"Robin, did you hear me?" Jemma's voice cut through the haze of his momentary daydream, snapping him back to the present.

     "Um– yeah... I mean, no, what did you say?" He responded, tearing his gaze away from the distant point where his thoughts had lingered. Throughout the entire psychology class, he had been avoiding eye contact, fearing that his face might inadvertently give something away. His mind remained preoccupied by the weight of Yohan's words, echoing in his thoughts.

     Did that mean he wanted to see me again? Like, in what way? Are we going to talk? Or something else...

      "I said, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye at the party! Yohan said he was feeling sick, so we went back to his," Jemma explained, her words punctuated by a sincere tone. She rested one elbow on the table, leaning her head on her hand as she peered at Robin.

     "Oh..." Robin replied, averting his gaze from her as a wave of panic began to rise within him.

     They went back to his.

      "Ugh, nothing happened though," she grumbled. "As soon as we got back to his place, he just rolled over and fell asleep... I wore that uncomfortable corset for nothing!"

     His panic subsided, washed over with a sense of relief as he felt his stomach relax.

     So they didn't sleep together.

     "And I can't believe I missed your rendition of Edge of Glory! I died when I saw that video, hilarious! I'm so upset that I missed it," she said, pouting slightly and crossing her arms.

     "Don't remind me." A familiar feeling of embarrassment washed over Robin as he felt his cheeks getting hot.

    "It was funny!" She grinned and said, "Right, can you help me with this question? I don't understand the whole locus of control thing."

    Robin tried to shift his focus back to the task at hand of the psychology lesson, but his mind was filled with the possibilities of what came next. His free period.

     He had persisted in utilising the library for his spare study sessions, despite the distracting cacophony of other students who seemed oblivious to the concept of library etiquette.

     Seeking refuge, he'd discovered a secluded corner tucked away behind a bookcase. While he managed to stay on top of his studies, he couldn't shake the yearning for the tranquilly of the politics classroom. The hushed atmosphere, the expansive window offering a view of lush greenery, the subtle scent of cigarettes lingering in the air, and the tall, curly-haired boy leaning by the window—these were the elements he found himself missing the most.

    Am I really going to go back to the classroom? Is that what Yohan meant by 'See you later'? Does he want me to see him there?

    The bell's shrill ring sliced through the air, signalling the end of class, and Jemma gave Robin a quick wave before darting off to her next lesson. Left standing at the threshold, Robin hesitated, torn between two paths: left, leading to the quiet sanctuary of the library, or right, beckoning him towards Yohan.

    For a fleeting moment, he entertained the notion of veering left, but something within him shifted, and he turned decisively, striding towards his enigmatic rock god.

     Upon reaching the classroom door, he paused only briefly before pushing it open, unable to resist the pull. The familiar scent of the room enveloped him like a warm embrace as he stepped inside. Though currently unoccupied, the lingering aroma in the air spoke volumes—Yohan had been there, leaving behind traces of his aura that Robin couldn't help but be drawn to.

    "Hey, you came back then?"

     A presence behind him sent a shiver down Robin's spine as he lingered in the doorway, prompting him to startle slightly. Turning, he made way for Yohan to enter, the door closing softly behind him. Leaning back against the door, Yohan left a pause in the air, as if awaiting a response.

     "Um... yeah, I did. I hope you don't mind." Robin murmured; his gaze fixed on the ground as he shifted uneasily.

     "No, I'm glad... It's been a bit lonely here without you." Yohan's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of remorse.

     "Well, you were the one who told me to leave!"

     "I know... I'm sorry about that."

     The silence between them grew heavy, laden with unspoken questions. Robin's mind buzzed with inquiries, but in the presence of the tall boy before him—the one who had kissed him—words seemed to elude him, caught in a lump in his throat.

     Unfazed, Yohan strolled over to the window, slipping effortlessly into their usual routine. He opened the window, retrieved his silver lighter, and lit a cigarette, the familiar scent filling the air. Robin watched in stunned silence as Yohan carried on as if nothing extraordinary had transpired. Following suit, Robin mechanically made his way to the computer, powering it on with robotic precision.

    Clicking away at the keyboard with a lack of focus, Robin's gaze continually flickered in Yohan's direction. Yohan, still engrossed in whatever held his attention outside the window, brought the lit cigarette to his mouth, the tendrils of smoke curling around his face.

     Robin couldn't help but fixate on Yohan's lips—the very ones that had intimately brushed against his own just days before. They were the same lips that had ignited a fiery passion within him, leaving sparks lingering in the air.

     I have to say something.

     Summoning his courage, Robin cleared his throat. "So... did you have a good time at the Halloween party?"

     The question seemed to barely register with Yohan, who simply took another drag of his cigarette, the tip glowing amber as he inhaled. The crackling of the burning tobacco filled the silence.

     "It was alright," Yohan replied casually, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Amber is great at hosting parties; I mean, it helps with the fact her family is clearly minted," he added with a wry chuckle.

     "Yeah, her house is pretty impressive," Robin agreed, his heart pounding in his chest.

