I've protected, I've cared… but love? I've never tasted it. I wonder how it feels."
Nao paused mid-step, blinking at him. A playful yet sincere glint appeared in his eyes. "You want to taste love?"
Raviel stopped and looked at him, puzzled, slightly speechless.
Nao took a slow step closer. His hands gently reached up to touch Raviel's face, and before Raviel could react, Nao leaned in and kissed him—softly, tenderly, letting the moment linger like a secret shared between two hearts.
When they parted, Nao smiled faintly and whispered, "How was the taste?"
Raviel stood frozen, his eyes wide and his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.
He wasn't sure if his silence meant confusion—or the beginning of something deeper.