     Come on, Robin... Just fucking ask him.

     "So... Was there anything in particular you enjoyed about the party?"

     As the words left his mouth, Robin couldn't help but inwardly cringe at his own awkwardness.

     Yohan's response was equally nonchalant. "Um, I don't think you were around at the time, but beer pong was pretty fun," he remarked, his tone devoid of any hint of emotion.

     Robin let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. Gathering his resolve, he stood up, crossing the room to confront Yohan directly. Yohan had finished his cigarette, flicking it out towards a nearby bush as he always did. Leaning casually against a table, one hand resting on its edge, Yohan's gaze seemed fixed on something beyond the room. Following his line of sight, Robin spotted a solitary crow perched on a nearby branch, its dark plumage standing out starkly against the pale sky, like an omen of impending change.

     Taking a tentative step closer to the distant figure, Robin ventured, "Well, do you remember that moment outside, in the garden?"

     Yohan glanced briefly at Robin before returning his attention to the black bird perched on the branch. A nervous chuckle escaped him as he rubbed the back of his head, his fingers tangling in his unruly curls. "I don't know, man. I was pretty wasted that night. A lot of it is pretty blurry."

    Robin's heart sank at the blatant lie, but he pressed on, determined to confront him with the truth. He cautiously closed the distance between them, memories of their last encounter in this very room flickering through his mind. Yohan's harsh words still stung, but this time felt different. There was undeniable proof of something between them—why else would Yohan have kissed him?

    "What about..." Robin's voice wavered slightly as he drew nearer, his eyes searching Yohan's for any hint of emotion. But Yohan's expression remained impassive, unreadable. Nerves and frustration churned within Robin, amplified by Yohan's apparent indifference. "The kiss?" he asked tentatively.

    Yohan seemed to freeze at the question. His fingers paused in their rhythmic motion through his hair, and his eyes held an unblinking gaze for a moment.

    "Oh, yeah, me and Jemma... Just fooling around, I suppose." Yohan's voice lacked conviction as he slowly turned to face Robin. A faint discomfort lingered on his features; tension evident in the lines of his brow. He struggled to maintain eye contact, his gaze flitting away intermittently, and his smile was strained and forced.

    The mention of Jemma's name acted as a trigger for an emotional storm within Robin. Frustration surged through him like a tidal wave, a torrent of unspoken words and unacknowledged feelings threatening to overwhelm him.

    "Not that kiss. Yohan, are you really going to make me say it!?" Robin's voice quivered with a mix of frustration and vulnerability as he took another step forward. They were now close enough for Robin to catch the distinct scent of Yohan's cologne—a subtle blend of sweetness and earthiness. Robin's eyes bore into Yohan's, pleading for understanding and acknowledgment.

    "I'm sorry, I don't—"

    "Do you know what? Nevermind." Robin said in a deflated tone. Feeling his whole body tense up, he clenched his fists as anger seemed to rise up from his stomach to his chest.

    "Oh, come on, Robin, me and Jemma are just friends, with the band and everything–"

     I can't fucking take this anymore.

     "OUR KISS, YOHAN!" Robin practically erupted, closing the distance until he was mere inches from Yohan's face. Yohan's eyes widened in surprise as they locked with Robin's intense gaze. "You can't just pretend it didn't happen." Robin's voice softened, carrying the weight of vulnerability as he sought to unravel the mystery of Yohan's thoughts by peering into his soul.

     Robin's breath came in ragged gasps as he spoke, disbelief coursing through him at his own audacity.

     "Oh... that..." Yohan's response was hesitant, his gaze flickering away once more as he stared off into the distance.

     Oh fuck, I've fucked it, he clearly doesn't want to talk about it, shit shit shit shit.

     Robin retreated a step, his heart pounding as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. Panic gripped his stomach; he couldn't bear the thought of things reverting to how they were, of Yohan hating him again.

     "Shit... I should have never brought it up," Robin confessed, his voice trembling. "Look, we can just pretend it never happened. I know you were drunk. It was just a mistake, right? Like, you probably didn't even like it, or didn't want it to happen. I promise we can keep this between us. I won't say anything if you're worried about that. I'll keep quiet, I–"

     As Robin continued to speak, his gaze fixed on the floor, he failed to notice Yohan closing the distance between them. Suddenly, Robin felt the warmth of two large hands cradling his face, lifting his head. Before he could comprehend what was happening, a tender sensation graced his lips, silencing his rambling words. Wide-eyed, Robin watched as Yohan, eyes closed, leaned in for a kiss. It was gentle and soft, sending a rush of butterflies through Robin's stomach.

     As Yohan pulled away slightly, his hands still cupping Robin's face, his eyes sparkled with warmth as they locked onto Robin's lips. Robin's breath caught in his throat, his lips still slightly parted from his interrupted speech. Yohan's hands felt comforting and familiar against his cheeks, their warmth seeping into his skin as he gazed into Robin's eyes.

     "I did like it," Yohan murmured, leaning in once more as their lips met again in a sweet, tender embrace.